Taiwo Adeshigbin
The Pumas de Alabama defeated Pat McAfee’s CONCAFA Soccer Club 5-1 to secure a spot in The Soccer Tournament (TST) final, competing for the $1 million cash prize.
TST features unique rules including a “target score time”, which begins after two 20-minute halves.The target score is calculated by adding one point to the leading team’s score at the end of regulation. With Pumas leading 4-1, the target score was set at 5. In this phase, one player is removed from each team every three minutes until a team scores the final, winning goal.
CONCAFA SC ended regulation at a disadvantage, both in score and player count, after receiving a red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity. Pumas capitalized quickly, scoring the game-winner just 1:14 into target time. Midfielder José Amaro Rios initiated the play from midfield, sending a pass into the box to Gustavo Ernesto Guti, who took one touch past the goalkeeper before tapping it into the open net.
Although CONCAFA equalized early in the second half to make it 1-1, momentum quickly swung back in favor of Pumas, responded by outshooting CONCAFA 17-5 in the half and scored three unanswered goals to end regulation at 4-1.
We saw the exhaustion in them and took advantage of the moment, said Pumas fieldplayer Eddie Sanchez Ramirez. Thanks to our twice a day training leading up to this tournament, we were ready for this moment.
The road to the final has been high-scoring for Pumas, netting at least three goals or more in each of their seven victories to reach the finals. The festive atmosphere they bring is unmistakable – from energetic warm-up chants to dynamic celebrations after every goal.
Soccer is meant to be enjoyed, and it’s something I’ve always told my teammates, said Pumas fieldplayer Adrián González. It’s like a party – you shouldn’t feel pressure. Throughout the tournament, we’ve really enjoyed being part of this important tournament.
Though not all players have competed in Mexico’s top division, the Pumas share a common drive – hunger.
“To be crowned champions, it will take double effort and force, and a united team to come out victorious,” said Eddie Sanchez Ramirez.
The TST is in its third year for the 48-team men’s side and its second year for the 16- team women’s competition.
The men’s final will take place on June 9 at 8:30 p.m. (EST), with the Pumas de Alabama facing Bumpy Pitch Men’s.
