Tormenta Looks To Continue Undefeated Streak Versus Orlando City B
Statesboro, GA- Think back to April 14th. Tormenta was sitting at seven points through three games. Fresh off the inaugural win, a second-half domination of FC Tucson and a hard-fought match versus Richmond, Tormenta traveled to Montverde, Florida to face a struggling Orlando City B. The Lions came into the match with a -4 goal differential and two red cards in just two matches. The match that should have been an easy three points for Tormenta was everything but that. The two squads battled back and forth until Ates Diouf for Orlando City B broke the deadlock and shocked the boys in blue and magenta. Tormenta trailed until the 94th minute when Lars Eckenrode brought the match back to a draw with a header following a set piece. The point gained from this match was Orlando City’s only point through the first 5 weeks of play. This match is still a tough pill to swallow for Tormenta fans for multiple reasons. The first being they know what their boys are capable of and the 90 minutes in Orlando were a headscratcher, to say the least. On top of that, during the free kick that tied the match up for Tormenta, Lars Eckenrode went down after colliding with two OCB players. The injury that Lars sustained right before the final whistle blew has sidelined the captain up to this point.
But this Saturday, Tormenta will look for all three points at home. This match has the chance to be even more intriguing than the first match between the two squads. Tormenta comes into the match on a five-match unbeaten streak. Up until they fell to FC Tucson on Wednesday, OCB was riding a four-match unbeaten streak of their own. Tormenta still sits semi-comfortably in second place (5-1-4, 19 points) with Toronto FC II one point behind them with a match in hand. Orlando, however, has jumped into the mix of everything in the League One standings (3-6-3, 12 points). The Lions have fought their way just one point behind fifth place. If the Lions win this match on Saturday, the League One standings will be even tighter than it is today. This match pits a team that hasn’t lost at home (Tormenta is 3-0-1 at home) versus a team that hasn’t won on the road (Orlando is 0-2-1 on the road).
What To Watch For:
The Importance Of A Solid Keeper: All season long Pablo Jara has been crucial to Tormenta’s success. Jara still leads the league in clean sheets with 6. Allowing zero goals in 60% of matches played is something that any team in any league would love to have. Orlando City, on the other hand, have conceded the most goals in the league (20) and are second to last in clean sheets with 2. Both of these clean sheets have come from Juliano Chade who has started 8 matches for OCB. To say that OCB has been leaking goals this season would be an understatement, Tormenta’s offense will have to wake up this match if they want all three points.
Tormenta Midfield Missing Gomez: Since Tormenta’s match versus Chattanooga was postponed, Ricardo Gomez will still be missing from Tormenta’s midfield on Saturday. Tormenta will take the field without midfielder Ricardo Gomez. The centermid is second in the team in minutes played this season with 896. 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. Without Gomez, Tormenta will have to readjust their starting XI in someway. We could see Pete Pearson step in or Conner Antley who has been very comfortable offensively this season. Antley also spent time in the midfield during college, Tormenta has several options.
Orlando’s Climb Into The Playoff Mix: Through their first seven matches played, OCB’s only points came against Tormenta and Chattanooga. They sat at the bottom of the table with a -10 goal differential. Nothing seemed to be working for the Lions but since that point, they have been on a massive turnaround. The team appears to have found their ideal starting XI that can score goals and get results. Since their 4-1 loss to 1st place North Texas SC on May 11th, OCB has only lost once. Three wins against teams that were higher than them on the table describes how they have played over the last month. Anyone who thinks that this match will be a cakewalk for Tormenta has not watched much League One play in the last month.
Match Facts:
Tormenta FC (5-1-4) vs. Orlando City B (3-6-3)
Erk Russell Park, Statesboro, Ga.
8:00 PM.
Not attending? Watch live on ESPN+ or on YouTube internationally
