TSF FC WINS HOME OPENER WITH STOPPAGE TIME WINNER
TSF FC’s first-ever NPSL home opener delivered drama and excitement to the large crowd that came out in support. A goal from midfielder Luis Mendoza late in extra time handed TSF a 2-1 victory over cross-conference foe Boston City FC.
TSF FC earned corners in the first several minutes buts couldn’t manage an early goal. Boston City came close to scoring in the tenth minute when Isaac Addai just barely missed a close range volleyed chip over TSF keeper Mateo Zabala. The next chance game from TSF FC as a cross intended for Rene White just missed its mark in the 17th minute. Boston City quickly moved the ball up the field the opposite way, but Camilo Estrada’s shot in the box was struck over the goal.
Follow an uneventful few minutes, Boston City’s Addai dragged a shot wide left in the 22nd minute. The 24th minute saw TSF failed to finish off a nicely developing counter attack as a through ball intended for Rene White was just missed. In the 30th minute, Addai was back at it, but unfortunately his well-struck shot that appeared on target was blocked by his teammate, Camilo Estrada. Just two minutes later a Boston City free kick from just outside the box was hit into the wall. TSF took the ball the other way as White’s shot from close range went wide right. With Boston City taking the ball bake the other way, TSF’s Mike Czyernek and Boston City’s Leonardo Silva got tangled up on the sideline, leading to players from both teams rushing to keep any conflict from occurring.
With a Boston City player down for a short time, the game’s next event was corner from Boston City that came to nothing. A corner in the 41st minute was blocked by TSF’s Chris Bazzini, resulting in another corner. This came to nothing and the first half game to a close with nothing else of note but a yellow card in the 44th minute handed to TSF’s Almir Batista Jr.
The second half saw Boston City FC start out on the front foot, forcing a save out of TSF keeper Mateo Zabala in the 50th minute of the game. TSF FC finally opened the scoring as winger Steve Zamudio powered a shot from inside the box past the Boston City keeper, despite him getting a piece of the ball. Several minutes later, TSF made the games first substitution, bringing on Lucas Terci for White in the 60th minute. In the 62nd minute, midfielder Luis Mendoza entertained the home crowd with some impressive skill, beating two Boston City players and putting a shot just over the bar. A few minutes later, goal-scorer Zamudio had to come off injured, with Ritchie Barry coming into the game in the 66th minute.
Shortly following another TSF substitution, Calvin Carbajal for Mike Czyrnek, TSF’s Tyler Pinho earned a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. The ensuing free kick forced a save from Zabala. Around the 85th minute, a Boston City player handled the ball in his own box, leading to a TSF penalty kick. Pinho’s shot was saved, resulting in a corner. This led to another Pinho shot and another corner kick. A Lucas Terci shot following this corner was blocked and TSF made another substitution with Batista Jr. going off and Eden Gozal coming on. Gozal quickly fouled a Boston City player upon entering the game and the ensuing free kick saw Boston City equalize.
A potential Boston City attack was snuffed out a few moments later when Zabala rushed past the edge of his penalty box to head a ball over a Boston City attacker. With the ball put out of play quickly after this, Zabala went down injured, requiring a trainer’s attention. Shortly before the end of regular time, Boston City earned a corner but nothing came of it. Stoppage delivered a great moment for the home side and its fans as Luis Mendoza’s eventual winner was put in the back of the net. Despite Boston answering with a corner kick, they couldn’t capitalize and final whistle was blown. A great night saw a great finish for TSF FC as they delivered an exciting win to a huge TSF supporter turnout.
