Decatur FC has its first real test ahead as the team defends its perfect 2-0 record.
They’ve won at home and they’ve won on the road, but this Friday they’ll play against Georgia Impact, one of the top teams in the WPSL’s Southeast Conference.
Decatur’s games so far have been against Atlanta Fire, who finished with only two wins in eight games last season, and the FC Nashville Wolves, who are also newly incorporated. But Georgia Impact finished third in the division last year and have already defeated last year’s conference champions, Nashville Rhythm FC.
“I feel like this is one of our first good matchups for a game,” captain Jazmin Ferguson said. “We know a lot of girls on the other team just from college and club and stuff.”
Part of the challenge for Decatur FC is the team’s familiarity with its opponent. The world of high-level women’s soccer in Georgia is small. Many of the players on the two teams have played together or currently play together in college. Their talent levels are similar and the level of competition in this game should be far higher than the two shutouts that preceded it for Decatur.
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“We’re going to have a very tough game against a well organized team,” Decatur FC coach Campbell Chapman said. “There’s gonna be a lot of rivalry on the field with girls who know each other and that can work in your favor. Sometimes it can work against you. So I think they will definitely enjoy the experience. For us, this is the second home game, but I think that that intensity from the fans wanting to see us win and score goals, will also give Georgia Impact some spur to be the party poopers.”
Decatur’s strategy so far has leaned heavily on its offense, with powerhouse forwards like Becky Contreras and Sarah Greiner knocking in goals and midfielder Wasila Diwura-Soale helping to transition the ball and push the pace. Rarely through two games has Decatur’s defense been heavily challenged, so the team practiced 11v11s in practice this week to challenge their defense with their own strong offense. Their ability to control the tempo of the game will also be important as
Decatur FC also feels that it is more prepared than it would have been two weeks ago. The women have adjusted to playing semi-pro soccer and to playing with each other over the last few weeks of practice and the last two games. That adjustment is critical as Decatur’s pass-heavy style of play relies on familiarity and trust of teammates. And after two dominant wins, the team’s confidence is sky-high.
“I don’t think I’m concerned,” Ferguson said. “We’re really a rookie to semi-pro where it’s our first year … We have nothing to lose really because we’re new here. We don’t really know how they play. We’ve seen them, we know them. We don’t know anything, so we’re going in with a rookie mentality.”
Decatur FC plays Georgia Impact at Decatur High School on Friday at 7 p.m. Buy tickets here.
