Lazers Lose to Steamers, 5-4, in the MISL’s Longest Game

Midfielder Charlie Falzon scored his second goal of the game at 6:57 of the fourth overtime, giving the St. Louis Steamers a 5-4 victory over the Lazers Sunday in the longest Major Indoor Soccer League game ever played.

The contest, extending nearly 52 minutes beyond regulation play, exceeded by almost a full period the previous longest MISL game. In that one, the Lazers prevailed over the Minnesota Strikers last season by scoring at 10:27 of a third overtime.

A goal by Ade Coker, whom St. Louis obtained last month in a trade, tied Sunday’s game, 4-4, with 2:52 remaining in regulation play after the Steamers pulled goalie Slobo Ilijevski for a sixth attacker.

St. Louis battled uphill from a 4-1 deficit at halftime. Ex-Lazer Poli Garcia started the Steamers back with a power-play goal in the third period. Falzon scored his first goal of the game at 2:49 of the fourth period to set up Coker’s tying kick.

Michael Collins, Adam Topolski, Chris Whyte and Greg Ion scored for the Lazers (8-27) and John Bain scored for the Steamers (13-24) as Los Angeles took a three-goal lead during the first 30 minutes.