Valour FC came from behind with a valiant second-half effort at IG Field on Monday, downing a high-flying FC Edmonton side 3-1.
A mistake from Valour’s Mathias Janssens and Yohan Le Bourhis gifted a breakthrough for Edmonton in the 30th minute. Oumar Diouck took advantage of a poor pass, stripping Le Bourhis and finding Easton Ongaro after a scramble. Ongaro finished his chance for his fifth goal in as many games.
Valour failed to penetrate through the first half, eventually switching to a 3-5-2 formation in search for an equalizer. It would come, although through a set-piece.
Rob Gale’s side earned a penalty for the fourth match in a row at IG Field in the 51st minute when Michael Petrasso was shoved to the ground by FCE’s James Marcelin. Petrasso went to the spot and converted, scoring his league-leading fourth penalty in the process.
Valour would take the lead with a scorching, hyper-powered strike from Louis Beland-Goyette, who one-hit a blast that found the top corner in the 69th minute.
A third and final would come from Marco Bustos in the 81st minute when a slashing a worm-burner found the near post through a crowd.
FC Edmonton’s next challenger will be York9 FC, who visit Clarke Field next Sunday, August 25 (6:00 p.m. ET, 4:00 p.m. MT, on OneSoccer). Valour will head out on the road next weekend to play Pacific FC in the grand opening of Westhills Stadium (6:00 p.m. ET, 3:00 p.m. PT, on OneSoccer).
Box Score
Goals
30′ – Easton Ongaro (FC Edmonton)
52′ – Michael Petrasso (Valour FC)
69′ – Louis Béland-Goyette (Valour FC)
81′ – Marco Bustos (Valour FC)
Discipline
35′ Yellow – Ramón Soria (FC Edmonton)
82′ Yellow – Marco Bustos (Valour FC)
86′ Yellow – Mathias Janssens (Valour FC)
90+2′ Yellow – Raphael Ohin (Valour FC)
Three Key Performers
Marco Bustos (Valour FC)
A strong second-half showing from Valour’s midfield artist. Bustos’ sneaky goal was the highlight of a confident match in the final third; three shots on target, three key passes and a team-high 25 touches in the attacking half.
Michael Petrasso (Valour FC)
Valour’s Canadian international attacker is more than just a penalty specialist, although his finish spearheaded his side’s comeback. Petrasso showed his versatility by switching to a more central attacking role in the second half.
Louis Beland-Goyette (Valour FC)
Supporters at IG Field couldn’t help but chant “LBG” after Beland-Goyette’s second-half rocket. Across the body, straight as an arrow, bulging the net. You gotta see this strike.