Statesboro, GA- Tormenta FC returns home this weekend after spending 3 of their last 4 weekends on the road. The month of July and the first week of August were rough for Tormenta fans, seeing their team only pick up 5 of a possible 18 points. The team slid into third place in the league standings and are now sitting in the mix of four teams only separated by four points. With how tight the league standings are, there is no room for error or for long spells of struggles. This weekend, Tormenta will be tested by a tough Chattanooga Red Wolves team. The teams are meeting for the second time this season and will be fighting for a crucial three points. Tormenta needs all three points to slowly start distancing themselves from “the rest of the pack.” Chattanooga needs all three to stay in the fight for fourth in the league. If Tormenta wins this match, they will find themselves back in second place in the league (tied with Lansing but ahead of them due to goal differential and matches played). A loss on the other hand (and a win by Forward Madison v. Richmond) would see Tormenta drop out of the top four for the first time this season.
What To Watch For:
Low Scoring Teams: Tormenta and Chattanooga both sit tied in sixth place when it comes to goals scored (22). The only teams sitting below the pair are Greenville (17), OCB (16), and Richmond (14). The two teams are significantly lower when it comes to goals scored compared to the rest of the “playoff teams.” Chattanooga has only scored more than two goals ONCE this season and it was against Tormenta back on April 20th. The struggles on the pitch for the Red Wolves don’t stop with their offense. Their defense has conceded 23 goals this season, 4th most in the league. If they are lucky, Tormenta could possibly use this game to start a run towards the end of the regular season.
Beattie and Micaletto: When Tormenta and Chattanooga have been clicking offensively, Steven Beattie and Marco Micaletto have been the go-to men for both their teams. Beattie currently sits in 2nd in the Golden Boot race, bagging eight goals throughout league play this season. Marco Micaletto has turned into the focal point for Tormenta lately and sits in 7th in league standings with six goals. Keep an eye on both these players, both defenses will likely be marking them tightly because if you give either of them space they will capitalize.
Home Sweet Home: Tormenta will enjoy the idea of playing their next three matches at home. Over the course of the season, Tormenta has only dropped points at home on three occasions, one loss to Forward Madison and two draws to Lansing. Almost every team in the league is difficult to beat on their home field and Tormenta will look to capitalize on that with two matches versus Chattanooga and one against Tucson over the next three weeks. This home stretch is a great chance for Tormenta to get back on track as the season winds down.
Match Facts:
Tormenta FC (8-4-6) v. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (7-5-7)
Saturday, August 10th.
Erk Russell Park, Statesboro, Ga. 8:00 PM
Not attending? Watch on ESPN+ or YouTube internationally.