FRISCO, Texas – North Texas SC travels to Whitecaps FC 2 Friday, August 25 at 9:30PM CT at BC Place. Here is everything you need to know before the game.
How to WatchFriday’s game will kick off at 9:33PM CT on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Daniel Waugh will be on the call for the broadcast.
Match Overview
NTX Record: 6-10-8 (27 points – 11th in West)
WFC2 record: 8-9-6 (33 points – 9th in West)
NTX vs. WFC2 all-time:1-2-0 (3 GF, 7 GA)
STORY LINES
On the Road
North Texas SC head on the road after a tightly contested 2-2 draw with Tacoma Defiance at Choctaw Stadium. The game was highlighted by excellent team orchestrated goals from forward Tomas Pondeca and midfielder Diego García. North Texas knew it would be a difficult game to take points from, as Defiance are currently 3rd in the Western Conference standings. The team did incredibly well possessing the ball and creating chances, including attempting a game-high eight shots on target to Defiance’s three. Under interim coach John Gall, North Texas has shown resurgence in the attacking third allowing them to play with any team in the league. The team travels across the border to Canada to take on Whitecaps 2, who currently sit just two spots above them on the table in 9th position.
Player to Watch
Last match marked the third consecutive game in which forward Tomas Pondeca scored a goal. With the goal, Pondeca jumps into a tie for third leading scorer on the team this season with three total goals. The 21-year-old forward has been rejuvenated under interim coach John Gall, having played an integral role in the team’s success since the coach’s appointment. Despite starting just 10 games this season, Pondeca is third in shots (26) and shots on target (12), as well as ranking fourth on the team in key attacking passes (14). The skilled winger has been a revelation this season, signing with North Texas from the open tryout, Pondeca has made himself into an influential player for the club. Pondeca looks to continue his goal-scoring form on the road against Whitecaps FC 2.
Get to Know Tacoma Defiance
Whitecaps FC 2 are coming off a 1-1 draw with Austin FC II, in which they won the extra point shootout 4-3. The Canadian side is led by head coach Ricardo Clark who has led the team to an 8-9-6 record so far in his first season with the team. WFC2 currently sit in 9th position in the Western Conference standings. The team has been led by forwards Levonte Johnson and Kamron Habibullah who have combined to score 35% of the teams goals this season. Johnson leads the team with seven goals and one assist in just 14 games, while Habibullah has scored four goals and added an assist in 16 total games. WFC2 currently sit sixth in the Western Conference.
Playoff Picture
With just four games remaining in the season for North Texas SC, we’ll take a look at the playoff picture and see how they can qualify.
In MLS Next Pro seven teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs, those being the two division champions and then the five teams with the next highest point totals.
North Texas SC currently sit in 11th position in the Western Conference behind current 7th seed, Minnesota United FC2.
With four games left to play, if North Texas were able to secure four wins and pick up 12 total points that would boost their total on the season to 39 points.
However, the four teams currently ahead of North Texas have played one less game on the season and in order to make the playoffs North Texas would need the teams to remain under 39 points.
North Texas takes on the current 9th seed, Whitecaps FC2 in their next match and will hope to steal three important points on the road to continue their push for the playoffs.
