Stumpts Settle for Scoreless Draw vs. LA Force

MATTHEWS, NC – Stumptown AC’s unbeaten streak ran to five games with a scoreless draw against visiting LA Force last night at the Matthews SportsPlex. A hard fought match for the Stumps with a number of starting lineup changes due to suspensions still felt like a morale victory as the home side had a number of close chances to steal the three points.

For the second straight weekend two of NISA’s top four teams played to a deadlock, with the first of those meetings resulting in a wild 2-2 draw last Saturday in California. While the first leg of the home-and-home series gave Stumptown all the momentum of drawing even on a two-goal deficit, it left the lineup without the services of its two starting central midfielders after red cards.

With a handful of players making their first starts of the season, Stumptown played evenly through the first half. The best scoring chance of the half game in the waning moments before the break when a Rhys Williams left footed bender rang off the top corner where the post meets the crossbar.

Both teams had a fair amount of possession play in the first 45, but the second half saw Stumptown AC push the play forward and press for a game-winner. Clearly the stronger of the sides after the break, Stumptown challenged LA Force goalkeeper Kifi Cabrera and his defense. The Force defense was left helpless after a beautiful buildup in the final few minutes of the game, but Rhys Williams back side run onto a laced cross was pumped over the crossbar.

As the final whistle blew, there were no goals to separate the two teams, as LA Force settled into second place in the NISA table, and Stumptown fell to fourth place. The two sides wrap the season series with a par of draws, and head into the final five weeks of the season trying to chase down league leading Detroit City FC.

Stumptown takes to the road this week to head out west again for a showdown with Cal United Strikers next Saturday night at 10pm EST, before returning to host DCFC on October 23 at the SportsPlex. To watch any and all games, visit www.StumptownAC.com/watch-live and to buy tickets for the Detroit City or any remaining matches visit www.StumptownAC.com/tickets.