ARLINGTON, TX – Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) recorded a penalty shootout victory after drawing 0-0 in regulation versus Western Conference side North Texas SC on Friday evening at Choctaw Stadium to open their 2024 MLS NEXT Pro campaign.
The best chance of the first half for the 'Caps came in the 28th minute. Forward Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau sprung through the attacking half after a ball was played in by Mihail Gherasimencov, but his effort on target was held away by goalkeeper Michael Collodi.
In the second half, a corner kick ended with Jay Herdman firing a powerful half-volleyed strike from outside the box that was parried away by Collodi in the 57th minute of the match.
Moments later, North Texas SC forward Tarik Scott dribbled his way through the right flank of the midfield, however a strong save was followed from goalkeeper Max Anchor in the 69th minute.
After a 0-0 stalemate, the match concluded with kicks from the spot per MLS NEXT Pro rules, with Anchor continuing his valiant performance by saving two shots from the spot and Lowell Wright scoring the winning kick.
WFC2 are back in action next Saturday, March 23, hosting their home opener against Real Monarchs at BC Place, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. PT. Tickets are available on Universe for $10, and included for Whitecaps FC MLS season members ($140 value). Season members can access their complimentary tickets by using their account number as their access key at checkout. Youth 18 and under get in free at the gate.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Corbyn May
ScoringNone
ShootoutVAN – Scored – Belal Halbouni
NTX – Missed – Carl Fred Sainté
VAN – Missed – Eliot Goldthorp
NTX – Scored – Nolan Norris
VAN – Scored – Malcolm Simmons
NTX – Missed – Anthony Ramirez
VAN – Scored – Mihail Gherasimencov
NTX – Scored – Enes Sali
VAN – Scored – Lowell Wright
Statistics
Possession: NTX 66% – VAN 34%
Shots: NTX 13 – VAN 8
Shots on Goal: NTX 3 – VAN 1
Saves: NTX 1 – VAN 3
Fouls: NTX 13 – VAN 11
Offsides: NTX 3 – VAN 0
Corners: NTX 12 – VAN 3
Cautions37’ – NTX – Diego Pepi
76’– VAN – Belal Halbouni
81’ – NTX – Nolan Norris
North Texas SC30.Michael Collodi; 41.Tarik Scott, 5.Nico Gordon, 18.Carl Fred Sainté, 32.Nolan Norris; 50.Diego García (51.Anthony Ramirez 77’), 8.Nicholas Mendonça (21.Dylan Lacy 86’), 35.Tomas Pondeca, 7.Abdoul Zanne; 99.Enes Sali, 16.Diego Pepi (36.Malik Henry-Scott 80’)
Substitutes not used
22.Victor Darub, 4.Turner Humphrey, 9.Lautaro Taboada, 20.Leo Molombe Londe Jr., 24.Amet Korça, 34.Alejandro Urzua
Whitecaps FC 250.Max Anchor; 12.Belal Halbouni, 56.Immanuel Mathe, 83.Finn Linder; 41.Eliot Goldthorp, 48.Malcolm Simmons, 59.Jeevan Badwal, 54.Mihail Gherasimencov; 42.Lowell Wright, 52.Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau (55.Cyprian Kachwele 67’), 92.Jay Herdman (97.Liam Mackenzie 67’)
Substitutes not used
80.Trystan Read, 46.Darko Ilic, 49.Malek Mehri, 53.Buster Sjöberg, 95.Joshué Ndakala
