Vancouver FC were part of Canadian Premier League history on Sunday night.
They played in what's being described as one the most explosive matches the league has seen.
In a wild 5-4 loss to Cavalry FC, the two sides combined to equal the Canadian Premier League's (CPL's) record for most goals in a single game 鈥� touted by football broadcasters as a night of drama, brilliance, and heartbreak for the Eagles.
The tone was set within moments of kickoff, Eagles interim head coach Martin Nash acknowledged, noting three goals in less than eight minutes definitely set the pace for the evening of play.
In a whirlwind start, two goals were scored inside the first 216 seconds 鈥� a new CPL benchmark for early action.
Cavalry struck first through Goteh Ntignee and Tobias Warschewski, jumping to a 2-0 lead before Vancouver had time to respond.
But Eagle's own Nicolas Mezquida answered quickly from the penalty spot, trimming the deficit and reigniting the contest.
Cavalry responded again with Michael Baldisimo restoring their two-goal cushion, but Vancouver鈥檚 Terran Campbell lashed home a stunning long-range strike just before halftime. With that goal, Campbell pulled level with Alejandro D铆az atop the all-time CPL scoring charts 鈥� a landmark moment amidst the chaos.
The second half brought more fireworks.
VFC's Hugo Mbongue danced through defenders before slotting home an equalizer to make it 3-3.
Mihail Gherasimencov would edge Cavalry back in front late, but the Eagles, refusing to surrender, found another response.
Emrick Fotsing 鈥� making his return from a head injury 鈥� soared in stoppage time to nod home a dramatic equalizer, sending the crowd into a frenzy and tying the score at 4-4.
But just as Vancouver seemed poised to walk away with a point, Cavalry鈥檚 Daan Klomp 鈥� returning to the lineup 鈥� rose highest in the 97th minute to head home the decisive goal, sealing a 5-4 win for the visitors and breaking Vancouver hearts at the final whistle.
"It's tough to take," said Nash of the loss with the last-minute goal.
That said, he noted the Eagles had a slow start. But he credited his team for battling fiercely 鈥� and despite three games in a week and their energy levels waning near the end 鈥� they fought to the bitter end.
"That's all we can ask for," said Nash.
Despite the loss, Vancouver FC delivered a spirited attack, etching their name into the league鈥檚 record books, concluded Nash.
Campbell, who put points on the board for the Eagles on Sunday, described the last-minute Calgary victory as "heartbreaking."
He was very "unhappy," as were his teammates, that VFC didn't walk away with a draw or a win for their efforts.
"We just have to keep doing what we're doing well," he said, confident that under the direction of Nash that the 91原创-based pro soccer team will find its groove.
"We're heading in the right direction as a team. We just need to look past this game and get ready for next week," he added.
Vancouver FC hosts Hamilton on Friday, Aug. 22, on the pitch at Willoughby Community Park. They take on Forge FC starting at 7 p.m.
