Chicago FC United are the Girls Academy U15 National Champions, made even more special by their underdog status going into the tournament. It came down to penalty kicks, but the Midwestern team held their nerve best to defeat Nationals Blue.

The match began with Nationals Blue in complete control, led by forward Adrienne Jones, who showcased her elite speed and chemistry with Leah Nalichowski to get behind the defense on multiple occasions and force world-class saves from Anne Fowler.

Jones’s pace would eventually prove too much as she burst past her defender, earning a foul and penalty kick that Regan Angle placed into the top right corner for a 1-0 first-half lead.

That moment served as a wake-up call for an FC United team that played their way into the game but struggled to generate clean looks on goal.

The second half was more of the same until a moment of brilliance from Reilly Novak provided the equalizer. The FC United forward intercepted the goalkeeper’s pass, then chipped her shot over the defense and into the back of the net from 30 yards out. It was a perfect recalibration from a similar opportunity she had in the first half that sailed inches over the crossbar.

A stalemate followed, as both teams generated a few quality chances but could not capitalize, leading to a penalty shootout victory for FC United.

Player of the Match: Anne Fowler, Chicago FC United

Tournament MVP: Claire Gallagher, Chicago FC United