Through two matches this season, Brave SC has earned two draws, but the Buffalo (0-0-2) don’t feel the results reflect their level of play in those contests.
“We carry this feeling that we could have had the three points and left with just the one,” defender Leo Andrade said. “Everything we’ve done this week, we’ve been working to get these three points Saturday and bringing that winning feeling back to the house.”
Those two draws, both of which came after the Buffalo led, are key motivation for the team heading into Saturday’s home opener against Brevard SC (0-2-0).
“Our goal was to start winning from Day 1 and we didn’t win the first three games, counting the friendly,” midfielder Matheus Ferreira said. “Now is our chance. We’re playing at home with our fans, with people that like us and support us a lot. That’s extra motivation and we need to start winning right now if we want to dream about bigger things this season.”
While all match results are significant in the short USL League Two season, this one seems especially critical for the Buffalo. They currently sit fourth in the Southeast Division table and have missed out on four points in their first two contests despite leading in each.
Facing last-place Brevard, the players are keenly aware of the need for all three points from this match, but aren’t taking the visitors lightly, even after the Space Coast side suffered a lopsided loss to Nona FC earlier this week.
“We have to understand that we are a good team but we haven’t shown it yet, so be humble, put our feet on the ground and understand that it’s an important game, regardless of who we are playing,” Ferreira said. “Brevard just lost 5-0 against Nona. That doesn’t mean we are going to beat them 5-0 and we shouldn’t walk in thinking we won the game. We need to go from Minute 1 to 90 and make sure we do our job to win.”
The other primary motivator for Saturday’s match will be the home crowd, which returning players are eager to experience once again and the new players are anxious to see after hearing tales of the Buffalo supporters.
“I’m very excited to be there and see the atmosphere,” fullback Augstin Belgiorno said. “(Thursday), we had the opportunity to go and meet some of the fans, so I’m very excited. It’s going to be a good opportunity to show that we deserved more the last two games and I hope we’re going to win.”
History is on the Buffalo’s side in that endeavor — over the last five seasons, Brave SC has lost just two home matches.
“I always love playing at home,” Belgiorno said. “It’s an extra motivation. It’s close, no traveling, but the feeling of being at home and making the other teams feel fear, it’s nice when people come to our house and are scared. You can feel it.”
Brave SC and Brevard SC will kick off at 7 p.m. June 1 at The Range at The Villages Charter Middle School (251 Buffalo Trail, The Villages, FL 32162). Tickets to the match are $10 are available at the gate or online under the STORE tab at BraveSC.com.
For more information on Brave SC, including the first team roster and complete schedule, visit BraveSC.com.