There are only two games left to play in the United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) regular season for both Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-16 and U-18 Residency teams. Both squads have wrapped up playoff spots in their respective divisions.
Last week, the Residency squads earned split decisions against Crossfire Premier, with Whitecaps FC U-18’s dropping a 4-0 result to their division rivals, while the ‘Caps U-16 squad captured victory by a 4-1 final score.
On Sunday, the Residency squads square off against USSDA West Conference, Northwest Division rivals Seattle Sounders FC. The U-18 Residency squad will play first at 1 p.m. PT versus Sounders FC U17/18, followed by the U-16 Residency squad taking on Sounders FC U-15/16 side at 3:30 p.m. PT. Both matches take place at Simon Fraser University Field #4 in Burnaby, BC.
U-18
The U-18 ‘Caps head into Sunday’s match coming off one of the most disappointing outings of their season, as they dropped a 4-0 lopsided result to Crossfire Premier. Whitecaps FC will meet their opponents for the second time this season, having last played Sounders FC back in December, 2011 where they captured a 3-1 victory.
“It was a disappointing result last week,” said coach Craig Dalrymple.
The U-18 Residency squad currently sit atop the West Conference, Northwest Division standings. With two games remaining in the regular season for the ‘Caps U-18 squad, they will look to continue their run of strong play both at home and on the road.
U-16
The U-16 ‘Caps squad will look to keep the ball rolling against Sounders FC this Sunday afternoon. The ‘Caps U-16 squad is coming off an impressive 4-1 victory over Crossfire Premier on the strength of goals scored by Mitch Piraux, Sadi Jalali, Matthew Chow and Sebastian Cabrera. The U-16 squad currently sits in first place in the Northwest Division.
The U-16 squad will be looking to exact some revenge and continue to distance themselves away from their Cascadia rivals. Last time these rival squads hooked up the Blue and White dropped a 4-0 result. Things have changed since then, as the ‘Caps have gotten on a roll and now lead Sounders FC by three points for the Northwest Division lead.
Both the U-16 and U-18 squads will look to keep their winning mentalities about them as they charge towards the playoffs. Following this Sunday’s matches, Whitecaps FC Residency squads travel for the final match of the season against Arsenal FC on Sunday, June 17 at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, Washington.
