Greenville Calling

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It's Peach State Derby Time

We're back to League One action this weekend as Tormenta and the Greenville Triumph close out the league's action with a Sunday night contest at Tormenta Stadium in the first round of the Peach States Derby's 2024 edition. If you're wondering why the game is on Sunday night, well, country music star and local legend Cole Swindell is in town for a concert Saturday night (I'm not going to make that one, but I hope those who go have a great time.)

For Tormenta, they're coming off their US Open Cup win against Miami FC Wednesday night that saw South Georgia fall behind just before halftime but rally in the second half for a 4-2 win. They'll face Charleston Battery of USL-Championship in the next round, while in the other matchup in the bracket MLS' Atlanta United who will face fellow League One team Charlotte Independence. 

Greenville, meanwhile, is fresh off a 3-1 loss to Louisville City Tuesday night in Kentucky in their Open Cup game. Greenville fell behind two minutes into the game and eventually fell behind by two before scoring in the second half to cut the lead in half. However a late goal in stoppage time quelled any hope of a comeback as the Triumph's Open Cup journey ended.

Both teams now turn their attention to league play where going into the weekend both teams sit near the top of the table. Greenville, in fact, is atop the League One Standings with 10 points through five games while Tormenta sits in third place with seven points through give games.

"We've got, on Sunday night, a very, very good Greenville team. We've watched them, and I'll be honest, I've loved watching them. I've loved analyzing them," said Ian Cameron following Wednesday's win. I think what (Greenville Manager Rick Wright) is doing with that group, and the foundation that obviously the previous coaches have given them, is really exciting to see." 

Lyam McKinnon and Leo Castro lead the Triumph offensively, with three and two goals respectively on a combined 23 shots through Greenville's first five games League One games.

Niall Watson and Gabriel Rodriguez lead Tormenta's attack with two goals each, while four other players have added a goal so far this season. 

Defensively, we've seen Callum Stretch paired with Jake Dengler in the middle the past two games with Preston Kilwien moving to outside back with Nick Akoto on the other side. That provides quite a bit of height in the Tormenta back line, making it difficult for teams to attack in the air against Tormenta. Kilwien spent last season and the beginning of 2024 paired with Dengler in the center before moving outside against Lexington to match up better with the Lexington attack and that continued Wednesday night in Miami. 

Goalkeeper Ford Parker has stopped 22 of 27 shots on the season as he's handled the League One games while Drew Romig has been in goal for the Open Cup games. Both have looked really good so far this year and it seems pretty clear that Cameron has confidence in whoever starts in goal.

Kickoff is set for Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Pay no attention to the rain in the forecast. (Actually, pay close attention to it and prepare accordingly.)

News and Notes:

An excellent breakdown of Ajmeer Spengler from USL League One Review

Conor Doyle was featured in Tormenta's Player Off the Pitch video series. 

Andrew Torres-Blanco recaps Tormenta's win in Miami.

Eugene, Oregon appears to be getting a USL1 team soon. 

Statesboro boys and girls bounced from state playoffs (I know it's not Tormenta/USL1 related, but I've got to promote my other work too. Just click it to make my editors think you read it.)

Update: Minutes after I posted this I found out it was Communications and Social Media Coordinator Noah Schroyer's birthday, so happy birthday to him today. 


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