CLINTON, Miss. - USL League Two playoff soccer returned to Mississippi for the first time since 2017, and the fans did not leave disappointed. Two second-half goals helped Mississippi Brilla FC end a defeat Kings Hammer FC 3-1 and advance to the USL League Two Central Conference Semifinals.
Arturo Astorga opened the scoring in the fifth minute. He picked up the ball on the left wing and played a pass to his brother, Marco. Arturo continued his run, and Marco fed a nice through ball into his path. Arturo then deftly lifted the ball over the keeper for his third goal of the season.
Kings Hammer FC equalized in the first minute of the second half. A ball over the top sent Marcello Jones through on goal, and he scored the tying goal in the 46th minute.
Brilla regained its advantage through Jalen James in the 58th minute. Alejandro Chavarria played a brilliant pass into the path of Jake Morris. Morris did a great job settling the pass, and he then hit a nice cross towards James at the penalty spot. James buried the ball past the keeper for his sixth goal of the season.
Substitute Remi Emeriau clinched the match in the 90th minute. A nice combination between fellow substitute David Medeiros and Arturo Astorga sent Astorga towards the end-line. Astorga's cross found Adrian Morales, but Morales' strike was saved. However, Emeriau was in the right place at the right time and slotted the ball home.
Next Game
Mississippi Brilla FC will be back in action on Sunday night in the Central Conference Semifinals. The team will face Kalamazoo FC, who defeated Corpus Christi 3-1 in the other quarterfinal. The match is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Clinton High School.