Almeida Gives Flower City Union Stoppage-Time Victory in First-Ever Rochester Derby
By Gary Wiggins/ISNSoccer.com
For the first time in Rochester, NY history, the city’s two top-level teams faced off for local bragging rights and the top spot in the NPSL’s Great Lakes Conference. Flower City Union and Rochester NY FC Academy entered Sunday’s match with identical records, holding the conference’s top two positions. As fans in purple and green poured into the Rochester Community Sports Complex, both sides were eager to see which team would claim victory.
From the opening kickoff, it was clear that RNYFC meant business. They maintained large spells of possession throughout the first half and created quite a few chances on goal from forcing turnovers in midfield. Despite RNYFC’s promising start, Flower City Union struck first in the 21st minute when Dylan Rice capitalized on a turnover in the attacking third and beat a defender before setting up the finish.
The goal failed to slow RNYFC’s momentum, as they kept pushing the ball up into the attacking third and forced a few saves by Flower City keeper Christian Burkhart. Despite the chances, Flower City Union went into the locker rooms holding a 1-0 advantage.
The second half provided the majority of the match’s excitement. It took until the 65th minute, but RNYFC’s attacking pressure finally paid off as Nick Swanger was able to bury the ball in the back of the net after controlling a deflection off a Jamison Railey free kick.
RNYFC looked to be in control of this match and appeared poised for victory until the dramatic finale. Just when it seemed they would walk away with the points, Rodrigo Almeida rose to head home a stoppage-time winner, sending Flower City Union fans into celebration and securing a memorable 2-1 victory that the fans in purple will remember for years to come.
Photo Credit: Gary Wiggins/ISNSoccer.com
