WFC2 come from behind to earn 3-2 win over Ventura County

• Daniel Ittycheria registered his first professional brace to now lead WFC2 in goals with six
• Yuma Tsuji registered a two-goal contribution night, scoring his second goal of the season, and adding his first assist of the season
• Cristiano Bruletti registered his first assist of the season
• Yeider Zuluaga registered his first assist of the season

BURNABY, BC - One day before Vancouver Whitecaps FC play their first match at Swangard Stadium since 2010, Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) found their own moment in the spotlight with a gritty 3-2 victory over visiting Ventura County FC (VCFC).

At the hour mark, WFC2 forward Yuma Tsuji struck for a highlight reel screamer, before striker Daniel Ittycheria notched a brace, and the eventual game-winner, to secure three points at home. The match was also a memorable evening for goalkeeper Sam Rogers as the 16-year-old made two saves to collect his first MLS NEXT Pro win in regulation. 

The home side began strong. WFC2 midfielder Cristiano Bruletti turned up the tempo and cracked a long through ball down the left wing for striker Ittycheria. Under duress, the former Princeton man looped a low attempt on VCFC goalkeeper Sebastian Conlon, who stretched to snatch the dribbler.

However, Ventura County found the opener through an Issak Luna finish from the centre of the box past Rogers in the 28th minute. 

In the second half, Ittycheria slipped behind the VCFC backline to smash a point-blank ball that stung Conlon’s palms, as he had to recovery quickly to deny the rebound attempt from Tsuji.

The young ’Caps finally equalized in the 58th minute courtesy of a Tsuji thunderbolt. Off a corner, the ball went skyward before dropping for Tsuji, who flexed his muscles to blast a half-volley screamer from 25 yards out. 

Only three minutes later, WFC2 took the lead. Tsuji switched from scorer to set-up man when his diagonal cross to the near post was met by Ittycheria, who leapt to sweetly nod the ball home.

Ittycheria wasn’t done yet. Forward Yeider Zuluaga dropped a perfectly placed leading ball from the centre line for the oncoming striker, who noticed Conlon way off his line to challenge. Ittycheria calmly chipped the ball over the ‘keepers head to register his first professional brace.

Ventura County substitute Kai Aina would score one more for the home side to make the match 3-2. However, it wouldn’t be enough as Rogers stood on his head in the seven minutes of injury time, including a confident challenge outside of his box, to seal the deal for WFC2. 

Up next, WFC2 head to Utah to lace up against Real Monarchs at America First Field on Saturday, July 11 at 7 p.m. PT. You can watch this match for free on MLSNEXTPro and also on Onefootball.

The young ’Caps then return home to Swangard Stadium to battle with Austin FC II on Wednesday, July 22 at 6 p.m. PT. 

Tickets for every WFC2 home match are only $10 for adults and can be purchased online at whitecapsfc.com/wfc2. Whitecaps FC season ticket members can access complimentary tickets by using their account number as their access key, while youth (18 years and younger) can watch WFC2 matches for free.

MATCH DETAILS

Referee: Robert D'Alesio

Scoring Summary
28’ – VCFC – Issak Luna (Mason Vanney)
58’ – VAN – Yuma Tsuji (Cristiano Bruletti)
61’ – VAN – Daniel Ittycheria (Yuma Tsuji)
73’ – VAN – Daniel Ittycheria (Yeider Zuluaga)
86’ – VCFC – Kai Aina (Julian Placias)

Cautions
25’ – VAN – Kevin Podgorni
42’ – VAN – Yuma Tsuji
66’ – VAN – Cristiano Bruletti
69’ – VCFC – Julian Placias
90+1’ – VCFC – Christopher Rindov

Statistics
Possession: VAN 41% – VCFC 59%
Shots: VAN 10 – VCFC 18
Shots on goal: VAN 8 – VCFC 5
Saves: VAN 2 – VCFC 5
Fouls: VAN 16 – VCFC 10
Offsides: VAN 0 – VCFC 2
Corners: VAN 3 – VCFC 13

Whitecaps FC 2
60.Sam Rogers; 53.Immanuel Mathe, 54.Prince Amponsah (47.Marko Popović 74’), 43.Trevor Wright ©, 48.Micaah Garnette; 61.Carson Rassak, 46.Cristiano Bruletti; 66.Sahil Deo, 68.Yuma Tsuji, 51.Kevin Podgorni (45.Yeider Zuluaga 62’); 44.Daniel Ittycheria

Substitutes not used
70.Timothy Lodder, 58.Jesse Peace, 64.Tyler Brown, 71.Manav Badwal, 74.Charlie Rogers

Ventura County FC
41.Sebastian Conlon; 60.Sebastian Hernandez, 20.Chris Rindov, 73.Enrique Martinez (93.Kai Aina, 74’); 88.Mason Vanney, 87.Gabriel Arnold, 90.Brett Phan, 50.Riley Dalgado; 45.Vicente Garcia (95.Eric Preston 65’), 57.Julian Placias, 92.Issak Luna (75.Aaron Medina 83’)

Substitutes not used
91.Will Walker, 61.Chase Gozdieski, 83.Angel Villatoro, 94.Mateo McLean