Vancouver Whitecaps affiliate Mountain WFC U-14 Boys have reached the semifinals of the USL Super Y-League North American Finals with a thrilling 2-1 win over California’s Juventus Sport Club in Florida on Sunday.Mountain will play the Group A winners Northern Virginia Royals in Monday’s semifinal match at 1pm EST. The other semifinal will match the Group B winners Schulz Academy against Group C winners Arsenal FC.In a day of ups and downs, the Mountain WFC U-16 Boys tumbled out of semifinal contention after their perfect record was shattered with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Mustang SC from California. Coastal WFC U-13 Boys came into Sunday’s match needing a victory against Santa Cruz County Breakers to advance, but they had to settle for their third straight draw of the Finals to slip out of playoff contention. Mountain WFC U-16 Girls drew 1-1 with Juventus, but it was not enough in the end, as they needed a victory to advance.In other matches on Sunday, Mountain WFC U-15 Girls lost 2-0 to first-place Cleveland Internationals, while Coastal WFC U-15 Boys closed out their first Super Y Finals campaign with a 4-1 defeat to Juventus.
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Mountain WFC U-14 Boys 2 vs Juventus Sport Club 1
Something had to give Sunday, as unbeaten Mountain and tournament favorite Juventus met for the group title. Early on, it seemed Mountain were the ones absorbing pressure, as they gave up an early lead to their California rivals. However, while they bent, Mountain did not break as they struck back with a goal of their own through Raaqim Amijee to level the match at 1-1. Buoyed with confidence, Mountain struck again on a Devin Phelan (pictured) corner that Amar Mander spectacularly volleyed past the Juventus goalkeeper and into the roof of the net. The second half included some sustained pressure from both sides, with Mountain goalkeeper Brando Ciccone called upon to make several sparkling saves. Solid and skillful work by Dalvir Sanghera on defence was a major factor in Sunday’s result.
Mountain WFC U-16 Boys 1 vs Mustang SC 3
Needing only a win or a draw to advance to Monday’s semifinals, things looked rosy for Mountain, as they snatched an early lead after only ten minutes. However, before they could book their tickets through, Mustang struck almost immediately to draw the game level at 1-1. It was not until midway through the second half that things started to unravel, as a defensive miscue gave Mustang a 2-1 lead. Pressing forward for the equalizer, Mountain were caught at the back and conceded a third goal. The loss left both Mustang and Mountain level in first place, but Mustang advanced based on the head-to-head victory. Mountain will now face Northern Virginia Royals on Monday at 1pm EST in the consolation game.
Coastal WFC U-13 Boys 0 vs Santa Cruz County Breakers 0
Nothing less than a win would do for Coastal on Sunday, as they needed a result against Santa Cruz and a draw or a defeat by FC Delco over first-place Kalamazoo Kingdom to advance. They got neither in the end, as Coastal drew 1-1 and Kalamazoo defeated FC Delco 2-0 to win the group. In a game that was slow to start, the tempo continued to build to a frantic finish. There were good chances at both ends, but when one of the Santa Cruz players received a red card, things swung Coastal WFC’s way. In a nail biting finish, tanner Wright's beautifully weighted arcing strike had everyone holding their breath, only to see it bounce off the inside of the post and back across the goal line. There were great performances from Connor Kachor in goal, Ishmael Nunez, Jimmy Howells, Connor Ho, Bryan Fong, Colin Jacques, Julian Katz, Kiefer Sui and Tanner Wright. Despite not losing a single game, Coastal bows out of the Super Y Finals with three straight draws. They now go on to face Carolina Dynamo in the consolation game on Monday at 9am EST.
Coastal WFC U-15 Boys 1 vs Juventus Sport Club 4
Coastal came out slow in their final group-stage match, and their Juventus counterparts were quick to attack. As a result, Coastal found themselves down two goals early in the first half. Some late first-half substitutions changed the game and the second half brought more pressure in the Juventus half. That pressure from Coastal finally paid off, as Joey Audia made good by converting home a Colton Wills cross. Despite the pressure from Coastal, Juventus struck back with two late goals to make the final score 4-1. Coastal will close out play on Monday when they face FC Westchester in the consolation game at 9am EST.
Mountain WFC U-15 Girls 0 vs Cleveland Internationals 2
It was a story of defence for Mountain, as they only gave up four goals in three games but did not have the firepower to match, as they went down 2-0 to eventual group-winner Cleveland on Sunday. The result leaves Mountain short of the playoffs, but long on character and experience in Super Y Finals competition. They will close out play with a consolation match against West Michigan Fire Juniors on Monday at 5pm EST.
Mountain WFC U-16 Girls 1 vs Juventus Sport Club 1
It was always going to be an uphill battle to reach the semifinals for Mountain after they saddled themselves with a five-goal defeat to eventual group-winner MPS Cape Cod on Saturday. In a game they had to win, Mountain battled hard, but could only manage a 1-1 draw against their California opponents in Juventus. The U-16 Girls finished group play with a record of one win, one defeat and a draw for a second-place tie in Group A. Mountain will face the Eagles in the consolation match on Monday at 11am EST.
