Corpus Christi FC will hit the midpoint of their 14-game USL League Two campaign in the showdown against Brazos Valley Cavalry FC this weekend, and, with four wins on the board, the Sharks are beginning to circle around the fight for the playoffs.
The team after the sensational 6-3 victory away to Mississippi Brilla.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR?
Corpus Christi FC will hit the mid-point this weekend on what has been a massively improved campaign from the season before. Last year – in what was the club’s inaugural season – CCFC finished fourth in the Mid South Division, racking up 20 points and scoring 32 goals along the way.
So far, the Sharks have registered an extremely impressive 21 goals already in the six games that have passed, and, if the men up top can maintain their goalscoring form, Corpus are well on course to break their goalscoring record of last year.
These incredible goalscoring results of this diverse team began just as the ball started rolling in 2019, as Ollie Wright’s hat-trick in the 6-0 demolition of FC Thunder was matched in the season opener against AHFC Royals, with the Englishman netting another trio of goals in the 5-2 victory.
The fans have been in great voice and numbers all season long.
The Sharks would continue to repeatedly hit the net, smashing Houston FC 5-1 on their first trip away from the Dugan Soccer Stadium, with Stefan Lukic, Stanley Smith and Salifu Jatta all kicking off their own goalscoring feats.
After the 2-0 defeat away to Brazos Valley Cavalry FC, CCFC came back with their best-ever open-season result, with the 6-3 win over Mississippi Brilla. The sensational goals from Jatta, Noah Wagner, S.Smith, Wright and Gabriel Quesada over in The Magnolia State justified the strength, diversity, and solidity throughout the squad in which Dr. Sebastian Giraldo had been building.
The Englishmen Ollie Wright (left) and Arthur Rogers (right) have been involved in 14 of the 18 goals so far this season (5 goals, 9 assists).
Giraldo and his men returned to the Coastal Bend for another showdown against the Cavalry shortly after the visit to Brilla, and despite the loss, the Sharks redeemed themselves in spectacular fashion, beating Texas United 4-2, as goals from Quesada, S.Smith, Jatta and a Goal of the Season contender from Arthur Rogers reignited the flame for the playoffs.
CAN CORPUS CHRISTI FC STILL REACH THE PLAYOFFS?
Absolutely!
Corpus Christi FC are in a very positive position to reach the USL League Two Southern Conference Playoffs. Currently, the Sharks sit in third place, but have played a game less than Brilla, who sit top of the tree. It could be a tough ask for CCFC to finish in first, with the Cavalry, who are in second, currently boasting almighty form, and as their points tally is an impressive 12 after just four games.
However, with the logistics of this division allowing the best second-placed finish of the three divisions to qualify for the playoffs, the men from the Sparkling City by the Sea are still well within a shout, but, must keep applying the pressure to South Georgia Tormenta FC in the Deep South Division, who sit on 13 points after five games, and Florida Elite SA and The Villages SC in the Southeast Division, who both have 10 points after five games.
There is also, of course, the lingering pressure from Brilla in the Mid South Division, however, having played a game less, if CCFC continues to win, the second playoff spot could be all theirs!
WHAT ARE THE STATISTICS SO FAR?
- – Wright and Lukic currently lead the way with four goals in the Golden Boot race
- – Wagner, Jatta and S.Smith are right behind them on three each
- – Wright also tops the chart for most assists, having a hand in six goals
- – Only two players have played every minute so far: Tevin Lessey and OG Stevic
- – Wagner has the best minutes-per-goal ratio, hitting the net every 51 minutes
CCFC will continue their 2019 campaign with their third showdown of the year against the Cavalry. Get your tickets here, on the website.
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By @Grant_McQuillan