Things heat up at TST as men's knockout stages begin
CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- The temperature heated up Friday, and the men's action also sizzled as the knockout stages got underway at The Soccer Tournament (TST) at WakeMed Soccer Park.
The third day at TST was a stark contrast from the cool, wet conditions the day before.
Kwik Goal FC got things off to a fast start by whipping Plymouth Argyle FC 4-1, surely to the chagrin of Glenn Peters, a Plymouth Argyle fan who traveled more than 18 hours from southwestern England to the Triangle to support his club.
WANT TO GO? Everything you need to know about TST
Another Europe-based team, Villarreal CF, also exited the tournament with a 2-1 defeat to Bumpy Pitch FC.
There were no such problems for Seleccion Potrero, led by former Argentina international and former Manchester City star Sergio Aguero. Potrero handled Hashtag United 4-2 to advance to the round of 15 behind two goals and an assist from Aguero.
In one of the best matches of the early session, Boca Dallas rallied from a 2-0 deficit to stun Reggae Rovers, one of the favorites and a semifinalist last year, 3-2. The path gets even tougher for Boca Dallas as it will face defending TST men's champion La Bombonera, a 3-0 winner over The 610.
Pumas De Alabama continued its strong showing in its first appearance at the $1 million winner-take-all tournament with a 4-2 win over another English side, AFC Bournemouth.
In other games, Trident FC advanced past Soccer Central Saturdays Football 2-1, and Pasha Luxury FC blanked Certified Lions FC 5-0. In later games, Liga Fut7 eliminated Sneaky Fox 97 6-3, and fan favorite Wrexham was bounced from the tournament after a 6-2 loss to Drip FC.
Andrew Perry from Alabama came to see Wrexham, his favorite team.
"It was our dream, like, just to see them play," Andrew said despite the team's failure to advance.
Andrew even got to meet his favorite player, Ben Tozer, and tell him they play the same position.
"He asked how old I was, and I told him I was 13," Andrew told ABC11. "He was like 'Dang, you're really big for 13.'"
From those just starting out to players like Dario Pavon, who was back in North Carolina from Spain, to take the field again.
For me, it's amazing to see familiar faces, players that I grew up watching, and now I get to play against them," said Pavon, who played for Tobacco Road FC in the tournament.
ESPN host Pat McAfee and his team, The Concafa SC, continued their strong showing, getting to the round of 16 by beating Socceroof 3-1. Drunken Monkeys moved on by downing FC Roha Eagles 2-1.
Two big-name teams clashed Friday evening, with last year's runner-up Nani FC taking on West Ham United FC. Nani himself scored the winning goal in a 3-2 win to send another English club home.
Newtown Pride FC, the winner of the inaugural TST in 2023, also advanced with a 5-2 win over Italian squad Cagliari Calcio.
In the final two men's games to complete the round-of-16 field on Friday evening, Mississauga Dolphins took out City Soccer FC 3-0, and Cardinal Legacy won a 3-2 thriller over Tenfifteen FC for the final spot in the next round.
On Wednesday, the opening day of the $1 million winner-take-all tournament, 11,394 fans attended, according to TST officials.
Women's play continued in first-round group stage action Friday. US Women, the defending champions, won their group match against Angel City FC, 4-1.
See match results here.
It wasn't just players getting called to the "big leagues." Buck Buchanan from Wake Forest donned his kilt and graduated from announcing the Highland Games to be the MC for dozens of teams here.
"And they gave me a call to come out on to world stage, and I've got to tell you, for just a small town guy, it is an absolute pleasure to be here," Buchanan said.
He was on the call as famed US Olympian Hope Solo and her team, Solo FC, took the field.
In a must-win game to advance, it ended up tied, until with teams down to four players each, Lizzie Boamah scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Streetball FC Canada.
"Oh my God, it's stressful, but it's fun," Boamah said.
The rising Stanford University junior never thought being recruited to Solo's team during summer break would be on her bingo card, let alone getting the game-winner
"I didn't even think I was going to be able to dream this big to like share a field with her, so I just think the fact that I'm able to play right in front of her is actually amazing," Boamah said. "I'm just happy we're moving on, because this morning (when Solo FC lost) was stressful.
It's a world where anyone can have their one shining moment.
Both men's and women's fields will narrow further this Saturday and Sunday, leading to Monday, when champions will be crowned.
ABC11's Travon Miles and Tom George contributed.
