NORTH VANCOUVER, BC – After a 1-1 draw three days ago with Altitude FC, Whitecaps FC MLS Academy had déjà vu on June 12. Same result, red card drama, and brilliant goalkeeping.
- Girls Elite remain unbeaten in tough 1-1 battle with Altitude FC
The back-to-back ties with their North Shore rivals leave these two sides still tied for first place in the League1 BC standings with 12 points apiece; the ’Caps have a record of 3W-3D-1L.
Whitecaps FC coach Ewan Fisher said his “team’s response has been excellent” with their recent run of form.
After a few months at the helm in L1BC after their Fraser Valley Soccer League (FVSL) season, he noted how his younger squad of 18 and 19-year-olds had successfully matured to playing against older men. “Consistency will be key” in the race to the postseason, he added.
The tightly contested points up for grabs were squarely in the gloves of the goalkeepers: Whitecaps FC’s Ben Alexander and Altitude FC’s Marshall Herald.
Herald first covered a header by unmarked 'Caps forward David Ajagbe at the near post. He also dove to punch out an Angelo Zhu free kick that swerved past the wall.
At the other end, Altitude midfielder Lucas Booth took a 20-yard crack at goal which took a fortuitous deflection to teammate Ambrose Tinmouth. His low volley from inside the box beat ’Caps keeper Ben Alexander for a 1-0 lead.
A few minutes later, Alexander matched his counterpart. He went airborne to deny a powerful Oliver Herbert drive.
In the second half, Whitecaps FC had a golden opportunity when Altitude defender Matthew Marshall was shown a red card after an altercation with Ajagbe.
Two minutes later, Aidan Fong put a perfect cross into the middle of the box for Whitecaps FC captain Ben Lee, who leapt for a header that zipped into the top corner.
His thrilled teammates sprinted to mob the captain as his joyous roar echoed to the bench. “It’s an amazing feeling,” he said with an excited grin afterwards.
The bad blood between the two sides continued before stoppage time; numerous players got into a shoving match on the near touch line. Order was restored after a few minutes.
Lee also pointed out that his team being composed in the face of adversity showed their true character.
The MLS Academy next laces up in League1 BC against TSS Rovers at Swangard Stadium on June 21 at 8:30 p.m. PT.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Stephen Lebrechthausen
Scoring Summary
12’ – ALT – Ambrose Tinmouth (Lucas Booth)
58’ – VAN – Benjamin Lee (Aidan Fong)
Cautions
21’ – ALT – Ali Azarminoo
23’ – VAN – Cristiano Da Silva
82’ – ALT – Lucas Booth
88’ – ALT – Wiz Chavula
Ejection
56’ – ALT – Matthew Marshall
Whitecaps FC MLS Academy
90.Ben Alexander; 84.Amoni Thomas, 87.Sahai Willams, 72.Nikos Clarke-Tocszak; 74.Aidan Fong (89.Elijah Bean 75’), 65.Mario Lefevre (79.Matteo Samori 80’), 73.Benjamin Lee, 88.Angelo Zhu (85.Sydney Wathuta 31’); 68.Cristiano Da Silva; 98.David Ajagbe (95.Markus Rukavina 75’), 94.Edwin Espinal (23.Amir Ghasemi 55’)
Substitutes not used
80.Alex Milosevic, 34.Riley Ferraro
