Nona FC Braced for Crucial Rodeo Derby Rematch

LAKE NONA - The eighth Rodeo Derby promises to be a pivotal encounter, with more than just three points and local pride on the line. Nona FC and Brave SC are two of three sides locked in a tense Southeast Division title race, meaning that Wednesday’s penultimate home clash at Austin-Tindall Sports Complex will mark the most important of the campaign to date.

---

"We know what’s at stake with only four games left of the regular season, and by winning them all, we’ll be champions of our division. This is definitely one of the toughest teams we’ll face, but for me, every game is just as important. I prepare the same way every time."

STEINGRIMUR GUNNARSSON NONA FC GOALKEEPER

---

The Longhorns (5-3-0, Southeast Division) and the Buffaloes (2-2-2, Southeast Division) sit in second and third place in the Southeast Division standings respectively, separated by seven points, with Brave SC holding two games in hand.

A loss on Wednesday would effectively eliminate either team from a division title run: Sporting Club JAX would only need to claim victory against Brooke House FC on Saturday, June 28 to ascend out of reach of the Rodeo Derby runner-up.

The Black and Orange enter the showdown on a two-match winning streak, having edged Brooke House FC 1-0 at home and 2-1 on the road in back-to-back outings. It marks just the second time this season Nona FC has recorded consecutive wins, the first coming in the opening week with victories over Brevard SC and Brooke House.

Brave SC has only played one match since the last Rodeo Derby, eking out a 1-0 victory against league leaders Sporting Jax thanks to a Nicolai Muench strike at The Range on June 24.

The Buffaloes are the only team in the division to have scored in every match this season. The wealth has been shared among the Brave SC players almost evenly, as Matheus Ferreira is the only player with multiple goals on the roster. His two strikes came in a 1-1 tie against Brooke House FC on May 24 and a 1-2 loss against Inter Gainesville on May 28.

Oscar Resano Dominguez enters the contest having scored in the previous three editions of the Rodeo Derby.

With two-thirds of the season completed for Nona FC, the in-form duo of Brandon Nyagurungo and Jemone Barclay lead the way in the goal contribution charts. Nyagurungo has logged four goals and one assist this campaign, scoring a brace last time out against Brooke House FC on Saturday, June 21. Barclay’s one goal and two assists have been crucial to Nona staying in form as of late, with his game-winning goal against Brooke House on Wednesday, June 18 and assist to Nyagurungo’s second goal on June 21 helping the Black and Orange over the line.

The Longhorns will look to claim victory in the rivalry matchup for the first time since July 3, 2024 as they hope to notch another win in the all-time series, which currently sits at 3-2-2 in favor of Nona.

UP NEXT

Nona FC will host its final home game of the 2025 USL League Two season at Austin-Tindall Sports Complex when it hosts Inter Gainesville KF on Thursday, July 3rd.

FOLLOW THE LONGHORNS

Follow NONA FC on Instagram (@nonafootballclub) and on Youtube (@nonasportscast4180), and keep up with the Nona Soccer Academy on Instagram (@nonasocceracademy).