BURNABY, BC \u2013 Whitecaps FC 2 brought beaming smiles back to the Swangard Stadium faithful in a dramatic 3-2 victory over San Jose Earthquakes II on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The young were down once, and up twice \u2013 with the final strike very late in added time. Yuma Tsuji calmly slotted home the game-winner from a Carson Rassak through ball to snatch all three points at the death in the 94th minute.<\/p>\n
It was WFC2\u2019s first regulation win since April.<\/p>\n
In the second minute, Quakes II struck first. A Kaedren Spivey looping cross\u00a0was met by oncoming Jacob Heisner for his first goal of the season past goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer.<\/p>\n
Completely unfazed, WFC2 equalized within 90 seconds. After a Tsuji corner, San Jose goalkeeper Connor Lambe leapt to punch the ball out of the danger area \u2013 but WFC2\u2019s Carson Rassak met the dipper. The young man from Langley flexed his muscles to launch a half-volley that streaked into the top corner for the 1-1 equalizer.<\/p>\n
The remarkable rocket was Rassak\u2019s first career goal in MLS NEXT Pro.<\/p>\n
The young \u2019Caps gained confidence through long stretches of possession. Near the half-hour, forward Daniel Ittycheria went wide \u2013 an energetic give-and-go with Micaah Garnette stung Lambe\u2019s palms \u2013 he parried aside at point-blank range. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
On his next rush, Ittycheria put his Ivy League education to good use. The former Princeton man wily juked inside two \u2019Quakes defenders to screen his 18-yard drive that beat Lambe \u2013 but not the left post.<\/p>\n
In the second half, Ittycheria was a man possessed. After getting the ball outside of the Whitecaps FC 2 box, he chipped a through ball ahead that he caught up to.<\/p>\n
From the centre line onwards, he sprinted past three defenders for a cheeky chip past Lambe for a 2-1 lead.<\/p>\n
Quakes II returned to level the match in the 55th minute.<\/p>\n
It appeared that would be enough to send the match to a shootout, but Tsuji\u2019s heroics sent the ‘Caps and their fans home happy.<\/p>\n
Up next, WFC2 heads to Colorado to lace up against Rapids 2 on Saturday, June 27 at 5 p.m. PT. The match is available on OneFootball, or at MLSNEXTPro.com.<\/p>\n
Then, the young \u2019Caps return home to Swangard Stadium to take on Ventura County FC on Tuesday, July 7 at 6 p.m. PT.<\/p>\n