ARLINGTON, TX – Whitecaps FC 2 continued their strong start to the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro regular season with a 4-1 win against Western Conference side North Texas SC on Sunday evening at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The young 'Caps are now unbeaten through three matches to begin the season, posting two wins and one penalty shootout win.
After a bright start, WFC2's early pressure would pay off in the 13th minute of the match. 'Caps first team centre back Karifa Yao found a loose ball in the area and hit a half-volley off the post, which was recovered by Levonte Johnson. The winger's cross from a tight angle found Gloire Amanda, with the forward heading in his first goal of the season.
The young 'Caps doubled their advantage moments later. Following a corner kick, Amanda’s headed flick would find its way to Finn Linder inside the box, with the defender smashing in his first goal of the season from close range to give WFC2 a 2-0 lead in the 16th minute.
Shortly after, Antoine Coupland found himself with space inside North Texas SC's half and sent a line-breaking through ball across the pitch to Johnson. The Canadian's move within the area would follow suit with a tidy finish for the forward, earning his first goal of the season and giving the away team a 3-0 advantage.
A penalty kick was then awarded to North Texas SC in the 38th minute. André Costa’s initial penalty strike was saved by goalkeeper Max Anchor, but the rebound was calmly converted by the midfielder.
After the half time interval, the home side came close to finding the net again. Substitute Alejandro Urzua sent a ball into the box following a corner, with José Mulato’s header inside the box going just wide of the net in the 64th minute.
As the match neared its end, Jay Herdman’s set piece play connected to Giovanni Aguilar inside the box, with the midfielder’s header making it 4-1 in the 85th minute.
The final whistle then blew in Arlington as WFC2 grabbed all three points at Choctaw Stadium.
The young ‘Caps return home to Swangard Stadium this coming Sunday, April 16 as they host LA Galaxy II, with kickoff set for 5 p.m. PT. Tickets are complimentary for Whitecaps FC MLS season ticket members, or $10 at the gate.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Melvin Rivas
Scoring Summary
13’ – VAN – Gloire Amanda (Levonte Johnson)
16’ – VAN – Finn Linder (Gloire Amanda)
18’ – VAN – Levonte Johnson (Antoine Coupland)
39’ – NTX – André Costa (penalty kick)
85’ – VAN – Gio Aguilar (Jay Herdman)
Statistics
Possession: NTX 65.3% – VAN 34.7%
Shots: NTX 19 – VAN 15
Shots on Goal: NTX 3 – VAN 7
Saves: NTX 3 – VAN 2
Fouls: NTX 17 – VAN 12
Offsides: NTX 2 – VAN 1
Corners: NTX 6 – VAN 4
Cautions
20’ – NTX – Carl Sainté
39’ – VAN – Karifa Yao
69’ – VAN – Malcolm Johntson
North Texas SC
42.Justin Stewart; 24.Amet Korça, 3.Henri Santos, 32.Nolan Norris; 7.Yeicar Perlaza, 18.Carl Sainté (8.Theo Henrique 65’), 11.André Costa (9.Pablo Torre 81’), 12.Tyshawn Rose; 77.Bernard Kamungo, 21.José Mulato (16.Diego Pepi 64’), 10. Hope Avayevu (80.Alejandro Urzua 40’)
Substitutes not used
29.Michael Webber, 5.Manuel Caicedo, 20.Alejandro Araneda, 27.Tomas Pondeca, 36.Diego Hernandez
Whitecaps FC 2
50.Max Anchor; 41.Malcolm Johntson (84.Christian Greco-Taylor 87’), 12.Karifa Yao, 83.Finn Linder, 54.Mihail Gherasimencov; 52.Vasco Fry, 92.Jay Herdman, 66.Giovanni Aguilar ©; 43.Antoine Coupland (78.Edwin Espinal 87’), 44.Gloire Amanda (76.Joe Hanson 83’), 28.Levonte Johnson (30.Kamron Habibullah 55’)
Substitutes not used
90.Cohen Park, 53.Simone Masi, 56.Lucas Dasovic
