Crown Legacy Can’t Break the Opening Night Penalty Kick Curse
Despite strong performances from Rocket Ritarita and Brian Romero, Crown Legacy ended up in a familiar place for their MLS NEXT Pro home opener: on the losing end of a penalty kick shootout.
Crown Legacy FC came away with a point in their home opener Friday night, but after going ahead 2-0 thanks to two of the squad’s most promising players, the final result - a 2 (4) - 2 (5) shootout loss to NYCFC II - probably wasn’t what fans had in mind.
Both Philippines youth international Rocket Ritarita and United States youth international Brian Romero found the net for the Legacy, but it was NYC forward Seymour Garfield-Reid who put on the Man of the Match performance, earning a brace in his first MLS NEXT Pro appearance, including an equalizer at the death that sent the match into a shootout.
Crown Legacy FC v. NYCFC II
March 7, 2025
Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews
Matthews, N.C.
Final Score: 2 (4) - 2 (5)
Crown Legacy Goals
Rocket Ritarita 64’
Brian Romero 74’
NYCFC Goals
Seymour Garfield-Reid 82’, 90+6’
It was also the first NEXT Pro match for Crown Legacy head coach Gary Dicker, who is best known for his time as a midfielder with Brighton & Hove Albion in the EFL Championship.
“First game, probably couldn’t ask for more than to be two-nil up,” said Dicker at a post-match press gaggle. “That’s development football for you, momentum changes quick with young players.”
The chilly night began with a slow start for both sides, and the first half ended 0-0. NYCFC II managed to dominate possession but did little with it, forcing Legacy goalkeeper Isaac Walker into action on only a couple of occasions. Crown Legacy spent most of the first 45 minutes pinned in their own half, but were comfortable in their defensive formation.
“We lacked energy [in the first half],” said Dicker.
The match would heat up in the second 45 minutes, as Ritarita would dribble around NYC goalie Alex Rando to score his first-ever professional goal, putting the Legacy ahead in the 64th minute. Romero would double their lead in the 74th minute after trapping a cross from Thiago Rodrigues in the air, juggling it around a defender, and volleying it into the left bottom corner.
The 18-year-old Romero told reporters after the match he couldn’t remember scoring a better goal in his young career.
“That was an amazing goal,” said Romero. “It felt good that I finally got on the scoresheet again.”
Once the Legacy claimed their 2-0 lead - allegedly the hardest lead to defend in soccer - they became complacent. Their passing, forward runs, and general defensive play declined. Soon after, they were punished for it.
Jamaican youth international Seymour Garfield-Reid would score his first NEXT Pro goal in the 82nd minute, smashing his shot into the top corner, giving Legacy goalkeeper Issac Walker no chance for a save.
The Legacy squad would then try to “park the bus,” which came back to bite them after the fourth official announced 7 minutes of stoppage time. In the 96th minute, Garfield-Reid scored his second to tie the game 2-2.
Unlike most leagues, MLS NEXT Pro doesn’t allow games to end in draws. If the game is tied after regulation then it goes to penalty kicks; the shootout is worth a second point.
During penalty kicks, both sides did well with their shots. In Crown Legacy’s last home opener, Romero skied the ball over the goal in PKs; this time, he effortlessly scored. Before tonight, the Legacy had only scored a total of 5 penalty kicks across two home opener shootouts, losing both.
The difference came down to one spectacular save by Rando against Legacy substitute Erik Peña Boardman. Peña attempted to place the ball in the left side netting, but Rando stretched to full length in order to deny the goal..
Though Crown Legacy couldn’t break their opening night shootout curse, there were many firsts to make it a special night. One of Dicker’s goals is to make the squad younger, and this Legacy side was full of young teenage talent. Starting center back Wyatt Holt is only 15 years old. That makes him the second youngest player to take the field for Crown Legacy.
The youngest, of course, was U.S. youth international standout Nimfasha Berchimas, who has already earned minutes for Charlotte FC.
This match was also the debut for several players like Mali youth international Baye Coulibaly; academy player Magic Smalls, younger brother of Charlotte FC forward Tyger; and former Greenville Triumph defender Jamie Smith, son of Charlotte FC head coach Dean Smith, who was in attendance.
Daniel Moore, Mikah Thomas, Jack Sarkos, and Yves Tcheuyap also made their professional debuts.
Several young players stood out with goal contributions, including Aron John with the game's first assist to Ritarita. John did well to control play the whole match with the highest completed passing percentage of any player at 97.3%.
With so many young and new players this year, staying consistent will be key. Dicker knows the boys have a way to go, but was nonetheless very pleased with the performance of his side.
“There’s a lot we can build better,” said Dicker. “It’s game one. I think we looked a bit anxious early on, a bit nervy. That’s normal.”
Crown Legacy FC (1 point) will be back in action on March 26th at home against Orlando City U-23. The match is scheduled for 7:00 PM at the Matthews Sportsplex.
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