NPSL Midwest Week 7: Recap
Wednesday:
Duluth FC 2 vs Med City FC 1 - 7pm - Public Schools Stadium, Duluth, MN - Eleven Sports
Duluth rallied from an early deficit to take all three points. Tyler Oliver made the breakthrough for Med City, in the 8th minute, with the home team's goals coming from James Westfield in the 30th minute and Gabriel Campora in the 80th minute - only 8 minutes after making his debut for the BlueGreens. In doing so, Duluth FC moved within three points of their opponents.
Saturday:
Med City FC 1 vs Duluth FC 4 - 6:45pm - Rochester Regional Stadium - Eleven Sports
The BlueGreens and the Mayhem met in Rochester with the chance that the day would finish with the two teams tied on 15 points. Duluth made sure of that, and prolific goalscorer Sidney Warden in particular. Warden broke the scoreless tie in the 24th minute after neat build up play and a slotted pass in. He doubled his, and Duluth’s, tally 7 minutes later with a PK. Just before half time, it was 3-0 through Eric Watson. Med City scored in the 54th minute through Toby Millward’s belter, taking a rebound from his own free kick hitting the wall all of 20 yards out. James Westfield completed the scoring, making it a 4-1 win.
Minneapolis City SC 5 vs Sioux Falls Thunder FC 0 - 6pm - Edor Nelson Field - YouTube
The Crows continue their perfect season, finally breaking down the stubborn Thunder defense in stoppage time at the end of the first half through Lionel Vang. Brayan Lopez caught a Youssef rebound to increase the lead in the 51st minute. Kevin Andrews slotted home another rebound in the 73rd minute and a late tally in injury time . William Kidd also scored late.
Dakota Fusion FC 1 vs Joy Athletic Club 0 - 7pm - Jim Gotta Stadium - Magnitude Sports Network
Fusion got a second win of the season courtesy of the metalwork, a dominant performance by Matias Breit between the posts and a 63rd strike from Jack Pascoe from close range after a Diago Adachi cross was flicked on by Aaron Pike. Both sides had chances but the biggest possible moment of redemption came with several minutes of injury time elapsed, when Philip Caputo was taken down in the penalty area. Breit stuck out a low hand and saved the subsequent penalty kick from Immanuel Iwe. Subsequently, Joy's Vukota Mastilovic received a straight red card for a foul on Breit, who left the field injured. In losing, Joy also lost ground on Duluth and Med City in the race for second.
FC Indiana 3 vs Carpathia FC 3 - 4pm - FC Indiana Stadium - No Announced Stream
In a surprisingly close game between the team in second in the Great Lakes and the team rooted to the bottom, Carpathia had the lead at 1-0 through Ryan Williams and 2-1 through Owen Smith but conceded it both times and went into injury time on the losing side of the ledger before Williams rescued a point.
Panathinaikos Chicago 0 vs FC Milwaukee Torrent 3 - 7pm - Nike Sports Complex - No Announced Stream
Sam Novak put the Torrent on their own way to perfection with a 5th minute goal and that was that for the first half but the away side added goals by Byron Gutierrez in the 63rd and Malik Mennana in the 76th to complete the win.
UWS Week 7: Preview
Wednesday:
Corktown AFC vs Midwest United - 6:30pm - The Corner Ballpark, Detroit, MI - Eleven Sports
Facing the leaders of the division in 4-0-1 MUFC, Corktown would join Detroit City on points with a win but they will face a difficult match against a squad who scored 12 last time out.
Thursday:
FC Wichita vs KC Courage - 7pm - Stryker Sports Complex, Wichita, KS - Eleven Sports
Central division leading KCC make the trip to 1-1-0 Wichita.
Saturday:
Gretna Elite vs Springfield Demize - 3pm - Papillion Landing, Papillion, NE - No Announced Stream
The 1-1-1 hosts face a team at 0-3-0 trying to avoid another demise.
St Louis Scott Gallagher vs KC Courage - 4pm - World Wide Technology Soccer Park - Fenton, MO - Eleven Sports
SLSG will be hoping to put pressure on KCC with a win.
Lansing United vs Corktown AFC - 7pm - East Lansing Soccer Complex, East Lansing, MI - Eleven Sports
The hosts are 2-4-1 heading into this match, with a Corktown club which played on Thursday but which has a deep roster.
Detroit City FC vs Midwest United - 7:30pm - Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI - YouTube
Trips to Keyworth are never easy but Midwest United make the short trip on red hot form.
Indiana Elite vs Ladies Steel City - 4pm - Trinity Sports Park, Noblesville, IN - No Stream Announced
The 1-6-0 Steel City team could be reeling after giving up 6 last week but they had strong moments against MSC Peoria to build on when they face their fellow strugglers in Indiana.
Chicago Mustangs vs Chicago KICS - 6pm - Commissioner's Park, Naperville, IL - No Stream Announced
This Chicago derby sees the Mustangs rolling along with a perfect 6 from 6 matches played and it will be a tough match up, although KICS present an ever-present goal threat through Barnes.
MSC Peoria vs Muskegon Risers - 7pm - Eastside Centre, East Peoria, IL - Eleven Sports
This interdivisional match sees an MSC side which won 6-2 in the last week meeting a Muskegon squad with a goal difference of -22, rooted to the base of their division.
Sunday:
Indiana Elite vs Chicago Mustangs - 4pm - Trinity Sports Park, Noblesville, IN - No Stream Announced
This match could be another blowout win for the dominant Mustangs, facing a winless Elite side in Indiana.
USL League Two, Week 7: Preview
Wednesday:
Green Bay Voyageurs vs Chicago FC United- 5pm - SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, IL - No Stream Announced
Undefeated CFCU host the winless Voyageurs in what should be an easy win for the home team.
Kings Hammer vs South Bend Lions - 7pm - TCU School Field, South Bend, IN - No Announced Stream
The 4-1-2 KHFC face a 2-3-2 Lions squad in a match which could boil down to how well the South Bend defense limit the hosts' offence.
Flint City Bucks vs Kalamazoo FC - 7pm - Mayor's Riverfront Park, Kalamazoo, MI - Eleven Sports PPV
Division leading Kzoo host an FCB squad which has had an up and down start to the season.
FC Wichita vs Des Moines Menace - 7pm - Valley Stadium, West Des Moines, IA - CISN
Des Moines continue to strive for perfection, against a winless Wichita squad, and should be able to continue their hot start.
Kaw Valley FC vs St Louis Scott Gallagher - 7pm - World Wide Technology Soccer Park, Fenton, MO - No Announced Stream
Two teams from the congested midsection of the Heartland face off in Fenton.
Friday:
Fort Wayne FC vs Kalamazoo FC - 6:45pm - Mayor's Riverfront Park, Kalamazoo, MI - Eleven Sports PPV
Kzoo hope to continue their division leading start against 1-4 FWFC in the Great Lakes Division.
Dayton Dutch Lions vs Oakland County FC - 7pm - Clawson Stadium, Clawson, MI - No Announced Stream
Despite their intermittent start to the season, OCFC should have little trouble against 0-7 DDL.
FC Wichita vs Des Moines Menace - 7pm - Valley Stadium, West Des Moines, IA - No Announced Stream
Des Moines look to continue their perfect record against Wichita.
Chicago FC United vs Kaw Valley FC - 7:30pm - Rock Chalk Park, Lawrence, KS - Eleven Sports
CFCU look to apply pressure on Des Moines above them in the table.
Saturday:
South Bend Lions vs Toledo Villa - 7pm - The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH - Eleven Sports PPV
Toledo enter the week in third and will be hoping to apply pressure to the teams above them against a hit and miss Lions squad.
Green Bay Voyageurs vs St Louis Scott Gallagher - 7pm - World Wide Technology Soccer Park, Fenton, MO - No Announced Stream
SLSG will be hoping for an easy ride against a Voyageurs team with only 1 point in the season.
Chicago FC United vs FC Wichita - 7pm - Stryker Sports Complex, Wichita, KS - Eleven Sports
CFCU look to regain momentum after their first loss of the season recently.
Sunday:
Oakland County FC vs Kings Hammer - 4pm - Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH - No Announced Stream
Kings Hammer will be hoping that 3 points against OCFC can vault them up the table.
Grand Rapids FC vs Kalamazoo FC - 5:30pm - Mayor's Riverfront Park, Kalamazoo, MI - Eleven Sports
Depending on results earlier in the week, Kzoo could enter this match with a commanding lead on top of the division.
Flint City Bucks vs Fort Wayne FC - 6pm - Bishop Dwenger High School, Fort Wayne, IN - Eleven Sports
Flint City are lurking in fourth in the table and could gain a better position with three points against the 1-4-3 FWFC
WPSL Central Region, Week 6: Preview
Wednesday:
Mankato United vs Rochester United - 7pm- Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN - Eleven Sports
Unbeaten Rochester took a tie against Kato at their home and the visitors enter the match unbeaten on the season, having tied their last three matches. Mankato will look to rediscover some momentum, with their only win of the season a 7-2 drubbing of Fire SC 98 to open the season.
Cincinnati Sirens vs Dayton Dutch Lions - 7pm - Lakota West High School, Liberty Township, OH - No Announced Stream
The unbeaten Sirens will expect their fourth victory from four against a club who are only 1-3-1 on the season.
Fire and Ice vs St Louis Lions - 7pm - Althoff Catholic High School, Belleville, IL, Eleven Sports
An up and down season for the hosts is still preferable to the 3 straight losses for the Lions to open theirs and they will expect their form to continue.
Thursday :
Minnesota Thunder vs Salvo SC - 7:45pm - Academy of Holy Angels StarDome, Richfield, MN - Eleven Sports
The surprise package of this Central season so far, Thunder have so far proven the value in a youth pipeline approach to WPSL play. Having won their last three matches, they will enter play against perennial threat Salvo with plenty of confidence although the league leaders did drop the corresponding fixture 2-1 to their neighbors.
Friday:
Fire SC vs Dakota Fusion FC - 7pm - Centennial High School Stadium, Circle Pines, MN - Eleven Sports
Fire and Fusion have both been on the receiving end of some ugly results early in their seasons so this basement battle could really show whether those results are indicative of deeper malaise.
Mankato United vs MapleBrook Fury - 7pm - Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN - Eleven Sports
MapleBrook have managed a 1-1 draw with second placed Rochester and a 4-1 win over struggling Fire SC so it will be interesting to see where a match against third placed Mankato registers. The home side sit third, with a game in hand on the two teams above them and will be hoping they can punish a possibly rusty Fury squad.
Milwaukee Bavarian SC vs Chicago Red Stars Reserves - 7pm - Bavarian Soccer Club, Glendale, WI - No Announced Stream
Even though this match is at the friendly confines of the Bavarian Soccer Club, expect another win for the juggernaut that is Chicago Red Stars Reserves. That said, BSC limited the damage to just one goal when the two sides met recently.
Saturday:
Chicago City SC vs Green Bay Glory - 4pm - Chicago Hope Lions Complex, Chicago, IL - Eleven Sports
Green Bay come into Chicago 0-4 on the season and will be hoping for better results against a CCSC squad which is 1-2.
Chicago Dutch Lions vs Milwaukee Torrent - 6pm - Benedictine University, Lisle, IL - No Announced Stream
Second placed CDL face a hungry Torrent squad who are only a point behind them in the standings.
Cincinnati Sirens vs FC Pride - 7pm - Lakota West High School, Liberty Township, OH - No Announced Stream
The undefeated Sirens play host to the table topping FC Pride, who are 4-1-1 on the season, raising the prospect of a very good game.
Dayton Dutch Lions vs St Louis Lions - 7pm - West Carrolton High School, Dayton, OH - No Announced Stream
Dayton will need to get to grips defensively but they face a St Louis squad with no wins at the time of publication and a -15 goal difference.
Fire and Ice vs Columbus Eagles - 7pm - Althoff Catholic High School, Belleville, IL - Eleven Sports
This match pairs two teams with unappetizing starts to their seasons, so this will be a litmus test of their direction.
Sunday:
Salvo SC vs MapleBrook Fury - 3pm - Reynolds Field, Roseville, MN - No Announced Stream
Salvo should win this battle of the Twin Cities, but MapleBrook's stop start season so far makes it difficult to rule out any result.
Mankato United vs Dakota Fusion - 5pm - Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN - Eleven Sports
Having sought to exorcise demons against Rochester, Kato will face a Fusion squad which has had a slow start to their own season and the hosts should expect an easy win.
Fire SC 98 vs Minnesota Thunder - 7pm - Seafoam Stadium at Concordia University, St Paul, MN - Eleven Sports
Rolling into the week top of the division, Thunder should dispatch the struggling Fire without much difficulty.
Chicago City SC vs Milwaukee Bavarian - 5pm - Chicago Hope Lions Complex, Chicago, IL - Eleven Sports
With one win against their name, and playing host, CCSC will be hoping to deepen the gloom of a winless Bavarian squad fresh off a match against the Red Stars Reserves.
Dayton Dutch Lions vs Lady Victory - 4:30pm - West Carrolton High School, Dayton, OH - No Announced Stream
Lady Victory, on 4-1 for the season, will fully expect to beat a DDL squad with only one win to their name.
St Louis Lions vs Columbus Eagles - 5pm - Tony Glavin Soccer Complex, Cottleville, MO - No Announced Stream
This matchup of leaky defences and sputtering offences could well end up a goalless draw.
NPSL Midwest Week 7: Preview
Wednesday:
Duluth FC vs Med City FC - 7pm - Public Schools Stadium, Duluth, MN - Eleven Sports
These two clubs meet in a home and home back to back, part of a string of games for Duluth against playoff chasing teams. Med City could be within 3 points of Minneapolis City with a win, although any further progress towards the division title would obviously depend on the Crows dropping points.
Saturday:
Med City FC vs Duluth FC - 6:45pm - Rochester Regional Stadium - Eleven Sports
Read the preview above, and take into account that Sidney Warden remains one of the most prolific strikers in the country right now.
Minneapolis City SC vs Sioux Falls Thunder - 6pm - Edor Nelson Field - YouTube
With Duluth and Med City taking points off each other, the Crows can concentrate on solidifying their spot at the top of the North and their current perfection. Medo Youssef has 6 goals in 7 games. Sioux Falls continue their up and down season and will have to pull a major upset to get any points from this match.
Dakota Fusion FC vs Joy Athletic Club - 7pm - Jim Gotta Stadium - Magnitude Sports Network
Driven by two of the most prolific scorers in the league in Darley Florvil and Emmanuel Iwe, Joy will consider their chances of claiming something from a trip to Moorhead fairly high given their own commendable first season and Fusion’s struggles to keep clean sheets.
FC Indiana vs Carpathia FC - 4pm - FC Indiana Stadium - No Announced Stream
The Lions face a challenge containing another of the most prolific strikers, in Carpathia's David Edwardson as the visitors try to put pressure on the table topping Torrent. FC Indiana, on the other hand, continue to strive for a first point of the season.
Panathinaikos Chicago vs FC Milwaukee Torrent - 7pm - Nike Sports Complex - No Announced Stream
Milwaukee look to continue their perfect start to the season against a PAO side which has had an up and down start.
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.
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
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
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.
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 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
NPSL Round Up, Great Lakes and North Divisions - Week 3
NPSL Great Lakes Conference
Panathinaikos Chicago vs FC Columbus
Panathinaikos Chicago came into their second home match of the season on an 0-0-2 record with zero points in the conference. FC Columbus meanwhile came off the a week long break following a 2-0 defeat by Milwaukee. The Nike Sports Complex in Naperville, IL would however see the home side drop their third match of the season by a score of 3-2. Host PAO Chicago will have a bye week this week before facing FC Indiana on the road on June 5th. FC Columbus will host FC Indiana this Saturday night at Roberts Field at The Wellington School.
FC Indiana vs FC Milwaukee Torrent
Great Lakes Conference leaders Milwaukee Torrent headed down to Indianapolis to continue their two match win streak against the Lions of FC Indiana. The Torrent looked appeared to be putting the Lions through the ringer with Tony Doellefeld scoring in the 5th minute before Emiliano Caballero scored 9 minutes later. FC Indiana's Andrew Revanales scored in the 22nd minute which cut the lead down to 2-1. Both sides would score just once more each, Milwaukee on another Doellefeld goal in the 40th and FC Indiana's Ricardo scoring the only second half goal in the 60th.
NPSL North Conference
Dakota Fusion FC vs Med City FC
The home opener for Fusion could not reverse the recent form for either squad as Med City forced the pace through Peter Lange-Nielson's goal in the 2nd minute, but it was Lucas Hart's pressure which secured their second win of the season, with an assist for Lange-Nielson and two goals ( one from a penalty decision which was unclear even after multiple viewings). Any chances for Fusion to fight back were ended when Huseyin Celik was shown a second yellow card, having been booked for unsporting behavior. Mazeed Aro-Lambo completed the scoring.
Duluth FC vs Joy Athletic Club
Duluth opened their season with a late winner in an instant classic. The home team led 2-0 after 20 minutes through James Westfield and Sidney Warden but Joy fired right back through Philip Capudo and had leveled the game before the half-time whistle through Emanuel Iwe. The team from St. Louis Park then took their own lead shortly after the hour mark after an own goal. The final swing of the pendulum saw the BlueGreens tie the match through Dylan Sumner in the 70th minute and Warden then stepped up to cap the comeback and seal the win only 4 minutes from time.
La Crosse Aris SC vs Minneapolis City SC
What could have been a tricky road trip for the Crows, playing against an Aris side which fought back for a tie against Joy on a field even further flung than usual in Arcadia, WI, turned out to be another paragraph in the continued strong start to the season for Minneapolis City. The goals came courtesy of a double from Justin Oliver in the 16th and the 46th minutes and late goals by Kevin Andrews in the 80th minute and Arthur Parens in the 90th. It also featured a City Futures goalkeeper as striker at one point.
Standings after Week 3
The NPSL's Midwest region is made up of three very different conferences, both in geography and length. The NPSL's format typically has most conference playing a double round robin, this results in varying lengths of seasons depending on the conference. That results in the Great Lakes and Rust Belt Conferences playing a 10 game season while the North plays a 12 game schedule.
In the westernmost conference, the North, Minneapolis City leads with 9 points through three matches. Med City FC and Duluth FC have 6 and 3 points respectively, giving all three sides 3 PPG, which is how the playoffs are seeded.
In the Great Lakes conference FC Milwaukee Torrent has 9 points and a 3-0-0 record while Carpathia has a 2-0-0 record and six points, both good for 3 PPG and the two spots the Great Lakes will have in the NPSL Midwest Playoffs.
Lastly is the Rust Belt Conference where just a few teams have started play. On points however FC Buffalo has 3 points after winning their season opener in Rochester while Cleveland SC has a single point after drawing their home opener against the same Rochester Lancers.
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