USL Academy Team Thrills in 3-2 Victory

By INTER CT FC, 04/19/22, 10:45AM EDT

INTER Player Scores 90' Winner

Overview

Last week, our USL Academy team secured their second win in league game 2. The thrilling match ended 3-2 after a hard-fought comeback performance, and last-minute goal by Inter’s Mateo Cano.

Our joint-academy team continued their fine run of form in the league, coming off a busy travel schedule which included the recent preseason tournament in Tampa, FL (the same tournament saw two Inter players represent at the U13 Pre-Academy level as well).

The second game in the USL Academy league came against familiar opposition in Pathfinder FC of New York (formerly FC Malaga City NY). This was the same opponent and venue that saw our Academy players kick-off their inaugural USL Academy campaign, and first win, 3-1, last season. Our players hoped to earn full points after their previous, emphatic Game 1 win versus Blackwatch Rush back in March.

Game Summary

Our players faced an immediate uphill battle after being reduced to 10 men & falling to a 2-1 deficit in the first half.

At the start of the second half, Inter player Max Weiss was subbed on, and helped create an immediate impact on the game’s momentum. The tying goal was scored barely three minutes into the half, thanks to fast work & determination off the whistle. Weiss had a hand in another pivotal moment shortly after, while being taken down by Pathfinder’s last defender on a clean-through run to goal. A shift in momentum found the teams level on goals and players.

The teams exchanged blows in key areas of the pitch; it seemed for a moment that Pathfinder would be first to find a go-ahead goal. They struck the crossbar and then forced a clinical save from our goalkeeper — a loanee from the USL’s Hartford Athletic.

Mateo Cano would be the next Inter player to enter the game, having found a run of success playing for the Inter CT U19s. Cano also scored two goals back in Game 1 versus Blackwatch, and was keen to produce a finishing touch. With 5 minutes left, Cano came inches from securing victory with an attempt on goal.

As the clock wound down to the final two minutes, Weiss found room to wiggle past a Pathfinder defender, and was fouled to earn a free kick from a dangerous area only 25yds from goal. Another Hartford Athletic player placed an inch-perfect cross to the back-post.

Anticipating the delivery, Cano found enough space to get free from any mark & produced a diving header which sent the ball into the back of the net. Players, coaches, and fans alike were sent into a frenzy of cheers by the last-minute winner, and Cano again proved his scoring instincts when needed most.