The NPSL final this Saturday has pitted the two underdogs of the semifinals against each other, with Denton Diablos beating the number two ranked Cleveland SC and Tulsa Athletic beating the number one ranked FC Christos, leading both teams to a championship game that is bound to bring an exciting end to the NPSL season. The road to the final hasn’t been a straight shot for either team, though, only making the thought of raising the trophy just that more appetizing.

For Tulsa Athletic, the Oklahoma-based soccer team came into the playoffs after finishing second in the Heartland Conference. Tulsa finished just three points behind Demize NPSL who, despite lifting the regular-season conference trophy, ultimately fell to the runner-up in a 2-1 game back in the second round of the playoffs. Since then, Tulsa was able to knock out both Southern States Soccer Club and FC Christos by a single goal and send themselves to the final in the process.

Back in the Lone Star Conference, Denton Diablos were able to finish their regular season as champions, with a record of 8-1-1. Since then, the Diablos have made a more than convincing run through the playoffs, scoring 18 goals in just four games. The young Texan team has surely proven itself to be a lethal side in the attacking third, but the spotlight now points towards the team’s defense and whether they will be able to hold it together against a Tulsa Athletic side who has averaged over three goals a game in the regular season.

Despite their youth, the Denton Diablos have registered some exceptional players this season, such as Sam Coad, who was selected for the NPSL all-star team this past season. An all-star team that lacked any Tulsa Athletic players, but did highlight Tulsa Athletic coach, Levi Coleman, as coach of the season.

But the lack of players on the all-star team might just be a sign of the depth that Tulsa possesses in their team. In the last five games, Tulsa saw eight separate players log their names’ on the score sheet, proving that the Diablos need to consider scoring threats from multiple areas of the field.

Overall, I see an even match-up lined up for the final this Saturday. The dynamic play Tulsa Athletic has in their arsenal means that they not only pose a scoring threat from all over the field but that they can also create chances in those areas. This could very easily lead to the break of formation for Denton Diablos, and in turn, open up spaces for Tulsa to attack into.

But looking back at their semifinal game against Cleveland SC, Denton Diablos did well against an appointment that was able to move the ball around quickly. They kept their shape for the entirety of the game and dealt well with the aerial balls being sent into the middle. Their style of play is compact, but adjusts quickly to fastball movement, forcing their opponent into areas where they are favorable to win fifty-fifty balls. When they win those individual battles, the Diablos have shown they are a transition team that has the pace and technical ability to drive the ball up the field and punish the opposition for their mistakes.

Regardless, I still see an even game between the two. I predict a scoreless first half, and a big second half, with Denton Diablos winning the final 3-1.

- Jack Cisneros