VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency team near the end of their United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) campaigns as they take on fellow MLS academy San Jose Earthquakes as well as Cal Odyssey this weekend at UBC.
The U-18s will be hoping to keep their grasp on top spot in the West Conference, Northwest Division by building on their record of 16W-6L-3D. They face fourth place San Jose Earthquakes (14W-10L-1D) at UBC's Thunderbird Stadium at 12 p.m. on Saturday before taking on bottom of the league Cal Odyssey (4W-21L-0D) at UBC's Varsity Field on Sunday with another 12 p.m. kickoff.
After an impressive showing last time out, the U-16s sit in sixth place in the West Conference, Northwest Division with a 7W-15L-3D record. On Saturday they will take on San Jose Earthquakes (8W-11L-6D), who sit one spot above them in fifth place, in a 2:30 p.m. kickoff at UBC's Thunderbird Stadium. They then come up against bottom placed Cal Odyssey (5W-17L-3D) on Sunday with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff at UBC's Varsity Field.
U-18s
Gordon Forrest’s U-18s have been in imperious form, having won 12 of their past 14 matches including a resounding 8-0 victory against Santa Cruz Breakers last time out. They are currently level on points with Seattle Sounders FC at the top of the table but can put clear daylight between themselves and their Cascadia rivals who do not play this weekend.
Coach Forrest is looking forward to a couple of tough tests, including another MLS academy side.
“It’s a challenging weekend and they’ve got the two games together,” said Forrest. “Obviously it’s good playing against the other MLS academies and I’m sure they’ll be coming to Vancouver to show what they’re made of. It’s a good opportunity for the guys to match up against San Jose as well. All the teams that come to play an MLS club or play us in Vancouver always seem to raise their game that little bit more as well.”
U-16s
The U-16s will be looking to end the season on a high after a mixed campaign that currently sees them sitting mid-table. A young side took apart Santa Cruz Breakers 5-0 in their last match and they will hope to take that momentum into this weekend’s matches.
Expect another strong effort from this group this weekend as the program's young players look to make their mark and push for spots with the older age groups.
