Steel City FC men escape from Toledo with thrilling, come-from-behind, 3-2 win

Steel City FC’s men’s side found a way to escape from Toledo with full three points, rallying past Toledo Villa FC, with three second half goals to pull out another come-from-behind victory.

It was a crucial win for Steel City (5W-1L-1D, 16 points), who moved past FC Buffalo (13 points) and Toledo (11 points) and into sole possession of first place in USL League Two’s Great Forest Divsion, with five matches remaining for both sides.

“The bench played such an important role in this team win. It was a difficult week of training where we weren’t at our best – and we know that,” Dan Brower, Steel City FC’s Head Coach told Pittsburgh Soccer Now on Friday.

“We were missing quite a few pieces on this away trip but all the credit go to our boys who found a way and most importantly kept their cool to execute down the stretch in a difficult environment.”

Indeed, heading into this contest, both sides knew of the importance of the match, so it started out as a cagey affair with both teams in a mid block.

“Neither team wanted to open themselves up too much. We struggled to break lines in the opening period,” Brower added.

Toledo broke the tightly contested battle in the early going, when recent MLS SuperDraft selection, Trace Terry (Bowling Green), caught Steel City FC in a transition moment, finishing after receiving a very nice cross.

“Their striker (Terry) is a handful,” Bower said.

“We couldn’t keep him off the score sheet for the 2nd consecutive match with a powerful header.”

Steel City went into the half looking to sort out some attacking ideas – especially on the flanks.

However, from the start of the second half, Toledo stayed on the front foot, eventually catching the visitors from Pittsburgh on the break to double their lead in the 57th minute, with current member of Duquesne’s Men’s soccer roster, Cody Da, registering the goal.  .

In the 60th minute, Brower turned to his bench, bringing on Anthony DiFalco (Franklin Regional / Memphis) and Ben Feinstein (The Kiski School / Michigan).

Just six minutes later, Steel City got back into the match with persistence and some luck.

Ander Bodroy (Kiski Area / Pitt) sent a cross in the 66th minute that was deflected, but DiFalco made his luck with a well timed run into the box to finish with a beautifully-taken left footed side volley.

Less than 5 minutes later, DiFalco receives a ball on a turn, then as Zander Plizga (Hampton / Mt. Union) created space with another unselfish run, DiFalco was able to feed Ryan Kopay (Moon / Akron) down the right flank.

Kopay was able to create with a dribble, get a cross into a dangerous area which earned us another corner.

Bordoy whipped in another excellent ball to the near post, with team captain and midfielder, Nick Graeca  (DuBios / John Carroll) contesting to win the ball, but the loose ball found Cormac Apostolides (Case Western Reserve) in his first start with Steel City, pounced on the loose ball to equalize.

Brower pointed to the two subs, (DiFalco and Feinstein) who contributed to the strong, late push that got SCFC back into the match.

“They gave us goals, hold up play, and mid to long range passing, allowing us to switch the field of play which kept Toledo chasing for the final 30 minutes,” Brower stated.

“We started to turn the screws in the final 20 minutes.”

The final twist in the Steel City rally came five minutes into stoppage time, starting with a clever back heel from Wil Dunda (Quaker Valley / Geneva), as Graeca was able to put in a dangerous cross.

DiFalco proved to be a signifcant nuisance to Toledo yet again — this time at the near post where was fouled, earning a penalty kick for the visitors.

Graeca slotted in the pen in the 94th minute — and Steel City walked away with the full three points.

Steel City FC now prepares for another big away match, mid-week in Buffalo — taking on FC Buffalo on Wednesday, June 25.

 

Steel City FC Starting XI (at Toledo Villa FC, 6/19/2025)

GREAT FOREST DIVISION STANDINGS (as of 6/20/2025)