North Carolina look to extend lead atop table against hungry Richmond side

Matchup: Richmond Kickers (6-7-8, 7th) vs. North Carolina FC (11-4-4, 1st)
Venue: City Stadium; Richmond, Va.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Weather: Partly cloudy, 84°
Broadcast: ESPN+
Hashtag: #RICvNC
Series (First Meeting): 7-3-2, NC (2018)

WHAT MATTERS

• Old foes clash again: Just two days after announcing its return to the USL Championship in 2024, North Carolina will face a Richmond side in a rivalry that originated back in the 2018 USL Championship season. Despite NCFC's dominance over the Kickers in recent seasons, Richmond is 2-1-2 against North Carolina at City Stadium.
• Trending in opposite directions: A North Carolina win or draw would see the side record its longest unbeaten streak since the 2011 NASL season, while a Richmond loss or draw would account for the Kickers' longest winless streak since its debut League One campaign in 2019.
• Oalex returns to Richmond: Oalex Anderson - North Carolina FC's leading scorer this season - will go up against his former club for the fourth time since departing Richmond following the 2021 season. The striker is seeking his first victory at City Stadium since a 3-2 Kickers win over Madison on Oct. 16, 2021.

PLAYER TO WATCH

• Simon Fitch (RIC): The hometown defender completed over 90% of his passes, delivered eight accurate long balls, won five duels and three chances created. Fitch maintained the highest passing score on the week, according to American Soccer Analysis.

AVAILABILITY REPORT

• RIC: F - Ethan Vanacore-Decker (out, injury)
• NC: F - Shak Adams (out, injury), D - Luke Croll (out, injury), GK - Nick Holliday (out, injury), D - Daniel Navarro (out, injury), F - Nathan Ntalu (out), M - Pecka (out), GK - Tor Saunders (out, injury), M - Jaden Servania (out, injury)

South Georgia, Central Valley eager to get back to winning ways

Matchup: South Georgia Tormenta FC (7-10-3, 9th) vs. Central Valley Fuego FC (5-12-2, 11th)
Venue: Optim Sports Medicine Field at Tormenta Stadium; Statesboro, Ga.
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Partly cloudy, 86°
Broadcast: ESPN+
Hashtag: #TRMvCV
Series (First Meeting): 2-2-0 (2022)

WHAT MATTERS

• Another win for Fuego FC?: Central Valley has scored seven goals in an even 2-2-0 all-time series against South Georgia. One more goal and one more win against the Ibises would set and match a Fuego FC record, respectively.
• Second-half surge?: While seven wins through 21 matches is a new low for defending League One champs, its also the same amount of wins Tormenta FC's 2022 team had through that same stretch before making a late run to claim the title.
• Time on the ball: South Georgia averages the second-best possession (53%) this season while Central Valley averages the second-worst (47%).

PLAYER TO WATCH

• Kazaiah Sterling (TRM): Sterling has accumulated seven goal contributions across his last six matches to help Tormenta FC to a 3-3-0 record during that span.

AVAILABILITY REPORT

• TRM: D - Nick Akoto (out, suspension), D - Jake Dengler (questionable, injury)
• CV: GK - Ofek Antman (out, injury)

TEAM PREVIEWS

• South Georgia

'Mingos aim to fend off Red Wolves

Matchup: Forward Madison FC (9-5-6, 5th) vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (4-11-5, 12th)
Venue: Breese Stevens Field; Madison, Wis.
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Weather: Partly cloudy, 79°
Broadcast: ESPN+
Hashtag: #MADvCHA
Series (First Meeting): 3-2-6, CHA (2019)

WHAT MATTERS

• Recent Red Wolves run: The last time Madison defeated Chattanooga was back on Oct. 30, 2021 - the last day of the 2021 League One season. Since then, the 'Mingos are 0-2-2 with a -5 goal differential against the Red Wolves.
• Struggling on the offensive end: Both Madison and Chattanooga have struggled to score. The 'Mingos have accumulated the third-fewest goals (25) - the fewest amongst teams in a playoff position - and the Red Wolves have recorded the second-fewest goals in the league (21).
• Debut for Da Silva?: Former USYNT, MLS and USL Championship winger Pierre Da Silva could make his Madison debut on Wednesday evening after signing with the club yesterday. Da Silva's debut could come against current Chattanooga midfielder and former Orlando City B teammate Ryley Kraft.

PLAYER TO WATCH

• Carlos Avilez (CHA): Avilez totaled three saves and matched a week-low one goal conceded to help the Red Wolves earn a point in Fresno. The former United States and Mexico youth international recorded the second-best goals-added mark on the week among goalkeepers, according to American Soccer Analysis.

AVAILABILITY REPORT

• MAD: M - Julio Benitez (out, injury)
• CHA: M - Moe Espinoza (out, injury), D - Aarón Lombardi (out, injury), M - Alex Tejera (out, injury)

TEAM PREVIEWS

• Madison
• Chattanooga