USL Game Report

Sunday, April 19, 2015

VANCOUVER, Canada – Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 played Toronto FC II to a 1-1 draw in front of a sold-out crowd at UBC Thunderbird Stadium in WFC 2’s home opener on Sunday.

Caleb Clarke made history with Vancouver’s first home goal in the 33rd minute as WFC 2 moved to 1-3-1 on the season. Captain Tyler Rosenlund, one of four British Columbia residents in WFC 2’s starting lineup, set up the goal with the through ball – just as he did on Clarke’s historic first tally back on April 1.

TFC II (1-2-1) made it 1-1 through Jay Chapman early in the second half, and that is how the match ended, but not before both teams were reduced to 10 men courtesy of a pair of second yellow cards.

WFC 2 head coach Alan Koch fielded a starting lineup composed of eight Canadians. Five first-team players also got the nod, including the center back duo of Christian Dean and Tim Parker.

WFC 2 had a number of chances in the first 45 minutes, outshooting its Eastern Canadian counterpart by a 9-2 margin and forcing TFC II goalkeeper Quillan Roberts into making five saves.

Spanish winger Victor Blasco, who looked particularly lively on the left flank, got things started in the fourth minute, curling a right-footed strike that a diving Roberts parried away.

After a number of chances, including an early Ben McKendry breakaway, WFC 2 finally broke through in the 33rd minute. In the build-up, Rosenlund released Clarke into space with an inch-perfect through ball and the homegrown striker made no mistake, flicking it over the onrushing Roberts to put WFC 2 ahead.

Right back Jackson Farmer nearly doubled WFC 2’s advantage in first-half stoppage time, getting in behind after a nice run down the flank but Roberts came up with another big save.

TFC II didn’t have a sniff at goal in the first half, but they got on the board early in the second when Chapman headed in a Raheem Edwards cross to bring the game level.

Koch’s side responded well though and continued to push forward, but the complexion of the match changed in the 68th minute when Blasco was sent off for his second yellow card.

With WFC 2 down to 10 men, TFC II began to take over. But a goal line block by MacKenzie Pridham and a diving Marco Carducci save kept the score level before TFC II were also reduced to 10 men as a result of Mark Anthony Kaye’s second yellow. There were chances at both ends in the dying stages, but neither side was able to find an equalizer.