Week Five was absolutely wild - The Flock hit for four and finish the weekend in fourth. Jayden Onen and Gebhard operated at a break-neck pace and wore down the visitors with a relentless attack. Derek Gebhard headed home the opener, early, in the 12’. They bookended the first half with a Cichero goal and led 2-0 at the half. Noah Pilato pulled one back for Greenville in the 48’ with a beautiful pivot and left-footed curler which found the back of the net from nearly 20 yards out. But a banged up Daniel Wu was guilty of the own goal and Forward regained the two-goal advantage. Five mintues later, off one of the most ridiculous plays you’ll ever see, Christian Chaney scores on a five-on-one break after a fantastic Schippman PK save. The game wasn’t over yet, with Jayden Onen seeing red in the 72’ after shoving Aaron Walker, who was not entirely innocent and earned a yellow for his physical theatrics. At the full 90, Forward Madison earned their 3 points in surprising fashion, and on “Guaranteed Win Night” no less.

Despite the madness in Madison, NCFC keep their cool and earn three points on the road to go second top. Rafa Mentzingen scored the 3’ minute penalty, stemming from a foul in the box which came in just the opening 30 seconds. Louis Perez made it two before the half and despite Joe Gallardo pulling a goal back in the 84’ minute from a gallant effort it was too much to overcome.

Newcomers Lexington get off the bottom with some good ol’ fashion home cookin’ and defeat the defending champions Tormenta FC, 2-1. Mohammed pinged a free kick off the post and Nico Brown scored off the loose ball to make it 1-0 in the 15’. Jackson Khoury, who has been brilliant so far for Tormenta, earned a penalty when he was tripped up in the box while cutting away from goal - he took the penalty himself and tied the match at 1s. Owen Green got the winner for the home side after screaming down the right flank and getting into a great position to win it for Lexington 2 -1.

Finally, in front of an amazing crowd, Richmond Kickers were incapacitated by the visiting NoCo Hailstorm, who did everything they could to disrupt play and keep both Belmar and Terzaghi anonymous - it worked. The home side only registered two shots on target and split possession nearly down the middle. Hailstorm fouled 14 times and earned a pair of yellow cards but they took a point back to Colorado with them and sit one place above Richmond in the table.

Results from Week TWO (March 25 & 26)

Union Omaha 1 - 2 North Carolina FC
Richmond Kickers 0 - 0 Northern Colorado Hailstorm
Forward Madison 4 - 1 Greenville Triumph
Lexington SC 2 - 1 SG Tormenta FC

Charlotte Independence have two critical home matches ahead of their US Open Cup 3rd Round visit to Charleston Battery on April 25th - if they can bag 6 points against two tough opponents, Union Omaha on Wednesday and Central Valley Fuego on Saturday, not only do they go clear at the top - they can go into the USOC match with loads of confidence. Look for the USL League One Coach of the Month, Mike Jeffries, to focus on the league - secure his 6 points and head Charleston with a Devil May Care attitude.

Despite what their position in the table may tell you, Martín Vásquez has the Central Valley Fuego playing some really inspired soccer - their attacking style is full of movement and its only a matter of time before they start to convert opportunities to goals. This week will be a long slog for them, with trips to Greenville on Wednesday the 19th then to Charlotte just three days later - I won’t be surprised to find that they stay on the east coast and get some rest and training in between matches instead of flying back and forth across the country.

Wednesday, April 19

Charlotte Independence vs Union Omaha - 4pm (PST) / 7pm (ET)
Greenville Triumph vs Central Valley Fuego - 4:30pm (PST) / 7:30pm (ET)

Friday, April 21

One Knoxville SC vs SG Tormenta FC - 3pm (PST) / 6pm (ET)
North Carolina FC vs Chattanooga Red Wolves - 4:00pm (PST) / 7:00pm (ET)

Saturday, April 22

Charlotte Independence vs Central Valley Fuego - 11:00am (PST) / 2:00pm (ET)
Lexington SC vs Greenville Triumph - 4:00pm (PST) / 7:00pm (ET)

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by Josh Duder