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Match Previews - 7.26.2023

By USLLeagueOne.com Staff, 07/26/23, 5:00PM EDT

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Northern Colorado, Madison look to build on historic seasons

'Mingos aim to build on record-setting season, extend dominance over Ibises

Matchup: Forward Madison FC (8-4-5, 3rd) vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC (6-8-3, 9th)
Venue: Breese Stevens Field; Madison, Wis.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Weather: Sunny, 88°
Broadcast: ESPN+
Hashtag: #MADvTRM
Series (First Meeting): 6-2-2, MAD (2019)

WHAT MATTERS
 
  • A tale of two feathers: The Ibises have historically struggled mightily against the 'Mingos, going 2-6-2 with a -9 goal differential. That said, South Georgia has found a bit more success in Madison with a 2-3-1 record. Additionally, Tormenta FC's midweek contest will set a record for the most matches played at Breese Stevens Field by an opponent (7), and an Ibis victory would also mean South Georgia would become the winningest opponent to play at the historic venue with three victories.
  • Record-breaking 'Mingos?: A Madison victory would see the 'Mingos push their points-per-match total up to 1.78 - a value that would be the sixth-best in league history if extended throughout the regular season. Should Madison maintain that pace (and Northern Colorado doesn't run away with the record), the 'Mingos would be poised to match North Texas' (2019) league record of 56 points in a single season.
  • Goals on the menu: Madison's 17 goals scored on South Georgia in 10 prior meetings is the most for the 'Mingos against a single opponent. That trend may continue as South Georgia have conceded a league-leading 6.35 goals more than expected. Tormenta FC's concession of 0.37 goals above expected per match would rank third all-time in league history should that number hold.
PLAYER TO WATCH
 
  • Matheus Cassini (TRM): Madison's leading goal contributor from a season ago will face his former side for the first time since departing for Statesboro in the offseason. Since returning from injury three matches ago, Cassini has tallied two goals and helped South Georgia to a 2-1-0 record. This season, the Ibises are 5-4-0 with a +6 goal differential with the Brazilian on the field compared to just 1-4-3 and -4 goal differential when he's not on the pitch.
AVAILABILITY REPORT
 
  • MAD: M - Julio Benitez (out, injury), D - Sam Brotherton (out, suspension)
  • TRM: None

Historic Hailstorm Hope to extend streak

Matchup: North Carolina FC (8-4-4, 5th) vs. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (10-1-5, 1st)
Venue: WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Weather: Partly cloudy, 91°
Broadcast: ESPN+
Hashtag: #NCvNCO
Series (First Meeting): 2-0-1, NCO (2022)

WHAT MATTERS
 
  • Best start in league history: While tied with Greenville's 2020 team for the most points through the first 16 matches of a League One season, Northern Colorado will already claim the most points through a team's first 17 matches regardless of Wednesday evening's result due to Greenville having only played 16 matches during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign.
  • Record in the bag?: Already on track to shatter the current record of most points in a regular season (North Texas, 2019; 56 points) with 70, a victory over Madison would not only extend the Hailstorm's unbeaten streak to 13 but would also bump the side's points-per-match total up to 2.24 - a figure that would set a new league record if maintained through the end of the season.
  • Push for the postseason in Cary: A North Carolina victory over Northern Colorado - which would be huge for NCFC in its quest to reach the postseason for the first time since 2019 - could see the fifth-place side jump as high as second place should Madison fail to defeat South Georgia up in Wisconsin. A win would also mean NCFC has claimed victory against every current League One side.
PLAYER TO WATCH
 
  • Billy King (NCO): The Scottish goalscorer has prolonged his stellar form to help Northern Colorado to a 12-match unbeaten streak. King scored the third of the Hailstorm’s three goals against Richmond last weekend to earn a position on the Team of the Week.
AVAILABILITY REPORT
 
  • NC: F - Shak Adams (out, personal), GK - Nick Holliday (out, injury), GK - Tor Saunders (out, injury), M - Jaden Servania (out, injury)
  • NCO: F - Irvin Parra (questionable, personal)

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Tag(s): News  Forward Madison FC  So. Georgia Tormenta FC  North Carolina FC  Hailstorm FC  Game Previews 

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