PREVIEW: Greenville Triumph SC vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC
The USL League One season is in full swing, but the season will never quite feel fully up-and-running until we get the first meeting on Greenville and Tormenta. Last season, this was the marquee rivalry in the league and the two teams split their results about as evenly as they could.
Wednesday’s match is unique though. These teams are both undefeated through three matches and sit numbers one and two in the standings. If either side can notch a victory, it could go a long way to cementing their spot atop the rankings for quite some time.
What to Watch For:
- A Rivalry Renewed: In their four league meetings last season, Greenville only managed a 1–2–1 record against Tormenta. However, the Triumph do hold the distinction of knocking Tormenta out of US Open Cup last year. With each team having two victories in this budding rivalry, Wednesday’s matchup is sure to be must-watch.
- On the Road: While Tormenta has started hot this season, undefeated through three matches, they have done so entirely at home and in front of fans. This will be the first road test for Tormenta and the first match played in an empty stadium. How will that impact the team from Statesboro?
- Health Status: Greenville only had three field players on their bench over the weekend in Madison. They will get Brandon Fricke back to anchor the defense after his red card suspension. Max Hemmings is expected to return from injury any day now. But with the status of Colin Stripling, Evan Lee, and Harri Hawkins unknown, there is no certainty that the Triumph will be able to field a full 18-man roster.
Highlights from our opponents’s last match:
Key Players for South Georgia Tormenta FC:
- Joshua Phelps — #5 — defender: Joshua, Joshua, Joshua. The towering Tormenta defender has been a thorn in the side of Greenville’s attack since the first time that these rivals met. Phelps is a frustratingly physical defender and the official in Wednesday’s match will certainly have to set the tone regarding how physical they let this match become.
- Pablo Jara — #1 — goalkeeper: If their is another keeper in the league this year who could rival Dallas’s claim to his Goalkeeper of the Year title, it would be Jara. Pablo is going to be able to stop shots that are not near-perfect in their execution. Scoring will come at a premium in this match.
- Devyn Jambga — #16— forward: One of Tormeta’s new additions for this season is someone very familiar to Triumph Fans. Jambga played for FC Tucson last season and scored a brace at Legacy Early in the 3–1 defeat of the Triumph that in many ways launched the strong run for Greenville into the League One Final last year. Jambga is fast and dangerous and the back line will have their hands full with him on Wednesday night.
The CASHINHO “Take It To The Bank” Prediction:
On paper this match should be incredibly even. My head tells me this should be a draw. But my heart, well, that’s another thing entirely. Tormenta is making their first road trip of the season and will be playing in front of empty stands for the first time this year.
While Pablo Jara is a very good keeper, I have a feeling that he will let a few past him from Greenville’s new look attack. Getting Brandon Fricke back for the Triumph will help steady the back line and allow Dallas Jaye the opportunity for a clean sheet.
All that being said, I think this is an exciting match, but a comfortable win for the Triumph.
Greenville Triumph SC: 3— South Georgia Tormenta FC: 1
Match Info:
The match will take place at Legacy Early College Field in Greenville, SC at 7:00pm EST on Wednesday August 5, 2020. The game will be available on ESPN+ in the US and YouTube internationally.
Make sure you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and subscribe to the podcast for all the latest Greenville Soccer news.
