A soccer game began, but a track meet, followed by a lacrosse score, broke out in the seven-goal first half of Sunday\u2019s tilt-a-whirl Canadian Premier League game between Pacific FC and Inter Toronto in the GTA.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The first-half outburst was keyed by Marco Bustos\u2019 two goals from the penalty spot, skillfully taken into opposite corners by the six-time Canada-capped forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt 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,\u201d said Bustos, in his post-game media conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat showed we didn\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bustos added there is much that keeps him and the club going despite being eliminated from the CPL playoff picture.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s tough not being in the playoffs. There\u2019s no way to get through it other than together. We have internal goals and have taken that challenge on,\u201d said the 30-year-old veteran PFC winger.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s still tons of motivation. As long as I can play football, that\u2019s enough motivation for me, no matter what. We play soccer for a living and you can\u2019t take that for granted. I\u2019m grateful I\u2019m able to play.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Tridents were aided by a red card to Inter Toronto at eight minutes as the result played havoc with Inter\u2019s playoff hopes as seventh-place Toronto now trails the fourth and final post-season berth, held by Martin Nash\u2019s Vancouver FC, by nine points with five games remaining.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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 \u00adlatter the third of four games the \u00adTridents are playing in the \u00adhistoric downtown area venue.<\/p>\n
CORNER KICKS: Tristan Marshall of Pacific FC, one of 10 CPL players called up to their national teams for the \u00adSeptember 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.<\/p>\n
Marshall and his St. \u00adVincent and the Grenadines squad meets host Belize today and Sint Maarten on Oct. 6.<\/p>\n