2026-09-15, 08:39 PM - Word count:
It's been a rough start to the season for CS Rova Mpanlaka with a 0-2-2 record, 2 points, and a goal differential of -3. After matchday 5, Rova is still in 7th in the minor D1 standings, but did close the gap to North Shore United a bit after NSU lost to Montréal United (Rova now trails NSU by 1 point). There's still 10 games left and anything can happen
Rova had a bye in MD1, so their first game wasn't until the SSL Cup Qualifying Round where they faced Xelajú Cósmico FC, talk about getting a bit of an unlucky draw because XCFC is competing in major D2. I was hoping the Rova could at least be competitive and try to get the upset. XCFC won the game 3-0 and Rova just couldn't get into the game. They were out shot 9-23 and only 2 of Rova's shots were on target. It does suck to get knocked out of the SSL Cup early, it's at least a learning experience for next season
Rova's first match outside of the SSL Cup occurred on ND 2 of the regular season where they faced off against North Shore United. Rova fought hard in the first half and trailed 1-0 at the half. 6 minutes into the 2nd half, rookie CAM Scott Newman scored his first career goal with Rova and it was a big one too because it was the equalizer. Unfortunately, North Shore scored 2 unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead. While Rova got Pauile Wag to record an own goal in the 88th minute, it wasn't enough as Rova lost 2-3 to start the season. Rova was out shot 22-17, so they were in it most of the way
Rova's next match was against Kaapstad FC and oh boy this was a nail biter for Rova. They fell behind 1-0 early thanks to a goal from Dante Von Wolfe and that was the score at the half. Rova trailed most of the 2nd half until the 90+4' mark in the 2nd half. The official blew the whistle for a penalty on Kaapstad and a VAR check up held the penalty. Hans Grundar had a chance to be the hero in Rova's 11th hour and he delivered. Duncan Walrusson went right and Grudnar went left, scoring the late equalizer. Rova was out shot 18-8 in this one and came away with a highway robbery of a point in this one
For MD4, Rova faced off against Montréal Untied and lost 2-0. Montréal scored first in the 25th minute off a penalty and added one more in the 68th minute. This one stings a lot because Rova had chances to score, but got FM'd as 2 of their goals that were scored were removed and they hit the post at times. This is a game that should've been a draw at least because of the misses chances. The stats do reflect how Rova played in this one as they were out shot 16-12
Rova's most recent match was against Rapid Magyar SC. Rova was able to keep up most of the first half and they cracked late in the 1st half. A goal from Dr. Squid off a set peice in the 39th minute and another goal from Greg Evil in the 45th minute means that Rova find themselves trailing 2-0 at the half. 4 games into the season and Rova has yet to either be tied or lead at the half. Rova did have chances to score but couldn't find the back of the net. Rova played much better in the 2nd half and put Magyar under some serious pressure. Rova got on the board in the 76th minute with Damian DeSoto deflecting Jack Pow's shot into the net for an own goal and 5 minutes later, Pow tied the game up. Rova had chances to get the win win late, but Corey Stevens kept making huge saves to keep the score at 2-2. I'm sure Rova's a little mad knowing that they could've snatch the win late to steal 3 points and that would've moved them up to 6th in the table
I would love to see Rova get some wins in the final 10 games and move out of the potential relegation spots. As things stand they would automatically be relegated to D2
Rova had a bye in MD1, so their first game wasn't until the SSL Cup Qualifying Round where they faced Xelajú Cósmico FC, talk about getting a bit of an unlucky draw because XCFC is competing in major D2. I was hoping the Rova could at least be competitive and try to get the upset. XCFC won the game 3-0 and Rova just couldn't get into the game. They were out shot 9-23 and only 2 of Rova's shots were on target. It does suck to get knocked out of the SSL Cup early, it's at least a learning experience for next season
Rova's first match outside of the SSL Cup occurred on ND 2 of the regular season where they faced off against North Shore United. Rova fought hard in the first half and trailed 1-0 at the half. 6 minutes into the 2nd half, rookie CAM Scott Newman scored his first career goal with Rova and it was a big one too because it was the equalizer. Unfortunately, North Shore scored 2 unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead. While Rova got Pauile Wag to record an own goal in the 88th minute, it wasn't enough as Rova lost 2-3 to start the season. Rova was out shot 22-17, so they were in it most of the way
Rova's next match was against Kaapstad FC and oh boy this was a nail biter for Rova. They fell behind 1-0 early thanks to a goal from Dante Von Wolfe and that was the score at the half. Rova trailed most of the 2nd half until the 90+4' mark in the 2nd half. The official blew the whistle for a penalty on Kaapstad and a VAR check up held the penalty. Hans Grundar had a chance to be the hero in Rova's 11th hour and he delivered. Duncan Walrusson went right and Grudnar went left, scoring the late equalizer. Rova was out shot 18-8 in this one and came away with a highway robbery of a point in this one
For MD4, Rova faced off against Montréal Untied and lost 2-0. Montréal scored first in the 25th minute off a penalty and added one more in the 68th minute. This one stings a lot because Rova had chances to score, but got FM'd as 2 of their goals that were scored were removed and they hit the post at times. This is a game that should've been a draw at least because of the misses chances. The stats do reflect how Rova played in this one as they were out shot 16-12
Rova's most recent match was against Rapid Magyar SC. Rova was able to keep up most of the first half and they cracked late in the 1st half. A goal from Dr. Squid off a set peice in the 39th minute and another goal from Greg Evil in the 45th minute means that Rova find themselves trailing 2-0 at the half. 4 games into the season and Rova has yet to either be tied or lead at the half. Rova did have chances to score but couldn't find the back of the net. Rova played much better in the 2nd half and put Magyar under some serious pressure. Rova got on the board in the 76th minute with Damian DeSoto deflecting Jack Pow's shot into the net for an own goal and 5 minutes later, Pow tied the game up. Rova had chances to get the win win late, but Corey Stevens kept making huge saves to keep the score at 2-2. I'm sure Rova's a little mad knowing that they could've snatch the win late to steal 3 points and that would've moved them up to 6th in the table
I would love to see Rova get some wins in the final 10 games and move out of the potential relegation spots. As things stand they would automatically be relegated to D2
