Match Preview: MOBA look for Revenge Against Tri-Cities

Six matches have been played, and nothing has gone to plan for this Peachtree City MOBA team. Five goals have been scored, and they have been scored on fifteen times, while only recording one point from a road draw against South Georgia Tormenta FC. Things need to pick up, and quickly. Less than two weeks ago, MOBA traveled to Johnson City to take on the Otters looking to take advantage of a struggling home side, but instead, an early goal proved to be a winner, as MOBA lost 1-0. This time around, things will surely be different.

June 13th marked MOBA's third home match of the season, but home had been anything but kind to them. Falling in both previous matches to Mississippi Brilla FC and Nashville SC U23, respectively, MOBA had only scored one time in those two matches thanks to the brilliance of Khallil Stewart. Taking on an SC United Bantams team that had slipped up in their previous three matches following a hot start, MOBA hoped to finally get themselves into the win column. Things looked bleak for MOBA early on, however a penalty kick goal from Santiago Moore tied the game up at one, and Edmundo Robinson's goal in the eighty-eighth minute knotted things up at two. Looking to at least grab their first point at MOBA Soccer Academy, Terell Williamson broke every heart in the stadium as he scored late in stoppage time, and the Bantams stole a 3-2 victory in Peachtree City. Despite finally getting some offense going (be it still only in the second half), it was the defense that failed to hold the Bantams at bay, as the responses to both of MOBA's goals were within minutes. Heading to Johnson City, the defense will need to be able to keep tight and do its job, while the offense needs to keep the momentum going to their benefit.

Despite a struggle of a start that saw the Otters go 0-3-0 through their first three matches, Tri-Cities have seen decent success since, as they are unbeaten since June 6th, going 1-0-2 in those three matches, including a win against Peachtree City and two draws against SC United and Nashville SC, and have seen themselves climb to ninth on the division table. Offense, however, has been a key issue that has prevented the Otters from more victories through six matches, as they have only scored four goals, including zero in their first three. The scoring has picked up slightly, with their first multi-goal match coming June 13th against Nashville, and MOBA will need to find a way to counter the talented Tri-Cities attack.

Keys to Victory

• Hold the Line: A tactic that has been used in war for hundreds of years applies perfectly to the situation Peachtree City find themselves in. Keeping shape is what doomed MOBA during Tuesday's loss to SC United, and going forward, that issue needs to be resolved. Keep the back four straight, don't get too spread out, and move as the ball moves.
• Smart Shooting: Slowly but surely, the shots are beginning to come, but they tend to not be on target. Don't be afraid to have a go from fifteen-twenty yards out, but make sure it is an intelligent hit. Keep your eye on the ball and think about the shot, not the goal. Had that tactic been taken advantage of on Tuesday, MOBA may have had three or four more goals and three more points.

Looking at Peachtree City's spot as it stands right now, wins have been few and far between. Peachtree City have been one of the worst teams in PDL since opening day last season, recording just three wins in the history of the franchise, and two of those have been against the Otters. In fact, MOBA have not won since June 22nd of 2016, when they knocked off the Otters 2-1 in Peachtree City thanks to Jessey Hein's miraculous finish deep into stoppage time. 360 days later, these two sides meet again, this time in Tennessee, and MOBA need to find a way to get back on track. Maybe  a sudden rematch is what they need to get things rolling their way. Kickoff at Science Hill High School is scheduled for 7:00 PM Saturday night and a livestream is expected to be available.

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