Tormenta FC vs Richmond Kickers Match Preview
October 11th seems so long ago, but that was when these two teams last met in what would end in a 2-2 draw. On Friday night, both teams will get a fresh start to their seasons when they meet in Statesboro. Tormenta recently signed Oscar Jimenez and Yaniv Bazini to their roster in moves that should have fans excited as both players are proven winners. Jimenez alone has been part of two USL Championship titles with Louisville City and Bazini was part of the storybook Vermont University team last year. It will be very interesting to see just how much these two are utilized in this first game of the season.
Earlier this week, both Sebastian Vivas and Niall Reid-Stephen were named as 2 of the 14 forwards to watch this season, and rightfully so. Vivas is a Tormenta fan favorite and was the leading scorer last season and created plenty of chances throughout the season. Reid-Stephen is moving quickly up the ranks though where just last year he was playing for Appalachian FC of the NPSL and Asheville FC of the USL League Two. With both teams, he helped them advance through the playoffs. Additionally he has been a force with Barbados National Team, scoring 10 goals and 2 assists in his last 8 senior caps. Safe to say there will be some fire power for Tormenta.
For Richmond, they are coming off a disappointing end to their season last year, losing in the first round of playoffs to eventual league champions Union Omaha 1-0. Much like Tormenta they are bringing some top scoring threats to the match. Richmond brought back Emiliano Terzaghi, who is a three-time USL1 Golden Boot winner, and Chandler O’Dwyer, who led Richmond in goals last year. Richmond also has 19 year old goalkeeper James Sneddon coming back this year. Last year, he tied the longest clean sheet streak by a debutant goalie. Richmond will come out looking to score and make you work for a goal.
It would be safe to say that this Friday night under the bright lights in Statesboro, Georgia, you could see some fireworks as two potential playoff teams in the USL League One take to the pitch in the league opener. This is a match you wont want to miss, so if you find yourself in South Georgia come on out and join the fun. I will have complete analysis and reviews from post match this weekend.