Bumpy Pitch FC Men Clinch TST Title in Dramatic fashion
By Taiwo Adeshigbin
Cary, N.C. (WakeMed Soccer Park) –
For most of the match, the loudest chants echoed from the fans of Pumas de Alabama – until Bumpy Pitch FC Men flipped the script.
Bumpy Pitch FC Men defeated Pumas de Alabama 2-1 on Sunday to win The Soccer Tournament (TST) and claim the $1 million prize. Led by captain Juan Carlos Gonzalez, who scored both goals, including the match-winner in Target Time.
“It was a crazy feeling, it’s hard to explain,” Gonzalez said post-match. “I had the chills, I have no words. Thank God and everyone who has supported us.”
The match was intense from the start, with both teams creating opportunities. Pumas de Alabama carried the momentum in the first half, outshooting Bumpy Pitch 6–3. But it was during Target Time, TST’s signature rule, when Bumpy Pitch seized control.
Under TST’s unique format, Target Score Time begins after two 20-minute halves. One goal is added to the leading team’s score to establish the target. With Pumas up 1–0 at the end of regulation, the target score was set at 2. To heighten the drama, one player is removed from each team every three minutes until the team scores the winning goal.
That’s when Gonzalez delivered.
He first equalized with a long-range strike shot during 5v5 play, and then sealed the championship in 2v2, capitalizing on a defensive lapse with a perfectly placed lob into the goal.
“Last year, I had that chance to take my team to the final with a different squad. That was the first thing that came to my head,” Gonzalez said. “I said I got to come through for my team. And I also had God in my head too.”
Pumas took the lead in the 30th minute when Miguel Aldair Giorgana Hernández scored off an assist from Hugo Iván Rodriguez Abundiz. Despite averaging three goals or more against their opponent in the lead-up to the finals, they were held scoreless, getting outshot 6–0 by Bumpy Pitch in target time.
“You go from heartbroken to fulfilled within an hour and half. It’s crazy,” said Bumpy Pitch general manager Alan Ponce. “I started this months ago, and seeing it all come together…the hard work we put in and just everything – it’s indescribable.”
Remarkably, both Bumpy Pitch FC’s men’s and women’s teams reached their respective finals. The women’s team fell 2-0 to Team USA, but the men leaned on grit and defensive discipline to hold their opponent to one goal or fewer throughout the tournament.
“I had faith in the group that we put together.” said head coach Tino Nuñez
“Our leaders stepped up, our goalkeepers came up big time, and Charlie being our captain and leader, he’s our pulse. He’s calm and collected in those big moments and that’s why he’s a big player and our go to guy. You always know that if he’s on the ball, you always have a chance. “
Gonzalez’s composure under pressure sealed a dramatic title run,ending with Bumpy Pitch FC lifting the trophy and celebrating with a $1 million check.