We wrap up Matchweek 13 with some intriguing results to close the weekend. Club de Lyon FC finally defeats the Michigan Stars FC, the Maryland Bobcats FC extends its winning streak to eight matches, and Capo FC snaps its winless streak by shutting out Arizona Monsoon FC. There is plenty to cover today, so let’s recap all the action from NISA over the weekend.
Michigan Stars FC 1 Club de Lyon FC 3 (Friday June 28)
It took Club de Lyon FC six tries, but they finally took down the Michigan Stars FC on the road with a 3-1 win at Romeo Stadium on Friday. CDL wasted no time being aggressive with its attack from the start of this match. In the 15th minute, William Joe Wangu scored the opener for CDL to take a 1-0 lead. Club de Lyon almost doubled their lead just before halftime when Carter Burris shot in the box, but Stars goalkeeper Lucas Morefield got a foot to it for the save in the 36th minute. CDL would take a 1-0 lead into halftime. In the second half, CDL was called for a foul in the box in the 58th minute, and the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty kick opportunity for Michigan. Leon Maric takes it and buries the equalizer to tie this match at one. In the 74th minute, Club de Lyon pulled back in front with a goal from Lukas Berg to go up 2-1. In stoppage time, defender Pierre San-Rabens gets an excellent chance for the equalizer, but his shot goes wide off the net. A few minutes later, Yustin Serna scored the insurance goal to close out this match with an impressive performance on the road for Club de Lyon. CDL has won two of their last three matches as they prepare to face AS Frenzi in round 1 of the NISA Independent Cup on Saturday. The Stars have lost two of their previous three matches and will take on Inter Detroit next week in their opening NISA Independent Cup match.
Georgia FC 0 Maryland Bobcats FC 3 (Saturday June 29)
The Maryland Bobcats FC extend their winning streak to eight straight matches after a 3-0 shutout against Georgia FC. Both teams had a chance in the first half, as Darwin Espinal had an opportunity to give the Bobcats the lead in the 17th minute, but his shot sailed over the net. Late in the first half stoppage time, Victor Valencia rips a shot towards goal, but Maryland goalkeeper Jacob Boyle steps up for a huge save as we go into the half scoreless. Both teams had chances early on in the second half but couldn’t capitalize on those opportunities. In the 68th minute, Drew Wivell smashes his shot outside the box to put the Bobcats ahead with a 1-0 lead. In the 81st minute, Alhagi Lette was in action again, setting up Wilfred Tinay and delivering an excellent strike to give Maryland a 2-0 advantage. Tinay would add another goal in the 89th minute to seal the win for Maryland to extend their winning streak. The Bobcats will play Alloy SC in round 1 of the NISA Independent Cup on Saturday. Meanwhile, Georgia FC have lost four in a row and will also be in NISA Independent Cup action on Saturday as they host UMA FC at Dalton Stadium.
Capo FC 2 Arizona Monsoon FC 0 (Saturday June 29)
Gustavo Chavez strikes first for Capo FC, and Manuell Karuiki added another goal as Capo FC shut out Arizona Monsoon FC 2-0 for the victory. Both teams had chances in the first half but could not find the back of the net as we remained scoreless through halftime. In the second half, in the 52nd minute, Gustavo Chavez wasted no time with this excellent volley for this golazo that goes off the top left corner and in to put Capo FC on the board first. Arizona had a chance for an equalizer a few minutes later, but their shot went off target. In the 62nd minute, Capo FC went down to 10 men as Cole Simes was sent off after receiving his second yellow card after committing a foul. This was the second straight match Capo FC has had to play down a man. Arizona Monsoon FC could not find an equalizer despite having the man advantage. In the 77th minute, Capo FC had a corner kick opportunity as Pablo Martinez sent the cross towards the box, and Manuell Kariuki was there for the header and buried it to extend Capo FC’s lead by two, and that is how this match would end. Capo FC snapped its two-match winless streak and got its first win at home of the season. Goalkeeper Nate King earns a clean sheet for Capo FC. Meanwhile, Arizona Monsoon FC is still without a win this season and has extended its winless streak to nine matches. Capo FC will face Albion Silicon Valley, while Arizona Monsoon FC will host SC Union Maricopa in their respective NISA Independent Cup matches this Saturday.
That concludes my NISA Matchweek 13 recap. You all enjoy your Fourth of July holiday weekend and don’t forget to check out my NISA midseason report later this week.
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