Another week of NISA action is in the books, as we got through three matches over the last week. The postponement bug is still going around as the Michigan Stars FC vs. Georgia FC and Arizona Monsoon FC vs. LA Force matches were postponed over the weekend. We had two exciting draws last Wednesday between Georgia FC and Club de Lyon FC, followed by a thriller between the Maryland Bobcats FC and the Michigan Stars FC at the Plex. The lone matchup from the weekend was a 1-0 win for Club de Lyon FC over the Savannah Clovers FC. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s recap all the NISA action.
Georgia FC 3 Club de Lyon FC 3 (Wednesday August 21)
Georgia FC and Club de Lyon FC fought to a thrilling 3-3 draw last Wednesday at Silverbacks Park in Atlanta. This match was initially supposed to be played in Orlando but was moved to Atlanta due to CDL’s home venue not being available. Georgia FC struck first with a goal from Uriel Zarracan to take an early 1-0 lead. Pedro Hernandez Echeverria scored the equalizer just before halftime to tie the match at one. In the second half, Club de Lyon FC scored twice to take a 3-1 lead before Georgia FC rallied to score two late goals in the 82nd and 87th minute to tie the match at 3-3, the final score. Club de Lyon FC is now unbeaten in two matches, while Georgia FC is winless in its last two matches. Georgia FC will face Club de Lyon again in their next match on September 4 in Florida.
Maryland Bobcats FC 2 Michigan Stars FC 2 (Wednesday August 21)
In another thrilling match, the Maryland Bobcats FC and the Michigan Stars FC fought till the end in a 2-2 draw last Wednesday at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Despite dropping points at home, the Bobcats still extend their unbeaten streak to 12 league matches (15 including the Independent Cup) across all NISA competitions. Darwin Espinal pulled the Bobcats in front in the first half and scored his 11th goal of the season. The Bobcats would take a 1-0 lead into halftime. In the second half, Leon Maric snapped his nearly two-month goal drought, getting the equalizer for the Stars and were tied at one. In the 90th minute, Elijah Amo slots his shot past Stars goalkeeper Tatenda Mkuruva as the Bobcats retake the lead 2-1. It looked like Maryland would grab another win, but the Stars got a free kick chance late in stoppage time. As the ball goes into the box, Anthony Bowie somehow gets a foot to it and taps it into the back of the net as the Stars tie the match at the death 2-2 and grab a crucial point in the NISA Eastern Conference on the road. The Stars next match will be on the road on September 4 to take on the Savannah Clovers FC at Memorial Stadium, while the Bobcats will host Club de Lyon FC on Saturday.
Club de Lyon FC 1 Savannah Clovers FC 0 (Saturday August 24)
Club de Lyon FC claimed three points over the weekend at Lake Mary Stadium with a 1-0 win over the Savannah Clovers FC. After a scoreless first half, William Joe Wangu scored the lone goal for Club de Lyon FC in the second half to put this match away at home. Club de Lyon FC have gotten 7 points out of 9 in their previous three matches and will have a tough test this weekend on the road against the Maryland Bobcats FC, which they haven’t beaten this season. The Clovers are now winless in their last six matches and will return home next week on September 4 to take on the Michigan Stars FC.
That’s the latest recap I have on Matchweek 18. What are your thoughts on Matchweek 18 in NISA? Let me know in the comments section below. We have four matches on the NISA schedule this week, including one midweek matchup tonight featuring the OC Clasico as Capo FC host Irvine Zeta FC. Capo FC will be busy this weekend with a road trip with two matches against Arizona Monsoon FC on Friday and Sunday night. The Maryland Bobcats FC will look to return to their winning ways against Club de Lyon FC on Saturday. In case you missed it, please check out my interview with LA Force forward Mouhamadou War. I’ll have a new podcast episode out later this week.
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