Cary, NC – The Greenville Triumph Soccer Club hits the road for the regular season finale, as they travel to Cary to face North Carolina FC on Saturday, October 30th at 7:00 PM. Greenville is undefeated against NCFC this season, leading the season series 2-0-1.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Kick off: 7:00 PM, Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, NC
Streaming TV: ESPN+
International Stream: YouTube
Social Media: Greenville Triumph SC on Twitter
App: Download the Triumph app for free on Apple or Android
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Decision Day: This weekend’s focus is much larger than just the 90 minutes in Cary on Saturday night, though all the playoff scenarios for the Triumph following this weekend are contingent on getting points against a North Carolina FC side showing much better form than their last-place position in the table would suggest.
Though it pales in comparison to GTSC’s eight-match unbeaten streak, NCFC will be looking to end the season on a high note, entering Saturday’s match having won two of their last three matches. A 2-0 road upset of playoff hopeful FC Tucson a few weeks back has John Bradford’s side confident they might be able to spoil another club’s seeding hopes this weekend.
For Greenville, the challenge will be to keep focus on the task at hand Saturday while the playoff seeding picture shifts around them in real time. GTSC can climb as high as second place or fall as low as fifth depending on how things shake out, but the main goal will be preserving a home playoff-opening match, regardless of when that match takes place.
A Greenville win over NCFC combined with a Chattanooga loss or draw on the road at Madison would see the Triumph surpass or equal Chattanooga in points, and Greenville would own the tiebreaker with more wins. A second-place finish would assure the Triumph a home match AND a first round bye – a huge bonus for a club that’s seen a litany of injuries throughout the season.
Chattanooga-Madison results aside, Greenville can lock up the #3 seed with just a draw against NCFC. Should Greenville lose to NCFC, it opens the door for Richmond or North Texas to claim the third and fourth seeds – though those two clubs are mainly just focused on securing playoff berths with six clubs still fighting for the final three spots.
NEWS AND NOTES
Team Updates:
Midfielder Aaron Walker will not travel to North Carolina this weekend as he rests a hamstring injury ahead of the playoffs.
Injury Report: JJ Donnelly (F): Out for season – knee, Aaron Walker (M): Out – hamstring
