PORTLAND, OR – Whitecaps FC 2 (6W-8L-5D) and Timbers 2 (6W-9L-2D) battle on the back-end of what's expected to be a raucous Cascadia derby weekend down in Portland.
The crucial Sunday USL tilt comes on the heels of the MLS matchup between their first team counterparts six miles away at Providence Park on Saturday.
WFC2 are undefeated in their last three outings, all of which came at Thunderbird Stadium. The 'Caps and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC reached a 2-2 stalemate on Wednesday evening, with Andre Lewis and Marco Bustos finding the net for the home side.
The fresher legs will belong to T2, who have not played since suffering a 2-1 loss at the hands of WFC2 on Friday, July 10, with captain Tyler Rosenlund and midfielder Victor Blasco providing the scoring for the 'Caps.
Stakes are high once again - with the Western Conference playoffs fast approaching and derby bragging rights up for grabs.
Kickoff on Sunday is at 7 p.m. and will be webcasted live on whitecapsfc2.com.
Here are the storylines for the rivalry match:
CASCADIA DERBY WEEKEND
Rosenlund, Blasco star as WFC2 protect home versus T2
Make no mistake about it, whatever happens in the MLS match on Saturday will have repercussions in the Whitecaps FC 2 - Timbers 2 contest on the following day.
There's no louder statement that can be made down the Interstate-5 than completing a derby weekend sweep.
Big games call for big-game players. For the 'Caps, Bustos, Blasco and Billy Schuler will be expected to put their stamp all over the match.
NOT THESE GUYS AGAIN
Anytime you play a team three times in a month, things will tend to get testy.
Congeniality goes out the window quickly and the 'Caps have already taken the first two, so fans can expect Timbers 2 to claw and scrap to get a favourable decision.
The Portland duo of Fatawu Safiu and Kharlton Belmar remain to be dangerous and the Timbers 2 faithful will be on the WFC2 backline all throughout the match.
Defenders Craig Nitti and Chris Serban will have to tune out the noise. Will Seymore, an Oregon State University product and a former Timbers U-23 member, may get his chance as well.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The two sides are identical. Both are young, dynamic and out to prove something.
The numbers tell the same tale.
Goals per game |
Assists per game |
Fouls per game |
|
Whitecaps FC 2 |
1.37 |
1.00 |
11.89 |
Timbers 2 |
1.35 |
0.95 |
12.12 |
The Blue and White should expect Timbers 2 to get off to a fast start, but head coach Alan Koch and captain Rosenlund will need to provide the troops stability to weather an early storm.
Three points will allow the 'Caps to separate themselves from T2 in the standings.
We'll see on Sunday if the WFC2 boys can pull it off.
Whitecaps FC 2 are then back at Thunderbird Stadium on Friday, July 24 when they host Tulsa Roughnecks FC at 7 p.m. Tickets are available here.
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. 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.
