With one match to spare in Group B, LAFC's U15 Academy team already knew its fate. In the Club's first year of eligibility in the Development Academy playoffs, the Black & Gold were bound for the final on Tuesday in Oceanside, Calif.
Two wins from the first two matches to start group play were all LAFC needed in the eight-team tournament. After defeating the Philadelphia Union Academy 5-1 on the first day, LAFC backed it up with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire Academy.
A 2-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids Academy on the final day of group play was academic, as LAFC's six points couldn't be eclipsed by any of its three pursuers in the group.
Standing between LAFC and the Development Academy championship is Toronto FC.
Like LAFC, Toronto won two matches and lost one in the DA Playoffs group play. Toronto also topped its conference in regular-season play by a healthy margin. The final will also feature the two sides with the largest goal differentials (Toronto +93 and LAFC +79) and most goals scored this season (Toronto 106 and LAFC 96).
The DA Playoffs final is Tuesday, June 25 at 11am at the SoCal Sports Complex Stadium field.
