Three weeks ago, the Myrtle Beach Mutiny lost their U.S. Open Cup game and then lost their PDL opener to the Charlotte Eagles. Alarm bells began to sound around the internet, but still, three weeks later, those games stand as the team’s only two losses of 2018, and they’ve outscored opponents 12–2 in the four games since.

Not bad.

On Wednesday, May 30, the Mutiny continued their now four-game unbeaten streak with a 3–1 win over a much-hyped Tobacco Road FC.

The Mutiny opened the scoring quickly in this one, with Joao Delgado finding the back of the net in the fourth minute.

They continued to be the more aggressive side, not just in the first half, but throughout the entire game. After that first goal was scored, the Mutiny had chance after chance to add another but failed to capitalize before the halftime whistle blew on a 1–0 lead.

Romario Piggott, in the first half against Tobacco Road FC. (Photo Credit: Ian Livingston Brooking)

That lead didn’t last long into the second half, as Tobacco Road’s Vicente Gallardo slipped behind the Mutiny defense and scored an easy tap-in to level things in the 53rd minute.

Just five minutes later, a foul in the box led to a penalty kick and a chance for Romario Piggott to get on the score sheet. His shot ricocheted off the crossbar, but it fell to Nazeem Bartman, who slotted the ball into the back of the net to put the Mutiny up 2–1 in the 59th minute.

Carlton McKenzie came on for Bartman in the 78th minute and made an instant impact, helping the Mutiny keep possession and solidifying a win for the Mutiny by scoring a goal in the final minute of stoppage time.

Bartman’s fourth goal of the season was the difference maker in this match, but the Man of the Match award has to go to Romario Piggott. Piggott created numerous chances for the Mutiny throughout the game especially in the first half. And while Piggott did not score or record an assist, unless we want to say that he ‘passed’ to Bartman by using the crossbar, Piggott certainly played a huge role in the Mutiny’s 3–1 win.

Goalkeeper Jose Santos once again came up huge for the Mutiny, recording six saves and pushing his total to 16 saves on the season.

Mutiny head coach Kyle Timm talked after the game about what is finally clicking for the team and discussed how the team was able to rebound after giving up an equalizer:

“Being able to train together and improve team chemistry and overall fitness has been key. When we played Tormenta in the Open Cup, we were missing a couple of players. And when we played Charlotte, a few players came in that day. After that we were able to train and work on some things. It was great to get a winning result and end the night coming out with three points.”

Now riding a four-game unbeaten streak and sitting atop the South Atlantic Division, the Mutiny will next play host to North Carolina FC U23’s on Wednesday, June 6 at 7:10 p.m., hoping to extend their unbeaten streak to five games.

The last time these two teams met, they played to a 1–1 draw in Cary. The last two times that NCFC has come to Little River, they have lost both times and have been outscored 2–6.

The Mutiny will have to rest up and re-find the energy that they have had in the past few games and get on the scoreboard first. I think Piggott will finally get on the scoresheet against NCFCU23, and then the flood gates will open for the Coastal Carolina forward. I’m predicting a 3–1 win on Wednesday night.

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