A soccer game began, but a track meet, followed by a lacrosse score, broke out in the seven-goal first half of Sunday’s tilt-a-whirl Canadian Premier League game between Pacific FC and Inter Toronto in the GTA.
When the head-swivelling first half ended, Pacific FC led 4-3 heading into the break. That turned out to be the final score as Island-based PFC won only its second game of the season and first on the road.
The first-half outburst was keyed by Marco Bustos’ two goals from the penalty spot, skillfully taken into opposite corners by the six-time Canada-capped forward.
“At halftime we were sort of stunned. We felt we could have defended a lot better as a team. But on top of that, we are able to score four goals,” said Bustos, in his post-game media conference.
“That showed we didn’t give up, even when we went down a goal, we kept going. The first away win was important for our culture, our group and our team in a season of not great results.”
Bustos added there is much that keeps him and the club going despite being eliminated from the CPL playoff picture.
“It’s tough not being in the playoffs. There’s no way to get through it other than together. We have internal goals and have taken that challenge on,” said the 30-year-old veteran PFC winger.
“There’s still tons of motivation. As long as I can play football, that’s enough motivation for me, no matter what. We play soccer for a living and you can’t take that for granted. I’m grateful I’m able to play.”
The Tridents were aided by a red card to Inter Toronto at eight minutes as the result played havoc with Inter’s playoff hopes as seventh-place Toronto now trails the fourth and final post-season berth, held by Martin Nash’s Vancouver FC, by nine points with five games remaining.
Former Canada U-20 player Ronan Kratt and Taras Gomulka scored the other PFC goals. Former Northern Ireland U-19 player Ollie Bassett, a wily spinning-top member of the 2021 PFC league championship squad, showed he is still dangerous and scored a goal for Inter Toronto against his former club.
Pacific FC plays Supra du Quebec on Saturday in Laval before returning home to meet Atletico Ottawa on Oct. 11 at Royal Athletic Park, the latter the third of four games the Tridents are playing in the historic downtown area venue.
CORNER KICKS: Tristan Marshall of Pacific FC, one of 10 CPL players called up to their national teams for the September FIFA international window, earned his 20th cap for St. Vincent and the Grenadines in their 2-1 CONCACAF Nations League win Saturday over French Guina in Belize.
Marshall and his St. Vincent and the Grenadines squad meets host Belize today and Sint Maarten on Oct. 6.