WESTFIELD, INDIANA
– Whitecaps FC Residency teams commenced their United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) Playoffs run on Tuesday and the U-16 team made a loud statement.
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Four 'Caps score as Whitecaps FC U-16 defeat Concorde Fire U-16 6-1
Whitecaps FC U-16 showed why they are the Western Conference champions as they opened their USSDA postseason run with a resounding 6-1 win over Concorde Fire U-16.
'Caps goalkeeper Luciano Trasolini set the tone early with some key saves and then the frontline took care of the rest.
Midfielder Munir Saleh got things started with a header off a corner in the 10th minute to open the scoring for the 'Caps. Striker Cole Morokhovich joined the attack not long after to double the lead, before striker Daniel Sagno slotted in two more goals to record a first-half brace.
WFC U-16 head coach Adam Day inserted Gloire Amanda for Sagno at halftime and the scoring onslaught continued, as Amanda chipped in two second-half goals himself.
Fire U-16 found the net in the second half to make the final score 6-1.
"We looked sharp from the first whistle and once we weathered some early exchanges, we completely controlled the game. We were effecient at both ends of the pitch and fully deserving of the win," said Day.
Whitecaps FC U-16 look to continue the hot streak when they face Chicago Magic PSG U-16 on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. PT.
Whitecaps FC U-16
42.Luciano Trasolini; 48.Terrell Smith, 4.Matthew Baldisimo, 40.Brendan Skinner, 32.Kadin Chung (33.Michael Baldisimo 45'); 28.Thomas Gardner (38.Noah Verhoeven), 13.David Norman, 45.Munir Saleh (47.Jonas Hakkinen); 27.Daniel Sagno (49.Gloire Amanda 45'), 14.Terran Campbell, 36.Cole Morokhovich (37.Nicolas Apostol)
Whitecaps FC U-18 fall 2-0 to Shattuck-Saint Mary's U-18
Whitecaps FC U-18, who finished the regular season having won or tied 12 of their last 14 matches, could not ride their momentum into the playoffs, falling 2-0 to Shattuck Saint-Mary's.
The 'Caps frontline featuring midfielders Dario Conte, Kyle Jones and Ali Musse, came out pressing, getting Vancouver chances to start the game.
Vancouver looked to be controlling the match when the tide changed in the 24th minute, as Shattuck-Saint Mary's U-18 caught them on a counter-attack to open the scoring.
The Blue and White had a golden opportunity to get back into the game in the 64th minute when a Shattuck-Saint Mary's player was shown the red card for a reckless challenge.
Unfortunately for the Blue and White, it was the opposition who would break free in the 64th minute to give Shattuck-Saint Mary's an insurmountable 2-0 lead.
First-team goalkeeper Marco Carducci and Whitecaps FC 2 defender Jordan Haynes both started for the U-18s, but it would not be enough for the 'Caps on this day.
"We were extremely unfortunate to be down 1-0 at halftime," U-18 head coach Rich Fagan explained afterwards. "With the exception of their one counter-attack, we dominated in terms of territory and possession. We created several first-half chances and deserved more for our effort and performance. After their second goal, we continued to dominate possession but found it difficult to build any real momentum with so many stoppages in play."
Fagan's side get another chance on Wednesday as they face Oakwood Soccer Club at 7 a.m. PT.
Whitecaps FC U-18
1.Marco Carducci; 2.Andre Baires, 16.Quinn Bredin, 5.Vaggeli Boucas, 11.Jordan Haynes, 7.Marcello Polisi, 23.Francesco Saporito, 24.Vana Markarian, 21.Dario Conte (Alan Comacho 70'), 20.Kyle Jones, 8.Ali Musse
