ONE (plus) From Last Week

Going into the final week of the regular season, only one match on the fixture list would have zero impact on the playoff picture - and even then, Forward Madison and FC Tucson, both of whom were IN the playoff discussion just a couple weeks ago, had pride on the line. Northern Colorado Hailstorm, who began the weekend in a playoff spot, had exhausted all of their games for the year and were left hoping they’d get a couple of favors from NCFC and Chattanooga - they did not and found themselves on the outside, looking in.

Surely, from a records and pure entertainment standpoint, the end-of-year finale between Greenville Triumph and Richmond Kickers was a must-see; Emiliano Terzaghi added one more to his goal total to make it 17 on the year and win the Golden Boot for the third year running; Akira Fitzgerald brought his total saves count to 105; and Jonathan Bolanos finished the year as the assist leader and capped off the season with a player of the month award. It was John Harkes’ Greenville Triumph, who upturned the proverbial applecart, by going to City Stadium and earning the draw. That extra point pipped second place, and a first round bye, from SG Tormenta, who thought they had done enough to earn it with a 2-0 win over Chattanooga Red Wolves.

It was that Tormenta effort which was my match of the week - Kaz Sterling, who started the weekend a hattrick away from tying Terzaghi for the Golden Boot, found himself on the bench for the final match due to a knock he picked up in training. I suspect, if he doesn’t get nicked by a USLC or even MLS club, he can return next year and give the Golden Boot title a run for its money. It was Kingsford Adjei, however, who found the back of the net (the 7th time this season) for Tormenta and the 5’ goal set the Red Wolves back on their heels. Ryan Sierakowski’s 24’ goal proved too much for Chattanooga to overcome and the Red Wolves were shut out in the last game of the year.

Rashid Nuhu has earned League One Golden Glove honors, after a great season with the Owls in both the league, as well as in the US Open Cup.

ONE (or more) For This Week

The results then, give us our first round playoff matches with SG Tormenta earning a home field advantage and will host Charlotte Independence. However, this may not actually be an advantage in this matchup - the teams played eachother three times this season with both teams being shutout at home by the other and drawing 0-0 back on May 7th. Five players: Shalom Dutey, Tresor Mbuyu, Khori Bennett, Kazaiah Sterling and Kingsford Adjei have a goal a piece from the season series.

Last year’s champs, and USOC darlings, Union Omaha may be in big trouble as they head to Chattanooga for the second round one playoff match. They have just 2 wins from their last 10 matches and have been outscored 17-9; giving up 3 goals in a match three times. The Buhos are also suffering a rash of injuries but there is good news… Chattanooga have simply not been able to crack the code, neither at home or away, against Union Omaha; the owls have won one and drawn one away to the Red Wolves then won at home. In the series, there have been 6 different goal-scorers with one each.

For regular season league champions, Richmond Kickers and runners-up Greenville Triumph, we’ll have to wait an extra week to seem them in action. Kickers will host the winner of Tormenta and Charlotte, while Triumph are looking forward to welcoming the winner of the Chattanooga and Union Omaha match.

by Joshua Duder