Duluth FC vs. Med City
Public Schools Stadium | Duluth, MN
July 15, 2023 | Playoff Game 2
Current 2023 NPSL Records (W-L-T):
Duluth: 12-1-1
Med City: 8-2-4
Starting XI: Ezekiel Foltz, Myles Edmondson, Jake Starling, Santiago Erazo, Josh Bellamy, Conor Behan, Andres Solares, Rory Doyle, Colin O’Mahony, Tyler Limmer, Felipe Santos
Substitutes: Dylan Zavatini Replaces Santiago Erazo, Kostya Domaratskyy replaces Conor Behan, Felipe Arteaga Replaces Felipe Santos, Tom Akinola Replaces Josh Bellamy, Paul Bobai Replaces Tyler Limmer
Goals:
45’ – Felipe Santos
70’ – Med City
124’ – Med City
On July 15, Duluth welcomed Med City to Duluth for the first ever NPSL North conference championship game, hosted at PSS. Duluth went on to lose 1-2 in added extra time.
The game started tense as Med City created early chances and pressed the issue in search of an upset. Duluth survived and found the opener in the last minute of the first half with a far post tap in from Felipe Santos following a cross from Josh Bellamy. Duluth led 1-0, however a run of five yellow cards (four to Duluth) in 12 minutes from the 25th to 37th minute left clear tension.
A dramatic second half saw Med City equalize with a penalty kick not long after Dylan Zavatini, who had done well after coming on for an injured Santiago Erazo, was sent off by the center referee for a second yellow in the 67th minute. Duluth held on to the 1-1 draw to force added extra time, but were down to nine players by the time it started after midfield talent Andres Solares was also shown a second yellow card in the 87th minute.
Regulation time saw the BlueGreens left with many questions about the flow of the game and punishments dealt. The first half of AET saw neither side score as 9-man Duluth held on, doing well to make the most of their chances while defending.
Med City scored in the 124th minute, however, to win the title in controversial fashion. AET saw Duluth’s Colin O’Mahony sent off with two yellows for Duluth, while Med City Head Coach Neil Cassidy was shown a straight red card for his verbal conduct toward a ball boy.
The result ends a historic season for Sean Morgan’s BlueGreens, who completed the club’s best-ever regular season record while also becoming the second-ever team to go unbeaten in the North. Led by a head coach who knows this club as well as Morgan, with a staff that have given their all to this team for seasons, and with a roster that mixed area-talent with national and international signings in an exciting and effective way, there is a lot to be proud of in 2023.
While it was not the end hoped for, Duluth FC would like to send our thanks to every player, coach, staff member, and fan that made this season special. Much like the record this squad was able to achieve, the growth our club showed this season was a special kind of victory. Again, thank you all.
