RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: Inter Toronto vs. Pacific FC | September 27, 2026

The craziest first half in CPL history propelled Pacific FC past Inter Toronto in another huge blow for the latter's playoff hopes.

It was just the Tridents' second win of the season, and as fate would have it, their first win of the season was also by a 4-3 scoreline. It was their first away win of the season. 

Perhaps sensing nerves in the hosts, Pacific quickly went on the attack after the opening whistle. 

In the eighth minute, Ronan Kratt found himself in behind and was brought down by Inter Toronto captain Oswaldo Léon. As the last defender, not only did he concede a penalty but was also shown a red card. 

But Toronto instantly showed fight to get back level. After a chaotic sequence on an Ollie Bassett corner kick, defender Frank Sturing tapped home an equalizer from close range. 

An incredible response, Toronto didn't stop there. In the 28th minute, a well-worked set piece saw Sturing pick out Luca Accetolla, whose header gave the hosts the lead. It was his third goal in the past five matches. 

The goal forced Pacific into an early sub, as they brought on Taras Gomulka looking to regain a sense of control in the centre of the park. 

The substitution paid off immediately, as from a set piece of their own, Bustos picked out Gomulka, whose well-placed header tied the match 2-2.

An insane half of football already, the story of the first 45 was just getting started.

In the 44th minute, Pacific regained the lead as a lovely ball whipped into the box by Christian Greco-Taylor found Kratt, and he finished it off well. 

In the 11th minute of stoppage time, after an FVS review, Inter Toronto were at the penalty spot this time, with Ollie Bassett stepping up. After having a penalty saved in Vancouver on Wednesday, this time Bassett stepped up and confidently struck the ball into the top of the net to tie the match at 3-3. 

Four minutes later, however, a handball in the box sent Pacific back to the spot. Bustos stepped up again and, with the final kick of a first half of madness, gave Pacific a 4-3 lead heading into the half. 

The hosts made three changes at the half, bringing on Raúl Lopez, Carlos Guzmán and Max Ferrari to completely shift their backline. 

Pacific thought they'd added a fifth in the 66th minute through a Diego Konincks header, but it was ruled out due to a double touch from Aidan Daniels as he delivered the initial corner kick. 

After the seven-goal first half, the teams settled in the second half, with only one shot on target between the two of them. 

For a Pacific team that has struggled to hold leads this season, they did a good job of managing the match and seeing out a big result. 

Following the loss, Inter Toronto are now nine points out of the playoffs with just five matches remaining.

Box Score

Starting XIs

Inter Toronto: Campos; Singh, Sturing, Léon; Córdova, Yeates, Bassett, Kibato; Accettola, Skublak, Almagro 

Pacific FC: Himaras; Keshavarz, Konincks, Quintana, Greco-Taylor; Piepgrass (Gomulka 36'), Browning-Lagerfeldt; Bustos, Daniels, Toualy; Kratt  

Goals

13' - Marco Bustos (Pacific FC) (Penalty) 
15' - Juan Córdova (Inter Toronto) 
28' - Luca Accettola (Inter Toronto) 
41' - Taras Gomulka (Pacific FC) 
44' - Ronan Kratt (Pacific FC) 
45+11' - Ollie Bassett (Inter Toronto) 
45+15' - Marco Bustos (Pacific FC)

Discipline

8' - Red: Oswaldo León (Inter Toronto) 
45+12' - Yellow: Kembo Kibato (Inter Toronto) 
70' - Yellow: Ollie Bassett (Inter Toronto) 
76' - Yellow: Raúl López (Inter Toronto) 
83' - Yellow: Sebastián González (Inter Toronto) 
85' - Yellow: Juan Quintana (Pacific FC) 

CPLSoccer.com Player of the Match

Marco Bustos, Pacific FC

With a pair of goals from the penalty spot and an assist, Bustos was brilliant throughout the match for a Tridents team that were in attack mode from the opening minute. 

What's Next?

Inter Toronto continue their home stand next Saturday, Oct. 3, welcoming top-of-the-table Cavalry FC to York Lions Stadium (12 p.m. ET). 

Pacific remain on the road, taking on FC Supra du Québec on Saturday, Oct. 4 (4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT).