Two late goals from Mamadou Guirassy and Francis Atuahene spurred Team X to a 2-2 comeback draw against Team Predator Wednesday during the final day of the MLS Player Combine at Orlando City Stadium.
Team Predator, who finished the Combine unbeaten, opened the scoring in the 35th minute when Albert Ruiz played a low ball into the box, finding Manuel Cordeiro (Akron). Cordeiro then flicked the ball to an unmarked Jon Bakero, who finished past X goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard for a 1-0 lead.
“It was a great experience,” Bakero told Pro Soccer USA. “Coming here and playing with the best players in college, it’s hard to stand out, but we try to make the most out of it. Hopefully I’ve been able to showcase myself.”
University of Washington defender Justin Fiddes doubled the score in the 64th minute after finishing a cross from Xavier Gomez (Nebraska Omaha).
Team X could’ve taken an early lead in minute 15 when Gordon Wild (Maryland) struck a ball from close range only to be denied by Predator goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell (Virginia), who extended his left foot to block the shot.
Guirassy (NJIT) brought one back for Team X in the 71st minute after heading a ball from FIU’s Paul Marie. Atuahene then scored the equalizer in the final moments of the game after landing a through-ball from Brian Iloski (UCLA) in the 80th minute and shooting toward the upper-right corner for a final 2-2 score.
With the MLS Combine coming to an end on Wednesday, focus shifts to the MLS SuperDraft on Friday in Philadelphia.