Recap: FC Minnesota versus St. Louis FC Maritsa

Local amateur side, FC Minnesota, lost in heart-breaking fashion in St. Louis tonight, 4-3. The home side headed home the match winner in 90+2, out of three minutes of added time.

The team rolled out in a 4-3-3 diamond formation, playing with a single striker up top.

“We played really well. They had four shots on target, they only registered four.” said Technical Staff member Matthew Cross. “They had four goals. It’s very unlucky because we played really well.”

The local side fell behind early, conceding in the fifth minute of open play.

They responded fairly quickly however, by equalizing through midfielder Shae Bottum in the 23rd minute. Bottum was assisted by midfielder Sidney Mcclain. The excitement didn’t last long though, as FC Maritsa tapped one home in the 24th minute, roughly 70 seconds later.

The St. Thomas connection between midfielder Josh Boris and Justin Oliver flourished in the 39th minute, after a beautiful ball was played and Oliver’s speed allowed him to get to the ball first and hit it home. Oliver’s goal equalized for FC MN and the teams headed into the break at a deadlock.

Something not nice happened in the 69th minute, when the home side re-took the lead. Defender Tyler Oliver slid to get the ball, but the ball managed to slip through and FC Maritsa was once again ahead.

In the 82nd minute, FC Minnesota’s Jonah Garcia was sent off due to a red card worthy foul.

“When Jonah was sent off, we pushed Tyler forward. It was the best chance we had” said cross. “We got a penalty, so i’d say it worked out.”

In the 88th minute, Justin Oliver smashed home a penalty to bring the game level again.

After Oliver scored, the match was expected to head to penalties, but FC Maritsa had other plans. In the 92nd minute, the home team scored off a corner kick to all but secure victory.

FC Minnesota is thus eliminated from the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and they now look forward to competing again next season.