VANCOUVER, BC - After playing the hosts for the first four matches of the 2014-15 United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA), Whitecaps FC Residency will finally head out onto the road this weekend to take on Portland Timbers Academy.
The ‘Caps will head down across the border to challenge their Cascadia rivals at the Timbers Training Facility in Beaverton, OR. With both matches set for Sunday, September 28, the U-18s will kick off at 10:00 a.m. PT, followed by the U-16s at 12:30 p.m. PT.
U-18
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency (4W-0L-0D) continued their perfect start to the USSDA season with two more wins over Nomads SC U-18 and San Diego Surf U-18 last weekend.
In the first matchup with Nomads SC, the ‘Caps were full value in an 8-0 win. After Dario Zanatta put up a brace in the first 45 minutes to put the squad up 2-0 at halftime, the Blue and White exploded for six goals in the second stanza. Aside from Zanatta completing his hat-trick, Kianz Froese and Ali Musse each picked up a brace and Francesco Saporito added a goal of his own.
In the second contest, the ‘Caps erased an early one-goal deficit to finish with a 3-1 win. Skipper Marco Bustos put up two goals, including the game winning marker, and Froese scored another one to seal the victory.
Whitecaps FC try to carry that early-season momentum into a showdown with Portland Timbers U-18, who haven’t gotten off to a great start this season. The young Timbers hold a 0W-1L-1D record so far, having fought to a 4-4 draw in their season opener against Pateadores U-18 before dropping a 3-2 decision to Strikers FC U-18 in their most recent outing.
Last season, the ‘Caps beat Portland twice – a 3-2 decision on November 9, 2013, and a 3-0 shutout on February 22, 2014. However, even with their recent success against Portland, and their fast start to this season, the ‘Caps are making certain not to underestimate a talented opponent.
“We know how good Portland’s academy program is,” said head coach Niall Thompson. “The boys are definitely carrying a quiet confidence about them with the early season success, but we know that Portland is going to be a tough match, so we’ve got to stay focused and execute our game plan.”
U-16
Not to be outdone by their U-18 counterparts, Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-16 Residency also took home all six available points last weekend against Nomads SC U-16 and San Diego Surf U-16.
The ‘Caps controlled the play for 90 minutes in the first match of the weekend, earning a 3-0 win against Nomads SC. Forward Daniel Sagno drew first blood for the Blue and White late in the first half, before center back Matthew Baldisimo and skipper David Norman sealed the win with goals in the second frame. Goalkeeper Luciano Trasolini was excellent, particularly early in the first half when Nomads SC had a few chances against the run of play.
The second match of the weekend showed the ‘Caps’ level of resiliency, as they fought back from two one goal deficits to win a 3-2 thriller against San Diego Surf. Munir Saleh got the ‘Caps on the board in the second half with a terrific header off a Matthew Baldisimo ball. Duwayne Ewart did the rest, as the newcomer potted two late goals to tie and win the match for the ‘Caps.
With a roster filled with new players now starting to gel, Whitecaps FC head into Portland to take on a Timbers U-16 squad that, like Timbers U-18, has started the season with a 0W-1L-1D record. In their first match of the new season, Portland fell 3-1 to Pateadores U-16 before fighting to a 1-1 draw with Strikers FC U-16.
Even with their early season woes, both head coach Rich Fagan and his players know how difficult a match up Portland will be.
“I anticipate a good game,” said Fagan. “Anytime we get to play these Cascadia games, the players are always a little extra excited. Portland are always a hard-working, difficult team to play against, and any match against them is always highly competitive.”
