Reigning USL League One runners-up play host to Northern Colorado.
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC will head East once again, traveling to South Carolina to take on Greenville Triumph SC. Greenville has been one of the best clubs in the short USL League One history, claiming the 2020 championship after the season cancellation due to COVID-19 and advancing to the championship game in 2019 and 2021, coming up just short both times.
Greenville come into play as one of the hottest teams in the league, picking up nine points in their last five contests. Their goalkeeper Paul Christensen, has kept a clean sheet in each of the club’s victories this season. The five clean sheets are the most in USL League One going into Week 13. Greenville have also made their home quite the fortress this season, remaining unbeaten there thus far.
Up front Jacob Labovitz is the club leader in goals with four, tied for seventh in the league with Richmond Kickers’ Matthew Bentley. Greenville relies heavily on the trio of Allen Gavilanes, Jesús Ibarra, and Don Smart to help create chances going forward. Gavilanes leads the league in chances created with 25 and Ibarra and Smart each have 15.
Northern Colorado are coming off of their biggest win in club history at home against Central Valley Fuego FC. The match saw them score four in a come-from-behind win, courtesy of Lachlan McLean, Trevor Amann, Irvin Parra, and Marky Hernandez. It was a goal line save from keeper Thomas Olsen that sprung the counter attack that led to the game-winning goal from Amann.
McLean is making his return to the team where he played the previous two seasons. While playing with Greenville Mclean made 30 appearances and scored ten goals. McLean has been responsible for one goal and four assists this season in all competitions, providing an assist or goal in every Hailstorm victory this year.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT, 5:00 p.m. MDT at Legacy Early College Field in Greenville, South Carolina. Expect great weather for the match, temperature in the high 80’s with 50 percent humidity. The game, as with all USL League One, will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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.