A return to the hallowed ground of Swangard Stadium might be just the inspiration Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency need in their final push to get into the playoffs. Wednesday evening sees the young 'Caps host North Sound SeaWolves in United Soccer Leagues (USL) Premier Development League (PDL) action, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. PT in Burnaby, BC.
The midweek match-up should help shape a hotly contested playoff picture containing all three British Columbia based PDL teams. Whitecaps FC currently sit tied for third in the Western Conference’s Northwest Division with Abbotsford Mariners on 21 points. Whitecaps FC have two matches remaining, including the North Sound fixture, while Abbotsford have one game left this coming Sunday against Victoria Highlanders FC, the team currently holding down the final playoff spot. Victoria also have to contend with the division-leading Kitsap Pumas the day before, a tough test for the third-year outfit from Vancouver Island.
WHITECAPS FC
Whitecaps FC will be looking to put themselves into playoff contention with a positive result from Wednesday’s matchup after dropping a 3-0 decision to Kitsap this past weekend. Head coach Richard Grootscholten should enjoy the services of Major League Soccer roster players Philippe Davies, Alexandre Morfaw, and Long Tan, fresh off their second half appearance against English Premier League giants Manchester City FC this past Monday.
If the last match between the two clubs is any indication, look for striker Caleb Clarke to be a menace around the North Sound net all night long. In that meeting, Clarke registered five shots on goal and was a scoring threat every time he had the ball. Whitecaps FC was undermanned that weekend, as several players were away with the Canadian U-17 national team. They will have a full squad at Swangard, as they make their push for a playoff spot.
SEAWOLVES
Eliminated from playoff contention thanks to consecutive losses to Washington Crossfire, Victoria, and Kitsap, North Sound will be looking to play the role of spoiler when they take to the pitch in Burnaby on Wednesday evening. Their last victory was a 2-1 result over Whitecaps FC nearly a month ago, and they will be looking to end their season on a similar note.
Midfielder Marshall Kosaka leads the SeaWolves with five goals and 13 points on the year, while goalkeeper Claudio Lazar has seen the bulk of the action in SeaWolves net, allowing 16 goals in 11 appearances for the Everett, Washington-based outfit.
PDL REGULAR SEASON WRAPS UP
Following Wednesday’s home affair with the SeaWolves, Whitecaps FC Residency will conclude their PDL regular season schedule this Sunday with a match on the road in Redmond, Washington, against Washington Crossfire. Kickoff for that match is set for 5 p.m. PT at Redmond High School.
