Nona FC Primed for Road Trip Clash with Brave SC

LAKE NONA - As the seventh edition of the Rodeo Derby looms for Nona FC, the opponent could not be in a more contrasting situation. The Longhorns currently sit atop the Southeast Division standings with nine points from four games, establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

On June 7, the Longhorns will enter The Range after most recently taking down Brevard SC for the second time this season, with Brandon Nyagurungo’s early goal proving the difference. In the defensive half, captain Mason Lamb and Nona veteran Joel Sangwa maintained a partnership that proved effective in stymieing the Brevard attack.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, at the bottom of the division rankings, sits back-to-back Southeast Division champions Brave SC, who remain winless on two points, having not earned a point since week two at Brooke House FC.

The Buffaloes most recently fell to Sporting Jax 1-2 at home at The Range, with an early goal from Agustin Iusem not enough to withstand a Jax two-goal comeback. Brave also suffered a late red card, ruling out Homero Calderon for the Rodeo Derby.

Despite their struggles, Brave remain one of only three teams in the division to have scored in every match this season. Midfielder Matheus Ferreira is the main contributor to that record, as he is the only Brave player to score multiple goals during this campaign. His two strikes came in a 1-2 loss against Inter Gainesville and a 1-1 tie against Brooke House FC.

With a third of the season completed, the Black and Orange have four players with multiple goal contributions, three of whom have scored multiple goals. Christian Kraus and Bernardo Monteiro sit at two goals apiece, Andre Navas has one goal and one assist, and Brandon Nyagurungo leads the way with two goals and one assist.

The Rodeo Derby has held six previous editions, with Nona maintaining a 3-1-2 advantage in the all-time series. Last time out, the Black and Orange took the victory in dramatic fashion as Simon Afrifa-Kodua poked the ball into the net after a scuffle in the box in the 90+6' minute of the match. On Saturday, Nona will be looking to take consecutive victories in the series for the first time since the inaugural two contests in 2022.

The match is set to kick off at 7 p.m. and will be streamed on Brave SC’s NBC SportsEnginePlay channel.

UP NEXT

Following the Rodeo Derby, the Longhorns will continue their road trip when they return to Showalter Field to take on Brooke House FC on June 11.

FOLLOW THE LONGHORNS

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