
New England Revolution's Jafonso Wins League Series 2 Presented by TikTok and Punches Automatic Ticket to eMLS Cup
March 3, 2024 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release
Major League Soccer (MLS) and EA SPORTS FCTM Pro officially concluded its second and final League Series presented by TikTok as New England Revolution's João Afonso "JAFONSO" Vasconcelos defeated the reigning eMLS Cup champion St. Louis CITY SC's Niklas "NR7" Raseck 5-2 to punch his automatic ticket to eMLS Cup after battling through qualifiers, group play, and bracket finals on March 1-3. With this victory, JAFONSO captures his first League Series title.
"During my match against NR7, I knew I had to keep calm and just keep the momentum going after my 3-0 lead at half," said JAFONSO. "I am really enjoying this eMLS season, but I know I need to remain focused on next weekend in Austin where it really matters. It just feels good to showcase my talent and grateful to the New England Revolution for their support."
The matches were streamed across the Club and MLS Twitch and YouTube channels led by its all-star commentary crew in host Faizal Khamisa, play-by-play announcer and reigning Esports Awards Caster of the Year Dan Gaskin, and commentator Mike Labelle.
"Just like LS1, I knew LS2 was going to be a tough competition," said NR7. "Although I didn't get the win today, I am looking forward to defending the eMLS Cup title later next week in Austin and take home the championship trophy for the second straight year for St. Louis CITY SC."
Additional storylines from 2024 eMLS League Series 2 throughout the weekend:
In a rematch of the 2023 eMLS Cup final, reigning champion St. Louis CITY SC's NR7 defeated Atlanta United's Paulo Neto again 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Bracket Final and then beat Inter Miami's K1john 6-5 in the semifinals.
New England Revolution's JAFONSO doubled up DC United's KingCJ0 6-3 in the semifinals to advance to the Bracket Final.
Both JAFONSO and Austin FC's Diogo secured their second top four seeding in the Bracket Final of the season.
DC United's KingCJ0 turned heads with consecutive victories over heavyweights New York City FC's Ollelito and Austin FC's Diogo before bowing out in the semifinals to eventual champion JAFONSO.
Looking ahead to the eMLS Cup taking place on March 10 at the iconic ACL Live venue in downtown Austin, fans can RSVP HERE for their complimentary tickets. The event is open to the general public on a first-come first-serve basis. There will also be limited edition eMLS giveaways, a free drink ticket, a station to create a personalized FC Ultimate Team (FUT) card, FC 24 open-play stations for fans to play against each other, and additional activities for fans to engage.
WHO:
Six among the 22 Clubs have already secured their slots in eMLS Cup during the fan-facing bracket final in Austin, TX at ACL Live on March 10, including (seeding):
(1) Atlanta United - Paulo "Paulo Neto" Neto
(2) New England Revolution - João Afonso "JAFONSO" Vasconcelos
(3) NYCFC - Olle "Ollelito" Arbin
(4) Austin FC - Diogo "Diogo" Mendes
(5) Charlotte FC - Gustavo "Gustavo" Nascimento
(6) Minnesota United - Ehsan "Lamps" Zakeri
The remaining 16 Clubs will compete during the Group Stage on March 8 at Austin FC's Q2 Stadium for the remaining six slots on March 10 setting up 12 teams competing for the eMLS title.
The 2024 season features a roster of notable partners, including TikTok, DoorDash, EA SPORTS, and Avant.
WHEN:
2024 eMLS Cup:
Friday, March 8 - Group Stage - Q2 Stadium
2:30 PM ET - 6:30 PM ET
Saturday, March 9 - MLS Appreciation Day
Clubs attend Austin FC vs. St. Louis CITY SC match at Q2 Stadium (the eMLS stars will play friendlies against fans on gaming stations as they tailgate and enter the stadium)
Sunday, March 10 - Bracket Final - ACL Live
1:00 PM ET - 6:30 PM ET
WHERE:
The eMLS Cup Group Stage will be featured on each channel below, and fans can watch eMLS Cup on Twitch and YouTube .
Atlanta United https://www.twitch.tv/ATLUTD
Austin FC https://www.twitch.tv/diogomendess7
CF Montréal http://www.twitch.tv/Cf_Montreal
Charlotte FC https://www.twitch.tv/gn10_
Columbus Crew https://www.twitch.tv/thecolumbuscrew
DC United https://www.twitch.tv/kingcj0__
FC Dallas https://www.twitch.tv/alanavi_
Houston Dynamo F.C. https://www.twitch.tv/houstondynamo
Inter Miami CF https://twitch.tv/intermiami_cf
LAFC https://www.twitch.tv/lafc
Minnesota United https://twitch.tv/lampsfifa
Nashville SC https://www.youtube.com/@Nashvillesc
New England Revolution http://www.twitch.tv/jafonsogv
NEW YORK CITY FC https://www.twitch.tv/ollelito_
New York Red Bulls https://www.twitch.tv/doolsta
Orlando City SC https://www.twitch.tv/orlando_city_sc
Philadelphia Union https://www.twitch.tv/thiagocapo12
San Jose Earthquakes https://www.twitch.tv/xbenrx
Seattle Sounders FC https://www.twitch.tv/gadamou10_
St. Louis CITY SC https://www.youtube.com/@stlCITYsc
Toronto FC https://www.twitch.tv/didychrislito_
Vancouver Whitecaps https://www.twitch.tv/vwfcgaming
Major League Soccer Stories from March 3, 2024
- New England Revolution's Jafonso Wins League Series 2 Presented by TikTok and Punches Automatic Ticket to eMLS Cup - New England Revolution
- Revolution Fall to Toronto FC, 1-0, in Home Opener - New England Revolution
- New England Revolution (0) - Toronto FC (1) Postgame Summary - Toronto FC
- Miles Robinson Shines on Both Sides of the Ball as FC Cincinnati Earn Confidence-Building Victory - FC Cincinnati
- Five Points: Quick Start - New York City FC
- Moments of Matchday 3 - MLS
- Sporting Ties Philadelphia - Sporting Kansas City
- Houston Dynamo FC Fall at Home to New York Red Bulls - Houston Dynamo FC
- CF Montréal Earns 2-1 Victory Over FC Dallas - Club de Foot Montreal
- FC Cincinnati Extinguish Chicago Fire 2-1 to Earn First League Play Victory of 2024 - FC Cincinnati
- St. Louis CITY SC Blanks New York City FC 2-0, Earns First MLS Win of the Season - St. Louis City SC
- Chicago Fire FC Falls 2-1 Against FC Cincinnati at Soldier Field - Chicago Fire FC
- Nashville SC Earns Fourth Consecutive Result in 1-1 Draw at Colorado Rapids - Nashville SC
- LA Galaxy Defeat San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 at PayPal Park on Saturday Night - LA Galaxy
- Sounders FC Plays to Scoreless Home Draw with Austin FC - Seattle Sounders FC
- Rapids Draw with Nashville SC 1-1 in Home Opener - Colorado Rapids
- Timbers, D.C. United Play to 2-2 Draw at Providence Park - Portland Timbers
- San Jose Drops Home Opener; Quakes To Host Vancouver Next Saturday - San Jose Earthquakes
- Austin FC Shuts Out Seattle Sounders to Earn Away Point - Austin FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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