MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - -Â Tennessee Tempo FC played their first regular season game of the 2025 UPSL Spring Season and struck gold in their victory over Pre-College Development Academy.
With both teams battling through the early parts of the game, it was new addition Harrison Watts who opened up the scoring for Tempo. Fighting for possession in the middle of the field, Watts won the ball near the beginning of the attacking third and ripped a shot past the PCDA keeper, 1-0 Tempo.
The away side did not go away quickly though, breaking away every chance that they had. In the 30th minute the PCDA right winger had a great delivery into the box and Moussa Gueye made a diving attempt to head the ball clear of the Tempo net.
Flipping the momentum back to Tempo’s side, Alfredo Gilly nearly doubled the TNT lead in the 31st minute with a long range effort of his own, forcing a save from the keeper. Finally finding the elusive second goal, Gregory Cousins whipped in an in-swinging corner from his right foot and after bouncing back and forth between several players, Souleymane Blade drilled it into the back of the net.
Leading 2-0 with just under ten minutes left to play in the half, Dominic Oduro nearly found Harrison Watts for his second goal of the game. The Ghanaian midfielder curled in a cross from the top right corner of the eighteen yard box and Watts smashed a header into the floor, forcing another keen save from the PCDA keeper.
In the 50th minute PCDA showed their quality, only being held scoreless by a double save from Alex Rodriguez. Making their way past two defenders, PCDA’s left winger took a shot at the near post which Rodriguez parried into the middle and found a way to eventually jump on and keep it goalless.
After settling into the game with little offense from either team, Jermaine Muirhead added in the third for Tempo. Winning the ball back in PCDA’s half, Stanley Grand-Pierre dribbled the ball down the left wing and cut the ball back in to find Moorhead unmarked twenty five yards who then hit a delightful curling ball into the top right corner, freezing the goalkeeper in place.
Despite a great night from Rodriguez in net, PCDA would not be shut out however. Having made several miraculous saves on the night, the Spanish number one finally had one put past him, but Tempo would respond quickly.
Making it four different goalscorers on the night for TNT, Stanley Grand-Pierre made another great dribble down the wing and was brought to the floor by the PCDA right back, giving Tempo a penalty. The Haitian winger stepped up to the spot and nailed his shot into the top right corner and made it 4-1 for Tempo in their season opener.
Tennessee Tempo FC will travel on the road to take on Jackson Boom next Saturday, 29th March at 5pm CDT.Â