When North Texas SC lifted the MLS NEXT Pro Cup on Saturday night, it was a full-circle moment.
The spectacle of the thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Philadelphia Union II was simply a vehicle to display the internal belief NTSC tapped into once their backs were against the wall.
A moment of inspiration kicked off the gutsy rally.
"Coach got to us in the locker room," 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Cup MVP Herbert Enedley said. "We've been down before, but even down 2-0, we were confident that we would come back. We haven't lost a game at home all year. So, we were never going to the final be that game."
What did the coach say?
"2-0 down, they had to be different," NTSC interim head coach Michel Garbini shared postgame. "They had to fight for their life. It was the chance we had, and the response on the field was incredible...We did everything we could to turn around this game, and we did. We came back with a lot of effort, and to be honest, I think the best team won tonight."
Finishing the job
A tale that can't be forgotten in the celebrations is the internal coaching carousel that North Texas SC endured in 2024. NTSC's original plan was to go with John Gall, but a call-up to the first team staff meant someone needed to take the helm on the MLS NEXT Pro side.
North Texas SC didn't miss a beat after the transition.
"This is what we're all about," Gall said. "We have a really, really competitive group of players. I am just so proud of these guys to finish off here tonight, but it's not surprising,"
Gall and Garbini are close friends, now forever bonded as co-creators of a champion.
"We work super close," added Garbini. "We have great relationships, not only on the field, not only in the office, but outside the field and behind the scenes as well. And he's big part of this,"
"...We enjoy to work together and hopefully we continue for a long time."
Adding to the legacy
For Garbini, the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Cup represents another meaningful contribution to the club where he's established himself as a cult hero.
"It's the first time I feel that way," said Garbini."...There are a lot of good moments in this club, but tonight was special for me because I was taking over and giving tasks for the staff and for the players. There's no words, man. There's no words to express myself."
In all, Garbini has spent nearly a decade in the FC Dallas setup, also contributing as an assistant in NTSC's 2019 USL championship.
In his playing days, he was good for 12 goals in 74 games as a defender for FCD.
"Hopefully I can live in these moments for a long, long time," he said.
Western warriors
Saturday's performance validated the belief that many in the North Texas SC camp shared all season.
"Every game is a moment for us to show that we're the best," midfielder Tomas Pondeca said. "And I feel that we're the best in the league."
With the trophy in hand, nobody can argue with Pondeca on that point now. NTSC's championship season featured several breakout campaigns, headlined by 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Year Micheal Collodi and team captain Nico Gordon earning league Best XI awards.
Pedrinho's dramatic and stylish game-winner on Saturday was a great advertisement for what he's offered in all season long in 2024. Going younger, 18-year-old Diego Garcia was the club's iron man as a field player with 2,278 minutes in his second pro season.
The list goes on and on.
If FC Dallas are able to retain all of the talent in the years to come, the 2024 North Texas SC cast could be pivotal stars that bring home trophies on an even higher stage in the years to come.
"The way we won tonight proves that we have something special in this club," Garbini said. "Something special that I don't see in other clubs."
