USL League One Group Stage Report
Napoli secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Alta in the Group Stage on 5 August. The result leaves the hosts in 13th place with 26 points from 24 games, while Alta remain 10th with 29 points after 25 matches. Both sides had been struggling in recent outings, and this was a chance to change momentum.
G. Miglietti gave Napoli the lead just before the interval, striking in the 45th minute plus three. He picked up a yellow card shortly after, in the 47th, as the first half closed. Alta responded well after the break, and J. Desdunes equalised from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute. The visitors looked like they might take all three points.
And here's the thing — the match wasn't over. A. Ferrin fired home for Napoli in the 90th minute plus one, and the hosts held on through stoppage time. By then, both teams had made several changes. Napoli brought on M. Ibarra, N. Relerford, and A. Mesias, while Alta saw G. Miglietti, T. Gray substituted. The late winner meant the clean-sheet run came to an end for both sides.
Statistics told a different story from the scoreline. Napoli dominated possession with 39 per cent but managed only three shots on target, all of them accurate. Alta had 61 per cent possession and four shots on target, also fully accurate. Both teams recorded four yellow cards, and neither side had a red card. The visitors won more corners — 10 to 5 — but Napoli generated more attacks with 78 compared to Alta's 76.
The result keeps Napoli in the hunt despite their recent poor run. They had lost four of their last five matches, including defeats to Forvard Madison, Tampa Bay Roadiz, and New York Cosmos. Alta's position looks slightly more comfortable with 29 points, but they cannot afford another slip if they want to close the gap on the leaders.