We return to NISA league play after taking a two-week break for the first and second rounds of the 2024 NISA Independent Cup. The Bobcats continue their winning ways, the Stars are winless in four league games, and we had a classic in the 405 derby between the LA Force and Irvine Zeta FC. We’ve got plenty to cover, so let’s recap all the action from Matchweek 14.
Maryland Bobcats FC 5 Club de Lyon FC 3 (Wednesday July 17)
The Maryland Bobcats FC fought back, overturning a 3-1 deficit at halftime to come out on top with a 5-3 victory over Club de Lyon FC at the Maryland Soccerplex last Wednesday and extending their unbeaten run to nine matches in league play (11 across all NISA competitions after a 3-2 win over Alloy SC and 3-1 win over Baltimore City FC in NISA Independent Cup). Seven minutes into the match, Christian Aragon Ruiz’s goal gave CDL the early lead in the first half. However, 3 minutes later, Club de Lyon’s Ivan Arenas gave up an own goal to the Bobcats and were tied 1-1. Agustin Ruiz and Christopher Clement would add goals for Club de Lyon to take a 3-1 lead before the half. In the second half, the Bobcats stormed back, scoring four goals. Darwin Espinal scored a hat-trick in the 62nd, 67th, and 80th minute to pull the Bobcats ahead 4-3. Tyler Gabarra added an insurance goal late in the second half to put this match away as the Bobcats take this one 5-3 over Club de Lyon FC at the Plex and lead the NISA Eastern Conference with 30 points.
Georgia FC 1 Michigan Stars FC 0 (Saturday July 20)
On Saturday, Georgia FC snapped its four-match winless streak with a 1-0 victory against the Michigan Stars FC at Silverbacks Park. After a scoreless first half, Manoel Neto scored the lone goal in this match with an absolute golazo that beat Michigan goalkeeper Lucas Morefield to seal the win for Georgia FC. This was Georgia FC’s second win over the Michigan Stars this season. The Stars have been winless in their last five matches across all NISA competitions (0-1-4, including their recent 1-0 loss to Inter Detroit in the NISA Independent Cup). Both teams will be in action on Wednesday. Georgia FC will face the Maryland Bobcats FC in Dalton, GA, at Dalton Stadium while the Michigan Stars FC will host the Savannah Clovers FC at Romeo Stadium.
Savannah Clovers FC 0 Club de Lyon FC 4 (Saturday July 20)
Club de Lyon FC dominated the Savannah Clovers FC with a 4-0 victory at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Christian Aragon Ruiz found the back of the net twice, while Carter Burris and William Joe Wangu added their name to the scoresheet. The match was called off around the 80th minute after the match was delayed twice due to lightning in the area. CDL bounces back after a tough loss to the Maryland Bobcats midweek and moves into third place in the NISA Eastern Conference with 14 points. The Clovers have been winless in their last three matches and will be on the road on Wednesday to take on the Michigan Stars FC. Club de Lyon FC’s next match is the Southeast Regional final in the NISA Independent Cup, hosting UPSL side SC United Heat this weekend.
LA Force 2 Irvine Zeta FC 2 (Saturday July 20)
The NISA Match of the Week lived up to the hype in the 405 derby as the LA Force and Irvine Zeta FC battled to a 2-2 draw at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. In the first half, Zeta FC counters, and Edgardo Artero rips a shot to put Irvine in front in the 39th minute. Irvine Zeta FC would take a 1-0 lead into halftime. During the second half in the 65th minute, George Almeida doubles Irvine Zeta FC’s lead. It looked like Zeta FC would hang on to their 2-0 lead, but the Force would rally as Michael Salazar pulled LA within one in the 87th minute. In stoppage time, the Force gets a free-kick opportunity. Ronaldo Pineda connects with Dekel Keinan, and he goes for the header, which sneaks past Zeta FC goalkeeper Mitch North to snatch the late equalizer. The match ends in a thriller as the LA Force and Irvine Zeta FC split the points. This is the second time this season that Irvine Zeta FC has blown a 2-0 lead to LA, which happened in their first meeting on April 6. The story of this rivalry this season has been that Zeta FC hasn’t beaten LA at Veterans Memorial Stadium, and the Force hasn’t beaten Irvine Zeta FC at Championship Stadium. These two clubs will face each other two more times in the regular season and will most likely face each other again in the NISA Playoffs. With Arizona Monsoon FC forfeiting their match tomorrow against the LA Force, the next match for LA is the West Regional final in the NISA Independent Cup this weekend against UPSL side SC Union Maricopa, while Irvine Zeta FC host Capo FC on Wednesday.
Capo FC 3 Arizona Monsoon FC 2 (Saturday July 20)
Capo FC has won consecutive matches against Arizona Monsoon FC with a 3-2 win on Saturday night at JSerra Stadium. William Linas puts Capo FC on the board first to take a 1-0 lead into the half. In the second half, Parker Scalzo buries his penalty kick goal to give Capo FC a 2-0 lead in the 54th minute. In the 63rd minute, it’s Arizona Monsoon FC’s turn with a penalty kick, and Jesus Ruiz buries it, and it’s 2-1. Parker Scalzo adds another goal to put Capo FC up 3-1 in stoppage time. Arizona would strike back with a goal from Daisuke Otsuka to pull Monsoon FC within one, but it was too late as Capo FC held on for the 3-2 victory. Capo FC will go to Championship Stadium on Wednesday to face Irvine Zeta FC, while Arizona Monsoon FC’s next match will be on the road against the LA Force on August 7.
That concludes my NISA Matchweek 14 recap. Enjoy the midweek matches tomorrow, and I’ll have a new podcast episode out later this week.
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