Playing only their second United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) matches on home soil, Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-18 and U-16 Residency both earned wins against Santa Cruz Breakers Academy on a cold, wintery Thursday evening. A brave contingent of supporters showed up at UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium and chanted the whole way through as the U-18 ‘Caps took a 4-2 win, while the U-16 ‘Caps won 2-0.
U-18:
Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency (6W-0L-1D) continued their unbeaten start in USSDA competition with a 4-2 victory over Santa Cruz Breakers Academy U-17/18 (3W-4L-1D). Caleb Clarke continued his torrid scoring pace with two goals on the day to increase his team-leading total to 10 on the season. Ben Fisk and Wesley Cain also stood out with a goal and an assist each, as did central midfielder Bryce Alderson – who was announced earlier in the day as the newest signing to the club’s MLS roster.
The ‘Caps opened the scoring 19 minutes in as Clarke laid the ball back to Cain, who then sent Fisk in on goal. Fisk then proceeded to round the goalkeeper and slot the ball into the net for the 1-0 advantage.
Santa Cruz responded ten minutes later as they capitalized on a questionable penalty call to tie the match 1-1. However, on 36 minutes Vancouver re-took the lead as Fisk sent in Cain, who then beat the onrushing goalkeeper with a delicate chip for 2-1.
The ‘Caps doubled their advantage before the break as Clarke converted a penalty kick after Cain was taken down in the box. However, the second half saw the visitors receive a second spot kick of their own, which they again finished to cut the deficit to 3-2. The Breakers then nearly leveled on 70 minutes, but Callum Irving came up with a big save to stuff a breakaway.
With seven minutes remaining the ‘Caps put the match out of reach, as a long ball up field landed at the feet of substitute Carlos Marquez, who then touched the ball to Clarke for an easy finish and a 4-2 win.
“We played two games on the weekend and now again after three days, but again we had the same great effort and high energy always in the game,” said Residency technical director and head coach Richard Grootscholten. “In the second half we wanted to keep it simple, and that’s not easy with youth players. But scoring four goals and not giving away any real chances – aside from two penalties – overall it was good.”
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency Lineup
Callum Irving; Declan Rodriguez, Tim Hickson, Daniel Stanese, Adam Polakiewicz; Wesley Cain (Yassin Essa ’66), Ben Mckendry (Alex Rowley ’63), Ben Fisk, Bryce Alderson, Spencer DeBoice (Carlos Marquez ’79); Caleb Clarke
U-16:
Whitecaps FC U-16 Residency (5W-1L-1D) got back to winning ways on Thursday with a 2-0 win against Santa Cruz Breakers Academy U-15/16 (1W-7L-0D), courtesy of a pair of late goals from striker Brody Huitema. The victory extends their unbeaten streak to six matches, including five wins.
The ‘Caps nearly got an early lead when Dominic Szyszkalobbed a ball towards goal that sailed just over the crossbar in the second minute. The home side then had another series of chances in the next 20 minutes withCarlos Patinohaving a header cleared off the line, Ali Mussefiring wide from a tight angle, and Huitema having a close range shot stopped by the goalkeeper and a header go inches over the crossbar.
Vancouver kept the pressure up in the second half, with Huitema again at the forefront. Off a cross into the box, the young striker saw his deflection roll a foot wide of net on 57 minutes. Then on 65 minutes, he was sent down the wing by Francesco Saporitoonly to see the goalkeeper get a hand on his shot to parry it out of play.
Santa Cruz were reduced to ten men on 75 minutes when one of their players was sent off for a wreckless tackle, opening the door for the boys in white. The ‘Caps would take full advantage, finding a winner on 78 minutes when Alex Comsia crossed the ball in for Huitema, who beat the goalkeeper to it and nodded the ball into the back of the net. Huitema then netted an insurance goal in the 83rd minute as Musse sped down the left flank and centered to him for an easy tap in and a 2-0 final score.
“It’s very pleasing because they’re a group that fight hard,” Residency assistant head coach Craig Dalrymple told whitecapsfc.com after the match. “The back four have been pretty consistent and you can see they have a good understanding. It could have been a more flattering score line for us, but we created chances and overall we did well. It’s coming along.”
Whitecaps FC U-16 Residency Lineup
Nolan Wirth; Quinton Duncan, Alex Comsia, Jackson Farmer, Matthew Van der Eyden; Titouan Chopin, Elijah Adekugbe (Francesco Saporito ’40), Dominic Szyszka (Brian Im ‘61), Carlos Patino (Marco Bustos 56’), Ali Musse; Brody Huitema
