SAN JOSE, CA - Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency are going into the winter break on the best possible note, as both the U-18 and U-16 sides closed out the 2014 United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) calendar year with a convincing win over their counterparts from San Jose Earthquakes Academy.
U-18
Facing a talented San Jose Earthquakes U-18 (9W-2L-1D) side that were nipping at their heels in the Northwest Division standings, Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency (11W-0L-0D) showed exactly why they’re the top-ranked squad in USSDA, dominating both play and the scoreboard in a 4-0 rout.
Winger Ali Musse bagged a brace, while both Terran Campbell and Dario Zanatta netted singles as the ‘Caps cruised to their 11th win of the season.
The first goal of the afternoon was off of a set piece in the 15th minute. Musse stepped up and delivered a brilliant free kick from just outside the San Jose 18-yard-box, clearing the wall and beating the keeper with a perfectly placed ball to the top left-hand corner.
The second marker came just as the clock was winding down in the first half, as Musse found Campbell in space with a cross deep in the San Jose end. Campbell made no mistake, coolly finishing to put the ‘Caps up by two going into the break.
Musse got on the scoresheet again at the 55-minute mark. After a nice combination play to break down the Quakes defence, Zanatta was fouled as he collected the final cross. The ball squirted free and found its way to Musse’s feet. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native wasted no time and buried his second of the contest.
Zanatta wrapped up the scoring just nine minutes later, as he picked up the ball in the Earthquakes area and struck the ball well, beating the San Jose keeper on a clean look.
“I’m extremely pleased with the performance the boys gave today,” said head coach Niall Thompson. “They deserved the win; they dominated play and dominated possession. The back line was very solid. I was extremely happy with how guys stepped up and showed what they’re worth today. It was a very satisfying performance.”
Scoring Summary
15’ – VAN – Ali Musse
45’ – VAN – Terran Campbell (Ali Musse)
55’ – VAN – Ali Musse
64’ – VAN – Dario Zanatta
Vancouver Whitetcaps FC U-18 Residency
18.William Diaz; 39.Josh Cuthbert (16.Manraj Bains 70’), 2.Andre Baires, 5.Vaggeli Boucas, 17.Jeevin Kang; 24.Vana Markarian, 28.Thomas Gardner; 8.Ali Musse (12.Will Grayson 77’), 20.Kyle Jones (41.Duwayne Ewart 56’), 14.Terran Campbell (15.Drake Rendle 70’); 9.Dario Zanatta
U-16
Whitecaps FC U-16 Residency (8W-1L-2D) showed some moxie in the afternoon’s second match, as they scored two second-half goals en route to a 2-1 come-from-behind win, on the road, over San Jose Earthquakes U-16 (6W-3L-3D).
Winger Daniel Sagno and midfielder Munir Saleh provided the finish for the ‘Caps, and Gabriel Escobar, a call-up from the ‘Caps Pre-Residency program, facilitated both goals with some slick playmaking.
The first half was all about the defence, as the ‘Caps didn’t allow so much as a quality chance for San Jose in the first 45 minutes. However, the ‘Caps couldn’t separate themselves from the ‘Quakes, and the two sides went into the half in a 0-0 deadlock.
The second half didn’t start out the way the ‘Caps wanted, as, at the 65-minute mark, a San Jose free kick found its way behind goalkeeper Luciano Trasolini, and, against the run of play, San Jose were up 1-0.
However, the ‘Caps stormed right back to equalize – off the ensuing kickoff after San Jose’s goal, Sagno and Escobar played a beautiful give-and-go, ending in a terrific Escobar cross from the left flank that Sagno nodded in from the San Jose area.
The Blue and White took the lead for good in the 75th minute, and Escobar was once again at the center of the action. Taking a ball from fullback Mike Baldisimo down the left flank, Escobar made a sharp run across the goal mouth and delivered the ball back to Saleh, who slammed it in from the top of the box.
The ‘Caps sealed the result with some stout defending until the final whistle, as they earned their Northwest Division-leading eighth win of the season.
Even more than the result, ‘Caps U-16 head coach Rich Fagan is most impressed with how guys are moving seamlessly between the age groups and not just taking up space, but excelling.
“Take Escobar, who played with us this weekend, or Campbell and Ewart, who played with the U-18s this weekend, because they were shorthanded, just to name a couple,” said Fagan. “These guys are moving between age groups and making an impact at whatever level. It bodes well for our program and the quality of players that are coming through.”
Scoring Summary
65’ – SJE –
66’ – VAN – Daniel Sagno (Gabriel Escobar)
75’ – VAN – Munir Saleh (Gabriel Escobar)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-16 Residency
42.Luciano Trasolini; 32.Kadin Chung, 31.Frazer Poulter, 4.Matthew Baldisimo, 33.Michael Baldisimo; 45.Munir Saleh, 13.David Norman, 38.Noah Verhoeven; 36.Cole Morokhovich, 27.Daniel Sagno, 37.Nick Apostol (52.Gabriel Escobar 55’)
