BURNABY, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 came two posts short of back-to-back wins over the two frontrunners in MLS NEXT Pro’s Western Conference, as Ventura County FC claimed a 2-0 victory on Sunday at Swangard Stadium.
The young ’Caps started with plenty of confidence. Off a Jackson Castro corner kick, Ventura County FC goalkeeper Brady Scott’s clearance dipped down to WFC2 midfielder Mateo Clark. The Nicaraguan youth international cracked a dangerous volley on goal that Scott barely tipped over the crossbar.
Striker Nelson Pierre was also a factor, causing Ventura problems down the right wing. His 10-yard attempt was partially blocked by a defender, clanging off the woodwork and almost giving WFC2 the early advantage.
Pierre kept the good vibes going with another rush out wide with a looping cross for Jackson Castro. He flexed his muscles for a 25-yard powerful drive that barely went wide by a yard.
Midway to halftime, Ventura County FC found their way into the WFC2 box, with goalkeeper Alexander Milošević denying back-to-back attempts by Luis Müller and Dylan Vanney.
A minute later, Ventura defender Harbor Miller put all of his weight into a strike from just inside the box, but Milošević went skyward to punch the ball out of danger.
After a scoreless first half, Ventura County got on the board. Off a goalmouth scramble, the ball fell to Jeorgio Kocevski at the top of the box. His volley screamed past Milošević to the far corner to give the visitors the 1-0 lead at the hour mark.
With time running out, WFC2 had two glorious opportunities to snatch the three points. First, substitute striker Rayan Elloumi’s header was denied by Scott. Then, after an Antoine Coupland corner, Nikola Djordjevic’s blast from distance clipped the right post.
Just before the final whistle was blown, Ventura substitute Levon Saribekyan put a through ball ahead for a sprinting Sean Karani. He blew by two defenders to tuck home the insurance goal in stoppage time.
Next up, the Blue and White head south of the border for two tests. First, WFC2 will lace up against Minnesota United FC 2 on Wednesday, May 28, with kickoff at 5 p.m. PT. Then, WFC2 takes on The Town FC on Sunday, June 8, also at 5 p.m. PT.
The young ’Caps are back at home on Thursday, June 12 as they welcome LAFC 2 to Swangard Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. PT. Tickets are available at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Youcef Boumsied
Scoring Summary
60’ – VCFC – Jeorgio Kocevski
90+6’ – VCFC – Sean Karani (Levon Saribekyan)
Cautions
27’ – VCFC – Jeorgio Kocevski
59’ – VAN – Mark O’Neill
66’ – VCFC – Luis Müller
79’ – VAN – Jackson Castro
Statistics
Possession: VAN 45% – VCFC 55%
Shots: VAN 15 – VCFC 25
Shots on Goal: VAN 5 – VCFC 12
Saves: VAN 10 – VCFC 5
Fouls: VAN 12 – VCFC 16
Offsides: VAN 0 – VCFC 1
Corners: VAN 6 – VCFC 9
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
60.Alexander Milošević; 41.Nikola Djordjevic, 53.Mark O’Neill ©, 48.Adrián Pelayo, 46.Deylen Vellios; 44.Jackson Castro, 68.Yuma Tsuji, 64.Mateo Clark (55.Cyprian Kachwele 84’); 43.Antoine Coupland, 42.Nelson Pierre, 63.Johnny Selemani (75.Rayan Elloumi 75’)
Substitutes not used
80.Isaac Francoeur, 62.Luca Chen, 65.Francesco Troisi, 66.Sahil Deo
Ventura County FC
31.Brady Scott; 26.Harbor Miller, 64.Jose Luis Magana Jr., 63.Chris Rindov, 50.Riley Dalgado (68.Max Middleby 88’); 65.Tommy Musto (87.Gabriel Arnold 89’), 47.Jeorgio Kocevski; 83.Nick Sullivan, 49.Dylan Vanney (60.Levon Saribekyan 90+3'), 78.Luis Müller (61.Sean Karani 79’); 24.Ruben Ramos Jr.
Substitutes not used
91.Owen Pratt, 73.Enrique Martinez, 97.Vicente Garcia
