Red Wolves SC comes off of an impressive draw against Hailstorm FC while Fuego FC finally gets a match.
Red Wolves SC: What to Know
Last Result: a 0-0 draw hosting Hailstorm FC
What Red Wolves SC Brings from the Last Result: the largely new squad now has regular-season experience playing together. As we mentioned in our power rankings, this squad needs another week to see if they’re legitimate contenders, but all things considered, they played well against a strong Hailstorm FC side. And another shoutout to keeper Carlos Avilez who made eight saves to ensure this one didn’t end up a lot worse.
Red Wolves SC X-Factor: cohesion in week three. They have a match in hand, and a week to figure some things out. Walter Varela was able to land two shots on target in his debut, while the midfield dominated possession after an early Hailstorm onslaught. They seemed to have it together, and need to take that into this match. There are still some key players missing due to visa issues and possible injury, but any one of them returning could make an impact.
Available on the bench squad:
- NISA veteran Felipe Liborio replaced 19 year old Yahir Paez at right wing at the half.
- Moe Espinoza and Chevone Marsh came on late against Hailstorm FC in a last-ditch offensive effort.
- Aaron Lombardi came on for Nico Cardona in the second half.
- Pedro Hernandez and veteran midfielder Ualefi did not appear.
- JD Meyers backed up keeper Carlos Avilez.
Not Available or Questionable for Week 3: Ricardo Jerez (international call up), Jonny Guadarrama, Manuel Madrid, Ropapa Mensah (visa issues), Richard Rentería, Alex Tejera
Red Wolves SC Previous Week Setup
Opponent: Hailstorm FC
Result: DRAW 0-0
Fuego FC: What to Know
Last Result: PPD vs North Carolina FC
This will mark Fuego FC’s regular-season debut.
Fuego FC’s X-Factor: continuity. The club waited until the last minute but ended up bringing back 15 from their 2022 squad. If the chemistry is still there, they could roll right into 2023 without missing a beat.
Key additions: Othoniel Arce, José Carrera-García, Razak Cromwell, Harold Hanson, Omar Lemus, David Ramon
Arce, while not confirmed to be match-ready for this week, will make his debut in the league after a long career in Mexico.
Carrera-García captained Red Wolves SC in 2022 and will debut with his new club at his former home.
Key returnees: Ofek Antman, Villyan Bijev, Diego Casillas, Alex Cerritos, Jordan Chavez, Mouhamed Dabo, David Diaz, Cherif Dieye, François Dulysse, Victor Falck, Mitchell North, Jesus Partida, Ozzie Ramos, Sam Strong
Key departures: Christian Chaney (Forward Madison), Michael Hornsby (Richmond Kickers), Maxi Schenfeld
Chaney was the 2022 goals leader but departed for Forward Madison in the off-season.
Fuego FC faced Liga MX powerhouse Pachuca on March 25th in an international friendly, giving the league a good idea as to what to expect in regular season play. Jordan Chavez got the captain’s armband, continuing his role from 2022.
Notable missing from the roster included: Arce (signed after the match), Cromwell, Dieye, Dulysse, Ramon, Strong, and Vera. A group of academy players filled in from the bench.
Not Available or Questionable for Week 3: unknown
2022 Head to Head
Red Wolves win series 2-1-0
May 14: Red Wolves SC 2-2 Fuego FC
Red Wolves goals: Mentzingen, Galindrez
Fuego goals: Casillas,* Falck*
June 11: Fuego FC 0-2 Red Wolves SC
Red Wolves goals: Espinoza,* Galindrez
August 3: Fuego FC 0-1 Red Wolves SC
Red Wolves goal: Hernández
* Returns to club in 2023