Beforehand,
1) They had to win Illinois, a tough state in Region II
2) They had to win Region II, a feat in itself
3) Had already qualified for the Championship
4) Still had to win the final
That's the problem with the format USYSA changed to a few years back; it allows that to happen, however, at that stage you do what it takes to win. If the result isn't a necessity and the opposition is playing low pressure, why attack? And expend energy in heat before the Final?
Four teams: two semifinals and a final. Simple.
