There's an actual game this week

Sunsets at Tormenta Stadium never disappoint

There's a game this week, so I guess we should actually talk about the team as it stands now. There will be time for more nonsense and fun later, but it's time to get serious (or as serious as I get on here) about where the squad is going in to their first preseason game against Mercer University.

The most important thing to know about Mercer is that it is the alma mater of Head Coach Ian Cameron. A four-year midfielder for the Bears, he tallied 17 goals and 16 assists from 2007-2010. I would imagine it's pretty cool to be able, as a professional coach, to be able to face your alma mater and a place you served as an assistant coach for three years. 

Fortunately I don't have to imagine as Cameron said in a press conference recently that "they were a no brainer to bring in and give us a real stress test."

Friday will also be the first look at the revamped Tormenta lineup. (All positions taken from USL League One Updater as the Tormenta website hasn't been updated with the 2024 roster as of the typing of this sentence.)

 Ford Parker* will be manning the goal this season for Tormenta, replacing the departed Pablo Jara and TJ Bush.

Defensively, it could look similar to last year with Nick Akoto, Preston Kilwien, Jake Dengler returning and the addition of Aaron Lombardi from Chattanooga. Dengler may not play Friday as he's nursing an injury but he hopes to be able to play the remaining preseason games. Callum Stretch, Joshua Ramos and Collin Mocyunas will also be in the mix for playing time in the back for the revamped Tormenta defense.

This midfield will see Pedro Fonseca anchoring the middle while USL League One Young Player of the Year Jackson Khoury will be on the wing. Personally, I thought that duo worked well together, teaming up on a few goals where one assisted on the other's score. Conor Doyle brings a wealth of experience from Union Omaha and will likely provide leadership for a young team. Joining them in the midfield are Tavio D'Almeida, Daniel Steedman and Mason Tunbridge.

Up top Tormenta has Sebastian Vivas and Niall Watson as strikers as South Georgia said goodbye to Kazaiah Sterling and Arthur Bosua in the offseason.

Friday will be our first chance to get to see the 2024 edition of Tormenta on the field against someone else and Cameron has a few things he'd like to see.

"We've identified some aspects in possession. We've identified some aspects against the ball that we'd like to see shine through. But really, it comes down to attitude and aptitude that the boys display on the field," he said.

"And the big test is, if the Tampa Bay Rowdies came in, it's easy for the boys to get up for the game," he said. "We want to see guys who say 'We're playing somebody today. Let's go. And get to wear the Tormenta badge . This is my first time to represent this club. Let's go. I'm going to give everything.'

The first game is always a chance to see where a team is at and what they need to work on going forward and Friday's game is no different for Tormenta. 

Following Friday's game Tormenta returns to training before heading to Huntsville for the Blastoff Battle where they'll play on February 16 and 18 against Chattanooga FC and Huntsville City FC. 

*In addition to trying to spell Kilwien's name correctly all year, I'm going to spend a good two months trying to remember if it's Ford Parker or Parker Ford. It's one of those names that sounds good either way and for some reason I have it in my head that Parker is his first name.