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Five Things that Matter – Week 2

By JOHN ARLIA - john.arlia@uslsoccer.com, 04/05/19, 11:15AM EDT

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What are the storylines to look out for as League One moves past the opening weekend?


South Georgia Tormenta FC has a league-best two wins heading into its first road contest at the Richmond Kickers this weekend. | Photo courtesy South Georgia Tormenta FC

After a spectacular opening weekend got USL League One off to a fast start, its clubs will look to carry the momentum into Week 2. Here are five storylines we’ll be watching out for this weekend:


 HITTIN’ THE ROAD

South Georgia Tormenta FC already has a league-best two victories after defeating Greenville Triumph SC and FC Tucson in a span of six days at Erk Russell Park. The Statesboro side’s core group that made the jump from League Two to the professional ranks has already shown it is well suited for this level and maybe no one has proven that more than Marco Micaletto. The 23-year-old midfielder has brought plenty of quality to the team over its opening two games, assisting on the game-winner against Greenville and scoring a lovely left-footed curler from the top of the box to seal three points against Tucson. Can Head Coach John Miglarese’s squad can keep things going this weekend in Richmond?

  
 HOME DEBUTS

Speaking of the Kickers, Richmond had a league-best attendance in Week 1 as 5,936 fans packed City Stadium to see the club’s League One debut against Lansing Ignite FC. Another 3,519 fans witnessed the league’s inaugural match between South Georgia Tormenta FC and Greenville Triumph SC at Erk Russell Park. We should be in line to see similar atmospheres this Saturday in Chattanooga and Greenville when Red Wolves SC and Triumph SC make their respective home debuts at David Stanton Field and Legacy Early College. That home-field advantage should help both sides as they look to get in the win column after Week 1 defeats.


 FULL DEBUT OF #FULLMINGO

Forward Madison FC has introduced itself to the world on social media but has also made a strong impression on the field in preseason against quality opposition. Among those preseason friendlies was a 1-0 victory over USL Championship side Indy Eleven, considered by many to be among the Eastern Conference favorites. Bolstered by four intriguing additions from its partner Minnesota United FC, we now get a chance to see what Head Coach Daryl Shore’s squad is really made of when it makes its League One debut on Saturday night at Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.


 NOBILITY NORTH OF THE BORDER

Toronto FC II will make its League One debut on Friday night at Orlando City B and 18-year-old midfielder Noble Okello could be a significant piece of helping the side make a winning start. This TFC II side will likely look very different than the one that featured in the Championship last season but keeping Okello in the center of the park would be beneficial to the team’s success. Okello completed over 80 percent of his passes and won 51 percent of his duels in 22 appearances for the side in 2018 and continued his breakout year at the 2018 Concacaf U-20 Championship, scoring three goals in five games for his native Canada as the side finished runner-up to Panama in Group D. If the Toronto native is in the lineup, he will be one to watch.


 LOOKING FOR MORE

Of all the teams that suffered defeat on the opening weekend, Greenville Triumph SC likely felt the most hard done by. Head Coach John Harkes’ squad registered nearly 52 percent possession and attempted five more shots than South Georgia Tormenta FC but was left with nothing to show for it after Alex Morrell’s 72nd-minute goal and goalkeeper Pablo Jara’s late heroics gave the home side a historic win. Greenville will look to put on another solid performance this weekend in front of its home fans at Legacy Early College and get its first points in club history against a side that is coming off an opening road win in Lansing Ignite FC.


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