Whitecaps FC 2 had an imposing 4-1 win over Sporting KC II at Swangard Stadium to earn their second consecutive victory of the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season.
The first threat of the Sunday evening matchup would come from SKCII’s Guy Michaeli, whose shot hit the bar and nearly bounced in but was cleared off the line in the eighth minute. Just when the visiting team seemed to be putting up a good high press, WFC2 would open the scoreboard in the 23rd minute with defender Simone Masi scoring his first goal with the team following a corner kick. Two minutes later, WFC2 forward Emiliano Brienza would score one more to double the lead in the first half.
From the start of the second half, Sporting Kansas City II looked for the box with efforts from Michaeli, Julian Vazquez and Spencer Glass, but just when it seemed that the visiting team had an opportunity to turn the tables, WFC2 responded with a goal from Filip Rakic who gave his team a 3-0 lead.
The reward for Sporting Kansas City II's effort came in the 72nd minute with Michael Lenis’ first goal, however, it was not enough to avoid their third consecutive loss. In the 84th minute, Whitecaps FC 2 substitute Joseph Hanson sealed the deal for the final 4-1 tally.
WFC2 will look to make it three wins in a row Saturday, April 30 hosting Earthquakes II. While SKCII will search to break its three-game losing streak at home against North Texas SC on Sunday, May 1.
Whitecaps FC 2 joined the top 5 MLS NEXT Pro offenses after its first-ever home victory Sunday evening against Sporting KC II.
The team managed by Nick Dasovic scored four goals in its Week 5 matchup to total 10 goals so far in the season, tied for fourth overall with North Texas SC.
The Canadian squad has scored at least two goals in each of its last four matches and now leads the Western Conference’s Pacific Division standings. Its only scoreless matchup was during its inaugural match against Houston Dynamo 2, falling 1-0 on the road against the unbeaten leaders of the Western Conference.
Following that loss, Week 2 saw 23-year-old midfielder Giovanni Aguilar score a brace against Real Monarchs in just 28 minutes after coming off the bench. Then, Week 3 brought another brace from 19-year-old midfielder Owen Antoniuk against Timbers 2.
19-year-old forward Emiliano Brienza has also scored two goals but in two different matches. The first was in Week 4 against Tacoma Defiance and the second in the last contest against SKCII.
The remaining four goals were scored by midfielder Luis Felipe Fernandez, defender Simone Masi and forwards Filip Rakic and Joseph Hanson.
