The highly anticipated eMLS Cup saw a host of incredibly talented players compete for this year’s crown in Austin, Texas.
Portuguese star Joao Afonso “JAFONSO” Vasconcelos beat all odds from day one of the eMLS season to lift the prestigious eMLS Cup on Sunday in front of hundreds of fans who had showed up for the D-Day. JAFONSO, who was playing for New England Revolution, crushed Inter Miami’s John “K1john” Kamel 6-0 at the Moody Theater.
Despite losing in the final, K1john will join JAFONSO in representing eMLS at the first-ever FC Pro World Championship in the summer.
This year’s eMLS season has been a breathtaking journey that included two League Series events and some of the best FC 24 players.
This is your moment @jafonsogv and @NERevolution, congratulations 🏆✨ pic.twitter.com/2j7xYSVstH
— 🎮 Major League Soccer | #eMLS (@eMLS) March 11, 2024
eMLS League Series
The 2024 eMLS season kicked off on February 16 featuring League Series 1 where Paul Neto of Atlanta United was a dominant force from the first day. The event started with remote qualifiers followed by the group stage on February 17 and bracket final the following day. Paulo Neto was the winner of eMLS League Series 1.
The eMLS League Series 2 began on March 1, also with remote qualifiers, which was followed by group stage action the following day and then bracket final on March 3. JAFONSO was unstoppable in LS2 and completed his impressive run by thumping the defending champion NR7 5-2 in the final.
The top six seeds progressed to the eMLS Cup and were joined on the bracket final by six other players, who earned their spots on March 8 after competing at the eMLS Cup Group Stage.
Below are the 12 players who made it to the eMLS Cup final:
- Paulo “Paulo Neto” Neto (Atlanta United)
- Diogo “Diogo” Mendes (Austin FC)
- João Afonso “JAFONSO” Vasconcelos (New England Revolution)
- Ollie “Ollelito” Arbin (New York City FC)
- Gustavo “Gustavo” Nascimento (Charlotte FC)
- Ehsan “Lamps” Zakeri (Minnesota United)
- Niklas “NR7” Raseck (St. Louis CITY SC)
- Cormac “doolsta” Dooley (New York Red Bulls)
- Alan “AlanAvi” Avila (FC Dallas)
- Thiago Martin “ThiagoCapo12” Vazquez (Philadelphia Union)
- Mohamed “KingCJ0” Diop (D.C. United)
- June “K1john” Kamel (Inter Miami CF)
eMLS Cup Final Showdown
After several intense clashes were played, JAFONSO and K1john met in the grand final at the ACL Live in Moody Theater.
The final bracket and road to glory for @jafonsogv and @NERevolution 🏆
You are eMLS Cup Champions 🎮🔥 pic.twitter.com/KskUYCWR4z
— 🎮 Major League Soccer | #eMLS (@eMLS) March 10, 2024
The New England Revolution player opened the scoring in the first half of the pulsating final before adding five more goals to clinch the title in the best way possible. In total, JAFONSO scored six goals and conceded none.
The Prizes
Apart from winning the trophy, JAFONSO also walked away with $14,000 of the $35,000 that was up for grabs in the eMLS Cup final. The Portuguese is also guaranteed a spot in the FC Pro World Championship where he will be joined K1john who finished as runner-up in the eMLS Cup.
The fans who attended Saturday’s eMLS Cup clash had the opportunity to play with the 22 players who competed at this year’s event. They also enjoyed a custom photo booth and limited edition eMLS giveaways.
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