A week after Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Seattle Sounders FC dueled in Major League Soccer (MLS) action at BC Place, the rivalry continues at the U-23 level on Friday as the ‘Caps and Sounders face off in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) Premier Development League (PDL). The match kicks off at 7 p.m. PT across the border at Curtis High School in the city of University Place, Washington.
WHITECAPS FC U-23
On Wednesday, Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 hosted Kitsap Pumas on a rainy evening at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam. In the end, the match ended in a 1-1 draw with Cody Cook scoring for the ‘Caps.
Cook entered the game for Kianz Froese at halftime, and in minute 62 this substitution paid off when Cook responded and scored off of a free kick by Marco Bustos.
After playing in front of the home fans, Whitecaps FC will head south to play cross-border rivals Sounders FC U-23. So far this season, the ‘Caps hold a 0W-1L-2D away record. Though they have had strong performances, Vancouver are eagerly looking forward to adding a victory to their overall record of 0W-2L-3D to start this 2014 United Soccer Leagues (USL) Premier Development League (PDL) season.
“We have some very young players who are playing and we have to remember that this is a development league,” Thompson said. “It’s to get our U-18s and our young pros to the next level and playing this type of physical team is going to help our development.”
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC U-23
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<b>Highlights from Sounders FC U-23 last match vs. Puget Sound </b> |
Early on in the 2014 PDL season, Sounders FC U-23 hold a 0W-2L-0D record, positioning them at the bottom of the Western Conference Northwest Division.
The Sounders have fallen to defeat in both of their matches, a 1-0 loss to newcomers Lane United of Oregon and a 3-2 loss at home to nearby rival Puget Sound Gunners FC. Mohammed Dumbuya and Luis Esteves scored against Puget Sound.
In their debut 2012 PDL season – after being rebranded from Tacoma Tide – Sounders FC U-23 finished in first place in the Northwest Division and made it all the way to the league semifinals before losing 3-2 to Forest City London.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Entering the third season of their rivalry at the PDL level, Whitecaps FC U-23 have a 1W-2L-1D record against their Cascadia foes. The ‘Caps won their most recent contest, beating the Sounders 4-2 at Thunderbird Stadium on June 21, 2013.
COMING UP NEXT
Whitecaps FC U-23 return to action this coming Tuesday, June 3 for another road match. The ‘Caps will again head south to face Washington Crossfire at Redmond High School, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. PT.
