Preview by: George Diamond

After last week's 3-1 record setting victory against Philadelphia, the Ocean City Nor’easters (6-0-0) are looking to continue their perfect run in USL-League Two. Only one other team in USL-2 is perfect in Seacoast United Phantoms who lay atop the Northeast Division with 7 wins from 7 games. This time out the Storm will host the winless Lehigh Valley United Rush (0-6-0). 

In their previous meeting this year at Moravarian University, the Nor’easters walked away 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Alberto Cruz (University of Memphis) and Marco Silva (Marshall). The clean sheet was kept by goalkeeper Marc Bonnaire (WVU). While the Rush hit the post in the first half, they were unable to threaten the Ocean City defense much that game, and have scored a division fewest 4 goals on the season. 

The game will kick off at 7 p.m. at America’s Greatest Family Resort.

Single-game tickets for Nor'easters home games can be purchased for $10 each. Season memberships, which include all seven regular season home games and any potential exhibition games (like FC Monmouth on June 4), are $50. The easiest way to purchase tickets is to buy them online through the Nor'easters website (OceanCityFC.com). Tickets can also be purchased at the Carey Stadium gate either with cash or with a smartphone.

Coaches get in free at the Beach House

Continuing in 2024, in an effort to connect with the local soccer community and pay tribute to the men and women who help the sport grow in and around the state of New Jersey, the Nor'easters are offering season tickets to all soccer coaches. The club is expanding its reach throughout the state of New Jersey and beyond by inviting local coaches to the Jersey Shore to experience one of the country’s best minor league soccer teams. Any youth, high school or college soccer is entitled to a free season ticket for all regular season home games at Carey Stadium. Coaches interested in season tickets just have to register and fill out a short survey by clicking HERE. Once a coach is registered, they just need to show their photo ID at the box office to use their season pass.

Most recently, LVU lost to Real Central NJ by a score of 4-0 on June 15th. Four different Rush players have tallied a single goal. Landon Bealer is the leading assist maker, with 2 across 363 minutes of action. The Nor’easters are on pace for several franchise records. They are averaging 3 goals per game, which would break the current record of 2.94 set in 2005. The Storm defense has been rock solid thus far into the season, only allowing 3, and are on pace to break the ‘fewest goals allowed’ record which was most recently set in 2022 with 9. The only team that has allowed fewer goals than Ocean City are the Little Rock Rangers with 1. However, it should be noted that the 2024 season only includes 12 regular season games, which is the fewest in a USL-2 season on record. The all-time series heavily favors Ocean City and stands at 17-2-0 with the last LVU win coming on the road in 2019. The Nor’easters have won all 9 previous games against LVU with a combined score of 32 to 8. Nathanael Sallah (Omaha-Nebraska) had his best game of the year last week against Philadelphia. So far this year, coach Matt Perella has instituted a dual GK rotation with Bonnaire and Sallah sharing the role of starter. There is every reason to believe this trend will continue and Bonnaire will draw the start against LVU.

Josh Jones (Louisville/Real Salt Lake) has played every minute and will likely continue to hold that center back spot down. Kaelan Debbage (Spring Arbor) is tied for team lead in assists (3) and has performed admirably in several roles across the backline. Midfielders Maruki Kawahara (Omaha-Nebraska) and Arthur Widiez (FAU) have likewise been nailed on to the starting lineup. 

The Nor’easters have a quick turnaround with a game on Sunday against 4th placed Real Central Jersey. Perrella may prioritize that fixture and rotate in members of the squad who have not yet featured heavily this season. Diego Palma (Indiana Wesleyan) and recent debutant Nico Rubio (Seton Hall) are two players who may get a bigger chance to sign than in recent matches.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm at Carey Stadium. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate.

If you are unable to attend in person, make sure to follow along on Instagram and Twitter/X for live in-game updates.