VANCOUVER, BC - Looking to build off of their undefeated start to the 2014-15 United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) season, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency are back at it again this weekend.
The ‘Caps will play another set of back-to-back games, as they host two Californian clubs on Simon Fraser University’s Field 4. The ‘Caps will take on Nomads SC on Saturday, September 20 (the U-18s are set to kick off at 10:00 a.m. PT, while the U-16s will start at 12:30 p.m. PT) before turning their focus to San Diego Surf on Sunday, September 21 (U-18s will kick off at 10:00 a.m. PT, followed by the U-16s at 12:30 p.m. PT).
U-18s
The first weekend of the 2014-15 USSDA campaign went about as well as one could expect for Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency (2W-0L-0D). The ‘Caps won both of their opening contests, picking up a close 3-2 win over Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders FC U-18, and steamrolling San Juan Soccer Club U-18 5-0.
On the offensive front, Whitecaps FC were led by attacking midfielder Marco Bustos and striker Dario Zanatta. Bustos, named the side’s skipper prior to the season, notched all three goals against Seattle, followed up by two against San Juan. Zanatta made his own impression in the weekend’s second match, posting a natural hat-trick over the span of eight minutes in the second half against San Juan.
Whitecaps FC will take that high-octane offense into a matchup with Nomads SC U-18 (1W-1L-0D), who have split their matches early on in the USSDA season. They picked up a 6-5 win against FC Golden State U-18 in their season opener on September 6, followed by a 2-0 loss to MLS academy Chivas USA U-18 on September 14.
Like Nomads SC, San Diego Surf U-18 (1W-1L-0D) have split their first two contests of the new campaign. San Diego dropped their first match of the season 5-0 to Real Salt Lake AZ U-18 on September 6, but bounced back with a solid 3-2 win over Strikers FC U-18 last Sunday.
“Both teams are competitive and technically solid teams,” said head coach Niall Thompson. “With the Nomads, we know what type of club they are – they have some good, quality players and they’re going to be a very strong opposition. Sunday is going to be another tough game for us, as San Diego is another technically gifted team.”
U-16s
Whitecaps FC U-16 Residency (1W-0L-0D) also got off to an unbeaten start last weekend, earning a 1-1 draw with Seattle Sounders FC U-16 before beating San Juan Soccer Club 4-2.
Returning defender Matthew Baldisimo scored the tying goal against Seattle on Saturday while forward Daniel Sagno added a brace against San Juan, with fellow returnee Cole Morokovich and new addition Duwayne Ewart added goals of their own during the Sunday match.
Nomads SC U-16 (0W-1L-1D) are looking for their first win of the season, as they dropped their season opener 2-1 to FC Golden State and earned a 1-1 draw against Chivas USA U-16.
San Diego Surf U-16 (2W-0L-0D) are coming into Sunday’s showdown with an unblemished record so far this season. San Diego bested Real Salt Lake AZ U-16 3-2 in their opener, then blanked Strikers FC U-16 1-0 in their second match of the year.
For assistant coach Carl Valentine, as important as this weekend’s matches are, they’re also part of a much larger picture.
“Like all the other teams, it’s early in the season, and with new players coming in, you’re just trying to build that cohesiveness,” said Valentine. “You’re looking for what your players can do and how they can adapt to the system that you want them to play. It’s going to be another interesting weekend.”
The 'Caps will be missing two players for this match as defender Terrell Smith and midfielder Noah Verhoeven were both called up to the Canadian U-15 men's national team.
Residency on the rise
There was more good news for the Residency program on Monday as the club signed both Marco Bustos and Kianz Froese to Homegrown player contracts. The two young players were quickly initiated by the team by having their heads shaved.
