STATESBORO, Ga. – Tonight’s fixture saw two of the most dangerous teams in USL League One battle it out as both sides sought their first win of the season. In 90 hard-fought minutes, South Georgia Tormenta FC drew 0-0 to Union Omaha, earning its first point of the season and first clean sheet ahead of its Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match on Tuesday, April 19, against Birmingham Legion FC.
“Omaha is a terrific side and reigning champions, but our boys were superb tonight,” TFC Head Coach Ian Cameron said. “They fully deserved the point, and I think they deserved more from it, so the point that they got tonight was tremendous.”
The ninth minute brought Tormenta FC’s first opportunity of the night. Alex Morrell’s well-recovered ball in the midfield was placed into the middle of the penalty spot, where Arthur Bosua hammered the ball to the goalpost, making it shake for the first time tonight.
Tormenta FC then elevated the pressure on Omaha with beautiful build-up play on the right side. The team’s clean passes in tight space had Omaha perplexed as a cross was placed into the middle for Bosua, however, his shot saw the keeper secure the ball.
Omaha found an opportunity in the 30th minute after a deflected long ball hit the post, but the road team was unable to capitalize on the occasion.
In the second half, Tormenta FC played with an aggressive counter-attacking style that saw both teams fight for possession of the ball. Two offensive substitutions saw Tormenta FC’s offense grow as Englishmen Jamil Roberts and Kazaiah Sterling were brought into the game to seek the team’s first goal of the season.
In a turn of events, a red card was given to defender Joshua Phelps in the 73rd minute, leaving Tormenta FC with 10 men. However, Tormenta FC did not shift the game plan. A dangerous free-kick by Gabriel Cabral put Omaha’s Rashid Nuhu in a delicate position, but he ultimately cleared any danger.
With 11 shots and eight on target, Tormenta FC was unable to find the back of the net through 90 minutes and now turns its eyes toward Tuesday’s U.S. Open Cup third-round appearance.
Tonight’s Player of the Match, presented by Galactic Comics and Games, is Gabriel Cabral who led in the midfield, winning four duels and recording one shot on target, one chance created and three tackles. “Super proud to get the point with the boys,” Cabral said. “Even with one man down, I think we deserved the win, but we’re just trying to get better ahead of the next game.”
UPCOMING:
This Tuesday, April 19, Tormenta FC will enter the third round of the U.S. Open Cup for the first time in club history, battling the Birmingham Legion on the road for a fourth-round spot.
Tormenta FC then travels to face Greenville Triumph that Saturday, April 23 after going 3-0-1 with the South Carolina rivals last season.
