Chicago Mustangs win a thriller in overtime over Cleveland Crunch, 9-8

Just when it looked like the Cleveland Crunch would continue their amazing start to the Major Arena Soccer League 2 season, Chicago Mustang forward Alex Gomez had other ideas.

Gomez made a pretty move along the boards to escape a defender, and then dribbled home a sharp angled shot just 42 seconds into overtime to lift the Mustangs for a 9-8 overtime win over Cleveland, putting a spectacular exclamation point on Chicago's return to the pro indoor scene.

The Crunch scored three sixth attacker goals in the final three minutes of regulation, capped by Kevin Blackwood's second goal of the game which tied the game with just 36 seconds left to play.

Cleveland led only once, at 1-0 on a goal by Mike Derezic, and the game was tied on three other occasions.

Chicago's Adrian Ortiz had his second huge effort in as many days. After netting five goals in a 10-5 win over Omaha Saturday, Ortiz was at it again Sunday with a hat trick. Leo Acosta and Adrien Graffin each scored twice and Martin Murillo added a single goal.

Cleveland got two goal games from Blackwood, Derezic and Ryan Minick, while John Gulden and Ma'Cain Spragling had a goal each.

With the wins, Chicago (2-0) and Wichita (3-0) are tied for first since M2 standings this season are based on winning percentage since not all teams will be able to play the same number of games due to Covid-19 restrictions.  Cleveland falls to 3-1 and in second place.

Teams return to action on April 24 when  the Great Lakes Invitational hits the field for games in Muskegon. At 2 p.m. the Mustangs and Crunch will have a must-see rematch, followed that even by a second game when the Risers host the Colorado Inferno. The inferno and Mustangs will then tangle Sunday afternoon in Muskegon. For all the latest information, visit m2soccer.com regularly, or visit any of the league's social media outlets.