USL Game Report

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

AUSTIN, Texas – After a tough start in its season opener, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) bounced back in fine style with its first win in team history on Wednesday, a 3-0 road victory against the Austin Aztex.

Canadian striker Caleb Clarke, center back Craig Nitti, and debutant Billy Schuler provided the scoring for the ‘Caps while goalkeeper Spencer Richey earned the clean sheet in his first professional start.

It was a night of firsts for the club’s USL side. In addition to Richey and Nitti, Head Coach Alan Koch gave a professional debut to left back Jordan Haynes, while winger Sahil Sandhu earned his first professional start.

The first goal for WFC2 came in the 12th minute when a long pass up field from captain Tyler Rosenlund sprung Clarke on a breakaway. Clarke kept his composure and calmly slotted a righted footed shot into the back of the net to give the ‘Caps a 1-0 lead.

Richey was called into the action for the first time in the 29th minute, first making a save on Trevin Caesar before also stuffing the Aztex on the rebound. Those two players came to a head again in the 69th minute, and again it was Richey who came out on top with a low save.

The Aztex continued the pressure, but WFC2 got the next goal in the 77th minute, and it was a surprising figure who did the honors. Nitti, a 6-foot-5 rookie centre back, stepped up to take a 25-yard free kick and blasted a rocket off the fingertips of Austin goalkeeper Devin Perales and into the net for a 2-0 lead.

The visiting ‘Caps put a nail in the coffin in the 90th minute. After Ethen Sampson did well on the defensive end, WFC2 broke up field quickly with a series of passes ending on the foot of Schuler, who then beat Perales for a 3-0 final score.

With a first win under its belt, WFC2 now has a week break before returning to action on Sunday, April 12, back on the road against Orange County Blues FC at Anteater Stadium in Irvine, Calif. Kickoff for that match is set for 4 p.m. PT.

WFC2 hosts its first home match on Sunday, April 19, when it takes on Canadian rival club Toronto FC II at UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium.