Last night Vlora FC (UPSL) hosted the St. Croix Legends (USL League 2) Burnsville High School – Bob Pates Stadium in the final Group B match for the MN Super Cup. It was one of those games where if I told you what happened might not believe it. In this game we saw 8 goals and 3 lead changes before it ended in a 4-4 draw. With that result Vlora FC is team that advances to the MN Super Cup semifinal based on goal differential. That is the quick version of last night’s rollercoaster, now for the more detailed version.
First Half
St. Croix Legends would open up the scoring in the in the 16th minute on a goal from Nathan Donovan who scored from free kick that was headed back to the center of box for him to slot in the bottom right corner. Conceding the first goal would not stop Vlora FC’s efforts as they equalize in the 41st minute on free kick from Diego Valencia near the left corner that would be headed in by Hector Trigueros at the back post. The score would remain level 1-1 at the break.
Second Half
In the second half, the momentum would continue to swing Vlora FC’s way as they score their second goal in the 72nd minute on perfectly weight pass from Alejandro Cosmopolis to Robert Cooper running in on goal and slotting in pass the outstretch arms of the keeper into the bottom left corner. Vlora FC would add to their lead in 81st minute when Suad Suljic would show his brilliance and skill by weaving his way past three defenders before scoring (assist Mark Boquin). Just when everyone thought this game might be over St. Croix showed incredible resilience. Needing a win to advance they didn’t waste time by scoring in the 85th minute on a second goal from Donavan finishing on a low cross from left side of the box.
Extra Time
St. Croix would equalize in extra time in the 93rd minute on goal from Bernard Assibey Rhule that would give them even more hope. Watching you would have thought this game would any second now, but we weren’t even close. St. Croix would pull off an unbelievable comeback scoring a fourth goal in the 97th minute on overhead kick from Ramzi Ouro Akondo with his back to the goal from 20 yards out… or so everyone thought. At this moment it was believed that game was really over now but in a last-ditch effort Vlora FC send a long pass that would be head on by Oscar Alvarez to Mark Boquin who would beat one defender and chip a pass past two defenders and right to Suad Suljic would take a touch past one defender and blasts a shot in the top left corner! 4-4! 98th minute! After the ensuing kickoff the referee would blow the whistle and the game would end in a draw. Vlora FC advances to the semifinal of the inaugural MN Super Cup!
