FC Delco 05s fall in penalties in MLS Next Cup semifinal

There will be no shot at another national title for FC Delco in Friday night’s MLS Next Cup finals.

The FC Delco 05s conceded a late equalizer on a soft penalty call in the box and fell in PKs to Tampa Bay United on Wednesday afternoon in Frisco, Texas.

Kaio Reis put FC Delco in front when he was taken down in the box and converted from the spot with his third goal of the tournament. FC Delco had chances to double the lead, but in a foreshadowing of the penalty shootout keeper Phillip Falcon was magnificent in net to keep the Delco offense in check.

The game was headed to full time with FC Delco clinging to a 1-0 lead when a questionable foul was called in the box against Oliver Blake and he buried the ensuing penalty to tie the game at 1-1.

The game went straight to penalties after 90 minutes and while Nick Willen was able to make a couple of big stops it was Falcon’s three saves that ultimately sent Tampa Bay through to Friday’s final, where they will square off against division rival Weston FC, where they advanced on penalties against New Jersey club Players Development Academy.