BURNABY, BC – After two consecutive away matches, Whitecaps FC 2 returned home to Swangard Stadium on Saturday afternoon, battling to a 2-2 draw in regulation against Minnesota United FC 2 and falling 3-1 in a penalty shootout.
The young ‘Caps started the first half brightly with a quick chance created by midfielder Giovanni Aguilar. His pass went through the opposing defence and found forward Simon Becher, who’s shot was then saved by MNUFC2 goalkeeper Fred Emmings in the 6th minute of the match.
The Loons then responded on their own with a corner kick opportunity crossed in by midfielder Veljko Petkovic, who's ball into the box led to a headed pass from Aziel Jackson into the middle for defender Drew Brown to tap in the opening goal of the match in the 12th minute.
After a quick corner by midfielder Vasco Fry, WFC2 tied the match in the 28th minute, as the ball was deflected into the net for an own goal from MNUFC wingback Emmanuel Iwe.
However, as the match progressed, MNUFC2 forward Tommy Williamson converted a penalty kick from the spot to give his team a 2-1 lead in the 41st minute of the match.
WFC2 refused to turn down, as Aguilar thumped a powerful shot from the 50 yard line past goalkeeper Fred Emmings, who’s final touch for the ball went past the goal line to tie the match at 2-2 in the 44th minute.
In the second half, the home side responded with an opportunity moments later, as Eric White’s shot trickled just wide of the post in the 57th minute of the game.
MNUFC2 looked to find the winner in the late stages of the match after some footwork inside the box from Iwe, but WFC2 goalkeeper Ben Alexander made a strong save off the left wing back’s chance to keep the young ‘Caps even in the 80th minute.
The game concluded in a penalty shootout, as MNUFC2’s Iwe scored the winning penalty to give his team the extra point.
Up next for WFC2 is a road match against Western Conference side, Sporting KC II this Sunday, May 29, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. PT. You can catch all the action live at mlsnextpro.com. Following the tilt, WFC2 returns home for a three game home stretch at Swangard Stadium starting Sunday, June 5 against Real Monarchs SLC, with kickoff set for 5 p.m. PT.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Mo Mohseni
Scoring Summary
12’ – MIN – Drew Brown (Aziel Jackson, Veljko Petkovic)
28’ – VAN – Emmanuel Iwe (own goal)
41’ – MIN – Tommy Williamson (penalty kick)
44’ – VAN – Fred Emmings (own goal)
Shootout
VAN – Scored – Owen Antoniuk
MIN – Scored – Aziel Jackson
VAN – Missed – Eric White
MIN – Missed – Veljko Petkovic
VAN – Missed – Giovanni Aguilar
MIN – Scored – Tommy Williamson
VAN – Missed – Jay Herdman
MIN – Scored – Emmanuel Iwe
Statistics
Possession: VAN 38.5% – MIN 61.5%
Shots: VAN 4 – MIN 21
Shots on Goal: VAN 2 – MIN 8
Saves: VAN 6 – MIN 2
Fouls: VAN 20 – MIN 16
Offsides: VAN 2 – MIN 4
Corners: VAN 4 – MIN 13
Cautions
25’ – MIN – Aziel Jackson
30’ – VAN – Vasco Fry
40’ – VAN – Simon Becher
51’ – VAN – Elage Bah
72’ – VAN – Owen Antoniuk
Whitecaps FC 2
40.Ben Alexander; 53.Simone Masi, 64.Cristian Campagna©, 95.Joshue Ndakala; 58.Eric White, 52.Vasco Fry (92.Jay Herdman 78’), 57.Elage Bah (47.Pipe Fernandez-Salvador 57’); 68.Owen Antoniuk, 66.Giovanni Aguilar; 29.Simon Becher, 46.Filip Rakic (76.Joe Hanson 78’)
Substitutes not used
70.Harrison Gough, 77.Joven Mann, 83.Finn Linder
Minnesota United FC 2
99.Fred Emmings; 98.Jason Ramos 4.Callum Montgomery © (32.Molik Khan 37’), 53.Drew Brown; 54.Carlos Leatherman, 55.Ignacio Gutiérrez, 80.Veljko Petkovic, 71.Nick Mendonca, 42.Emmanuel Iwe; 25.Aziel Jackson, 40.Tommy Williamson
Substitutes not used
35.Alec Smir, 60.Tommy Kinsier, 61.Jacob Thao, 62.Drew Clark, 63.Perry Blay
