PDL Game Report
Friday, July 4, 2014
VANCOUVER, B.C. -- On a cloudy Friday evening, Vancouver Whitecaps U-23 defeated Lane United FC 1-0 in the first ever meeting between the two teams in the PDL. A second-half goal from substitute Adam Jones propelled the Blue and White to their seventh straight victory and first place in the PDL’s Northwest Division as they leapfrogged the Kitsap Pumas.
The Northwest Division champions will automatically qualify for the PDL Western Conference Championships, while the second- and third-place teams will play a knockout match to determine the division’s second and final postseason berth.
The visitors had the first chance of the evening. In the third minutes, defender Casey Phillips’ effort grazed just over the bar. Eight minutes later, Phillips threatened again, this time off a free kick from 30 yards out; Marco Carducci sprawled quickly to his left to deny Lane United FC the early advantage.
The 'Caps had their best chance of the first half in the 28th minute as Niall Cousens’ header beat United's keeper Matt Bersano, but was denied by the post.
Right back Ethen Sampson made his return from a right knee injury in the 61st minute for the Whitecaps as he replaced Colton O’Neill, who had played every minute of every PDL match-up until that point. It was Sampson’s first competitive minutes in nearly 10 weeks.
After knocking on the door for the first two-thirds of the match, the Blue and White got the well-deserved go-ahead goal courtesy of Jones. A timely cross from Ali Musse, followed by a deflected headed from Cousens across the six-yard box, found Jones. The right winger's first shot was blocked, but he was first to the rebound and finished nicely to give the home side the advantage in the 70th minute.
Jones came close to doubling his tally nine minutes later when he was the recipient of a well-placed cross from the returning Sampson, but the Port Moody native’s header sailed wide left.
On nearly the last kick of the game, Mitch Piraux was denied from four yards out by a terrific kick save from Lane United’s substitute ‘keeper Wade Hamilton.
All in all, Whitecaps coach Niall Thompson was satisfied with the way his squad found a way to grind out a victory tonight against a resilient Lane United side.
“It was a good victory,” Thompson told whitecapsfc.com. “You could sense we felt a little bit of pressure when a few of our chances weren’t going in. However, after 90 minutes, we got the result, which we’re happy about."
The U-23 'Caps will look to secure their spot in the playoffs when they travel down to Springfield, Oregon, to face Lane United FC in the second leg of the home-and-home series on Tuesday, July 8. Kickoff for the 'Caps finale of the U-23’s regular season is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.