Hitmen Fall Short in Soccer Final

It's not how you start the season, it's how you finish it that matters. Just ask any member of the Jacksonville United team, which captured the National Premier Soccer League championship on Saturday night with a 3-2 victory over the Hollywood United Hitmen in Madison, Alabama.

Jacksonville United opened its inaugural season in Florida with four consecutive losses but ended it with eight victories in a row, including triumphs over the two top seeds at the national final four. 

Most Valuable Player Tommy Krizanovic scored all three Jacksonville goals Saturday, including the game-winner on a header in the 87th minute off a cross by Rafak Safi, who assisted on each of Krizanovic's goals.

Arturo Albarran scored both goals for Hollywood United, which twice rallied from deficits to tie. 

Jacksonville scored first in the 17th minute when Krizanovic's shot hooked inside the far post on a pass from Safi. Albarran missed a penalty kick, but atoned for it moments later when he found the net from 20 yards out in the 28th minute.

Krizanovic gave Jacksonville the lead again in the 37th minute, re-directing a feed from Safi past Hitmen goalkeeper Raul Calderon. Hollywood United was unable to convert several chances in the first half and trailed 2-1 after the first 45 minutes.  

Pressing hard for the equalizing goal, Hollywood United resumed its attack in the second half and was awarded a second penalty kick after former Chivas USA winger Brent Whitfield was fouled in the box on a breakaway in the 77th minute. Albarran again took the kick and this time he converted to tie the game 2-2.

The contest appeared headed for overtime when Safi sent a high ball from the left side into the penalty area that Krizanovic headed down and past Calderon from the top of the six-yard box. 

The Hitmen (14-3-1) pushed every player forward for the final three frenzied minutes and earned two corner kicks, but Jacksonville (8-4-0) was able to survive until the final whistle.

After two seasons in the United Soccer League's Premier Development League, Hollywood United moved to the NPSL this spring. They shut out the Midwest Region champion Milwaukee Bavarians 3-0 Thursday night in the semifinals.  

The final was a reversal of fortune for Jacksonville United, which twice overcame one-goal deficits to win its semifinal game 4-2 over the Erie Admirals.

Hollywood United outscored its opponents 62-18 this season and was attempting to become the third consecutive NPSL champion from the state of California and the fifth in six years. The Sonoma County Sol won the 2009 title and Sacramento Gold won the 2010 championship. 

The Hitmen were formed in 2009 and won the Southwest Division in their first PDL season. They finished second last season before falling to the Portland Timbers in the playoffs.

Hollywood United is coached by Jose Botello, a former striker for the Los Angeles Galaxy and Inter Tijuana of Mexico. The roster includes team captain Rene Corona, who spent two seasons with Chivas USA, and ex-Cal State Northridge stars Edwin Miranda and Oscar Sims.