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But on Tuesday, the youngest player with the team held his own with his elder statesmen.

Coming on in the 78th minute in place of Myer Bevan in their pre-season opener against J1 League side Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, the Langley native’s impact was immediately felt. He brought a youthful energy partnering up front with Bernie Ibini, and played a nice give-and-go with 17-year-old Alphonso Davies to set up Ibini for an injury-time goal in the 4-0 victory.

“I think he deserved his chance,” coach Carl Robinson said of Colyn, who is one of four residency players on the trip, along with Jefferson Alade, Thomas Hasal and Jake Ruby.

“It was based on what he’s done around the place. Very respectful. But he’s desperate to play. And I want players who are desperate to play for this football club. I asked him if he wanted to play, and he said ‘Yes, please.’

“He brought a great energy to the game, he set up Bernie with the goal, and that’s what I want from my young players.”

Robinson fielded two different sides in each half of Tuesday’s game, part of the evaluation process that will continue when the Caps play their opening game of the inaugural Pacific Rim Cup on Thursday. Vancouver takes on another Japanese side in Iwaki FC at 7 p.m. PT (streaming live on www.whitecapsfc.com) before facing either the Columbus Crew or Hokkaido in the championship or third-place match on Saturday.