IRVINE, Calif. – Kyle Greig had the only goal in his debut for Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 as it took a 1-0 win against Orange County Blues FC on Saturday night at Anteater Stadium.
After a quiet opening the Blues (0-1-0, 0pts) created the first chance in the 11th minute when Gevorg Karapetyan fired a shot over the crossbar. WFC2 (1-0-0, 3pts) also had a chance in the 20th minute as Greig was forced wide to the left side of the penalty area, but forced a sharp save from Blues goalkeeper Brandon Miller.
Miller made a big save to keep the game scoreless three minutes later as Vancouver sliced through the Blues’ defense, and was again called upon just before the half-hour mark as WFC2 broke through on goal on the right.
Orange County went close late in the first half as Daniel Baccielo headed over the crossbar after a good cross by Akwafei Ajeakwa, but the sides went to the break scoreless.
Vancouver finally found the breakthrough just before the hour-mark as a free kick by Mitch Pireaux was flicked home by a fine header by Greig in the center of the penalty area. The Blues tried to come back as Ajeakwa fired a shot over the crossbar with 19 minutes to go, while Didier Crettenand had a fine run and shot tipped onto the post by WFC2 goalkeeper Sean Melvin.
Greig almost added a second in second-half stoppage time as WFC2 pressed to put the game away, but his breakaway effort was well-saved by Miller. Vancouver wouldn’t need the insurance goal, however, as it closed out the win.
Tag(s):