Match Report:

By Simon Fudge/whitecapsfc.com

Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency ended their two-game road trip to Utah by suffering a 1-0 defeat at Ogden Outlaws on Saturday evening.

Kyle Christensen's free kick strike late in the game at Ogden High School gave the Outlaws all three points in what was the final regular season match of the 2008 USL Premier Development League campaign for both clubs.

Despite clinching a PDL playoff berth with Friday's 2-0 win at BYU Cougars, Saturday's defeat meant Thomas Niendorf's young side finished second behind Western Conference Northwest Division champions Tacoma Tide, who thrashed Washington State rivals Yakima Reds 6-2 in the final regular season game on Saturday. As a result, Tacoma edged Whitecaps Residency for the Northwest Division crown on goal difference.

Buoyant after Friday's win at Brigham Young University, the young Whitecaps knew they only needed a point from their game in Ogden to claim the division title.

Yet, the effects of the BYU game looked to have had an impact on Vancouver, as the Residency side struggled for energy in the first half against the Outlaws. Chances were traded by both sides in the opening 45 minutes, but the scoreline remained 0-0 at the halftime break.

The second half saw much of the same play from both sides, with the Whitecaps knowing a goalless draw would suffice for them, while the Outlaws were keen to give the 500 fans in attendance something to cheer about in their final game of the season.

Still, the Residency squad pressed forward to try and assure a first-place finish with a game-winning goal, but Ogden kept the visitors on their toes with their direct style of play.

The game's decisive moment came on 81 minutes, as Christensen's free kick took a deflection off of Vancouver defender Mason Trafford and flew past Residency goalkeeper Simon Thomas before finding the bottom corner of the goal.


The final whistle brought a sense of disappointment to Niendorf's young players, who were minutes away from the getting the desired result. They must now pick themselves up and prepare for the PDL Western Conference playoff tournament, with Whitecaps Residency facing Southwest Division champions San Fernando Valley Quakes in one of two conference semifinals in Fresno, California, on Saturday afternoon. The other semifinal on Saturday sees hosts Fresno Fuego take on Tacoma at Chukchansi Park. The winner of both semis will then meet in the conference championship game on Sunday evening.

Goal summary:
OGD – 81' – Kyle Christensen

Match Stats:
Shots: Vancouver 17 – Ogden 10
Saves: Vancouver 1 – Ogden 9
Fouls: Vancouver 16 – Ogden 8
Offsides: Vancouver 2 – Ogden 2
Corners: Vancouver 7 – Ogden 5

Cautions:
Vancouver: Ethan Gage 71'
Ogden: none

Ejections:
Vancouver: none
Ogden: none

Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
1.Simon Thomas; 3.Navid Mashinchi, 5.Anthony DiNicolo, 15.Antonio Rago, 32.Mason Trafford; 6.Ethan Gage, 8.Philippe Davies, 14.Gagandeep Dosanjh, 34.Mason Webb (18.Drew Russell 81'); 9.Randy Edwini-Bonsu, 33.Nick Webb (16.Marcus Johnstone 71')

Subs not used: 12.Karm Shergill

Ogden Outlaws
0.Michael Chesler; 2.Jonny Broadhead, 4.Russell McCluskey, 5.Kody King, 17.Ethan Summers; 7.Joseph Hickman (19.James Jaramillo 73'), 10.Jesse Kupfer, 13.Matt Broadhead, 18.Max Malmquist (8.Andrew Cornia 75'); 21.Kenan Powell (25.Zach van Wagenen 89'), 23.Kyle Christensen