ONE From Last Week

The end of the season is looming and the bottom vs second-bottom match stood out as one to watch. Neither North Carolina FC or FC Tucson are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but with less than ten matches to go for either, picking up a win would be a critical step in making a run toward that last playoff spot in the table.

NCFC head coach John Bradford led his squad into their third match in seven days and gave danger man, Garrett McLaughlin (tied for 3rd in the Golden Boot race on 10 goals) a rest and started Showkat Tahir up top. Oalex Anderson, himself with 5 goals for the year, also found himself on the bench and Nicolás Molina got his 6th start of the season for North Carolina. Early in the game, Molina and Tahir combined with the give and go - Showkat receiving the ball in the box, going wide around the defender and gunning it nearpost where Tucson’s keeper Carlos Merciano had no hope of stopping it.

Molina, Tahir, and Shak Adams kept Merciano and his backline busy all game - banging shots off the crossbar and forcing incredible saves. There was a significant weather delay but it didn’t seem like the home side lost any momentum. In fact, the match felt very equal despite the visitors leading in possession, shots, corners, and even fouls - they were statistically the more aggressive team in the end and something had to give. In the 81st, from one of their 17 corner kicks, North Carolina keeper, and cousin of Christian, Will Pulisic punches the ball away but only as far as the top of the box where Louis Perez absolutely crushes the ball on the full volley to score the equalizer.

North Carolina weren’t done, however, and in the 90+2, with Anderson and McLaughlin both subbed in, they had one more chance on goal - Merancio came to the rescue once again and the match finished on 1s. Neither team really progresses from this result and with only 8 matches left NCFC are running out of room to catch up to the pack. Their next two, away to Northern Colorado and hosting Central Valley Fuego, will tell us everything we need to know. Meanwhile, while FC Tucson are not eliminated yet, they are in a dire position - with only 17 points all season, they’ll likely need 20 from the 27 available to secure a playoff spot and that’s highly unlikely.

Greenville Triumph look to take back the number one spot with a win

ONE For This Week

The match of the week has got to be Greenville Triumph hosting Forward Madison at Triumph Stadium at Legacy Early College. With a win, they can reclaim first place from Richmond Kickers, who don’t play again until next Wednesday. Triumph were ransacked at home last week by Northern Colorado Hailstorm - losing 2-0. Jacob Labovitz is currently second in the Golden Boot race, sitting on 11 goals, and will be looking to make up some ground on Kickers’ Emiliano Terzaghi.

For Forward Madison and Greenville Triumph, this is the rubber match of the season - Triumph shutting out the Mingos back in May, 2-0 and Forward Madison getting the home win in June, 3-2. Forward Madison currently sit in the last playoff spot and a win could give them an important bump as far up as 4th, depending on other results this weekend. Forward Madison head coach Matt Glaeser is unpredictable in his formations; having deployed a 3-4-3, 5-4-1, and a 4-4-2 in his last three matches. The last time these two played, however, he lined them up with three at the back and three up top. Don’t be surprise to see both Cassini and Streng start with maybe Mbacke Thiam wide to go all out from the first whistle.

Triumph boss John Harkes is a little more old school, a little more predictable, and will very likely go with the tried and true 4-2-3-1; expect to see Labovitz start and Coutinho right behind him at the 10 spot. Sure, you know what’s coming, but Greenville are so good at it that it becomes just a matter of can you out possess and outscore them. This match will not only be very important for both teams, but I expect an absolute banger - pure entertainment on deck.

by Joshua Duder