UWS Week 6: Recap
Saturday:
Springfield Demize 0 vs Gretna Elite 7 4pm - Lake Country Soccer Cooper Stadium, Springfield, MO - No Stream Announced
Four goals by Lindsey Prokop highlighted this offensive explosion, Raabe, Stoneburner and Childers also tallied goals. The result vaults the Elite into second place with a record of 1-1-1. Demize falls to 0-3 on the season.
Chicago Mustangs 10 vs Indiana Elite 0 6pm - Knoch Park, Naperville, IL - No Stream Announced
The perfect Mustangs put ten past the Elite to continue their respective starts to the season. Chicago is now 5-0-0 and Indiana is now 0-4.
FC Wichita 0 vs St Louis Scott Gallagher 2 7pm - Stryker Sports Complex, Wichita, KS - Eleven Sports
In a highly unusual occurrence, SLSG took the away win with their only goals coming through two penalties. One just before half time and another just before the conclusion of the match. Lynn and Klein were the players to finish off the PKs.
Muskegon Risers 1 vs Lansing United 5 7pm - Kehren Stadium, Muskegon, MI - Eleven Sports
Risers continued their wretched defensive season, conceding 5 to Lansing United, whose goals came from Buck, Evans, Telemaque and Stinson. Muskegon's sole goal was scored by Selvius.
Detroit City FC 1 vs Corktown AFC 2 7pm - Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI - YouTube
Corktown gained a measure of revenge for their defeat at The Corner Ballpark when they made the short trip to Keyworth Stadium and left with all three points. Forbes tallied for DCFC. Schupbach had the decisive two goals for the visitors. The season series is now tied, but Detroit City are still ahead in the standings.
MSC Peoria 0 vs Chicago KICS 1 7pm - Eastside Centre, East Peoria, IL - Eleven Sports
A Barnes winner took Chicago KICS over MSC Peoria in stoppage time at the end of the game, in what were MSC's first dropped points of the season.
Sunday:
KC Courage 1 vs Gretna Elite 0 2pm - Kansas City Kansas Community College, Kansas City, KS - No Stream Announced
A surprisingly tight game was decided by an Emily Key goal in the first half. Courage move to 3-1-1 on the season.
Midwest United 12 vs Indiana Elite 0 7pm - Aquinas College, E Grand Rapids, MI - Eleven Sports
Midwest United burnt a path through Indiana, with goals from Bennett, Corby, Dziuba, Hollingsworth, Labadie, Shenk and doubles from Crum, Currie and Dean.
Chicago KICS 1 vs Chicago Mustangs 2 7pm - De La Salle Institute, Chicago, IL - Eleven Sports
KICS kept it close and tied the game through Barnes after a defensive slip had allowed Mustangs to take the lead, but in the end the Mustangs stay perfect.
Monday:
Ladies Steel City 2 vs MSC Peoria 6 7:30pm - DuPage Medical Group Field, Joliet, IL - First half YouTube and Second half YouTube
The hosts took the lead in the 11th minute after a floated free kick by Stepniak from the left wing went over everyone, including the MSC goalkeeper, and into the net. The MSC equalizer came in the 16th minute, off the rebound on a quick counter right through the heart of the home defense. The go ahead goal by MSC's Gomez came in the same fashion in the 32nd minute. Steel City team equalized in the 49th through Knutte, with a shot swept across the goalkeeper from close range. The 3-2 lead for MSC came from a flicked header over the goalkeeper on a throw in in the 63rd minute. The margin increased to 4-2 on a left wing cross, headed with authority into the net. The score became 5-2 on a Stephens finish from another incisive cross in the 82nd minute, with a sixth goal within a minute after pinball in the box the coup de grace.
USL League Two, Week 6: Recap
Wednesday:
South Bend Lions 1 vs Kalamazoo FC 3: TCU School Field, South Bend, IN – No Stream
Kzoo took the lead in 4th minute through Green but the hosts equalized in the 11th through Dukaly and it was two quick goals in the 66th minute (through Harmon) and the 68th (by Lara) that sealed the win for the visitors.
Grand Rapids FC 1 vs Flint City Bucks 1 : Midwest United FC Soccer Complex – Eleven Sports
Two teams that came in on opposite tracts left on the same footing last night. Grand Rapids scored first on a penalty from Matty Cornish after Ryan Debois was fouled inside the box. Flint drew the match even in the 83rd minute on a goal from Harvey Slade.
FC Wichita 2 vs St. Louis Scott Gallagher 3 : Trinity Academy Stadium, Wichita, KS – Eleven Sports
The home side came in looking for their first win of 2021 and while they came close, it did not happen. A first half goal for SLSG by Richard Ruiz was leveled out by Kevin Black's goal for Wichita. SLSG scored twice in the second half with goals by John Klein and Jacob Bilyeu with Wichita's Juan Zamora sandwiched between the two.
Chicago FC United 4 vs Kaw Valley FC 0: SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, IL – No Stream
Undefeated Chicago routed Kaw Valley FC in Bridgeview. Diego Gutierrez opened the scoring in the 29th minute before earning a brace just 10 minutes later. Andrew Akindele and Marc Torrellas added second half goals in the 60' and 90+2' respectively.
Friday:
Toledo Villa 1 vs Fort Wayne FC 3: 5 PM - Paul Hotmer Soccer Field at The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH - Eleven Sports
Casas de Abadal opened up the scoring for Fort Wayne in the 35th minute, joined by Kouadio in the 68th minute and Boccoli de Oliveira in the 79th minute before the Villa got a consolation goal in the 88th minute.
Kalamazoo FC 3 vs Dayton Dutch Lions 1: 5:45 PM - Mayors Riverfront Park Football Stadium, Kalamazoo, MI - Eleven Sports
The Great Lakes leading Kzoo notched another win at home against a winless DDL.
Saturday:
South Bend Lions 0 vs Oakland County FC 1: 4 PM - TCU School Field, South Bend, IN - No Stream Announced
OCFC goalkeeper Loria tallied 10 saves as Inscho scored in the 89th minute to take all 3 points for the visitors.
St. Louis Scott Gallagher 1 vs Chicago FC United 1: 6 PM - World Wide Technology Soccer Park, Fenton, MO - No Stream Announced
Akindele opened the scoring for division leading Chicago in the 27th minute but SLSG grabbed a share of the spoils through Hummel shortly after half time for CFCU's first dropped points of the season.
Flint City Bucks 1 vs Kings Hammer 2: 6:30 PM - Atwood Stadium at Kettering University, Flint, MI - No Stream Announced
Brown opened the score for Kings Hammer in the 13th minute and it was doubled by Erhardt in the 57th minute. The home side halved the deficit in the 90th minute through Erlandson but were unable to bring it level.
Des Moines Menace vs Kaw Valley FC: 7 PM - Valley Stadium, West Des Moines, IA - CISN.tv
The Menace continue their perfect start to the season. Haugli scored on the volley in the 39th minute after a neatly constructed set piece recycled from a corner and Kametani doubled the margin in the 50th minute, finishing off a sweeping free kick.
NPSL Midwest Week 6: Recap
Wednesday:
Dakota Fusion FC 2 vs Minneapolis City SC 5 : Jim Gotta Stadium, Moorhead, MN - Magnitude Sports Network
The Crows continue to fly straight towards the Division title again after a comfortable 5-2 win against Dakota Fusion on the road. Lionel Vang opened the scoring in the 20th minute from distance and added goals from Youssef and Parens before half time. Adachi made it 3-1 at the break. City added further goals from Youssef and Boquin, sandwiched by a second Fusion goal, by Pike.
La Crosse Aris 1 vs Joy Athletic Club 6 : Logan High School Stadium, La Crosse, WI - No Stream
Joy stomped Aris 6-1, with their goals coming from Browne, Folstad and doubles from Florvil and Iwe. Aris prevented the shutout, and actually equalized at the time, through Koner.
Sioux Falls Thunder 0 vs Med City FC 4 : McEneaney Field, Sioux Falls, SD - Eleven Sports
An early sending off for Tyler Limmer for serious foul play set the tone for the home side as their resistance ended in the second half with Med City goals from Garcia and Trippner and a double from Hilton-Jones.
Saturday:
Joy Athletic Club 2 vs Minneapolis City SC 3: 7pm - St Louis Park High School Stadium, St. Louis Park, MN - CCX Media
Joy took the surprise lead in the 21st minute through Florvil but City scored twice in the last minutes of the first half through Vang and Kidd to snatch the lead and it was extended by Oliver in the 71st minute before Iwe made it 3-2 in the 90th minute.
Duluth FC 4 vs Dakota Fusion FC 0: 7pm - Duluth Denfield Stadium, Duluth, MN - Eleven Sports
Sidney Warden's hot start continued as he scored twice and guided his team to victory over the Fusion. Also on the scoresheet for the home side were Daffern and Devlin. Duluth continue to put pressure on Med City, in particular, not to slip up.
Aris La Crosse SC 1 vs Sioux Falls Thunder FC 1 : 7pm - Arcadia High School, Arcadia, WI - Eleven Sports
Another shock point by Aris, as Arenal equalized Mackrey's strike for Thunder and Aris goalkeeper Dryden saved a penalty which he had himself conceded.
Carpathia FC 1 vs Panathinaikos Chicago 0 : 6pm - Carpathia Club, Sterling Heights, MI - Eleven Sports
Carpathia's Braithwaite dispatched a penalty kick in the 32nd minute to decide this match. Carpathia stay just 3 points behind Milwaukee Torrent in the Great Lakes Conference
FC Milwaukee Torrent 2 vs FC Columbus 1 : 7pm - Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI - Eleven Sports
FC Columbus took the lead through Dia in the 17th minute, stunning the home crowd. However, they would only have to wait 10 minutes for an equalizer through Filian. The quest for perfection took more time, however, and it was only in the 86th minute that Pereyra capitalized on a free kick which struck the post to give Torrent their second goal and remain perfect on the season.
WPSL Central Region, Week 5: Recap
Wednesday:
Chicago Dutch Lions 3 vs Green Bay Glory 1: 5 PM - Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex, Lisle, IL - Eleven Sports
Rochester United FC 2 vs Mankato United SC 2: 7 PM - Spartan Field at Mayo High School, Rochester, MN - Eleven Sports
Thursday:
Minnesota Thunder 6 vs Fire SC 98 0 : 7:45 PM - Academy of Holy Angels StarDome, Richfield, MN - Eleven Sports
Saturday:
FC Pride 2 vs Lady Victory FC 3: 2 PM - Pride Performance Center, Indianapolis, IN - No Stream Announced
Cincinnati Sirens 2 vs Columbus Eagles 1: 6 PM - Lakota West High School, West Chester Township, OH - No Stream Announced
Chicago Dutch Lions 2 vs Chicago City SC 1: 7 PM - Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex, Lisle, IL - Eleven Sports
Chicago Red Stars Reserves 1 vs Bavarian Soccer Club 0: 7 PM - Oak Brook Park District Family Recreation Center, Oak Brook, IL - Eleven Sports
Dakota Fusion 0 vs Minnesota Thunder 7: 7 PM - Jim Gotta Stadium, Moorhead, MN - Magnitude Sports Network
Thunder rolled into Moorhead and scored in bursts. Despite the scoreline, the first goal took 20 minutes to arrive, and were followed by tallies in the 35th, 42nd and 45th minutes of the first half. These were supplemented by strikes in the 71st, 72nd and 85th minute. All but two of the goals were a result of well constructed Thunder play rather than bad defence by the home team. 13 goals in 2 games does tend to suggest the Thunder are really that good. For Fusion, it's back to the coaches' white board.
Fire & Ice SC 0 vs Dayton Dutch Lions 0: 7 PM - Althoff Catholic High School, Belleville, IL - Eleven Sports
Rochester United FC 2 vs Salvo SC 2: 7 PM - Spartan Field at Mayo High School, Rochester, MN - Eleven Sports
Sunday:
Columbus Eagles 1 vs Lady Victory FC 2: 1 PM - Bernlohr Stadium at Capital University, Bexley, OH - Eleven Sports
Fire & Ice SC 0 vs FC Pride 3 : 2 PM - Althoff Catholic High School, Belleville, IL - Eleven Sports
St. Louis Lions 1 vs Dayton Dutch Lions 6: 2 PM - Tony Glavin Soccer Complex, Cottleville, MO - No Stream Announced
Green Bay Glory 0 vs FC Milwaukee Torrent 3: 3 PM - Capital Credit Union Park, Ashwaubenon, WI - Eleven Sports
MapleBrook Fury 4 vs Fire SC 98 1: 7 PM - Maple Grove Crimson Stadium, Maple Grove, MN - No Stream Announced
*Note – All Times CDT
Midwest Premier League, Week 8: Preview
Saturday:
West Michigan Bearings vs Inter Detroit: 1 PM - South Christian High School, Byron Center, MI - No Stream Announced
West Michigan is just three points back from East Division leaders the Michigan Stars, a win tonight will put the Bearings even with the Stars U23 side in the Division. And for a league without playoffs this is big. Inter Detroit however is fighting to get out of the mid-table and up to the top. After a 1-1 draw last weekend with the Stars U23 a win is not out of the question.
Livonia City FC vs BiH Grand Rapids: 4 PM - Total Sports Wixom, Wixom, MI - No Stream Announced
After a win 10 days ago against the Bearings, BiH will play their third match of 2021 and look for their second win to get on a winning streak. The only other team they played? It was this Livonia City side who they drew 0-0 with back in May. LCFC on the other hand defeated LK St. Clair last week after coming off a 5-0 loss to the Detroit City U23 side, and look for Livonia City to do everything possible to get on a win streak.
Chicago Athletic vs RWB Adria: 5 PM - Redmond Park, Bensenville, IL - Eleven Sports
A regular battle of Chicagoland sides takes place, though this one for the first time and a bit different. Chicago Athletic sits with 0 points at the bottom of the table right next to Rockford FC and has to face RWB Adria, who are at this time, running away with the West Division title. Adria should be able to heavily dominate tonight and jump to 7-0-0 with 21 points.
Chicago Mustangs vs Rockford FC: 7 PM - The MAC Sports Center, Crystal Lake, IL - No Stream Announced
The other team sitting with 0 points on the season heads to the Chicagoland area to face the Mustangs outdoor senior squad. However Rockford has had some tight contests with some of the best sides in the Midwest Premier League. This is a sleeper pick for a match to watch but Rockford just might be able to sneak out their first win of 2021.
Bavarian Soccer Club vs Steel City FC: 8 PM - Heartland Value Fund Stadium, Glendale, WI - Eleven Sports
While the BSC Women are away in Suburban Chicago over in the WPSL, the Men are at home against a side from Suburban Chicago. The visiting Steel City FC have drawn their last two matches, a tough look in the West Division that only plays 11 matches. On the other hand the Bavarians are going to come in off a MWPL bye week but will be taking all their anger from last weeks National Amateur Cup loss to FC Minneapolis on the visitors from Joliet.
Edgewater Castle vs Union Dubuque: 8:15 PM* - CIBC FirePitch, Chicago, IL - Twitch
Union Dubuque comes off a bye week which was preceded by their first win of 2021. That win was their first in the MWPL and first league win for manager Mike Paye. Edgewater has drawn their last two matches with their last win coming in Mid-May against Berber City FC. And while that is the case Union Dubuque will need to shape after looking gassed two weeks ago in the second half in order to defeat Edgewater in the Castle Derby.
*As note while the kickoff time on the MWPL Website is 8:15, Edgewater Castle are advertising it as 8:15 gates and 8:45 kickoff
*Note – All Times CDT-
WPSL Central Region, Week 5: Preview
Wednesday:
Chicago Dutch Lions vs Green Bay Glory: 5 PM - Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex, Lisle, IL - Eleven Sports
Rochester United FC vs Mankato United SC: 7 PM - Spartan Field at Mayo High School, Rochester, MN - Eleven Sports
Thursday:
Minnesota Thunder vs Fire SC 98: 7:45 PM - Academy of Holy Angels StarDome, Richfield, MN - Eleven Sports
Saturday:
FC Pride vs Lady Victory FC: 2 PM - Pride Performance Center, Indianapolis, IN - No Stream Announced
The top two teams in the Midwestern Conference face off in Indianapolis on Saturday afternoon. The teams only have one loss between with and a combined record of 5-1-1 in 2021. Lady Victory will attempt to rebound after losing to Fire & Ice last week while FC Pride wants to continue their 3 match winning streak.
Cincinnati Sirens vs Columbus Eagles: 6 PM - Lakota West High School, West Chester Township, OH - No Stream Announced
After two road matches, including a few weeks ago against Columbus, Cincinnati will finally play at home for the first time in 2021. The Sirens are 2-0-0 with wins of 3-0 and 4-0 with the latter being over the Eagles. On the other hand Columbus has struggled to this point going 0-1-3 with one point and a goal differential of -11.
Chicago Dutch Lions vs Chicago City SC: 7 PM - Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex, Lisle, IL - Eleven Sports
Both sides enter the match on a fairly even keel. CDL sitting at 1-1-1 and CCSC is at 1-0-1, both teams have only lost to the Red Stars Reserves as well. In a season with only 10 matches and no playoff a win is imperative if one of the two hope be able to take the Lake Michigan Division from the Red Stars.
Chicago Red Stars Reserves vs Bavarian Soccer Club: 7 PM - Oak Brook Park District Family Recreation Center, Oak Brook, IL - Eleven Sports
Red Stars Reserves have the weekend all to themselves as the senior side has the weekend off the NWSL. A Chicago/Milwaukee battle, RSR looks to jump to 4-0-0 with 12 points. If Bavarians hope to stop that it will take some stout defence as their opponents have scored 14 goals in three matches and no less than 4 in a given match.
Dakota Fusion vs Minnesota Thunder: 7 PM - Jim Gotta Stadium, Moorhead, MN - Magnitude Sports Network
After yet another delayed match last week that was to have been played against the MapleBrook Fury, the Fusion will finally get to play at home. The Fusion have lost their only match of 2021, that one a 4-0 loss to Rochester United, while the Thunder are coming off a 6-0 win over Fire SC 98 just a few days prior. Momentum is on the side of the visitors but the Fusion have the element of rest in their hands.
Fire & Ice SC vs Dayton Dutch Lions: 7 PM - Althoff Catholic High School, Belleville, IL - Eleven Sports
This match between two mid-table sides in the Midwestern Conference could be Match of the Week in the Central Region. Fire & Ice are 1-0-1 having beaten Lady Victory however they lost to FC Pride in their season opener. DDL on the other hand drew FC Pride in the Dutch Lions home opener, however have not managed a win yet as they then lost to the Sirens before drawing the Eagles in their last two matches.
Rochester United FC vs Salvo SC: 7 PM - Spartan Field at Mayo High School, Rochester, MN - Eleven Sports
Another match that could possibly be Match of the Week.Salvo has only played one match so far, that being a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Thunder. Rochester on the other hand defeated Dakota Fusion 4-0 before drawing with MapleBrook and Mankato United, two sides that are expected to be at the top of the Conference. If Rochester can win, even at home this would be a huge upset and could change the table in the Northern Conference for the entire season.
Sunday:
Columbus Eagles vs Lady Victory FC: 1 PM - Bernlohr Stadium at Capital University, Bexley, OH - Eleven Sports
Fire & Ice SC vs FC Pride: 2 PM - Althoff Catholic High School, Belleville, IL - Eleven Sports
St. Louis Lions vs Dayton Dutch Lions: 2 PM - Tony Glavin Soccer Complex, Cottleville, MO - No Stream Announced
Green Bay Glory vs FC Milwaukee Torrent: 3 PM - Capital Credit Union Park, Ashwaubenon, WI - Eleven Sports
MapleBrook Fury vs Fire SC 98: 7 PM - Maple Grove Crimson Stadium, Maple Grove, MN - No Stream Announced
*Note – All Times CDT
UWS, Week 6: Preview
Saturday:
Springfield Demize vs Gretna Elite 4pm - Lake Country Soccer Cooper Stadium, Springfield, MO - No Stream Announced
A Springfield team which is 0-2 on the young season looks to defend home field against a fellow struggler in Gretna Elite.
Chicago Mustangs vs Indiana Elite 6pm - Knoch Park, Naperville, IL - No Stream Announced
An unbeaten, division leading Mustangs squad plays host to a win-less Indiana Elite team, in what should be an easy win for the home team.
FC Wichita vs St Louis Scott Gallagher 7pm - Stryker Sports Complex, Wichita, KS - Eleven Sports
With 3 points each, this looks to be an even matchup in the midsection of the Central Conference as these two teams try to put some pressure on the KC Courage.
Muskegon Risers vs Lansing United 7pm - Kehren Stadium, Muskegon, MI - Eleven Sports
Defence will be the aim for Muskegon, who enter this match with a -18 goal difference, and they may have a chance to sneak some points against a LanU side which only has 1 point more.
Detroit City FC vs Corktown AFC 7pm - Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI - YouTube
In what is already becoming a spicy rivalry, Corktown AFC make the short trip to Keyworth to face the division leading Rouge and Gold - who are 4-1 on the season, with a goal difference of +17, compared to the Corktown record of 2-2 with a goal difference of +4.
MSC Peoria vs Chicago KICS 7pm - Eastside Centre, East Peoria, IL - Eleven Sports
Two pretenders to the throne meet in East Peoria with hopes of making a run for the division's top spot. MSC is undefeated at 2-0-0, whereas the visitors have dropped two games.
Sunday:
KC Courage vs Gretna Elite 2pm - Kansas City Kansas Community College, Kansas City, KS - No Stream Announced
Central Division leaders KC Courage match up against a struggling Gretna side. The Courage are 2-1-1 on the season, without running away at the top of the division, but should have enough quality to get past Gretna.
Midwest United vs Indiana Elite 7pm - Aquinas College, E Grand Rapids, MI - Eleven Sports
A Midwest United team pushing Detroit City in the Midwest North play host to an Indiana Elite side struggling in the Midwest South standings.
Monday:
Ladies Steel City vs MSC Peoria 7:30pm - DuPage Medical Group Field, Joliet, IL - No Stream Announced
An MSC team contending for top spot in their division faces a 1-4 Steel City squad.
*Note – All Times CDT
Photo Gallery: Minneapolis City SC vs Med City FC
Minneapolis City hosted Med City this past weekend in what was a match up between the two remaining undefeated teams in the NPSL North. The two sides were deadlocked at the break but the Crows were awarded a penalty kick early in the second half. Minneapolis City SC midfielder Max Stiegwardt scored the opening goal from the spot in the 56'. Fellow midfielder Kevin Andrews then extended that lead in the 75'.
Minneapolis City SC forward Justin Oliver tried to sneak in a quick free kick in the 86' that beat Med City FC goalkeeper AJ Jarvis as he was setting up his wall but it was called back and Oliver had to make another attempt. AJ Jarvis parried the retake wide as the clock eventually ran out and Minneapolis City went on to remain at the top with 5 wins from 5 games played.
Both teams will continue their quest for for dominance in the NPSL North on June 9 for a couple of weekday matches. Minneapolis City heads to Moorhead to take on Dakota Fusion FC while Med City will travel to Sioux Falls to take on the Thunder.
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
NISA Independent Cup Schedule Announced
This morning the National Independent Soccer Association announced the schedule for most games for the 2021 NISA Independent Cup. A few weeks ago NISA announced the field for the Independent Cup as well as it's format. The tournament has a round robin format and each side will play three matches, with most either playing two at home and one on the road or two on the road and one at home. There will be no matches past the round robin and the top team in the region will be declared the regional champion.
An interesting aspect of the tournament will be how the two Midwest Premier League sides fare against the National Premier Soccer League clubs and how all clubs fair against their specific NISA opponents. In last year's Independent Cup a 2021 NISA team won all three regions that league clubs participated in.
9 of the 15 clubs who played in last year's tournament return with the league will be represented in 7/9 regions with six of the seven having one NISA side. The Southwest will have two clubs from NISA, California United Strikers and San Diego 1904, represent the league. The Pacific and South Central regions are not represented by the host league, rather made up entirely of local clubs.
2021 NISA Independent Cup Schedule
Great Lakes Region
July 15th, 2021 - Livonia City FC (MWPL) vs Cleveland SC (NPSL): 6 PM - Legacy Sports Center Complex, Brighton, MI
July 17th, 2021 - Cleveland SC (NPSL) vs Detroit City FC (NISA): 6 PM - George Finnie Stadium, Berea, OH
July 28th, 2021 - Detroit City FC (NISA) vs Livonia City FC (MWPL): 7 PM - Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI
TBD - FC Buffalo (NPSL) vs Cleveland SC (NPSL): TBD
TBD - FC Buffalo (NPSL) vs Livonia City FC (MWPL): 2 PM - All-High Stadium, Buffalo, NY
TBD - Detroit City FC (NISA) vs FC Buffalo (NPSL): 6 PM - Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI
Midwest Region
July 9th, 2021 - FC Milwaukee Torrent (NPSL) vs Chicago House AC (NISA): 7 PM - Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI
July 11th, 2021 - Med City FC (NPSL) vs Union Dubuque (MWPL): 1:45 PM - Rochester Regional Stadium at RCTC, Rochester, MN
July 14th, 2021 - Union Dubuque (MWPL) vs FC Milwaukee Torrent (NPSL): 6 PM - Dubuque Soccer Complex, Dubuque, IA
July 24th, 2021 - Med City FC (NPSL) vs Chicago House AC (NISA): 6:45 PM - Rochester Regional Stadium at RCTC, Rochester, MN
July 27th, 2021 - FC Milwaukee Torrent (NPSL) vs Med City FC (NPSL): 7 PM - Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI
July 31st, 2021 - Union Dubuque (MWPL) vs Chicago House AC (NISA): 5 PM - Dubuque Soccer Complex, Dubuque, IA
*Note – All Times CDT
USL League Two, Week 6: Preview
Wednesday:
South Bend Lions vs Kalamazoo FC: 6 PM - TCU School Field, South Bend, IN - No Stream Announced
Both sides come into this match close to the middle of the Great Lakes Division table. South Bend will look to win their second match and their first ever home match. On the other hand Kalamazoo will go for win number four and keep the Lions winless on their home pitch.
Grand Rapids FC vs Flint City Bucks: 6 PM - Midwest United FC Soccer Complex - Eleven Sports
In a tale of opposites in the Great Lakes Division, the third place Flint City Bucks will travel to Grand Rapids to face the third bottom Grand Rapids FC. GRFC is coming off their first win of 2021 over Oakland County. The powerhouse Bucks are 3-1-0 (W-L-D) with 10 points so far on the season and looking to continue that roll.
FC Wichita vs St. Louis Scott Gallagher: 7 PM - Trinity Academy Stadium, Wichita, KS - Eleven Sports
Kansas vs Missouri as FC Wichita and St. Louis Scott Gallagher face off in a midweek showdown. FC Wichita is 0-0-3 with zero points so far in 2021 and looks to break that streak in their second home match of 2021. SLSG has fared a small bit better in their first season. At 1-1-2 with four points SLSG will do everything they can to sweep the season series.
Chicago FC United vs Kaw Valley FC: 7 PM - SeatGeek Stadium Field, Bridgeview, IL - No Stream Announced
The top two sides in the Heartland not name the Des Moines Menace hit the pitch in Bridgeview tonight. 3-0-0 Chicago FC United hosts 2-0-1 Kaw Valley FC in each team's fourth match of 2021. A win for either side takes them much closer to the Menace's 15 points.
Friday:
Toledo Villa vs Fort Wayne FC: 5 PM - Paul Hotmer Soccer Field at The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH - Eleven Sports
Two teams on the opposite swings this season, the hosting Toledo side is 3-3-1 with 12 points so far and are sitting at second in the Great Lakes Division. On the other hand Fort Wayne are 0-2-4 with just two points. If Toledo wins they could possibly steal the division lead from Kalamzoo.
Kalamazoo FC vs Dayton Dutch Lions: 5:45 PM - Mayors Riverfront Park Football Stadium, Kalamazoo, MI - Eleven Sports
Polar opposites in the standings play Friday night. Kalamazoo who leads the Great Lakes plays host to Dayton Dutch Lions who sit dead last in the division. Currently sitting 0-0-6 with 0 points DDL desperately needs a win while Kalamazoo needs a win to guarantee their spot in the division stays the same.
Saturday:
South Bend Lions vs Oakland County FC: 4 PM - TCU School Field, South Bend, IN - No Stream Announced
Two mid pack teams in the Great Lakes Division will face off in South Bend's TCU School Field. Oakland County will have the edge in fitness having not played a midweek match this week. Both sides sit at 2-2-2 with 8 points as they enter this afternoons match.
St. Louis Scott Gallagher vs Chicago FC United: 6 PM - World Wide Technology Soccer Park, Fenton, MO - No Stream Announced
Both teams are coming off midweek games back on Wednesday night, those ended in very similar fashion with SLSG beating FC Wichita and Chicago FC United defeating Kaw Valley FC. With Chicago FC United sitting at 4-0-0 with 12 points will St. Louis be able to give the visitors from Illinois their first loss of 2021?
Flint City Bucks vs Kings Hammer: 6:30 PM - Atwood Stadium at Kettering University, Flint, MI - No Stream Announced
Another very good showdown in USL League Two takes place tonight in Flint, MI. The 3-2-0 (11 points) F;int City Bucks host the 3-2-1 (11 points) Kings Hammer. The Bucks drew 1-1 against Grand Rapids on Wednesday night while Kings Hammer comes in more fit having played their last match, a draw with Toledo, last Friday.
Green Bay Voyageurs vs FC Wichita: 7 PM - Capital Credit Union Park, Ashwaubenon, WI - Eleven Sports
Unfortunately one of the newest and nicest stadiums in USL2 will see a bottom of the barrel match tonight. Green Bay sit second bottom with a single point while FC Wichita are at the bottom of the division with 0 points. Wichita might be content leaving with a single point even though both sides are itching to get their first win of the season.
Des Moines Menace vs Kaw Valley FC: 7 PM - Valley Stadium, West Des Moines, IA - CISN.tv
Unbeaten 5-0-0 Des Moines will face Kaw Valley FC tonight in the second leg of the home and home series and second of FIVE straight matches against Kansas sides for the Menace. Kaw Valley comes in off a 4-0 drubbing by Chicago FC United while the Menace took the previous leg of this series 1-0 on the road.
NPSL Midwest, Week 6: Preview
Wednesday:
Dakota Fusion FC vs Minneapolis City SC: 7 PM - Jim Gotta Stadium, Moorhead, MN - Magnitude Sports Network
The Crows roll into Moorhead on a tear and any result other than a Minneapolis City win would be a big shock, but the game is played on turf - not on paper - so the handful of spectators braving the heat will be hoping for something more competitive than the 6-0 drubbing handed out at Edor Nelson Field.
La Crosse Aris vs Joy Athletic Club: 7 PM - Logan High School Stadium, La Crosse, WI - No Stream Announced
Aris welcome in the team against whom they have had their best result of the season and they will hope for a repeat, but if Joy avoid the lapses in concentration that led to that tie, they should head back to St Louis Park with all three points.
Sioux Falls Thunder vs Med City FC: 7 PM - McEneaney Field, Sioux Falls, SD - Eleven Sports
Med City visit South Dakota having dropped their first points of the season to Minneapolis City last time out and will have to be careful not to fall foul of a buoyant Thunder side who knocked off Duluth FC last time they played.
Saturday:
Joy Athletic Club vs Minneapolis City SC: 7pm - St Louis Park High School Stadium, St. Louis Park, MN - CCX Media
The latest club to join the fray as derby opponents for the league leading Crows begin their face to face history with a matchup in St Louis Park. Joy Athletic Club will be looking to maintain their momentum following a solid victory in Wisconsin but undefeated Minneapolis City will surely be a tough match and their fans are also expected to be a marked presence on this shortest of road trips.
Duluth FC vs Dakota Fusion FC: 7pm - Duluth Denfield Stadium, Duluth, MN - Eleven Sports
Duluth FC need to try and wrestle some rhythm from their slow schedule to this point and the arrival of the bruised Dakota Fusion should provide Sidney Warden's club with that very opportunity. Fusion on the other hand will step onto the field trying to prove that their defeat to Minneapolis City is not illustrative of their quality as a whole.
Aris La Crosse SC vs Sioux Falls Thunder FC : 7pm - Arcadia High School, Arcadia, WI - Eleven Sports
Thunder heads out to Arcadia attempting to pile on the miseries for their hosts and to prove themselves closer to the playoff spots than the basement of the North, after a dispiriting defeat to Med City and a red card last time out.
Carpathia FC vs Panathinaikos Chicago: 6pm - Carpathia Club, Sterling Heights, MI - Eleven Sports
Carpathia will be looking to separate themselves from their immediate neighbors in the table and apply some pressure on the unbeaten Torrent above them. Both teams achieved close wins last time they played but the hosts beat PAO in their last meeting head to head.
FC Milwaukee Torrent vs FC Columbus: 7pm - Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI - Eleven Sports
The unbeaten hosts will be looking to reinforce their lead in the division with a win against a Columbus club with a 1-3 record, who also lost their last match up head to head.
NISA's Chicago House AC pays groundbreaking solidarity payment
Six years after US Soccer and MLS went to court to defend their right not to pay amateur or youth clubs after their players are signed by professional clubs, Chicago House AC has decided to do things differently.
The incoming NISA club announced today that it has paid a solidarity payment, believed to be the first in US soccer history, to Joliet, IL's Steel City FC (guests on a recent episode of our podcast) when their player Damien Almazan was signed by CHAC.
Such payments are a universal and very much routine part of the global soccer landscape where players come through youth systems and clubs at lower levels of the pyramid before moving to larger clubs. The mechanism is slightly different, in that it is triggered when a professional player is transferred to another professional club, any club that has contributed to his education and training receives a cut of the transfer fee.
The W League is back
Today, in a move which had been suggested by The Athletic, USL announced a new women's amateur league with an old name.
The new USL W League was unveiled with a Selection Sunday-style stream, together with 8 founding members and a strong trend of organizations whose men's sides are within the professional tiers of the USL system. The old W League folded in 2015.
The eight founding clubs are:
- Minnesota Women's Soccer, a brand-new club which will be more fully unveiled this weekend but which already promises "a women majority owner which will be paired with a unique element of community and supporter ownership" and ownership independent of current organizations.
- Kaw Valley FC will be debuting its women's side in USL W. It's men's side currently compete in the USL League Two's Heartland Conference.
- Chattanooga Red Wolves, currently compete in the Southeastern Conference of the WPSL and are the sister of the USL League One side.
- Greenville Triumph, who have a women's academy but no existing senior women's side, and are the sister of the USL League One side.
- Hartford Athletic, another club debuting its women's side in the new league. It's a sister to a USL Championship side.
- Queensboro FC, has yet to debut in either men's or women's soccer but are slated to begin play in both USL Championship and USL W next year.
- South Georgia Tormenta FC, has a female co-owner but no senior women's side at the moment. It is the sister to a USL League One side.
- Washington D.C., heralded as a former member of the original W-League, DC United also has women within its front office.
The league has projected that there will be 30 members of the inaugural season. Stay tuned for more details, especially with regards to our regions.
Midwest Premier League, Week 8: Where to Watch
Tuesday:
West Michigan Bearings, 1 vs BiH Grand Rapids, 2 : 7:30 PM - Midwest United FC Soccer Complex, Grand Rapids, MI - No Stream Announced
Thursday:
Michigan Stars U23, 3 vs LK St. Clair, 0 : 7 PM - Michigan Stars Sports Center, Washington, MI - Eleven Sports
Saturday:
Detroit City U23, 3 vs West Michigan Bearings, 0 : 3 PM - Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI - No Stream Announced
Cedar Rapids Inferno, 1 vs RWB Adria, 3 : 5 PM - Fairfax City Sports & Park Complex, Fairfax, IA - No Stream Announced
Berber City FC, 3 vs Chicago Athletic, 2 : 7 PM - Lions for Hope Sports Complex, Chicago, IL - Eleven Sports
Chicago Mustangs, 5 vs DeKalb County United, 1 : 7 PM - The MAC Sports Center, Crystal Lake, IL - No Stream Announced
Edgewater Castle, 2 vs Steel City FC, 2 : 8:15 PM - CIBC Fire Pitch, Chicago, IL - Twitch
Sunday:
LK St. Clair vs Livonia City: 3 PM - Mount Clemens High School Stadium, Mount Clemens, MI - Eleven Sports
Michigan Stars U23 vs Inter Detroit: 3 PM - Michigan Stars Sports Center, Washington, MI - Eleven Sports
USL League Two, Week 5: Recap
Wednesday:
Oakland County FC, 3 vs Kalamazoo FC, 2 : 6 PM - Clawson Stadium, Clawson, MI - YouTube
Chicago FC United, 4 vs Green Bay Voyageurs, 0 : 7:45 PM - Bridgeview Dome, Bridgeview, IL - No Stream Announced
Friday:
Kings Hammer, 0 vs Toledo Villa, 0 : 6 PM - Corcoran Field at Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH - Eleven Sports
Flint City Bucks, 3 vs Fort Wayne FC, 0 : 6:30 PM - Atwood Stadium at Kettering University, Flint, MI - Eleven Sports
After a goal-less first half, the Bucks finished off their first chance on the 48th minute after the ball ricocheted around the penalty area. Their lead was doubled in the 61st minute through Matt Fearnley after a buildup which saw a long crossfield pass then reversed into his path. Fort Wayne FC contributed generously to the last goal of three when the defense gave the ball away on the edge of their own area in the 83rd minute and it was calmly slotted away.
Green Bay Voyageurs, 0 vs Chicago FC United, 1 : 7 PM - Capital Credit Union Park, Ashwaubenon, WI - Eleven Sports
A back and forth game saw Chicago FC United blaze a penalty wide for their best chance of the first half but in the end it was academic as they took the points through the game's only goal in the 82nd minute.
Saturday:
Oakland County FC, 0 vs Grand Rapids FC, 3 : 6 PM - Clawson Stadium, Clawson, MI - YouTube
Playing against ten men for a majority of the game, Grand Rapids got goals through Cornish on 49 minutes, Keenan on 69 minutes and a final clinching goal - courtesy of a screamer from Conerty in the 79th minute.
Kaw Valley FC, 0 vs Des Moines Menace, 1 : 7 PM - Rock Chalk Park, Lawrence, KS - Eleven Sports
Des Moines Menace came into the University of Kansas and took the three points courtesy of a delicate chip over the Kaw Valley keeper from close range.
Sunday:
Fort Wayne FC 1 vs South Bend Lions 3: 2 PM - The Stadium at Shields Field, Fort Wayne, IN - Eleven Sports
Dayton Dutch Lions 0 vs Toledo Villa 1: 6 PM - Dayton Outpatient Center Stadium, West Carrollton, OH - Gem City Sports Network
A mazy run inside a handful of defenders was capped by the only goal of the game for the visitors' Joey Akpunonu in the 38th minute of a tightly contested game.
*Note – All Times CDT