VANCOUVER, BC - Ahead of their second season in MLS NEXT Pro, Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) opened up their 2023 preseason with a clash against Canadian Premier League side Vancouver FC. The young 'Caps claimed a 1-0 victory in the opening 90 minutes of the match, while Vancouver FC took the additional 45 minutes by a score of 3-0.
WFC2 had the better chances in the first half of play, led by Simon Becher, J.C. Ngando, Giovanni Aguilar, and Kamron Habibullah. The best chance came when Ngando found Habibullah wide open in the middle of the box, but his side-footed effort was saved by Vancouver FC goalkeeper Callum Irving.
Fast forward to the 59th minute, WFC2 would open the scoring. Vasco Fry won the ball in midfield and played it out wide to Antoine Coupland, who went 1v1 against the Vancouver FC defender and unleashed a curling strike off the far post. The rebound dropped to the feet of Becher, calmly slotting home the opening goal of the match.
In the closing stages of the second half, Isaac Boehmer was forced into a save off a free kick attempt from Vancouver FC forward Gael Sandoval, preserving the 'Caps lead heading into the additional 45 minutes.
The start of the additional 45 minutes saw WFC2 make a number of changes.
Vancouver FC was awarded two penalty kicks in quick succession, with Ameer Kinani and Gabriel Bitar each putting away their attempts.
Just before the end of the match, Mamadou Kane found the bottom corner with an effort from inside the box to extend Vancouver FC's lead to 3-0 in the extra frame.
WFC2 continue their preseason this Saturday, March 4 against Thompson Rivers University at the National Soccer Development Centre's South Turf, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. PT.
MATCH DETAILS
Scoring Summary
59' - VAN - Simon Becher
95' - VFC - Ameer Kinani (penalty kick)
97' - VFC - Gabriel Bitar (penalty kick)
132' - VFC - Mamadou Kane
Whitecaps FC 2
32.Isaac Boehmer* (90.Cohen Park+ 90'); 57.Elage Bah (41.Malcolm Johnston 65'), 83.Finn Linder (53.Simone Masi 90'), 56.Lucas Dasovic (95.Joshue Ndakala 90'), 54.Mihail Gherasimencov+ (84.Christian Greco-Taylor+ 90'); 66.Giovanni Aguilar (82.Brennen Fuerst+ 90'), 52.Vasco Fry (46.Mark Talisuna^ 90'); 43.Antoine Coupland^ (44.Gloire Amanda 80'), 26.J.C. Ngando (92.Jay Herdman 65'), 30.Kamron Habibullah (76.Joe Hanson 65'); 29.Simon Becher (42.Lowell Wright 65')
Whitecaps FC First Team*
Whitecaps FC BMO Academy+
Training Camp Invitee^
