USL League One: Week Two

USL League One heads into Week Two and the expansion sides get a weekend off to recuperate after 90 minutes of ear-wrenching audio and an opening weekend derby. Familiar faces and old foes get stuck in as Richmond Kickers head to Greenville; Chattanooga Red Wolve open up their campaign against the NoCo Hailstorm; Tormenta look to retain their league toppers status when taking on Charlotte: Finally, the weekend finale is for the birds as Forward brings the Full Mingo to Omaha’s nest.

The 2022 USL League One Champions opened up their season with a 1-0 away win over a loaded North Carolina FC - while it was a great performance by the Champs and their defense is to be commended, NCFC fans should not be dismayed - it was the very first match of the regular season and they looked good in moments.

Opening weekend doldrum continued with a nil - nil between Charlotte Independence and Richmond Kickers despite having some of the league’s most exciting goal-scorers in the respective lineups. Golden Boot winner Emiliano Terzaghi and the legendary Dane Kelly couldn’t fill their boots and will have to go again this weekend.

League newcomers One Knox and Lexington SC finally gave us the bang we were looking for, and in ear-splitting fashion. An early penalty scored by Jimmie Villalobos got the One Knox sound system blaring Song 2 by Blur and the sounds of “whoo hoo” were reverberating through our tv speakers. Don Smart drew the visitors even on a second early peno for Lexington. Jake Keegan got One Knox’s second goal in the first half, the eventual winner, putting the expansion side at the top of the table for week one.

Richmond Kickers head up to Greenville Triumph to try once more to get their season started in earnest - not to detract from the good defensive effort of Charlotte Independence, a 0-0 draw is not indicative of the firepower they can bring to bear. Look for Golden Boot winner Terzhaghi to get his first goal of the season.

Meanwhile, hosts Greenville will be looking to kick off their season correctly and give the fans at Paladin Stadium reminders of their own pedigree. Look for Lucas Coutinho and Jacob Labovitz to continue that good chemistry and get John Harkes’ side an early lead then lean on that good backline to hold onto the win.

Results from Week One (March 17 - 18)

  • North Carolina FC 0 - 1 SG Tormenta FC

  • Charlotte Independence 0 - 0 Richmond Kickers

  • One Knoxville SC 2 - 1 Lexington SC

This is opening weekend for both Forward Madison and Union Omaha - both having undergone some changes in the offseason; the shifting of players and a new coach for the Buhos. This is a great match to end the weekend with as the Mingos look to find their way into the playoffs and Union Omaha look to reclaim the league title.

Saturday, March 18

  • Greenville Triumph vs Richmond Kickers - 4pm (PST) / 7pm (ET)

  • Chattanooga Red Wolves vs Northern Colorado Hailstorm - 4:30pm (PST) / 7:30pm (ET)

  • SG Tormenta FC vs Charlotte Independence - 4:30pm (PST) / 7:30pm (ET)

Sunday, March 19

  • Union Omaha vs Forward Madison - 12:00pm (PST) / 3:00pm (ET)

by Josh Duder