Whitecaps FC 2 Begin Road Trip with Impressive 3-1 Win in Tulsa
July 31, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 News Release
TULSA, OKLAHOMA - Whitecaps FC 2 (7W-10L-5D) began their month-long road trip on a high note on Friday evening with an impressive 3-1 victory over Tulsa Roughnecks FC (7W-9L-4D) behind two goals by Marco Bustos and one from Victor Blasco.
The Roughnecks looked to be the livelier team to start as midfielder Brady Ballew had two golden opportunities from the right side of the box in the first four minutes. WFC2 goalkeeper Marco Carducci deflected the first attempt while the next try sailed over the crossbar.
On the other end, the 'Caps capitalized on their first chance. In the 14th minute, Andre Lewis dispossessed a Roughnecks defender inside the Tulsa box and the Jamaican midfielder found a wide-open Bustos on the other side for an easy goal to open the scoring.
Lewis continued in his fine form with brilliant ball control and vision to get the Vancouver side more looks in the first half. In the 29th minute, his well-placed corner kick found Craig Nitti, but the towering defender's header was off target. Moments after, a Lewis through ball earned Caleb Clarke a shot that was parried away by goalkeeper Jake Feener.
In the 32nd minute, Lewis played the ball inside to Billy Schuler and the former San Jose Earthquakes striker was fouled by a Tulsa defender to earn a penalty kick. Bustos converted on the ensuing penalty kick, sending Feener the wrong way before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner.
Tulsa had chances to cut down the lead before the half but Cristian Mata's goal was called off as he was offside. Iarfhlaith Davoren attempted a direct shot off a free kick from just outside the box but it failed to find the target.
The Roughnecks got on the board early in the second half when WFC2 defender Jackson Farmer was called for a foul on Mata inside the box, leading to a Lucas Cordeiro score off the ensuing penalty kick.
The celebration at ONEOK Field would be short-lived however, as Blasco broke away on the counter-attack barely a minute later, eluding Tulsa defenders and blasting one into the top of the net to make the score 3-1 for Vancouver.
It was an impressive bounce-back performance for the Whitecaps FC 2 backline, denying repeated attempts by the home side in the second half to preserve the win for the Blue and White.
With the crucial three points, WFC2 find themselves in seventh place and just a point outside the playoff picture in the Western Conference.
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 31, 2015
- Switchbacks Beat LA at Home - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Whitecaps FC 2 Begin Road Trip with Impressive 3-1 Win in Tulsa - Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
- Arizona United SC Falls to Oklahoma City in First Meeting of '15 - Phoenix Rising FC
- FC Montreal Faces Charleston Battery Saturday - FC Montreal
- OKC Energy FC Partners with Republic Services to Offer Recycling at Home Games - OKC Energy FC
- Blues Look for Season Sweep of Real Monarchs SLC Saturday - Orange County SC
- Top Four West Teams Set for Showdowns in USL Week 20 - USL
- T2 Travel to Face Austin Aztex on Saturday - Portland Timbers 2
- Real Monarchs Host OC Blues to Cap off Super Soccer Saturday Night - Real Monarchs
- Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Sacramento Republic FC
- Orlando City's Tommy Redding Loaned to Wilmington - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
- Hammerheads Travel to Pittsburgh on Saturday - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
- Hounds Look to Bounce Back against Wilmington - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Kickers Host Harrisburg Saturday - Richmond Kickers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
