The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Cup has found its home.
It'll stay in the Lone Star state following North Texas SC's thrilling 3-2 victory over Philadelphia Union II.
The win marked the end of a historic campaign. NTSC marked themselves as the first club in league history to go unbeaten at home in the regular season and playoffs, and the postgame excitement was contagious.
MLSNEXTPro.com spoke to several players and staff members to capture the reaction.
Herbert Endeley
The MLS NEXT Pro Cup MVP registered two assists to cap off his strong playoff campaign.
"Very, very happy." The 23-year-old wingback said. "Humbled to win this award, but more importantly, very happy to win. It was a very tough game, they made it very hard for us and we made it a bit harder for ourselves. But in the end, this is what we've been working for the whole year."
"Very happy for my teammates, coaches, everybody involved with the club. It's a great day"
Michel Garbini
And of course, the bossman.
His leadership spurred on the comeback and he was smiling ear-to-ear in his postgame presser as he tried to find a way to describe the feeling of delivering another championship to the club he's been a loyal stalwart to across various roles.
"There are a lot of good moments in this club, but tonight was special for me," Garbini explained. "...There's no words, man. There's no words to express myself."
Nico Gordon
The NTSC captain has been one of the club's ironmen. After being recruited all the way from Birmingham, England ahead of the 2024 campaign, he immediately forged himself as a key member of the NTSC squad in year one.
"We know we're a good team," Gordon said. "We know we've got good players. Obviously, we started a bit slow but we went in, we debriefed quickly, and we knew what was on the line. We didn't want to let them in here and win on our home ground. So, we came out, pushed, got more aggressive, and got the goal to win the game."
Tomas Pondeca
The 23-year-old came on for a 22-minute shift as a sign-off to a strong playoff campaign where he registered one goal and two assists.
Reflecting on the unbeaten beaten season at home, he didn't hold back when describing the taste of the biggest victory of the year.
"Every game is a moment for us to show that we're the best," the 23-year-old said. "I feel that we're the best in the league. And protecting our house is very important. I feel like it's sacred right here. This is where everything happens."
John Gall
While the former head coach passed the torch to Garbini in June after being promoted to FC Dallas' first-team staff, he wasn't far from the celebrations on Saturday to watch the team he shaped complete the mission he set out in the beginning of the season.
"We laid the law in the beginning," Gall said "We're here to win, we're here to develop players, we're here to do both. This is what we're all about. We have a really, really competitive group of players. I am so proud of these guys to finish off here tonight."
