Georgia Storm FC
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| Full name | Georgia Storm FC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Storm | ||
| Founded | 2020 | ||
| Stadium | Grisham Stadium Carrollton, Georgia | ||
| Owner | Bill Rucker | ||
| General Manager | Stephen Bivens | ||
| Manager | Josh Bivens | ||
| League | National Premier Soccer League | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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Georgia Storm FC is an American soccer club based in Carrollton, Georgia, United States. The team competes in the Southeast Conference of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the fourth tier of the United States soccer league system.[1] The NPSL is officially affiliated to the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and qualifies for the US Open Cup. The NPSL is regarded as the fourth tier in the US soccer pyramid.[2]
History
Georgia Storm FC played their inaugural match on May 1, 2021 against Georgia Revolution resulting in a 1-0 loss at home in Carrollton. Georgia Storm achieved its first goals and victory in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) on May 15, 2021 against LSA Athletico Lanier. The first goal was an own goal and the second was a header off a set piece late in the second half by Stephen Bivens assisted by Andrew Carleton. [3] Including the win against LSA Lanier the Storm went on a five game unbeaten streak. Their first road loss was at North Alabama SC on June 12, 2021. This match was followed by a win on June 19th against the same North Alabama side. On June 26, 2021 Georgia Storm scored 14 goals in a Fabian Pekruhl clean sheet against Metro Louisville which included six goals by Stephen Bivens, four by Wilfried Kamdem Tchoupa, two by Avery Shepard, and once each by Jeisson Palencia and Cian Walder. Georgia Storm ended conference play against Appalachian FC in Boone, NC falling at the end 3-2 in front of 1,100 in attendance.[4] The team finished in second place in the conference and thus made the playoffs. The first playoff match was played in Carrollton against Appalachian FC resulting in a 2-1 victory with goals from Andrew Carleton and Wilfried Kamden Tchoupa.[5] In the conference championship against Georgia Revolution FC a 2-1 loss ended the inaugural season. Due to the team's success a spot in the qualifying rounds of the US Open Cup was obtained. [6]
The 2021 roster included three former MLS players including Hunter Jumper, Kevin Barajas, and Andrew Carleton[7]
Fabian Pekruhl, Stephen Bivens, and Wilfried Kamdem Tchoupa were named to the 2021 NPSL Southeast Conference Best XI.[8]
2021 Season-Southeast Conference
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia Revolution FC | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 10 | +15 | 25 | Southeast Conference playoffs |
| 2 | Georgia Storm | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 26 | 9 | +17 | 17 | |
| 3 | Appalachian FC | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 12 | +4 | 16 | |
| 4 | LSA Athletico Lanier | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 19 | −7 | 13 | |
| 5 | Metro Louisville FC | 10 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 30 | −22 | 7 | |
| 6 | North Alabama SC | 10 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 13 | 20 | −7 | 7 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head to head; 3) goal differential in head to head results; 4) wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) fewest losses; 7) coin toss. If three or more teams are tied on points, a mini-table involving only the tied teams is used, and teams are ranked in the mini-table on points. If two teams are tied on points in the mini-table, the two-team rules for classification apply. If three or more teams are tied on points in the mini-table, they are ranked based on 1) wins in conference competition; 2) total goal differential in conference competition; 3) fewest losses in conference competition; 4) coin toss.
2021 Southeast Conference playoffs
| Semifinals July 14 | Final July 17 | ||||||||
| 1 | Georgia Revolution | 2(6) | |||||||
| 4 | LSA Athletico Lanier | 2(5) | |||||||
| 1 | Georgia Revolution | 2 | |||||||
| 2 | Georgia Storm | 1 | |||||||
| 2 | Georgia Storm | 2 | |||||||
| 3 | Appalachian FC | 1 | |||||||
Bold = winner
* = after extra time, ( ) = penalty shootout score
2021 US Open Cup
Georgia Storm FC played in their first ever US Open Cup match on October 16, 2021 against Georgia Revolution at Luella High School. The match was tied until the second half when Revolution's Christian Duncan converted his first. Deep into stoppage time Gerard Forges scored from close range, assisted by Stephen Bivens to send the match to added time. The Storm struck early in added time with Jacob Bivens netting a header before a last effort strike by Duncan sent the game to penalty kicks. Georgia Revolution converted all their kicks and won the match 2-2 (4-2).
Players
First-team squad
As of March 31, 2021[9]
This is the roster turned into the NPSL at the start of the 2021 season.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Technical staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head Coach |  Joshua Bivens
|
| Assistant Coach | Trent Orndorf
|
| Assistant Coach | Matt Brooks
|
Records
Team records
Year-by-Year
| Season | Domestic League | U.S. Open Cup |
Head Coach | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | GP | W | D | L | Pts | Conference | Pos. | Playoffs | |||
| 2021 | NPSL | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 17 | Southeast | Conference Runner-ups | Did Not Qualify | Qualifiers 2nd Round | Joshua Bivens
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Goals
as of October 16, 2021|
| Rank | Name | NPSL Reg. Season | Conf. Playoffs | US Open Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen Bivens
|
12 | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| 2 | Andrew Carleton
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 |  Wilfried Kamdem-Tchoupa
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 4 | Avery Shepard
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 5 |  Jeisson Palencia
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 |  Cian Walder
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 |  Gerard Forges
|
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | Jacob Bivens
|
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Kit details
| Season | Kit Brand | Kit Sponsor | Industry | Sponsors | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Puma | Scott Evans Carrollton | Automobile Sales | Red Med Urgent Clinic, Hacienda San Antonio Mexican Taqueria, GreyStone Power Corp., HomeLight | |||||
Supporters
The supporter group of Georgia Storm FC is The Storm Chasers.[10] The group is the core of the home fans, travels to away games, and promotes the team to the community. They have a social media presence on all platforms.
Development system
Georgia Storm fields a UPSL squad to develop reserves which competes in the Southeast Conference Georgia Div. I. [11]
The Georgia Storm Soccer Academy provides recreation, academy, and select programs for almost 2000 youth players mostly in the Carroll County and Douglas County areas of western Georgia. Storm teams participate in the USYS National League, Club Champions League, Georgia Premier League, and are affiliated with Georgia Soccer.
References
- ^ "Georgia's on Their Mind: Storm Soccer Academy to play in NPSL in 2021". https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2020/09/17/georgias-on-their-mind-storm-soccer-academy-to-play-in-npsl-in-2021/. September 17, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ "How Soccer in the US is organized!". SoccerNewsday.com. 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ "GEORGIA STORM DEFEATS LSA ATHLETICO LANIER 2-0". www.NPSL.com/15596/. 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ Appalachian FC secures 3-2 victory in final home game of inaugural season". https://theappalachianonline.com/appalachian-fc-secures-3-2-victory-in-final-home-game-of-inaugural-season/. 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
- ^ "Georgia Storm Advances in NPSL Postseason". https://www.npsl.com/16634/. 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ "2022 US Open Cup qualifying schedule, results". https://thecup.us/2021/09/08/2022-us-open-cup-qualifying-schedule-results/. 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ "Atlanta United academy alumni earn opportunities in domestic fourth division". https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2021/5/13/22432533/atlanta-united-academy-alumni-earn-opportunities-in-domestic-fourth-division. 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ "NPSL ANNOUNCES 2021 CONFERENCE XI SELECTIONS". https://www.npsl.com/16707/#1626672382456-397284a7-93c5. 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ https://www.georgiastormfc.com/roster
- ^ "The Storm Chasers". Instagram.
- ^ "UPSL Announces Southeast Expansion With Georgia Storm". https://www.sanleefc.com/news/2021/04/23/upsl-announces-southeast-expansion-with-georgia-storm. 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.