It’s Week 7 in the 2021 USL League One season, so chronologically speaking, we’re just about a quarter of the way through the season. Someone must have finally told Toronto FC II that playing matches helps your chances at winning the league. Welcome back to league action, Toronto. It’s been almost 900 days since they’re last league match. Disney+ was released a month later, so we know what they’ve been doing in their downtime.
All of the Week 7 matches are on Saturday evening, so cancel the gender-reveal party and graduation parties. It’s time to settle in for another exciting week of League One action.
| Richmond Kickers | vs. | North Carolina FC | 5:30 PM (CST) | City Stadium Richmond, VA | ESPN+ |
Despite finding themselves in fourth place, Richmond has had a strong start to the 2021 season. The only losses they have suffered came at the hands of Greenville (1st place) and Fort Lauderdale (3rd place), both losses by a single goal. Emiliano Terzaghi has been a welcome addition to the team, having scored a third of the teams goals. The Kickers have been offensive creators, especially with the trio of Zacarías Morran Correa, Jonathan Bolanos, and Matthew Bolduc.
North Carolina hasn’t had the start they dreamed of after changing leagues from USL Championship to USL League One. Winless after two matches, they look to change their fortune with a short visit to their northern neighbors. Both losses came under difficult circumstances: an early penalty kick and a late header against Greenville and an extra-time goal against Forward Madison. NCFC has shown plenty of heart to match their skills, so the trip home could be a fun celebration.
| Chattanooga SC | vs. | Fort Lauderdale | 6 PM (CST) | CHI Memorial Stadium Chattanooga, TN | ESPN+ |
It’s been a long wait for Chattanooga fans, but they’re being rewarded with the first home match of the season. The downside: they host the formidable Fort Lauderdale club. Ricky Ruiz has been creator on the right side and Angel Espana has shown the league that he is a super sub, coming off the bench last week against New England Revolution II and scoring two goals in seven minutes. Tune in to see if the Red Wolves can continue their current undefeated streak.
Fort Lauderdale has seen their own fair share of highs and lows. Their record so far this season has gone like this: loss, win, loss, win, loss, and win. I’m no genius, but I’m sensing a pattern to their results. Shaan Hundal and Venton Evans are a high-scoring duo for the south Florida club. While the team has scored the most goals, they’re tied for allowing the most goals, too. Look for this match to be highly competitive and thoroughly entertaining.
| Tormenta FC | vs. | Greenville Triumph | 6 PM (CST) | Erk Russell Park Statesboro, Georgia | ESPN+ |
It’s been a tough season for South Georgia Tormenta FC. Entering the seventh week of the season, Tormenta has won once and lost four matches, letting in eight goals. Luckily, their record at home is a little bit better: one win and one loss, allowing a total of only two goals. They’re going to need every advantage on their side as Greenville Triumph comes to town. The reigning League One Champion will enter Erk Russell Park looking for redemption after their nationally-televised match against Union Omaha didn’t go quite as well as they had hoped. The Triumph don’t like ties, especially when it’s in the spotlight. On the other hand, Tormenta FC could take advantage of that anger and force enough errors to bring home a result that gives them at least a point. Because of that storyline, this one could be an interesting match to watch.
| Toronto FC II | vs. | North Texas SC | 9 PM (CST) | Grande Sports World Casa Grande, AZ | ESPN+ |
Yes, they are from Toronto. Yes, their home matches are being played in Arizona. You read everything correctly. Remember that thing called COVID-19? Well, apparently it’s made things difficult for Canadian sports team to cross the border into America. We should all be thankful for Casa Grande allowing the club to make a temporary home out of their city. The Young Reds will only play three home matches in Casa Grande before relocating to Florida, where they will be closer to the MLS squad. Since the club is starting so late in the season, they’ll be playing one weekend match and one midweek match every week until June 30th. Despite their scheduling, the team has been staying at a resort in Arizona where they have had access to several soccer fields, a gym, a pool, and many other amenities. The team looks to start the season strong and they’ll do so against a very interesting North Texas SC club.
North Texas SC is a lot like a recipe you find online: the pictures and ingredients make it look good, but then you try it and something seems off kilter and you don’t know why. The club has a roster full of quality players, but the results have been puzzling. After opening the season with a big win in Week 3, the team turned around and suffered a big loss in Week 4. Since then, the club suffered a close, one-goal loss and returned the favor the next week to win by a single goal. The team has moved the ball well, but hasn’t turned their possession into a lot of chances on goal. Despite allowing four goals in Week 4 against Greenville, they haven’t allowed more than a goal scored in a match since then. So who will show up on Saturday evening: Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? Tune in to find out.
Regardless of the match, or matches, you decide to watch, there’s plenty of entertaining storylines to follow. Way better than cleaning up the pink or blue powder at the gender reveal party, or seeing someone celebrate finishing a school and starting another. Trust me, it’s not coming from a state of pessimism. It’s more like an eye-opening rationale to help you embrace what makes you happy this weekend. You’re welcome and have a great weekend.
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