VANCOUVER, BC – The defending League1 BC champion Vancouver Whitecaps FC MLS Academy will officially look to defend their title, as they clinched a playoff spot with a thrilling last-gasp victory over Burnaby FC.
Sydney Wathuta played the hero. Late in stoppage time, Wathuta struck for his third goal – and game-winner – in a thrilling 4-3 win.
Whitecaps FC (5W-2L-4D) moved up to second spot in the seven-team League1 BC standings with one match to go. Burnaby FC (1W-6L-4D) sits last and will miss the postseason.
The top two seeds will host postseason matches to determine which side will advance to the League1 BC championship final.
Before Wathuta'a heroics, captain Matteo Samori guided his side through his outstanding work ethic.
On the mark of the quarter hour, Samori calmly struck a penalty kick up the middle as Burnaby FC goalkeeper Kiarash Ahmadpourbahnamiri slid to his right.
Two minutes later, Samori came an earlobe from collecting a brace when he flicked a powerful 10-yard header that Ahmadpourbahnamiri leapt to cradle in his gloves.
The weather also played a factor with the sun bearing down under a cloudless sky; both teams were clearly fatigued with numerous heavy clashes. Ahmadpourbahnamiri went down for long stretches twice before he subbed off in favour of backup Adriel Agcaoili.
At the other end, Whitecaps FC defenders were up to the challenge. Time and again, they put their boots out to deflect crosses headed into danger in front of ’keeper Alex Milosevic.
Just before halftime – Burnaby FC captain Hamish Ogden slipped his mark – and cracked a drive that swerved just wide of the far post.
Late in first-half stoppage time, Aaron Colbourne barrelled down the left wing to unleash a probing cross that deflected to Emile Saimovici, who nodded home to deadlock the match 1-1.
Burnaby FC fed off that high and came out a reborn side when play resumed. Asvin Chauhan connected off a Joey Buchanan pass into the box to give the away side a 2-1 lead.
The 'Caps came inches from the equalizer – Sydney Wathuta’s 25-yard smash curved past an outstretched Agcaoili – but clanked off the woodwork and out of danger.
Wathuta kept his head up; his next strike was the equalizer from in close.
The last 10 minutes were shots of pure adrenaline. Matteo Samori put a perfect looping cross onto the outstretched boots of – who else? – Wathuta to take a 3-2 lead.
BFC’s Luke Norman replied before Wathuta rippled the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time to send his side into a massive bear hug at the far corner flag.
Next up for Whitecaps FC MLS Academy is their regular season finale on the road in Kamloops against Rivers FC on Saturday, July 20 at 5:30 p.m. PT.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: David Schmidt-Schweda
Scoring Summary
15’ – VAN – Matteo Samori (penalty)
45’+5 – BUR – Emile Saimo
50’ – BUR – Asvin Chauhan (Joey Buchanan)
79’ – VAN – Sydney Wathuta (Amir Ghasemi)
83’ – VAN – Sydney Wathuta (Matteo Samori)
88’ – BUR – Luke Norman
90’ + 4’ – VAN – Sydney Wathuta (Ethan Stiver)
Cautions
12’ – BUR – Joey Buchanan
36’ – BUR – Joven Mann
87 – BUR – Caden Ruby
Whitecaps FC MLS Academy
80.Alex Milosevic; 87.Sahai Williams, 64.Luka Banovic (91.Felix Masson 59’), 72.Nikos Clarke-Tosczak; 89.Elijah Bean (41.Sahil Deo 58’), 95.Markus Rukavina, 23.Amir Ghasemi, 85.Sydney Wathuta; 34.Riley Ferraro (55.Ethan Stiver 76’), 94.Edwin Espinal, 79.Matteo Samori ©
Substitutes not used
20.Hayden Franks, 71.Jaden Manetta
