Friday, June 20 – New Orleans, LA

Mississippi Brilla FC had to quickly recover from their Friday night tie with the Bradenton Academics in order to be ready for a Saturday match in New Orleans against the Jesters.

Just like the last time these two teams faced, Brilla jumped out to an early lead when Anteneh Lemma knocked in a David Lilly assist to put Mississippi up 1-0 in the third minute.

New Orleans would equalize the score thirty minutes later when Referee Veronica Brito awarded New Orleans a penalty. Ben Callon calmly converted for the Jesters and Mississippi saw their advantage erased.

The game took a terrible turn in the 45th minute when Mississippi defender Michael Brown sustained a serious injury after a challenge from a Jesters player. Brown broke his leg and had to be taken to a local hospital in an ambulance for immediate surgery.

Brown, a three-year player for Mississippi, has played every single minute for the franchise. In total, Michael played over 3,735 consecutive minutes for Brilla until his injury.

After half-time, both teams would take turns pressing for goals, but neither was able to beat the opposing goalkeeper and the game would end in a 1-1 draw.

The draw keeps Mississippi ahead of New Orleans in the Southeastern Division standings by one point. Mississippi is in second place, trailing the Bradenton Academics by five points, but Bradenton has played one more match than Mississippi.

Brilla returns home to host the Nashville Metros on Saturday night.