Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 (2W-3L-2D) will play a third consecutive road match this Wednesday in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) Premier Development League (PDL), when they lock horns with North Sound SeaWolves FC (1W-3L-0D) for the first time this season. Kickoff from Edmonds Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington, is set for 7:30 p.m. PT.
Sitting at sixth place in the Northwest Division standings, Vancouver are looking to end a run of frustrating results, with just one point achieved in their last three matches. With a later start to their PDL campaign, North Sound are poised to gain ground in the division as well, with this being the of three matches over the next four days for the SeaWolves.
All-time matches between the two sides have been split, with an even record of 2W-2L-0D between the teams over the past two PDL seasons. Last season, the ‘Caps lost their first meeting 2-1 away to North Sound and won 2-0 in their returning home match at Swangard Stadium.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC U-23
Having just endured a tough run in the PDL’s edition of the Cascadia Cup, the Whitecaps will hope to find their first win since a 4-0 result against Fraser Valley Mariners on May 23 at Simon Fraser University.
Outside of the PDL, several players are coming off an impressive showing against Seattle Sounders FC Academy in United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) action on Sunday. Attacking maestro Ben Fisk - who has recorded three goals and an assist in the past four PDL games - scored a goal and recorded two assists versus Seattle. Teammates Caleb Clarke and Yassin Essa also padded their USSDA stats, as they each netted hat-tricks against the Sounders Academy. Wesley Cain (pictured) and Ben McKendry added goals for the 'Caps, while goalkeeper Callum Irving got the shutout in net.
Another recent standout on the PDL squad is captain Gagandeep Dosanjh in midfield, who opened his 2012 PDL account with a goal at home to the first place Portland Timbers U-23 on May 26 and added another goal and an assist in the two matches since.
As the only Northwest Division sides playing on Wednesday night, a first away win of the campaign over North Sound would prove crucial to Vancouver in the tight standings by placing them back in fourth place.
NORTH SOUND SEAWOLVES FC
Heading into their fifth match of the PDL season, North Sound SeaWolves FC are under pressure to avoid a fourth straight defeat and grab a first win in their home stadium. The SeaWolves have recently struggled in their disciplinary control, with players sent off in the last two losses.
North Sound will look to striker Abduwali Aman to provide some offence, as he has already netted two goals for his side in his third campaign for the SeaWolves, one of which came in the season-opening 2-1 win against Fraser Valley Mariners FC. Fellow third year squad member Claudio Lazar will be warmed up as well with 31 saves under his belt.
BACK TO VICTORIA
Next up for Whitecaps FC U-23 is a second trip to Royal Athletic Park this season to face Victoria Highlanders FC after their first meeting ended in a 1-1 draw on May 13. Kickoff for the Saturday, June 9, encounter is set for 7 p.m. PT. With four points a piece, the two sides are currently level in the supporters driven Juan De Fuca Plate competition.
