MOBA Proud

Match one is officially in the books. After ten months of waiting, Peachtree City MOBA have officially kicked off their 2018 PDL campaign as founding members of the Deep South Division, and neutrals could hardly have asked for a better opener. A series that has seen a lot over the last two years, the first match of 2018 certainly added to the dynasty that the Georgia PDL Clásico has created in its young history. The starting eleven for Peachtree City featured some of their biggest signings of the off-season, as Dean Foster, Gus Fidler, Jerry Wiltshire, and Tyler Hudson all got the nod from manager Omar Jarun. Things got off to a quick start for both sides as chances were coming across the pitch. Goalkeeper Jack Hudson came up big for MOBA in the early going as he tallied three huge saves in just five minutes to keep the score level. That only held for a moment, however, as it was Cadu Casatis who got on the end of a brilliant through ball from Nick Wells and slotted in the first...

At long last, the 2018 PDL season is underway. A few clubs have already begun play over the last week, but the Deep South Division kicks off its debut season on May 12th when Peachtree City MOBA host South Georgia Tormenta FC in the final Peachtree City hosted Clásico before Tormenta turn professional. The matches between these two clubs over the last two seasons have always been exciting (if not a little violent), with yellow cards flying in both stadiums. Tormenta lead the all-time series between the two clubs 2-2-1, including wins in the last two matchups, but there is no reason to believe that MOBA can't turn those fortunes around and get into the win column early on. Last season's matchups between these two sides told the story of MOBA's season, as a 1-1 draw in Statesboro in May showed some early signs of hope, but 6-3 and 2-0 home defeats in July capped off what was a forgettable season for the yellow and black. Things look to be a lot different now, however, ...

Sometimes in sports, things just do not go your way. Whether it be a stretch of minutes or a whole game, Lady Luck may look upon you unfavorably, and that appears to be exactly what happened to MOBA in Saturday's Clasico rematch. After being routed by Tormenta 6-3 on Monday, MOBA looked for revenge against their in-state rivals who were still fighting for a playoff spot, but that never seemed to come to fruition. As the first half started, things looked great for MOBA, as the defense played outstanding in the opening half hour. Headed by Michael Brezovsky and James Thomas, MOBA's back four did an excellent job keeping Tormenta off the ball and away from the goal. The offense seemed to be struggling a bit to get things going, but the score sat even, so it was not a glaring issue. That is, until Jad Arslan made his name known again. In the thirty-seventh minute, Michael Brezovsky, who had played excellent up to this point, tried to play the ball up field, but it was inter...

There is nothing better in sports than a rivalry. Two sides that hate each other more than a cat hates water going head-to-head in search of supremacy over the other is sure to bring some outstanding matchups, and the Georgia PDL Clasico has proven no different. After two years and four matches, the series between Peachtree City and South Georgia is deadlocked at 1-2-1, with Saturday's matchup having the potential to put one side on top going into the 2018 season. Thus far in the series, all four matches have been absolute classics, as the final decision came right to the final minutes. In the first matchup back in June of 2016, it was MOBA who drew first blood, as Iain Smith scored the match's lone goal and MOBA won 1-0. A month later, the two sides met for the first time in Peachtree City in one of the most exciting matches in MOBA history. After MOBA went into the break up a goal thanks to Nick Spielman's header, Jeremy Rector and Todd Fidler, who was making his M...

A season can go however it wishes. Teams can be good, and teams can be bad. Teams can score every game, and teams can struggle to score at all. No matter how a year goes, rivalry matches are a whole different monster. Take records, statistics, game film, and throw it all out the window, because a rivalry isn't played by any usual means, and the 4th Georgia PDL Clasico proved no different. Just like on Saturday, the opening few minutes of the match could not have gone any worse for MOBA. After Tormenta midfielder Nick Wells won the ball from both Salomon Lorenzano and Daniel Olaniran, Wells took a run and played an expert ball up the field toward Jad Arslan. Arslan, who had not scored all season, touched the ball past goalkeeper Luke Oesterle, found himself in open space, and chipped the ball into the empty net, putting Tormenta up 1-0 in the fourth minute. Twelve matches, fifteen first half goals for opposing teams against Peachtree City, and only one time have MOBA been a...

Let's just put the first half of the season behind us. Looking at the second half by itself, MOBA have been on a roll through their last four, going 2-1-1 overall, including their first ever two-match unbeaten streak in team history. With victories on the road against Nashville SC and at home against Tri-Cities, as well as a draw on Saturday in Mississippi, MOBA find themselves in an excellent place, finally pulling off the bottom of the table, and hopefully it will stick. The road won't be easy, but MOBA are fueled up and ready to compete. Courtesy: South Georgia Tormenta FC Heading into Clinton, Mississippi following a dramatic 2-1 home victory against Tri-Cities, MOBA knew they could get a result, but it would take the effort of the full roster to pull it out. Playing with just sixteen available men (one of which was head coach Omar Jarun, who was not expected to actually play), the starting lineup against Brilla was packed full of players who had not played much th...

Coming off a 6-1 loss in Nashville, MOBA came into Statesboro looking for redemption. The whole night, Peachtree City was getting beat on and off the dribble, and goals would not stop coming from the Nashville SC U23 team. During the week, head coach Volker Harms looked to repair those issues with lineup changes and strategical fixes with a desire to bounce back against rivals South Georgia Tormenta FC. Right from the get-go, MOBA looked like a better team. Winning tackles in crucial areas, getting runs that led to goal-scoring opportunities, and most importantly, playing with energy. The ball went back and forth for the first thirty minutes, with Khallil Stewart and Todd Fidler anchoring the offense, while Salomon Lorenzano proved once again why he won Man of the Year last season as he led the defense. The momentum was split pretty evenly during the opening third, but one poorly timed tackle shifted the game into Tormenta's favor. In the thirty-sixth minute, MOBA defender A...

Ask anybody, bouncing back is never easy. After four straight crushing defeats in the Super Bowl, the Buffalo Bills still failed to capture the elusive trophy, as Buffalo couldn't make it back to the big game in 1994. After falling apart at the end of the 2000-01 season, Leeds United saw themselves fall from the Premier League to the English Football League One, the third tier of English football in just four years, the fastest fall in English history. Bouncing back is a challenge within itself, and following MOBA's surprise loss to Nashville SC U23 on Saturday, they will need to put their misfortunes behind them and look forward to Statesboro. Entering Saturday's matchup, MOBA had high hopes after going 3-0-0 in the pre-season, however those hopes were shattered early and quick, as Nashville thrashed the MOBA defense for six goals, including three in the first thirty minutes, showing great resemblance to Atlanta United's victory over Minnesota United in MLS ...