Off the back of their first USL League One win, Northern Colorado head to Chattanooga.
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC make their first trip to Chattanooga of the season with back-to-back wins in all competitions. It is a homecoming for three members of Northern Colorado this weekend. Head coach Eamon Zayed and midfielder Marky Hernandez formerly played as members of the Red Wolves. In addition, assistant coach Kevin Sawchak is coming back to where he was an assistant as well the previous two seasons.
Chattanooga come into play sitting in fourth in the league but are tied with four other teams on seven points for the top spot in the standings. This despite losing to FC Tucson and Greenville Triumph in their last two outings. The Hailstorm are three points behind in seventh and with two games in hand over the Red Wolves entering Saturday.
Carlos Avilez has been the main goalkeeper this campaign, starting four of their first five matches to open the season. Keeping one clean sheet thus far in addition to two saves this season. Defender Sebastian Capozucchi and midfielder Devin Benton lead the Red Wolves with 19 and 18 clearances respectively, helping the club to one of the best goal differentials in the league.
Thomas Olsen is the expected keeper for the Hailstorm after starting the last three matches in all competitions for the club. With the help of a strong back line, it has put Northern Colorado towards the top of the league in goals conceded per match.
On the offensive front, José Carrera-Garcia has been the biggest creator of chances going forward, allowing a number of Chattanooga players to end up contributing on the scoreboard. Midfielder Jimmie Villalobos leads the club with two goals, and midfielder Moe Espinoza leads with two assists, tied for most assists in the league.
A man to watch out for is Irvin Parra, having scored in the previous two league matches, helping put him in the running for USL League One Player of the Month for April. Another Hailstorm player to keep an eye on is Lachlan McLean. McLean has registered three assists in the five competitive matches so far this season, with all three resulting in game-winning goals.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EDT/5:30 p.m. MDT at the CHI Memorial Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Expect good weather for the match, with the temperature in the 70’s and some clouds at kickoff. The game, as with all USL League One and U.S. Open Cup games this season, will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC will play its home matches in the 6,500-seat TicketSmarter Stadium at the Future Legends Complex, the premier destination for sports and events in Northern Colorado. Season ticket deposits are being taken now.
Opening in 2022, the 118-acre Future Legends Complex will feature two stadiums, multiple baseball diamonds and multi-purpose fields, an indoor sports arena, lodging, and retail; and will host guests for major sports tournaments, events, leagues, and more.