COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC) continued their three match road trip on Saturday and saw their four match unbeaten streak come to an end with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of fellow USL expansion side Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
WFC2 (3W-5L-4D) remain just outside of the Western Conference playoff picture, while Colorado Springs (5W-5L-0D) temporarily jumped above the red line and into a playoff position.
Facing their third of four matches in the span of 10 days, head coach Alan Koch made two changes from Wednesday’s starting lineup in Salt Lake. Goalkeeper Spencer Richey came in for Marco Carducci, while striker Billy Schuler stepped in for Victor Blasco.
The ‘Caps had the first real chance of the match in the fifth minute as Brett Levis cut in from the right wing and ripped a left footed shot on target, but goalkeeper Devala Gorrick was able to get low and make the stop for Switchbacks FC.
Colorado Springs responded and had a good look of their own on 24 minutes when Mike Seth headed a corner kick on target, but straight into the hands of Richey. The home side came close again two minutes later as Miguel Gonzalez dribbled past Richey in the box but couldn’t catch up to the ball.
The match would take a pause soon after when lighting in the area caused the referee to halt the match and send both teams to their locker rooms.
After more than an hour delay, the teams were back on the field, and it was the Switchbacks who struck first on 41 minutes. Gonzalez hit a shot on goal that was saved by Richey, but Aaron King got to the rebound first for a 1-0 lead.
At halftime, Koch brought on young MLS loanees Marco Bustos and Andre Lewis, two players who had a big impact on Wednesday’s match in Salt Lake.
Both players brought added energy to the match, but it was Caleb Clarke who came closest with several second half chances as he sought his fourth straight match with a goal, but a goal would not come.
In the end, it was Colorado Springs who would find the back of the net again as Luke Vercollone beat Richey in the 78th minute for a 2-0 lead. Switchbacks FC would add one more from Martin Maybin.
The young ‘Caps nearly got on the board in the 89th minute with a header on target from Jackson Farmer, but Gorrick came up with a big save to preserve a 3-0 victory.
Whitecaps FC 2 conclude their road swing on Tuesday, June 9 when they visit Oklahoma City Energy FC at Taft Stadium.
WFC2 are back at Thunderbird Stadium on Sunday, June 14 for Bark at the Bird. Bring your dog to the match as the ‘Caps take on LA Galaxy II. Tickets are only $15.
The following week is Father’s Day as dads get in for free with a purchase of another ticket as the ‘Caps take on Cascadia rival Portland Timbers 2 on Sunday, June 21.
Come and see the next generation of Whitecaps FC stars as USL arrives in Vancouver. WFC2 matches are a unique and affordable experience for fans, families, students, and supporters. Season Tickets start as low as $118, with prorated prices available. Flex packs are also available to fit your schedule – get seven tickets to use any way you want, to any matches you want. For
more information on all WFC2 ticket options
, call 604-484-7862 or e-mail
wfc2@whitecapsfc.com
.
MATCH DETAILS
Attendance:
2,348
Scoring Summary
41’ – COS – Aaron King
78’ – COS - Luke Vercollone (Martin Maybin)
83’ – COS – Martin Maybin (Davy Armstrong)
Match Stats
Shots: COS 14 – VAN 9
Saves: COS 5 – VAN 3
Corners: COS 5 – VAN 5
Fouls: COS 1 – VAN 6
Cautions
83’ – COS – Josh Phillips
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
1.Devala Gorrick; 22.Taylor Hunter (25.Jordan Burt 55’), 2.Josh Phillips, 34.JJ Greer, 30.Kley Bejarano; 8.Rony Argueta, 21.Shintaro Harada, 4.Luke Vercollone (13.Kevin Durr 86'); 10.Miguel Gonzalez (6.Davy Armstrong 81’), 18.Aaron King (9.Martin Maybin 76’), 12.Mike Seth (7.Nate Robinson 69’)
Substitutes not used
23.Samir Badr; 5.Jamie McGuinness
Whitecaps FC 2
39.Spencer Richey; 55.Chris Serban, 41.Jackson Farmer, 54.Craig Nitti, 42.Jordan Haynes; 50.Sahil Sandhu (25.Andre Lewis 46’), 45.Tyler Rosenlund, 30.Ben McKendry (49.Mackenzie Pridham 70’), 46.Brett Levis (47.Jovan Blagojevic 80'); 51.Billy Schuler (32.Marco Bustos 46’), 34.Caleb Clarke
Substitutes not used
24.Marco Carducci; 48.Victor Blasco