HERRIMAN, UT – Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 will now shift their focus towards MLS NEXT Pro Cup Playoffs after a 4-1 regular season finale loss to Real Monarchs SLC on the road.
With the result, the young ’Caps finish the 2025 regular season in seventh place in the Western Conference with 42 points. The top eight teams make the postseason, with the top four hosting the first round.
Shortly after kickoff, Monarchs striker Ariath Piol put 'Caps goalkeeper Max Anchor on notice. Piol juked to make space outside the top of the area and cracked an attempt at goal that was saved by the 'Caps Homegrown product.
Deadlocked until the 33rd minute, Monarchs forward Aiden Hezarkhani looped in a free kick to the far post. The ball dropped at the top of the box to Monarchs forward Jesús Barea, who danced past a defender to blast a thunderbolt just under the crossbar for the 1-0 lead.
However, the Blue and White recovered with renewed determination to put Monarchs goalkeeper Will Mackay under pressure.
WFC2’s hard work paid off when Monarchs defender Tommy Silva was overzealous in his own area. Referee Nabil Bensalah pointed to the spot. Whitecaps FC 2 captain Mark O’Neill saw his low strike to the far post stung MacKay’s gloves, but then the ball spun over the line for the 1-1 equalizer.
Late in first-half stoppage time, an alert Hezarkhani pounced on a poor touch inside the centre circle to send a pinpoint through ball for Piol. The striker eluded two WFC2 defenders in a 40-yard dash straight down the pitch. Though Anchor came out to challenge, Piol calmly slotted home for the Monarchs to lead 2-1 at the break.
Only a minute after play resumed, Monarchs midfielder Griffin Dillon capitalized with a quick ball ahead to Barea. The forward noticed he had time and space for the shot, quickly finishing into the corner for a brace.
Before the hour, the Monarchs went up by three as Dillon nodded home from a Gio Villa cross to seal the three points.
Up next, the Blue and White head into the MLS NEXT Pro postseason on the road. Keep an eye on whitecapsfc.com and the club's social media feeds for the latest information.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Nabil Bensalah
Scoring Summary
33’ – SLC – Jesús Barea
38’ – VAN – Mark O’Neill (Penalty kick)
45’+2 – SLC – Ariath Piol (Aiden Hezarkhani)
46’ – SLC – Jesús Barea (Griffin Dillon)
50’ – SLC – Griffin Dillon (Gio Villa)
Cautions
28’ – SLC – Griffin Dillon
30’ – VAN – Nikola Djordjevic
48’ – VAN – Mateo Clark
65’ – SLC – Aiden Hezarkhani
77’ – SLC – Ruben Messalles
Statistics
Possession: SLC 53% – VAN 47%
Shots: SLC 12 – VAN 6
Shots on Goal: SLC 5 – VAN 3
Saves: SLC 2 – VAN 1
Fouls: SLC 17 – VAN 13
Offsides: SLC 0 – VAN 0
Corners: SLC 2 – VAN 2
Real Monarchs SLC
95.Will Mackay; 52.Maximus Jennings (3.Kobi Henry 73’), 55.Giovanni Calderón, 77.Ruben Messalles, 33.Tommy Silva; 81.Griffin Dillon (40.Omar Marquez 61’), 34.Luca Moisa; 41.Gio Villa, 39.Aiden Hezarkhani (87.Brayan Sandoval 85’), 36.Jesús Barea (30.Owen Anderson 74’); 23.Ariath Piol (70.Lineker Rodrigues 73’)
Substitutes not used
99.Robert Alphin, 37.Luis Rivera, 71.Diego Rocio, 76.Liam O’Gara
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
50.Max Anchor; 66.Sahil Deo, 53.Mark O’Neill ©, 48.Adrián Pelayo (54.Daniel Russo HT), 41.Nikola Djordjevic; 71.Carson Rassak, 68.Yuma Tsuji (44.Jackson Castro 57’), 97.Liam Mackenzie (96.Anyole Peter 77’); 42.Nelson Pierre (93.Antoine Nehme 83’), 64.Mateo Clark (55.Cyprian Kachwele 78’), 43.Antoine Coupland
Substitute not used
99.Sam Rogers
