After playing seven of their last eight United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League (PDL) fixtures away from home, Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 (5W-5L-3D) return to the friendly confines of Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, BC, on Friday, July 6, for a clash with North Sound SeaWolves FC (4W-9L-0D).
Whitecaps FC will look to bounce back against the SeaWolves after seeing their season-high four-match unbeaten streak come to an end June 27 against the fourth-place Washington Crossfire.
In their previous meeting this season, the ‘Caps suffered a 3-1 defeat to the seventh-place SeaWolves June 6 at Edmonds Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington.
“That was probably our most disappointing performance of the season,” Residency head coach Craig Dalrymple told whitecapsfc.com. “We got outworked a little bit and the competitiveness of the opponents was stronger than ours. However, I think the players are ready to prove that they can compete against that type of opposition.”
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT. Admission to Friday’s PDL home matches is free of charge.
WHITECAPS FC U-23
Coming off a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Crossfire, the ’Caps will be looking to get back into the win column Friday in their first of three consecutive home matches to conclude the season.
But they will have to do so without the scoring prowess of Caleb Clarke, who is still on trial with Rot-Weiss Erfurt in Germany and midfielder Ben Fisk, who is away with the Canadian U-20 squad.
With just three matches remaining in the season, the fifth-place ‘Caps are currently seven points out of a playoff spot in the PDL Western Conference, Northwest Division.
They are still mathematically in contention but the Blue and White will surely need a positive result Friday to keep their playoff hopes alive.
“The last three games of the season, we really need three wins to try and have a chance to go to the playoffs,” Dalrymple said. “So our group is focused on winning out the rest of the season.”
SEAWOLVES FC
Winless in three, the SeaWolves return to PDL action with an opportunity to win the season-series against Vancouver.
Although the SeaWolves will not be advancing to the post-season, a win would move them to within three points of Whitecaps FC in the Northwest Division.
The SeaWolves have conceded 30 goals in 13 matches this season — second to only Fraser Valley Mariners FC in the division. Their lone road victory of the season came May 20 in their season opener at Fraser Valley.
NO TIME FOR REST
The ‘Caps are back in action Sunday against Vancouver Island rivals Victoria Highlanders FC in what could be the deciding match of the supporters-driven Juan de Fuca Plate.
Kickoff for Sunday is set for 12 p.m. PT at Minoru Oval Park in Richmond, BC.
