Match Preview: Peachtree City MOBA, Memphis City FC Meet for First of Four

Following a solid enough start of back-to-back draws, Peachtree City were looking for their best start in club history against SC United Bantams on May 22nd. With things finally seeming to be going in Peachtree City's favor through two matches, a humbling 4-2 loss at the hands of the Bantams showed the holes that need fixing in this rebuilt MOBA side. The season is far from over, and back-to-back matches against last-place Memphis City FC may be the perfect way to get the ball rolling.

Overall, MOBA are leaps and bounds ahead of where they were at this point last season, and they have the potential to make a climb up the division table and threaten the top spot. That all depends on how they handle this last loss, however, as any lingering on the dropped points will only grow to harm their chances going forward. This side has all the talent and ability to consistently go out and get three points against any team in the division, but the issues that have revealed themselves need to get worked out immediately. The most notable issue Peachtree City have faced in 2018 has been their ability to finish games strong. In all three matches this season, a late mistake(s) has cost them dearly, and time after time they find themselves walking into the locker room with negative results. It all boils down to their ability to play a full ninety minutes. After battling back to a 2-2 scoreline against SC United last Tuesday, a defensive lapse in the eighty-sixth minute left United's Ben Gilligan completely unmarked at the top of the eighteen, and he just blasted a rocket into the upper corner. Just minutes later, a corner kick fell at the feet of a once-again unmarked Gilligan, and this time he just passed it into the net, wrapping up all three points for the Bantams. Scoring goals hasn't been an issue to this point, as six goals in three matches is the best we have ever seen from this club, but at some point the defense is going to have to find the consistency they need to win, as eight goals conceded in three matches is less than optimal. It isn't an issue of talent, as the Peachtree City defense is loaded with high quality players like Jerry Wiltshire and Tyler Hudson. That talent just needs to find a way to communicate better and not allow the opposition to get into dangerous positions. If Omar Jarun can iron out the wrinkles and get the very best out of his defense over the next eleven matches, this Peachtree City side could be very dangerous going forward. All eyes on Thursday as the first test.

Memphis City FC have started their PDL careers in less than optimal fashion. After a 2-2 home draw against Mississippi Brilla FC in their season opener, Memphis got shut out a week later by the same club, this time on the road. As the PDL affiliate of the Memphis USL club, there were no problems drawing talent to Western Tennessee ahead of the season, especially with the success the club has had in the past as members of the NPSL. The lack of early success could very well be attributed to the talent they have gone up against, as Mississippi have a very good team this year, evidence of which can be seen by their upset of USL side Indy Eleven in the US Open Cup Second Round. Following twelve days off, it will be seen on Thursday whether or not this Memphis side has what it takes to compete in a very competitive Deep South Division, as they desperately need some points to pull themselves off the bottom of the division table. Peachtree City may not be the best team for them to see at this point, however, as MOBA will be looking to assert themselves as a force in the division following a rocky start.

Keys to Success:

  • Fast Start: Following the results Peachtree City have seen in the early part of the season, it is in their best interest to get on the board first against Memphis. Scoring an early goal will do wonders for the confidence of this club, and adding a second certainly would not hurt. With the likes of Jerren Nixon Jr., Dean Foster, and Chris Davis up front who all have two goals this season, there should be no issues with finding chances.
  • Finish: Scoring is great, but as clubs all across the globe have learned, if you can't finish matches, the fear that the opposition just might fight back late will always be there (Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona, just to name a couple). If a full, ninety-minute effort is there, though, that should not be a problem. Peachtree City have all the pieces they need to get points, and all that remains is putting all those pieces together correctly. If they fit, the picture you will see will be incredible.
Kickoff for Peachtree City MOBA vs. Memphis City FC is scheduled for May 31st at 8:00 PM at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee. There has been no word on a potential livestream for the match.

#MOBAProud

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