IEFC Gets Dramatic Late Winner to Reach UPSL Quarterfinals

Inland Empire FC completed a dramatic comeback in the dying minutes of the match to defeat El Paso Rush ACM 3 3-2 in the UPSL national round of 16.

Pregame

This matchup would be the first encounter between both teams. IEFC’s journey to this point in the playoffs has been up and up for the Eagles. It’s also the first time in the club’s history that it has reached this point in the UPSL national playoffs.  

The hosts, ACM 3, are more than familiar with this postseason stage. Their highest-ever finish was fourth in the national finals in the fall 22 season. They were the West Texas division champions this season with a 7-1-2 record. They were on an 8-game undefeated streak, with their round-of-32 matchup being a 5-3 result against Union Maricopa.

Match Recap

The match starts on a hot afternoon at Andres High School in El Paso, Texas. ACM 3 wears white jerseys, while IEFC wears traditional red and white stripes.

Immediately, the home team attacked first, getting early chances within 90 seconds. They kept possession and took chances on the attack. The boys in red, meanwhile, were reactionary and didn’t seem like themselves.

They did strike first in the 16′, winning a free kick. The play saw the ball go out of the white team’s box. A red player recovered it to send a lob pass back into the box. The failed shot landed on Misael Gonzalez, who tapped it in. 1-0 for the visitors.

That goal was a wake-up call for the Eagles, now finding their rhythm. Players were making those runs to complete 1-2 passes like they did in their last game, getting some chances at goal. From there, the game was back and forth between both sides, as neither team dominated.

IEFC had more chances, but both teams struggled to get past their opponents’ final third. Eventually, in the 34′, ACM 3 got the tieing goal with a turnover in IEFC’s half. ACM 3 got two crucial passes to the middle, just outside of the Reds team box, and the pulled trigger took a deflection from an Eagle’s foot, and it went in. The game tied 1-1.

Then, literally after the restart, the IE team plays it back to their goalkeeper under pressure as he slips up the clearance, and ACM 3 capitalizes on the error to make it 2-1. The half ends with the Texan team on top.

The second half begins with the Eagles holding on to more possession. They get more chances by utilizing the wings with lob and chase passes. The white team stays passive in offensive and defensive pressure. Whatever chance they got to attack after winning the ball back, IEFC intercepted or tackled their way to get it back.

Then, in the 66′, an IEFC player takes a shot from 20 yards out, but the goalkeeper makes a two-hand block. Misael Gonzalez heads the deflected ball in to tie the game. He now has 16 goals for the Eagles this season.

The SoCal South reps continue to play possession and use the wings to attack, while the El Paso team stays compact defensively. IEFC’s game plan results in some chances at goal, but the ACM 3 goalkeeper keeps saving them. The game then gets choppy with fouls from both sides and injuries for the Reds and Whites, but IEFC is still looking better.

In the dying minutes of stoppage time, IEFC gets the ball on the left side of the ACM 3 box, and a bad touch turns into an accidental pass to Brian Castillo. He receives it with a first-touch left-footed screamer from 20 yards out into the top left corner of the net. The game-winner gives IEFC a 3-2 win over ACM 3 to move to the national round 16.

Postgame

ACM 3 falls out, and their season ends. For the winner IEFC, they return to California to take on NorCal South Champions Valley 559 (based in Fresno). That matchup is set for 7/27 or 7/28. The venue and time are still TBD.

Here, you can watch the IEFC highlights done by my friend Logan IG: ie_calisoccer .