BRADENTON, Fla. – Jesus Patino had two goals and two assists as Met Oval took a 6-2 victory against a 10-player DDYSC Wolves in the semifinals of the U18 Boys Tournament at the 2016 Super Y League North American Finals on Monday at IMG Academy. Miguel Chung also struck twice as Met Oval’s slick passing and movement sent it through to the final against FA Euro.

Met Oval grabbed control of the game early, and took the lead when an outstanding first-time shot by Chung with the outside of his right boot found the right corner of the net from 25 yards. The goal appeared to spark DDYSC to life, however, and the Wolves quickly got on the front foot. 

Josh Bronsdorf almost had an equalizer, only to be ruled offside as he tried to break in behind the Met Oval defense, but a clever piece of interplay near the halfway line with John Cozine sprang him free and he slotted home a low finish to make it 1-1 a few minutes later.

DDYSC continued to press forward, and Bronsdorf went close to a second when he was played into the right side of the penalty area and lifted a finish past the goalkeeper, only for the lofted shot to drop just over the crossbar. Thompson Race then hit the crossbar with a header from six yards out from a corner as the Wolves pressed for the lead.

After Met Oval regained its footing and put together a good spell of possession, though, it regained the lead as another good passing move opened up the Wolves’ defense. Chung’s slipped pass found Kevin Rodriguez in the right side of the penalty area, and after Rodriguez drove past a pair of defenders toward the left side of the area, Alexis Santa moved toward him and struck home a first-time finish.

The Wolves were then dealt a major blow as Bronsdorf was sent off, and soon after Met Oval made it 3-1 with Chung again at the center of the play. He received a clever pass from Santa, and sprang Patino into space between the center backs for a low finish.

“Since before we came here we’ve been working hard on our passes and set plays and on going out and attacking, and I think that’s what makes us such a strong team,” said Patino. “When we have our chances up top, we take most of them, and luckily today we were able to do that and put six in the back of the net.”

DDYSC pulled within a goal before the halftime break, however, when they were awarded a penalty kick for a foul in the area. Cozine stepped up and converted into the right corner of the net to make it a one-goal game at the break. 

Met Oval reasserted their advantage after the break, and restored its two-goal lead when Patino was left open in space 35 yards out and rifled a shot into the top-left corner of the net. Patino was again involved shortly after when his slipped pass played Chung in behind the Wolves’ defense, and after he rounded the goalkeeper Chung finished into the roof of the net past the trailing defenders. 

“When we start attacks from the middle, it’s good to see the field out wide and what’s up ahead,” said Patino. “We were able to put those passes through and make those runs to go through and finish.”

Jacob Von Gobbel then completed the scoring as Met Oval moved one step away from a third consecutive championship.

“It would mean winning it three years in a row, that would be amazing, but we haven’t accomplished anything yet,” said Patino. “We have to stay focused and be prepared to win tomorrow.”