Vancouver, BC (Sunday, May 29, 2016) – MF Ricardo Velazco scored two wonder goals to claw Real Monarchs back from a 2-0 deficit and earn a deserved point at the Western Conference leading Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in British Columbia. Velazco scored his 5th goal in his last 4 matches both in extraordinary fashion to continue his rich vein of form after Vancouver had scored 2 goals in under a minute to take commanding lead.
The opening 15 minutes of the contest were very cagey with neither team wanting to give up the early lead. It was the Monarchs who created the first notable chance with Real Salt Lake on-loan DF Boyd Okwuonu rattling the crossbar with a ferocious effort from 18 yards out. Okwuonu did well to find himself on the edge of the Whitecaps box unmarked and hit the ball on the half volley through a crowd of players but ultimately Paolo Tornaghi in the Whitecaps goal was grateful to see his side still on level terms.
Unfortunately, the mounting pressure from the Monarchs was undone in 60 seconds of madness. First Ben McKendry opened the scoring with a delightful half volley from the top of the Monarchs box that finished in the top left corner of GK Lalo Fernandez’ goal leaving the keeper no chance. Straight from the restart Okwuonu gave up possession poorly at halfway and was punished when Whitecaps first teamer Sam Adekugbe charged down the left wing and delivered an inch perfect cross for Whitecaps II scoring machine Kyle Greig to tap in from close range for his ninth of the season despite Lalo’s getting a foot to it.
Despite the setback the Monarchs continued to look dangerous and FW Kevaughn Frater’s pace up front was a persistent threat to the Whitecaps II defense. Frater, making his first appearance since his quick red card at Rio Grande Valley earlier in the month, was playing like a man with a point to prove. His efforts were rewarded at the perfect time for the Monarchs. Frater won the ball 40 yards from goal and made a smart pass to Velazco just outside of the Whitecaps II box. Velazco took an excellent first touch and drilled his shot low into the bottom right corner of Tornaghi’s goal to half the deficit on the stroke of half time.
With the momentum swung in the Monarchs favor they came out in the second half with a spring in their step. The pressure told and it was Velazco again with an even better finish than his first who put his side on level terms in the 52nd minute. Andrew Brody fed the ball to Velazco at the top right corner of the Whitecaps II 18-yard box, Velazco took one touch and curled a delightful shot into the top left corner of Tornaghi’s goal.
As the half wore on both teams had their chances to snatch three points but it was Velazco again that almost completed his hat trick but for a fine save by Tornaghi. Some excellent work by DF Chris Schuler who found himself running down the left saw him cut a ball back for Velazco to fire first time but the Whitecaps II keeper did brilliantly to make a save low to his right and preserve his team’s undefeated start to the season.
An entertaining 90 minutes ended in a 2-2 draw which sets up next week’s clash against the same opponent nicely. The Monarchs travel back to Salt Lake City on Monday and will then head back to Vancouver on Friday for the second match of this series on Saturday evening.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS II 2-2 REAL MONARCHS
SUNDAY, MAY 29, 2016
THUNDERBIRD STADIUM
Goals by Period 1 2 F
Real Monarchs 1 1 2
Vancouver Whitecaps II 2 0 2
Scoring Summary:
VW: Ben McKendry (Brett Levis) 24’
VW: Kyle Greig (Sam Adekugbe) 25’
RM: Ricardo Velazco (Kevaughn Frater) 45’
RM: Ricardo Velazco 52’
Misconduct Summary:
VW: Sam Adekugbe (Caution; Foul) 17’
RM: Kevaughn Frater (Caution; Foul) 41’
RM: Ricardo Velazco (Caution; Foul) 58’
VW: Deybi Flores (Caution; Foul) 69’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-2-3-1): Lalo Fernandez; Boyd Okwuonu, Phanuel Kavita, Chris Schuler, Max Lachowecki; Alec Sundly (Tyler Arnone 77’), Omar Holness (Danilo Acosta 70’), Andrew Brody, Elder Torres (Amass Amankona 85’) Ricardo Velazco (Eti Tavares 83’); Kevaughn Frater (Colin Rolfe 59’).
Substitutes not used: Connor Sparrow, Darion Copeland.
Vancouver Whitecaps II (4-4-2): Paolo Tornaghi; Sam Adekugbe (Will Seymour 59’), Cole Seiler, Kadin Chung, Sem de Wit; Brett Levis, Kianz Froese (Deybi Flores 45’), Ben Mckendry (Thomas Gardner 59’), Marco Bustos (Alphonso Davies 59’); Fatawu Safiu, Kyle Greig (Daniel Haber 72’)
Substitutes not used: Sean Melvin, Jackson Farmer.
Referee: Michelle Pye
Assistant Referees: Michael Barwegan, Erina Cho
Fourth Official: Scott Miliquet
Attendance: 1513
Weather: 65 degrees and sunny
