North Texas Are Champions; Bigger Prize Awaits

Deep into extra time, North Texas found a way, with goals from Anthony Ramirez, Pedrinho, and Malik Henry-Scott to seal it at home over St Lous City 2.

For the first 90 minutes of regulation, North Texas Soccer Club did everything they could to fend off a shocker. After dominating in last week’s game against the Tacoma Defiance, Choctaw Stadium appeared an insurmountable fortress for visitors, but St Louis City 2 looked more at home. They attacked in wave after wave, thwarted by Goalkeeper of the Year Michael Collodi.

Take away Collodi, and maybe the game is different.

“It feels good. It was a team victory. It was a hard fought battle, 120 minutes against a really good physically tough side. They made us earn it for sure,” the star keeper told media after the match.

As the game shifted to extra time, 0-0, North Texas perhaps sensed that time was on their side. Indeed, deep into the first extra time period, the young side created enough chaos that allowed Malik Henry-Scott to feed an onrushing Anthony Ramirez who scored the go ahead goal. Pedrinho doubled it after Herbert Endelay was fouled in the box, and then late on, Malik Henry-Scott put the result beyond any doubt.

Even when everyone wasn’t clicking, and as interim head coach Michel (though how long will he have the tag “interim”) noted, St Louis City had a plan to make life miserable for the home side, players stepped up, Collodi chief among them.

But it was truly a team effort.

“Every day in training, we challenge each other. Push for each other. Everyone did their part. We are happy to have a team like this,” Ramirez told media.

Logan Farrington actually started the match up top but was forced off due to an injury. There is hope he will be available next weekend, but the subs who came in fought hard and did their part. What a heartening thing to learn again and again for this coaching staff - sometimes, it’s not about winning pretty. It’s just about winning.

Michel appeared excited and humbled to have the squad so close to their goals for the season. Winning the Western Conference is a triumph, but another home game remains to reward fans for their support throughout the season. And, of course, the raucous crowd tonight made a difference.

“We want more. One more chance to play in front of our fans,” Michel said, lighting up as he recognized how much the home crowd makes a difference for his side.

The team doesn’t have much experience with the Philadelphia Union 2, another side with a strong academy to draw from. Philly trounced their opponents earlier in the day, making this an intriguing championship matchup. Can North Texas maintain their defensive form? Can they reverse the slow start they experienced tonight to take the game to Philly from the opening whistle?

North Texas can celebrate tonight, but the work ahead is clear.

“Today, I'm very proud of the boys,” Michel said. “Still some things to correct in terms of attack and temper. Now the motivation is different. We have one more game to go.”

One more game from claiming an MLS Next Pro championship.