Redlands FC found themselves on the road for the third time in four games to begin the 2026 season. This time, they were at Irvine Valley College to take on Capo FC, a club Redlands has already had some instant classics against. What transpired on Wednesday evening continued that trend.
Capo FC got the scoring going early in the 7th minute when a header gave them a 1-0 lead. This marked yet another road match in which Redlands fell behind in the first half. Capo continued their pressure, and just 8 minutes later saw a left footed rocket go into the top corner of the net to double their lead.
Already facing their first multi-goal deficit of the season, Redlands still could not settle in, and in the 18th minute Capo scored their third goal on another RFC defensive breakdown. If Redlands wanted to pick up at least a point on the road, they would need to match the club’s largest ever comeback.
After emotions ran high for a few minutes, Redlands found some positive momentum. Finally tilting possession in their favor, RFC had both a shot go off the crossbar and a chopping shot off the ground saved by the keeper.
13 minutes later, Redlands star midfielder Jose de la Torre found himself with a wide open net, but the shot rolled off his foot wide. Two minutes later though, after hitting yet another crossbar, de la Torre gobbled up a rebound and put it away for Redlands first goal of the game. This would mark the final major event of the first half.
Redlands, after weathering the storm, now had 90 minutes to score at least two goals. They got off to an excellent start in that journey when in the 57th minute they swarmed a Capo centerback, took the ball away, and Kevin Meza found Efren Nunez who scored and made it a one goal game.
Redlands only continued to push. In the 77th minute, a dangerous cross on the ground was punched out of the box and into open space. Redlands sent a shot that may have been deflected by a handball, but was saved. Six minutes later, Redlands earned a free kick at midfield. In an impressive display, it took them just two passes to get the ball into the box, and Jose Garcia finished the attack off to even the game at 3-3.
After such a miraculous effort, a draw for Redlands would have likely felt as good as a victory. But they showed they had different plans. In the 83rd minute, Redlands attack was halted by a takedown on the edge of the box, leading to a penalty. Redlands now had an opportunity to take the lead. They called on Juan Calderon to be the hero, and he delivered. Redlands finally had the lead.
Capo would finally be able to build an attack in stoppage time, but after two corner kicks, a shot off the crossbar, and a save in net, the final whistle blew. Redlands had come back from down 3 goals to steal 3 crucial points on the road.
Redlands improves to 2-1-1 on the season, and will return home on Friday, June 5th looking to make it three wins in a row. For more information and tickets, visit redlandsfootballclub.com
Caden Henderson has been a journalist since he was five. He has interviewed athletes like Mike Trout. Caden is pursuing a degree at the University of Redlands. He is also the voice of Redlands FC.
