The Red Wolves came into the 2021 USL League One campaign with one goal in mind, winning the club’s first league title while playing under the floodlights at one of the premier soccer specific stadiums in the USL pyramid, CHI Memorial Stadium. The squad is off to a strong start having dazzled with their high intensity pressing play and nerve-wracking knack for popping up at the end of games when it matters the most. The Cardiac Red Wolves have earned their namesake, and now the club sits tied with Union Omaha at the top of the league standings. In a
season that has been filled with non-stop action, this is the story so far.
After securing four points from their first two games, including saving a point at Gillette Stadium with a fantastic late Josue España brace, the Red Wolves hosted Fort Lauderdale in their season opener. In front of a raucous home crowd, Jason Ramos would score in the 94th minute to propel the home side to a 2-1 victory, and thus, the Cardiac Red Wolves were born.What would follow could make even the best script writers jealous, as the squad continued to pick up results in the most thrilling of ways. A late 84th minute Galindrez winner the very next home match against Richmond, and then another Galindrez winner in the 89th in Tucson. North Carolina FC would be the next to be downed at CHI Memorial, where the fortress mentality has been solidified throughout the season. Juan Galindrez would pop up late in the second half with
a brilliant brace, and Marky Hernandez went on to kill the game in the 92nd minute with another beautifully worked team goal.
These are just a few in a long list of late game-changing moments from the Red Wolves, who have seen 7 games decided with goals after the 84th minute. In the month of July, all four matches have seen decisive moments at the death. Marky Hernandez snatching a point at Werner Park against Omaha in the 91st, Rafa Mentzingen’s 87th minute goal for the club in a thrilling win over Tormenta, and last time out a brilliantly taken Rey Ortiz free kick steered home by Jackson Dietrich for his first goal for the club to earn a point in the 98th minute.
Now, as the squad prepares for defending champions Greenville Triumph on Saturday, the league will be on notice. Undefeated at home, with one of the deepest squads in the league, the Red Wolves have proven why they are the most exciting team in USL League One. Not only that, but manager Jimmy Obleda has shown the importance of a talented bench and picking the right sub, highlighted by the meteoric impact the side has made from the bench late in matches. For a side that has already delivered a USL player of the month, goal of the week, and numerous and varied selections to the USL team of the week, this is only the beginning. For a side that has proven its resilience and ability, there are two questions left to be answered. Will the Red Wolves lift the title, and will supporters survive cardiac episodes until that moment
comes?
The Cardiac Red Wolves rematch against defending champions Greenville Triumph kicks off at 7 PM EST Saturday night, with supporters being treated to the unveiling of the squad’s official third kit for the 2021 USL League One Campaign.
