Greenville Clinches First-Round Playoff Bye with Late Equalizer in Richmond
October 15, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Greenville Triumph SC News Release
Richmond, VA – The Greenville Triumph Soccer Club scored a late equalizing goal to conclude its regular season with a 1-1 draw Saturday night against the league-leading Richmond Kickers at City Stadium in Richmond. With a little help from Tormenta FC a half hour after Greenville’s match ended, the evening’s results also sealed a first-round bye for Greenville and second place in the League One standings as the regular season concluded.
Saturday’s match began as a crucial one for Greenville, as they looked to earn a first-round bye. Though the Kickers had already clinched the regular season title, they looked to avoid being swept by the Triumph in the three-match regular season series between the clubs. Despite the high stakes, both clubs began the match reserved and cautious, neither willing to be the first to make a mistake. In the 20th minute, though, a moment of complacency from Greenville gave the home side a lead. A flick into the back of the net by the league’s 2022 Golden Boot winner, Emiliano Terzaghi put Richmond on the board first, 1-0. Disappointed but undeterred, Greenville continued to play and limit Richmond’s attack as the match wore on.
In the second half, Greenville once again began hesitant, while Richmond took advantage of the momentum and found opportunities to penetrate Greenville’s defense along the flanks. Midway through the half, three rounds of substitutions brought new life from Greenville’s squad. Center back, Evan Lee and rookie striker, Alex Cox-Ashwood provided the spark Greenville needed as time waned, combining for a brilliant goal in the 88th minute on a short pass in the box. With the scoreboard even, Greenville’s defense held for the final six minutes to preserve the crucial 1-1 result. As time ran out on Chattanooga’s chances of a victory against Tormenta, Greenville officially clinched a first-round bye for the second straight season and the number-two spot in the final standings.
Greenville will host a USL League One semifinal Saturday, October 29th at 7:30 PM in Triumph Stadium. Tickets will go on sale on Sunday, October 16th, at 1:00 PM. Greenville will face the higher remaining seed advancing from the first round of the League One Playoffs, which take place on October 22nd.
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