Tennessee Tempo FC Crowned 2025 UPSL Spring National Champions

PC: Madi Burns

IRVINE, Cal. - - Returning to the UPSL National Championship for the first time in three years, it was Tennessee Tempo FC’s chance to return for all the glory.

Back in the National Finals

In the lead up to the National Championship Final, Tempo first had to make their way past the rock-solid Chicago Nation FC team which had scored more than ten goals in the playoffs coming into Friday night's dual. Both sides base their play off of defense as neither team has hardly conceded any goals going into their matchup, with just over ten combined goals in nearly 40 combined games.

With the tale of the tape reading out to this game being a true battle of defense, regular time proved that prediction correct. Tempo wingers Stanley Grand-Pierre and Horace Avila Jr. both ran rampant down their respective sides, while Harrison Watts locked horns with Chicago’s central defenders, though time continued to go by with no goals from either side.

Time slowly drained off the clock with only a pair of shots on goal from either side, meaning the winner would either be found in extra time or penalty kicks.

Chicago Nation’s captain picked up a red card just before full-time expired, giving TNTFC a slight edge going into the first fifteen minute period, but it was Tempo who conceded the first goal of the game. Pressing numbers forward to try and break Chicago’s backline, Tempo were left vulnerable in behind and a quick counter was slotted away; 1-0 for CNFC.

The resiliency that this Tempo side has shown all season was put on full display in the second period of extra time however as Dominic Oduro pounced on a Mohammed Jagne cross and sent the game level in the 114th minute. With the numbers advantage and all the momentum on their side, it took Tempo just two more minutes to strike again.

Oduro made a brave slide tackle on the edge of the box and after a team effort, Braden Nye delivered a low cross into the box which Souleymane Balde controlled and shot, setting the Championship stadium alight. That effort was the final and decisive shot from the game, setting up Tempo for a faceoff against UPSL powerhouse LA10 FC.

Championship Sunday

Looking at different scenery from their previous Finals appearance, Tennessee Tempo FC hoped for a different result as well. The team had proved that they could play with the best teams in the country, but this time it was going to be their biggest test yet; making their way past an LA10 FC team which had conceded just three goals all season and won every game they appeared in.

Early on in the matchup Tempo looked to be in control, rocking their Sunday red uniforms like Tiger Woods, hunting for an ever elusive goal. LA10 absorbed every TNTFC counter attack, yet could not find their way past the brick wall that Moussa Gueye, Enil Garcia, and Joe Omondi combined to make in front of Francois Djiba.

Like the previous matchup against Chicago, this game would go into the half deadlocked at 0-0. Head Coach Gift Ndam spoke at halftime on the broadcast and laid out his plan about how the team needed to play together better, the basis of what the Nigerian has built his team around.

Coming out of the break LA10 looked to be playing inspired soccer, but the ever-present Djiba held down his goal and kept a clean sheet further and further into the match. As moments came and went, Tempo fans' minds could have begun to wonder if their goal would ever come or if the commentators and pundits were right in their predictions.

From guesses of a 3-1 LA10 win to a 1-0 victory for the California-based side, it was Dominic Oduro who silenced everyone's thoughts with a moment of brilliance in the dying embers of the game. Both of the teams goalscorers in the previous game found a way to link up and crown Tempo as National Champions; Souleymane Balde laid a cross into the box which bounced out to an unmarked Oduro, hitting a thunderous half-volley from beyond the 18-yard box into the back of the net.

The highlight-reel worthy shot not only put Tennessee Tempo FC ahead with just three minutes left to play in the game, it sealed what would be the Nashville team’s redemption from their last showing in the final. Now fans, here we present to you, your 2025 UPSL Spring National Champions!