Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 (2W-2L-2D) play their final Cascadia match of the United Soccer Leagues (USL) Premier Development League (PDL) regular season against a high-flying Portland Timbers U-23 (4W-0L-0D) side this Friday at JELD-WEN Field in Portland, Oregon. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. PT.
With two matches already played over the past week against Timbers U-23 and Sounders FC U-23, the U-23 Whitecaps will be hoping to wrap up their rivalry meetings with their first win at Portland, who hold a 6W-0L-1D all-time record against the 'Caps in the PDL. The PDL Timbers will feel the pressure for another positive result, as Kitsap Pumas are now level on points with Portland at the top of the PDL Western Conference, Northwest Division standings following their defeat of Washington Crossfire on Wednesday night.
In their first meeting last Saturday, Vancouver proved to be the toughest test yet for Portland, with only a Clark Phillips individual effort in the 75th minute seperating the two teams in a 2-1 Timbers U-23 win. It was Portland’s closest match thus far this PDL season.
WHITECAPS FC U-23
Whitecaps FC have shown a tremendous fighting spirit over their tough early schedule. Craig Dalrymple’s squad will carry a dose of momentum into Oregon, as they are fresh off a 3-3 result at Sounders FC U-23 on Wednesday night.
Gagandeep Dosanjh(pictured) once again led a valiant effort by opening with his second consecutive goal this week. Attackers Ben Fisk and Caleb Clarke were equally prolific on the scoresheet; the latter now taking his tally to three goals on the season.
Only a win will do for Vancouver if they are to finish as the best side in the PDL version of the Cascadia Cup, as they have already played Sounders FC U-23 twice and Timbers U-23 at home last weekend
TIMBERS U-23
Portland continue to outlast the tough competition of the Northwest Division of the PDL's Western Conference. Much credit goes to their attacking depth thus far, as eight different players have now found the back of the net, with striker Mark Sherrod tied for fourth in the league with five goals. In between the pipes is a reliable Richey Spencer for the U-23 Timbers, who has only allowed two goals during this impressive start. A win will put Portland both three points clear of Kitsap Pumas in the division standings and first amongst the Cascadia squads with six points.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Whitecaps FC U-23 will have their first meeting with North Sound SeaWolves FC next Wednesday night, June 6, at Edmonds Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. PT.
