BELL GARDENS, CA – Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency teams finished off their California road trip this weekend against Chivas USA Academy on Sunday. The U-18s drew even at 2-2 after a strong outing while the U-16s played another strong match, but suffered a tough 4-3 loss.
U-18
Whitecaps FC U-18 played their second game in two days with a match against Chivas USA Academy on Sunday February 9. After a strong outing the squad lacked the luck in goal to finish with a win as they drew even at 2-2.
The ‘Caps came out strong to begin the first half, controlling the tempo of the game. The Blue and White kept possession for the majority of the half as they created multiple scoring chances, but unfortunately were not able to capitalize.
Chivas USA Academy scored in the last minute of the first half to go up 1-0 at the break.
“It was frustrating a bit but the boys stuck through it and kept creating,” assistant coach Steve Meadley told whitecapsfc.com. “We came off at halftime feeling a bit hard about not finishing our chances, but we knew if we stuck at it we’d get something.”
The ‘Caps again opened the second half strong and on 66 minutes earned a penalty kick. Mitch Piraux buried the ensuing spot kick into the back of the net to level the match at 1-1.
Titouan Chopin, who came in at halftime, soon followed with a goal of his own just four minutes later to put Whitecaps FC on top 2-1.
After a fierce back and forth between the two squads, Chivas USA scored on 77 minutes to bring the score to 2-2.
In the closing minutes of the game, Chopin and substitute Kyle Jones were still pushing the tempo, creating several scoring chances for the ‘Caps. In the end, both teams came away with a point in a 2-2 draw.
Notable performances include centre backs Nicholas Prasad and Jackson Farmer for another strong match paired on the backline.
“I felt we were very good today,” Meadley told whitecapsfc.com “Again, the performance is important for us and we’re happy with how they performed. Even up to the last minute we kept creating chances and we could have ended up winning it at the end. We just lack a bit of luck in front of goal right now.”
Following a week off, the ‘Caps U-18s travel to play against Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers U-18 on Saturday, February 22.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-18
1.Nolan Wirth; 15. Vaggeli Boucas, 6. Jackson Farmer, 5. Nicholas Prasad, Nike Azuma; 17. Mitch Piraux, 4. Mark Baldisimo (Kyle Jones 76’), 10.Marco Bustos; 8.Matthew Chow (Titouan Chopin 57’), 21. Ali Musse (Jordan Haynes 45’),19. Kianz Froese (Mason James 89’)
Scoring Summary
41’ – CHV
66’ – VAN – Mitch Piraux
70’ – VAN – Titouan Chopin
77’ – CHV
U-16
In a thrilling match, the 'Caps U-16s ended up falling 4-3 against their fellow MLS Academy counterparts.
The ‘Caps went down early after two goals from Chivas USA in the first 20 minutes. The squad were able to answer back quickly with two goals of their own from Cole Morokhovich and Dario Zanatta leveling up the game at 2-2 to close the first half.
In the second half the ‘Caps continued to press on as David Norman found the back of the net for his first goal of the season, putting his team up 3-2.
However, it was not to be for the young 'Caps as Chivas USA Academy were able to answer back with two more goals in the next 15 minutes to come away with the win for a final score of 4-3.
“Overall it was agood team effort and a great response to get back into the game coming from two goals down,” assistant coach Raegyn Hall told whitecapsfc.com. "Overall it was a good performance and the boys will take away some important lessons from this match."
With the loss the ‘Caps now hold a record of 8W-3L-4D. Next up is a match against rivals Portland Timbers U-16 on February 22.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-16
30.Aidan Alyward; 32 Kadin Chung, 34.Eric De Graaf, 2.Andre Baires, 31.Erik Morden (39.Joshua Cuthbert 52’); 24.Vana Markarian (27.Jeeven Kang 52’), 13.David Norman (23.Francesco Saporito 68’), 28.Thomas Gardener; 36.Cole Morokhovich (41.Terran Campbell 58’), 9.Dario Zanatta, 25.Hayden Simmonds-O’Grady
Scoring Summary
5’ – CHV – Francisco Gutierrez
21’ – CHV – Andrew Mendoza
22’ – VAN – Cole Morokhovich
27’ – VAN – Dario Zanatta
47’ – VAN – David Norman
53’ – CHV – Alexis Diaz
61’ – CHV – Jonathan Hernandez
