Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 (0W-3L-3D) battled valiantly but finished in a 3-0 defeat to Sounders FC U-23 (1W-2L-0D) in their fourth away match of the season at Curtis High School in University Place, Washington on Friday.
Despite an attacking mentality from the visiting 'Caps, Sounders FC would not be denied on home turf. The scoring opened on 18 minutes when striker Mohammed Dumbuya dribbled through the back line and fired a shot into the back of the net to put the Sounders up 1-0.
Dumbaya was at the centre of the action again in the 36th minute, holding up the ball well and finding Luis Esteves with a perfectly weighted ball. Esteves then who broke towards goal, finishing for a 2-0 lead.
Whitecaps FC U-23 nearly got one back in the 43rd minute, but Sounders FC U-23 defender Austin Dunker came to rescue for the home side. Striker Niall Cousens received the ball in the Sounders box with his back to the goal. After a quick turn turn, Cousens fired a shot towards diving Sounders FC U-23 goalkeeper Jefferson Caldwell, but the goalkeeper - who was off his line - cut down the angle. It looked as if the ball would cross the line, but Dunker made the save off the line to avert danger. The rebound came back to Cousens, but his second shot went into the side of the net.
In the 54th, minute Dumbuya was at it again deep in the 'Caps end. With the ball just outside the left side of the box, Dumbuya sent a great ball across the face of the goal where he found striker Nikolaj Hansen. Hansen then finished with a diving header to make the score 3-0.
For the remainder of the match the two sides looked for goals - especiallt the 'Caps pushing to get on the scoreboard. In the end, the final whislte blew to confirm a 3-0 result for the home side.
On to the next match for Whitecaps FC U-23, another one on the road against Washington Crossfire on Tuesday June 3 at 7 p.m. PT at Redmond High School.
Scoring Summary
18’ – SEA – Mohammed Dumbuya (own goal)
36’ – SEA – Luis Esteves (Mohammed Dumbuya)
54’ – SEA – Nikolaj Hansen (Mohammed Dumbuya)
Match Stats
Total Shots: Seattle 13 – Vancouver 12
Saves: Seattle 3 – Vancouver 4
Fouls: Seattle 10 – Vancouver 10
Offsides: Seattle 3 – Vancouver 2
Corners: Seattle 2 – Vancouver 2
Cautions
30’ – SFC – Mohammed Dumbuya
75’ – VAN – Niall Cousens
90+’ – SFC – Clement Simonin
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23
Nolan Wirth, Mitch Piraux, Jackson Farmer, Jordain Farhani, Colton O’Niell, Harry Lakhan (Jordan Haynes 70’), Marlon Ramirez (Sean Einarrson 57’), Adam Jones (Marco Bustos 57’), Cody Cook, Reynold Stewart (Mark Baldisimo 45’), Niall Cousins
Substitutes Not Used:
Marco Carducci, Rares Serban, Nicholas Prasad
Sounders FC U-23
Jefferson Caldwell, Austin Dunker, Chase Hansen, Steve Mohn, Clement Simonin, Mark Lee (John Mau 90’), Michael Bajza, Christopher Wehan (Jamael Cox 68’), Luis Esteves (Richie Duffie 76), Nikolaj Hansen (Ian Lange 59’), Moh Dumbuya (Derek Johnson 63’)
Substitutes Not Used:
Jacob Feener, Esteban Reyes
