Sunday saw a derby matchup between the cross-valley rivals Santa Clarita Storm and Valley United FC as the United Premier Soccer League’s summer season opened.

It is only the third year of this brief rivalry, but this year had an added twist as a couple former Storm players are currently playing for Valley United.

Now, there was more than just bragging rights on the line, but also players’ pride for that badge on their chest was at stake. This match had all the hype and it did not disappoint; there were multiple goals, a red card and a stoppage time equalizer as the teams split the spoils in a 2-2 thriller.

The Storm dominated possession in the opening stages of the match creating some very good chances. Andres Zalamea and Leo Ruesch nearly opened the scoring for the home side as their shots just missed the net. Brett Croft also had a few chances, but it was Valley United’s Chris Hernandez who broke the scoreless draw in the 37th minute with a goal from 25 yards out on their first shot on target. It proved to be the lone goal of the first half leaving the Storm to play catch-up in the second half.

Team manager Oscar Moreno made some changes at the break and the second half began much like the first did with the Storm dominating possession and the flow of the game. The opportunities were there but the Storm were not able to capitalize until the 62nd minute when Croft delivered a lovely cross from the left wing that Oscar Sanchez buried.

The Storm didn’t sit back as they continued to pressure Valley United, who held firm until the 77th minute when Sebastian Toro received his second yellow card forcing Valley United to see out the match with 10 men. The Storm was even more eager to earn those 3 points as they continued to attack the Valley goal, but after a defensive error in the 87th minute the visitors found the back of the net and surely an opening day victory. Refusing to concede the match, Moreno made one more substitution, inserting Kevin Mendez into the action.

Moments later, in stoppage time, it was Mendez who found Croft with a perfectly weighted cross that the striker headed into the back of the net earning the Storm a 2-2 draw.

The match was everything one could expect from a derby. Though it would have been nice to start the season on a winning note, the Storm appear content with the draw as they showed signs of good things to come.

They will be looking for their first win on the road this Saturday at 3 p.m. at Glendale Sports Complex as they play expansion club ARPA FC of Glendale.