LOS ANGELES, CA – Whitecaps FC 2 took an early lead thanks to Daniel Ittycheria, but the young ’Caps were unable to hang on in a 2-1 defeat against LAFC 2.
After a stretch of tight marking by the back lines, WFC2 struck first to silence the L.A. faithful in the 13th minute.
Behind the centre line, WFC2 defender Prince Amponsah flexed his muscles to launch a towering ball down the right wing to oncoming Sahil Deo, who sprinted to keep the play alive.
Deo juked around a defender to find open space, before placing a sublime cross to the near post for wide-open forward Daniel Ittycheria. A split-second later, the former Ivy Leaguer went skyward for a clinical header that zipped past LAFC 2 goalkeeper Thomas Hasal. At the quarter-hour: 1-0 for the young ’Caps.Â
The 18-year-old Deo showed a veteran’s savvy by causing havoc for the LAFC 2 back line. Deep in the danger area, Deo was in a generous mood. With a spin, he cut back to lay off for Yuma Tsuji. His 15-yard attempt stung Hasal’s palms, but the ’keeper held on.
At the half-hour, LAFC 2 striker Tommy Mihalić booted home the equalizer. Off a Charlie Kosakoff hard run to put WFC2 defenders under pressure, Mihalić collected the loose ball and cracked into the top corner over WFC2 goalkeeper AdrÃan Zendejas.
Before the break, the Black and Gold took the lead off a 15-yard Sebastian Nava half-volley as he converted a cross from Jacob Machuca.
WFC2 had golden opportunities to extend the match. First, substitute Carson Rassak’s powerful 12-yard smash was turned aside, as Hasal leapt to the near post with a successful punch.
A minute later, Amponsah put his head down to blast a 35-yard screamer that looked headed for glory, only for former Whitecaps FC BMO Academy product Hasal to come up with a desperate leap to barely tip the ball over the crossbar. Even with eight minutes of added time, the LAFC 2 ’keeper was able to withstand the pressure to see the young ’Caps off.
Up next, Whitecaps FC 2 will return to Cali for their next chance to notch their first road victory of the season. WFC2 will lace up versus San Jose Earthquakes II on Saturday, May 9 at 1 p.m. PT.
Cheer on the boys by watching that match for free on One Football or MLS NEXT Pro. Then, the next home match for Whitecaps FC 2 will be on Sunday, May 17 versus Tacoma Defiance at 4 p.m. PT at Swangard Stadium.
Remember, for every home match this season: WFC2 tickets are only $10 each. Tickets can be purchased through Universe. Whitecaps FC MLS season ticket members can access their complimentary WFC2 tickets by using their account number as the access key at checkout. Youth who are 18 and under get in free.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Dion Coxe-Trieger
\\Scoring Summary
\\13’ – VAN – Daniel Ittycheria (Sahil Deo, Prince Amponsah)
31’ – LAFC – Tommy Mihalić (Charlie Kosakoff)
37’ – LAFC – Sebastian Nava (Jacob Machuca, Travis Babineau)
\\Cautions
\\6’ – VAN – Yeider Zuluaga
45’ – LAFC – DeCarlo Guerra
61’ – LAFC – Skylar Kaplan
\\Statistics
\\Possession: LAFC 50% – VAN 50%
Shots: LAFC 9 – VAN 18
Shots on goal: LAFC 2 – VAN 5
Saves: LAFC 4 – VAN 0
Fouls: LAFC 10 – VAN 10
Offsides: LAFC 5 – VAN 1
Corners: LAFC 4 – VAN 8
\\LAFC 2
\\12.Thomas Hasal; 83.Skylar Kaplan (55.Érick DÃaz 63’), 34.Giuliano Whitchurch, 35.Luke Goodman, 32.Travis Babineau (62.Joshua Santiago 88’); 70.Matthew Evans, 36.DeCarlo Guerra (66.Bryan Moyado 88’), 40.Sebastian Nava; 90.Tommy Mihalić ©, 49.Charlie Kosakoff (47.Marius Aiyenero 70’), 67.Jacob Machuca Â
Substitutes not used
41.Ethan Scally, 44.Christian DÃaz, 56.Eddie Villeda, 81.Ernesto Rodriguez, 92.Emir Ponciano
\\Whitecaps FC 2
\\30.AdrÃan Zendejas ©; 66.Sahil Deo (65.Anyole Peter 57’), 43.Trevor Wright, 54.Prince Amponsah, 48.Micaah Garnette; 68.Yuma Tsuji (61.Carson Rassak 67’), 46.Cristiano Bruletti (47.Marko Popović 78’); 44.Daniel Ittycheria, 97.Liam Mackenzie, 45.Yeider Zuluaga; 62.Ryder Sewell
Substitutes not used
50.Isaac Francoeur, 70.Timothy Lodder, 64.Tyler Brown