FRISCO, Texas— Coming off a 110-minute semifinal win that was decided in penalties just two days prior, the Philadelphia Union U-18s took the field in Toyota Stadium looking to finish on top in the Gordon Jago Super Group Final of the Dallas Cup. With that prolonged exertion, the question was how much would it affect them—could they bring the same energy against a tough opponent that were the defending champions?
For a good deal of the game, it seemed the squad was suffering from some fatigue and Botafogo had the upper hand, forcing some giveaways and missed chances. However, that all changed when the Union were awarded a late penalty kick that Willyam Ferreira converted, giving them new life. After Tyler Gladstone tied it in stoppage time, the match went to extra time, and eventually a penalty shootout. The Union would go on to win 6-5 in penalties and hoist the trophy after a phenomenal comeback effort.
The first half: An uphill battle
The starting lineup saw two changes from the semifinal. Theo Reed started at striker alongside John Ruf. The midfield was unchanged with Willyam Ferreira, Tyler Gladstone, Timo Mendoza, and Lennon Harrington. Max Owusu-Antwi started this time at left back, with Matheus DePaula at right back once again. The dynamic tandem of Andrew Craig and Nick Greer were at center back, and Alex Smith was in goal.
A set piece taken by Gladstone in the 2nd minute gave the Union an early chance deep in their attacking zone, but it was cleared out. It would be their opponent that capitalized on their first real chance, however, when Samuel Alves broke through, beating the back line and megging Smith to put Botafogo up 1-0 in the 10th minute. It was only the second goal conceded all tournament by Smith, who was fantastic all week.
The first half saw Botafogo with a lot of control, but the Union had several key opportunities. In the 15th minute, Ruf made a shot that went wide after Gladstone chipped a through ball up after doing a good job of winning the ball back after losing it. Then, in the 18th minute, Reed had a huge opportunity on a breakaway that looked destined to be a goal. Unfortunately, he had a misstep before he could shoot it, and the keeper, Matheus Lima, recovered the ball.
The match had its very physical moments, with the referee calling a tight game. Ruf was shown the match’s first yellow card for a foul, and Alves was also soon after booked.
After a lot of pressure by Botafogo, the Union got a great chance in the 30th minute when Ferreira sent the ball in to Ruf, who was unable to get the shot off. Harrington was then shown a yellow for a high foot that got ball in the 31st minute.
While the Union’s chances were fewer and farther between than their opponent, a great chance came on a diving header by Craig in the 36th minute after splendid ball was sent on a free kick by Gladstone. The effort sailed high, however. Smith comfortably saved a Botafogo shot in the 44th minute, which was shortly after followed by a Union corner that came so close to producing a goal. Botafogo cleared it off the line, however, in a mad scramble.
The second half: New life
The Union made one halftime substitution, bringing on Nehan Hesan for Reed. Looking perhaps for another golazo, Craig saw the Botafogo keeper off his line and attempted unsuccessfully to chip him in the first minute of the second half. The Brazilian side struck quickly, though, when Ivan Molina hit a half volley to the bottom corner in the 47th minute. He then received a yellow card for taking his shirt off in the celebration.
The Union’s captain, Craig, who has to be applauded for the absolute grit and leadership he showed in the tournament, played through what appeared to be some pain after getting banged up. He received a yellow card in 59th for dissent. Mateo Gallegos replaced Owusu-Antwi in the 61st minute, and Jett Harrison replaced Mendoza in the 66th.
As he had on Friday when he subbed on, Hasan was impactful right away as he took a shot in the 67th minute, but directly at the keeper. Another change came in the 73rd minute when Jack Illig replaced De Paula.
There is a well-known saying in soccer that a two-goal lead is the most dangerous lead to have, and in this case, it held true. The turning point came in the 76th minute when the Botafogo keeper took down Ruf quite aggressively in the box. The referee awarded a penalty to the Union, and in the 78th minute, Ferreira stepped up and converted.
With seemingly a new burst of energy, the Union dug deep and brought considerably more pressure as regulation was winding down, including an 80th minute shot by Harrington from the top of the box, which deflected out for a corner. This was followed by another huge chance after a pass from Ferreira went to Ruf, whose shot just missed going in if not for the block from Lima.
The reinvigorated Boys in Blue were threatening to find the equalizer, and head coach Chris Harmon opted to throw more into the attack, bringing on Erik Guzman for Illig in the 87th minute.
As the six minutes of stoppage time were only just underway, the Union found their equalizer off the foot of Gladstone. Ferreira sent the ball to the left side of the box, where Gladstone took it into the box while dodging a defender, then ripped a shot through traffic to make it 2-2. Gladstone then also received a yellow for his celebration, but the Union had come all the way back.
Looking for the winner in the last few seconds, Ferreira took the ball down but was ruled offside, but shot the ball at the net. Botafogo players took offense to this, shoving Ferreira to the ground. Moments later, the referee blew the whistle, ending regulation. Tempers flared between Ferreira and Botafogo players, with Harrington restraining Ferreira, picking him up and pulling him away to keep him from getting a second yellow as there was a mass coming together of the squads and benches clearing.
Extra time and penalties: The pressure intensifies
Like the semifinal two days prior, 90 minutes would not be enough, and the match went to extra time. The stalemate continued as Smith made a big save in the 97th minute, and the first 10-minute extra time period ended still 2-2.
In the second extra time period, Craig and Greer were fantastic on defense as they had been all tournament, and thwarted some chances of their opponent. One last change came when Gunnar Graham replaced Guzman in the 106th minute.
As the extra time was almost over, Ruf was pulled down just outside the box, setting up a dangerous free kick in the 109th minute and tempers flared again. The referee sent off Botafogo’s Gustavo Xisto with a red. Ferreira and Gladstone both lined up to take the kick, with Ferreira shooting just wide right. Two minutes of stoppage time for the second extra time period remained with the Union playing up a man, but it remained tied and headed to a shootout to decide the victor.
As he had done against Monterrey, Harrington took the first kick for the Union and buried it, however Botafogo converted theirs as well.
It is often difficult to make two PKs in the same match, which was the case as Ferreira’s shot was saved, while Botafogo made theirs.
The third round proved pivotal as Ruf stepped up and converted, and then Smith saved the Botafogo attempt to bring it level.
Harrison was up next, and he shot it strongly to the top corner, but Botafogo also made their shot.
For the fifth round, Andrew Craig blasted the ball in with authority, meaning Botafogo had to make theirs—which they did, sending it to additional rounds.
Next up for the Union was Gladstone, who had a fantastic shot for the goal. Smith read the ball right on Botafogo, but it was just out of his reach.
Greer, one of the defensive heroes of the tournament, stepped up to the spot. He buried his shot, and then Botafogo’s captain, Danillo, stepped up with the match on the line. In what Union fans may describe as 2021 Walker Zimmerman-style, he skied it over the crossbar, and the Union were victorious.
Alex Smith was named the MVP of the tournament for his efforts, and the Union U-18s hoisted the trophy as only the third American team to win the Gordon Jago Super Group at the Dallas Cup. In winning such a prestigious tournament in their first appearance against the reigning champions, it was a proud moment for the Philadelphia squad, and a testament to the talent in their ranks.
Main article photo courtesy of the Dallas Cup.
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