
LANCASTER, Mass. – The IFA New England U-19 team trailed FC Westchester, 2-0, midway through the second half of Saturday’s MLS Next match at sun-splashed Progin Park.
But everything changed in the blink of an eye.
IFA was pressing in the 76th minute when midfielder Gui Meireles deposited a rebound into an empty net to make it 2-1. More heroics ensued in the final minute. Danny Dokov sent a desperation ball into the box where JJ Forskin corralled the pass amid a scrum and slotted a miraculous goal to tie the score, 2-2. The whistle blew seconds after, giving the U-19s a much-needed point after entering the match on a four-game losing streak.
I also watched the U-17s play FC Westchester earlier in the day. Despite building a 2-0 lead in the first half, FC Westchester responded with three unanswered goals to secure a 3-2 victory. It would have been a statement victory for IFA, which is missing some key players at private schools during the fall season but still resides in the middle of the Northeast Division standings.
Here are four takeaways from the two games I saw.