MARBELLA, MÁLAGA – Vancouver Whitecaps FC kicked off the first of two matches on Sunday afternoon at the Marbella Football Center, falling 2–0 to Czech National Football League side AC Sparta Prague B. The ‘Caps will wrap up the two-game set against Swedish Allsvenskan club IF Brommapojkarna this afternoon.
Whitecaps FC were tested early, with goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer called into action within the opening minutes. Boehmer made tidy saves in the 2nd and 8th minutes, denying a strike from the top of the box and a well-placed header off a free kick to keep the match scoreless.
Despite Vancouver growing into the contest, Sparta Prague B opened the scoring in the 19th minute, capitalizing on a corner kick that fell to an attacker inside the penalty area for a close-range finish.
Vancouver responded with a sustained spell of pressure midway through the half. In the 27th minute, Mihail Gherasimencov delivered a dangerous cross from the left that Rayan Elloumi headed just over the bar. Moments later, Sebastian Schonlau won possession near midfield and found J.C. Ngando, who quickly played Elloumi on the right, but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper.
Oliver Larraz remained a threat on set pieces, curling in a free kick in the 31st minute before swinging in a corner that nearly produced an equalizer. His service found Mathías Laborda, whose powerful header was well saved, while Aziel Jackson fired over the crossbar on the ensuing corner.
Sparta nearly doubled their lead late in the half, hitting the post on a quick counterattack in the 38th minute. Shortly after, Schonlau was substituted as planned in the 41st minute, with Immanuel Mathe entering as the centre back continues to build match fitness following a calf strain.
At the break, Vancouver trailed 1–0 after creating several promising chances, particularly through Elloumi and Jackson.
The second half began without changes, and the ‘Caps continued to compete evenly as the match progressed. Vancouver remained well organized defensively while generating a handful of corners and half chances at the other end.
Sparta Prague B sealed the result in the 84th minute, doubling their advantage to make it 2–0, which would stand as the final score.
The match provided valuable minutes as several Whitecaps FC players completed their first full 90 minutes of the preseason, including Boehmer, Nikola Djordjevic, Laborda, Gherasimencov, Larraz, Jeevan Badwal, J.C. Ngando, Jackson, and Elloumi.
Scoring Summary
19' - ACS - Goal
84' - ACS - Goal
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
32.Isaac Boehmer; 41.Nikola Djordjevic, 2.Mathías Laborda (c), 15.Sebastian Schonlau (75.Immanuel Mathe 41’), 29.Mihail Gherasimencov; 8.Oliver Larraz, 59.Jeevan Badwal; 97.Liam Mackenzie (82.Daniel Ittycheria 73’), 26. J.C. Ngando, 22.Aziel Jackson; 19.Rayan Elloumi