The Bravos took a 1-0 lead through Alex Rios, and were further assisted when Laredo midfielder Raul Quinones was sent off in the 27^th minute. Rio Grande Valley added to their lead eight minutes later Reynol Fuentes bead Heat goalkeeper Ryan Cooper.  Seeing their cup hopes slip away, Laredo came to life after the intermission. Esteban Bayona, Joel Perez and Daniel Galvan gave the Heat a 3-2 lead by the 63^rd minute. By this point, Laredo needed one more goal to win the cup spot outright, as a 3-2 score would only guarantee a coin flip to decide who won the division. Rio Grande Valley dashed those hopes in the 71^st minute, when Salvador Luna scored off a pass from Jorge Herrera. With less then twenty minutes remaining, Laredo was not able to retake the lead to force the coin flip, and the Patriots emerged with a trip to the Open Cup.