SXSW 2023: NR7 Pulls Off Big Upset To Earn Win eMLS Cup

This weekend at SXSW, Paulo Neto was looking to make a clean sweep of the eMLS season. After previously capturing the League Series 1 and League Series 2 titles, his sights were set on the eMLS Cup, which he is the reigning champion. In his way was Niklas “NR7” Raseck.

Neto jumped to the early lead in the 6th minute capitalizing on his first opportunity. Though he would also score the next goal, the opening leg of the championship matchup would be an even back and forth. Rookie NR7 wasn’t buckling under the pressure and had a flair for the dramatic scoring in the 90th minute to tie. It was shades of his previous game where he also had a last minute goal, which earned his spot in the finals.

The second leg began much like the first with an early goal from Neto. The tension was high until halfway into the second half when NR7 went up in the 63rd minute. Later he showed some fancy footwork to take Neto’s goalie off his line and slotting one in to gain some breathing room. After being stonewalled on a breakaway, NR7 changed his gameplan to a more conservative approach focusing on maintaining possession and running out the clock. The two-goal deficit was too high for Neto to overcome and his opponent added another in extra time as an exclamation point to their match.

It’s not a bad way for NR7 to finish his first eMLS season. On the road to the eMLS Cup, he defeated the second best player this season, Lamps, in the semifinals then ended Paulo Neto’s historic run of winning consecutive championships at three. Although it was an upset, NR7 had his share of pundits predicting his victory. Is this a one-time showing or the start of something more? We’ll see if the player can carry on his momentum next season.