What more could you ask for from a final regular season match that decides the fate of two playoff hopeful teams. If anyone predicted this match providing some drama, they were spot on. A win from or tie would see Vlora FC advance to the playoffs. A win from St. Paul Blackhawks and they would advance.
Vlora FC Starting XI
The first half would be pretty balanced as both teams would create a few chances, but none would lead to any results as the teams remained tied 0-0 at the break. The second half would turn out to be a rollercoaster. Vlora FC came out very strong jumping out to 2-0 lead. First goal came in the 50th minute as Alejandro Cosmopolis would create the opportunity with a beautiful back heel flick at the top of the box to Avery Larsson who would then thread a pass to Demetrius Bernardy-Nelson who was unmarked and slotted it pass the goalkeeper. Three minutes later Vlora FC would score their second goal when Cosmopolis threaded a through pass to Donis Vicente who then attempted to dribble around the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper would dive and punch the ball away from Vicente, but Robert Cooper would react first to the rebound and finish in the open net making it 2-0.
With a 2-0 lead most thought this game was slipping away fast from Blackhawks, but that would all change in the 64th minute. Blackhawks would be awarded a penalty off a misclearance that resulted in a handball from Vlora. Blackhawks Captain Ryan Swanda would step up and hit a shot just beyond the reach of Vlora FC goalkeeper Mitch Wolff. From there the game would get more physical and Blackhawks became more threatening. More drama would come when Vicente would pick up a second yellow in the 80th minute. Playing with a man up Blackhawks would level score in the 84th minute (2-2) on a second chance effort from Kebba Janneh off an initial save from Wolff. At the end of regulation the referee would add 8 minutes of extra time during which Blackhawks would hit the post and Vlora FC defenders Ricardo Vera and Erik Keohane would both come up with saves of their own in those final moments. With all of the drama Vlora would hold on and keep things level as clinch the final spot in the UPSL Midwest West Division playoffs.
Vlora FC move on to play 1st place Minneapolis City Futures in the Midwest West Divisional semi-final on Sunday, June 25th at Augsburg University – Edor Nelson Field, kicking off at 7pm.
