LAWRENCE, KS – Whitecaps FC 2 earned two points in a shootout win over Sporting KC II at Rock Chalk Park on Sunday.
Caio Alexandre played in his first competitive match since August 8 of last year after overcoming successful surgery from a fifth metatarsal fracture, followed by a left hand fracture. Also playing was Luís Martins, who spent three years with Sporting Kansas City in MLS before joining Whitecaps FC as a free agent in early May. Martins made his Whitecaps FC debut as a late substitute in Saturday's 1-0 win at Children’s Mercy Park.
WFC2 nearly opened the scoring in the sixth minute on a fantastic build-up. It ended with Simon Becher turning in the box and setting up Vasco Fry for a low show on goal that was saved by SKCII goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh.
In the 29th minute the ‘Caps came close again, this time on a cross from Fry that was headed just wide of the net from Filip Rakic.
In the 38th minute Julián Vázquez broke into the box, but Isaac Boehmer did well to come up with a big stop on his low shot.
Boehmer started the second half with another huge save, this time getting down to save a rocket from Michael Lenis that was headed for the bottom corner.
WFC2 finally opened the scoring in the 51st minute. After a turnover from SKCII just outside the box, Elage Bah poked the ball forward and Simon Becher capitalized with his first goal for the 'Caps and a 1-0 lead.
The 'Caps could have doubled the lead in the 68th minute when they broke out with numbers, but the counter ended with a shot just wide from substitute Pipé Fernandez-Salvador.
SKCII tied things up in the 82nd minute when Jake Davis headed in a ball from Collin Fernandez to make it 1-1.
It was nearly the 'Caps back in front in the 87th minute. Fry struck a terrific free kick off the inside of the crossbar, but it stayed out to keep the match tied.
WFC2 had one more chance to win it in regulation, as Emiliano Brienza headed a Fry free kick inches wide in stoppage time.
With the wind howling, the two teams went to a shootout to decide the extra point. The 'Caps scored on all five of their shots, ending with Fry to take home two points.
Next up for WFC2 is four-match June home stand at Swangard Stadium, starting next Sunday, June 5 for another MLS double weekend, this time against Real Monarchs. Kickoff will be at 5 p.m. PT. Tickets are $10 at the gate or available at whitecapsfc2.com. Whitecaps FC MLS season ticket members can also access complimentary tickets using their access key.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Elton García
Scoring Summary
51' – VAN – Simon Becher
Shootout
SKC – Missed – Cole McLagan
VAN – Scored – Pipé Fernandez-Salvador
SKC – Scored – Julián Vázquez
VAN – Scored – Owen Antoniuk
SKC – Scored – Guy Michaeli
VAN – Scored – Simon Becher
SKC – Scored – Kaveh Rad
VAN – Scored – Emiliano Brienza
SKC – Scored – Tijani Fatah
VAN – Scored – Vasco Fry
Statistics
Possession: SKC 41.4% – VAN 58.6%
Shots: SKC 15 – VAN 16
Shots on Goal: SKC 5 – VAN 5
Saves: SKC 4 – VAN 4
Fouls: SKC 14 – VAN 12
Offsides: SKC 1 – VAN 1
Corners: SKC 10 – VAN 7
Cautions
17’ – SKC – Curtez Kellman
48’ – SKC – Jahon Rad
80’ – SKC – Julián Vázquez
85’ – SKC – Michael Lenis
90’ – SKC – Tijani Fatah
90'+6’ – VAN – Owen Antoniuk
Sporting KC II
22.Kendall McIntosh; 71.Michael Lenis, 84.Jahon Rad, 72.Esai Easley (78.Cole McLagan 77'), 49.Coby Jones (48.Kaveh Rad 77'); 44.Curtez Kellman (17.Jake Davis 62'), 88.Collin Fernandez, 64.Cade Thomson (70.Tijani Fatah 62'); 47.Mateo Bunbury (61.Josh Coan, 90'), 90.Guy Michaeli, 30.Julián Vázquez
Substitutes not used
99.Ethan Bandré, 42.Rauf Salifu, 51.Nicholas Pendleton, 80.Spencer Glass
Whitecaps FC 2
60.Isaac Boehmer; 53.Simone Masi, 64.Cristian Campagna, 61.Matteo Campagna; 57.Elage Bah (95.Joshué Ndakala 86'), 8.Caio Alexandre (47.Pipé Fernandez-Salvador 60'), 52.Vasco Fry, 66.Giovanni Aguilar (68.Owen Antoniuk 74'), 14.Luís Martins (92.Jay Herdman 60'); 29.Simon Becher, 46.Filip Rakic (49.Emiliano Brienza 86')
Substitutes not used
40.Ben Alexander, 70.Harrison Gough, 76.Joe Hanson, 83.Finn Linder
