RECAP: DECATUR FC, GEORGIA IMPACT

Written By: Hayden Reis

EXPANSION SIDE DECATUR FC DRAWS HOME CROWD OF 2100 FANS IN SOUTHEAST MATCH UP WITH GEORGIA IMPACT

DECATUR FC faced Georgia Impact in a highly anticipated and competitive match on Friday, June 7, just east of Atlanta at 7:00pm. DECATUR FC had the most fans their program has ever seen with approximately 2100 fans at the match. The game ended in a draw 0-0

DECATUR FC sat in second and Georgia Impact at sixth in the Southeast Conference standings going into Friday's battle. Both teams are highly competitive with a large fanbase in and around Metro Atlanta so this was definitely a must see match for the Southeast Conference. 

Sixth in the South Region preseason polls, Georgia Impact, had just come off its season opener against first place in WPSL Week 4 Power Rankings, Nashville Rhythm F.C. – which ended 2-1, Rhythm. In 2023, Georgia Impact finished in the Top 10 Power Rankings for the South Region for its first season. 

The sun was high and the fans were loud in Decatur. Coming off two wins, DECATUR FC is having a record breaking opening season, in more ways than one, for the Southeast Conference. In its WPSL season opener home match on May 24th versus Atlanta Fire United, about 1800 fans attended the game and created a thrilling atmosphere for the players. 

In the first half, many attempts were made by both teams to find the net but neither side were able to. Both teams are familiar with each other because many of the girls play at Georgia State and Clayton State University. The teams came out strong and kept the momentum throughout the match, despite the no goal score. 

Georgia Impact’s keeper, Charlee Bernal (Kennesaw State University) and back four, shut down the home team not only in the first half but the whole game. In the second half, DECATUR had a few more shots on goal to threaten Georgia Impact but wasn't able to find the goal. The final whistle blew at 0-0. 

Prior to the match on Friday, “We are an attacking team and we will try to play on the front foot,”Campbell Chapman, DECATUR FC head coach, said. “Every training session is a little better than the last so we are playing with confidence, the players had an unbelievable experience playing in front of over 1800 for our opening home game and the fans were loud and energetic. Hopefully this Friday we can give them something to cheer about.”

Yellow Cards:
Brooke Shanke GA Impact 35’

Lineups:

Georgia Impact

8-Abagail Graeser, 33-Anna Weir, 19-Brook Hart, 00-Charlee Bernal, 15-Emma Kate Schroll, 18-Grace Eatz, 9-Ines Obradovac ©, 22-Julia Hasenecz, 12-Madison Hook, 6-Maria Howell, 5-Maria Andujar.

DECATUR FC
6-Becky Contreras, 20-Breanna Barley, 14-Carley Borgelt, 7-Emma Chapman, 30- Jaddah Foos, 4-Jazmin Ferguson, 11-Maysoon El-Shami, 12-Micah Bryant, 16-Sarah Greiner, 15-Shania Spriggs, 10-Wasila Diwura-Soale.

The standings going into Week 6 changed as DECATUR FC now sits in third and Georgia Impact now sits seventh place in the Conference. DECATUR now is tied in points with UFA Gunners but with goal differential, the Gunners claim second. Georgia Impact’s next home match is on Wednesday, June 12, versus Atlanta Fire United. DECATUR FC’s next home match is this upcoming Sunday against fourth place, 865 Alliance. 

Also in action this past week for the Southeast was UFA Gunners which beat Atlanta Fire United on Wednesday, June 5. On Friday June 7, Nashville Rhythm F.C fell to UFA Gunners, 3-0, gaining Rhythms first loss for the 2024 season. Alliance also took a win against Atlanta Fire United, FC Nashville Wolves fell to UFA Gunners, and Chattanooga FC beat FC Birmingham 4-1, on Saturday, June 8. DECATUR FC traveled to Birmingham and snagged a win on the road to conclude the busy week. 

Up This Week

Week 6 has a total of six matches scheduled for the Southeast. Atlanta Fire United versus Georgia Impact and Nashville Rhythm F.C versus FC Nashville Wolves. on Wednesday, June 12. On Saturday, Atlanta Fire United will face FC Nashville Wolves, Georgia Impact versus FC Birmingham, and DECATUR FC will battle 865 Alliance. To finish off the week Chattanooga FC will see the UFA Gunners.