NY Empire FC Battle Back Twice to Earn 2-2 Draw in UPSL Fall Opener

NY Empire FC showed grit and resilience in their UPSL Fall 2025 season opener, coming from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw against Osners FC at the SUSA Orlin & Cohen Sports Complex.

Osners struck first in the 20th minute, capitalizing on early pressure to take a 1-0 lead. Empire responded quickly just six minutes later when forward Steven Rojas was brought down in the penalty area. Rojas calmly converted from the spot, leveling the score at 1-1 heading into halftime.

The visitors pulled ahead again in the 72nd minute, finishing a well-worked move to make it 2-1. The setback sparked an immediate response from Empire, who pushed forward with intensity. Their persistence paid off in the 81st minute when center back Malcom Swett lofted a perfectly weighted ball over the top to Edward Speed. Speed rose high and delivered a powerful header past the Osners goalkeeper to tie the match at 2-2.

Empire nearly found a winner in the closing stages. In the 85th minute, Brian Saramago’s curling strike was headed for the top corner, but Osners’ goalkeeper made a brilliant save. On the rebound, midfielder Tim de Meij narrowly missed redirecting the ball into the net. Deep into stoppage time, wingback Justin Pierre unleashed a rocket from 20 yards out that seemed destined for the upper left corner, only for the Osners keeper to produce another fingertip stop to preserve the draw.

After the match, head coach Max Ferro praised his team’s resilience but stressed the need for sharper execution. “I’m proud of the way we fought back, but it’s not good enough,” Ferro said. “We have to be better in the final third if we want to compete at the highest level.”

NY Empire FC will look to build on the point when they return home on August 30th to face defending champions NY Braveheart SC, who are coming off a strong national quarterfinal run.