July 24, 2026
There will not be a repeat National Champion in TLfC's second season as Pensacola FC doubled up Met Oval Academy on Friday night in Denton.
The Pelicans jumped out to an early lead on Chente Molina's 14th minute strike from outside the box. The lead lasted 25 minutes before Met Oval's Balthi Saunders answered from the penalty spot to level the match at 1-1, which was the score at halftime.
In the second half, the goals were flowing, with the first coming from Pensacola's Rafael Esteves. His laser from 25 yards might have taken a slight deflection, but rocketed into the back of the net to make it 2-1 Pelicans in the 49th minute.
Met Oval's response was swift, as the East Region Champs scored in the 56th minute on a great team goal that was finished off by Justin Jean-Louis.
As swift as Met Oval's response was to the Esteves goal, Pensacola's response to Met Oval's equalizer was even more immediate and a one-two punch that put them in the National Championship.
In the 61st minute, Rodrigo Bacci curled one home from distance with the left foot to make it 3-2 Pelicans and Sy Fontenot provided the dagger just two minutes later. A ball over the top put Fontenot in on goal. With the keeper in no man's land, Fontenot calmly rolled it past him from about 35 yards out to put Pensacola up 4-2.
Four goals from four different scorers all from outside the box and Pensacola is one win away from hoisting the trophy and earning a spot in the 2027 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
Pensacola FC will play the winner of Iron Rose FC/Oklahoma United FC at 7:15 pm Sunday night for the National Championship. You can catch the match stream on the TLFC YouTube channel.
