Well, the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is back!!!! After seven months of rest and two months of grueling pre-season, the South Philadelphia Super Site will host its first ever NPSL match on Sunday afternoon as Junior Lone Star FC battle Torch FC in the season opener.
How can I watch it? The game kicks off at 4:00 PM EST and will be broadcast live on JLSTV on YouTube. Subscribers of Junior Lone Star FC on YouTube will be able to watch build-up from 3:30 PM. You can also follow the action by following our official Twitter account @Juniorlonestar.
Any team news for me? Box-to-box midfielder Yaya Fane will miss the game as he serves his one-game suspension from last season. Forward Bill Walleekendeh won’t be available as he await his international clearance after his stint in Sweden during the Fall. New signings Ralph Jacobs, Thaimu Turay, Samba Koroma and Nyakeh Kamara could make their NPSL debuts for the Stars, while head coach Fatoma Turay faces a positive selection headache with all 30 players available for selection. The boss will release his 18-man squad tomorrow afternoon.
How did we fare against the Torch last term? The Stars locked horns with Torch FC twice last season, winning at home but losing away. The Stars won 4-1 at Monsignor Bonner High School Stadium on May 20, 2017, as Zoncher Dennis scored a brace while Anthony Allison and Kouassi N’Guessan had a goal each, but in the return leg a month later, a brace from Anthony Allison wasn’t enough as the Stars squandered a 2-1 lead to concede three goals in the last seven minutes of the match to lose 4-2 to the Torch.
How did Torch FC do last season? Torch FC nearly qualified for playoffs for the first time in their history finishing fifth with a 4-4-2 record and only a point behind Electric City Shock at the last playoffs spot.
Who’s the referee? Amber O’Connor will take charge of Sunday’s game. She will be assisted by linesmen Patrick Casey and Daniel Pannullo, with Kalind Parish on fourth official duties.