HILLSBORO, OR – Whitecaps FC 2 continued their MLS NEXT Pro campaign with a 2-1 victory against Western Conference rivals Timbers2 at Hillsboro Stadium this Saturday evening.
16-year-old goalkeeper Cohen Park from the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy earned his pro debut and first career pro start in net.
The first half began quickly for the home side. Following a free kick, Dawson McCartney’s cross from the left flank of the field found forward Tega Ikoba inside the box, who headed the ball into the netting within the fifth minute of the match.
WFC2 would answer back with some momentum shifted towards their side later on, as Théo Collomb’s long through cross connected to Simon Becher inside the penalty area. After a quick chest control from the forward, his right footed shot then levelled the game in the 18th minute.
The Blue & White would grab the lead early on in the second half. With a direct free kick in the 54th minute, midfielder Pípé Fernandez-Salvador’s strong right footed strike curled the ball into the bottom right corner, giving his squad a 2-1 advantage.
As WFC2 looked to cushion their lead, Fernandez-Salvador’s cross sent in from a set piece in the 71st minute connected to Finn Linder, who’s header inside the area just missed the right side of the net.
With time running out and the home side hunting for the equalizer in the late stages of the game, the final whistle blew at Hillsboro Stadium with the away side claiming a big three points to inch closer to the playoff places in the Western Conference.
Up next for WFC2 is a Western Conference clash against Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday, July 24. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. PT at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. You can catch all the action live on mlsnextpro.com
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Gustavo Barrientos
Scoring Summary
5’ – POR – Tega Ikoba (Dawson McCartney)
18’ – VAN – Simon Becher (Théo Collomb)
55’ – VAN – Pípé Fernandez-Salvador
Statistics
Possession: POR 43.7% – VAN 56.3%
Shots: POR 14 – VAN 9
Shots on Goal: POR 3 – VAN 5
Saves: POR 3 – VAN 1
Fouls: POR 17 – VAN 18
Offsides: POR 3 – VAN 1
Corners: POR 6 – VAN 5
Cautions
4’ – VAN – Matteo Campagna
11’ – POR – Julian Bravo
23’ – VAN – Vasco Fry
26’ – VAN – Jay Herdman
33’ – POR – Johan Hinestroza
35’ – POR – Justin Rasmussen
Timbers2
41.Justin vom Steeg; 38.Volodymyr Kubrakov, 80.Carlos Vivas, 72.Julian Bravo, 14.Justin Rasmussen; 90.Johan Hinestroza (48.Jamin Gogo Peters 81’), 57.Victor Griffith, 15.Ismaila Jome (77.Selmir Miscic 67’); 55.Dawson McCartney ©, 17.Tega Ikoba, 74.Gerardo Duran
Substitutes not used
26.Hunter Sulte, 50.Noah Lawrence, 45.Sean McDowd, 49.Diego Elizalde
Whitecaps FC 2
90.Cohen Park; 61.Matteo Campagna, 64.Cristian Campagna, 83.Finn Linder; 46.Filip Rakic, 92.Jay Herdman (66.Giovanni Aguilar 58’), 52.Vasco Fry, 47.Pípé Fernandez-Salvador, 44.Chris Lee (58.Eric White 89’); 29.Simon Becher ©️ (76.Joe Hanson 89’), 48.Théo Collomb (49.Emiliano Brienza 72’)
Substitutes not used
80.Marshall Herald, 53.Simone Masi, 54.Mihail Gherasimencov, 95.Joshué Ndakala
