It’s the longest road trip of the year for Nashville FC as they head down to the Big Easy for a match up with the banged up New Orleans Jesters.
The Jesters, having just played a game on Friday night, may not have the energy to go 90 minutes against the top team in the South East Division but we will have to see how they shuffle their lineup to have some fresh (and healthy) legs out on the field for Saturday’s match.
Jesters’ Season So Far: Up until Friday night, the Jesters had only played two games against NPSL opponents. The Atlanta Silverbacks, who they drew in the first match and were defeated by in the second 3-1. Their other opponent being defending Champion Chattanooga FC, who they beat 3-2. In that game, NO got a goal in the final five minutes of the game to get the win.
Jesters’ Last Game: In their match against the Georgia Revolution Friday night, the worst thing that could happen before playing a team at the top of the table did. First, captain Sam Hurrell, went down with an injury. Hurrell was said to have been walking around on the sidelines, so the extent of the injury is unknown and it is also unknown whether he will play against NFC. Then, forward Ryan Reid went down in the second half and had to be subbed for.
The game stayed nill-nill until the Jesters’ Reese Wilson opened the scoring midway through the second half when the keeper came off his line and allowed Wilson to tap the ball in. Jordan Rice then blasted one past the keeper to make it 2-0 and they would win by that score, giving them 7 points on the season with two wins, one tie and one loss.
Notes:
- Player to watch for in this match is forward Jordan Hulme. He is a goal scorer for NO and a guy who can set his teammates up for opportunities as well.
- In their win over Chattanooga, New Orleans was able to control the midfield for most of the second half, which led to their two goals. Captain Sam Hurrell is the main reason for their success in the midfield, so I was going to say Nashville will have to do all they can to slow him down if they want to leave Louisiana with three points. However, Hurrell had to be helped off of the field, due to an injury early in the first half on Friday.
- The first NPSL National poll has been released for this year and Nashville FC is ranked 12th in the entire country, right behind NFC is SouthEast Division Rival Chattanooga FC.
- This game will not be streamed or aired over anything live, so be prepared to refresh twitter all night for updates (Or follow this live blog of the game from MidCity Messenger Here) and with it being a long road trip, I only know of a few “Roadies” that will be headed down for the game. But hey, that’s more than zero.
About Pan American Stadium:
It is meant for American Football and holds about 4,500. It was nearly wiped out during Hurricane Katrina but was restored in 2008. It has turf not the natural grass we’re used to at Vanderbilt or the “kitty litter” (as RCU’s Twitter handle eloquently put it) at Richard Siegel.
What a Game in New Orleans Looks Like
Predictions
Scoring works like this: 1 point for correct outcome, 1 point for correct scoreline, 3 points for correct scoreline and outcome.
Steve Pennington (3 Points): New Orleans 0 Nashville Fc 1
Steve Peake (1 Point): New Orleans 1 Nashville FC 2
Nate Clapp (1 Point): New Orleans 0- Nashville FC 1
Yea, so I’m going to say it. Alan O’Connor owes me 3 points. My prediction of 2-1 should have come to fruition with his PK but hey all kidding aside, O’Connor will make it up to us (and me) at some point, I’m sure. Hopefully Saturday, as I have chosen to go with the 2-1 to the good again this week. As long as they’re undefeated there is no reason to pick against them.
