A fast-paced first half for MNUFC2 was out-shined by a scoreless second half during Sunday night’s 5-2 loss at Whitecaps FC 2.
It was a wet and rainy evening in the greater Vancouver area on Sunday night, creating challenging slippery pitch conditions for both MNUFC2 and Whitecaps FC 2. Both sides saw quick chances at goal within the first 15 minutes of the contest, but failed to capitalize. That was until the 16th minute when the Twos earned a corner kick. Midfielder Diogo Pacheco delivered the ball into the WFC six-yard box where it then bounced around a few players before forward Patrick Weah found the chance to shoot, scoring at close distance and giving MNUFC2 the early 1-0 lead.
Whitecaps FC 2 then answered less than 10 minutes later when a cross entered the box, finding its way to the back post where Levonte Johnson was able to sneak his shot past MNUFC2 goalkeeper Fred Emmings at the opposite far post, equalizing the match. The scoring wasn’t over in the first half as WFC capitalized off a moment where defender Nick Richardson’s clearance was intercepted by Lucas Dasovic, who quickly scored at close range to give the home side the lead in the 38th minute. But MNUFC2 answered after winning a free-kick opportunity at the closing moments of the first half. Pacheco took the set-piece kick and scored the Twos’ second goal of the night off a deflection from the WFC wall and into the net.
In the opening minutes of the second half, Whitecaps FC 2 was awarded a penalty kick after a shoestring tackle was committed by defender Nick Richardson. Deiber Caicedo converted on the attempt, giving the home side the 3-2 lead. Johnson then extended the WFC lead, 4-2, in the 70th minute off a cross service into the box. Jay Herdman notched a fifth goal for the Canadian side to give them all three points on the night with a final score of 5-2.
With the loss, MNUFC2 stand in fourth place in MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference regular-season action with a 3-2-0 record (W-L-D) and nine points.
MNUFC2 concludes its six-game road stretch as it travels south to face Austin FC II at Parmer Field in Austin, Texas on Friday, April 28 at 8:00 p.m. CT, and will be streamed on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
GOALS
1-0 MIN – Patrick Weah (16’)
1-1 VAN – Levonte Johnson, assist by Jean-Claude Ngando (24’)
1-2 VAN – Lucas Dasovic (38’)
2-2 MIN – Diogo Pacheco (45’+2’)
2-3 VAN – Deiber Caicedo PK (51’)
2-4 VAN – Levonte Johnson, assist by Deiber Caicedo (70’)
2-5 VAN – Jay Herdman, assist by Giovanni Aguillar (84’)
DISCIPLINAIRY SUMMARY
Caution, MIN – Rory O’Driscoll (35’)
Caution, VAN – Karifa Yao (65’)
Caution, VAN – Vasco Fry (78’)
NOTABLE STATS
7 – Midfielder Morgan Olson entered the match as a substitute and became the seventh MNUFC Academy player to feature for MNUFC2 so far in the 2023 season
4 – With forward Patrick Weah’s goal in the 16th minute, MNUFC2 has now scored first in four of its opening five matches to start the season
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through April 23)
Goals – Diogo Pacheco (4)
Assists – Loïc Mesanvi (2)
Saves – Fred Emmings (18)
Wins – Fred Emmings (3)
Shutouts – Fred Emmings (1)
