Greenville Triumph SC earned its third consecutive trip to the League One Final in 2021, this time as the league’s defending title holder, as it overcame injury absences from key players at different points of the season to pull all the pieces together over the final two months of the campaign. As the side heads to Omaha on Saturday evening for this year’s title game, here are five key games along the road for the side.

May 1 vs. North Texas SC (W, 4-0)

League One’s first two title winners squared off in an early-season contest at Legacy Early College that shone the spotlight on the new attacking arrival for Triumph SC. Marios Lomis scored early in either half, while returning strike partner Lachlan McLean had a goal and assist as the hosts romped to victory for a third consecutive win to start the season in an outstanding display of finishing.

July 4 at New England Revolution II (W, 3-0)

Triumph SC experienced its first real downturn in form during June as it won only one of five games in the month and was on a three-game winless streak as it arrived at Gillette Stadium to face a Revolution II side that had won its last two games on home turf. The hosts’ run came to an end as Marios Lomis recorded the second hat trick in Greenville’s history, scoring twice in five minutes in the first half before adding a third with seven minutes to go. 

September 3 vs. Toronto FC II (W, 3-0)

Despite the win in New England, Greenville’s form in the middle of the seasons was more down than up as injuries took a toll on the starting lineup. By the start of September, the side had slipped out of the playoff positions and into ninth place in the standings as it hosted Toronto FC II for a Friday night encounter. Two goals in the opening six minutes broke the game open quickly for the hosts as JJ Donnelly and Aaron Walker found the net to give Triumph SC its first multi-goal outing since July 17, and Walker added a second in the second half to put the game away and get Greenville’s season back on track.

October 9 at Union Omaha (W, 1-0)

Triumph SC had run its undefeated streak to five games by the time it got to Werner Park for its second encounter with fellow postseason contender Union Omaha of the season. After playing to a draw at Legacy Early College early in the season, an early goal by Marios Lomis proved the difference for Greenville on the road as the Triumph SC defense restricted Omaha to only two shots on goal out of 13 overall to record a shutout victory on the road.

November 13 vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (W, 2-0 AET)

Having secured second place on the final day of the regular season with victory against North Carolina FC while Chattanooga Red Wolves SC fell to Forward Madision FC, Greenville got to officially host its first postseason game in this year’s Semifinals. After a tight opening 90 minutes that saw each side only record one shot on goal apiece, Triumph SC broke the game open thanks to substitute Jesus Ibarra in the 97th minute with an outstanding finish from outside the penalty area. Greenville then put the game away with nine minutes to go as Marios Lomis notched his 15th goal of the season to send the side back to the League One Final.