The Lane United FC men’s team tied 1-1 with PDX FC in their final home game of the season on Thursday evening. The Reds played well from start to finish, outshooting the visitors 14-6 and dominating possession, but were unable to come away with the three points.
The Reds started off hot, generating numerous opportunities in the first 30 minutes of play. A swift pass from forward Wade Muttit to fellow forward Tommy Case in the 6th minute nearly gave LUFC an early lead, but PDX FC goalkeeper Austin Rogers made a kick save to keep the ball from finding the back of the net.
Midfielder Ethan Doud gave the Reds another chance shortly after in the 9th minute. Doud dribbled the ball all the way into the goalie box and shot it directly on goal, but it was deflected away by Rogers once again.
Eugene native Willem Ficek made his season debut in goal for the Reds and made a fantastic, flying save in the 39th minute off a long range strike from Alan Gaytan to keep the score knotted at 0-0. However, PDX FC defender Isaac Homer scored the goal of his life in the 44th minute. After recovering an errant pass in his own half, Homer took a few touches before unleashing a left-footed bomb from well beyond the midfield line – nearly 65 yards out – and it soared over the head of Ficek, giving PDX FC the lead going into halftime.
The second half was filled with action. PDX FC had a strong start, but Ficek was there to keep the Reds in the game. Ficek stopped four out of the PDX FC’s five shots on goal in his first career USL League Two start.
The Reds kept fighting, generating chances and putting shots on the net. Lane had an amazing opportunity to score in the 63rd minute after a beautiful team build up on the right side of the field. Doud got free down the flank and his cross was parried away by Rogers into the middle of the area. Onrushing substitute Harper Neubeck – making his season debut after a long injury layoff – first timed a low shot headed for the left corner, but Rogers did well to get down and tip around the post for a corner.
Substitute forward Banyon Lyon would equalize on a header ten minutes later, redirecting a perfect corner kick from Case inside the near post to bring the Reds back into the game.
LUFC continued to push forward in search of a winner, but a controversial red card to defender Michael Hatcher and an illegal goalie touch gave PDX FC two golden opportunities to take back the lead. However, PDX FC failed to convert on both of them. Ficek came up clutch once again in extra time as the visitors attacked on a swift counter, making a diving save on a low shot, as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
As the Reds have not qualified for playoffs, they will cap off their season when they head to Salem to take on Capital FC this Sunday, July 16th, at 2 pm.