One final matchday made for one final chance to impress, and that’s exactly what Loons midfielder Nectarios Triantis did this weekend. The Greek international powered his side to a brilliant 3-1 comeback win over San Jose, firing in the shot that saw the Loons take the lead and putting an exclamation point on the result in the dying moments. 

While his first strike of the night was officially ruled an own goal, it was nonetheless his efforts that made it happen. Moments after a volley attempt deflected to go just wide of the post, Triantis struck true in the 82nd minute. A Joaquín Pereyra corner found its way to the back post, where Marcus Caldeira settled it and set up a waiting Triantis at the top of the box. The midfielder hit it first time, swiping across the ball with his left foot and sending it into the right post. His shot bounced out, then against the back of San Jose keeper Angus Gunn before crossing the line and giving the home side a deserved lead. 

Then, with the game all but decided, Triantis took it upon himself to add to the highlight reel, dribbling with pace from midfield, cutting to his right, and firing home a low, driven shot to take advantage of the space afforded him by the Quakes defense. It was a magnificent way to cap off a season that had ups and downs, and the cherry on top of an impressive seven-game unbeaten run to end the 2026 season. 

This game-breaking talent is nothing new to Loons fans, who have watched Triantis take games by the scruff of the neck plenty of times since joining the club. In 2026 alone, his impact on the club was felt across the field, ending with two goals, three assists, 86% passing accuracy, and a slew of intangible attributes that make his team better, from energy to innovative thinking. 

For Triantis, this form comes right before another chance to play with the Greek national team, and we wish him the best of luck as he takes his talents to the international stage once more — though we should probably be wishing his opponents luck. This guy’s not letting anyone off easy. 

TOTM 35

F: Sam Surridge (NSH), Gonzalo Tapia (CLB), Liel Abada (CLT)

M: Albert Rusnák (SEA), Kaick (DAL), Braian Ojeda (ORL), Cavan Sullivan (PHI)

D: Mihail Gherasimencov (VAN), Lukas MacNaughton (STL), Zach Booth (RSL)

GK: Andrew Thomas (SEA)

Coach: Pablo Mastroeni (RSL)

Bench: Brian Schwake (NSH), Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty (RBNY), Patrick Yazbek (NSH), Adri Mehmeti (RBNY), Nectarios Triantis (MIN), Kristoffer Velde (POR), Cheikh Sabaly (VAN), Quinn Sullivan (PHI), Robert Lewandowski (CHI)