By:Aaron Campbell (Twitter:@AaCamp81)
Photo courtesy of Miss604.com
Match Report Courtesy of Whitecaps FC 2
Real Monarchs SLC substitute Frederick Amankona scored in added time to hand Whitecaps FC 2 a 1-0 loss at Thunderbird Stadium on Saturday evening, giving the ‘Caps their first loss of the season.
The ‘Caps starting lineup featured four first-team players back from the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship semifinal last Wednesday evening in Ottawa, as Cole Seiler, Ben McKendry, Sam Adekugbe and Marco Bustos laced their boots for Alan Koch’s side.
McKendry started the first convincing attack for WFC2, launching a beautiful through ball into the right corner to Daniel Haber, who passed it to Kyle Greig at the edge of the six-yard box. Though Greig got on the end of the pass, the shot was blocked and went out for a corner in the 18th minute.
Seven minutes later, Haber joined the attack for the ‘Caps once again, rocketing a shot just wide of the SLC net.
On the counterattack, the Monarchs started to cause the ‘Caps some trouble when Omar Holness slipped a ball through to SLC leading scorer Ricardo Velazco. The striker’s ensuing shot went just wide of the WFC2 net, keeping the sides at an even 0-0 score line.
McKendry got the last chance of the first half for WFC2, blasting a shot from the middle of the Vancouver attacking half. Going just over the bar, the shot could not get the ‘Caps on the board and the teams headed to the dressing rooms with a scoreless tie at halftime.
Haber started the next big move upfield for WFC2, driving the ball down to the Monarchs SLC touchline. Sending a cross through the six-yard box, Haber found a hole in the visitors’ defence, sending both teams scrambling. No goal was to come of the play though, with Monarchs SLC clearing the ball out.
Lead by Velazco, the visitors tried to capitalize on the counter. The striker sent a through ball to Amankona who floated a shot along the turf towards the ‘Caps net. Goalkeeper Spencer Richey managed to get his legs to the ball, and the save stopped the Monarchs SLC attack quickly.
Though the ‘Caps made a late attacking push, another Monarchs SLC counter saw WFC2 reduced to 10 men in added time. Adekugbe earned his second yellow card of the match for a tackle deep in the Vancouver half, ending his evening just before the final whistle.
On the ensuing play, Monarchs SLC capitalized on the man-advantage, getting a goal from Amankona off the free kick in the dying seconds.
Despite the loss, WFC2 remain atop of the Western Conference with a 6W-1L-4D record, tied with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC with 22 points. Monarchs SLC improve to an even 4W-4L-4D record.
Whitecaps FC 2 play their next match on Thursday, June 9 when they visit Cascadia rival Seattle Sounders FC 2. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Washington. Catch the match at whitecapsfc2.com.
The ‘Caps then return home on Sunday, June 12, to face Swope Park Rangers at 2 p.m. for Bark at the ‘Bird. Fans are encouraged to bring their favourite canine companions to the match. Tickets are available here.
Attendance: 938
Scoring Summary
90’+5’ – SLC – Frederick Amankona (Etiandro Tavares)
Stats
Shots: VAN 14 – SLC 9
Fouls: VAN 17 – SLC 17
Saves: VAN 1 – SLC 5
Corners: VAN 8 – SLC 2
Cautions
36’ – VAN – Brett Levis
48’ – SLC – Omar Holness
49’ – VAN – Will Seymore
51’ – VAN – Marco Bustos
62’ – VAN – Sam Adekugbe
79’ – SLC – Colin Rolfe
83’ – SLC – Danilo Acosta
90’+4’ – VAN – Sam Adekugbe
Ejection
90’+4’ – VAN – Sam Adekugbe
Whitecaps FC 2
39.Spencer Richey; 14.Cole Seiler, 51.Sem de Wit, 41.Jackson Farmer, 3.Sam Adekugbe; 58.Will Seymore (65.Matthew Baldisimo 70‘), 30.Ben McKendry (45.Giuliano Frano 75‘); 56.Daniel Haber, 32.Marco Bustos (50.Sahil Sandhu 83‘), 46.Brett Levis (49.Fatawu Safiu 63’); 47.Kyle Greig ©
Substitutes not used
40.Sean Melvin, 63.Kadin Chung, 64.Thomas Gardner
Real Monarchs SLC
1.Eduardo Fernandez; 2.Boyd Okwuono, 3.Phanuel Kavita, 28.Chris Schuler, 18.Max Lachowecki (4.Riley McGovern 72‘); 29.Danilo Acosta, 6.Alec Sundly (19.Tyler Arnone 85‘); 17.Andrew Brody, 27.Omar Holness (16.Frederick Amankona 69’), 10.Ricardo Velazco © (7.Etiandro Tavares 83‘); 9.Kevaughn Frater (14.Colin Rolfe 71‘)
Substitutes not used
30.Connor Sparrow, 12.Emilio Orozco
