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Match Previews - 5.5.2023

By USLLeagueOne.com Staff, 05/05/23, 2:00PM EDT

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2022 League One Final rematch set for Friday evening

Richmond Kickers vs. Union Omaha

Venue: City Stadium; Richmond, Va.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Weather: Mostly sunny, 67°
Broadcast: ESPN+
Hashtag: #RICvOMA
Series (First Meeting): 3-1-2, RIC (2020)

League One heavyweights Richmond Kickers (2-1-2, 6th) and Union Omaha (2-1-2, 5th) are set to face off for the first time in 2023 at City Stadium on Friday evening. With a shot at potentially rising to third place on the line, the Owls will look to knock off the Kickers for just the second time in the seven all-time matchup.

Both Richmond and Omaha have been operating efficiently early in the season; the Kickers and Owls are one of four clubs (Chattanooga, Northern Colorado) to score more goals than expected while also conceding fewer goals than expected. With Emiliano Terazghi and Noe Meza heating up, plus the return of Akira Fitzgerald, expect a solid contest from the pair of perennial League One contenders.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
 

RIC - Michael Hornsby: First-year Kicker Michael Hornsby tallied his first goal contribution in a Richmond shirt, assisting Justin Sukow’s match-winning goal in the 41st minute against the defending champions to earn a spot on the Team of the Week. Hornsby also won eight duels, two fouls and added six recoveries.

OMA - Noe Meza: Week 7's Player of the Week recorded the second brace of his two-year professional career, with his 11-minute double propelling Omaha to a victory over then-undefeated Northern Colorado. The 25-year-old forward completed 81% of his passes, won five duels and earned five recoveries.

AVAILABILITY REPORT
 

RIC: M - Gabe Cox (out, injury), F - Ethan Vanacore-Decker (out, injury)

OMA: D - Stefan Mueller (out, injury)

Chattanooga Red Wolves SC vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC

Venue: CHI Memorial Stadium; Chattanooga, Tenn.
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Cloudy, 66°
Broadcast: ESPN+
Hashtag: #CHAvTRM
Series (First Meeting): 5-4-2, TRM (2019)

After taking a one-match advantage in the all-time series thanks to a victory in the 2022 USL League One Final, defending champions South Georgia Tormenta FC (3-4-0, 4th) will travel to Tennessee to face 2022 runners-up Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (2-2-1, 8th) for the first time since the 2022 campaign's crowning match.

In each of their last four matches, the Red Wolves and Ibises have gone 2-2-0 as they continue to develop their respective 2023 identities. Pending some other Week 8 results, a positive result for Chattanooga or South Georgia could see the victor jump as high as third in the table. In subsequent seasons, League One Final runners-up are a solid 3-1-3 all-time against defending champions.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
 

CHA - Nicolás Cardona: Cardona scored his third professional goal just two minutes after Lexington opened the scoring, helping Chattanooga to a come-from-behind victory and earning a place on the Team of the Week. The Puerto Rico international completed 97% of his passes, won six duels and recorded six clearances.

TRM - Jackson Khoury: Tormenta FC has been forced to turn to 20-year-old Australian goalscorer Jackson Khoury in the absence of Kazaiah Sterling and Arthur Bosua. Luckily for the defending champs, it's worked out. Khoury is nominated for Player of the Month after a three-goal, one-assist April.

AVAILABILITY REPORT
 

CHA: M - Christian Enriquez (out, injury), M - Yahir Paez (out, injury), M - Andrew Paoli (out, injury), D - Richard Rentería (out, eligibility)

TRM: F - Arthur Bosua (questionable, injury), M - Matheus Cassini (questionable, injury), F - Kazaiah Sterling (questionable, injury)

Central VAlley Fuego FC vs. North Carolina FC

Venue: Fresno State Soccer Stadium; Fresno, Calif.
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Weather: Cloudy, 67°
Broadcast: ESPN+
Hashtag: #CVvNC
Series (First Meeting): 2-1-0, CV (2022)

It's a contest of first against last, but that won't stop Central Valley Fuego FC (1-4-1, 12th) from chasing an upset victory against North Carolina FC (4-1-1, 1st) at Fresno State Soccer Stadium on Friday evening.

Now tied for the fourth-worst start in league history, Fuego FC will first need to snap its 300-minute goal drought before it can snap its five-match winless streak. After narrowly dropping its opening contest of the season, NCFC have won three straight and are unbeaten in its five. Last-place teams are a respectable 5-6-2 in league history against first-place opponents, and with a win, Fuego FC could even up that all-time record.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
 

CV - Billy Forbes: With the fewest goals scored through six games in league history (2), Fuego FC will look to new signee Billy Forbes to increase its scoring production. The 32-year-old USL Championship and NASL veteran is the Turks and Caicos Islands' all-time leading scorer.

NC - Rafa Mentzingen: Despite having an early penalty kick saved, Mentzingen added to his league-best scoring total with another score from the spot in the 37th minute. The Brazilian also won six duels, five fouls and tallied four recoveries to earn a spot on the Team of the Week.

AVAILABILITY REPORT
 

CV: GK - Ofek Antman (out, injury), M - Mouhamed Dabo (out, suspension), F - Cherif Dieye (out, injury), D - Sam Strong (out, injury)

NC: D - Luke Croll (questionable, fitness)

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Tag(s): News  Union Omaha  Chatt Red Wolves SC  Richmond Kickers  So. Georgia Tormenta FC  North Carolina FC  Central Valley Fuego FC  Game Previews 

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