Redwood City, CA - Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency keep finding ways to pick up points in this 2014-15 United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) campaign, and this past Saturday was no different. The ‘Caps Residency squads picked up four of a possible six points, with the U-18 side picking up a 2-0 win, while the U-16 side earned a hard-fought 2-2 draw.
U-18
Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency (10W-0L-0D) put together another impressive performance on Saturday, as they topped Juventus Sport Club U-18 (1W-9L-0D) 2-0 on the road to remain perfect on the season.
Winger Terran Campbell and striker Dario Zanatta did the damage for the Blue and White, as their two second half goals made the difference.
Despite an excellent start and numerous chances, the ‘Caps weren’t able to put one past the Juventus keeper in the first half. On their end of the pitch, the ‘Caps defense and goalkeeper William Diaz were rock solid, as they held Juventus scoreless in the opening 45 minutes.
The second stanza started out slowly for the ‘Caps, but they weathered a resilient Juventus side early on. 10 minutes into the frame, Diaz made his presence felt with a brilliant stop, as he flashed his quick reflexes to get in front of a header off of a Juventus set piece.
The ‘Caps offence rewarded him soon after. In the 63rd minute, centre back Andre Baires did well to pick out Ali Musse deep in the left corner of the Juventus end. The winger then delivered a beautiful ball to the top of the box, where Campbell was waiting. The winger wasted no time, drilling a first-time strike behind the keeper.
The ‘Caps got an insurance marker in the 80th minute, as Zanatta delivered a beautiful free kick from just outside the 18 yard box, placing it low to the left hand side and beating the Juventus goalkeeper cleanly.
“We created numerous chances today and I’m pleased with the overall performance,” said head coach Niall Thompson after the match. “We got the result we wanted, and now we’re looking towards San Jose.”
Scoring Summary
63’ – VAN – Terran Campbell (Ali Musse)
80’ – VAN – Dario Zanatta
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency
18.William Diaz; 17.Jeevin Kang, 5.Vaggeli Boucas, 2.Andre Baires, 39.Josh Cuthbert; 15.Drake Rendle, 24.Vana Markarian; 41.Duwayne Ewart, 20.Kyle Jones, 8.Ali Musse; 9.Dario Zanatta
U-16
Whitecaps FC U-16 Residency picked up a point against a plucky Juventus Sport Club U-16 squad, as the two sides battled to a 2-2 draw.
The two teams played to a quiet first half, as neither side could put a goal past the opposing keeper.
In the second frame, the ‘Caps came out of the gate fast, as Matt Baldisimo and Nick Apostol scored just two minutes apart to put them up 2-0.
Baldisimo’s goal, in particular, demonstrated some excellent ball movement, as the defender did well to rush forward and get his head on a great ball from Munir Saleh.
However, the lead didn’t last long, as Juventus got one back on a penalty kick in the 70th minute before equalizing just 10 minutes later.
Scoring Summary
52’ – VAN – Matthew Baldisimo (Munir Saleh)
54’ – VAN – Nick Apostol
70’ – JSC – (penalty kick)
80’ – JSC –
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-16 Residency
30.Aidan Aylward; 32.Kadin Chung, 31.Frazer Poulter, 4.Matt Baldisimo, 33.Michael Baldisimo; 47.Jonas Hakkinen (52.Gabriel Escobar), 45.Munir Saleh, 37.Nick Apostol; 36.Cole Morokhovich, 27.Daniel Sagno, 38.Noah Verhoeven
