Brave SC 2–1 Inter Gainesville KF
Southeast Division champions, for the sixth time, in this club's tenth season.
Youssef Moumban was back in goal after missing the previous home match with a knock picked up in training. Taylor Bowen started up top. Caue Ramos, fresh off selection to the USL League Two Team of the Month for June, led the line.
We controlled the first half completely — twenty minutes of almost nonstop pressure, corner after corner, Ishii throwing ball after ball into the penalty spot. Gainesville's goalkeeper Pierre was barely tested in the conventional sense because almost nothing reached him cleanly.
Goalless at the break. All the pressure, no goal.
Allison scored for Gainesville in the 55th minute, knocking home from a dangerous throw into the box. He had been their best player across both meetings this season, and his cleat caught in the net as the ball went in — he needed treatment and was fortunate to carry on.
Less than ten minutes later we had a penalty.
Taylor Bowen leapt for a header, Pierre came late and caught him. Sergio Santos put it to the fourth official, the referee conferred with the side judge, and the spot kick was given.
Bowen took it himself and went right. 1–1.
And then the 89th minute.
Sebastian Araque, on as a substitute, delivered what the commentary immediately called the game winner.
2–1.
Seven minutes of stoppage time to play out, with a draw enough and a win better. We saw all seven of them out.
Sixth Southeast Division title. Gainesville came in needing a win and the goal-difference tiebreaker to have any chance of catching us; they leave eliminated.
All six of this club's division titles have been clinched at home, in front of our own crowd. That is not a coincidence and it is not luck. It is what this place does on a night that matters.
Shark Coast on Sunday, then Alabama.
Go Buffalo.
