All offseason long, we talked about wanted to see some soccer and now 3 weeks (technically) in, we have plenty to talk about.

Chattanooga Choo Choo

Just two matches into the 2023 regular season (plus a Round 2 USOC win), it’s safe to say that Chattanooga Football Club is in “X games mode.” 3-0 at home over Gold Star Detroit and 5-0 on the road against ALBION San Diego are clear indicators that CFC is on a mission this season. 2022 Golden Boot winner Marcus Naglestad is back to his goal-scoring ways, with 2 goals in as many league matches. Against ALBION, the entire team was ready to pounce on mistakes and convert those into goals. When halftime came, the road team was already up 4-0. Two goals in and it looks like CFC has all the momentum of a freight train and it’s hard to imagine another team in the current NISA stable can do anything to slow it down.

Hard to imagine another team challenging this squad.

Expansion Side Blues

We assumed coming into this season that the expansion sides would struggle and we’ve seen some of that. Savannah and Gold Star have shown flashes of brilliance, but Club De Lyon is looking every bit a newcomer to the league. Between the three expansion sides this season, they boast a 2-1-5 record and a 6/11 goal differential. And, if we’re being honest, the two wins were against each other. The best finish of any of the three would be Savannah Clovers drawing Michigan Stars in their season opener. All three expansion sides were knocked out in round 2 of the USOC, though the grittiness of CDL against SAFC surprised a lot of people (including myself!). I think it’s reasonable to expect these clubs to get better as they go along, especially as they continue to add talent to their rosters. This weekend Club De Lyon will get a shot at Maryland Bobcats on the road.

Savannah Clovers has shown flashes, but overall the expansion sides have struggled.

ALBION? More Like Albioff

We knew when Ziggy Korytoski hit the road for Red Wolves that things were going to shake up big time for ALBION. In fact, there were multiple, credible rumors that ALBION was exiting NISA this offseason. That turned out to not be the case, but all the major offensive contributors hit the road, including Malango (Red Wolves) and Diakhate (Flower City Union). The team waited till the last minute to throw together a roster and it shows. Two matches (I’m also counting the USOC loss) into the 2023 campaign and ALBION has been beaten 9-0. Ouch. Last weekend’s CFC loss in their regular season opener indicates that the California club is going to the struggle mightily this season. This roster still needs work, but does the front office want to spend?

This weekend’s matchups

Maryland Bobcats vs Club De Lyon

Prediction: Rain. Why does Maryland always have bad weather? Need to invest in a Stars’ type indoor field. I’ll take Maryland at home, 3-1.

Chattanooga FC vs Flower City Union

Prediction: CFC continues to cruise. FCU is an improved team, but so is CFC. I think FCU will get a goal against CFC, but it won’t be enough. 2-1 CFC.

LA Force vs ALBION San Diego

Prediction: Ugly soccer. Two of the weakest teams in the league face off in a match that few will watch. Except for the real sickos. I think ALBION gets its first win. 1-0.

- Dan Vaughn