Features

591 Days

Our Top 10 Storylines of 2022 wouldn’t be complete without talking about our friends over in Greenville, South Carolina, right?

The oldest rivalry in USL League One, South Georgia Tormenta FC vs. Greenville Triumph SC, gave the nation so much to talk about in 2022, from the historic Tormenta FC 5-5 comeback, in Statesboro, Georgia, to the historic semifinal wins in the USL W League and USL League One. The “Tormenta Way” always flows in Greenville, and while every fan of both teams lives for these games unlike any other, for Tormenta Nation, it has been 591 days since Tormenta FC suffered defeat against Greenville.

Can We Always Play at Legacy Early College?

Through the years the rivalry has continued to grow, making it one of the most intense games to play whether at Erk Russell Park or Legacy Early. From the beginning, South Georgia pulled a statement win in the first-ever USL League One game in 2019. From then, the overall record between both clubs currently stand at eight wins, two draws and five losses for Tormenta FC. In the 15 matches played, South Georgia has scored 25 goals compared to Greenville’s 17. In three games, Kazaiah Sterling became the top goalscorer of the League One Classic with four goals scored.

The best road trips of the season are to Greenville, South Carolina. Greenville is home to some of the best scenery in the nation and is a great destination to go out and have fun. For Tormenta FC, it was also a great place to pick up three points and tickets to the League One and W League Finals in 2022.

Six out of six regular-season points earned at Legacy Early College all came back to Statesboro after a win early in the season and a 3-1 win in the later half of the season. The road to the W League Final also had to go through Greenville, while a 4-1 win against the Greenville Liberty and secured a spot in the USL W League final. In the League One semi final, South Georgia obtained its fifth consecutive win. The four previous wins meant points being brought home, this last one, signified the right to host the USL League One final in Statesboro, Georgia.

The Future of the League One Classic

They say a rivalry is made because both teams do not like each other on and off the field; however, that is not the case.

The ownership groups and Front Office personnel remain some of the closest friends in the league. For example, the Triumph and Liberty ticketing department were critical to helping’s Tormenta FC ticketing department finalize its new partnership with TicketReturn. Respect is the most important thing both organizations have for each other. On the field, many players have worn both jerseys, with the most recent player being Alex Morrell, who wore both badges and knows how important it is to both fan bases to win the League One classic.

In 2023, both organizations will go head-to-head once again to compete for the W League title and the League One title. While South Georgia looks to come up with several more wins, the Triumph have something to prove. South Georgia will be up for the challenge and hope to go over 1,000 days of being undefeated against the Triumph.

Pros Start Here: Tormenta FC Academy on the Rise

While South Georgia Tormenta FC saw success on the field for its professional USL League One team and pre-professional USL W League team in 2022, Tormenta FC Academy also saw significant growth throughout across South Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

Earlier in the year, several Tormenta FC Academy products helped the first-ever Tormenta FC USL W League team conquer its first W League title, while the United States Youth National Team scouts have also placed eyes on several of Tormenta FC’s hidden gems. While The TFC Academy has been busy developing its youth products in women’s and men’s soccer, the first team has been providing an opportunity to train alongside elite athletes and provide a professional atmosphere to talent across the region.

USL Academy Cup; MLS NEXT Fest

The USL Academy continues to remain one of the most prestigious youth tournaments in the nation, and for Tormenta FC Academy, it is the tournament that the club wants to conquer in the coming years.

In 2022, South Georgia’s USL Academy team defeated Louisville City FC for one of the most impressive wins in Academy history.

Since joining MLS NEXT, Tormenta FC has seen three players called up to the MLS NEXT Fest Best Of matches. Earlier this month, Tormenta FC’s Dodge Brooks was selected to participate with the nation’s top U17 stars in the MLS NEXT Fest Best Of U17 Showcase in Indio, California. Shafer Gottlieb and Osmar Martinez have also been selected in previous MLS NEXT Fests to participate in ‘Best Of’ matches in early 2022.

These experiences help players develop and prepare for the next steps of their careers and help players be identified by college coaches and scouts from around the nation. With Tormenta FC Academy’s products being recruited to collegiate programs at a high rate, the Tormenta FC heritage continues to grow around the nation.

U.S. Identification Center Camps

Throughout the years, Tormenta FC’s youth academy players have been selected to represent their nation in identification camps through the United States Youth National Team system. In 2022, the Academy saw players represent Tormenta Nation in Identification Camps in Columbia, South Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia. Osmar Martinez, Eder Chavales, Marcus Jean-Gilles, Issac Bittner, Jack Mace, Cole Morgan and Keegan Kerr have all been selected to participate in the Identification Camps to further scout the elite talents around the local region.

As local Tormenta Academy talent continues to impress in the identification centers, there is no doubt that an Academy product will soon be called up to a United States Youth National Team to represent our country.

Local Soccer Success

Tormenta FC is lucky to have many players fighting for our crest and colors. However, local soccer tournaments are critical to continue positive growth around the region. It is safe to say that South Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina are truly Tormenta Nation.

Earlier this month, Tormenta FC’s Statesboro 04/05 and 07 teams conquered the Open Cup State Competition in each of their respective age categories.

In one of the most competitive competitions in the region, both Statesboro boys’ teams were able to secure silverware in their last tournament of the season. Head Coaches Johnnie Sanchez and Ayo Fajemisin knew bringing the cups back to Statesboro was crucial for the growth of the entire Academy program.

Tormenta FC Academy Fuels W League Team Success

Sydney Martinez, Elice Holcey, Isabella and Helen Gutierrez and Erin and Lauren O’Hearn were a part of the first-ever Tormenta FC USL W League team, and all of them came up through the Tormenta FC Academy system. The W League team’s core helped players unfamiliar with the “Tormenta Way” fit into the team and with the local community. Amy Andrews immediately impacted the community by bringing a glimpse of hope (and goals) and confidence to a young W League team. Despite not being a member of the Tormenta FC Academy, Andrews embellished everything that a Tormenta FC Academy product should be, and we can proudly say she is one of us.

The inspiration these six stars brought to the future generation is unlike any other; every little girl in South Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina now wants to be the next Sydney Martinez or the next Amy Andrews. Now, it is possible. Through the Tormenta FC W League team, local Academy products have an opportunity to develop and prepare themselves for a professional setting.

Committed to raising the level of Soccer locally and across the country, Tormenta FC Academy has programs available from age two to 19. It is the only youth academy in South Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina with a path to the professional ranks. For other Academy news and content, follow Tormenta FC Academy on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

For additional information and scheduling interviews, call (301-237-0539) or email epintor@tormentafc.com.

How to Host a USL League One Final on ESPN 2

On Nov. 6, 2022, South Georgia Tormenta FC hosted the most-watched USL League One game on linear television in league history in front of a sell-out crowd of 3,045 at Tormenta Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia.

The end result was perfect; however, there were many factors and many people dedicated to the success of hosting a League One Final on ESPN2.

From Multiple Weeks of Planning to Executing Victory

Throughout the playoffs, league officials met with all participating teams to discuss the scenarios for hosting the playoffs, With the Richmond Kickers and Greenville Triumph being the most likely to host the League One Final due to results from the regular season, the idea of hosting a League One Final was something Tormenta FC prepared for but did not expect to happen.

Labeled the “road warriors” throughout the 2022 regular season for the team’s impressive record away from Statesboro, South Georgia would have been happy to head to Richmond to bring the first League One trophy home – similar to how the USL W League team did hundreds of miles away in Minnesota during the summer. However, as the playoffs progressed, so did the phone calls from USL HQ. What we dreamt of a couple of years ago, was starting to look more and more possible.

Despite entering the semifinals thinking Tormenta FC was unlikely to host, internal preparation by the Tormenta FC staff and league staff was completed just in case the League One Final would be held in Statesboro. With ticket links ready to go live, plans for concessions, an on-field stage for the team-winning celebrations, confetti machines, locations for the ESPN cameras set and more, Tormenta FC was ready for whatever scenario played out.

And the preparation paid off.

Chattanooga Red Wolves SC did it, earning the upset no one was expecting by defeating Richmond and stamping its name in the USL League One Final, for the first time in club history. That same day, South Georgia went on the road to take on Greenville. With the other semifinal result finished, Tormenta FC went into the second half knowing if it held its lead, Statesboro would be hosting the League One Final. The final whistle blew, and with it, the USL League One Final was set to be played in Statesboro – the smallest professional soccer market in the United States.

Once the semifinals finished, the work started. Calls were made on the four-hour ride back home, with every department and coaching staff member not able to sleep throughout the night. Press conferences needed to be arranged, the field needed to be in excellent condition, and most of all, the League One Final needed to be made into a spectacular event for the fans that have supported the team since 2016.

With a blink of an eye, the big day had arrived.

The staff had an early start to the day, as preparations began with the operations staff setting the stadium up, making sure all tables, chairs, tents and more were ready for the biggest event in Statesboro professional sports history. The ticketing staff soon followed, alongside the remainder of the staff, ready to get the game going. Finally, the ESPN broadcast crew arrived a few hours before the match and were ready to go quickly with their cameras.

From an operational standpoint, the execution was nearly flawless, with weeks of rehearsing, practicing time execution and timing the lineups to be synced to the exact second with the league and the ESPN broadcast crew.

A team of professionals, alongside USL leadership, pulled off the most-watched League One game in league history. It’s a record that will no doubt be broken in the years to come, but for now, Tormenta FC is proud to hold that title.

The Penalty Save in Minnesota

In a picture-perfect world, the hero in South Georgia Tormenta FC’s first-ever national title would be a South Georgia star, a player who shined in the Tormenta FC Academy system and excelled for one of the best programs in college soccer before returning to play for their local club.

Maybe the world is picture-perfect sometimes because that’s exactly what happened for the club during the summer of 2022.

On July 23, the pride of Rincon, Georgia, Sydney Martinez, left more than 6,000 Minnesota Aurora FC fans speechless with a jaw-dropping double save in extra time of the 2022 USL W League Final. Many do not believe in the domino effect; however, no one can argue that without Sydney Martinez’s heroic penalty save in the 110th minute of the spectacular match, the trophy may have not ended up in Statesboro, Georgia.

How It Happened:

As the second half of extra time commenced, both teams started to become more assertive, searching for the goal that would give them the lead. In the 110th minute of extra time, a penalty was called in favor of the home side after an Erin O’Hearn hand ball inside of the box. With only ten minutes remaining in the match, a goal for Aurora FC would have been detrimental to Tormenta FC. It was all on the Golden Glove winner’s shoulders to keep the hopes of bringing back the trophy alive.

Martinez received instructions from the referee to stop moving and to stay on the line. As she made herself bigger by waving her arms, jumping around and playing the mental game on the penalty kicker, the whistle blew. Already knowing where she wanted to go, which was discussed in the pre-match film session earlier that day, Martinez dove to the right side of the goal, and her hands met the Select soccer ball, denying it from crossing the goal line. A subsequent second attempt was blocked by O’Hearn, while a third and final attempt was denied by Martinez and sent out of play for a corner kick.

Local Legend

The hero from Rincon, Georgia, put her city on the map, and a decade-long project helped her prepare for moments like these. Just like Martinez, many more TFC Academy talents will rise through the ranks and follow in the footsteps of Martinez, Isabella and Helen Guttierrez and Lauren and Erin O’Hearn. The foundation is set for Tormenta FC to always be a contender in the W League, fueled by the local talents that are developing through the Tormenta FC Academy.

Lifelong Memories Made in Two Months: The Power of Making Our Home a Fortress

“If you build it, they will come” is a quote made famous from the fictional movie “Field of Dreams,” but for South Georgia Tormenta FC, those words rang true in 2022.

The first four games played at the new Tormenta Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia, proved to many that if you make the investment and put in the work, fans, titles and lifelong memories will come.

With the first-ever game at the new venue operating at reduced maximum capacity and the USL League One Final on Nov. 6 operating with a sold-out crowd, Tormenta FC delivered to its fans and the city of Statesboro its first-ever professional title in history, with Tormenta Stadium proving to be an essential part of the title-winning season.

The Bolt Kit Curse

2022 was a season that saw Tormenta FC play in two Statesboro stadiums for the first time in club history, with the majority of the season being played on the campus of Georgia Southern University at Erk Russell Park. Despite being a great venue to host professional soccer, the team struggled to earn wins at Erk Russell Park. While on the road, South Georgia seemed unstoppable, defeating nearly every team it visited during the first few matches of the season, including in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The word on the street was the Tormenta FC home jersey, The Bolt Kit, was cursed – with the team never to win a game at home. It seemed almost impossible not to believe as even in the one game lost on the road to open the season in Fort Lauderdale, the team was proudly wearing The Bolt Kit. Winning was not the only issue at home, as scoring goals was just not happening in Statesboro. It took three months for a goal to be scored at Erk Russell Park. Finally, however, the first goal sparked a multitude of goals, which led to the historic 5-5 comeback against the Greenville Triumph and, eventually, the first win of the season at home after four months of play.

New Beginnings

The intention was to start play at Tormenta Stadium during the summer; however, the playing surface needed some time to settle into the South Georgia climate. With the team in a solid position and playoffs seemingly achievable, the decision to transition to Tormenta Stadium and play the first game of October against the Richmond Kickers at the new venue was set. Two weeks after public confirmation, the stadium was playable and ready to host its first-ever game, despite only Phase One of the entire development project being completed.

The importance of believing in the players representing the institution was instrumental to the success of 2022. Fuad Adeniyi, a late addition to the roster, wrote his name in the Tormenta FC history books as the first-ever goal scorer at Tormenta Stadium. Adeniyi was recruited to play in Tormenta FC 2 after being scouted while playing amateur soccer in Atlanta earlier in the season. Following several successful games with Tormenta FC 2, Adeniyi signed his coveted professional contract and will now forever be in the Tormenta FC history books.

The first win at Tormenta Stadium came against the Chattanooga Red Wolves in the final regular season match of the season, which also finally secured Tormenta FC a spot in the USL League One Playoffs and hosting privileges for the first round match, making it the first playoff game Tormenta FC has hosted in its professional history.

Tormenta Stadium became a historic site after one month, hosting the city’s first professional playoff game. A 2-1 win against the Charlotte Independence earned them a spot in the semifinals of the playoffs, where they would meet rivals Greenville Triumph. Tormenta FC easily handled the Triumph for the fifth consecutive time in Greenville, South Carolina, and with results benefiting the South Georgia club in the other semifinal, Tormenta Stadium was in line to host the USL League One Final.

Only one month after the inaugural match at Tormenta Stadium, the venue hosted the title, which was broadcasted nationally on ESPN2. In front of a sell-out crowd of 3,045 fans, South Georgia raised the League One trophy at home, wearing The Bolt Kit, which has now been retired following the conclusion of a historic season.

In 2022, Tormenta Nation only had two months of memories with Tormenta Stadium. However, in 2023, more memories are to be made as the USL W League champions will debut in the new home venue, as well as the always-talented Tormenta FC 2 squad. As for the professional team, it will have its first full season as defending champions with a strong core of players set to return in the hopes of adding a second star to the badge for the organization.

The Fourth Time’s the Charm: How the Smallest Pro Soccer Market in the U.S. Obtained its First Pro Title

A professional soccer team from Statesboro, Georgia, won a national title in front of a sell-out crowd and broadcasted live on ESPN2 for the whole nation to see.

Sometimes, that sentence seems too far-fetched to be reality.

But, it happened, and it is one of the greatest accomplishments not only in Statesboro’s vast history but also United States soccer history as well.

Four years after its professional debut, South Georgia Tormenta FC finally obtained its first USL League One title under Head Coach Ian Cameron and his coaching staff. Finding the right players was just a part of the equation, while the unity shown throughout the ups and downs made this team more than a team. Rather, those moments throughout the year made them a family of dreamers who all accomplished something no other Tormenta FC team had done: going all the way.

The 2022 season started after the final whistle of the 2021 season. With no time to waste, recruiting the right players began. From bringing Joshua Phelps back, to signing his center back partner in Jake Dengler, to bringing Tormenta FC 2 talent into the mix with Gabriel Cabral and Chris Heckenberg, to breaking the market by signing former Tottenham Hotspur product Kazaiah Sterling, the team started to build chemistry. After making a decent run in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the players and coaches started to believe in not only themselves but each other.

Despite some success in the national competition, in League One regular season play, the team was unable to win at home for the first couple of months. A lot of things had to come together for this team to go out and get the League One title. Late additions to the roster in Mukwelle Akale and Ryan Sierakowski added offensive experience, while a goalkeeper transition through the middle of the season was ultimately a decision that paid off. First-year goalkeeper TJ Bush was given the opportunity to start in an away game at Chattanooga, and despite a loss, Bush performed well and was trusted to be the starter for the rest of the season, only losing once when starting.

Regardless of the League One title, if the season finished in October, it would have been seen as a success in many of the minds of Tormenta Nation. Prior to the playoffs, South Georgia finished the season with a winning record for the first time in club history and with one of the best strikers and defensive center back pairings across the league. To add, Gabriel Cabral became the fourth captain in Tormenta FC history in his first year as a professional. When change was needed, the team adapted to whatever was needed from them, which ultimately led to the first-ever League One title.

From the first win at Tormenta Stadium, to the club’s first playoff win, to the club’s first League One Final. Many of these moments were done by learning on the way.

United, We Conquered: How Difficult Situations Kept Tormenta FC Together

Tragedy can strike at any given moment. For South Georgia Tormenta FC, one of the most devastating chapters of our history occurred during the summer of 2022, when Tormenta FC 2 talent Carter David Payne tragically passed away. Payne will live on through his teammates and those who spent time with him. From the USL W League Final to the USL League One Final to the days where everything seemed normal; Payne has been present with Tormenta Nation.

From the Inside

That Saturday, the League One team had a home game against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. As the morning came, so did news of Payne’s accident. Not much was known; however, someone was always with him, by his side. Payne passed away that same afternoon after spending time with his family. After the conclusion of the game, everyone involved at the club, from players to coaching staff members to club interns and club staff, was asked to meet together around 11 p.m. ET that night. Club leadership informed the team about Payne’s passing. From that moment on, unity took over Tormenta FC.

Forever Carter

The importance to keep moving forward helped the Tormenta FC organization continue its journey in all three competitions. As a team, Tormenta FC 2 decided to compete in one more League Two match, coming together in a difficult moment to play the sport Payne so dearly loved. Despite not getting the results needed to pursue a playoff push, Tormenta FC 2 did everything asked of the organization; the team finished the season proudly representing the “Tormenta Way.”

Despite only being in Statesboro for the summer, Payne had a significant impact in the development of the USL Academy team since some of the members of the academy had the opportunity to train with the League Two and League One teams during the week. Following Payne’s passing, the USL Academy team warmed up during USL Academy fixtures in a Payne shirt made by team members to honor Payne’s life and legacy.

Meanwhile, the W League team went on to win the title against the Minnesota Aurora. Before getting to the final, Payne’s “2” jersey traveled with the team everywhere they went, from Starting XI pictures to goal celebrations, Payne’s memory lived through the W League champions. When it was time to lift the trophy in Minnesota, the iconic “2” jersey came out to celebrate with the team, making sure he was present through the moment.

Not only was Payne a member of the Tormenta FC 2 team, he was also a member of Tormenta Nation. In Tormenta FC’s first-ever USL League One Final, Payne was with the team, from start to finish. After the final whistle blew with the score line favoring the Statesboro side, the League One Final MVP, Kazaiah Sterling, asked to wear Payne’s jersey during the final interview, broadcasting live on ESPN2. Sterling received the MVP award and celebrated the night in Payne’s jersey; when lifting the trophy, team captain Gabriel Cabral also wore a shirt to commemorate Payne’s time in Statesboro.

Payne will forever be a part of Tormenta Nation, and as he told me the day he came out of Savannah International Airport with his University of Michigan luggage, “I am here to stay.” Carter, you are here to stay, and will live through the lives of those who spent time with you forever and always.

From A Rocky Start in May to Glory in July; Why Tormenta FC’s W League Team Worked

STATESBORO, Ga. – South Georgia Tormenta FC obtained its first-ever title in club history on the 23rd of July, 2022. To the surprise of many, Tormenta FC were crowned the inaugural USL W League champions.

Why was it a Surprise?

Head Coach Jim Robbins built the first Tormenta FC W League roster in an unconventional way. While many W League teams were recruiting from some of the most prominent schools in the United States, Tormenta FC took a different route and recruited players with a championship-winning mindset.

To the naked eye, the W League project started in July 2021. However, this process started many years ago. This team worked because of the chemistry built throughout the years. The core of the team dates back to 2012. Sydney Martinez, Isabella and Helen Gutierrez, and Erin and Lauren O’Hearn have built chemistry since their Storm Soccer Academy (now known as Tormenta FC Academy) days. After receiving commitments from all of these former Academy product, as well as the first-ever W League player announced in Elise Holcey, the team started to take shape and started to complete the puzzle by bringing in players that fit the “Tormenta Way.”

With the W League team set to begin competition in May, Robbins knew the importance of getting the team settled in and ready to take on the Statesboro summer heat.

Learning As We Go

As match day one of the USL W League got closer, so did the excitement of seeing Tormenta FC’s first-ever pre-professional women’s soccer team compete. With SC United Bantams coming into town, Tormenta FC knew putting on a good show was crucial.

As the new league formed, many things were learned along the way. Despite many efforts, all international players were not registered on time for the season’s first game. However, with a starting 11 of all domestic players, the team was ready to compete even if the roster was not entirely registered. With only two goalkeepers as substitutes, Tormenta FC earned a valuable 0-0 result without any substitutions against one of the projected best teams in the W League.

Lesson Learned, Now We Move On

Four days after the first home game, South Georgia traveled to Brentwood, Tennessee, to take on the Tennessee Soccer Club in a match many international and domestic players made their debuts. An Amy Andrews brace helped Tormenta FC obtain its first win in club history and sparked a winning streak that saw them only lose one game the entire season.

South Central Division Conquered; To the Playoffs, We Go!

Not only did Andrews become one of the best players ever to wear the navy and magenta, but in two months, South Georgia took the nation by storm. From the University of the Pacific crew to the Young Harris College standout, the team clicked and brought joy and hope to everyone in South Georgia.

Destiny saw Tormenta FC head to Miami, Florida, for the second time in 2022 after the League One team faced off against MLS side Inter Miami earlier in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This time around, the W League team was matched with the undefeated FC Miami City, but once again, Amy Andrews scored the only goal of the game to secure the first playoff win for Tormenta FC.

Next up, a trip to Greenville, South Carolina, to take on the Greenville Liberty, one of the best teams in the W League, in the semifinals. The rivalry between the organizations made this fixture the match to watch, with the professional team being unbeaten in a year against the Greenville Triumph. With many high-caliber names rostered to its team, the Liberty knew this was a game that could stop Tormenta FC’s winning ways in Greenville.

However, that was not the case.

Remi Olalere opened up the score, while an Andrews brace and Jaida Nyby’s goal sealed the 4-1 win against the neighboring state rival. Thus, the W League team continued the now ongoing tradition of bringing back a win when playing in Greenville.

A trip to Minnesota followed to take on the undefeated Minnesota Aurora. In front of 6,000 fans, the team from Statesboro kept the occasion from getting to them and opened up the game with a quick goal less than ten minutes into the start of the game. Jaida Nyby, a University of the Pacific midfielder, scored a crucial goal in Tormenta FC history, beating Sarah Fuller for the first time that night. A historic penalty stop followed in extra time, leading to the play that won it all. A corner kick right before the end of the second extra time period saw the ball bounce all over the place before settling in from of Nyby, who chested the ball down before hitting an incredible shot from outside of the box, leaving Sarah Fuller reactionless and beating her for the second and final time. With seconds to spare, the team from Statesboro had done it. The team from Statesboro came to Minnesota and broke more than 6,000 fans’ hearts.

Perhaps unexpectedly, the final was hosted at the same time as the first team’s fixture against North Carolina FC. As a staff, many of us could not travel to the final due to game day duties. With only one staff member in Minnesota and the rest at Erk Russell Park, the celebrations were nationwide. Being in the press box and seeing Owners Darin and Netra Van Tassell watch the celebrations on their phones, ecstatic and proud of what their team accomplished, was a highlight of the night.

The next day, Sun Country Airlines flight 207 from Minneapolis, Minnesota, landed at 12:41 p.m. ET at Savannah Hilton Head International Airport, and with it, South Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina’s first-ever USL W League title. Greeted by an impressive crowd, the champions were welcomed home.

2022 will be a year to remember for Tormenta FC as an entire organization, but it only gets better. The Tormenta FC W League’s class of 2022 was just the start of what the organization has to offer with its women’s program. With Tormenta Stadium opening in 2022, the upcoming 2023 season will be one to look forward to, with many more wins to come.

2022 Accolades

Sydney Martinez, Golden Glove
Sydney Martinez, MVP of the USL W League FInal
Amy Andrews, Golden Boot.
Amy Andrews, 2022 W League Player of the Year
Amy Andrews, Most goals scored in one match (4)
Tormenta FC, South Central Division Winners
Tormenta FC, Most goals scored in one match (8)
Tormenta FC, 2022 USL W League Champions

A Cup Run to Remember Culminates in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

STATESBORO, Ga. – After a two-year hiatus, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup returned in 2022 and with it, South Georgia Tormenta FC’s presence in one of the oldest nationally-contested trophies in the United States. In 2022, Tormenta FC returned to the national competition, where they took on two USL Championship sides in the second and third round, and its first-ever Major League Soccer side in the Round of 32 of the national competition.

Tormenta FC is no stranger to taking on teams from divisions above it in the U.S Open Cup. Coached by Ian Cameron in 2019, Tormenta FC 2 defeated USL League One side Chattanooga Red Wolves SC in the First Round. In the Second Round, Nashville SC, formerly of the USL Championship, secured a 3-2 win. Despite defeat, Tormenta FC 2 was able to keep the contest close throughout.

In the 107th edition of the Open Cup, South Georgia started its journey in the second round of the competition traveling to Charleston, South Carolina, to take on the Charleston Battery. The match was scheduled for Wednesday, April 6.

Charleston was a familiar face for Tormenta FC, with several friendlies happening between the two sides in prior years and even a fixture in the Open Cup against Tormenta FC a year before turning professional. In addition to this, former Battery players Deshawon Nembhard and Arthur Bosua paid a visit to Patriots Point Soccer Stadium for the first time after departing the Charleston-based team.

The Storm Arrived

On travel day, severe weather occurred across the South Carolina Lowcountry on April 5-6, 2022. Seven tornadoes occurred across the area, making it impossible for the match to occur on April 6. The match was rescheduled for an 11 a.m Thursday kickoff.

In the 65th minute of that midday clash, Adrian Billhardt placed a corner kick into the penalty spot, finding Bosua, who perfectly placed the ball into the net with a header impossible for the keeper to contain. South Georgia ended up with a 1-0 win and the team’s first-ever Third Round appearance.

Next up, Birmingham Legion

To many, Tormenta FC’s Second Round result would be called a “cupset,” but to Ian Cameron and his team, this was just a glimpse of how united and hungry the team was.

A challenging test faced them as the team was paired against the Birmingham Legion on the road. Despite usually playing its USL Championship fixtures at Protective stadium, Legion FC would host the third round match from Goldfarb Field at Birmingham-Southern College.

A first-time meeting between both sides, Tormenta FC knew the opportunity to make a national statement was imminent. The matchup allowed the Tormenta FC defense to stand out and win the game for the Statesboro side; defender Curtis Thorn scored the first goal after finding a rebound, which he simply tapped in. Nearing the end of the first half, Jake Dengler scored as well.

Tormenta FC took advantage of the opportunities the game created and capped an impressive team performance off with a win that signified its entrance into the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup, proving that a 0-2 score line is not the most dangerous lead in soccer (sorry, Argentina).

Welcome to Fort Lauderdale, Tormenta FC

The team from Statesboro, Georgia, made it to the Round of 32 for the first time in club history. With many League One teams causing upsets in the national competition, Tormenta FC knew it was ready to compete against an Inter Miami CF team that was going to host its first-ever U.S. Open Cup game.

As the day arrived, everyone knew this fixture would be a different atmosphere than any other game played in 2022. This game meant much more than soccer to the Statesboro community, simply being mentioned in the same sentence as a Miami-based team was something to be proud of; as the day arrived, many fans decided to make the drive down to Fort Lauderdale to see the Statesboro team take on its first-ever MLS team in a competitive match.

May 11, 2022, was the day that Tormenta FC took on the MLS side, and it was almost the day the team from Statesboro caused the upset of the night. With praise from Inter Miami head coach Phil Nevil, Tormenta FC put Statesboro on the map.

South Georgia’s domination of the attack statistically and through much of the match caused fans to panic for the first 40 minutes of the match. Jamil Roberts tested the Inter Miami goalkeeper multiple times throughout the first half; meanwhile Arthur Bosua’s ability to create danger through the air nearly gave Tormenta FC the lead.

Three goals from the home side allowed Inter Miami to get out of danger despite not playing well in the first half. Two of the goals were assisted by a familiar face in Indiana Vassilev, a Tormenta FC Academy product.

Substitutes in the second half saw a hungrier Tormenta FC side look for a goal, and in the 88th minute, Tormenta FC was able to secure its first-ever goal against an MLS side in an official match.

Miami native Owen Green subbed into the match, making his dream come true. During the flight to Miami, Green mentioned that he really wanted to get playtime as he did not know if he would ever get another opportunity to play at home. Green came on in the second half and not only did he lock down the defensive unit but also found an assist after playing a pass into space for Kazaiah Sterling to run through and beat the defenders and goalkeeper. Sterling scored his first-ever goal for Tormenta FC that night, and went into the Tormenta FC history books as the first-ever player to score against an MLS side in an official match.

The final whistle blew, and with it, came the respect of Inter Miami fans, who stayed until the end to ask for autographs and photos of Tormenta FC players. Thus, the magical cup run came to an end in Fort Lauderdale. Despite the defeat, many learning lessons were taught that night, which ultimately helped Tormenta FC conquer its first USL League One title many months later.

The 107th edition of the oldest national soccer competition in the United States, will be one to remember for Tormenta FC. In 2023, South Georgia will be ready to compete once again against any opponent in the United States. With the opening of Tormenta Stadium in 2022, Tormenta FC would be eligible to host and bring the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup to Statesboro for the first time in the pro side’s history.

The Top Ten Tormenta FC Storylines From 2022

In 2022, South Georgia Tormenta FC conquered the United States by storm. From winning the inaugural USL W League title to opening Tormenta Stadium in early October, to winning the organization’s first-ever USL League One title on Nov. 6, 2022 in Statesboro, Georgia.

Over the next ten days, the staff at Tormenta FC will share what we thought were 10 of the best storylines of 2022. In these stories, you will find a little bit of everything, the good and the bad.

Below are the 10 storyline titles in the order they will be released.

Dec. 22: A Cup Run to Remember Culminates in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Dec. 23: From a Rocky Start in May to Glory in July; Why Tormenta FC’s W League Team Won

Dec. 24: United, We Conquered: How Difficult Situations Kept Tormenta FC Together

Dec. 25: Fourth Time’s the Charm: How the Smallest Market in the United States Obtained Its First Professional Title

Dec. 26: Lifelong Memories Made in Two Months: The Power of Making Our Home a Fortress

Dec. 27: That Penalty Save in Minnesota

December 28: How to Host a USL League One Final on ESPN 2

December 29: Pro’s Start Here. The Tormenta FC Academy is on the Rise.

December 30: 591 Days

December 31: The Tormenta Way. What’s Next?

Tormenta Nation, thank you for an amazing 2022 season. From the best moments to the worst moments, you were there for it all. As Statesboro continues to grow, so do we. 2023 and years to come will be special. Let’s grow together for the better of our community.