BURNABY, BC – Underneath a blazing hot sun, Whitecaps FC fell 4-0 to Western Conference leading Austin FC II.
In the eighth minute, a Riley Thomas cross led Austin II striker Micah Burton to convert at the far post past WFC2 goalkeeper Sam Rogers.
Right winger Daniel Ittycheria came two feet from equalizing for WFC2. His expert juke out wide gave the former Ivy Leaguer a moment to blast an absolute scorcher right off the crossbar – but the ball looped skyward out of danger over Austin ’keeper Charlie Farrar.
After a hydration break, WFC2 striker Tyler Brown spotted oncoming Yuma Tsuji. Into the attacking third, Tsuji cracked an effort from the top of the box that Farrar parried aside.
Austin FC II responded via right winger Diego Abarca. He curled in a seeing-eye shot that clanged in off the woodwork. In first-half added time, Austin defender Evan Watt volleyed home from 16 yards out for 3-0.
WFC2 received a boost at the hour mark. Johnny Selemani made his 2026 debut after he suffered a broken foot in preseason with the 'Caps first team.
Just before the death, Austin FC II midfielder Christian Ayala tacked on his side’s fourth goal.
Next up, Whitecaps FC 2 head south of the border for a the first of three straight matches on the road, taking on St. Louis CITY 2 on Sunday, July 26 at 4 p.m. PT.
Then on Saturday, August 1, WFC2 will travel down the I-5 to take on Tacoma Defiance at 7 p.m. PT. Finally, the young ’Caps have a rematch against Austin FC II on Saturday, August 15 at 5:30 p.m. PT.
All three clashes are streamed for free on OneFootball or MLSNEXTPro.com.
WFC2 return home to Swangard Stadium to clash with Los Angeles FC 2 on Wednesday, August 26 at 6 p.m. PT.
Tickets for every WFC2 home match are only $10 for adults and can be purchased online at whitecapsfc.com/wfc2. Whitecaps FC season ticket members can access complimentary tickets by using their account number as their access key, while youth (18 years and younger) can watch WFC2 matches for free.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee:Â Cody Baldauf
Scoring Summary
8’ – ATX – Micah Burton (Riley Thomas)
31’ – ATX – Diego Abarca (Patrick Cayelli)
45+2’ – ATX – Evan Watt (Marcel Ruszel)
90+1’ – ATX – Christian Ayala (Mohammad Badawiya)
Cautions
45+2’ – VAN – Yuma Tsuji
88’ – ATX – Christian Ayala
90+2’ – VAN – Johnny Selemani
Statistics
Possession: VAN 39% – ATX 61%
Shots: VAN 12 – ATX 16
Shots on goal: VAN 1 – ATX 9
Saves: VAN 5 – ATX 1
Fouls: VAN 14 – ATX 7
Offsides: VAN 0 – ATX 1
Corners: VAN 3 – ATX 2
Whitecaps FC 2
60.Sam Rogers; 53.Immanuel Mathe, 74.Charlie Rogers, 43.Trevor Wright ©, 48.Micaah Garnette; 61.Carson Rassak, 46.Cristiano Bruletti; 44.Daniel Ittycheria, 68.Yuma Tsuji (63.Johnny Selemani 62’), 45.Yeider Zuluaga (62.Ryder Sewell HT); 64.Tyler Brown (51.Kevin Podgorni HT)
Substitutes not used
70.Timothy Lodder, 71.Manav Badwal
Austin FC II
1.Charlie Farrar; 2.Riley Dean Thomas (3.Dren Dobruna 59’), 4.Evan Watt, 5.Jules Bery, 18.Patrick Cayelli; 8.Adrián González (48.Christian Ayala 67’) 6.Djaka Barro (24.Kenan Hot 76’), 16.Marcel Ruszel; 7.Diego Abarca, 22.Ibrahima Sall (9.Vlad Dănciuțiu 59’), 32.Micah Burton (20.Mohammad Badawiya 76’)
Substitutes not used
13.Erik Lauta, 11.Patrick Gryczewski, 15.Artem Dashkovets, 45.Ryan Klinger