Vancouver Whitecaps Prospects Men endured another difficult day in the Pacific Coast Soccer League after a 5-2 defeat at Vancouver Thunderbirds on Tuesday evening.
After starting the season with a 2-0 defeat at defending PCSL champions Victoria United last Saturday, Bart Choufour's young side were made to pay for their mistakes in their second league game at UBC's Todd Field, despite creating a fair share of their own opportunities in the match.
With injuries leaving the Prospects squad a bit thin, the Whitecaps endured pressure in the early stages of the game. Just as Choufour's side started to work their way into the game, the Thunderbirds struck on the quarter-hour mark, as a Whitecaps pass was intercepted in the centre of midfield before Tyson Keam gave the home side a 1-0 lead.
Despite going a goal down, the Prospects turned the game in their favour with two very quick and effective attacks that were converted by Ben Hemphill and Ian Clark for 2-1.
Yet, the Thunderbirds swung the game their way with three goals before the interval, as the hosts took advantage of two Whitecaps mistakes and a corner to make it 4-2. Colin Jones, Steve Johnson, and John Poli struck the goals for the Thunderbirds.
The second half saw Choufour introduce Ashley Ankiewicz and Riley Newport to the game, with the Prospects' newcomers adding more energy to the young side. This allowed the Whitecaps to create a number of chances, while the Thunderbirds looked dangerous on the counter-attack.
The home side sealed victory ten minutes from the end, as the Thunderbirds' Marco Visintin converted from a goal-mouth scramble to make it 5-2.
The next PCSL game for the Whitecaps Prospects Men is their home opener on Sunday, May 25, when they host Surrey United at SFU Field #4.
Whitecaps Prospects Men - starting line-up v Vancouver Thunderbirds
Coady Nett; Gavin Barrett, Lawrence Buchan, Branden McLean, Ben Leggett; Flo Liu, Jordan Casoli, Nat Blaiklock, Max Maund; Ian Clark, Ben Hemphill
