Tyler Adams has enjoyed a special year, having helped lead the U.S. men’s national team to a successful campaign to qualify for the World Cup, as well as playing a role in RB Leipzig securing a return to the UEFA Champions League. What had been missing from Adams season was a trophy, and that came on Saturday.
Adams and RB Leipzig’s defeated Freiburg in a penalty shootout to claim the DFB Pokal final. Adams became the fourth U.S. men’s national team player to win the competition, joining Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna and Thomas Dooley.
Leipzig triumphed 4-2 in the penalty shootout, pushing the game into extra time with a 76th-minute equalizer from Christopher Nkunku. Leipzig fought back after going down to 10 men in the 57th minute, when Markus Halstenberg was sent off because of a shove in the last line of defense.
Maximilian Eggestein opened scoring for Freiburg in the 19th minute. Ermin Demirovic missed a fourth-round penalty kick to hand Leipzig the trophy. It is the first time Leipzig have ever won the DFB Pokal.
Adams amassed 37 appearances in his fourth season with Leipzig. That included five Champions League appearances, but Leipzig finished third in its group and then fell to Rangers in the Europa League semifinals.
RB Leipzig finished the Bundesliga season in fourth place after overcoming a disappointing start to the season that ultimately cost Jesse Marsch his job as manager.
Such a bummer that tiny SC Freiburg couldn’t pull that one out. What a Cinderella story for them to have found their way to their first final – this from a team that could be relegated in any season. Kudos to Leipzig for being able to pull that off with only ten men. But dang I was pulling for “den Sport-Club”.
When they went down to 10 men, I figured Leipzig was toast and watched a baseball game instead. I never expected this. I wish Adams would get more playing time, though.