KANSAS CITY, KS – Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 will have to wait another week to clinch their spot in the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Cup Playoffs as they were held to a late 2-2 draw by Sporting Kansas City II, but took home the extra point after beating the side 4-2 in the penalty shootout.
The match began with goalkeeper Max Anchor making some early saves as Whitecaps FC 2 settled in.
After absorbing that early pressure, the young ‘Caps began to put some pressure of their own, putting in some dangerous crosses and creating set-piece opportunities.
Cyprian Kachwele almost got Whitecaps FC 2 on the scoreline on a counterattack in the 21st minute. The striker was played in behind and after being blocked on his first shot, reclaimed the ball and fired again, this time having his shot deflected out for a corner.
Liam Mackenzie came closer minutes later, getting on the end of some great one-touch passing around the box, but his shot from the penalty spot was blocked before it was cleared.
After a hefty period of back-and-forth, the young ‘Caps finally broke the deadline through Cyprian Kachwele right before the break in the 44th minute. After an Antoine Coupland cross into the area, Kachwele intercepted a loose clearance in the box, set himself up and curled his shot into the top corner to make it 1-0. That put WFC2 in the drivers seat at halftime.
Johnny Selemani, fresh off the bench, almost made it 2-0 right after the restart. The forward got on the end of a scuffed goalkeeper clearance inside the box, but he was unable to convert after the defense managed to clear the ball before he was able to pull the trigger.
SKC II then equalized through Blaine Mabie in the 48th minute, scoring with a shot from outside the box.
The young ‘Caps then retook the lead 10 minutes later after a great run from Nikola Djordjevic. The fullback drove inside the box from the right, cut inside, leaving his defender wrong-footed, and then fired towards goal. His shot took a deflection and bulged into the back of the net to make it 2-1.
Jackson Castro came ever-so-close to making it 3-1 just past the hour mark, curling a free-kick towards the near post but his shot went inches over the crossbar.
Coupland then tried himself to get on the scoresheet, cutting inside from the right but his left footed effort went right into the hands of the SKC II goalkeeper Jacob Molinaro.
SKC II began to push for that equalizer, keeping Whitecaps FC 2 on their toes as they sought out to see out the match. But as much as the young ‘Caps held on, the home side equalized in the 88th minute as Carter Derksen scored from inside the box.
That goal brought the game to a penalty shootout after it ended 2-2 after 90 minutes. Anchor stepped up in the shootout, making two saves before Adrián Pelayo scored the fourth and decisive penalty to win give the young 'Caps the extra point.
Whitecaps FC 2 are back in action on October 1st, as they travel to San Jose, California to face The Town FC in the penultimate game of the regular season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Ryan Homik
Scoring Summary
44’ – VAN – Cyprian Kachwele
48’ – SKC – Blaine Mabie (Johann Ortiz, Maouloune Goumballe)
59’ – VAN – Nikola Djordjevic (Antoine Coupland)
88’ – SKC – Carter Derksen (Nati Clarke, Blaine Mabie)
Statistics
Possession: SKC 18 - VAN 15
Shots: SKC 9 - VAN 6
Shots on Goal: SKC 5 - VAN 4
Saves: SKC 4 - VAN 7
Fouls: SKC 14 - VAN 16
Offsides: SKC 2 - VAN 0
Corners: SKC 2 - VAN 6
Cautions
14’ – VAN – Deylen Vellios
52’ – VAN – Yumi Tsuji
62’ – SKC - Anthony Samways
Sporting Kansas City II
91.Jacob Molinaro; 33.Nati Clarke, 85.Pierre Lurot, 40.Hal Uderitz (44.Gael Quintero 61’); 88.Shane Donovan, 48.Blaine Mabie, 76.Johann Ortiz (35.Bryan Arellano 80’), 52.Cielo Tschantret, 49.Zane Wantland (45.Anthony Samways 61’); 38.Maouloune Goumballe, 90.Medgy Alexandre (97.Carter Derksen 72’)
Substitutes not used
67.Kael Taylor, 80.Makhi Francis, 84.Luis Cruz-Ayala, 99.Beckahm Uderitz
Vancouver Whitecaps FC II
50.Max Anchor; 41.Nikola Djordjevic, 46.Deylen Vellios, 48.Adrián Pelayo, 54.Daniel Russo; 44.Jackson Castro ©, 68.Yuma Tsuji (71.Carson Rassak 88’), 97.Liam Mackenzie (66.Sahil Deo 76’); 55.Cyprian Kachwele, 42.Nelson Pierre (63.Johnny Selemani HT), 43.Antoine Coupland
Substitutes not used
80.Isaac Francoeur, 64.Mateo Clark, 74.Charlie Rogers
