Semifinal One

Chicago Nation FC vs. Kalonji Pro-Profile

Founded just before New Years 2021, Chicago Nation FC could have been afforded some understanding from fans and lower league aficionados alike had they struggled in their initial season of existence. Instead, the club turned in one of the most complete performances of the year across the country’s lower league scene on their way to tonight’s national semifinal match in Arizona.

If you’re looking for a defining moment that set CNFC apart as a potential national title contender, look no further than opening day. In a reshuffled Midwest Conference and a division near replete with league newcomers, Chicago Nation FC staked their claim to the central division crown in just ninety minutes, shelling Lafayette Black Cats with 10 goals against only one conceded. Any thought that this result was an inaugural match anomaly was removed the following week when the Spring 2021 Midwest Cup finalist Mystery Men FC paid a visit to Ackerman Park. Those near-champions left on the wrong end of a 8-1 result.

Behind Golden Boot contender Lukasz Sulka, CNFC would go on to average nearly six goals per match, while their suffocating defense allowed just six goals during the entire season. A plus-forty-eight goal differential and unblemished winning record provided CNFC the number one seed in the central division, where they promptly continued their regular season form in waxing Chicago Eagles, 3-0. This victory set a date with the only club that had managed to keep their losses to CNFC during the season to within two goals, Berber City FC.

The two blemishes versus CNFC aside, the second seed had paced Nation with fifty-three goals scored and a plus-forty-five goal differential, and entered the central division championship match boasting the only man to outscore Sulka in Mounir Alami. A third closely contested match, if not an entire reversal in fortune, seemed plausible. Instead, CNFC removed all mystery from the match in a 5-0 rout and secured the midwest conference crown.

The postseason now a tournament of respective champions, the midwest-central title holders welcomed the midwest-east victors, City United of Detroit, to Chicago just before Thanksgiving. The visitors gave good account of themselves, but Nation couldn’t be denied feasting on the City Utd back line for a 3-1 win. The undisputed midwest champions then paid a visit of their own to the kings of the northeast, FC Inter Atlantic. On a early December evening in Maryland, the hosts would not deny CNFC, as Nation emerged victorious in a tightly contested match, 2-1.

Their national final ticket punched, the only possible hindrance to Chicago Nation’s path to the title may be time itself. Sixty-two days have passed since CNFC’s last match. While the other UPSL regions battled through their postseasons as recently as two weeks ago, the champions of the north have watched from afar with their trip to Arizona long secured. Whether the long period of rest ultimately proves help or hindrance versus Kalonji Pro-Profile will bear out tonight in the southwestern desert. Whatever that result, the now 13-month old Chicago Nation has set the bar for themselves extremely high for many seasons to come.

It’d be hard to ignore the thematic arc of redemption that is Kalonji Pro-Profile’s Fall 2021 season. Deeply entwined with the mythology of the phoenix on their own crest is KPP’s own story of regeneration through this past autumn and winter. Intent on arising from the ashes of a Spring 2021 season that saw KPP win the southeast-georgia division but fall just shy of the national finals, the club now has a second rebirth after again soaring, and falling, at the quarterfinal heights.

Before the reversal of fortune of the past weeks though, KPP’s campaign burned bright. The Georgia division may be one of the most competitive groups across the league, but KPP again fought tooth and nail to the top, claiming the regular season division crown by a single point over Atlanta United’s Academy team. It was a tale of close matches, but punctuated with some dazzling displays of KPP’s counter attacking prowess that saw them put away Fall 2020 Champions Atletico Atlanta (Ginga) and future NISA professional side Savannah Clovers by scores of 6-0 and 9-0.

That fearsome counter form, behind the striking talents of Anthony Sumo Jr and support from Georgian lower league soldier of fortune Andrew Carleton, has succeeded well in carrying KPP through one of the deeper fields and longer postseasons of the UPSL. After their first round bye, Kalonji Pro-Profile stopped high form Limeno Georgia cold in a 4-0 victory, then met Atlanta United in a rematch of the top sides in Georgia.

A defensive churn saw KPP emerge with the Georgia title and secure a visit north to Expedition division champions, Iturbide FC. Battling back late to even the score, then surviving an additional thirty minutes, KPP showed their disciplined mettle in penalties to earn a trip to North Carolina, where Moros FC awaited them. The host side couldn’t break down the KPP counter and Kalonji returned to Georgia with a 3-1 win and a now redemptive return to the quarterfinals where they’d burnt out just six months before.

But then their story burned down again, as KPP’s unrelenting waves of counters were frustrated against Orlando FC Barca’s defense, and an early OFCB goal proved the difference in sending the Florida side through and KPP into an offseason to wonder over a second straight quarterfinal disappointment. Until it didn’t. The UPSL learned OFCB had fielded an ineligible player in Peachtree City and suddenly the Kalonji story of a preemptive season was reborn.

A phoenix club from the phoenix city. A national title weekend appearance born from the ashes. A season and story, whether it burns brightest and out tonight, or two nights from now, is sure to hold many more future chapters of Kalonji Pro-Profile’s return to the UPSL’s brightest stage

Semifinal Two

LAFC Academy vs. FORO 360 Pro

When the UPSL began announcing its expansion teams for the Fall 2021 season, the inclusion of certain new entrants made it known that the league’s ecosystem was about to change in a major way. Four Major League Soccer franchises had entered the realm of lower league semi pro national league soccer. Orlando City, Atlanta United, Houston Dynamo and Los Angeles FC each dedicated academy sides to the UPSL, and each academy proved more than capable of holding their own against fellow expansion sides and seasoned veteran teams alike.

Perhaps not so surprisingly, each academy secured a postseason berth, and each enjoyed initial postseason success. Then the grind of the playoff began to catch up to their youth. First, Atlanta United lost the Georgia Division championship to now-finalist Kalonji Pro-Profile. Then, Houston Dynamo lost the Central Division title match to now-finalist FORO 360 Pro. Finally, Orlando City succumbed to would’ve-been-finalist Orlando FC Barca in the Southeast Central Florida division championship game. Only LAFC, in arguably the deepest talent region, remains to represent academy sides in the UPSL championship weekend.

Unlike their fellow finalists, LAFCA’s appearance in the titular event wasn’t so seemingly assured earlier on in the season. Inconsistent results plagues the team, blending 11-0 wins against mid table sides and 1-1 draws versus title contenders with close results to divisional bottom teams. But even amongst the more lackluster results, the young guns continued to do two things very well; score goals and prevent opponents from scoring goals. In fact, the only thing more impressive than LAFCA’s second-in-the-league 63 goals scored (Chicago Nation leads with 67) is that they allowed just three goals in the regular season, total.

The stumbling results may have cost the academy the regular season (NISA Nation entrant Capistrano FC would claim that accomplishment) but the attacking prowess and resolute defense would more than make up for it in the postseason. LAFCA reeled off 5-0 and 4-0 wins over AS Los Angeles and United City FC before staring down a gauntlet of big name lower league clubs. In turn, the kids, lead by defeated (2012-13 National Champion) Santa Ana FC 3-1, (Nisa Nation entrant) FC Arizona 3-1, and (USL L2 Expansion Side) Davis Legacy 5-2. Now, the kids’ high flying attack, led by El Salvadoran U20 trialist Nathan Ortez, will get to try their mettle against the best of Texas, Chicago and Atlanta.

While that test may or may not lead to a LAFCA title this season, their many achievements in the league in their rookie outing will absolutely usher in many more academy sides into the league while setting an incredibly high bar for all of them to reach for.

Compared to their national finals compatriots, FORO 360 Pro is an old hand when it comes to UPSL postseasons. The North Dallas side has been a familiar face at, or near, the top of the Central Division North standings since their inaugural Fall 2019 season in the league. That first season took them all the way to the national finals in Miami, where they would bow out in the semifinal to eventual national runners-up Santa Ana Winds FC. Four seasons later, F360P is back.

But the path wasn’t always so certain. The often shifting landscape of UPSL divisions has only brought in stronger expansion sides and a growth in talent and competition from the clubs that have persevered through pandemic seasons. FORO’s struggles during the regular season certainly were more pandemic related than the stiffer competition though, as struggles to field a side led to three losses by forfeit. Despite that, the club managed eight close wins and a draw out of their remaining nine matches and claw their way to the top of the central-north standings, just two points over rival Rayados Irving.

But that two points proved huge for a postseason run, as the regular season champs took advantage of their top seeding to play host for throughout the Central-North playoffs. They first raced past the Texas Spurs with a 5-3 victory, then topped Rayados Irving in a 3-2 thriller. Making their way south to Houston, the league veterans imposed their will on MLS Academy entrant and Central-South champion Houston Dynamo 2-0. FORO now held the Central Conference belt, but a trip north into hostile territory awaited them.

Their hosts, Western-Colorado division champions Club El Azul, had already sent one division champion packing after defeating Morelos Idaho in the previous week. They now welcomed FORO to their Coloradan elevation and January temperatures. The ensuing match looked to be going entirely the hosts’ way with an early goal. Then FORO found the equalizer, and a second goal put them ahead. But CEA’s pressure and possession wore down FORO’s defense and the hosts scored two quick goals of their own to regain the lead. The visitors continued to look for chances from their counters and found a second equalizer just after halftime. Club El Azul again took the lead in the 54’, and FORO again equalized in the 63’ before the sides settled in a deathgrip-like stalemate through the final half hour. The central and colorado champions seemed destined for extra time and perhaps penalties as the defenses tightened and the 90’ nearedt. But disaster struck for the hosts in the 89’ when a desperate clearance fell to FORO at the top of the CEA box. The attacker’s shot caromed off a defender and arced over the now out of position keeper into the net and FORO lead for the for the first time since early in the first half. El Azul had their chance late in added time on a set piece, but the FORO keeper secured the last gasp shot and boys from Dallas secured their second trip to the national finals in two years and four seasons.

In a final featuring four potent attacking sides, it could be FORO’s considerably greater experience that sees them win the weekend and hoist the trophy Sunday afternoon. Tackling an undefeated Los Angeles FC side on Saturday is a tall order, but if anyone has the ability to match the MLS academy side, it’s the boys in orange from Texas.

- Ryan Stallings