He’d taken a huge risk, but now Brian Sylvestre’s dream was on the verge of collapse. A young goalkeeper fresh out of high school, Sylvestre had passed up an offer to play in college and instead moved from Florida to Canada for his chance to make it as a professional. But one injury. That’s all it took to derail it.

Or, that’s all it could have taken.

Sylvestre tore his meniscus while in the Vancouver Whitecaps residency program, and although he’d been doing well (he’d been called up to the U.S. U-20 national team), the Major League Soccer club released him in 2012. Even now, reflecting on the experience is difficult.

“It was tough, I’m not going to say that I was a soldier and all this fake stuff people say,” Sylvestre said.” I was in Canada, I was by myself, my family was in Florida, so I decided just to tough it out a little bit.

With his options limited, Sylvestre dropped down a level to seek his chance. In 2013, he signed for the second division Harrisburg City Islanders. Even there, though, his opportunity wasn’t coming. Finally, on June 17, 2014, Sylvestre got a start. As it turned out, it was a start that would change everything for him.

Matched up against MLS team Philadelphia Union in the fourth round of he U.S. Open Cup, Harrisburg was a heavy underdog. Sylvestre, though, was used to having the odds stacked against him. In his second professional start, he managed to keep the City Islanders in the game. Save after save, the Union’s strikers failed to get past him.

And then it happened. Two shots. Two saves. And a little bit of luck. That’s all it took for Brian Sylvestre’s career to take off.

With the score knotted at 1-1 heading into stoppage time, Philadelphia found a golden opportunity to win it right at the end. Midfielder Leo Fernandes, just yards from goal, leapt for an incoming cross, his defender boxed out behind him. Fernandes aimed a header low and hard, nearly a certain goal - but Sylvestre dived and cleared it off the line with an outstretched hand.

But the ball didn’t go out of play. Instead, Philly striker Andrew Wenger came rushing in from the side to nod home the rebound, the goalmouth gaping. Sylvestre scrambled and pushed himself up, anything to get back on his feet in time. He dived again, just about staying in front of the goal line as he pushed the ball out to safety for a second time.