Savannah Clovers 0 - 1 Michigan Stars

Someone needs to put a leash on the Clovers’ keepers.

On a play that looked to be fairly harmless attack, Hunter Olsen headed up the left side, slightly ahead of his defender, chasing a pass. Aside from the defender on Olsen, two other Savannah defenders were dropping back, almost certainly stopping any chance of a scoring opportunity on a normal play. But this was no normal play. Out of the green comes Savannah’s keeper, Jack Pondy, who inexplicably left his box to attack the pass. Olsen touched it just as Pondy swung at it, leaving Pondy behind him and the net wide open. Goal Stars. Pondy is a good keeper. However, it seems his roaming legs get him in trouble consistently.

Neither side had great chances through the rest of the match and the Clovers missed an excellent opportunity to snatch a point from a Stars team that didn’t threaten much beyond the goal Pondy gave them.

Chattanooga FC 2 - 0 Michigan Stars

Last season, Chattanooga FC failed to score at home against Michigan Stars in every match at Finley. It wouldn’t be easy this year, with Stars having only given up 3 goals all season. Scratch that one off the list.

The battle of the undefeateds was decidedly one-sides as Chattanooga cruised to a 2-0 win, with first half goals from Naglestad and Alvarenga. Naglestad’s would come on a penalty, when Jesus Ibarra was fouled in the box. The foul was a foolish one, as Ibarra was well away from goal and headed out of the box when he caught the defender’s dragging leg. From the spot, Naglestad beat Mkuruva with a slick stutter step that sent the steady GK the wrong way. The opening goal was scored in the 39th minute and the second would come just before half, 6 minutes later.

After some quick touch passes on the left side of the box, Ibarra passed to Alvarenga, who took a quick shot that beat Mkuruva. While the NISA social media described it as a “banger,” I’d describe it more as a well-placed shot that looped past the keeper. But I guess everyone can define a banger to fit their needs.

In the second half, Stars had a chance to get one back on a very soft penalty call, but Jean Antoine was up to the challenge and blocked the penalty kick. In his postgame comments, the Chattanooga keeper described the save: “As soon as he kicked, I knew which way he was going.”

CFC is now comfortably in the driver’s seat (though I’d argue they were already there) as the only undefeated team in the league. Stars were soundly beaten in this match.

Flower City Union 2 - 4 Club De Lyon

This one got off to a rough start for the home side real quick. Club De Lyon pushed up the left side of the attack and then quickly passed into the center of a very disorganized FCU backline. Matias Pourrain would beat the keeper, juggling the ball past him, and slot the ball into the net for a goal in the second minute of the match.

Kini Ten Lopez, who had jumped out to a blazing start in the season, would find find his own goal in the 16th minute. Some of the credit has to be given to awful goal keeping, as the keeper came well out of position only to get beat by Lopez. It was Pondy-esque, if I may. Easiest goal of the season for Lopez, who is on six now.

And CDL wasn’t done scoring in the first half. Ten minutes later, the visiting squad would score another, when a beautiful bending cross would find Victor Blanco on the break. Blanco scored and the Florida side was up 3-0 in the 26th minute. Not optimal for Flower City. Though just before the half, FCU seemed to figure out how to press and began getting scoring chances. Malik Stewart, who has been the assist man so far this season, found the net on a CDL giveaway. It was a beautiful shot for Stewart, who is really shining this season.

Ten Lopez picked up a bad yellow in stoppage, kicking a dead ball after being whistled for a foul. That would be followed by a yellow for his coach, who wandered onto the field after the halftime whistle was blown to complain to the official.

The second half would bring a goal each for both clubs, both coming off set plays. Kyle Nelson headed in a free kick in the 58th minute, making the home fans believers in a comeback chance, but Pourrain would get his second of the match 20 minutes later, ending FCU’s hopes. Pourrain’s goal was as good of free kick as you’ll ever see. Gorgeous shot that bent over the wall and into the corner of the net.

What does this result tell us about either club? Club De Lyon looks like a dangerous club that can score goals in bunches, I’d expect them to make the playoffs and maybe make some noise in the right matchup. Flower City has shown flashes and has some attacking power up front, but until that backline begins stopping some goals, it won’t matter.

ALBION 2 - 0 LA Force

ALBION looked good in this one, scoring two goals in the second half. Cyrus Tran would get the first in the 59th minute, but the second goal of the match was the headliner. Lennyn Carreon beat his defender up the left side in stoppage time and the LA keeper, Jakob Hanson, came well out of the box to deflect the ball. Carreon, however, managed to keep possession and chipped the scrambling keeper from way out for the insurance goal.

This ALBION team is fun to watch and every bit of a contender in the middle of the table. If they continue to get wins like this, I wouldn’t want to face them in the playoffs.

This Week’s Matchups

Club De Lyon vs Maryland Bobcats

I think we’re seeing something in CDL. I think they win this match against a Maryland team that is struggling mightily.

Gold Star Detroit vs ALBION San Diego

Gold Star hosts ALBION who is on an undefeated streak of 4 matches. By the way, the San Diego club is in SECOND PLACE. I’m taking ALBION to win this one.

Michigan Stars vs LA Force

Stars lost at CFC, but everyone does. Now the defending champs host LA and I think this is a great bounce back match for Stars. I think they win easily.

- Dan Vaughn