Tormenta heads north to take on Lexington

Photo Credit: Tormenta FC
Aaron Lombardi and Tormenta take on Lexington Saturday.

Hi again everybody. We're back, though this preview will likely be a little shorter than usual. (I'm sorry and/or you're welcome, whichever is appropriate in your case) as this week has been busy. Also, sorry about the title... I realize that, at least this season, Tormenta is always headed somewhat north for their games, but I couldn't think of a good title for this.

Tormenta is off to the land of horses as they take on Lexington Saturday night. That's not fair, I'm sure there is lots to do in Lexington besides horses. It was ranked 10th in the Summer Travel Guide rankings so that's pretty good. (Wait, I'm being told that was out of 12 places. Well, it was ranked by a 15-year old who can't go to the distilleries, what did you expect?) Nevertheless, Tormenta heads up to Kentucky in a matchup of two teams who have not had things go their way this season.

Lexington came in to the season as the favorite to win the league among many prognosticators. There were big expectations after such signings as Cameron Lancaster who has scored the third most goals in USL Championship history. You don't sign that kind of player, especially one who is only 31, if you don't have high hopes for competing for a title.

Suffice it to say, things have not gone according to plan for Lexington. While they're playing well in the Jagermeister Cup where they sit atop the Central Group with 11 points through five games, the same can not be said for regular season play. In League One action, Lexington currently sits at 1-5-3 (W-L-D) and have not won in league action since a 1-0 win over Chattanooga all the way back on March 15, the second week of the season. 

Lexington has only scored eight goals in their nine League One games, while surrendering 18 and there may be a way to outperform your season statistics, but it's really, really hard to overcome a -10 goal differential. Even in Jagermeister Cup action, despite being 3-1-1, they only have a +1 goal differential. 

Tormenta, meanwhile, have had their own struggles this season, not having won in regulation time since a 4-0 win over Chattanooga back on May 18. Since that win, South Georgia has gone 0-2-2 with a pair draws and two one-goal losses to Knoxville and Chattanooga. 

On the year, South Georgia has 17 goals in their 12 league matches so far, but they've also surrendered 17 goals on the year. Tormenta is creating chances, with five players in the top 20, led by Jackson Khoury, Nick Akoto (13 each) and Ajmeer Spengler (12). 

Following last Friday's 1-0 loss to Knoxville, Tormenta manager Ian Cameron stressed that his team needed to improve on the small details that can decide a game. He pointed out that Knoxville's goal came off a throw-in and they'd stressed the importance of defending those. Cameron also said they failed to execute on a free kick despite working on it all week in training.

Tormenta defeated Lexington 3-0 in their previous matchup this season with Pedro Fonseca, Gabriel Rodriguez and Sebastian Vivas all scoring for South Georgia. 

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Lexington and can be seen on ESPN+. 

Tormenta News and Notes:

Talique Cobb has been named Coordinator, Social Media and Communications for Tormenta, moving over from the ticketing and fan engagement side of the South Georgia front office. (Selfishly, I'm excited I don't have to get to know someone new to work with and I'd already known him from his other role with Tormenta.)

Goakkeeper Drew Romig was nominated for Save of the Week.

There's a Tormenta Watch Party beginning at 6:30 at the Clubhouse in Statesboro.