Match Preview: Tormenta FC Hopes To Avenge Lone Loss Of The Season
Returns Home To Face the Chattanooga Red Wolves
Statesboro, Ga– A team’s home field is supposed to be a fortress. A place that other teams go into and worry how many points they’ll walk out with. That is exactly what Erk Russell Park has been for the last two years. Tormenta did not drop a point at home since the 2017 season. That changed two weeks ago when Lansing came to town and the two teams fought to a scoreless draw. 737 days of securing three points at home came to an end in 90 frustrating minutes.
As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and the League One boys will look to restart that streak this Saturday versus Chattanooga. When the two teams met at David Stanton Field in April, the Red Wolves jumped out to a 3-0 lead by the 17th minute. Tormenta dominated possession in the match with 61% and 13 shots. It took until the 74th minute for USL League One Player of the Month, Conner Antley, to respond for Tormenta. The boys kept pushing and got one back via Chris Hellmann in the 88th minute but it ended up being too little too late, and Tormenta fell 3-2 that day.
Tormenta (5-1-4) comes into this match sitting second in the league at 19 points while Chattanooga (3-4-3) sit in sixth with 12 points. The teams are polar opposites with Tormenta only dropping one point at home and Chattanooga only picking up one point on the road this season.
What (and Who) To Watch For:
Pablo Jara: So far this season Jara has been a brick wall in-goal for Tormenta. The Chilean keeper has received Save of the Week honors three times and Team of the Week once. Pablo leads the league in clean sheets with six and has stood on his head several times this season to keep his squad in matches. Since that tough loss to Chattanooga, Jara has 4 clean sheets which have been crucial to Tormenta receiving points in every match since the loss.
Red Wolves’ Road Woes: As touched on earlier, Chattanooga has struggled on the road this season to say the least. The Red Wolves have been outscored 9 to 2 in road games, and their only point came from a 0-0 draw with Orlando City B. Chattanooga comes into this match with the worst road record in USL League One. Facing a team that has dropped points at home just once in two years will be a big challenge for the Red Wolves.
Tormenta Midfield Missing Gomez: For the first time this season, Tormenta will take the field without midfielder Ricardo Gomez. In the last match versus Greenville, Gomez picked up two yellow cards which led to his one-match suspension. Losing Gomez could easily be detrimental for Tormenta due to the fact that Ricardo leads the team in passes completed with 659 (2nd in the league). Throughout the season, Ricardo has been crucial to Tormenta starting their attacks successfully in the midfield. Look for either Pete Pearson or Dalton Pando to step up and fill the spot.
Match Facts
Tormenta FC (5-1-4) v. Chattanooga Red Wolves (3-4-3)
Saturday, June 8th at 8:00 PM.
Erk Russell Park, Statesboro, Ga.
Military Appreciation Night.
Not Attending? Watch on ESPN+ or internationally on YouTube
