By Simon Fudge/whitecapsfc.com

Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency fell to a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at Thunder Bay Chill in the USL Premier Development League semifinal on Saturday evening.

In the first-ever all-Canadian semifinal in PDL history, a crowd of 1,546 at Thunder Bay's Chapples Park saw a dramatic contest between two conference champions, with the game's decisive moments taking place in the four minutes of second-half stoppage time.

After a goalless first half, Scott Milroth gave Thunder Bay the lead just after the hour mark, but just as he did one week ago in the PDL Western Conference semifinal against San Fernando Valley Quakes, Randy Edwini-Bonsu equalized in the final minute to seemingly set up extra time. Yet, the extra half-hour would not be required, as the Chill's Alvaro Zendejas headed home a corner in the fourth minute of stoppage time to secure Thunder Bay's first-ever berth in the PDL championship final.

 

 

ORLANDO, FL -- Saturday’s Southern Conference Final between the defending PDL Champion Laredo Heat and the first-year Austin Aztex was a match-up between two clubs with a great friendship. Then the whistle blew. And, just four minutes later, the referee issued two yellow cards following a 10-player melee at midfield that also saw a player on the bench sent off.

Speaking with Austin’s owner Phil Rawlins before the match, things were expected to play out a bit differently.

 

“Laredo has been extremely helpful in our efforts to develop a competitive PDL team,” said Rawlins. “Shashi and JJ were supportive and helped us to prepare for this season. When we went down to Laredo, we arranged to bring both of our second teams to play a match prior to our PDL match. That was good for both of us.”

“Next season, when we move up to USL-1, our relationship with Laredo will be important,” added Rawlins. “They are focused on player development. Any time we want to send a guy down they will be an option for us. Likewise, if they have a guy they think is ready to play at the next level, we are an option for him to move up.”

 

One thing Rawlins was dead on about was his pre-game prediction.

 

“The first time we played it honestly could have gone either way,” said Rawlins. “The second match opened up a bit. Today is going to be our toughest game of the season. They are the reigning champs. That’s not a title they are going to give up very easily. It will be tight, a low scoring game.”