Match Recap: Baladez Scores Early, MOBA Fall to SC United 1-0

Coming off a 3-2 victory in Nashville on Wednesday, MOBA took the trip across state lines to Irmo, South Carolina for a rematch with SC United Bantams. Having earned their first victory of the year, Peachtree City needed to carry over the momentum and play as they did against Nashville SC if they hoped to defeat the Bantams for the first time in club history.

Right out of the gate, it was MOBA who seemed to be on top, as they dominated possession and attack, but they could not find the net. Fifteen minutes passed, and neither team could find the net. With all looking safe for Peachtree City, all it took was a minute for things to get turned around. In the seventeenth minute, it was Bradlee Baladez who got the scoring started off a Leandro Browne assist. Just like that, MOBA were back on the tail end of a 1-0 scoreline, but with the experience of winning under their belt, hopes were in favor of MOBA being able to equalize before halftime. That would not happen, however, as the remainder of the first half was rather quiet, and the Bantams took a 1-0 lead into the break.

It goes without saying that MOBA are used to being down at the half, as they have trailed after forty-five in eight of their nine matches including their last match against SC United in Peachtree City. With the scoring having picked up over the last few matches, the MOBA coaching staff knew their team could comeback, but they needed to want it. The second half went nothing as MOBA wanted it, however, as despite heavy pressure on the net, they could not find an equalizer, and MOBA fell 1-0, their fifth one-goal loss of the season. The loss did not come without effort, however, as MOBA racked up thirteen shots in ninety minutes, but keeper Ian McGrane was rock in the net, stopping everything.

With just five matches remaining on the schedule, including four at home, MOBA, despite being out of playoff contention, will be looking to close the season strong and climb to the middle of the division table. That road will not be an easy one, however, as they start off at home on June 27th against Tri-Cities who have beaten them in both of their previous meetings. After that, they travel to Clinton, Mississippi on July 1st to face Mid South Division side Mississippi Brilla FC. Facing Brilla for the fourth time in two seasons, MOBA are yet to tally a win, as Mississippi have won twice, and the two sides drew in Peachtree City last year after Newton Henry tied things up right before the half following Casey Shultis' stunner from eighteen yards out. Despite not scoring a lot of goals (except for one 5-0 victory against last place FC Cleburne), Brilla have been one of the best defensive teams in the PDL, conceding just seven goals in eight matches. Following that meeting, MOBA are back at home for a three-match home stand to close out the year, beginning with two matches against in-state rivals South Georgia Tormenta FC on July 3rd and 8th. Through eight matches, Tormenta have been one of the biggest surprises in the PDL, but not for a good reason. A playoff contender in 2016, Tormenta find themselves sitting in seventh on the division table at 2-2-4. South Georgia are probably the lowest team on the table with a chance of making the playoffs, however being ten points out of second with just eighteen points remaining, it will no doubt be a tough task. Following those two matches, MOBA will close the season against SC United on July 15th. Tickets for all four remaining home matches are available at MOBASoccer.com.

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