NPSL Midwest Week 8: Preview

Friday:

Med City FC vs Dakota Fusion FC – 6:45pm – Rochester Regional Stadium, Rochester, MN – Eleven Sports

Coming off the back of back to back losses to Duluth FC which dropped them out of playoff position, comes an opportunity to run up the score against a Fusion side which has nothing to play for but pride. That said, the same logic applied before the Fargo side’s recent match up against hot firing Joy and that match ended in favor of the Fusion, so don’t be completely surprised if they pull another upset.

Saturday:

Minneapolis City SC vs LC Aris SC – 6pm – Edor Nelson Field, Minneapolis, MN – YouTube

There’s not much to be said about this matchup which hasn’t already been said. The Crows, driven by a balanced attack and rock solid defense, face a team with only 2 points all season and an abysmal -17 goal difference. 

Joy Athletic Club vs Duluth FC – 7pm – Oriole Stadium, St Louis Park, MN – CCX Media

Duluth FC continue their run of teams around them in playoff positioning, looking down on their hosts by a full five points. However, this match is in part a test of how Duluth’s defense handles Immanuel Iwe and how Joy handle Sidney Warden – numbers 8 and 6 in the NPSL-wide goals per game respectively

FC Columbus vs Panathinaikos Chicago – 7pm – Roberts Field at the Wellington School, Columbus, OH – No Announced Stream

Warden and Iwe in the North are lukewarm compared to Chukwuemeka Eneli, who has 5 goals in 2 games for Columbus and leads the league in goals per game. A 2-4 PAO side with a negative goal difference will probably struggle to contain him. Both sides need a run of form to depose the current holders of the two playoff spots in the Great Lakes. 

Sunday:

FC Milwaukee Torrent vs FC Indiana – 3pm – Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI – Eleven Sports

The long weekend/week ends with the Great Lakes’s perfect season at the feet of the Milwaukee Torrent, at home against a winless Indiana team – which should be easy win for the home team.