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
United Women's Soccer, Week 5: Recap
Thursday:
Springfield Demize, 0 vs KC Courage, 3 : 7 PM - Cooper Stadium at Lake Country Soccer, Springfield, MO - Eleven Sports
The first of two games on the week for both sides, KC Courage headed down to Southern Missouri to face the rechristened Springfield Demize (formerly Lady Demize). The trip from Kansas City to Springfield did nothing to dissuade the Courage as they took a three goal away victory with all three goals scored by different players.
Friday:
Chicago Mustangs, 2 vs Lansing United, 0 : 5 PM - Commissioners Park, Naperville, IL - No Stream Announced
Another match with the teams both playing their first of two on the weekend, the outdoor Women's side of the Chicago Mustangs hosted Lansing United in a Midwest North vs South match. The trip for Lansing didn't prove to be worth much in points as Chicago took a two goal win to secure another three points.
Midwest United, 4 vs Corktown AFC, 2 : 6 PM - Aquinas College Athletic Field, Grand Rapids, MI - Eleven Sports
Detroit's "only women's club" headed west across the state to do battle in the all-Michigan, Midwest-North. Corktown looked to be running away with the match, scoring two unanswered goals inside the first half hour. Midwest United answered back with two goals before the end of the half and two more in the second 45' to earn a nice comeback victory at home.
Saturday:
KC Courage, 1 vs St. Louis Scott Gallagher, 0 : 4 PM - Bourke Field at Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO - Eleven Sports
The second match of the week for KC Courage and first of two in a row for SLSG. Both sides needed to have the utmost fitness to get through the full 90 minutes with KC having already played this week and SLSG having a match the next day. What we got was a banger of a match with Courage's Caroline Kelly scoring the lone and game winning goal in the 89th minute.
Chicago Mustangs, 4 vs Ladies Steel City, 0 : 6 PM - Nike Sports Complex, Naperville, IL - No Stream Announced
Ladies Steel City looked to spoil Chicago's second match of the week and the Mustangs perfect opportunity to take a total of six points on the week. That was not to be for the visitors from Joliet as the Mustangs ran away with a four goals all by different scorers in a route of their Chicagoland rivals. The Mustangs now have 9 points through 3 matches and sit atop the Midwest-South.
Indiana Elite, 1 vs Chicago Kics, 2 : 6 PM - Trinity Sports Park, Noblesville, IN - No Stream Announced
Taking the place of Indiana Union for the 2021 UWS season, Indiana Elite played their first match in United Women's Soccer against the Chicago Kics, another UWS expansion side. The Kics managed a one goal away victory to give them their second win of the season and hand Elite a loss in their first ever match in the league.
Muskegon Risers, 0 vs Detroit City FC, 10 : 6 PM - Kehren Stadium, Muskegon, MI - Eleven Sports
Detroit came back from last weeks 3-1 away loss to the Chicago Mustangs in dominating fashion. Le Rouge took a large 7-0 lead into the half-time break, scoring so many in such quick succession their matchday Twitter had a hard time keeping up. DCFC added another three goals in the second half including a brace from Melanie Forbes.
Sunday:
Lansing United, 5 vs Chicago Kics, 1 : 1 PM - Eastern High School Stadium, Lansing, MI - Eleven Sports
After a big win in Indiana on Saturday night, the Kics trekked north to face Lansing United for both teams second match of the weekend. The Kics jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a sixth minute goal> Lansing drew even in the 27th before taking the lead just two minutes later en route to a big 5-1 win at home.
Indiana Elite, 1 vs MSC Peoria, 2 : 6 PM - Trinity Sports Park, Noblesville, IN - No Stream Announced
Indiana Elite hosted MSC Peoria for Elite's second of two home matches on the weekend. Though a valiant effort was made by the hosts, it would be MSC Peoria winning 2-1 at the final whistle.
St. Louis Scott Gallagher, 4 vs Springfield Demize, 0 : 7 PM - World Wide Technology Soccer Park, Fenton, MO - Eleven Sports
The final match of the weekend for the UWS Central, the two Missouri sides took to the pitch in the final of a triangular week which also saw them both face KC Courage. After a loss for each side they both looked to take their first three points of 2021. Those three points would go to St. Louis after they defeated Springfield 4-0 in their first of two clashes in 2021.
*Note – All Times CDT
What is the Unity Cup? - A Q and A with MapleBrook's Jean-Yves Viardin
The 2021 Unity Cup : MapleBrook 58ers and Friends vs Joy Athletic Club takes place at Maple Grove High School Stadium at 5pm. Admission is free.
Q: What is the Unity Cup?
A: Joy Athletic is coached by a friend of mine and I'm very familiar with the organization and I respect that organization. I run the youth club over here in Maple Grove called Maplebrook. We had a UPSL team. We took a year off because of Covid.
Because it is Joy Athletic's first year in the NPSL. We share players. We had planned to have a game. A friendly game. When all the bad stuff happened in Minneapolis and then we decided not to play in our league it didn't look like we were gonna be able to do it but a date popped open for them and we said “Hey, would you be willing to have a game with us?”
What's really been the hard part with Covid is in the soccer community, we didn't get to see our friends. We're all in different communities, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park wherever...
And then all the stuff happened with Daunte and George Floyd and I said I'm gonna do something fun for my community and you know we share a lot of common things with Joy Athletic.
Long story short, I'm gonna start a tradition. We're going to play them, 1 year here, 1 year there. We're gonna have a cup, it's gonna be called the Unity Cup. The whole spirit of the event is to get two communities which have a lot of similiarities, and eventually grow it to a point where we can raise money for charity or scholarships for kids to play soccer.
I didn't have my team, that's why you see Maplebrook 58ers and friends, we invited people from the different clubs in the Cities. They are all people who we feel represent something positive in the community, in and out of soccer – who they are as human beings. Everybody who is on my team is there for a specific reason, above and beyond that they are good soccer players. The fact that we partnered with Joy Athletic is for a specific reason, above and beyond that they are good soccer players. It's a Cup to celebrate Unity, here and in Minnesota and to have an excuse to spend time together. We hope to raise money for good causes and we got picked up by Sanneh Foundation – Tony is a friend of mine. Planet Soccer, our local soccer vendor and the mortgage company that I work for said “Hey, we love what you are doing”
We're doing it in conjunction with our youth tournament, that's gonna be going on during the weekend. It's an opportunity for kids to come watch high level players, we have a whole bunch of ex-pro players on our team that we're part of Minnesota soccer history
A bunch of guys are coaches so their teams will come and it's kinda unifying four or five youth clubs in the area.
Q: Is there any concern that you're gonna impact Joy's NPSL season?
A: No, not really. They have enough players, I'm sure it's a good opportunity for them to pick the younger players and it's really a friendly game. It's not about the score and the result. Our team is on the old side. I think half our roster is 45. It's really an exhibition game, more than anything.
Q: What are the plans for the MapleBrook 58'ers UPSL side going forward?
A: When the UPSL was cancelled, the organiser of Vlora FC – Adi, he organized the Goals Cup. We won that and then after that our boys went back to school so we didn't participate in the Fall season. UPSL was gracious enough to let us carry over our “tuition”, if you would call it that, until next year. So, we will be back next year for sure. We just needed a year off to recover from financial hardships. These teams don't make money. I lose money on both the teams every year, I do it because I love it and it lets me be around people I wanna be around.
Q: The Fury WPSL side were scheduled to play against Dakota Fusion last weekend, was the postponement due to an issue with your side or theirs?
A: I believe there was a Covid issue with Fusion but we are looking forward to playing them this weekend at Maple Grove and have rescheduled the game in Fargo for June 25th.
Q: Are there any players that we should keep an eye out for?
A: We have a pretty good team. We finished in a 3 way tie with Salvo and Mankato during the 2019 season.
Marie Sennes is a good player. Claire Odmark plays for Wisconsin Badgers as a forward. Haley Landrus is also a good player. We have a good squad.
Q: There are no playoffs in the WPSL this season. So why play a team?
A: I considered it because of no playoffs but my commitment is to get these players ready for college. We have alums from our youth clubs that have somewhere to play in Summer between college seasons. I believe 80% of our squad is from our youth clubs. The most fun part is we can show the young kids what they will be able to do next , like in Europe where everyone has their hometown team, whereas in college people can't do that because they are all scattered around.
NPSL Midwest, Week 5: Recap
Wednesday:
Med City FC, 3 vs La Crosse Aris, 1 : 6:45 PM - Rochester Regional Stadium at RCTC, Rochester, MN - Eleven Sports
The first of two games on the week for both sides, Aris made the short jaunt from La Crosse to Rochester. Aris scored first in the 15th minute and held the lead shortly until Mazeed Aro-Lambo evened the score in the 22nd minute. La Crosse held off the Mayhem for the rest of the first half but Kolton Prater scored the game winner in the 46th minute. Toby Millward added an insurance goal for Med City in the 62nd to round out the night.
Joy Athletic Club, 3 vs Sioux Falls Thunder, 0 : 8:15 PM - Oriole Stadium, St. Louis Park, MN - Eleven Sports
After a rough last few games Joy Athletic came back home for a late kickoff match in St. Louis Park. A seventh minute free kick goal for Joy by Darley Florvil was all that Joy Athletic needed for the win as they held a clean sheet, their first in club history, against Sioux Falls. Emmanuel Iwe and Xavier Zengue also scored with 65th and 85th minute goals respectively.
Saturday:
FC Indiana 1 vs Panathinaikos Chicago, 3 : 4 PM - Legacy Sports Club, Lafayette, IN - Facebook
PAO Chicago headed east to face the Lions of FC Indiana as both sides attempt to climb into a playoff spot in the Great Lakes Conference. The visitors scored three times inside the first 45 minutes of play en route to a 3-1 away victory propelling them into a tie for second place in the Great Lakes.
Carpathia FC, 2 vs FC Columbus, 1: 6 PM - Avondale High School Stadium, Auburn Hills, MI - Eleven Sports
Michigan vs Ohio, another state vs state rivalry match happening in the Great Lakes Division. Carpathia's two first half goals would be just enough to hold the lead the rest of the match even after Coro Alvarez scored on a free kick in the 75th minute for Columbus.
Minneapolis City SC, 2 vs Med City FC, 0 : 6 PM - Edor Nelson Field, Minneapolis, MN - YouTube
The top two in the North faced off to see who would be the undisputed leader in the Conference. Unfortunately for the visiting side they would succumb to what is possibly the best side Minneapolis City has ever put together. After being held off for an entire half Max Stiegwardt got the Crows on the board with a penalty in the 56th minute. He would be followed up just under 20 minutes later by a Kevin Andrews goal.
Dakota Fusion, 3 vs La Crosse Aris, 0: 7 PM - Jim Gotta Stadium, Moorhead, MN - Magnitude Sports Network
Aris had apparent difficulty getting to Moorhead, causing a near 45 minute delay to kick off, and will probably wish they had just taken the forfeit which was on the table for a while - since a 3-0 defeat is how it finished anyway. Fusion survived a red card to their goalkeeper in the 55th minute and a subsequent flurry of free kicks close to their goal to emerge victorious.
Sioux Falls Thunder, 2 vs Duluth FC, 1 : 7 PM - McEneaney Field, Sioux Falls, SD - Eleven Sports
After a tough loss last weekend to Minneapolis City SC, Duluth FC looked to get back to winning ways against Sioux Falls. It took more than 80 minutes for a goal to be scored and that first one came from Trace Dobson in the 81st minute. Duluth quickly answered back with an 86th minute goal by Caleb Tammi. The Thunder's Tyler Limmer ended hopes for a draw with a stoppage time goal for Sioux Falls.
*Note – All Times CDT
WPSL Central Region, Week 4: Recap
Wednesday:
Chicago City SC, 0 vs Chicago Red Stars Reserves, 5 : 8 PM - DePaul College Prep Turf Field, Chicago, IL - Eleven Sports
After a 4-0 win over the Chicago Dutch Lions last weekend Chicago Red Stars Reserve squad faced another local Chicago side in Chicago City SC. Halftime saw CRS Reserves only hold a 1-0 lead, however the NWSL reserve side added four more goals in the second half en route to a massive win over Chicago City.
Friday:
Mankato United, 7 vs Fire SC 98, 2 : 7 PM - Bethany Lutheran College Soccer Field, Mankato, MN - Eleven Sports
Mankato United debuted in a new home on Friday night, now playing at Bethany Lutheran College's brand new Soccer Field rather than the Caswell North Soccer Complex in North Mankato. The hosts opened with an early goal before Fire 98 struck back with their own. Mankato proceeded to score five unanswered between the first and second halves before Fire 98 scored their second of two goals. MUSC capped off the night in the 86th minute with their seventh goal of the match.
Salvo SC, 2 vs Minnesota Thunder, 1 : 7 PM - Reynolds Field, St. Paul, MN - Eleven Sports
Defending champions vs a debuting side, Salvo SC hosted the Minnesota Thunder at Reynolds Field on the campus of Northwestern University in St. Paul for a clash of Twin Cities clubs. The Thunder scored first in just the 6th minute off a corner kick and held that lead for a good part of the first 45 minutes. Salvo had an opportunity to level the score in the 30th minute on a penalty, however that kick hit the post and the rebound shot was sent just wide. Katherine Jones evened the match in the 43rd minute on a screamer from 25 yards out. After a leveller near 45 minutes, in the second half Alaysia Lane gave Salvo SC the win on another screamer from 20 yards out.
Saturday:
FC Pride, 2 vs Fire & Ice SC, 1 : 2 PM - FC Pride Performance Center, Indianapolis, IN - No Stream Announced
Chicago City SC, 2 vs FC Milwaukee Torrent, 1 : 4:30 PM - Chicago Lions Hope Complex, Chicago, IL - Eleven Sports
This battle of contenders to be runner-up in the Lake Michigan Conference saw the visitors take an early lead in the 7th minute after a quick break down their right wing. However, the home team rallied to equalize only 4 minutes later and the comeback was completed mid-way through the second half.
Chicago Dutch Lions, 1 vs Bavarian Soccer Club, 1 : 5 PM - Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex Stadium, Lisle, IL - Eleven Sports
Lady Victory FC, 9 vs St. Louis Lions, 1 : 6 PM - Guerin Catholic High School - Noblesville, IN - Eleven Sports
Lady Victory took the massive win here, scoring early and often and not letting their feet off the gas, even outscoring their opponents 3-1 in a second half which could have been seen as academic.
Chicago Red Stars Reserves, 5 vs Green Bay Glory, 0 : 7 PM - Evergreen Bank Group Athletic Field, Oak Brook, IL - Eleven Sports
MapleBrook Fury, 1 vs Rochester United FC, 1 : 7 PM - Maple Grove Crimson Stadium, Maple Grove, MN - No Stream Announced
Sunday:
Lady Victory FC, 0 vs Fire & Ice SC, 1 : 2 PM - Guerin Catholic High School - Noblesville, IN - Eleven Sports
Dayton Dutch Lions, 2 vs Columbus Eagles, 2 : 3:30 PM - Dayton Outpatient Center Stadium, West Carrollton, OH - Gem City Sports Network
St. Louis Lions 2 vs FC Pride, 4 : 4 PM - Tony Glavin Soccer Complex, Cottleville, MO - No Stream Announced
MapleBrook Fury vs Dakota Fusion: 7 PM - Maple Grove Crimson Stadium, Maple Grove, MN - No Stream Announced
Covid caused the postponement of this match. With a makeup date yet to be announced, this leaves both the Fury and the Fusion with only one game each in the books - from an originally scheduled three.
Minnesota Thunder, 3 vs Mankato United, 1 : 7:45 PM - Academy of Holy Angels StarDome, Richfield, MN - Eleven Sports
*Note – All Times CDT
Midweek Madness, Recap 5/24-27, 2021
USL League Two
Monday:
St. Louis Scott Gallagher 2 vs FC Wichita 0:
After two defeats League Two newcomers SLSG gained their first win of the season on Monday. In the 31st minute St. Louis scored their first of the night from a PK by Jack Lynn. Lynn sent the kick to the right while the FC Wichita keeper went the opposite way. John Klein scored SLSG's second goal of the night in the 84th minute, once again on a PK.
Tuesday:
Kings Hammer 0 vs Flint City Bucks 0:
The teams went 90 minutes to a nil-nil draw in what ended up being a very chippy match. Flint City would be called for 12 fouls while Kings Hammer were issues 9. For their troubles on the night both sides were also handed four yellow cards each.
Toledo Villa 5 vs Oakland County FC 5:
Oakland County headed across state lines to face Toledo Villa and it turned out to be a barn burner of a match. Oakland County scored two goals in a row to open the match with Pliakos and Rizzo scoring in the 8th and 18th with Popovic getting assists on each. Toledo screamed back with three unanswered goals in the 36th, 42nd, and 45th minutes to close the half. However in the second half Popovic scored to goals to add to his two assists, putting OCFC up 4-3. The final 20+ minutes saw both sides trade goals with Toledo scoring in the 75th and 90th while Toledo scored the 88th.
Wednesday:
Dayton Dutch Lions 0 vs Kalamazoo FC 3:
Kalamazoo's road trip to Dayton was one they hoped would be an easy one. And an easy one it was, at least after the first half. Daire O'Riordan scored Kalamazoo's first in first half stoppage time. The visitors scored two more times in the second half, including Cyrus Harmon's goal in the 53rd that made it 2-0.
National Premier Soccer League
Wednesday:
Minneapolis City SC 3 vs Duluth FC 2:
A match with massive implications between the only two sides who have ever won the North Conference. Both sides struggled for most of the first half, however Sidney Warden put Duluth FC on top in the 41st. Minneapolis City's Mohamed Youssef responded back in the 47th minute while teammate William Kidd scored the Crows second goal in the 52nd. However, Warden responded back for Duluth FC with a 53rd minute to level up the score at 2-2. The final near 30 minutes proved tough for both sides to score as they each missed plenty of shots. In the end Brayan Lopez scored the game winner for the hosts in the 80th minute.
United Premier Soccer League
Wednesday:
Cedars FC 3 vs Grand Haven Admirals 1
Detroit United 5 vs City United SC 4
United Women’s Soccer
Wednesday:
Corktown AFC 0 vs Detroit City FC 3:
A short trip for DCFC to do battle with a Detroit rival. The Corner Ballpark in Corktown, the former site of Tiger Stadium, would see the visitors go on a tear. Sarah Huge's goal on a diving header and Kenna White's chip shot over the Corktown keeper put Le Rouge up 2-0 inside 20 minutes. Tatiana Mason's free kick goal from the top of the box sealed up Detroit City's win.
UWS League Two
Wednesday:
Corktown AFC II vs FC Midland:
No Reported Score
Thursday:
Livonia City FC 1 vs Legends FC II 3:
United Women's Soccer Week 4, Where to Watch
Friday:
Springfield Demize vs KC Courage: 4 PM - Cooper Stadium, Springfield, MO - MyCujoo
Lansing United vs Midwest United: 6 PM - East Lansing Soccer Complex, East Lansing, MI - MyCujoo
Saturday:
Muskegon Risers vs Ladies Steel City FC: 6 PM - Monsignor Kehren Stadium, Muskegon, MI - MyCujoo
Detroit City FC vs Chicago Mustangs: 6 PM - Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI - MyCujoo
Sunday:
MSC Peoria vs Indiana Elite: 7 PM - EastSide Centre, Peoria, IL - MyCujoo
*Note – All Times CDT
NPSL Midwest Week 4, Where to Watch
Friday:
Med City FC vs Joy Athletic Club: 6:45 PM - Rochester Regional Stadium at RCTC, Rochester, MN - MyCujoo
Saturday:
La Crosse Aris vs Duluth FC: 4 PM - Arcadia High School Stadium, Arcadia, WI - No Announced Stream
FC Columbus vs FC Indiana: 6 PM - Roberts Field at The Wellington School, Columbus, OH - No Announced Stream
Milwaukee Torrent vs Carpathia FC: 7 PM - Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI - No Announced Stream
Dakota Fusion vs Sioux Falls Thunder: 7 PM - Jim Gotta Stadium, Moorhead, MN - Magnitude Sports Network
*Note – All Times CDT
USL League 2 Week 4, Where to Watch
Friday:
Grand Rapids FC vs Kings Hammer: 6:30 PM - Midwest United FC Complex, Grand Rapids, MI - No Announced Stream
Green Bay Voyageurs vs Des Moines Menace: 7 PM - Capital Credit Union Park, Ashwaubenon, WI - No Announced Stream
Saturday:
South Bend Lions vs Toledo Villa: 4 PM - TCU School Field, South Bend, IN - No Announced Stream
Flint City Bucks vs Dayton Dutch Lions: 6:30 PM - Atwood Stadium at Kettering University, Flint, MI - No Announced Stream
Green Bay Voyageurs vs St. Louis Scott Gallagher: 7 PM - Capital Credit Union Park, Ashwaubenon, WI - No Announced Stream
Kaw Valley FC vs FC Wichita: 7:30 PM - Rock Chalk Park, Lawrence, KS - No Announced Stream
Sunday:
Fort Wayne FC vs Oakland County FC: 2 PM - The Stadium at Shields Field, Fort Wayne, IN - No Announced Stream
*Note – All Times CDT
Illinois State Cup Begins
The Illinois State Soccer Association's Open Cup begins play this week. In 2021 the Tony Dallas Cup will feature a total of 14 sides will competing for the trophy. The tournament begins tonight with two matches featuring a few Midwest Premier League clubs. Edgewater Castle will travel to Buffalo Grove and face Schwaben AC at 7:30. The other match will see DeKalb County United head to Bensenville to play Wisloka Chicago at 8 PM.
State Open Cup?
The Tony Dallas Cup is one of many open cups inside the State of Illinois. Others played are Men's Over-30, Over-40, Over-48, Under-23, and Women's tournaments. In fact many states across the country have their own open cups which serve to supplement lower league seasons from smaller city leagues to state leagues to regional ones. Most states that have one Cup usually have a few, which we will also be covering.
Cup History
The Tony Dallas Cup itself has only been awarded the past three seasons, however the tournament dates back to 1909. From 1909-1970 the Peter J Peel Cup was awarded to the champions. During the Peel Cup era Sparta would win the title 12 times. From 1971-1977 the trophy awarded was the Illinois Governors Cup, which saw the Lions win three titles. Since 1978 the trophy has taken the names of the Fred W Netto Cup (78-83), George E Fishwick Cup (84-87), William P Hemmings Cup (88-93), Alfredo V Arias Cup (94-03), George L Chazaro Cup (04-07), and Frank Mariani Cup (07-16).
RWB Adria has won the title a total of 14 times, most in cup history, including the last time it was awarded in 2019.
2021 Format
The 2021 format of the Tony Dallas Cup is a straight forward 14 team knockout tournament. All rounds will be single elimination with two teams gaining a first round bye. Those sides being AAC Eagles of the Metropolitan Soccer League and Gazelle Chicago of the National Soccer League. All clubs in this years tournament hail from Chicago or it's immediate surroundings.
MWPL Week 7, Where to Watch
Wednesday:
Michigan Stars U23 vs Livonia City: 6 PM - Michigan Stars Sports Center, Washington, MI - MyCujoo
RWB Adria vs Steel City FC: 8 PM - Hales Franciscan High School, Chicago, IL - Facebook
Friday:
Inter Detroit vs Lansing Common: 4 PM - Evolution Sportsplex, Auburn Hills, MI - MyCujoo
Saturday:
Union Dubuque vs Rockford FC: 3:30 PM - Dubuque Soccer Complex, Dubuque, IA - MyCujoo
Livonia City vs Detroit City U23: 6 PM - St. Joe's Sports Complex, Livonia, MI - MyCujoo
Berber City vs Steel City FC: 7 PM - Lions for Hope Sports Complex, Chicago, IL - MyCujoo
Sunday:
Edgewater Castle vs Chicago Mustangs: 3 PM - CIBC FirePitch, Chicago, IL - Twitch
*Note – All Times CDT