In a dramatic showdown, the Cedar Rapids Inferno secured the Gateway Conference 2024 championship following a nail-biting 3-3 draw against AFC Columbia. The intense match saw both teams battling fiercely, with AFC Columbia initially taking the lead just 20 minutes in. However, Cedar Rapids quickly equalized five minutes later, only for AFC Columbia to regain the advantage just before halftime, going into the break with a 2-1 lead.
The second half began with Cedar Rapids leveling the score again shortly after the break. AFC Columbia responded with another goal in the 67th minute, pushing the Inferno to the brink. But just when it seemed AFC Columbia would delay Cedar Rapids’ championship hopes, the Inferno struck back with a crucial goal in the 83rd minute, securing the vital point needed to clinch the title.
This remarkable season has seen Cedar Rapids Inferno dominate their conference, remaining undefeated and claiming the championship with two games still to play. Joining the league in its inaugural 2021 season, this title marks their first-ever championship.
Speaking to Cedar Rapids’ The Gazette, owner and player/coach Kenan Malicevic expressed his pride and determination: “We understand that what we’ve done so far is very remarkable and pretty successful for a small team from Cedar Rapids, Iowa,” he said. “We still understand there are two games to go in the season and even though we need one win to win a title, we want to go undefeated.“