Greenville, SC – The Greenville Triumph return to Legacy Early College this Friday for their second-to-last home match of the shortened 2020 season. Orlando City B will step onto the Legacy pitch for the first time in 2020 for the first of two matches between the sides. The last time Orlando City B played at Legacy Early College, the Florida side pulled off a 1-0 upset against the playoff-bound Triumph, dashing Greenville’s hopes of hosting a home playoff match.
This season, OCB has faced similar challenges to last season, losing its’ last three and collecting just six points this season, while Greenville comes in to the match on the heels of an undefeated September.
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scouting ocb
Orlando City is a one-match wonder so far this season, sitting at the bottom of the table with a record of 1-6-3 for a total of six points. At this point, Orlando’s final hopes are nonexistent. However, that doesn’t mean the Florida side is irrelevant. In fact, for Greenville, OCB is one of the most important clubs through the final stretch, as OCB will take up two of Greenville’s last four matches. And remember: OCB was on a six-game losing streak when they handed Greenville a late-season loss in 2019.
There are no easy games in this league, as head coach John Harkes has made clear to his team this week. Orlando City can be classified under the unpredictable category, and a team with nothing to lose, there’s really no telling which OCB team will show up: one that’s just hanging on by a thread mentally or one that’s determined to make waves through the last few matches of the season.
Their attack continues to run heavily through Moises Tablante and Wilfredo Rivera while their defensive presence has seen two different goalkeepers as of late. OCB has scored just seven goals this season while giving up 16, fourth-most in the league behind a Tucson side that Greenville will face next week.
what to watch for
Greenville’s Game: This match — the tempo, the rhythm, the quality — is in Greenville’s control. On paper, this should be a match where the Triumph gets on the score sheet early and dominates the run of play. The key will be playing up to their capability.
Performances: On that same note, Coach Harkes has preached to his team that performances, not wins and losses, are what matters. That mentality has worked well for Greenville through the last two years, and this match will be viewed with that ideal in mind. In training this week, Greenville has focused largely on keeping the ball more so legs are saved and the defense isn’t under constant pressure. Last weekend, the league-leaders gave the ball away too easily in the final third which caused for a heavy transitional game with North Texas.
Linking Up: For the first time last weekend, we got a glimpse of Greenville’s top scoring threats, Jake Keegan and Lachlan McLean, finally on the field at the same time. Their joint movement off the ball and the defensive spaces they filled forced several turnovers for Greenville. There is room for improvement in regards to their spacing and connection with each other, so look for Keegan and McLean to be closer together in hopes to combine more going forward.
High Press: Last week, we saw Greenville high press North Texas. It was an ownership aspect to the game that Harkes gave to his players — press when you see fit. We can all agree it was executed at an extremely high level and led to quite a few chances for Greenville on the attacking end. With a young and unsteady OCB defense, it wouldn’t be surprising to see that same game plan implemented once again.
Most Recent Lineup, Greenville: Jaye, Polak, Murillo, Lee, Fricke, Morrell, Walker, Donnelly, Pilato, Keegan, McLean.
Most Recent Lineup, Orlando: Aviza, Halliday, Rosales, Rosario, Williams, Amer, Guske, Quintero, Tablante, Lamb, Rivera.
NEws and notes
Team of the Week: Two Triumph players were named to League One’s Team of the Week (Week 11) after a 1-0 victory against defending league champions. Last week it was Brandon Fricke’s performance that got the weekly nod while this week, it’s defender Evan Lee making his first Team of the Week appearance. Lee won 6 of 8 duels, made two interceptions and completed 26 of 35 passes in an overall strong performance from Greenville. Jake Keegan, Triumph’s Man of the Match, scored the decisive goal in Triumph SC’s 1-0 win against North Texas SC and won 9 of 11 duels and 4 of 6 tackles.
Championship Rings: Last week, defender Cesar Murillo was given his 2019 League One Championship ring as a former member of the North Texas Soccer Club. With high playoff hopes in Greenville this season, Murrillo could become the first League One player to win two championships. In case you missed it, check out Cesar’s ring here. You can also listen to how the El Paso native made his way to the Upstate by clicking here.
New Leaders: Alex Morrell now leads the league in assists with five after connected with Jake Keegan for the late goal in last Friday’s match vs. North Texas. Dallas Jaye remains well ahead of everyone in the Golden Glove race.
Injury Report: Defenders Harri Hawkins (knee) and Abdi Mohamed (foot) have returned to practice in a limited capacity. Midfielder Max Hemmings continues to participate in full training as he hears a return from his 2019 ACL injury. In last Friday’s match, midfielder and co-captain, Aaron Walker, suffered a head injury that saw him unable to return to the game. Walker is under concussion protocol and is doubtful to play in this Friday’s match. Carlos Gomez continues to be sidelined while recovering from shoulder surgery.
Standings: For twelve straight weeks, the Triumph have held the top spot in the league with 28 points through 12 games played. After playing Wednesday and Saturday of last week and collecting two wins, Richmond regained its’ position as the second place team with 20 points through 10 games played. The Kickers beat Fort Lauderdale CF 2-1 on Wednesday night before shutting out Union Omaha on Saturday. Despite the loss on Saturday, Omaha was able to add three last night in a 3-2 win over Fort Lauderdale CF. That win keeps Los Buhos right beneath the playoff cut with 19 points through 12 games played. Greenville will welcome Union Omaha to Legacy on October 18th for the last home match of the 2020 regular season.
Numbers By Cash: As we get into the final stretch, there are some numbers Greenville Triumph fans might want to know. So, we brought in @GVLSoccerGuy, Chris Ashley, for the breakdown. Five points needed to clinch playoff spot. 11 points needed to host the final. Teams to keep an eye on: Richmond (hosting potential). Forward Madison and Union Omaha (clinching potential).
Club News: Several weeks ago, the Triumph also released a statement regarding societal issues and unity. You can read the club’s statement by clicking here.
upcoming
Greenville will travel to face FC Tucson for the first time this season on October 10th at 10pm ET before returning home to Legacy for one last regular season match on October 18th vs. Union Omaha. Including Friday’s match, there are just four games left of the 2020 regular season.
MATCH WEEKEND DEALS
Coastal Crust: Come to Coastal Crust Pizza on Triumph match days and use code word “Triumph” to receive one glass of Impero Montepulciano, Impero Pinot Grigio Trebbiano or Peroni with the purchase of a pizza or pasta.
*One drink per one pizza/pasta. Kids pasta does not qualify. This is applicable to dine-in only. Customers cannot substitute for a different wine/beer.
Southern Culture Hospitality Group: Head to Habitap to watch Triumph matches on their big screen get half off your first beer by wearing your Triumph gear! Getting take-out? LTO Burger Bar is offering a match day curbside pick-up discount…get 10% off with online code “Triumph”.
Happy Hour: Enjoy $1 beer and sodas from 6-7pm.
Item of the Week: All Triumph headwear is currently on sale! Click here to shop.
Clean Sheet. Clean Car: If the Triumph earn a clean sheet (meaning no goals allowed), you can get $3 off a Top Wash the day after at Fins Car Wash, no promo code required.
Tailgate Package: Download the Chick-fil-A app to earn special rewards the Monday after each match. Simply order food from the Pelham Road location, and put Together We Triumph in the special instructions box.
