Three matches, 12 goals. Three victors. We break down a summary of each match.
Richmond Kickers 3-2 Central Valley Fuego
Image courtesy Richard Hayes, RVA Hub
City Stadium had that dog in it on Saturday night, both figuratively and literally. On pups at the pitch night, Chandler O’Dwyer propelled his side to its first league victory since July 1st, 2023 with a brace. The utility midfielder-now-winger has three goals across all competitions, second only to Adrian Billhardt, who provided the equalizer.
Fuego entered the match shorthanded, both from injury and a red card suspension for José Carerra-García. With a bench just four deep (not counting the backup keeper), the squad put up a fight, equalizing on a Rob Coronado goal just after O’Dwyer’s first, and then going ahead early in the second half on a Zahir Vasquez goal.
In response to the Fuego go-ahead goal, Richmond immediately pulled offensive talent from its own bench, bringing in Ryan Sierakowski and João Gomiero. This injected new life into Richmond, with Billhardt scoring just two minutes later, and O’Dwyer’s second goal coming soon after.
Richmond will travel to Forward Madison this coming weekend for the first leg of the Henny Derby. The side did not appear to suffer any injuries this week, and Emiliano Terzaghi is expected back any day from a hand injury suffered near the end of pre-season.
Fuego will try to regroup this week as they host Chattanooga Red Wolves, a side that has not seen league action since March 15th. We haven’t heard too many details of the injury situation besides the fact that Jason Ramos is likely done for the season, but the side desperately needs reinforcements.
READ MORE: Photos & Game Summary: Kickers Break Non-winning Streak With Saturday Night Win (RVA HUB)
Greenville Triumph SC 3-1 Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
Lyam MacKinnon also scored a brace on Saturday night, his second in as many matches, as Greenville remains undefeated after four. The first was a penalty conversion just before the first half ended, after a foul by Hailstorm’s Chelo Martinez.
In the second half, Leo Castro quickly expanded the lead, assisted by Chapa Herrera, his first with Greenville. The defensive midfielder joined in the off season from El Paso of USL Championship.
Just minutes later, Lyam MacKinnon put it away for Greenville, the hosts going up 3-0. A 64th minute goal from Hailstorm’s Lucky Opara on a Jake Keegan assist would not be enough, and Hailstorm remains winless in three. It’s been a disappointing start Hailstorm’s 2024 road trip so far.
Greenville will travel an hour up I-85 to Charlotte Independence on Friday April 12th, while Hailstorm will have the weekend off before continuing its early season road trip at Chattanooga on Saturday April 20th.
South Georgia Tormenta FC 3-0 Lexington SC
Image provided by Tormenta FC
Lexington fans called it a must win, or at the very least, a must not lose match. Unfortunately, Tormenta FC had other plans, putting up a dominating performance against the free-falling pre-season favorites.
Gabriel Rodriguez got things started in the 8th minute with a Jackson Khoury assisted close-range shot to the top of the net, past Lexington keeper Austin Causey. The backup keeper got the start after regular Lexington keeper Amal Knight sat out on a red card suspension.
Later in the half, Lexington’s Daniel Chica, in his first start for the team, committed a foul against Tormenta’s Pedro Fonseca. Fonseca converted the penalty with ease, sending his side up 2-0 heading into halftime. Sebastian Vivas would come on in the second half and seal the win for Tormenta, assisted by a header pass from Jake Dengler.
Tormenta will the coming weekend off, and host Greenville on Sunday, April 21st. Greenville is undefeated in four matches and sits atop the table five weeks into the season.
Lexington will host Spokane on Sunday, April 14th, with a lot of questions to answer over the next week.
READ MORE: Tormenta stays hot, crushes Lexington 3-0 (Statesboro Herald)
Front page graphic image credits: Chandler O’Dwyer, Richmond Kickers: Richard Hayes, RVA Hub; Lyam MacKinnon, Greenville Triumph: Greenville Triumph; Gabriel Rodriguez, Tormenta FC: image provided by Tormenta FC.