Inter Toronto answers three times in wild 3-3 draw with Pacific FC
Inter Toronto rallied to earn a 3-3 draw against Pacific FC, coming back from behind three times during the match. Luke Singh scored the final equalizer in the 87th minute, keeping Toronto’s playoff hopes alive despite being 10 points off the postseason. The team will face Vancouver FC next in a crucial match.
Photo: CPL
TORONTO — Every time Pacific FC found a way in front, Inter Toronto found a response. Luke Singh scored the final equalizer in the 87th minute as Inter Toronto came from behind three separate times to earn a 3-3 draw against Pacific FC on Wednesday night at York Lions Stadium.
Kembo Kibato and Luca Accettola also scored for Toronto during a frantic second half in which five of the game’s six goals were produced. The point keeps Inter Toronto’s playoff hopes alive, although the club remains 10 points behind the postseason places with another important home match coming Sunday against Vancouver FC.
Pacific strikes first at York Lions Stadium
Inter Toronto entered the midweek match following Saturday’s 1-1 draw away to Forge FC, and head coach Mauro Eustáquio kept the same starting lineup.
Pacific took advantage of the opening stages. Ronan Kratt opened the scoring in the 14th minute, finishing a quick attacking move started by Christian Greco-Taylor’s interception. Yann Toualy delivered the final pass into Kratt’s path before the striker redirected it past Kai Campos.
Toronto went into halftime trailing 1-0, prompting Eustáquio to change both personnel and shape.
Juan Córdova and Carlos Guzmán came off, with Kibato and Accettola introduced as Toronto moved away from its five-player back line. The adjustment quickly changed the match.
Toronto’s substitutes change the game
Kibato needed only 10 minutes to make an impact. Ariel Almagro sent a cross into the area and the substitute got the touch Toronto needed to make it 1-1 in the 55th minute.
The score remained level for only two minutes. Kratt turned provider for Pacific, finding Toualy before the winger struck from distance to restore the visitors’ advantage in the 57th.
Toronto’s response was even quicker this time. Tomasz Skublak controlled the ball inside the penalty area and Accettola reacted to the opportunity, scoring in the 59th minute to make it 2-2.
“Kembo and Luca are energetic players,” Eustáquio said afterward. “We know what situation we’re in right now, and there was no point for me to keep a back line of five.”
The changes gave Toronto another presence further forward while allowing the hosts to compete more effectively for second balls as the match became increasingly open.
Singh provides the final response
Neither team settled for the draw, and Pacific found its third lead with five minutes remaining. Steffen Yeates was called for a foul on Aidan Daniels inside the penalty area, sending Alejandro Díaz to the spot. Díaz converted in the 85th minute to put Pacific ahead 3-2. Again, Inter Toronto refused to let the deficit stand.
Two minutes later, Ollie Bassett delivered a corner into the area and Singh rose through traffic to head home Toronto’s third equalizer of the night. Both teams continued searching for a winner during eight minutes of stoppage time, but the 3-3 score held.
For Inter Toronto, the comeback demonstrated an ability to respond under pressure, but the draw also leaves little margin for error in the playoff race. Toronto remains 10 points outside a postseason position after using one of its games in hand.
The club does still have two fewer matches played than fourth-place Vancouver FC, making Sunday’s meeting between the teams particularly important.
Inter Toronto remains at York Lions Stadium to host Vancouver on Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. ET. Pacific returns home to face first-place Cavalry FC later that day.
