VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency teams are back in British Columbia hosting Crossfire Premier this Saturday, April 19 at South Surrey Athletic Park Field #7. The squads only have six more games left in their United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) regular seasons with only two more matches at home. The U-18s and U-16s are currently in playoff positions as they look to lock down berths in the postseason.
U-18
Whitecaps FC U-18 are in second place in the Northwest Division with a record of 13W-5L-3D. They are currently in a playoff spot with only six games left in the season.
In recent action the squad headed to San Diego, California to face San Diego Surf and Nomads SC on April 12 and 13. The ‘Caps bested the Surf 4-1. Marco Bustos notched a brace, and has now scored seven goals in his last three games. Kyle Jones found the back of the net in the 47th minute, while his teammate and second-half substitute Matthew Chow turned one in late, burying a shot into the top corner in the 88th minute. The next day against Nomads SC, the team fell to a 4-3 defeat, their first in six games.
Crossfire Premier sit sixth in the division with a record of 9W-9L-3D. The two teams last squared off in 2013 season as they drew 1-1 in their first match and 2-1 in the second encounter.
“We are expecting a really tough battle this weekend against a close rival,” U-18 head coach Niall Thompson told whitecapsfc.com. “Coming out of our road trip in San Diego, we were disappointed to come away with only one win out of the two games. It was a great learning experience for our development, so this weekend we are looking to put it right. Saying that, we know that we are going into a tough test with a very physical team. We're looking forward to the battle.”
U-16
Whitecaps FC U-16 hold a record of 12W-3L-6D and sit second in the Northwest Division. They are also currently in a playoff spot with six games to go.
Against San Diego Surf last weekend, the ‘Caps drew even at 1-1 as leading goal scorer Dario Zanatta (15 goals) buried a penalty kick in the 82nd minute. One day later, the Blue and White bested Nomads SC 2-1 with a pair of goals from Zanatta.
Crossfire Premier currently sit fourth with a record of 9W-8L-4D, two spots bellow the ‘Caps in the Northwest Division standings. The two squads last met during the previous season. The ‘Caps defeated the Crossfire 4-1 in their first match but were shutout 4-0 in the second.
“We're expecting it to be another tough game with Crossfire Premier,” Residency staff coach Carl Valentine told whitecapsfc.com. “We are really looking forward to playing at home in front of our fans. These games are another opportunity for our players to show the hard work they’ve put in during their training.”
