Epping, New Hampshire - The second final of the day did not start so much as it dropped, seemingly out of the sky, bringing a level of play reminiscent of this summer’s World Cup to a forest facility in Epping, New Hampshire. 

 

Red Bull New York’s game plan, to prioritize defense first, against a West Kendall offense that has literally, been turning heads from here to Switzerland – paid off in the 16th minute.

 

The tactics forced the Miami based club’s quick one-touch passing across their own back line to backfire. New York’s tireless strikers worked to gain back possession in their offensive third and they buried a rebound off a point-blank save by Kendall’s Diego Restrepo into the bottom right corner of the net for a 1-0 first half lead.

 

West Kendall pressed to tie the match for the remainder of the half but Red Bull’s back line, stalwarts throughout regional and tournament play, withstood the attack through the first half whistle.

 

The two halftime speeches only reiterated the first half tactics – Red Bull’s signature of high velocity team defense against West Kendall’s pure passion for the beautiful game.

 

Red Bull’s towering center backs, John Pardini and Brian Barry-Austin removed the aerial attack from Kendall’s list of weapons for the full 90 minutes but early in the second half a low cross made its way through New York’s back line to the far post. West Kendall’s streaking Oleksandr Yanovych caught the far post cross mid-stride and slipped it past Erik Gaiger to knot the game 1-1.

 

The goal, only the third let in by New York the whole tournament and seventh of the season, set a fire under the already high-paced Red Bulls. The two, highly skilled clubs traded midfield blows throughout the second half but with a North American title on the line it was clear very early that it would take something of extreme brilliance to separate the sides.

 

Michael Grella nearly did so in the 73rd minute – his long range laser had nothing but the upper- 90 in sight until a leaping Restrepo interrupted its trajectory at the goal line sending the second final of the day into another round of overtime.

 

The first ten minutes went the way of the Red Bulls. Their primary opportunity coming from a midfield buildup thrown wide and sent back post was nearly finished off by a header that glanced just wide of the target.

 

The second ten played evenly. Two equal juggernauts finally realizing their similar intensity could not be broken down 11v11. The top two U20 sides in all of North America would only be torn apart by kicks from the mark.

 

Again, as they bore similar tactics, skill, and determination – the two sides mirrored one another through five rounds of penalty kicks, both missing in the fourth round – New York crushing the crossbar and West Kendall being knocked down by Red Bull‘s Gaiger.

 

The Super-20 North American Champion was finally crowned by brilliance of utmost irony – Diego Restrepo, with a goal rather than a save in the eighth round of penalties won it for Miami.

 

“Having the opportunity to play a great institution such as Red Bull New York is what a North American Championship is all about,” said Miami Head Coach Victor Pastora. “To play evenly with them makes a finals victory that much sweeter.”

 

“They were a rough team to break down,” said tournament Most Valuable Player Pablo Martino. “So tall in the back and quick through the middle – it was an absolute honor to play them.”

 

Red Bull Head Coach David Price was gracious in his post tournament talk after accepting the runner-up trophy on behalf of New York.

 

"I want to thank Seacoast United for allowing us to play at this magnificent facility," said Price. "The level of play from West Kendall was phenomal, congratulations to them and to the Super-20 League."

 

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