VANCOUVER, BC – It's playoff time. Whitecaps FC 2 (10W-11L-7D) are set to begin their 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs campaign this Sunday, October 20 with a quarterfinal matchup against Western Conference leaders North Texas SC. Kickoff from Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas is set for 5:30 p.m. PT.
- North Texas SC vs. Whitecaps FC 2
Sunday, October 20, 2024 – 5:30 p.m. PT
Choctaw Stadium – Arlington, Texas
WATCH: www.mlsnextpro.com
WEEKLY STORYLINES
PLAYOFF BOUND: For the first time in their MLS NEXT Pro era, Whitecaps FC 2 are playoff bound. The young 'Caps, who finished seventh in the Western Conference during the regular season, were picked by conference leaders North Texas SC for their quarterfinal clash. The teams played to a pair of tight yet entertaining affairs during the regular season, with the 'Caps claiming a shootout road win against NTX in their first match of the season back in March. North Texas then claimed a narrow 1-0 away win at Swangard Stadium in September, despite the Blue and White having the majority of the chances. The winner of Sunday's contest will move on the semifinals, with the highest remaining seeds in each conference selecting an opponent from any of the three remaining teams.
CLASS OF '24: A pair of big contributors for WFC2 during the regular season will now look to step up in the playoffs. This year's MLS SuperDraft class of wingback Eliot Goldthorp and forward Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau are tied for the team-lead in goal contributions with 13 each, combining for 26 goal contributions. Goldthorp, who has previously featured in the academies of Manchester United and his hometown Leeds United, has tallied eight goals and five assists in 22 appearances. His five assists are tied for the most in a single MLS NEXT Pro season by a WFC2 player, tied with current first team midfielder Ali Ahmed's record from 2022. Meanwhile, Fleuriau Chateau's gone on to sign a first team contract and set a single-season scoring record with his ninth goal of the campaign in the final regular season home match against Tacoma Defiance on September 21.
