It was another successful day at Newton Athletic Park for Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency teams, as both the U-18 and U-16 squads earned victories against California Development Academy.
U-18
The U-18 ‘Caps started the day with a 3-2 victory against their counterparts from California Development Academy, with an opening goal from Carlos Marquez and additional goals from Spencer DeBoice and Caleb Clarke.
It took 22 minutes for the first breakthrough, as the towering Clarke was left inside the box unmarked and squared a pass for Fisk before he slid in a pass to Carlos Marquez, who then finished it for the first goal of the match. Not even two minutes later it was Vancouver again who pounced on some sleepy defence, with Spencer DeBoice cutting through from the right with some quick footwork and finishing his solo effort with an unstoppable drive low and hard to the near side to make it 2-0.
California found their much needed answer in the 28th minute, as Tommy Thompson squared a pass from the byline to Cody Giddings, who roofed his opportunity and brought the game within one goal, 2-1.
The Blue and White got some insurance in the 42nd minute, again capitalizing on an unmarked Clarke, who made a surging run into the box and finessed one into the top left corner for a 3-1 lead.
The start of the second half was not without controversy, as 'Caps defender Declan Rodriguez was shown his second yellow card of the match for a challenge on Eriberto Corona, bringing the ‘Caps down to ten men.
The ‘Caps defence held strong until the 34th minute, when California grabbed a second deflected goal that was struck by Tanner Thompson through a crowd of legs and past Melvin in the 75th minute. The challenge was accepted by Vancouver, who held on to their one goal lead for the remainder of the second half and utilized some hard working defensive pressure to pull out the 3-2 victory.
‘Caps coach Craig Dalrymple was glad to take the result home for his hardworking side. “California came in to try and outwork us today and we were able to match them in most periods but sometimes we didn’t, so they gave us some troubles at times. We adapted well going down to ten men, and the boys can look back today and say that we executed our game plans well.”
The coach was also keen to point out a difference in the MLS roster stalwart Caleb Clarke. “You saw a difference in him today, he got back into good areas and was strong, athletic and quick. If he can continue to improve that side of his game as well as his goal scoring then he becomes very complete out there for us”.
U-16
The U-16 ‘Caps continued their undefeated home form in their United States Soccer Development Academy season with a 2-0 win against The win takes Vancouver level with points to Seattle Sounders FC U-16 in the Northwest Division standings.
Patience in attack became a great advantage to the Blue and White, who got a few shots on target started in the 18th minute for the first corner of the match. A far cross to left back Jordan Haynes was the start of a great chance for the home side, when the defender flew in a bended cross that made its way past California’s keeper. However, the lunging and sliding Brody Huitema was denied a tap in goal as California’s defence made a goal line clearance.
California were unable to escape their half it seemed, and Vancouver’s goal arrived in the 29th minute. A superb cross was flown in from Sebastian Cabrera in left wing that landed perfectly at the feet of Huitema inside the box, gladly firing into the top of the net for the 1-0 lead.
The home side soon doubled their lead in the 63rdth minute with Brody Huitema turning playmaker for Sadi Jalali. The substitute found the back of the net after the through ball sent him cutting into the top left of the eighteen and placed a shot low into the far corner.
In the end, the match finished 2-0 for the ‘Caps, an accurate reflection of their effort displayed on the day. Following the match, Dalrymple acknowledged the strict and uniform performance of his side in all positions. “We were great on pressing the attack and created maybe a dozen chances in the second half, but we’ll be happy with the three points and look forward to the next match with this momentum.”
Next up for Vancouver Whitecaps Residency squads are a pair of nighttime clashes away to Crossfire Premier at Seattle’s Interbay Soccer stadium next Thursday, May 24. The U-18s play first at 6 p.m. PT, followed by the U-16s at 8:30 p.m PT.
