BURNABY, BC – Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) thrilled their home fans in the club's return to Swangard Stadium on Sunday, playing to a 2-2 draw against Timbers 2 before falling in a shootout.
The 'Caps returned to the Burnaby venue, where they last called home in 2010 and played previously in the USL and Canadian Soccer League.
While this was the first match between WFC2 and Timbers 2 in the MLS NEXT Pro era, the two second teams battled 11 times over three seasons previously in the USL.
Dasovic’s side pushed on with some offensive pressure in the opening minutes of the first half with a few opportunities. MLS SuperDraft pick and striker Simon Becher had a one-on-one opportunity with Timbers 2 goalkeeper Hunter Sulte, who saved his chance in the 19th minute.
In the 31st minute, ‘Caps midfielder Pipé Fernandez Salvador crossed in a ball from the left side to Becher, who’s first touch ended up coming right off the post in the 31st minute.
Dasovic’s squad continued with their offensive pressure in the first half, as Ali Ahmed crossed in a ball to Becher in the 36th minute which trickled past the side of the net.
Right before the end of the first half, the away side opened the scoring in the 44th minute. T2’s Jamin Gogo Peters drew first blood after a pass from Timbers MLS right back Pablo Bonilla.
The young 'Caps were motivated in the second half. Midway through the half, Filip Rakic dribbled past Portland's backline and threaded a pass to Emiliano Brienza inside the box, but his shot was blocked by the Timbers 2 defence in the 65th minute.
The opponents then gave away a penalty a few minutes later, as WFC2’s offensive pressure continued. ‘Caps midfielder Owen Antoniuk converted the penalty kick from the spot in the 75th minute to level the game.
Timbers 2 retook the lead against the run of play in the 84th minute after team captain and midfielder Blake Bodily gave his squad a 2-1 advantage after a Bonilla cross.
Late drama would arrive as the ‘Caps continued to push for the equalizer. Vasco Fry crossed in a ball to Antoniuk, who head in a brace and tied the game 2-2 in the 95th minute.
Per MLS NEXT Pro rules, the match concluded in a shootout as the game ended 2-2 in full time regulation. Following a pair of misses from the 'Caps, Portland’s Justin Rasmussen scored the winning penalty to give his team the extra point.
Up next for WFC2 is a road match next Sunday, April 17 just across the border at Seattle Sounders FC affiliate Tacoma Defiance. WFC2 are next at home on Sunday, April 27 against Sporting KC II, with kickoff at 4 p.m. PT. For more information on the roster, schedule, and tickets, visit whitecapsfc2.com.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Mohammad Mohseni
Scoring Summary
44’ – POR – Jamin Gogo Peters (Pablo Bonilla)
76’ – VAN – Owen Antoniuk
84’ – POR – Blake Bodily (Pablo Bonilla)
90’+5 – VAN – Owen Antoniuk (Vasco Fry)
Shootout
Scored – POR – Gerardo Durán
Missed – VAN – Owen Antoniuk
Scored – POR – Selmir Miscic
Missed – VAN – Emiliano Brienza
Scored – POR – Blake Bodily
Scored – VAN – Vasco Fry
Scored – POR – Justin Rasmussen
Statistics
Possession: VAN 58.7% – POR 41.3%
Shots: VAN 21 – POR 6
Shots on Goal: VAN 8 – POR 3
Saves: VAN 1 – POR 6
Fouls: VAN 10 – POR 15
Offsides: VAN 0 – POR 0
Corners: VAN 7 – POR 2
Cautions:
25’ – VAN – Giovanni Aguilar
47’ – VAN – Matteo Campagna
49’ – POR – Gerardo Durán
75’ – POR – Zachery McGraw
87’ – POR – Justin Rasmussen
90’+1 – VAN – Simone Masi
90’+3 – POR – Blake Bodily
Whitecaps FC 2
60.Isaac Boehmer ©; 53.Simone Masi, 64.Cristian Campagna (95.Joshué Ndakala 90’), 61.Matteo Campagna; 58.Eric White (68.Owen Antoniuk 63’), 47.Pipé Fernandez-Salvador (46.Filip Rakic 63’), 52.Vasco Fry, 66.Giovanni Aguilar, 51.Ali Ahmed; 92.Jay Herdman (76.Joe Hanson 77’), 29.Simon Becher (49.Emiliano Brienza 63’)
Substitutes not used
40.Ben Alexander; 44.Chris Lee, 57.Elage Bah, 83.Finn Linder
Timbers 2
26.Hunter Sulte; 28.Pablo Bonilla, 35.Mitchell Ferguson, 18.Zachery McGraw, 14.Justin Rasmussen; 48.Jamin Gogo Peters (53.Abraham Villalobos 69’), 39.Dylan Akau, 98.Blake Bodily©; 77.Selmir Miscic, 49.Diego Elizalde (45.Sean McDowd 77’), 74.Gerardo Durán
Substitutes not used
50.Noah Lawrence; 37.Kyle McGowan, 52.Andre Saucedo
