WPSL Central Playoffs: Divisional Round Preview
Who is the winner of the Conference, in your opinion?
— Northern Lights Football (@Lights_Football) June 29, 2023
How it works:
At this stage, the divisional winners face each other. Don’t see Heartland or North? That’s because those conferences only have one division, so the regular season champion is the Conference champion and goes through to the next round. Northern winners Minnesota Thunder have declined their invite because of player availability, so someone else will get their bye (since the North also only has one division).
Both these games will be played on Saturday.
Colorado Rapids Women v Utah Avalanche for the Mountain Conference, in a repeat of last year’s mountain mash. The kickoff is 7pm Mountain Time.
Rapids were the losing finalists of the entire league last season, and are on a run as #1 seed, having amassed a 10-0 record. They have only conceded a league-leading 2 goals all season. As mentioned above, this is a rematch, so Avalanche will be hoping to avoid another 1 game playoff run. The Utahn side have only dropped two points all season themselves, finishing 7-1-0 (W-D-L). Avalanche also have the Mountain’s leading goalscorer – Seven Castain with 8 goals and 3 assists.
FC Milwaukee Torrent v Columbus Eagles FC for the Midwest Conference crown. Kick off is 7pm Central Time.
Torrent (7-1-0) were in their Conference championship last year and got hosed. Their opponents, Kansas City Current II, have taken a year off. Torrent are the highest scorers in the region’s playoff field (behind only MN Thunder), but Mikki Easter‘s defense have also have only conceded six goals, so expect Torrent to get out on the attack and trust that their stingy defense will hold the back door shut.
Eagles (6-1-1) are enjoying their best season in the WPSL, but have had to fight their way past FC Dayton to secure the National Road division title on the last day and now face a 450 mile trip North. They are the third highest scorers in the region but middle of the field in goal difference. Keep an eye out for Abby Townsend on the wing.
Stay tuned for our review of these games and a look forward to the Regional Semifinals and Final.