September 29, 2021

Stumps Head West Eyeing Top of League

MATTHEWS, NC – With a trio of consecutive 1-0 victories surging club confidence, Stumptown AC heads west to southern California for the front end of a home-and-away series with second place LA Force. The sides will play in Santa Anita, CA on Saturday evening at 10:30pm EST, before completing the season series one week later in Matthews, NC at the SportsPlex on October 9 at 7pm EST.

 

In the pursuit of the NISA Fall 2021 title race, both the Stumps and Force are top-4 of the table, looking at a crucial six points available to close in on Detroit City FC’s grasp of first place. In the last two weeks, Stumptown went on the road against DCFC, breaking Le Rouge’s 51-week unbeaten streak, while the Force suffered their first defeat of the season 1-0 at DCFC’s hands last weekend.

 

Following a season-opening 3-1 loss, Stumptown AC’s defense has turned into the stingiest side in NISA, allowing just five goals in the last nine games. Despite several injuries to key starters in the back line, head coach Rod Underwood has been able to call on the depth of his line-up to remain stalwart in defense.

 

When asked about facing the same team in back-to-back games, winger Rhys Williams explained “the difficulty in playing a side in good form, especially on the road first will be a challenge.” Williams added that we “then get to return the favor with them coming here and having to travel across the country, but our confidence is really high considering the results we have gotten recently.”

 

With a pair of game-winning goals to his resume this fall, midfielder Colin Stripling has played his way into a consistent place in the starting line-up recently. In the third win in as many games, Stripling’s 11th minute strike from the left side of the box was the difference once again last match day against New Amsterdam FC.

 

On the LA Force side of the pitch, the central pairing of Diego Barrera and Christian Chaney are both among the league leaders in scoring with three-goals apiece. They trail only Cal United striker Omar Nuno (5 G) in the NISA individual scoring standings for the year.

 

To watch this Saturday’s match, tune in at 10:30pm EST to www.StumptownAC.com/watch-live and for the return leg on October 9, please visit www.StumptownAC.com/tickets to get your seats for the SportsPlex.