2022 USL Cup Championship Final

It’s tomorrow night (Sunday, Nov. 13th) in San Antonio (hello Hatter!) at Toyota Field between San Antonio FC and Louisville City FC, the first ever meeting between the two. It’s also the first time the #1 seeds from each conference will meet for the trophy. Two time winners Louisville are in their first final since losing to Real Monarchs SLC in 2019. They won back to back titles the previous two years, beating Swope Park Rangers in 2017 and the Didier Drogba-led Phoenix Rising FC in 2018.
They’ll be underdogs to a San Antonio side that tallied five more points this season and have a decided advantage in talent and experience. Lou City have advanced on the strength of academy youngsters filling in for numerous injured stalwarts from the previous post season runs. Starters D Oscar Jimenez, MF’s Niall McCabe and Paolo Del Picolo, F’s Jorge Gonzalez, Brian Ownby and Cameron Lancaster and GK Kyle Morton have all missed most or all of the season with injury. Only Del Picolo has returned to start. He, Ownby and Lancaster have MLS credentials.
Kickoff is at 8:30 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time on ESPN2 & ESPN DePortes.
Be there.
Aloha.

 

San Antonio dominated Lou City in this one. Very easily could have been 3-nil at the half instead of 1-nil. The hosts missed an early penalty and hit the post about as squarely as one can without trying to. A well worked 2nd goal off of a set piece in the 64th minute, followed by a beautiful open play tally in the 70th sealed the deal. Brian Ownby’s late consolation goal was an aberration. I was really impressed by several San Antonio players, some of whom look like MLS ready talents. Finals MVP Santiago Patino, F Sam Adeniran, D Mitchell Taintor and GK Jordan Farr all merit looks from top tier clubs next season. So does Head Coach Alen Marcina, whose defense first style has paid huge dividends. The Canadian should get some interest from MLS front offices. Underachieving Toronto would be a
logical destination, were it not for the fact Bob Bradley just finished his first season there.
Back to the drawing board for our guys, who looked completely outmatched in this one. Still, a major achievement to get this far with the injuries they suffered this season. The academy youngsters acquitted themselves well in the interim, and built a valuable base from which to launch next season’s quest for that elusive 3rd star.