Playing their first set of matches of 2012 in the United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA), Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency teams earned a split of away results with their counterparts from Chivas USA Academy on Saturday.
On an uncharacteristically cool and wet day in Southern California, the U-18 Residency squad (8W-2L-2D) suffered only their second defeat of the season following a 4-2 loss to the Chivas USA U-17/18 side in the Saturday morning clash at Stadium Field turf on the campus of Pasadena High School. In the midday kickoff, however, the Blue and White had better fortune, as a hat-trick from Chilliwack, BC, native Brody Huitema (pictured) gave the U-16 Residency side (7W-3L-2D) a 3-1 victory over the Chivas USA U-15/16 squad.
Both Residency squads will have a quick turnaround, as they face their counterparts from LA Galaxy Academy in a pair of USSDA matches at The Home Depot Center (HDC) complex in Carson, California, on Sunday. The U-18 Residency squad will play first on HDC Field 5 turf at 10 a.m. PT, while the U-16 Residency squad play their league match on the same pitch at 12:30 p.m. PT.
U-18
It proved to be a tough day for the U-18 ‘Caps, as they played most of Saturday’s match with ten men after Alex Rowley was sent off following the concession of Chivas USA penalty just five minutes in. The Goats converted the spot kick and proceeded to take a four-goal lead by the midway point of the first half following strikes on 11, 15, and 22 minutes. Vancouver pulled a goal back on 33 minutes when Caleb Clarke converted a penalty of his own before the Residency striker rounded out the scoring with another ‘Caps spot kick on 83 minutes. Chivas USA also finished the match with ten men after a second bookable offence to one of their U-17/18 players on 55 minutes.
“It’s funny how games unfold sometimes. We planned well all week and looked forward to this match, and then suddenly, it was over inside the first five minutes,” Residency technical director Richard Grootscholten told whitecapsfc.com. “Despite being 4-0 down, the players need to be commended for applying good pressure on Chivas USA in the second half with ten men. It’s a disappointing result, but there were some good things from our side.”
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency U-18
Callum Irving; Adam Polakiewicz, Daniel Stanese, Tim Hickson, Alex Rowley; Ben Fisk, Bryce Alderson (Titouan Chopin 77’), Yassin Essa; Spencer DeBoice (Quinton Duncan 23’), Wesley Cain (Ben McKendry 62’), Caleb Clarke
U-16
The U-16 ‘Caps got the New Year off in fine fashion on Saturday, as Huitema’s hat-trick led the Blue and White to a well-deserved away result. The striker gave Vancouver the lead on seven minutes before scoring the match winner on 31 minutes. His third goal came midway through the second half of the 80-minute match (60 minutes). The Goats lone reply came on 62 minutes from the penalty spot. The U-16’s gave USSDA debuts to their three new signings. Nova Scotia native Liam Elbourne was in the starting XI, while EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League (BCSPL) products Matthew Chow and Parker Ellis made substitute appearances versus The Goats.
“The first ten to 15 minutes from our side was very good today,” Grootscholten said. “They had a good spell and we were a bit fortunate to withstand Chivas USA’s pressure at one stage. In the second half, we looked in control of proceedings. We played a couple of our new signings and some younger players today. We were pleased to see their contributions to today’s win.”
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency U-16
Nolan Wirth (Marco Carducci 45’); Sam Adekugbe, Jackson Farmer, Alex Comsia, Matthew van der Eyden; Mitch Piraux (Francesco Saporito 77’), Liam Elbourne (Parker Ellis 57’), Marco Bustos (Elijah Adekugbe 57’); Sebastian Cabrera (Matthew Chow 67’), Carlos Patino (Olamide Ajibike 75’), Brody Huitema
