This weekend, we kick off Matchweek 9 with three matches, including a Clovers versus Bobcats rematch, Club de Lyon hosting the Stars, and Arizona Monsoon FC back on the pitch to face Irvine Zeta FC. Here is my preview of Matchweek 9 in the NISA league.
Savannah Clovers FC vs Maryland Bobcats FC (Saturday June 1)
Memorial Stadium – Savannah, GA
Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET
This will be the third meeting between these two sides this season. It’s been one side so far, as the Maryland Bobcats (4-0-1, 12 points) won the first two meetings 3-0 and 2-0, respectively. The Bobcats are on a three-match winning streak after overcoming a 1-0 deficit to escape the Plex with a 2-1 win over Georgia FC last week. The Savannah Clovers (2-1-4, 7 points) got a late draw at home over the weekend, thanks to Roddy Green getting a late equalizer to grab a point. That was Green’s second goal of the season, so the Bobcats backline needs to keep an eye out for him. Maryland sits second in the NISA Eastern Conference with 12 points, while the Clovers are fourth with 7 points. The Clovers have gotten four points out of their last three matches but haven’t been able to score against the Bobcats. Meanwhile, Maryland looks to keep pace with Michigan Stars FC and widen the gap in the table between them and Georgia FC, Savannah Clovers FC, and Club de Lyon FC. Darwin Espinal has scored in four out of the last five matches for the Bobcats, so he’ll be someone to watch. Let’s see if the third time will be the charm for the Clovers or if the Bobcats grab another three points at Memorial Stadium.
Club de Lyon FC vs Michigan Stars FC (Sunday June 2)
Showalter Field – Winter Park, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
It’s been a while since we last saw these two sides battle on the pitch. In their last meeting, the Stars needed two late goals from Niels Lellouch to grab three points at Romeo Stadium on April 27. Club de Lyon FC (1-2-3, 5 points) and the Michigan Stars FC (5-0-1, 15 points) were supposed to meet on May 18 at Romeo Stadium last month, but that match was postponed. Now we head down to Central Florida, where CDL will look for a different result against Michigan, as they’ve yet to beat the Stars in their previous four meetings. The Stars are first in the NISA Eastern Conference, while CDL is at the bottom with 5 points. Club de Lyon is on a two-match winless streak, and their last and only win this season was a 3-1 victory against Georgia FC on May 3. CDL got a 1-1 draw in their last match on the road against the Savannah Clovers FC. The Stars have bounced back in the win column after avenging their 4-1 loss to Georgia FC a few weeks ago and have gotten a 2-0 victory over them this time. Michigan has won five out of their last six league matches. Praise Maduekwe will be someone to watch, as he scored in their previous match. I wonder if Head Coach Juan “Burrito” Martinez will play in this match for Club de Lyon to spark up this attack. Even though he didn’t play in their last match, he is still the club’s leading scorer, with three for the season. Otherwise, someone else will need to step up for CDL on Sunday.
Arizona Monsoon FC vs Irvine Zeta FC (Sunday June 2)
Willow Canyon Stadium – Surprise, AZ
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
After being idle for a few weeks, Arizona Monsoon FC (0-1-3, 1 point) returns for their second home match to take on Irvine Zeta FC (2-3-1, 9 points). Their last meeting was on April 28 in a 4-0 defeat for Arizona at Championship Stadium against Irvine Zeta FC. Arizona is on a four-match winless streak and hasn’t played since May 12 in their home opener with a 3-1 loss to the LA Force. Irvine Zeta FC has 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss in their last four league matches. Zeta FC is second in the NISA Western Conference with 9 points, while Arizona Monsoon FC is at the bottom with 1 point. You have to watch George Almeida, who has scored in Zeta FC’s last two matches. Arizona will need to get some goals for this club to have a shot of an upset here. Monsoon FC has only scored 2 goals and gave up 12 goals so far this season. For Zeta FC, this is an opportunity for them to further distance themselves from Capo FC, which sits third in the Western Conference.
Clubs not in action this weekend: Capo FC, Georgia FC, LA Force
It should be another exciting weekend of matches in the NISA league. Don’t forget that you can watch all the matches on NISA+. Enjoy all the matches this weekend, and I’ll see you next time.
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