- Whitecaps FC 2 extended their club-record winning streak to six consecutive victories, continuing their longest winning/unbeaten run since joining the league in 2022
- Whitecaps FC 2 have now scored three or more goals in six of their last eight matches
- Eliot Goldthorp scored his fifth and sixth goals of the season, putting him in a tie for the team-lead in goals. It's the fourth time this season Goldthorp has recorded multiple goal contributions in the same match. All four of those occasions have come in the last five matches
- Malek Mehri scored his first WFC2 goal
- Myles Morgan recorded his first assist for WFC2
- Malcolm Simmons recorded his second assist of the season, with both of them coming during the winning streak
- Buster Sjöberg made his return from injury, playing the full 90 minutes
- Both VWFC and WFC2 claimed victories over St. Louis CITY SC and St. Louis CITY 2 this weekend
BURNABY, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 extended their longest win streak in the MLS NEXT Pro era with an impressive 3-1 victory over Western Conference leaders St. Louis CITY 2 on Sunday at Swangard Stadium.
On a gloriously sunny afternoon at Swangard Stadium, Whitecaps FC2 improved their record to 8W-4L-3D, jumping up to third place in the West.
The action would get started in the 17th minute, as Myles Morgan sent a pinpoint through ball ahead for Goldthorp, who sprinted past defenders from midfield onwards. Goldthorp put his head down and lashed a strike to the far post that beat CITY 2 goalkeeper Nicholas Bishop for a 1-0 lead.
Goldthorp, 22, has been a key contributor on the scoresheet this year. In the previous four matches, he had collected three goals and four helpers, which helped him set the WFC2 record in the MLS NEXT Pro era for assists in a season with six.
Teammate Mihail Gherasimencov also made his energetic presence felt as he alertly anticipated breakouts from the visitors, and won balls up for grabs at the centre circle.
St. Louis CITY 2 came mere inches from glory at the quarter hour. Right back Oscar Benitez put a cross in for Ryan Becher, with his effort from 15 yards out rising over the crossbar and out of danger.
At the other end, CITY 2’s Mykhi Joyner tested WFC2 goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer from the left wing with a looping header that the Boehmer leaped to cover, meaning the young 'Caps would carry the 1-0 advantage heading into the halftime interval.
After play restarted, Whitecaps FC 2 kept working hard for opportunities. Goldthorp took advantage of confusion on the St. Louis backline. He won the ball at the top of the box – but his chance sailed high and wide.
Another ’Caps chance came in close from sub Cyprian Kachwele, who unfortunately had the ball skip over his outstretched boot.
Captain Jay Herdman got in on the action as his attempt from 25 yards failed to dip under the bar.
CITY 2 would get their equalizer in the 75th minute. Becher slid a pass deep to an open Joyner, who smartly cracked the equalizer past a diving Boehmer.
But Goldthorp again rose to the occasion nine minutes later. Substitute Malcolm Simmons threaded a line-splitting pass through the spine of St. Louis to the wingback, who calmly netted his first brace of the season to give the home side the late lead.
The ’Caps added an insurance marker in stoppage time courtesy of a powerful Malek Mehri header, grabbing his first goal for the club. History was also made in stoppage time, as Valter Sedin made his professional debut for Vancouver.
Whitecaps FC 2 will now set their focus on extending their winning run to seven straight matches in a road match down the I-5. They’ll lace up against Portland Timbers2 on Saturday, July 6 at Providence Park, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. PT.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Thomas Noel
Scoring Summary
17’ – VAN – Eliot Goldthorp (Myles Morgan)
75’ – STL – Mykhi Joyner (Ryan Becher)
84’ – VAN – Eliot Goldthorp (Malcolm Simmons)
90+1' – VAN – Malek Mehri
Statistics
Possession: VAN 42% – STL 58%
Shots: VAN 12 – STL 9
Shots on target: VAN 5 – STL 6
Saves: VAN 5 – STL 2
Fouls: VAN 14 – STL 17
Offsides: VAN 2 – STL 6
Corners: VAN 1 – STL 4
Cautions
32’ – STL – Michael Johannes Wentzel
39’ – VAN – Myles Morgan
42’ – STL – Oscar Benitez
58’ – VAN – Mihail Gherasimencov
60’ – VAN – Cyprian Kachwele
72’ – STL – Tim Kelly (assistant coach)
90+1' – VAN – Max Anchor
Whitecaps FC 2
32.Isaac Boehmer; 56.Immanuel Mathe, 53.Buster Sjöberg, 83.Finn Linder, 54.Mihail Gherasimencov; 97.Liam Mackenzie (48.Malcolm Simmons 66’), 59.Jeevan Badwal; 41.Eliot Goldthorp, 92.Jay Herdman © (94.Valter Sedin 90+1’); 44.Myles Morgan (49.Malek Mehri 80’), 52.Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau (55.Cyprian Kachwele HT)
Substitutes not used
50.Max Anchor, 46.Darko Ilić, 51.Dembo Saidykhan, 95.Joshué Ndakala
St. Louis CITY2
55.Nicholas Bishop; 71.Nolan McGuire, 42.Oscar Benitez (80.Brendan McSorely HT); 72.Eric Kinzner (43.Cameron Cilley 61’), 40.Michael Wentzel ©, 50.Gabriel Mikina; 94.Carson Locker, 59.Mykhi Joyner (84.Jackson Delkus 79’), 49.Seth Antwi, 33.Tyson Pearce (88.John Larsen Hackworth 90+1'); 56.Ryan Becher
Substitutes not used
77.Samuel Gomez, 69.Michael Lay
