FC Naples Off to a Hot Start in USL League One
Here's what we love about the expansion side so far
Undefeated in three matches and top of the table, FC Naples is off to a surprising start in USL League One play. Any doubts about club after a 1-1 draw with Chattanooga to open the season were wiped away after victories over the much higher rated opponents of Forward Madison and Spokane Velocity.
It’s still early in a long season, but here’s what we’re loving about FC Naples so far.
Karsen Henderlong’s budding Golden Boot campaign
The 24 year old striker added another to his season tally at Spokane, which also ended up being the match winner. It wasn’t the prettiest goal, but goals scored by strikers don’t need to be. Henderlong was in position, crashed the box and made it happen.
That’s now three goals in three matches for Henderlong, who spent last season with Indy Eleven making only five appearances. Of course it’s way too early to make Golden Boot predictions, but it’s fun to point out when they’re budding early in the season from an unexpected source.
Kevin O’Connor is a menace in the midfield
Henderlong’s goal doesn’t happen without O’Connor’s midfield pressure and beautiful cross into the box. O’Connor started the sequence by robbing Spokane’s Andre Lewis of possession, and after a back and forth with Luke Prpa, sent the ball into the box for Henderlong’s initial shot. Deflected by Spokane goalkeeper Carlos Merancio, Henderlong put the second attempt away.
The depth is stronger than initially realized
Head Coach Matt Poland managed a busy schedule between league play and US Open Cup action, and leaned on his squad’s surprisingly strong depth. The league should be on notice at this point - Naples can put on a strong performance with the likes of Jayden Onen and Chris Heckenberg in bench support.
As long as any combination of Andrés Ferrín, Henderlong, O’Connor, Onen and Prpa are on the pitch, it’s going to be difficult for defenders to stay on track given the serious threats presented by all four. And this weekend, Poland showed that the team can present those threats even while resting one or more on the bench to start the match.
Lalo Delgado racks up another clean sheet behind a stellar defense
The league veteran keeper notched his 24th regular season clean sheet, and second in a row for FC Naples. However, he only found himself truly tested once in the match, as 11 of Spokane’s 12 shots were off target. While Spokane maintained 63% of possession throughout the match, they could not find their way through or around the Naples defense to make quality shots. It’s a testament to the strength of Naples’ center back pairing of Jake Dengler and Brecc Evans, flanked by Ian Garrett and Max Glasser. Poland appears to have absolute confidence in their ability to shut down anything that gets beyond the midfield.
FC Naples will host fellow expansion side Portland Hearts of Pine on Saturday, March 29th. It will be the visiting side’s regular season debut, having only seen action in preseason and US Open Cup play. The battle-tested FC Naples squad should be ready.