For the second straight eMLS Tournament, Philadelphia Union esports competitor Cormac "Doolsta" Dooley claimed the championship, taking the title at eMLS League Series Two presented by PlayStation in Frisco, Texas.
While Doolsta's regular season path to the crown was nearly identical to his schedule in Series One, this time around the 18-year-old was seen as the favorite entering the tournament. Doolsta overcame not only that pressure but changes to his team and the game itself as he made the journey to title number two. During the one month break between eMLS League competitions, FIFA 19 released a new version that changed the number of goals fans saw in the tournament. On the pitch, the update also forced Doolsta to change his lineup to stay within eMLS rules that require two Union players and a third player from within MLS start. The Union gamer added Alejandro Bedoya to his first eleven and the moved paid off in the Eastern Conference Finals as the captain delivered a game-winning penalty kick.
A 90th minute winner in the final regular season match allowed Doolsta to claim the top spot in the Eastern Conference and begin the knockout rounds with momentum on his side. That momentum carried into the Eastern Conference Semifinals where he faced off against FC Cincinnati's FCC Fiddle. After falling to his opponent by a 5-3 margin in the regular season, a first-half goal from Josef Martinez was all Doolsta needed to advance.
Revenge was part of the story once again in the conference finals as Doolsta took on PhilB94 in the knockout stage for the second straight tournament. Just like at Series One, the match was a thriller with both players finding the back of the net in the first half. With a place in the final on the line, the two rivals were forced to go to penalty kicks. Doolsta showcased his composure with a critical save on Toronto FC's first shot. Offensively, Doolsta went a perfect five for five with Bedoya's right-footed shot cementing the Union's spot in the overall final.
In the championship, Doolsta faced off against surprise Western Conference winner RCTID_Thiago of Portland Timbers. While Doolsta generated the most first-half chances, he was denied by outstanding goalkeeping, Portland struck first with a quick turn-and-shoot move in the 32nd minute. But the champ reached deep and came up with a response right off the second-half kickoff with Ronaldo scoring between a Timbers legs. Doolsta's high-powered offense continued to create chances and earned a penalty kick in the 53rd minute. Doolsta selected defensive midfielder N'Golo Kanté for the crucial conversion.
With the win, Doolsta heads to the 2019 eMLS Cup presented by PlayStation as the top overall seed with 12 bonus points along with two trophies. The Union gamer will look for the calendar sweep when the final tournament kicks off in Boston on March 30.
