VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 (3W-3L-0D) look to get back in the win column this coming weekend with two United Soccer Leagues (USL) Premier Development League (PDL) matches in Washington state.
The ‘Caps will first face North Sound SeaWolves (0W-3L-1D) this Friday with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. PT at Edmonds Woodway High School.
The following night, Vancouver will continue their five-game road trip at Gordon Park Field against Kitsap Pumas (0W-3L-1D), with that match scheduled to start at 7 p.m. PT.
WHITECAPS FC U-23
Last weekend, Vancouver split their two matches. This past Friday night, the 'Caps defeated Victoria Higlanders FC in an eight-goal thriller, 5-3. Niall Cousens grabbed two goals in the victory, while Gagandeep Dosanjh, Aminu Abdallah and Harry Lakhan each had one to secure the three points. Vancouver's victory prevented Victoria from celebrating the Juan de Fuca plate in front of their home crowd.
On Sunday afternoon, the 'Caps were held scoreless against Sounders FC U-23 despite controlling much of the second half, including a hard-struck free kick from Sasa Plavsic in the dying moments of the game that came off the cross bar. The Sounders went on to win the match 1-0 off of a header from Luis Esteves.
Despite already having earned wins against both North Sound and Kitsap this season, head coach Stuart Neely will not take his opposition lightly as every point is crucial in the tightly contested Northwest division.
"We want to come out of the weekend on a positive note, they're two good teams that are always decent finishers," said Neely. "We're getting to that stage where we're limited in games we can control, so it's important we control our own destiny in each of these games. It's nothing to be overconfident about, we've got to go into these games with every intention of winning."
NORTH SOUND SEAWOLVES FC
Whitecaps FC U-23 have already seen the SeaWolves once this season, earning an impressive 5-1 win at home back on May 26.
North Sound are still searching for their first win of the season. However, the SeaWolves have played better than their record indicates; most notably earning a tie in Victoria, who are second in the division with 10 points.
KITSAP PUMAS
The 'Caps have also seen the Pumas once this season so far, earning a 2-1 win in their season opener at hom on May 10.
Kitsap have had a steady season in the PDL so far. The 2011 PDL champions are coming off a goalless draw versus the division-leading Portland Timbers U-23.
Their lone win of the season so far was a 1-0 triumph over Washington Crossfire FC.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The ‘Caps hold an all-time record of 3W-4L-1D against the SeaWolves, and a record of 2W-4L-2D against the Pumas.
NEXT UP
Following this weekend Whitecaps FC next travel back across the border for a road match with Washington Crossfire on Wednesday, June 12 at 7 p.m. PT. Afterwards, Vancouver won’t have to wait long to avenge their loss to Seattle Sounders FC U-23, as they play host to their MLS-affiliated rivals at UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium on June 21 at 7 p.m. PT.
