Wrapping up a weekend of derby action in The City of Roses, Vancouver Whitecaps FC reserves (2W-1L-1D) earned their second MLS Reserve League win of the season with a 2-1 away victory over Pacific Northwest rivals Portland Timbers reserves (2W-2L-0D) on Sunday afternoon.
First-half goals by Floyd Franks and Darren Mattocks gave the ‘Caps second string all three points in front of 5,218 at JELD-WEN Field in Portland, Oregon, with Vancouver making it a second 2-1 result on the road in the Reserve League this season. Though Andrew Jean-Baptiste replied in the second half for the Timbers reserves, Vancouver held on for a win that takes them top of the Reserve League’s West Division standings.
Led by Whitecaps FC assistant coach Carl Robinson, Vancouver made the most of a fine first-half display, as they scored both of their goals to secure the win. The Blue and White had Timbers reserves goalkeeper Joe Bendik making saves from Etienne Barbara and a Michael Nanchoff free kick in the first quarter of an hour.
The game’s opening goal came on 18 minutes, as the ‘Caps reserves fashioned a fine attacking move. Nanchoff found Russell Teibert streaking down the left flank with a searching ball. The Canadian youth international then struck a first-time byline cross to Franks, who headed home with aplomb for his first Reserve League goal of the season.
Vancouver then extended their lead on 28 minutes through Saturday night hero Mattocks. Less than 24 hours after scoring his first Major League Soccer goal to earn the Whitecaps FC first team a 1-1 draw in Portland, the Jamaican youngster registered his first-ever Reserve League goal after getting on the end of Nanchoff’s forward ball. Using his speed, Mattocks rounded Jean-Baptiste before slotting the match winner past Bendik to make it 2-0 to Whitecaps FC reserves at halftime.
‘Caps reserves goalkeeper Brad Knighton played his part in Sunday’s win, making good saves from a Franck Songo’o free kick just before the break and Freddie Braun at point-blank range on the hour mark. His counterpart Bendik was also busy in the second half, as he did well to deny Mattocks a second goal of the game, while Vancouver substitute Long Tan was unlucky to hit the side-netting with a close-range opportunity on 64 minutes.
Portland’s second string found their way back into the match in the late stages, having been spurred on by a goal from Jean-Baptiste on 70 minutes. The Timbers reserves defender was left unmarked in the ‘Caps box to head home Songo’o’s bouncing corner past Knighton for 2-1. It prompted the home side to push for an equalizer, but Knighton was equal to the Oregon outfit’s efforts, as he made a very good stop from Lovel Palmer on 85 minutes.
More than four minutes of stoppage time were played before the final whistle confirmed a well-deserved away win for the ‘Caps reserves, who avenged a 3-0 defeat at home to the Timbers reserves on April 22.
Whitecaps FC reserves are back in Reserve League action on Friday night, as they travel to Tukwila, Washington, to take on Seattle Sounders FC reserves at the Starfire Sports Complex. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT. The ‘Caps second string also have three more home matches remaining this season. All three matches will be held at Thunderbird Stadium on the campus of the University of British Columbia: Tuesday, June 12, against LA Galaxy reserves; Monday, July 23, against Chivas USA reserves; and Monday, September 10, against San Jose Earthquakes reserves. Kickoff for all three matches is set for 11 a.m. PT.
Scoring Summary:
18' - VAN - Floyd Franks (Russell Teibert)
28' - VAN - Darren Mattocks (Michael Nanchoff)
70' - POR - Andrew Jean-Baptiste (Franck Songo'o)
Match stats:
Shots: Portland 18 – Vancouver 13
Shots on Goal: Portland 7 – Vancouver 7
Saves: Portland 5 – Vancouver 6
Fouls: Portland 9 – Vancouver 9
Offsides: Portland 3 – Vancouver 2
Corners: Portland 8 – Vancouver 6
Cautions:
38' - VAN - Etienne Barbara
38' - POR - Lovel Palmer
45' - VAN - Jordan Harvey
52' - POR - Mike Fucito
90+4' - VAN - Brad Knighton
Portland Timbers reserves
23.Joe Bendik; 4.Mike Chabala, 18.Ryan Kawulok, 35.Andrew Jean-Baptiste, 28.Freddie Braun; 8.Franck Songo'o, 24.Sebastian Rincon, 30.Lovel Palmer, 42.Stefan Reiss* (27.Chris Taylor 21’); 16.Brent Richards, 2.Mike Fucito (26.Charles Renken 82')
Substitutes not used: 40.Steve Reese
Guest player/trialist
Vancouver Whitecaps FC reserves
18.Brad Knighton; 32.Greg Klazura, 19.Carlyle Mitchell, 3.Jordan Harvey (43.Daniel Stanese* 71'), 31.Russell Teibert; 26.Floyd Franks, 16.Matt Watson (36.Bryce Alderson 68'), 8.Etienne Barbara; 13.Michael Nanchoff, 22.Darren Mattocks (23.Long Tan 60'), 17.Omar Salgado (34.Caleb Clarke 81')
**Whitecaps FC U-23 PDL/Residency
