Late Penalty Leads To 2-2 Draw Between STLFC and FC Cincinnati Saturday, Playoff Hopes Dim

Through 90 minutes of play Saturday Saint Louis FC led FC Cincinnati 2-1. Through 90 minutes of regular time and 3 1/2 minutes of second-half stoppage time STLFC had earned a valuable three points in the United Soccer League’s Eastern Conference playoff race.

The 4,376 fans that packed Toyota Stadium at World Wide Technology Soccer Park on Saturday night saw Saint Louis FC and FC Cincinnati play to a 2-2 draw.

How did that happen? That question was likely asked at several soccer fields across the St. Louis area on Sunday morning during youth games.

Here’s an animated GIF of what happened.

With approximately a minute left in stoppage time, Cincinnati sent a ball from its own half towards the Saint Louis goal. The ball was headed into the penalty area towards an open Cincinnati player. Saint Louis FC goalkeeper Devala Gorrick came out to play the ball and collided with Cincinnati’s Andrew Wiedeman.

Referee Ismir Pekmic immediately blew his whistle and pointed to the penalty spot, signaling a penalty kick for Cincinnati.

The referee didn’t have the benefit of a replay and nothing will change the result, but here’s a gif of the replay anyways.

Disbelief spread through the stands at Toyota Stadium. Things were said. Things were yelled. Gestures were made.

STLFC head coach Preki voiced his displeasure with the assistant referees and 4th official after Danni Konig converted the penalty to draw the team’s even.

Pekmic jogged towards the sideline, towards a very vocal season-ticket holder crowd, and ejected Preki from the match. The coach will thus be suspended for at least the team’s next match Saturday at Harrisburg City.

Coming from someone that sat five rows behind the team bench on Saturday, it could very well be more.

Seth Rudolph scored the first goal of the match for Saint Louis FC with a beautiful strike in the 42nd minute. Christian Volesky converted a penalty kicked for the home side in the 59th minute for its second goal. Corben Bone scored Cincinnati’s first goal of the contest.

You can check out highlights from the match below.

Three Matches Left In 2017 USL Regular Season For Saint Louis FC

STLFC is now 9-12-8 overall with three matches to play in the USL regular season. The club is tied with Pittsburgh for 10th place in the USL East, three points out of the final playoff spot.

The club travels to Pennsylvania this weekend to take on the Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday. The club will play its final match of the regular season on Sunday, October 15 at Bethlehem Steel FC.

STLFC Back Home On October 7th For Final Home Match

Saint Louis FC will play its final home match of the 2017 USL regular season on Saturday October 7th against the Richmond Kickers. Kickoff at Toyota Stadium is set for 7:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance at SaintLouisFC.com or by calling 636-680-0997.

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