Flower City Union came from behind to beat Erie Commodores FC 1–2 on the road Wednesday night, with an own goal from F. Safari in the 87th minute sealing a dramatic late victory in NPSL action.
Erie had the better of the first half. J. Avallone opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, giving the Commodores a deserved lead. The match grew scrappy shortly after, with K. Nelson and J. Tovar Jaime both picking up yellow cards in the 30th minute, followed by a booking for Flower City's A. Sanchez Ros three minutes later. E. Temitayo, who would later prove decisive, was also cautioned just before halftime.
Flower City emerged a different side after the break. Already on a yellow, Temitayo showed no hesitation in pushing forward and equalized in the 73rd minute to level the match at 1–1. Erie looked set to hold on for a point, but Safari's unfortunate own goal with just three minutes of regulation remaining handed Flower City the lead and, ultimately, all three points.
The final moments were tense. A. Silva was booked in the 88th minute, and S. Bustamante followed him into the referee's notebook in the 90th — Flower City picking up five yellows on the night — but the visitors held firm to see out the result.
The win gives Flower City Union a valuable three points on the road, while Erie Commodores FC will rue a late collapse that turned a comfortable first-half display into a painful defeat.