VANCOUVER, BC – After a month-long break, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency return to action on Saturday. The ‘Caps travel to Portland to take to the field against Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers as they continue their United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) seasons.
The Blue and White will play at the Timbers Training Facility. The U-18 Residency team will play the opening match with kickoff set for 10:00 a.m. PT. The ‘Caps U-16 Residency side will play the second match of the day, as they take on the Timbers at 12:30 p.m. PT.
U-18
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-18 (14W-3L-3D) will look to keep the good times rolling after winning their two previous matches. The Blue and White are the only team in USSDA who have conceded less than 20 goals, with a minimum of 20 games played, bolstering one of the top defences in North America. This weekend’s match marks the second of three meetings between Whitecaps FC and the Timbers this season. The ‘Caps prevailed 3-0 in the first meeting.
The Blue and White played Crossfire Premier in their last match on Saturday, February 7, winning 2-1. A strong defensive performance by the whole team allowed fullback Jeevin Kang to join the attack from the backline. Kang was able to assist on both Whitecaps FC goals.
Portland Timbers U-18 (4W-14L-2D) are currently sixth in the Northwest Division. Last weekend, the Timbers suffered a a 2-0 defeat to Nomads SC and a 3-2 loss to San Diego Surf.
“Cascadia games are always a special occasion,” noted U-18 Residency head coach Rich Fagan. “The on-field rivalry goes back as far as Pre-Residency for some players, we can’t exactly say that about every team we play. Both clubs have great respect for the other and the games are always competitive.”
U-16
Whitecaps FC U-16 (14W-2L-4D) enter the weekend with a USSDA U-16 league best 33 goal differential to go with an impressive 2.33 points a game. The Blue and White are currently in first place in the Northwest Division. In their first meeting of the year, Whitecaps FC earned a 3-2 victory of the Timbers.
The ‘Caps continued their consistent play when they took to the field against Crossfire Premier in their last match on Saturday, February 7, winning 3-1. Vancouver began the game with a strong start when Cole Morokhovich headed in his fifth goal of the season. Gloire Amanda, continued his great form, scoring twice to bring his total to nine goals on the season. Amanda has scored in four consecutive games.
Portland Timbers U-16 (11W-4L-5D) are currently second place in the Northwest Division. Jose Perez, leads the attack for the Timbers having scored 15 goals on the season. Last weekend, Portland drew Nomads SC 4-4 and followed that up with a 1-0 win against San Diego Surf.
“The boys are eager to get back playing and, there could not be a better game to play than against our Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers,” noted interim U-16 head coach Carl Valentine. “There are a number of boys missing through injury and national team call-ups, so there is a great opportunity for players who have not got a lot of minutes so far.”
Away with Canada’s U-17 national team squad are goalkeeper Luciano Trasolini, defenders Matthew Baldisimo and Kadin Chung, midfielder Munir Saleh, and forwards Terran Campbell and Daniel Sagno. Heading into their Friday match against Mexico, Canada has won their two previous games, 3-1 against Haiti in the tournament opener and following up with a 3-2 win against Costa Rica in their second match.
