Matchweek 20 is in the books as we get closer to wrapping up the regular season in the NISA league. We had four out of five matches played as Arizona Monsoon FC forfeited their match against Irvine Zeta FC earlier this week. Zeta FC was awarded a 3-0 victory and took three crucial points as they prepare for tomorrow night’s 405 derby against the LA Force. The Maryland Bobcats FC extended their unbeaten streak, the LA Force cruise in the Coast Highway derby against Capo FC, and Georgia FC got a win and a loss while their in-state rivals Savannah Clovers FC got a draw. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s recap all the NISA action.
Georgia FC 4 Club de Lyon FC 1 (September 4)
Georgia FC got off to a flying start and never looked back as they cruised to a 4-1 win over Club de Lyon FC at Silverbacks Park. Uriel Zarracan found the back of the net twice, while Fabian Rodriguez and Geovanni Rios Hernandez added a goal each for Georgia FC. Patrick Sandoval scored the only goal for Club de Lyon late in the second half, but it was not enough to spark a rally as Georgia FC got their first win since July 20 and claimed three points. Georgia FC also got a point against CDL in a 3-3 draw back on August 24. Club de Lyon FC will face the Maryland Bobcats FC on September 21.
Savannah Clovers FC 2 Michigan Stars FC 2 (September 4)
The Savannah Clovers FC fought back for a 2-2 draw against the Michigan Stars FC at Memorial Stadium. The Clovers got off to a good start with a goal from Alex Ainscough to pull Savannah ahead 1-0. Late in the first half of stoppage time, Anthony Bowie scores the equalizer for the Stars to tie the match at one just before halftime. Late in the second half, we had all the drama as Ainscough got his second yellow card for a foul and was sent off with a red card in the 79th minute. Shortly after, Bowie scored another goal, and the Stars went up 2-1 in the 81st minute. The Clovers countered, and Max Wilkins scored the equalizer for the Clovers to tie the match as both teams grabbed a point in a thrilling 2-2 draw. The Clovers host their rivals Georgia FC later today at 5 pm ET while the Stars look to avenge their midweek loss to the Bobcats in a rematch at the Plex later tonight at 7 pm ET.
Georgia FC 0 Maryland Bobcats FC 3 (September 7)
The Maryland Bobcats FC extend their unbeaten streak to 14 matches in league play after a 3-0 win against Georgia FC at Silverbacks Park. Recent signings by the Bobcats, former USMNT and D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid, and former Flower City Union striker Alioune Diakhate made their debut and made an immediate impact. All the Bobcats goals came in the first half, with Diakhate scoring the first goal of the match in the 11th minute. Travis Ward scored in the 23rd minute, and Tongwa Ake added one in the 27th minute to seal the win. Georgia FC’s two-match unbeaten streak ends while the Bobcats have been unbeaten for 17 matches, including the Independent Cup. Georgia FC will face the Savannah Clovers FC in the Georgia Derby while the Bobcats look to extend their unbeaten run against the Michigan Stars FC tonight.
Capo FC 0 Los Angeles Force 5 (September 7)
The Los Angeles Force dominated Capo FC in the Coast Highway Derby with a 5-0 victory at JSerra Stadium. Ahmed Shaibu Jr. scored the opening goal, Mouhamadou War scored twice, and Victor Blanco and Dante Brigida added a goal for the LA Force in this match. LA Force defender Ayden Bowers returned from injury after being sidelined for 148 days and came off the bench in the second half. The Force have been unbeaten in their last eight matches and will take on Irvine Zeta FC tomorrow night at Championship Stadium in the 405 Derby in the NISA Match of the Week at 10 pm ET. Capo FC has lost four consecutive matches, and their next matchup will be on September 21, on the road to battle the LA Force.
That’s the latest recap I have on Matchweek 20. What are your thoughts on Matchweek 20 in NISA? Let me know in the comments section below. I’ve had a busy week, so I got to this late, but I’ll have a new podcast episode out, a recap of Matchweek 21 matches, and more early next week to catch you up on NISA and NISA Nation. We are now a week away from the end of the NISA regular season and three weeks away before the NISA Playoffs kickoff.
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