Omaha and Charlotte knocked out undefeated sides, Madison and Richmond played to a thrilling draw, Ropapa Mensah scored a hat trick for Chattanooga and Lexington and Spokane also drew. Read on for a briefing of all the action in week 6.

One Knoxville SC 0-1 Union Omaha

Omaha goal: Steevan dos Santos 70′ (Blake Malone)
Attendance: 1,793

The Owls travelled to Knoxville and handed the host their first loss of the season. It was a fairly even match, and the next time these sides meet could just as easily go the other way. Ultimately it was Omaha keeper Rashid Nuhu with three key saves to ensure the clean sheet, with a 70th minute long range rocket of a goal from Steevan dos Santos to put it away.

Knoxville was missing the services of Angelo Kelly and Frank Ross in the midfield, which caused coach Mark McKeever to experiment with a slightly different lineup. Kempes Tekiela got his first league start, and was responsible for an early shot saved by Nuhu.

It was Omaha’s first league match in nearly a month, but after a slow start to the first half, things picked up. The team had plenty of time to train, and used its A-squad in the US Open Cup matches it did play, and had a near full strength roster for this match.

Omaha will host El Paso in midweek US Open Cup action, then will host Charlotte, another squad struggling with key injuries, on Saturday, April 20th. Knoxville will have the weekend off before traveling to Chattanooga on April 27th.

Knoxville roster updates: Kingsford Adjei, Angelo Kelly and Frank Ross missed the match for Knoxville. Jalen Crisler received a red card and will miss the next league match at Chattanooga.

Omaha roster updates: Anderson Holt and Will Perkins were left off the Omaha roster. Zeiko Lewis has yet to join the squad since his signing on March 28th.

Charlotte Independence 1-0 Greenville Triumph

Charlotte goal: Juan Carlos Obregón 51′ (Joel Johnson)
Attendance: 1,031

The second undefeated side to fall on Friday, Greenville was bested by hosts Charlotte Independence. Austin Pack saved six to keep the Jacks in the match, including a penalty shot from Lyam MacKinnon. An early second half goal from newcomer Juan Carlos Obregón put Charlotte ahead, all they’d need to seal the victory.

Greenville should still be considered a force, with those five open play shots on target. The visitors dominated almost every category throughout the match, including possession, duels won, and pass accuracy, along with an astounding 22 shots. This is a well-built squad, poised to make a deep run in both the regular season table and possibly the Jagermeister Cup. But sometimes a hot goalkeeper can get in the way, as Pack did on Friday.

Charlotte will host Rhode Island FC in midweek US Open Cup action, then travel to Omaha on Saturday April 20th. Both should be difficult tests in their ability to perform through injuries and rely on one of the best goalkeepers in the league. Greenville will travel to Louisville for mid week US Open Cup action, then to Tormenta on Sunday April 21st.

Charlotte roster updates: Omar Ciss, Shalom Dutey, Miguel Ibarra and Gabriel Obertan all missed the match with announced injuries. Dutey and Ibarra have yet to appear this season. Newcomer Noah Pilato made his Charlotte debut in the 85th minute, replacing Luis Alvarez.

Greenville roster updates: Sebastian Velásquez missed the match due to an undisclosed injury.

Forward Madison 2-2 Richmond Kickers

Madison goals: Derek Gebhard 28′ (Devin Boyce); Augustín Dávila 72′ (Wolfgang Prentice)
Richmond goals: Maxi Schenfeld 45+7′ (Zaca Morán); Adrian Billhardt 64′ (Arthur Bosua)
Attendance: 3,821

The first leg of the 2024 Henny Derby did not disappoint, and saw the sides play to a draw. Derek Gebhard struck first in the 28th minute, a shot that went through a tumbling Maxi Schenfeld and a sliding Dakota Barnathan. Schenfeld would find redemption as the half drew to a close with a multi-volleyed bicycle kick goal. The display would go on to make ESPN SportsCenter’s top ten plays of the day at number three, a full five slots ahead of a Lionel Messi goal in MLS action.

Adrian Billhardt would put Richmond ahead with a shot after a feed from Arthur Bosua in the 64th minute, but any thoughts Richmond fans had on retaking the derby quickly evaporated when Augstín Dávila responded for Madison just eight minutes later. The match turned chippy as the half wore on, with John Murphy and Maxi Schenfeld receiving yellow cards out of a fracas on the goal line. Timmy Mehl would receive his second yellow card and a subsequent red a few minutes later, leaving Madison down a man with four minutes plus stoppage time to go. With over ten minutes of stoppage, Richmond was unable to convert, and left Madison with the draw.

Richmond will host Loudoun United in mid week US Open Cup action, then host Spokane on Saturday, April 20th. Madison has the weekend off, and will travel to Lexington on Sunday, April 28th.

Madison roster updates: Christian Chaney missed the match due to injury, and is expected back by the end of the month. Timmy Mehl will miss the next match with a red card suspension. Cherif Dieye joined the squad last week, but did not appear on the roster.

Richmond roster updates: Emiliano Terzaghi did not appear on the roster as expected, sitting out another week due to a hand injury. Nathan Aune, Gui Franca and Toni Pineda all missed the match as well due to lower body injuries. Aune and Franca have not appeared in the regular season or US Open Cup.

Fuego FC 2-4 Chattanooga

Fuego goals: Zahir Vasquez 40′; Qudus Lawal 80′ (Ashkanov Appollon)
Chattanooga goals: Roapa Mensah 14′; Luis Coutinho 18′ (Mensah); Mensah 66′ (Stefan Lukic); Mensah 90+1′ (PK)
Attendance: 397

It was a miserable weather night in Fresno, but it didn’t seem to bother Chattanooga, playing its first league match (and first match against a pro side) since March 15th. Eager to prove themselves after a long break, Ropapa Mensah got things started in the 14th with an unassisted goal, and then assisted with a backheel to Luis Coutinho just four minutes later.

Fuego’s Zahir Vasquez would provide a goal for his side later in the half, his second in as many matches. But in the 66th minute, Mensah would strike again to expand Chattanooga’s lead. Qudus Lawal struck for Fuego in the 80th, but it would not be enough for the hosts. In the 91st minute, Fuego defender Ashkanov Apollon interrupted a Mensah breakaway in the box, conceding a foul. Mensah would put it away with ease to complete his hat trick, and seal what is sure to be player of the week honors.

Chattanooga will travel to Birmingham midweek before hosting Northern Colorado on Saturday, April 20th. Fuego returns to action at Spokane on Saturday, April 27th. The week off can’t come soon enough for the banged up squad.

Fuego roster updates: Deshaown Nembhard joined the squad during the week, and quickly found his way into the starting 11. The left back previously played for Tormenta, and was a free agent going into the 2024 season. Qudus Lawal rejoined the squad, subbing in, and scoring in the second half. Academy product David Kabamba also made his roster debut, but did not appear in match. Moe Espinoza continues to miss action with a lower leg/foot injury.

Chattanooga roster updates: none

Lexington SC 2-2 Spokane Velocity

Lexington goals: Yannick Yankam 26′ (Abel Caputo); Azaad Liadi 34′ (Christian Lue Young)
Spokane goals: Ahmed Longmire 19′ (Luis Gil); Luis Gil 37′ (Jack Denton)
Attendance: not announced

The first half of the weekend’s final match was a wild one, possibly giving a preview of what we can expect for the Jagermeister cup. Defense was optional, as each side gave up goals that they probably shouldn’t have. Luis Gil sent in a corner kick, headed in by an unguarded Ahmed Longmire to start things off for Spokane. Minutes later, Lexington’s Yannick Yankham blew through Spokane’s defense with ease after a pass from Abel Caputo, sending one by Spokane keeper Carlos Merciano.

Lexington took the lead in the 34th minute on an Azaad Liadi goal, his first for the team. But less than three minutes later, Luis Gil sent a bouncing shot from 36 yards out that went over Lexington keeper Amal Knight for the equalizer.

The second half did not see near as much action, and saw an unfortunate number of injury substitutions for Lexington, eating away at all available subs by the 82nd minute. They were effectively down a man in stoppage time, as Christian Lue Young was unable to play defense, but could not exit the match. However, Knight came through with a key save in the 98th minute, securing the draw for Lexington.

Spokane will travel to Richmond on April 20th, while Lexington will have a much needed week off, playing next on Sunday, April 28th against Madison.

Lexington roster updates: Ates Diouf missed the match due to injury. Modesto Méndez, Cameron Lancaster, Yannick Yankam and Azaad Liadi all exited the match due to injury, with Christian Lue Young limping on the pitch by the end of the match.

Spokane roster updates: Grayson Dupont continues to miss action due to injury. Marcelo Lage left the match in stoppage time due to injury.