STATESBORO, Ga. – As long as they play, there will never be another one like it.

After years of planning, League One came to life on Friday night under beautiful South Georgia skies, cheered on by a sell-out crowd of 3,519 fans at Erk Russell Park.

Two days after breaking ground on the 30-million-dollar stadium that will become the club’s permanent home next season, Tormenta FC wrote itself into the record book as the first side to take victory in League One’s history, while Alex Morrell earned the honor of being its first goalscorer.

The 1-0 victory against Greenville Triumph SC was a tough, physical affair, but above all, it was the scenes after Morrell’s goal – recorded in front of a supporters’ section that popped off magenta and blue flares in celebration – that will live on.

“I wanted to celebrate with every single one of these fans here,” Morrell told the Savannah Morning News’ McLain Baxley.

It was a night for the fans, certainly. They welcomed the only professional sports club in Statesboro with open arms, the queue for the main stand stretching well beyond the confines of the venue’s perimeter. A hot air balloon delivered the ball for kickoff, and the sense of anticipation on the field and in the stands grew as each minute of a tight game ticked on.

It was also a night for those players that Tormenta FC had shown faith in from the club’s League Two days. Six players from the club’s previous era made the starting lineup on Friday night and showed they were ready to be part of the professional ranks, none more than Marco Micaletto.

The Italian looked the biggest threat for the hosts throughout much of the first half, testing Greenville goalkeeper Dallas Jaye with a stinging shot in the 22nd minute. 

Then with 18 minutes to go and the game still waiting for a breakthrough, Micaletto again stood tall.

Picking up possession in his own half on the left side, he connected with teammate Chris Hellmann for a quick give-and-go up the flank. A burst of speed gave him a yard on his marker, and a nifty touch past a covering opponent broke the chance open. Micaletto’s surging run was read by Morrell, who broke in alone on a diagonal run from the right and was rewarded with a pass that gave him time to finish.

With Jaye advancing off his line to narrow Morrell’s angles, the former Tampa Bay Rowdies forward fired his shot into the roof of the net, making history, and setting off celebrations on the field and in the stands.

“I knew Marco had the skill set to do the things that he did to get down to that line, I trusted him,” Morrell told Baxley. “All I did was make my run. He played the ball.”

Then it was goalkeeper Pablo Jara’s turn. Having already turned in a strong display, commanding his penalty area confidently, the Chilean produced the other big on-field moment of the night with three minutes to go. Greenville’s Paul Clowes appeared to have the goal at his mercy after the ball had pinballed to his feet just outside the six-yard area, but Jara’s denial ensured it would be Tormenta FC’s night.

“I think they had a better game for a majority of it, but we took our chance and that’s the difference,” Tormenta FC Head Coach John Miglarese told Baxley.

There will be more nights like this for Tormenta FC in 2019. Wednesday will see the side look to go two-for-two to open the season against another former League Two side when FC Tucson comes to visit. There will be even more starting next year when the club’s new stadium is completed.

But there was only ever going to be one opening night in USL League One history, and both Tormenta FC and its fans rose to the occasion in grand style.