Virginia Beach Travels to NOVA for Make or Break Showdown
By Nicholas King — June 19, 2024
Nobody likes a test. Tests are hard. Tests are nerve-wracking. Tests can make or break one’s chances of success. But we all face them, whether we like it or not. On Wednesday, Virginia Beach United faces its biggest test of the year so far: a road game against NOVA F.C. that could significantly alter the course of the season for both teams.
Currently, Virginia Beach and NOVA are locked in at second and fourth place in the Chesapeake Division. United holds a three-point lead over F.C. that would vanish with a road loss. If that were to happen, Virginia Beach's path to the postseason would have to include road wins over Lionsbridge and Charlottesville. Both the aforementioned squads have the two easiest remaining schedules out of the seven teams in the division, meaning United will likely have to win four of its last five to definitively secure its second-place spot. A loss to NOVA would force Virginia Beach to tackle a Charlottesville team that has not been defeated at home and a Lionsbridge squad it has not beaten in nearly five years. Virginia Beach’s easiest path to the postseason starts with a win at NOVA; without it, the journey becomes an uphill one.
On the other side, NOVA has already been fighting an uphill battle. After starting 3-3, the club managed a key draw against Lionsbridge in its last match to earn a point in the standings. Now three points behind second place, NOVA can make things interesting with a win over Virginia Beach. However, if the football club cannot conquer United, its season is effectively over. Excluding the match against VB, NOVA has three other USL2 games remaining, meaning the room for error is none. Six points down with three games remaining is a position that not even Manchester United could recover from! Therefore, the scenario for NOVA is clear: win out and get some help, or lose and miss the playoffs. With a victory, the club still has a chance; without it, its season is over.
When it comes to the actual test, certain factors can make it easier, one of which is optimal preparation time. When Wednesday rolls around, NOVA will be coming off a brisk four days of rest, whereas United will have had eleven days to prepare for the match. The extra time to study its opponent, fine-tune the small details, and take practice exams in the form of scrimmages leaves United with a favorable advantage heading into the match.
Another factor that can impact performance is familiarity with the material. Once again, advantage Virginia Beach! United secured a 1-0 victory in an early season matchup against NOVA, thanks to a Bomba Hermoso goal in the 78th minute. United’s early-season success against NOVA bodes well for its upcoming game on Wednesday. Now at full strength, VB can build on what worked in the first game to frustrate their opponent further. Conversely, NOVA will have to alter its game plan in hopes of avoiding another shutout.
When looking at the full picture, a loss by Virginia Beach Wednesday night could be considered inexcusable. With all the cards in its favor, combined with the already talented roster, Virginia Beach fans should feel confident about their team's chances heading into Wednesday’s game. However, advantages do not guarantee victories. What can truly be expected is that the more desperate and hungry team will emerge with the win. Therefore, this test only has one question: which team will that be?