There are many in things in football that spell doom in a match. But there is perhaps no greater negative omen than receiving a red card early in the match. On Sunday, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 were the recipient of such a twisted hand of fate, going down to ten men early and inevitably losing 2-0 to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in front 2033 supporters at Thunderbird Stadium.
The Switchbacks received a pair of goals from Luke Vercollone and a strong goalkeeping performance from Devala Gorrick in blanking Whitecaps FC 2. Both the Switchbacks (13-8-7, 46 points) and Whitecaps FC 2 (11-8-9, 42 points) have already qualified for the USL playoffs.
The WFC2 made eight changes to the lineup from the previous match with a young side starting and dealing with the missing Kyle Greig, who served a one-match suspension due to yellow card accumulation.
Vancouver and Colorado traded chances early but goalkeepers Devala Gorrick of the Switchbacks and Marco Carducci of the Caps FC2 each kept their respective side level.
As the Caps were Matthew Baldisimo was shown a straight red card for a tackle in the 17th minute. Baldisimo’s challenge left the squad to play the remaining 73 minutes with only ten men on the pitch.
Even down a man to Colorado the Caps had several good scoring chances. Their best opportunity came from Daniel Haber in the 25th minute. Haber took a deep ball from midfielder in the Switchbacks penalty area and sending a bullet just wide of the post as the game remained scoreless at halftime.
In the second half Colorado took advantage of the undermanned Caps FC2 squad and stretched the defense wide using a solid plan of attack on the ground and in the air. This style resulted in a chance from Taesong Kim, who sent a rocket at the Caps goal. Luckily for Caps supporters Sem De Wit was there to clear it off of the goal line.
Luke Vercollone opened the scoring for the Switchbacks heading a cross from Jordan Burt in the 59th minute past Carducci to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Vancouver had their share of scoring chances to get the equalizer but were foiled by Switchbacks goalkeeper Devala Gorrick.
But late in the match Colorado caught Vancouver pressing for the equalizer which allowed for Vercollone to score the insurance goal needed to put the match away.
from there the Switchbacks defense prevailed in preserving the shutout for Gorrick as they went home with the 2-0 victory improved to 13-8-7 good for 46 points and second in the western conference four up on the fourth place Vancouver Whitecaps FC2 team 11-8-9 standing in fourth place in the wild west.
Vancouver’s next home game is Sunday the 18th at Thunderbird Stadium game time 2:00pm when they take on the Portland Timbers FC2. Their youth soccer appreciation day as well for the club.
Scoring stats:
59’ – COS – Luke Vercollone (Jordan Burt)
86’ – COS – Luke Vercollone (Yaw Danso)
86’ – COS – Luke Vercollone (Yaw Danso)
Shots: VAN 4 – COS 10
Shots on Goal: VAN 3 – COS 6
Saves: VAN 4 – COS 3
Corners: VAN 1 – COS 3
Shots on Goal: VAN 3 – COS 6
Saves: VAN 4 – COS 3
Corners: VAN 1 – COS 3
Cautions
64’ – COS – Josh Suggs
72’ – VAN – Thomas Sanner
84’ – VAN – Sem de Wit
Ejection
18’ – VAN – Matthew Baldisimo
