VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency teams kicked off 2015 with a pair of matches in California on the weekend. The U-18s (12W-1L-3D) had an undefeated weekend with a 2-0 win over Strikers FC (7W-10L-1D) on Saturday and a 0-0 draw with Pateadores (9W-3L-6D) on Sunday, while the U-16s (10W-2L-4D) bounced back from a 2-0 defeat to Strikers FC (6W-7L-5D) on Saturday with a 3-0 win over Pateadores (8W-7L-3D)on Sunday.
U-18
Playing their first match of 2015, the 'Caps U-18 Residency squad maintained their perch at the top of the Northwest Division.
With regulars Marco Carducci, Marco Bustos, Kianz Froese, and Jordan Haynes all away with the Canadian U-20 men's national team, the Blue and White leaned on a number of call-ups from the U-16 squad against Strikers FC.
Two players who have spent much of this season with the U-16 'Caps, and who were recently away with the Canadian U-17 men's national team, found the back of the net on Saturday. First up was Duwayne Ewart with a goal in the 37th minute, followed by Thomas Gardner with a tally in the 62nd minute to wrap-up a 2-0 victory.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-18 vs. Strikers FC
18.William Diaz (30.Aidan Aylward 86'); 17.Jeevin Kang, 2.Andre Baires, 5.Vaggeli Boucas (15.Drake Rendle 69'), 39.Joshua Cuthbert; 14.Terran Campbell (28.Thomas Gardner 46'), 24.Vana Markarian, 23.Francesco Saporito (8.Ali Musse 46'); 41.Duwayne Ewart (12.William Grayson 65'), 9.Dario Zanatta, 20.Kyle Jones
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On Sunday the 'Caps were left frustrated against Pateadores.
Despite controlling much of the play, Niall Thompson and his squad were held scoreless in a 0-0 draw against their Southwest Division opponents at the Vanguard University field.
Goalkeeper Luciano Trasolini, who only just returned from camp with Canada's U-17 men's national team, earned the clean sheet in net for the 'Caps.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-18 vs. Pateadores
42.Luciano Trasolini; 17.Jeevin Kang, 2.Andre Baires, 24.Vana Markarian 39.Joshua Cuthbert; 15.Drake Rendle, 28.Thomas Gardner, 14.Terran Campbell; 8.Ali Musse (20.Kyle Jones 46'), 9.Dario Zanatta, 41.Duwayne Ewart
U-16
It was a tough start for the younger 'Caps as they fell 2-0 to Southwest Division opponents Strikers FC on Saturday.
The 'Caps saw nine regulars return to the field after being away for camp with the U-17 national team, including: Matthew Baldisimo, Kadin Chung, David Norman, Daniel Sagno, Munir Saleh, and Luciano Trasolini.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-16 vs. Strikers FC
42.Luciano Trasolini; 32.Kadin Chung, 13.David Norman, 31.Frazer Poulter, 40.Brendan Skinner (4.Matthew Baldisimo); 45.Munir Saleh, 33.Michael Baldisimo (44.Jonas Hakkinen 41'), 38.Noah Verhoeven; 27.Daniel Sagno, 36.Cole Morokhovich (52.Gabriel Escobar 65'), 37.Nicolas Apostol (49.Gloire Amanda 41')
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The 'Caps responded from their Saturday defeat with a 3-0 win over Pateadores on Sunday.
After a scoreless first half, Munir Saleh opened things up with a goal in the 45th minute, followed by strikes from Cole Morokhovich in the 50th minute, and Daniel Sagno in the 65th minute to wrap-up a 3-0 win.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-16 vs. Pateadores
30.Aidan Aylward; 32.Kadin Chung (35.John Kasper 65'), 31.Frazer Poulter, 40.Brendan Skinner, 48.Terrell Smith; 45.Munir Saleh, 13.David Norman (44.Jonas Hakkinen 72'), 33.Michael Baldisimo (37.Nicolas Apostol 53'), 35.John Kasper (38.Noah Verhoeven 65'); 27.Daniel Sagno, (52.Gabriel Escobar 72'), 49.Gloire Amanda (36.Cole Morokhovich 65')
