HOUSTON, TX – Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency cruised to a 4-2 win over De Anza Force on Wednesday in their second match at the United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) Finals in Houston, Texas.
Ben Fisk netted a second consecutive hat-trick for the ‘Caps, giving him an incredible six goals in the first two matches of the Academy Finals.
"Ben Fisk has been fantastic so far in this tournament and has shown a real nose for the net," Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency head coach Craig Dalrymple told whitecapsfc.com.
With the win, Whitecaps FC are now in pole position to qualify for the championship match on Sunday at BBVA Compass Stadium – home of Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo. In order to do so, Vancouver need only to hold off North Carolina Fusion on goal differential. The ‘Caps currently sit at +5 while the Fusion sit at -1 after defeating Colorado Rapids 4-2 on Wednesday.
Whitecaps FC opened the scoring in the 14th minute when they countered quickly to spring Fisk on a breakaway, as the Vancouver native finished to make it 1-0.
Shortly after the 30-minute mark, Bryce Alderson made it 2-0 after breaking in from 30 yards out. Eight minutes later it was 3-0, with Alderson setting up Fisk for his second.
Though they had a commanding lead, the ‘Caps would not relent, as Ben McKendry set up Fisk for his third goal on 58 minutes to make it 4-0.
De Anza weren’t about to give up and fought back to make it 4-2, but the ‘Caps held firm and retained their lead to earn an important victory.
"We got off to a fantastic start and really controlled the play throughout the game," said Dalrymple. " This tournament has been great to showcase our talent and the program as a whole."
Next up is their final group match against Colorad Rapids academy on Friday at 6 p.m. PT. Should the 'Caps win or draw, they will guarantee themselves a spot in Sunday's USSDA championship final.
Scoring Summary
VAN -14 - Ben Fisk
VAN - 30 - Bryce Alderson (Alex Rowley)
VAN - 36 - Ben Fisk (Bryce Alderson)
VAN - 58 - Ben Fisk (Ben McKendry)
DAF - 71 - Max Ornstil (Travis Pillon)
DAF - 74 - Travis Pillon (Max Ornstil)
Lineups:
VAN: 1-Callum Irving; 9-Adam Polakiewicz (17-Sam Adekugbe, 82), 14-Daniel Stanese, 5-Tim Hickson, 12-Declan Rodriguez (15-Jason van Blerk, 59); 8-Ben McKendry, 13-Alex Rowley, 2-Bryce Alderson (6-Carlos Marquez, 63); 10-Ben Fisk (11-Spencer DeBoice, 62), 4-Caleb Clarke (16-Carlos Patino, 86), 7-Yassin Essa (3-Wesley Cain, 60)
Substitutions Not Used: 30-Marco Carducci, 00-Said Jalali
Head coach: Craig Dalrymple
DAF: 1-Paul Blanchette; 2-Alfie Edmonds, 7-Matt Escobar, 25-Mike Amick, 15-Thomas Janjigian (36-Luc Brubaker, 60); 11-Max Ornstil, 10-Kody Wasaka (17-Edson Cordona, 81), 23-Colby Trah (77-Jason Romero, 38); 6-Travis Pillon, 66-Skyler Felt (20-Greg Senger, 34), 21-Ryan Masch
Substitutions Not Used: 0-Cameron McElfresh, 19-Alejandro Gaeta, 8-Dylan Autran
Head coach: Eric Yamamoto
Stats Summary: VAN / DAF
Shots: 5 / 4
Shots on Goal: 6 / 6
Saves: 4 / 2
Corner Kicks: 1 / 5
Fouls: 6 / 6
Offside: 2 / 5
Misconduct Summary:
None
Officials:
Referee: Christopher Mercado
Assistant Referee 1: Ray Moffatte Jr.
Assistant Referee 2: Jason White
Fourth Official: Cedric Adams
ussocer.com Man of the Match: Ben Fisk
