Playing their season-opening match in the MLS Reserve League, Vancouver Whitecaps FC reserves (2W-6L-2D in 2011) host Pacific Northwest rivals Seattle Sounders FC reserves (8W-1L-1D in 2011) on Monday morning. Kickoff from Thunderbird Stadium on the campus of the University of British Columbia (UBC) is set for 11 a.m. PT. Admission is free of charge.
You can also follow Monday’s Reserve League match @WhitecapsFC
Led by assistant coaches Paul Ritchie and Carl Robinson, the Blue and White will embark on their second season in the Reserve League’s West Division versus their rivals from The Emerald City following a fifth-place finish in the standings last year. Like last season, Whitecaps FC reserves will play their five other division rivals home and away in a 10-match Reserve League schedule. Vancouver and Cascadia rivals Seattle are joined in the West Division by Chivas USA, LA Galaxy, Portland Timbers, and San Jose Earthquakes.
Sounders FC reserves come to the place where they suffered their only Reserve League defeat last season, with Seattle claiming the 2011 West Division title and finishing second overall behind last year’s Reserve League champions Columbus Crew reserves. On August 9, 2011, goals by Michael Nanchoff and Long Tan gave Whitecaps FC reserves a 2-1 home win over Seattle’s second string at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, BC, with the result being Vancouver’s first Reserve League win in club history.
Following Monday’s season opener, the ‘Caps second string will play four more home matches during their Reserve League campaign. They include the Sunday, April 22, Cascadia derby clash versus Portland Timbers reserves at Swangard Stadium followed by three matches at UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium: Tuesday, June 12, against LA Galaxy reserves; Monday, July 23, against Chivas USA reserves; and Monday, September 10, against San Jose Earthquakes reserves. Kickoff will be 3 p.m. PT for the April 22 match at Swangard Stadium and 11 a.m. PT for the three matches at Thunderbird Stadium.
Following Monday’s match, Whitecaps FC reserves’ next league action takes place on Sunday, April 8, as Vancouver visit San Jose Earthquakes reserves in Northern California.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC RESERVES
Goalkeepers: Brad Knighton, Brian Sylvestre
Defenders: Michael Boxall, Jordan Harvey, Carlyle Mitchell, Greg Klazura, Daniel Stanese
Midfielders: Yassin Essa, Ben Fisk, Floyd Franks, Gershon Koffie, Ben McKendry
Strikers: Carlos Marquez, Omar Salgado, Long Tan
Whitecaps FC Residency player
