NPSL Midwest Region Round Up: First Round Playoffs
Tuesday night saw the opening of the 2021 NPSL Midwest Regional playoffs. Cleveland SC faced Pittsburgh Hotspurs while Duluth FC hosted Carpathia FC. The two matches could not have gone in more opposite directions. Cleveland dominated Hotspurs from start to finish in Berea, OH.
Vincent Bell's fourth minute goal put CLE on track and Alec Nagucki added one just around the half hour mark. Thomas Beck and Smith Pepper would both add second half goals to give Cleveland a 4-0 win to send them to face FC Milwaukee Torrent.
Duluth FC vs Carpathia could not have been more opposite of that. The BlueGreens' Jake Starling broke the match open with his 26' goal before NPSL Golden Boot winner Sidney Warden added a 38' goal to double their lead.
Things looked to be going well for Duluth but a bad foul inside the box sent Owen Smith to the spot where he gave Carpathia life in the 79'. That life propelled a huge change in momentum and three minutes later Smith added one more to end up forcing Extra Time. After no goals in either portion of ET the match came down to penalties.
Duluth would kick first, which usually gives that team an advantage. That advantage flipped heavily after missing their first shot. Carpathia then scored on theirs and held the lead the rest of the way. The visitors came back from down 2-0 to take the match 6-5 on penalties.
The host for the Regional Semi-Finals and Finals was then announced late Tuesday night after both matches were well finished.
Semi-Finals:
FC Milwaukee Torrent (GL 1) vs Cleveland SC (RB 1): 4 PM - Edor Nelson Field, Minneapolis, MN - YouTube
The first of the two matches being played in Minneapolis is the more intriguing of the two. 9-0-1 (27 points) Milwaukee Torrent match up with 8-2-0 (26 points) Cleveland SC. Both sides have been lights out during the regular season having a combined one loss. Torrent will very much have the advantage of rest with their last match having been played on July 17th.
Cleveland on the other hand just played on Tuesday and has a had a much longer trip to MPLS for the Regional Playoffs. Neither side really outmatches the other in their attack or defence making the first Semi-Final a great match to watch.
Minneapolis City SC (N 1) vs Carpathia FC (GL 2): 7:00 PM - Edor Nelson Field, Minneapolis, MN - YouTube
The second of the two matches has a huge possibility of being a massive blowout. Not only are the Crows, who have a single loss on the season, at home but they are also very high scoring. In fact Minneapolis City SC is the highest scoring team in the entire league. Facing a team averaging just under four goals per game Carpathia will have a challenge on their hands.
However Carpathia FC is giving up just 1.36 goals per match, showing how stout their defence is in a tough Great Lakes Conference. But in terms of scoring they will have a massive uphill battle against one of the best defences in the league and an All-Conference goalkeeper.
2021 US Open Cup canceled, full 2022 USOC planned
The US Soccer Federation has announced that the 2021 US Open Cup will not take place in any form. There had been many suggestions as to a limited tournament for this year but instead, they have pumped the brakes on this year's Cup and will go from 0-100 next year - with as many as a century of participants expected.
Some of the new participants will be guaranteed professional entrants from NISA and USL expansion, whereas amateur clubs face the usual two options - playoff positioning from NPSL and USL League 2, or qualifiers which will start as soon as September and go through November. From this pool of eventual winners, the eventual round 1 participants will be chosen on January 19th - with the matches to be played on March 22nd and 23rd.
Stay tuned to our site for coverage as the amateur clubs progress through the rounds.
NPSL Midwest Regionals: First Round Preview
The 2021 National Premier Soccer League season has come to a close. All the playoff teams are set and the Region playoffs start tonight. For a full recap of the Great Lakes/North's final week you can check out Tim's recap of Week 11. But Week 11 did a few things, City winning gave them a bye and got Duluth FC in. Cleveland not picking up a win propelled City into first and gave Milwaukee a bye as well.
Quarter-Finals:
Cleveland SC (Rust Belt 1) vs Pittsburgh Hotspurs (Rust Belt 2): 6 PM - George Finnie Stadium, Berea, OH - Eleven Sports
The first of the two matches in the opening round is a match entirely within the Rust Belt Conference. Rust Belt champions Cleveland SC will host second place Pittsburgh Hotspurs in their third meeting of 2021. In their two previous meetings Hotspurs have been outscored a combined 8-2 by Cleveland. This includes a 6-1 loss handed to them in Berea in early June.
A big thing going for Cleveland is they are unbeaten in 2021 with an 8-2-0 record, good for 26 points. Hotspurs also played themselves into a good season going 8-2-0 (24 points) in the conference. Pittsburgh has a massive task on their hands as they have to simultaneously shut down an attack averaging 2.5 GPG and a defence averaging less then one goal against per match.
Duluth FC (North 2) vs Carpathia FC (Great Lakes 2): 7 PM - Public Schools Stadium, Duluth, MN - Eleven Sports
The second of the two is an inter-conference clash with the Great Lakes meeting the North for the first time this season. Duluth FC and their prolific scoring led by NPSL Golden Boot winner Sidney Warden will meet the stellar defence of Carpathia FC. After an up and down season Duluth managed to squeak into the playoffs off the back of a Minneapolis City SC win over Med City FC. The BlueGreens also set themselves up to play at home in the first round with their own win over Sioux Falls Thunder.
Duluth rides in with a three game hot streak on their hands with wins over Aris, Fusion, and the aforementioned Thunder. Carpathia meanwhile is 2-1-0 in their last three and on a three match streak of their own. Carpathia's 2.7 goals per game attack will have a bit of trouble with Duluth averaging giving up 1.67 goals. On the other hand Duluth's lights out attack averages 3.25 goals per game, second in the Region will meet a defence only giving up around 1.3 goals per match.
Midwest Region Playoffs, Stage 2:
Each region in the NPSL has their own design for playoffs. In the Midwest Region the first round is held by high seed, the last two rounds are held at one location. The location for the regional semi-finals and finals are determined on a bid basis.
Based on what Minneapolis City stated the last two rounds will either be hosted by themselves or Cleveland SC. If the Crows host it would be played at Edor Nelson Field on the campus of Augsburg University in Minneapolis. While if Cleveland hosts it will be held at George Finnie Stadium on the campus of Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, OH.
Regardless of host location the matches will be played Friday and Sunday, June 23rd and 25th.
*All Times CT
NPSL Midwest: Week 11 Recap
Friday:
Med City FC 1 vs Minneapolis City SC 2 : Rochester Regional Stadium, Rochester, MN - Eleven Sports
Med City's season ended with a whimper as they fell 2-1 to the Crows, and fell out of the playoff positions. Minneapolis opened the scoring in the 37th minute through Max Stiegwardt and doubled their margin in the 78th minute, with a goal by Aidan O'Driscoll. The Mayhem spoiled the clean sheet with an 86th minute tally from Joshua Balsiger. With their win, Minneapolis City secured the top seed for the playoffs and a bye into the regional semifinals - which they are also hoping to host.
Duluth FC 5 vs Sioux Falls Thunder 2 : Public Schools Stadium, Duluth, MN - Eleven Sports
The BlueGreens rolled over the Thunder and continued their momentum into the playoffs, although they will have to navigate a regional quarterfinal against Carpathia on Tuesday. As for the match itself in Duluth, Dylan Sumner scored twice and Golden Boot winner Sidney Warden, Martin Grzywa and James Westfield all also scored. The South Dakotans bright spark Stephenson Storm got their two goals.
Saturday:
FC Indiana 1 vs FC Milwaukee Torrent 2 : FC Indiana Stadium, Lafayette, IN - Facebook
Torrent regained the second seed for the Midwest region and its bye into the regional semi-finals in a back and forth match against the Lions. Tony Doellefeld opened the scoring for the Torrent before Indiana equalized through Ricardo John. Flavio Cruz then provided the winner for the visitors.
La Crosse Aris 0 vs Dakota Fusion FC 4 : Logan High School, La Crosse, WI - Facebook
Aris made their season debut in La Crosse in their final match of the season. Fusion got doubles from Samuel Coxon and Diego Valle.
Panathinaikos Chicago 0 vs Carpathia FC 5 : Nike Sports Complex, Naperville, IL - No Announced Stream
Carpathia warmed up for the playoffs with a routine 5-0 win over PAO. Doubles from Jeff Adkins and Ryan Williams were completed by a solo shot from Joseph Tinnion.
NPSL Midwest Week 11: Preview
Friday:
Med City FC vs Minneapolis City SC: 6:45pm - Rochester Regional Stadium, Rochester, MN - Eleven Sports
Med City look to limit the damage against the red hot Crows, and in the process keep their playoff run going. A Minneapolis City win would restore some of the momentum lost against Joy last time out and would knock the Mayhem out of the playoffs regardless of the result in Duluth.
Duluth FC vs Sioux Falls Thunder: 7pm - Public Schools Stadium, Duluth, MN - Eleven Sports
With the tiebreakers in their favor, and a kickoff scheduled for 15 minutes later, Duluth FC enter this match against an inconsistent Thunder side looking set for the playoffs. A win by the BlueGreens or matching Med City's result in Rochester would confirm that, and the 5th seed in the playoffs.
Saturday:
FC Indiana vs FC Milwaukee Torrent: 4pm - FC Indiana Stadium, Lafayette, IN - Facebook
Torrent have slid down to the number 3 seed but should have no trouble against the winless Lions, with a -20 goal difference.
La Crosse Aris vs Dakota Fusion FC: 6pm - Logan High School, La Crosse, WI - Facebook
Fusion are nowhere pleasant in the table but Aris are predictably horrendous so the visitors will come into La Crosse hoping for a win.
Panathinaikos Chicago vs Carpathia FC: 8pm - Nike Sports Complex, Napierville, IL - No Announced Stream
The 3-6-0 PAO squad have nothing to play for but pride against playoff bound Carpathia.
*All Times CT
NPSL Midwest Week 10: Recap
Wednesday:
FC Columbus 3 vs FC Indiana 0 : Roberts Field at The Wellington School, Columbus, OH - Eleven Sports
After a rough weekend which saw Columbus draw with FC Indiana then Carpathia win to knock FCC out of the playoffs, Columbus came back looking for vengeance. Amadou Dia broke open the match for Columbus in the 20th minute and Hamid Shariff added another just before the half time break. FCC added yet another when Chukwuemeka Eneli drilled home a PK in the 67th.
FC Milwaukee Torrent 5 vs Panathinaikos Chicago 0 : Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI - Eleven Sports
The second midweek match effected by the Columbus and Carpathia matches from Saturday was another barn burner, and even more one sided. With a four point lead in the standings over Carpathia the Torrent could clinch the Great Lakes title with a win. And win they did with Malik Mennana earning a brace while Emiliano Caballero, Alexander Filian, and Byron Gutierrez each scored one in Milwaukee's route of PAO Chicago.
Duluth FC 6 vs La Crosse Aris FC 0 : Public Schools Stadium, Duluth, MN - Eleven Sports
A match that in all reality should be a route, was a route. Duluth FC dominated from start to finish in a match that saw the BlueGreens have five different goalscorers. Sidney Warden finished the match with a brace and is pushing hard for the league wide Golden Boot as he had 14 goals through 10 matches.
Joy Athletic Club 0 vs Med City FC 1 : Oriole Stadium, St Louis Park, MN - CCX Sports
Joy started the final week of their first season with their last home match of 2021 against Med City FC. While Joy Athletic has been snakebitten this season they have given most teams a good run for their money. Neither of those things changed as a 34th minute goal for Med City was all that was needed and all that was scored in SLP.
Sioux Falls Thunder FC 1 vs Dakota Fusion FC 3 : McEneaney Field, Sioux Falls, SD - Eleven Sports
Not a ton to say about this one, two teams towards the bottom of the division really just playing each other for the right of which Dakota is supreme. Last time out the Thunder wiped the floor with the Fusion 4-1 in Moorhead. This time out the roles were reversed as the away side Fusion dominated the scoreboard. Jack Pascoe scored two first half goals for the Fusion and Diego Valle added a third goal shortly into the second half. Sioux Falls did manage to keep the home side away from being shut out with David Bizimana's 82 minute goal.
Saturday:
FC Columbus 2 vs Carpathia FC 2 : Roberts Field at The Wellington School, Columbus, OH - No Announced Stream
This would be FC Columbus' swan song for the 2021 season as they hosted Carpathia FC at home. A week after getting knocked out of the playoffs for Columbus and days after Torrent secured the Great Lakes Championship there wasn't much on the line. Hamid Shariff scored first for Columbus before the match was deadlocked at 1-0 for the next 30 minutes. Owen Smith drew the match even in the 61st before teammate Ryan Williams put Carpathia ahead in the 73rd. Chukwuemeka Eneli drew the match even just three minutes later to have each team leave with a single point.
Minneapolis City SC 2 vs Joy Athletic Club 3 : Edor Nelson Field, Minneapolis, MN - YouTube
Just two matches remained in the regular season for the Crows while the Goats would end their season in Minneapolis. MPLS City wanted to get one step closer to an unbeaten season while Joy only could disrupt that goal. Emmanuel Iwe opened the scoring after 50 minutes of play then former Crow, Whitney Browne added a second goal for the Goats in the 79th. Steevenson Lamarre brought the match back to a one goal difference with an 84th minute goal. Zinedine Kroeten pushed the lead back to two three minutes later. Luis Magana Cisneros scored one more for the home side before the final whistle to bring the scoreline back to one in what would be City's first loss of 2021.
Dakota Fusion FC 1 vs Duluth FC 2 : Jim Gotta Stadium, Moorhead, MN - Magnitude Sports Network
This meeting could have very well been a cakewalk for Duluth FC, Dakota Fusion did not let that happen in a must win match for the BlueGreens. James Westfield scored in the 4th and a half hour later Sidney Warden scored his 15th goal of the campaign for Duluth. Fusion's Aaron Pike got the home side on the board in the 75th minute for what by all accounts could have been a draw.
Sioux Falls Thunder 2 vs La Crosse Aris FC 2 : McEneaney Field, Sioux Falls, SD - Eleven Sports
Aris has a reputation for being a scrappy team that can steal points if you aren't careful. That's exactly what they did in Sioux Falls on Saturday night. While the Thunder got on the board early, just 9 minutes in, Aris answered back four minutes later. Damien Baltide's 65th minute goal for Aris gave them a lead but Tyler Limmer managed to score a late tying match for Sioux Falls to force a draw in what was close to being Aris first win of the year.
NPSL Midwest Week 9: Recap
Wednesday:
Carpathia FC 2 vs FC Columbus 3 : Avondale High School, Auburn Hills, MI - Eleven Sports
In a must win match FC Columbus surprised the home side by pulling out an upset victory to keep their playoff hopes alive. Carpathia took an early 1-0 lead but Columbus would tie it up a quarter-hour later. FCC held the lead the rest of the night scoring their second and third goals before Carpathia managed their second.
Duluth FC 1 vs Minneapolis City SC 6: Public Schools Stadium, Duluth, MN - Eleven Sports
Minneapolis City SC just needed a win to wrap up back to back to back NPSL North Championships, and a win did they get. It didn't look great initially as Duluth's Aidan Hill scored just two minutes in to give the BlueGreens the lead. Jack Berry tied up the match for the Crows inside the 20 minutes and it stayed that way for a while. However after receiving two yellow cards Aidan Hill was sent off in the 53rd minute, which allowed City to blow the doors off the match. The Crows scored 5 unanswered goals starting in the 60th minute en route to a 6-1 win and their third straight North title.
La Crosse Aris vs Med City FC: 7 PM - Arcadia High School Stadium, Arcadia, WI - No Announced Stream
Sioux Falls Thunder 3 vs Joy Athletic Club 3 : 7 PM - McEneaney Field, Sioux Falls, SD - Eleven Sports
Both teams have had their highs and lows through what has been a rough year for both the returning Thunder and expansion Goats. The season wouldn't really get any better or any worse for either side as Sioux Falls and Joy Athletic drew at three all in Sioux Falls.
Saturday:
FC Indiana 2 vs FC Columbus 2 : Legacy Sports Club Stadium, Lafayette, IN - Facebook
Another must win match to either keep the playoff hopes alive or possibly improve them pending the result of the evening match between Carpathia and FC Indiana. Ricardo John scored first for the Lions and was shortly followed up by Sean Bonval getting the Lions their second goal. Michael Chilton drew the game within one with a 61' goal for FCC. FC indiana knocked in an own goal just minutes later in what proved to be the final goal of the match.
Carpathia FC 4 vs FC Milwaukee Torrent 0 : Adams High School, Rochester Hills, MI - Eleven Sports
After the FC Indiana/FC Columbus result from earlier in the day, Carpathia just needed a win to punch their ticket to the Region Playoffs. Not only did Carpathia win but they dominated the Torrent. Ryan Williams scored first for Carpathia in the 13th, Owen Smith would knot a brace on back to back goals, and Charles Braithwaite wrapped up the match with Carpathia's fourth goal of the night.
*Note – All Times CDT
NPSL Midwest Week 10: Preview
Wednesday:
FC Columbus vs FC Indiana - 6pm - Roberts Field at The Wellington School, Columbus, OH - Eleven Sports
FCC face a winless Indiana squad, with only pride on the line.
FC Milwaukee Torrent vs Panathinaikos Chicago - 7pm - Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI - Eleven Sports
After their perfect season came to an end vs Carpathia, Torrent looking to get back on the beam and fight for the playoff bye. PAO will be looking to improve their sub zero goal differential.
Duluth FC vs La Crosse Aris FC - 7pm - Public Schools Stadium, Duluth, MN - Eleven Sports
Duluth's battle for the second playoff spot continues with the visit of the -20 goal differential of Aris and one of the hottest strikers in the entire league in Sidney Warden.
Joy Athletic Club vs Med City FC - 7pm - Oriole Stadium, St Louis Park, MN - CCX Sports
The other half of the battle for the North's second spot sees the visitors from Rochester try to hold off a hot and cold Joy Athletic team who nonetheless have a hot striker in Immanuel Iwe and a well drilled squad.
Sioux Falls Thunder FC vs Dakota Fusion FC - 7pm - McEneaney Field, Sioux Falls, SD - Eleven Sports
2-5-2 Thunder plays 2-7 Fusion in a match when both teams could enter wishing there was overtime, since a tie does neither much good.
Saturday:
FC Columbus vs Carpathia FC - 6pm - Roberts Field at The Wellington School, Columbus, OH - No Announced Stream
Carpathia have secured their spot in the playoffs, but will have to watch out for Chukwuemeka Eneli.
Minneapolis City SC vs Joy Athletic Club - 6pm - Edor Nelson Field, Minneapolis, MN - YouTube
The second Twin Cities Derby sees Joy visit Minneapolis. The first match was one of City's few competitive matches, and the visitors will hope for a repeat but with a more generous result. The Crows, on the other hand, have perfection on the line.
Dakota Fusion FC vs Duluth FC - 7pm - Jim Gotta Stadium, Moorhead, MN - Magnitude Sports Network
Duluth's game in hand sees the BlueGreens visit Moorhead against the struggling Fusion, in what should be a chance for the visitors to build up their goal differential.
Sioux Falls Thunder vs La Crosse Aris FC - 7pm - McEneaney Field, Sioux Falls, SD - No Announced Stream
Two struggling sides face each other in Sioux Falls, but Thunder should still have the fire power to finish off Aris.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Photo Gallery: Minneapolis City SC vs Med City FC
Minneapolis City hosted Med City this past weekend in what was a match up between the two remaining undefeated teams in the NPSL North. The two sides were deadlocked at the break but the Crows were awarded a penalty kick early in the second half. Minneapolis City SC midfielder Max Stiegwardt scored the opening goal from the spot in the 56'. Fellow midfielder Kevin Andrews then extended that lead in the 75'.
Minneapolis City SC forward Justin Oliver tried to sneak in a quick free kick in the 86' that beat Med City FC goalkeeper AJ Jarvis as he was setting up his wall but it was called back and Oliver had to make another attempt. AJ Jarvis parried the retake wide as the clock eventually ran out and Minneapolis City went on to remain at the top with 5 wins from 5 games played.
Both teams will continue their quest for for dominance in the NPSL North on June 9 for a couple of weekday matches. Minneapolis City heads to Moorhead to take on Dakota Fusion FC while Med City will travel to Sioux Falls to take on the Thunder.
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
