The TwinStars had already notched a memorable win over Duluth FC and although they would give up a lop-sided defeat to the same opposition on the road, they remained undefeated at their home at Park Center High and in third place going into their match with top of the table Dakota Fusion. Fusion have lost some momentum recently, with two draws bringing their lead over Duluth to only 1 point, going into the weekend – albeit with an uneven number of games played. The week’s results in full are recapped here.

In a tightly contested match, the closest that either side came, was in the fourth minute of stoppage time when a Fusion header from a corner was headed off the line by TwinStars. Speaking to us after the game, Dakota Fusion head coach Alex Trent was optimistic

We believe we can win any game and create chances. We know we have the players to do it and that goals will come if we continue to stay disciplined and execute better.

So the TwinStars home unbeaten record remains intact and Fusion’s remarkable streaks of clean sheets and of blunt finishing continue. Duluth lose some ground, falling 4-2 to Joy Athletic Club.

Alex Trent had an eye on the team’s key weakness

The past two games, we’ve played more than well enough to win and created countless chances, but need to be more clinical in the final third.

TwinStars Assistant Manager Karim Darbaki was very complimentary of both sides

It was a very good match. Very tactical. Both teams had some good moments. Fusion played possession football similar to the way we play, which made for an entertaining match.

We look forward to playing away to them.

Ousman Ceesay, our captain, had a very good game and was able to keep a clean sheet, one of our main objectives.

Fusion men next play next Saturday, back at home at Jim Gotta Stadium in Moorhead, against Siouxland United before welcoming (if that is the right word) the TwinStars to the Red River Valley on July 2nd and closing the NPSL season away at Minnesota Blizzard on July 6th. The club has also been announced as a participant in NISA Independent Cup’s Great Lakes region, and their opening match in that knockout bracket is scheduled for the following day back in Moorhead against UPSL and MASL club Vlora FC. The NPSL playoffs are then scheduled to begin on Wednesday the 10th at the highest two seeds’ home stadia, almost certain to be Fusion and the BlueGreens.

TwinStars men next play Sioux Falls Thunder on Wednesday, and then Minnesota Blizzard next Saturday. They close league play on July 6th at home to Joy Athletic before probably being on the road at the #2 seed in the playoffs on the 10th.