After subbing on in the 77th minute, Sergio Rivas headed home the game-winning goal
Victory! After falling behind early against high-flying Whitecaps FC 2, CITY2 fought back and scored a pair of goals to earn their first win of the season.
CITY2 brought the offensive pressure early when defender Ezra Armstrong footed a through ball into the box to midfielder Faysal Bettache, but the ensuing shot missed wide. Midfielder John Klein spun a cross into the box to forward Caden Glover a couple minutes later to set up another dangerous chance, but Glover headed it over the crossbar. Despite CITY2’s offensive pressure forcing them to play on their heels, Whitecaps 2 eventually broke through and worked downfield, netting a shot from inside the box to take a 1-0 lead in the 9th minute.
It did not take long for the home side to respond, though. In the 17th minute, Glover challenged Vancouver’s goalkeeper, causing him to shank his pass. Bettache corralled the ball and worked back into the box before putting home the equalizer, scoring his first goal of the season.
With their attackers cutting behind CITY2’s backline for a pair of high-quality looks, Whitecaps 2 put CITY2 goalkeeper Christian Olivares to the test in the 35th minute. After blocking Vancouver’s initial attempt, Olivares was tested again and came through, diving to his right to redirect the ball out of play.
Coming out of the break, the action remained back-and-forth. CITY2 threatened in the 53rd minute after midfielder Wan Kuzain struck a beautiful cross to Klein as he streaked into the box, but Klein’s shot after gathering the ball sailed directly to Vancouver’s goalkeeper. Whitecaps 2 put together a noteworthy chance of their own in the 74th minute, whistling a shot on frame from outside the box, but Olivares’ heroic, diving effort to tip the shot just over the crossbar prevented a goal.
With full time nearing, a Vancouver foul set up a CITY2 free kick from just outside the box. After Schneider laced an excellent cross into the penalty area, midfielder Sergio Rivas headed the ball into the bottom-left corner of the goal to notch his first goal of the season and give CITY2 a 2-1 lead in the 84th minute.
Although Whitecaps 2 created a few more chances to score as stoppage time approached, CITY2 tightened up defensively and kept them off the board, securing the win.
UP NEXT
CITY2 travels south for a meeting with North Texas SC in the first of a two-game road trip.
STARTING LINEUP
AJ Palazzolo (Dida Armstrong 77’), Christian Olivares, Faysal Bettache, Wan Kuzain (Mykhi Joyner 77’), Caden Glover (83’ Ryley Gibbs), Max Schneider, Ezra Armstrong (Fritz Volmar 60’), John Klein (Sergio Rivas 77’), Michael Wentzel, Jon Bell, Owen O’Malley
SUBSTITUTES NOT USED:
Aaron Heard, Josh Maher, Nolan McGuire, Eric Walker
