“[The fans] rally around and they know it means when they see these big names that could be coming into a small city like Statesboro,” Doyle said. “You can't get anything better than that.”
Dengler attests to the same after seeing it first-hand during his time in Statesboro.
“Tormenta was definitely the first time I actually got a true run of it [the Open Cup] and we actually got Charleston Battery in that first game [in 2022],” said Dengler, who can still remember the jitters he had making his Open Cup debut with amateur heroes FC Baltimore Christos back in 2019.
A Statement in Statesboro
Dengler also remembers the feelings of traveling to Statesboro for the first time. He hit dirt roads pretty quick after leaving the city limits.
But he admits that after three years, including recently signing a new contract to stay with Tormenta, the city – and its giant corn fields – feels like home. He gets recognized on the street there and felt welcomed from his first days in town.
“I've told a lot of people Statesboro is what you make it,” said Dengler. “These past three years, I think we made it a really fun place as a team and the culture here is just amazing.”
Van Tassell knows that as his team grows, including the eventual completion of the under-construction Tormenta Stadium District, the culture will only expand. Shopping, entertainment and housing all connected by soccer in this little town in a quiet corner of Georgia.
“I think the best of college towns [Statesboro is home to Georgia Southern University] really love themselves. I think that they wish more people knew about them and we're really eager for others to hear our story,” said Van Tassell, doing the hard work in the Front Office. “We're not the capital cities of our states. And we certainly aren't the biggest in the country.
“I think it's a reminder that if you support somebody, they want to be a part of you also,” he added. “That’s what’s happening here. And it's special.”
Michael Battista is an award-winning journalist and regular contributor to TheCup.us, Hudson River Blue, & New York Sports Nation. Follow him at @MichaelBattista on X/Twitter.
