2021 USL League Two Playoff Format Announced
Tuesday afternoon USL League Two announced it's 2021 Playoff format. This year there will be a total of 26 clubs, more than the typical 16 teams of the past, qualifying for the USL League Two Playoffs. This will consist of 8 teams from each the Central, Eastern, and Southern Conferences and two teams from the Western Conference.
Qualification Breakdowns
Central Conference
- Great Lakes Division - 3 Teams
- Heartland Division - 2 Teams
- Mid-South Division - 3 Teams
Eastern Conference
- Mid-Atlantic Division - 2 Teams
- Metropolitan Division - 3 teams
- Northeast Division - 2 Teams
- Wild Card - Best 3rd Place team between the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Divisions
Southern Conference
- Deep South Division - 3 Teams
- Southeast - 2 Teams
- South Atlantic - 3 Teams
Western Conference
- Mountain Division Champion vs Northwest Division Champion
Playoffs Schedule
The 2020 playoffs will run from July 16th to July 31st with the first round starting just three days after the final regular season game outside the Western Conference. The three Conferences playing Quarter-Final and Semi-Final round matches will play those the weekend of July 16-18. The winners of each conference Semi-Final and the Mountain Division and Northwest Division winners, who will represent the Western Conference, will meet the weekend of July 23-25. The teams will play the Conference Final followed by the National Semi-Final that weekend. The Western Conference will meet the Central Conference and the Eastern Conference will meet the Southern Conference in the Semi-Finals.
The USL League Two National Championship Final will be played on July 31st with the highest seed remaining hosting the final at their home site.
NPSL Midwest Week 9: Preview
Wednesday:
Carpathia FC vs FC Columbus: 6 PM - Avondale High School, Auburn Hills, MI - Eleven Sports
Two playoff spots are on the line in each division in the Midwest Region. With four games left to play the points difference makes this a do or die for FC Columbus. If they win they keep their hopes of making the playoffs alive. If the hosts Carpathia FC win, the playoff representatives from the Great Lakes are set with every team still having 3-4 matches to play.
Duluth FC vs Minneapolis City SC: 7 PM - Public Schools Stadium, Duluth, MN - Eleven Sports
Host Duluth FC needs to win to keep the Crows from winning their third straight North Conference title. However Minneapolis City SC are heavy favourites entering the match tonight against Duluth.
La Crosse Aris vs Med City FC: 7 PM - Arcadia High School Stadium, Arcadia, WI - No Announced Stream
A win for Med City and the Mayhem could take over the second spot from Duluth FC provided City wins on Wednesday night. Once again the match will not be played at Logan High School in La Crosse but rather Arcadia High School Stadium an hour away from La Crosse.
Sioux Falls Thunder vs Joy Athletic Club: 7 PM - McEneaney Field, Sioux Falls, SD - Eleven Sports
After a great run of matches for Sioux Falls the Thunder are now sitting mid table and along side them is their opponents Joy Athletic. The Goats will look to try and finish out their season on a high note after a fairly poor run of form in their last three matches.
Saturday:
FC Indiana vs FC Columbus: 3 PM - Legacy Sports Club Stadium, Lafayette, IN - Facebook
An impromptu win on Wednesday over Carpathia FC has kept the playoff hopes alive for FC Columbus. FCC trails Carpathia by just four points with three matches to play. With a win Columbus could pull as close as one point away from Carpathia. They also come into the match with the advantage, already having defeated FC Indiana 4-0 back in May. The Lions however are 0-1-5 with one point and will be looking for an upset win to get themselves their first three points of 2021.
Carpathia FC vs FC Milwaukee Torrent: 5 PM - Adams High School, Rochester Hills, MI - Eleven Sports
An upset loss to FC Columbus held off Carpathia FC's playoff hopes until this weekend and has stunted their chances at a Great Lakes Division title. Now Carpathia will play host to the unbeaten Torrent tonight, a win is desperately needed for the hosts tonight. A Milwaukee win would not only hand the Torrent the Great Lakes title but also will make the playoff race even tighter entering the final two matches.
*Note – All Times CDT
USL League Two Week 9: Preview
Tuesday:
Flint City Bucks vs South Bend Lions: 6:30 PM - Atwood Stadium at Kettering University, Flint, MI - Eleven Sports
Four points back from second place in the division, Flint City has a test on their hands as we head towards the end of the season. The Bucks have been 2-0-1 in their last three matches and want to keep that run of form going. South Bend has gone 1-1-1 in their last three and is sitting outside the playoff race at this point but could make it harder for the Bucks to earn their spot.
FC Wichita vs Kaw Valley FC: 7 PM - Stryker Sports Complex, Wichita, KS - Eleven Sports
In a division dominated by Des Moines and Chicago the winless FC Wichita host Kaw Valley FC in a Battle of the Sunflower State on Tuesday night. Wichita will want to earn their first points of the season on home turf against their rival from the East. However this is a match of pride and state supremacy as both sides are out of the running for the playoffs.
Wednesday:
Kalamazoo FC vs Oakland County FC: 6 PM - Mayors Riverfront Park Football Stadium, Kalamazoo, MI - Eleven Sports
Another rivalry match on a Wednesday night. Kalamazoo FC has already guaranteed themselves a playoff spot for 2021 but a win over mid-table Oakland County can bring them closer to a division title. Look for Oakland County to bring their A-Game on Wednesday night as a win will help immensely in attempting to earn a seat at the playoff table, while a loss brings those odds to slim.
Grand Rapids FC vs Toledo Villa: 6 PM - Midwest United Soccer Complex, Grand Rapids. MI - Eleven Sports
Mid-table sides face off with the winner earning a better shot towards the 2021 USL League Two playoffs. Both teams sit just outside the three spots the Great Lakes Division gets but neither is completely out of the race yet. This is the first match of a home and home series between the sides over this week.
Chicago FC United vs Des Moines Menace: 6 PM - Bridgeview Dome, Bridgeview, IL - No Stream Announced
Both teams have just three matches left on the season and Des Moines has already clinched a spot in the playoffs for this season. The question now is can the visiting Chicago FC United side take down the dominate Menace they face in Bridgeview. The two teams have goal differentials of +19 (DSM) and +21 (CHI) so look for this match to be one of the best games of the USL League Two calendar.
Thursday:
Kaw Valley FC vs St. Louis Scott Gallagher: 7:30 PM - Rock Chalk Park, Lawrence, KS - Eleven Sports
After defeating Wichita on the road on Tuesday Kaw Valley returned home to face St. Louis Scott Gallagher. While Kaw Valley only had one day of rest SLSG had an entire week coming off their loss to Chicago FC United. This match however will have no implication on the remainder of the season except for final divisional placing as Des Moines and Chicago have already punched their postseason tickets.
Friday:
Toledo Villa vs Grand Rapids FC: 5 PM - Paul Hotmer Soccer Field, Toledo, OH - Eleven Sports
Mid table sides Toledo and Grand Rapids face off with Grand Rapids looking to inch closer to a playoff spot. GRFC has three matches to play and can jump as high as second place as Kalamazoo FC has already clinched their way into the playoffs with more points than Grand Rapids can achieve. Home side Toledo will have their season finish after their final two games as Wednesday's loss to Grand Rapids knocked them out of contention.
Dayton Dutch Lions vs Oakland County FC: 6 PM - Dayton Outpatient Center Stadium, Dayton, OH - Gem City Sports Network
Lowly Dayton hosts mid table Oakland County in the Dutch Lions penultimate home match of the season. DDL at 0-1-9 with one point on the season have four matches left to gain their first win of the season, something they look increasingly capable of doing after drawing Fort Wayne 2-2 on Sunday. OCFC is looking for a playoff push as with also having four matches left they are not out of the race yet and can also mathematically take first place in the Great Lakes.
Green Bay Voyageurs vs FC Wichita: 7 PM - Capital Credit Union Park, Ashwaubenon, WI - Eleven Sports
While this match is the bottom two teams in the Heartland this could very much prove to be an exciting match to watch. Last Friday the teams went to a 1-0 scoreline with Green Bay taking their first set of three points in 2021. Both sides will be looking to intensely take the win and with Green Bay looking to sweep the season series while Wichita is just looking to strike their first win before ending the season next Saturday against Chicago FC United.
Saturday:
South Bend Lions vs Fort Wayne FC: 6 PM - TCU School Field, South Bend, IN - No Stream Announced
Two of the bottom three sides in the Great Lakes division play one of the two matches on Saturday night. South Bend (3-3-5, 12 points) hosts Fort Wayne (1-5-5, 8 points) in the second go around between the Indiana expansion sides. Last time out the Lions got the best of Fort Wayne, winning 3-1 on the road.
Kaw Valley FC vs St. Louis Scott Gallagher: 7:30 PM - Swope Soccer Village, Kansas City, MO - Eleven Sports
After hosting a game earlier this week in Kansas, Kaw Valley FC heads to Sporting KC's Swope Soccer Village in Missouri to host St. Louis Scott Gallagher in each teams penultimate match of 2021. SLSG has already clinched the season series with a 2-1 win (June 16th) and 6-2 win (July 1st) this season. Both sides enter with a 2-0-1 record in their last three matches.
Sunday:
Oakland County FC vs Flint City Bucks: 4 PM - Clawson Stadium, Clawson, MI - No Stream Announced
The lone match on Sunday wraps up League Two action this weekend as Flint City travels to Oakland County. Both teams are in the playoff race for the three spots in the Great Lakes division, however the Bucks are the ones sitting in a spot at this time. Both sides need a win as it will push the Bucks closer to locking up a spot while one will bring OCFC closer to getting into one.
*Note All Times CT
WPSL Central Region Week 8: Preview
Tuesday:
MapleBrook Fury vs Dakota Fusion: 6 PM - Wilmes Field at Osseo High School, Osseo, MN - No Stream Announced
With only an 8 match schedule for the WPSL's Northern Conference the teams are anywhere from 1/2 to all of the way through their seasons. Dakota Fusion are sitting at 0-0-6 with no points so far in 2021, the only team in the Northern Conference with that distinction. In addition to the record Fusion have been hapless this season being outscored 34 goals to 1, including a 4-0 loss to the Fury on Friday. MapleBrook on the other hand is 3-1-1 with 10 points and battling for the conference title still. The Fury come into Tuesday's match on just a days rest after losing 4-2 to the Minnesota Thunder on Sunday.
Wednesday:
St. Louis Lions vs Fire & Ice SC: 6 PM - Tony Glavin Soccer Complex, Cottleville, MO - No Stream Announced
In the long stretching Midwestern Conference, Fire & Ice will travel from their suburban St. Louis home to the Missouri suburbs to face the St. Louis Lions. The hosting Lions are 0-0-7 and another team in the Region with no points on the season and are sitting with a -29 goal differential. On the other hand Fire & Ice is 4-1-3 with 13 points and have an outside chance at the Midwestern Conference title with four matches left to play. The last time the two sides faced each other Fire & Ice won 2-0.
Minnesota Thunder vs Rochester United FC: 7:45 PM - Academy of Holy Angels StarDome, Richfield, MN - Eleven Sports
After a disappointing start with a 2-1 loss to Salvo SC to their first WPSL season the Thunder have since gone on a tear going 6-0-0 since. Minnesota Thunder have outscored their opponents 18-4 in those six wins. With the shortest WPSL Northern Conference season on record the Thunder can clinch the conference title with a win on Wednesday night. On the other hand Rochester can at least push the celebration off for a minimum of a few days if the Lions can snag a win or even force a draw.
Chicago City SC vs Chicago Dutch Lions: 8:30 PM - Lions for Hope Sports Complex, Chicago, IL - Eleven Sports
With a 10 match schedule and a beatable Red Stars Reserves side the Lake Michigan Conference title is still winnable for almost every team. And while it would take a lot for that to be Chicago City neither them or the Chicago Dutch Lions are out of the mix yet. CCSC is 1-1-3 with just four points to their name but still with 15 on the table, but are 0-1-2 in their last three. CDL are currently at 3-1-2 with 10 points and are 2-0-1 in their last three, that loss came
Thursday:
MapleBrook Fury vs Salvo SC: 7 PM - Osseo High School Stadium, Osseo, MN - No Stream Announced
After Rochester United managed to force a draw with the Northern Conference leading Thunder, that has opened the door for MapleBrook to attempt a late gasp at sharing the conference title. The Fury are 3-1-1 with 10 points having three matches, two of which are rescheduled matches, left to play. Salvo SC can destroy MapleBrook's hopes of winning the Conference by winning or forcing a draw with the Fury on Thursday night.
Friday:
FC Milwaukee Torrent vs Chicago City SC: 7 PM - Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI - Eleven Sports
Rounding out a short week in the WPSL is a MKE/CHI showdown with the Torrent hosting Chicago City at Hart Park on Friday night. The Lake Michigan Conference is entirely up for grabs and Torrent have five matches to play and attempt a run at the title. While Torrent are 3-1-1 with 10 points CCSC is only sitting at 1-2-3 with 5 points in six matches. Milwaukee statistically has the advantage and adding in their home ground this will be a tough go for Chicago City.
UWS Week 9: Preview
Monday:
Ladies Steel City FC vs Corktown AFC: 8 PM - DuPage Medical Group Field - YouTube
A Monday night match to open the 9th week of UWS play in 2021 as Ladies Steel City from the Midwest-South meet the Midwest-North's Corktown AFC. Ladies Steel City looks to right the ship coming in with a 1-0-6 (W-D-L) record and just three points in 2021. On the other hand Corktown is sitting in 2nd place in the Midwest-North just behind Midwest United, Corktown AFC is 4-0-2 with 12 points and comes into this match off a win over Lansing United on June 19th.
Tuesday:
Springfield Demize vs St. Louis Scott Gallagher: 7 PM - Cooper Stadium at Lake Country Soccer, Springfield, MO - Eleven Sports
Two total opposites take the pitch on Tuesday night for a showdown in the Show-Me State. SLSG heads to Springfield sitting 4-1-1 with 13 points, a tie for first in the Central Conference with KC Courage. Springfield meanwhile sit at a recorded 0-0-5 with 0 points on the season and two matches to play so the Demize will be hunting for their first points and win of 2021 at Cooper Stadium.
Wednesday:
Gretna Elite vs FC Wichita: 5 PM - Papillion Landing Community Recreation Center, Papillion, NE - Eleven Sports
Wednesday night has a battle of the Sunflower State and the Cornhusker State as Gretna Elite and FC Wichita meet in suburban Omaha. The hosting Gretna Elite are 2-1-2 with 7 points so far with their last two matches being a 7-2 victory over the Springfield Demize followed by a 4-2 loss to St. Louis Scott Gallagher. Visiting FC Wichita has a record of 2-1-1 also with 7 point with 3 matches to play. The two sides have not met yet in 2020.
Friday:
Midwest United vs Detroit City FC: 5 PM - Midwest United Soccer Complex, Grand Rapids, MI - Eleven Sports
Currently these are the top two teams in the Midwest-North. While both sides have two games left to play Midwest United has already wrapped up the title for the Midwest-North with a 7-1-0 record and 22 points. Detroit City (5-0-3, 15 points) will look for revenge after losing 3-2 to MWUFC in the last outing against the side.
Chicago KICS vs Indiana Elite: 7 PM - De La Salle Institute, Chicago, IL - Eleven Sports
This match was originally on the league schedule, however has since been removed. The KICS next match will be on July 11th as home against MSC Peoria at home in Chicago, IL. Indiana Elite will play their final match of the season on Monday, July 5th against Steel City FC at DuPage Medical Group Field in Joliet, IL.
Saturday:
FC Wichita vs Springfield Demize: 7 PM - Stryker Sports Complex, Wichita, KS - Eleven Sports
MSC Peoria vs Indiana Elite: TBD - Eastside Centre, Peoria, IL - No Stream Announced
This match was also initially scheduled however has been pulled off the league schedule. Indiana Elite will play their final match of the season on Monday, July 5th against Steel City FC at DuPage Medical Group Field in Joliet, IL. MSC Peoria will play two more matches, one on July 10th at home against the Chicago Mustangs and their final match of the season on July 11th against the Chicago KICS in Chicago, IL.
NPSL Midwest Week 8: Recap
Friday:
Med City FC 4 vs Dakota Fusion FC 1 - 6:45pm - Rochester Regional Stadium, Rochester, MN - Eleven Sports
Med City did what they need to do in the playoff hunt, jumping up to second with a masterful display of set piece play. The scoring was opened from a corner, finished by Jack Hilton-Jones. Ayrton Redmore finished off a free kick in the 32nd minute for 2-0. The third goal came from a corner, finished off by Till Trippner. Two minutes later, Fusion spoiled the clean sheet with a goal from Aaron Pike but Redmore made it 4-1 off a corner in the 80th minute to complete the home team's scoring.
Saturday:
Minneapolis City SC 3 vs LC Aris SC 0 - 6pm - Edor Nelson Field, Minneapolis, MN - YouTube
The Crows cruised to a three goal win against a spirited, and lightly refereed, Aris. Nick Hutton opened the scoring in the 20th minute, across the keeper, low to the right. Arthur Parens had a tap in in the 31st minute and Eli Goldman scored in the 49th minute to complete the stroll. The Crows remain perfect on the season so far.
Joy Athletic Club 1 vs Duluth FC 5 - 7pm - Oriole Stadium, St Louis Park, MN - CCX Media
Sidney Warden picked up two, a chip on the run over the approaching keeper and a penalty, and Aiden Hill scored. Gabriel Campora scores another substitute goal and Michael Devlin also came off the bench to tally, as Duluth FC ensure that their goal difference advantage over Med City FC remains intact and retake playoff position from the team from Rochester.
In the process, Duluth FC end any hope that Joy AC have of taking that playoff spot. Dennis Mensah scored for Joy, with their only shot of the first half, with virtually the last kick of that half.
FC Columbus 2 vs Panathinaikos Chicago 1 - 7pm - Roberts Field at the Wellington School, Columbus, OH - Eleven Sports
The 1-0 lead came in the 31st minute as PAO whipped in a corner from the right wing, headed onto the left side of the crossbar and the goalkeeper was beaten to the rebound by Salvation Nkiko. Even with the Greens dominating possession, Jordan Dees took the ball in from the left wing and let fly from distance through the keeper for 1-1 in the 79th minute. Three minutes later, Dees completed the comeback for the visitors.
Sunday:
FC Milwaukee Torrent 7 vs FC Indiana 2 - 3pm - Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI - Eleven Sports
A winless FC Indiana was handed a decisive defeat against a Torrent team on the edge of running a perfect regular season. Things started badly for the Lions as they conceded an 8th minute penalty kick to Malik Mennana for a cynical tackle on Torrent's Gutierrez in the box. 2-0 came from Tony Doellefeld as a short pass across the box was lifted back past the goal keeper into the upper left hand corner of the net.
Mennana claimed his second after only 22 minutes, chipping the keeper as he came out to the edge of the box. It was 4-0 through Alex Filian in the 30th minute, with a tap-in, and the same player made it 5-0 less than a minute later with a considerably less easy finish off the rebound after an Indiana player smacked into the post with a block. Indiana's first goal came in the 42nd minute as Andrew Revanales beat his defender for speed.
Ricardo John made it 5-2 on a counterattack. A Shemar De Gannes header in the 80th minute salted away any remaining doubt and the host's final goal came when Ian Cerro chipped the FC Indiana keeper from 50 yards out.
NPSL Midwest Week 8: Preview
Friday:
Med City FC vs Dakota Fusion FC - 6:45pm - Rochester Regional Stadium, Rochester, MN - Eleven Sports
Coming off the back of back to back losses to Duluth FC which dropped them out of playoff position, comes an opportunity to run up the score against a Fusion side which has nothing to play for but pride. That said, the same logic applied before the Fargo side's recent match up against hot firing Joy and that match ended in favor of the Fusion, so don't be completely surprised if they pull another upset.
Saturday:
Minneapolis City SC vs LC Aris SC - 6pm - Edor Nelson Field, Minneapolis, MN - YouTube
There's not much to be said about this matchup which hasn't already been said. The Crows, driven by a balanced attack and rock solid defense, face a team with only 2 points all season and an abysmal -17 goal difference.
Joy Athletic Club vs Duluth FC - 7pm - Oriole Stadium, St Louis Park, MN - CCX Media
Duluth FC continue their run of teams around them in playoff positioning, looking down on their hosts by a full five points. However, this match is in part a test of how Duluth's defense handles Immanuel Iwe and how Joy handle Sidney Warden - numbers 8 and 6 in the NPSL-wide goals per game respectively
FC Columbus vs Panathinaikos Chicago - 7pm - Roberts Field at the Wellington School, Columbus, OH - No Announced Stream
Warden and Iwe in the North are lukewarm compared to Chukwuemeka Eneli, who has 5 goals in 2 games for Columbus and leads the league in goals per game. A 2-4 PAO side with a negative goal difference will probably struggle to contain him. Both sides need a run of form to depose the current holders of the two playoff spots in the Great Lakes.
Sunday:
FC Milwaukee Torrent vs FC Indiana - 3pm - Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI - Eleven Sports
The long weekend/week ends with the Great Lakes's perfect season at the feet of the Milwaukee Torrent, at home against a winless Indiana team - which should be easy win for the home team.
WPSL Central Region Week 7: Preview
Wednesday:
Fire SC 98 vs Rochester United - 7pm - Centennial High School Stadium, Circle Pines, MN - Eleven Sports (probably not live)
Fire SC 98 are fresh from a late loss to the division leading Thunder, and now match up against another strong team in United, although the visitors have yet to win a match on the road this season.
FC Milwaukee Torrent vs Milwaukee Bavarian SC - 7pm - Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI - Eleven Sports
The Milwaukee Derby could also be referred to as the Davi Derby as the German is the owner of the Torrent and the WPSL head coach but also coached the Bavarian men for three years. As for their present situation, a surprise win for MBSC over Red Stars Reserves ironically gives Torrent a chance to draw level with the professional squad on top of the division. Obviously, that Bavarian victory also gives them momentum making the short trip south west.
Friday:
Dakota Fusion FC vs MapleBrook Fury - 5pm - Jim Gotta Stadium, Moorhead, MN - Magnitude Sports Network
If there were playoffs this season (there aren't) then MapleBrook would be making a late run for contention. If there was relegation (there isn't), Fusion would be facing a spell in the next division down. Emily Soukup will presumably have to stand on her head once more for the home side to emerge with any points from this encounter.
Salvo SC vs Mankato United SC - 7pm - Reynolds Field, Roseville, MN - Eleven Sports
Mankato will be seeking to maintain their positive momentum after the demolition of Fusion last time out. Salvo has games in hand on the teams above them in the standings, but have had a mixed start to the season.
Green Bay Glory vs Chicago Red Stars Reserves - 6:30pm - Capital Credit Union Park, Ashwaubenon, WI - Eleven Sports
A Green Bay side with only 1 point from 5 games will struggle to contain the Red Stars Reserves.
Saturday:
FC Pride vs Columbus Eagles FC - 3pm - Pride Performance Center, Indianapolis, IN - No Announced Stream
Pride look to sneak up the table with a matchup against one of the Midwestern Conference's strugglers this season.
Cincinnati Sirens vs St Louis Lions - 7pm - Lakota West High School, West Chester Township, OH - No Announced Stream
Sirens look to continue their perfect start to the season against the pointless St Louis Lions, who have a goal difference of -24.
Dayton Dutch Lions FC vs Fire & Ice SC - 7pm - West Carrolton High School, West Carrolton, OH - Gem City Sports Network
A 2-3-3 DDL squad faces a 3-1-2 Fire and Ice squad, with the visitors looking to build on their St Louis Derby win.
Milwaukee Bavarian vs Chicago City SC - 4pm - Bavarian Soccer Club, Glendale, WI
With their derby result unknown, it is hard to suggest how Bavarian will enter this match up, but both teams have comparable results so far and this match could be close.
Sunday:
Salvo SC vs Fire SC 98 - 3pm - Reynolds Field, Roseville, MN - No Announced Stream
Salvo should win this intercity match-up easily and could gain ground on the teams around them.
Dakota Fusion FC vs Mankato United SC - 5pm - Jim Gotta Stadium, Moorhead, MN - Magnitude Sports Network
Fusion will have revenge on their minds after conceding 9 to the team from the Key City but Kato travel to the Red River Valley wanting to duplicate their performance and put some pressure on Thunder for the division title.
MapleBrook Fury vs Minnesota Thunder - 7pm - Maple Grove High School Stadium, Maple Grove, MN - No Announced Stream
Another Twin Cities rivalry as Thunder come into Maple Grove in blistering form, and will attempt to arrest the upward momentum of the Fury.
Columbus Eagles FC vs Fire & Ice SC - 2pm - Bernlohr Stadium at Capital University, Bexley, OH - Eleven Sports
A struggling Eagles squad play host to an up and down F&I team.
Lady Victory FC vs Cincinnati Sirens FC - 7pm - Guerin Catholic High School, Noblesville, IN - No Announced Stream
Sirens' perfect start to the season faces the test of the only team above them in the standings, 5-1 Lady Victory, who also have a better goal difference than their opponents.
Green Bay Glory vs Chicago Dutch Lions FC - 6pm - Capital Credit Union Park, Ashwaubenon, WI - Eleven Sports
CDL FC face the basement dwelling Green Bay Glory hoping that they can capitalize on their relative form.
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.
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.
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.
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