ASC New York Earns Dramatic 2-2 Draw Against New Haven United FC on Late Palomeque Goal
American Soccer Club New York delivered one of its most memorable moments of the 2026 National Premier Soccer League season on Saturday night as defender Ezequiel Palomeque scored a dramatic equalizer in the 95th minute to secure a 2-2 draw against New Haven United FC at Mitchel Athletic Complex.
Palomeque’s second goal of the match came just moments after a lengthy weather delay and rescued a valuable point for the Fighting Tomcats, who played nearly the entire match with 10 men following an early red card.
“The coaches and I are very proud of the boys’ efforts tonight,” said Fighting Tomcats Head Coach John Fitzgerald. “Though we didn’t get the full result, the fact that we went down a man early in the match, then took the lead while being down, and had the wherewithal to stick with it even when we were trailing at the very end, says a lot about this group. They showed a special desire and focus to stick with the game plan and were able to dig down and put in a little extra, which says volumes about everyone’s contribution.”
The match took an early turn in the 11th minute when ASC New York midfielder Jose Mejia was issued a red card, forcing the Fighting Tomcats to play shorthanded for the remainder of the contest.
Despite the disadvantage, ASC New York (1-2-2) struck first in the 27th minute when Palomeque headed home the opening goal to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
The Fighting Tomcats maintained that advantage deep into the second half before New Haven United FC (3-1-1) found the equalizer in the 80th minute through Maquan Aldridge.
ASC New York goalkeeper Aidan Ganun then came up with one of the biggest saves of the night in the 88th minute, making a spectacular point-blank stop on New Haven defender Guilherme Meira to keep the match level.
Moments later, however, Johan Bermudez appeared to give the visitors all three points when he scored in the 89th minute to put New Haven ahead 2-1.
Before play could resume, severe weather moved into the area, forcing both teams off the field for an extended delay as rain and wind swept through Mitchel Athletic Complex.
When action resumed, the Fighting Tomcats refused to quit.
Deep into stoppage time, Palomeque delivered once again, finding the back of the net in the 95th minute to complete the comeback and earn ASC New York its second draw of the season.
“That one definitely feels like a win,” said team captain Sean Fitzgerald. “EZ came up big, in all terms, because he is a big guy. That was huge.”
The result showcased the resilience and determination of a Fighting Tomcats squad that battled adversity all evening, overcoming a red card, a late deficit, and a weather delay to earn a hard-fought point.
ASC New York will return to action on Saturday, June 13, when they host Santa Cruz FC at Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., with tickets available through the club’s official website.
Source: ASC NY
Photo courtesy of ASC NY
