After a beautiful Canada Day long weekend, many of us will reflect on all the memories and experiences that came along with Canada’s 144th birthday. It was also an eventful weekend for Whitecaps FC, capping off a busy month. With that in mind, here is a complete breakdown of how Whitecaps FC faired this past month.
Whitecaps FC men: (2W-8L-8D in MLS)
June saw some exciting moments in MLS action for Whitecaps FC. The month began with a new man in charge, as Tom Soehn took the reigns as head coach. In his first match, the ‘Caps played to a 1-1 draw against Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center to extend their unbeaten streak to three matches in all competitions (dating back to May). In their only home match of the month, Vancouver came out victorious, downing Philadelphia Union 1-0 at Empire Field. There were bumps in the road, however, with setbacks to Real Salt Lake, Sporting Kansas City, and Toronto FC. All in all, they played out the month with a 1W-3L-2D record.
The biggest moment of the month saw Eric Hassli receive international attention after a wonderful volley against Pacific Northwest rivals Seattle Sounders FC that sent shockwaves throughout MLS and soccer communities abroad. His world-class finish earned him the AT&T Goal of the Week award. In addition to Hassli’s beautiful goal, Alain Rochat and Camilo also had nominations for Goal of the Week this past month. Camilo and Hassli led the ‘Caps with two goals apiece in June.
Now into July, the first full month of summer got off to a tough start for Whitecaps FC, as they fell 2-1 to Canadian rivals Toronto FC in the second leg of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship (NCC) final this past weekend for a 3-2 aggregate success. The ‘Caps now turn their attention back to MLS play, returning home for a Wednesday night clash against Columbus Crew as they look to feed off the home crowd and get another win at the friendly confines of Empire Field.
Whitecaps FC women: (8W-1L-3D in W-League)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC women had a phenomenal month, maintaining their first place standing in the Western Conference of the United Soccer Leagues W-League. The ‘Caps currently sit four points ahead of rivals Santa Clarita Blue Heat.
The ‘Caps went 4W-1L-2D in June, scoring a combined 12 goals while surrendering nine. Jenna Richardson (4), Tiffany Weimer(3), and Sydney Leroux (3) led the scoring surge for Whitecaps FC in June. Richardson’s output saw her score four goals in her first four career W-League matches. Those efforts had her twice named to the W-League Team of the Week, with Weimer also getting a nod after scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory against LA Strikers. Goalkeeper Jaclyn Dunnett also earned a spot on the Team of the Week after posting four consecutive shutouts, improving the team’s goal differential to a sterling +14. Leroux will likely also soon find herself honoured by the league after scoring four goals in a 5-0 Canada Day win against Victoria Highlanders FC.
The group will be called upon to continue their offensive flare and defensive stability, as the ‘Caps must finish in a top-two position in the standings to secure a playoff berth. Whitecaps FC women will feel quite confident if they can secure home field advantage come playoff time, as head coach Hubert Busby Jr.'s side are undefeated this season at home with a perfect 5W-0L-0D, having not conceded a single goal on their own turf.
Whitecaps FC Residency: (5W-3L-2D in PDL)
The Whitecaps FC Residency squad were quite busy in June, compiling a 3W-2L-1D record that currently places them in fourth position in the PDL's Western Conference, Northwest Division. The priority remains to build first-class talent for the future, but the results have also been positive as the PDL playoffs remain firmly within sight.
Caleb Clarke
,
Ben Fisk
, and MLS roster player
Long Tan
lead the team in scoring with three goals each, while
Callum Irving
,
Sean Melvin
, and MLS squad player
Brian Sylvestre
have split goalkeeping duties during the 2011 PDL campaign. The month of June also saw six Whitecaps FC Residency players called up to play for Canada at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Defenders
Adam Polakiewicz
and
Daniel Stanese
joined U-17 captain
Bryce Alderson,
winger
Yassin Essa,
and
Matteo Pasquotti
in Mexico, each earning invaluable experience on the world soccer stage.
Whitecaps FC reserves: (0W-3L-1D in MLS Reserve League)
The Whitecaps FC reserves saw their first bit of action since April, posting a 0W-2L-0D record in two road matches against Seattle Sounders FC reserves and LA Galaxy reserves. Rookie Omar Salgado scored goals in both matches, with goalkeepers Jay Nolly and Brian Sylvestre both seeing action. Whitecaps FC reserves return to the pitch at the end of the month, playing LA Galaxy reserves on Sunday, July 31, at Empire Field.
