U18 Academy - Baltimore Bays take title over LA FC in extra time

In the first U18 Academy championship the Baltimore Bays overcame a home crowd and a slow start to defeat LA FC and take the title in extra time.  Los Angeles FC came out strong and established their strong possession game as they controlled the first 20 minutes of the match.  Baltimore came into the game with the top defense over the year yielding well less than a goal a game, but it was Los Angeles FCs Kevin Mejia that cut to his right at the top of the Bays 18 and fired a shot into the net in just the 7th minute.

The early goal forced Baltimore into introducing national player of the year Chris Agorsor, whom was nursing an injury.  Agorsor quickly made an impact on the match as LA FC abandoned their quality passing game and focused more on being physical with Agorsor. Agorsor didnt get loose, but instead kept drawing fouls and the ire of the LA defense. 

In the 30th minute Christian Barreiro lofted a long cross to the backpost where Agorsor won a header.  The LA FC keeper was off his line a bit and the looping header found its way over him and into the net to even the game.  Los Angeles became more frustrated as the half went on and took several yellow cards.  In the 41st minute Connor Chin picked up his second yellow of the match and was sent off leaving LA to play with 10 men for the remainder.

The second half began fairly quietly as LA FC went to a single forward allowing Balitmore most of the possession and attack.  The defense stood strong though for Los Angeles and in the 67th minute they cashed in on their first real attack of the entire half as Carlos Alvarez put a high cross to the back post that Mejia headed home giving the 10 man LA FC squad the lead.

After falling behind, Baltimore pushed forward even harder and created several chances but were unable to find the equalizer.  Finally in the 88th minute, Agorsor turned in the box and was dropped by Franco. The referee was correct in awarding the penalty even as the Los Angeles players protested.  Andrew Bulls stepped up and put the penatly into the left corner and send the match to extra time.

In extra time, Balitmore searched for the winner while 10 man LA FC looked to survive.  Just 7 minutes into the extra frame Bulls would strike again.  This time with a perfectly placed shot from a good 35 yards out that found the top right corner of the net and Baltimore was in front. 

In the 100th minute a reckless and unnecessary tackle yielded LA FCs Kevin Orozco his 2nd yellow of the match and LA was done to 9 men.  Just two minutes later, Baltimore's Michael Lansing drew a straight red for a dangerous tackle and it was 10 on 9.  In the waning minutes John Raley put the game on ice as he finished a break for the 4-2 final score and a Baltimore Bays U18 Academy championship.