VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) received a pair of MLS NEXT Pro monthly awards for the month of June on Wednesday. Head coach Ricardo Clark was named the league's Coach of the Month, while wingback Eliot Goldthorp was named the league's Player of the Month.
“Congratulations to Ricardo, Eliot, and the entire team for their outstanding month," said Whitecaps FC sporting director Axel Schuster. "MLS NEXT Pro is about developing and proving consistently that you are ready to jump to the next level. Winning awards like these is additional confirmation that you’re on the right path towards your goals.”
MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Month: Ricardo Clark
Clark, who is in his second season in charge of WFC2, led the young 'Caps to a perfect 5W-0L-0D record in June to extend their club-record winning streak to six matches.
Clark's side scored three or more goals in each of their five victories. In total, WFC2 outscored their opponents 17-5 during the month.
The team's most impressive win of the month came on June 9, as they claimed a dominant 4-0 victory against LAFC2 at Swangard Stadium thanks to a brace from Myles Morgan, as well as goals from Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau and Eliot Goldthorp.
Heading into July, WFC2 sit third in the Western Conference with an 8W-4L-3D record (28 points) and a +11 goal differential, which is the third-best in the league.
In addition, the team is second in the league in goals scored with 32.
The young 'Caps also have sit second in clearances per match with 19.5, third in goals per match with 2.1, and seventh in least amount of goals conceded per match with 1.4.
MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month: Eliot Goldthorp
Goldthorp tallied the most goal contributions in the league during the month of June, recording five goals as well as four assists in four starts and five appearances for WFC2 during the month of June.
The product of Leeds, England, who was selected 45th overall by Whitecaps FC in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, recorded mutliple goal contributions in four of his five appearances during the month.
In total, Goldthorp has recorded six goals and six assists during his first season with WFC2, which puts him in a tie for the league-lead in goal contributions.
The wingback is also tied for first in the league in successful crosses with 29, tied for third in the league in assists, and tied for seventh in the league in key passes with 32.
WFC2 now enter the month of the July as the most in-form team in MLS NEXT Pro. The team will look to continue extend their six-game winning streak as they take on Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers2 on Saturday, July 6 at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT. You can catch the match live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
