ATLANTA, GEORGIA—The fans of Atlanta Rovers FC were not happy after the United Premier Soccer League officials decided not to carry the 2-0 lead of their team against the Kalonji Pro-Profile in the replay of their game on August 14 at 7 in the evening at the South Gwinnett Park Stadium.
UPSL earlier decided to cancel the game between the two teams fighting for the 2022 UPSL Georgia Summer Regional Cup in the 45th minute last August 6 due to a storm and lighting. Before the game’s cancellation, the Atlanta Rovers FC was already leading 2-0, and the fans hoped they could carry it to the next game, but UPSL officials ruled against it, which made many fans angry.
Earlier, Atlanta Rovers FC Coach AB Aloui said his troops have trained hard to give Kalonji a run for their money and might end up as champion in their tournament. “Kolanji has set the bar recently in the UPSL, and we are aware of their quality. However, I think our team is ready for the challenge and might pull off a surprise or two. It should be a good game,” Aloui said. In the previous meetings of the two soccer clubs, Kalonji always had the advantage in the end. Still, this time, Rovers FC has something up its sleeves that would give them a winning edge against their favored opponent, who their U-23 team will represent.
Expected to provide scoring for the Rovers in the finals are forward Fidel Mba F. Mba Nsi and the duo of Jackson Bates and Luke Sexton. Rovers FC got the championship slot after beating SEAS Jamaica All-Stars 2-1 in their semifinal duel at the South Gwinnett Park Stadium at 8 in the evening last July 30. Bates and Sexton provided the goals for Rovers in their win. Kalonji got the slot for the championship after they beat Potros FC 2-1 in the other semifinal duel. The UPSL is an American professional development soccer league founded in Santa Ana, California.
