WFC2 'Fighting for Everything' with Three Matches
September 8, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - What a difference a year makes.
At this time last year, Whitecaps FC 2 had already been eliminated from playoff contention. It was their inaugural season in the United Soccer League, and results aren't necessarily how this team is judged as much as it is on development and pushing players onto the first team.
So it certainly wasn't the end of the world.
Fast forward a year, though, and it's clear to see how far WFC2 have come. Not only have they promoted two players to Vancouver's Major League Soccer roster, in Alphonso Davies and Brett Levis, they've also already recorded 12 more points than they did in all of 2015.
That has them fourth in the USL Western Conference with just three matches remaining.
"We're enjoying playing meaningful games," WFC2 head coach Alan Koch told reporters following Sunday's 2-2 draw with Seattle Sounders FC 2 in front of a sold-out crowd of 2,200 at Langley's McLeod Athletic Park. "It shows how far we've progressed as a group and how far the young, individual players have come."
If results elsewhere in the league fall their way, the young 'Caps could clinch a playoff spot as early as this Sunday, when they host Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at UBC Thunderbird Stadium (2 p.m. PT - tickets still available). In fact, all three of their remaining matches are at home, including their regular season finale on September 21 in Langley, and they're very much in contention to host a playoff game.
The top four teams in each conference will secure a home playoff date.
"The cool thing is that it's three meaningful points," Koch said of this weekend's fixture. "And you're playing for playoff implications. We haven't qualified for the playoffs yet, so we're trying to fight to get whatever we can and they're going to be doing the same thing."
After a flying start in which WFC2 went unbeaten in 10 matches, they've come back down to earth a bit in the second half of the season. Most recently, they picked up one of a possible six points in a home-and-home series with Seattle Sounders FC 2.
They've played well in spurts, but now Koch is asking his players to roll up their sleeves and put in three 90-minute performances to close out the regular season.
The rest will take care of itself.
"We don't want to get too caught up in the individual game, in the struggle of the last few weeks," Koch said. "We'll take a big step back and really reflect. Having said that, we've still got three big games to play and we're fighting for everything."
What a difference a year makes.
FINAL THREE WFC2 MATCHES
This year, every Tier 1 'Caps Club MLS membership includes three open tickets to WFC2 matches. Members can select their matches and theme days online through Account Manager. Information on theme days is available at whitecapsfc.com/wfc2/themedays.
For more information, contact wfc2@whitecapsfc.com or call 604-484-7862.
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- WFC2 'Fighting for Everything' with Three Matches - Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
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