VANCOUVER, BC – Playing at home for the first time in 2015, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency return to Simon Fraser University (SFU) for a pair of Northwest Division matches against San Jose Earthquake and Juventus Sport Club in the United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA).
The ‘Caps will take to the pitch Saturday, January 31 and welcome San Jose Earthquake. The U-18s will kickoff at 10 a.m. PT with the U-16s taking to the field at 12:30 p.m. PT. On Sunday, February 1 Juventus Sport Club will step on the pitch to play the Blue and White. Kickoff times remain the same with the U-18s kicking off at 10 a.m. PT and the U-16s taking to the field at 12:30 p.m. PT. All games will be played at Fox Field turf on the SFU campus.
U-18
Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency (12W-2L-3D) are ranked first in the Northwest Division and will be looking to improve on their fifth ranked USSDA position.
Last weekend, Whitecaps FC took to the pitch against Seattle Sounders FC in a 2-1 losing effort, Francesco Saporite scored the lone after entering as a substitute.
San Jose Earthquakes U-18 (11W-4L-2D) are ranked third in the Northwest Division, only four points behind Vancouver. San Jose split their match last two matches, winning 6-1 against FC Golden State and losing 3-0 to Real Salt Lake AZ.
Juventus Sport Club (2W-15L-1D) are last in the Northwest Division, and have not scored a goal in their last five matches. Last weekend, Juventus lost 5-0 to San Juan Soccer Club.
Coach Niall Thompson is looking to build off of last weekend’s performance.
“Our last performance against Sounders FC, the squad stepped up again and we are seeing players develop and gain more confidence," noted Thompson. "San Jose will be a great test for us and we are expecting a tough battle. We will focus on some key points in our pregame talk and hopefully we get a good performance.
“Juventus gave us a tough time last time we played and from our standards we underperformed," added Thompson. "We will look to make a few changes for the second game to add fresh legs.”
U-16
Whitecaps FC U-16 Residency (11W-2L-4D) currently sit in first place in the Northwest Division after securing 37 points through 17 games.
Last time out the Blue and White took down Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders FC 3-1, thanks to goals by Glorie Amanda and Daniel Sagno (2). Sagno leads the team with 13 goals.
Sitting in second place, San Jose Earthquakes U-16 (9W-4L-4D) are six points behind the ‘Caps for the division lead. The last time the Earthquakes took to the pitch against the 'Caps was in November, Vancouver came back from a goal down to win 2-1.
Sunday’s opponent is seventh ranked, Juventus Sport Club (6W-8L-4D). Juventus lost their match last weekend, 3-0 to San Juan Soccer Club. Juventus have been strong opposition against Vancouver in the past with the most recent match up ending in a 2-2 draw.
Coach Rich Fagan is expecting two tough games this weekend.
“It is always great competing against other MLS academies but you can’t take the smaller clubs like Juventus lightly,” said Fagan. “It is also important for the players to play at home in front of family and friends, everyone will be up for both games.”
