LOS ANGELES, CA – The Impact U18 lost 4-2 in overtime against the Chicago Fire in the USSDA semifinal Thursday night, at the StubHub Center in Los Angeles.
The U18 fought hard to come from behind twice in the game to force overtime.
Chicago first took the lead in the 60th minute when the forward moved into the box and took a shot. His shot was saved, but he scored on his own rebound.
The Impact replied right away on a penalty. Forward Badreddine Boulajoul was all alone in the box before getting tripped by the keeper. Winger Jimmy Sanon took the penalty and scored in the 65th minute to level the score at 1-1.
Chicago took the lead again in the 79th minute on a shot from outside the box, but the Bleu-blanc-noir came right back and tied the game once again. Defender Thomas Meilleur-Giguère moved forward to help offensively and scored on a header after a cross in the box, making it 2-2 and sending both teams into overtime.
Despite the will of head coach Jason Di Tullio’s players, the Fire scored twice in overtime to take over the game.
“I’m really proud of my players,” said head coach Jason Di Tullio. “They fought all season long to show quality on the field. They always want to represent the club positively and that’s what they did today. They came back from behind twice and showed the values we teach at the Academy. We never give up and always perform with intensity and emotions.”
After finishing the regular season first in the USSDA, the Impact U18 will play the third place final Saturday, against the San Jose Earthquakes.
