USL W League continues to build in the Northland
The USL W League continues its expansion in the Northland, although a merger keeps the net number of teams the same as last year in the Heartland division of the Central Conference.
Chicago Dutch Lions struggled badly last season, accumulating a 3-0-9 record, which somehow was not the worst in the division. In the offseason, they merged their USL W and USL 2 operations with those of Chicago City SC. City, it should be noted, finished with a net positive goal difference and a third-place finish. The new joint venture is called Chicago City Dutch Lions FC.
The community-owned Minnesota Aurora FC continued their torrid run of form as a new club, with an unbeaten regular season before losing in the Conference Semifinals to Indy Eleven.
RKC Third Coast in Racine, WI, finished rock bottom of the Heartland division with a -49 goal difference.
River Light FC were the second-place qualifier from the Heartland division with an 8-1-3 record. They also lost in the Conference Semifinals.
Rochester FC finished 4-0-8 in the division.
Sioux Falls City FC join after a wildly successful, if short, tenure in the WPSL. Their joining USL W is only one part of a multifaceted plan.
Prospects
An ambitious City side will hope to present some challenge to the established order. In a friendly last year, they did tie with Aurora in a preseason friendly last year
USL League 2 waves goodbye to the Deep North
In the 30-year-old USL League 2, the Heartland Division of the Central Conference is our focus - with that conference the initial focus of any playoff run. Its former neighbor to the East has subsumed the Deep North division. Into the Heartland's Chicagoland base come a trio of Minnesotan clubs and one from Wisconsin. Out go the defending Deep North champions, Thunder Bay Chill, who have gone on hiatus, and Bavarian United, which focuses on UPSL and the Midwest Premier League. Out of the Heartland are St. Charles FC (who are not listed) and national runner-up Peoria City (who move to the Great Plains division).
None of the four playoff qualifiers from the Heartland or Deep North in 2024 are in the Heartland this season. The Central has five divisions.
From the Heartland
Chicago City Dutch Lions are a joint-venture of the operators of two previously separate USL clubs, Chicago City SC and Chicago Dutch Lions (who were one of 11 Dutch Lions teams fielded by the franchise across the USA). CCSC are an established youth operation in the area. Dutch Lions lost all 12 of their games last season, City managed two wins and 2 draws but only managed 6th place.
Joliet-based Sueño FC are a newcomer from last season, when they finished 5th of 7 in the Deep North.
River Light FC were 3 points outside a playoff spot from their base in Aurora, Illinois, with a 7-3-2 record.
From the Deep North
The storied crows of Minneapolis City SC finished 5th of 6 teams in the Deep North last season with 5 wins and 7 losses from a topsy-turvy season.
Their neighbors to the East, St. Croix Legends finished fourth, with a 5-2-5 record.
RKC Third Coast in Racine, WI finished two points short of the second playoff spot last season, with a 6-1-5 record.
Rochester FC finished bottom of the division, with a 2-1-9 record.
Prospects
With the playoff field yet to be established it is difficult to make predictions. However, the absence of all four of last year's playoff representatives would suggest a path for a different club (and maybe some from the Northland) to playoffs. Stay tuned.
USL-W Spotlight: Minnesota Aurora finishes home schedule with pair of massive wins
After throttling the Chicago Dutch Lions on the 16th of June, Minnesota Aurora capped off their home schedule last weekend with a Thursday-Saturday set of matches, capping off a three match homestand. The opening game of the swing saw Aurora take down Bavarian United 5–0 in a dominating performance. On Saturday afternoon, Aurora hosted their annual Pride Night match, defeating Chicago City SC 4–1 in another outstanding performance. The wins kept Aurora on top of the Heartland Division table exiting the weekend, but were not without their moments of adversity.
The Thursday night opener had a 6-2-0 (W-D-L) with 20 points Aurora squad face off with Bavarian United SC for the first of two times on the season. Bavarians entered the match at 4-1-3 with 2 consecutive losses coming into the match and only one substitute on the bench. Just 13 minutes into the match, Aurora scored their opening goal of what would become five on the night after a Katie Duong to Mariah Nguyen to Julia Sattler combination.
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Aurora took a 4-0 lead into the break after goals from Katie Duong, Saige Wimes, and Addy Weichers. The Katie Duong show continued with her snatching Aurora's fifth goal of the evening in the 77th minute on a wonderful curling shot off a free kick. Duong finish the night with a brace and two assists, outdoing her outstanding performance from the previous weekend against Chicago Dutch Lions.
"I've just been having so much fun playing here. It's been really fun to play with this team, I think just starting to find my rhythm and the rhythm with the team as well has been super fun these last couple games," Katie Duong said about her performances against Bavarians and Dutch Lions.
After one day of rest between, Aurora returned to the pitch on Saturday afternoon to face off with Chicago City SC in their second clash of the season. After drawing in Chicago earlier in the season, Aurora looked to rebound with a big win at home in Eagan.
Just two minutes into the match Katie Duong scored another goal on the weekend on yet another beautiful free kick goal.
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Mariah Nguyen put in the second goal of the first half to put Aurora up 2-0 heading into the break. In the second half Chicago scored their only goal of the evening on a penalty kick after Julia Sattler was called for a foul inside the box. Two minutes later in the 57' Mariah Nguyen earned herself a brace and put Aurora up 3-0, while Kelis Barton finished off the scoring for the hosts.
"These fans are amazing and hearing hearing all the younger girls scream number 51 is really really fun, especially when I'm taking throw in so now really grateful for the crowd," defender Kelis Barton said after defeating Chicago City. "Really grateful for our community. So good pride night turnout and yeah, despite the weather I'm glad we got a good dub and took care of business."
Minnesota Aurora (8-0-2 | W-L-D) heads to Wisconsin this week for a two game swing in the Badger State. Thursday night is a rematch between Aurora and Bavarian United SC. Bavarians (5-4-1) are already out of the playoff race, but will attempt to make the final weekend a difficult one for Aurora. Minnesota currently leads second place River Light by a single point but can clinch the Heartland Division with a win on Thursday night.
"We're taking it game by game. We've said that the whole season. We're into Bavarian on Thursday night and then RKC on the weekend. So one game at a time on half at a time," Aurora coach Colette Montgomery said. "We're not getting ahead of ourselves. I think this group has done really well in staying locked into the task at hand.
USL-W Spotlight: MN Aurora, Home and Away
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
Minnesota Aurora's home opener on Thursday, May 30, proved that Teal is still the real deal. A flurry of goals from both veterans and newcomers showed that the inaugural squad's results were not a fluke and that the franchise can continue to draw and develop top talent. Aurora shut out RKC Third Coast with a 7-0 win in front of 5,092 fans.
Midfielder Mariah Nguyen became one of the faces of the franchise in 2022 and her game has only gotten better. The Andover-native will begin her senior year at the University of St Thomas in the fall, where this past August, Nguyen was named TicketSmarter's Summit League Offensive Peak Performer of the Week for registering a hat trick in UST's 7-0 win against Niagara. She registered another for Minnesota Aurora on Thursday, on top of assisting in each of the opening two goals, scored by Addison Weichers and Saige Wimes. The hat trick earned her Star Tribune Player of the Game honors.
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"Pregame we just agreed, you know, we had to start really strong," Nguyen said. "We wanted to put on a show. It was an amazing turnout tonight, 5000-something right? So we knew - We just wanted to put away as many as we can as fast as possible. And at halftime, it is the same thing, just cleaning up so minor issues that we had in midfield, finding each other and stuff like that, and yeah exploiting their pockets."
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
Cat Rapp scored a brace and both goals were bangers, the first pinging off the crossbar to bounce down and in, the second a tight angle shot to the far post. Rapp said of the first goal: "I was thinking: turn it and shoot. I've -- I was actually telling Addy [Weichers], we had worked on this after practice, I was just thinking, you know, this is the exact thing that we set up. It's like I'm just gonna turn and shoot it and aim for the corner, and that's what happened."
"Obviously, Cat Rapp is well known in these parts," said head coach Colette Montgomery. "She's a fan favorite. We've kind of been bringing her in a little bit, gave her that start in that 10 position, moved her into the nine. We know that she's a valuable player, going to score goals. And I'm not sure; I'll check with the statistics, but I'm pretty sure that she put herself in line to be in the top scorers of the franchise, so excited for her."
But the new faces are also making an impact and making their own names known.
"Saige [Wimes] has really impressed," Montgomery said. "You know, we've been bringing her back from a little niggle, but she's looking fantastic as you can see. I wasn't lying when I said we've got top caliber players. [She has] lots of movement off the ball. She's really quick footed, really creative in that final third, exactly what we've been asking the team for."
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Despite going into the break with a 4-0 lead, Montgomery said she emphasized continuing to play their game, to their ability for the full 90 minutes:
"We've challenged the players to play with excellence no matter what minute it is, how many goals are scored. We want to be as sharp through the 60-to-90th minute as possible. And the players that come off the bench, we call them game changers because we want them to come in and make an impact, challenge that starting group for spots and keep everybody on their toes."
For their part, RKC Third Coast put up a fight. While they conceded 7 goals and were unable to score any of their own, they still took home some positives. As centerback Ellie Rebmann told NLF, "Even though the score was not what we wanted, I do think that there were still many positives. Getting to play in a stadium with a crowd like we did was a great experience for starters, but I also think that we were really able to come together as a team. I think that we definitely had some good moments at times, and I think we defended pretty well as well."
Rebmann was key to the damage control making one particularly massive block that may have had a few reporters whistling in the pressbox.
"Honestly, all that went through my mind was that this player had a perfect shot open to the back post, and I knew I could get my body behind it to block it," Rebmann said. "I saw her take the shot and just tried to make sure i got my foot on it with enough power to get it out of the box."
https://twitter.com/EqualTimeSoccer/status/1796355814925705297
Adding three goals to their tally in the second half, Aurora stamped a big W on their home opener. But then they hit the road - Chicago again.
[Miss the match? Click to view our full photo gallery.]
"[We're] excited to be on the road for one game and then come back for a home game stretch. So excited to be back with the fans, be back in this environment." - Aurora Head Coach Colette Montgomery
Sunday saw Minnesota Aurora return to Chicago proper (ie. not Aurora, Ill.) to face Chicago City SC on the campus of Loyola. Chicago City holds first place in the division, having won all three games played prior to Sunday. Aurora sat in second after sharing a point with River Light on the previous road trip.
Sunday's match was pretty similar to the River Light game - a scrappy midfield battle interrupted at times by blocked crosses and shots into the box. City took the lead early after Aurora keeper Taylor Kane tackled an attacking player inside her box, giving Chicago City a penalty kick for DOGSO (Denial of an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity) in the 9th minute. The hosts converted to go up 1-0.
Aurora finally found the breakthrough in the 27th minute when Yao Zhou sent a freekick in to Kaylie Chambers to level at 1-1.
https://twitter.com/EqualTimeSoccer/status/1797363397958283553
Both sides had a number of chances in the second half but none found the goal; instead they gutted out another 63 minutes for a draw. And now, Aurora is done with their road trips to the Chicago area.
Minnesota Aurora will return to TCO Stadium on Thursday, June 6, to host Rochester FC. Then on Saturday, June 8, they will host River Light. TCO Stadium will be ready and waiting.
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)
USLW Heartland Overview
The USL W League is returning for its third season in 2024, continuing its overall expansion. Even with the continued expansion, the Heartland Division retains most of its shape from 2023. The only loss the division saw was Green Bay Glory heading back to the WPSL after two seasons in USLW.
Bavarian United
A former WPSL side entering their third season in USLW, the Bavarians will look to rebound off a middle of the road season in 2023. The historic suburban Milwaukee side continues to play their home matches at Heartland Value Fund Stadium in Glendale, WI.
Chicago City SC
Another former WPSL side, also playing their third season in USLW, last years division runner-up Chicago City has their work cut out for them in 2024. City's history has seen the side perform relatively inconsistent over the years, though City has continued to get better each season. CCSC will move their home ground from the Lions for Hope Complex to Loyola University's Hoyne Field.
Chicago Dutch Lions
Another former WPSL side, the Dutch Lions looked nearly dead just two seasons ago. In their final WPSL season in 2022, CDL finished the season at 2-6-0 and lost their final four matches 20-2. Enter last season with the Dutch Lions joining the W League and rebounding to a 7-4-0 record, finishing third in the Heartland Division. The Dutch Lions will once again make their home from the Spartan Athletic Park in Aurora, IL.
Minnesota Aurora
Aurora return for their third season of play and are clearly the team to beat both on and off the pitch. In both seasons of USLW play, Aurora has captured the Heartland division title with ease. Massive crowds at TCO Stadium in Eagan have made their home ground a fortress. But both seasons ended in disappointment with Aurora falling in the 2022 USLW Final and in the 2023 conference final. It's safe to say Aurora have a chip on their shoulder heading into the season.
RKC Third Coast
Last season's expansion side, RKC Third Coast had a disappointing first campaign in 2023 going 3-8-0 and finishing in fifth place. RKC hosts their games at Pritchard Park in Racine, WI.
River Light FC
The only expansion side in the division for 2024, River Light keeps the division size exactly at 7 following the departure of Green Bay back to the WPSL. River Light will join the Chicago Dutch Lions using the Spartan Athletic Park in Aurora, IL as their home ground.
Rochester FC
One of the only two teams in the Heartland located west of the Mississippi, Rochester FC are desperate for a better campaign after a poor run last season. A 1-11-0 record handed the Loons the divisions wooden spoon by 6 points in 2023. Rochester FC returns to Rochester Regional Stadium on the east side of the city for the second USLW season.
USL-W | MN Aurora Enters Playoffs with A Fresh Slate, Despite Opening with A Rematch
The W League's second season has come to a close but playoffs are coming, fast and furious. Kettering University and its Atwood Stadium, in Flint, Michigan, will host the Central Conference semifinals on Thursday, July 6. The Heartland Division's wild cards will play first (at 2pm CST), in a meeting of familiar foes: Minnesota Aurora FC and Chicago City FC. Then (at 6 pm CST) Flint City AFC of the Great Lakes Division will face Indy Eleven of the Valley Division. The winners will face off in a quarterfinal match on Saturday, again at Atwood Stadium.
MN Aurora head coach Nicole Lukic and some players spoke with the media following the team's last practice before taking off* for Flint. Tuesday's open training followed a rare two-day break, a necessity ahead of what will hopefully be a continuing compact playoff schedule. "We've been mentally kind of grinded for fifty days or so with just, you know, a day off here and there," Lukic told NLF. "So I think the two days did everybody pretty well for their bodies and just mental energy. We had a good session today and we're excited to get over to Flint."
Minnesota Aurora bolstered their roster ahead of the trip, adding training player Ava Bjorkman Tracy to the squad. The UNC-Ashville player will be a depth option as Hannah Adler is on beach soccer national team duty this weekend and Kennedy Faulknor remains out with injury.
Thursday's opponent is the same squad Aurora faced in their home finale this past Saturday. Lineup tweaks throughout the match against Chicago City SC resulted in a 7-0 win, with six of those goals scored in the second half, but Lukic said not to look at that match as a preview of Thursday's game plan: "We were guessing that it would be back to back Chicago City games so we kept that in mind when we created our lineup on July 1, because we didn't want to do the exact same thing twice. So I would expect it [Thursday's lineup] to be a little different than it was on Saturday."
Midfielder Vienna Behnke, a Wisconsin native with pro experience in Iceland, says playoffs will be a fresh start. "It's just kind of a mindset shift of a whole new season starting, so the regular season means nothing. Now, even though we did really well and we do have a lot of good results [12-0, 60 goals], the slate is clean and we have to start over and prove ourselves right away."
After that near-fifty day grind, two days off felt strange to Behnke, in large part due to the team chemistry built through an intensive, compact season. For a pro (who will be available in the upcoming transfer window, by the way) to speak so highly of the experience with a squad - and league - largely composed of college players getting ready for the fall season and considering pro careers, speaks volumes of Aurora's program.
"I'm looking to play overseas again in this transfer window - hopefully I'll sign contracts now. So it's been a good preparation for me, as well. Just not going back to college, but to go back to another team," said Behnke. "[It's] just a really high level all around, even as we split up into our functional groups and stuff. Even that's a really high level. So it's been - I think everybody's gotten to improve and no matter where you're going afterward, I think it's been really good."
While Aurora has received a lot of attention for both the quality of their goals (with two SportsCenter Top 10 appearances in 2023) and the quantity (Behnke frequently wakes up to texts from teammates overseas asking if the other team got a touch on the ball), their coach remains balanced, still on those "neutral thoughts" from preseason:
"We've played them really well on Saturday, obviously, but we can't take any opponent for granted at this point. Everybody's earned their playoff spot. They worked, Chicago worked super hard to get here so I'm sure we're going to get their best from them."
Minnesota Aurora FC vs. Chicago City SC kicks off at 2 pm CST on Thursday, July 6. Aurora's broadcasting partner Fox9+ will carry the game.
* Notably, we mean "taking off" literally in this case. This is the first time the club has travelled by air for a match. Unfortunately, NLF was told that bus driver/cheerleader Stephen Barry of Jefferson Lines is not able to make the trip.
Photo Gallery: Minnesota Aurora vs Chicago City SC
Chicago City SC
Minnesota Aurora FC closed out the 2023 regular season with a 7-0 win over Heartland Division #2 Chicago City SC and a flawless 12-0-0 record and +56 goal differential. Nearly 7,000 fans were in attendance, setting a new attendance record at TCO Stadium.
Aurora go on to the Central Conference playoffs next week in Flint, Michigan.
MN Aurora Closes Out 2023 with Shutout Against Chicago City SC
Minnesota Aurora FC closed out the 2023 regular season on Saturday night with a 7-0 shutout against second place Chicago City SC. With the win, Aurora secured a few big accomplishments: One of only two teams in the W League to go a perfect 12-0-0 (Tampa Bay United of the Southeast Division); the only team to score 60 goals on the season; the highest goal differential (56); and set a new W League attendance record.
Eagan's TCO Stadium was packed with 6,987 fans for the highly anticipated matchup between the Heartland Division's top two teams. The last matchup with Chicago City SC took place on a rainy day in Chicago and ended with a 3-1 win for Aurora. All four of those goals were made in the first half. "Chicago City played a good match and forced us to be better," head coach Nicole Lukic said after that match.
Saturday's meeting started off a bit differently. The fans had to wait over a half hour to sing for a goal. After a lot of time spent in the middle third, with both sides focused on dispossessing the other and cutting off breakaways, Minnesota eventually earned a corner kick in the 37th minute. Addy Weichers, as usual, sent in a picture-perfect ball, finding the head of Morgan Stone whose flick-on caught City goalkeeper, Lauren Keiser, off guard. The corner kick setup looked a little different from those in the previous 11 matches, in which half of the squad typically camped out in the box awaiting service, often with centerback Tianna Harris squared up for any kick taken by Weichers. This time a few more players held back, perhaps expecting a need to quell a City counterattack.
"It just took us a little bit to break them down," said Lukic. "Credit to Chicago - I thought they had a really good first half. They're a physical team that gave us a good matchup."
But that opening goal seemed to take an edge off of the squad's nerves. Aurora went into the break with a 1-0 lead. Lukic made some changes and the team came out stronger in the second half: "I think we made a tactical adjustment in the midfield that really helped organize our press a little bit better, which helped us win balls back after we lost them," Lukic explained. "So I'd say that was a key moment and then the other players that came into the second half did a really good job of giving us a spark."
And what a spark that was. Minnesota scored a total of six unanswered goals in a span of 24 minutes. They were all far too good not to highlight (You can watch them all HERE) but due to limited space, here are our highlights of the highlights:
Cat Rapp and Sophie French each bagged a brace
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Maya Hansen added her twelfth goal of the season (a new team record) in stunning fashion.
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Hannah Adler scored on the second touch of her shift.
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"I think we were a little frantic kind of [in the first half]," explained Cat Rapp, Saturday's Star Tribune Star of the Match. "I think in the first half the heat and other stuff was just making us more tired. But we'll make adjustments to play our game better, which is why we're here."
Lukic credited passion and chemistry for such consistent results, as well as their coachability . She was also quick to credit the fans, tying them into many of her comments when asked about certain moments of the match.
"Credit to the players who really just show up day in and day out, put in the work. They love this game more than most I know, and they come to train and just show up every single day so that when we get the opportunity to play in front of out amazing fan base, we're able to put seven goals in the net. And obviously people love seeing goals being scored."
Aurora moves on to the postseason, joined by Chicago City in Flint, Mich., for conference playoffs next week. The players (and staff) will get a couple days of much need rest but then they return to training and, Lukic says, the focus is the same: "As long as we continue doing the little things that we need to be doing right, it shouldn't matter where we play."
With any luck, Kettering University's Atwood Stadium will have the streaming capabilities to host 7,000-plus Aurora fans watching from Minnesota.
WPSL Central Region Week 10: Preview
Monday:
Chicago City SC vs Milwaukee Bavarians SC - 8pm - Chicago Hope Lions Complex, Chicago, IL - No Announced Stream
The 4-3-1 Bavarians face a City squad with only one win, with the Milwaukee squad looking for some momentum to push up the table after their win against the Torrent.
Salvo SC vs MapleBrook Fury - 7pm - Reynolds Field, Roseville, MN - No Announced Stream
MapleBrook's stop-start season faces Salvo as the visitors look to solidify second place, following a blowout win on the road last time out.
Wednesday:
Milwaukee Bavarian SC vs Green Bay Glory - 6pm - Bavarian Soccer Club, Glendale, WI - No Announced Stream
The Bavarians host the winless Glory, in what should be a routine win for the hosts.
FC Milwaukee Torrent vs Chicago Dutch Lions - 7pm - Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI - Eleven Sports
The 4-2-2 Torrent face a 3-3-2 CDL squad. It could be a closely contested game.
Chicago City SC vs Chicago Red Stars Reserves - 8pm - DuPaul College Preparatory, Chicago, IL - No Announced Stream
A Chicago derby as the Red Stars Reserves roll into town and face the struggling City team, with the professionals expected to extend their lead at the top of the Lake Michigan Conference.
Friday:
Salvo SC vs Fire SC 98 - 7pm - Reynolds Field, Roseville, MN - No Announced Stream
In a Twin Cities derby, the one win Fire squad face Salvo - who will have played on Monday.
Saturday:
Milwaukee Bavarian SC vs Chicago Dutch Lions - 4pm - Bavarian Soccer Club, Glendale, WI - No Announced Stream
Bavarians face the Dutch Lions in another close match up.
Cincinnati Sirens vs Fire & Ice SC - 7pm - Lakota West High School, West Chester Township, OH - No Announced Stream
6-1-4 Fire & Ice faces 6-0-2 a Sirens squad, with the hosts at roughly double their visitors' goal difference.
Lady Victory FC vs FC Pride - 7pm - Guerin Catholic High School, Noblesville, IN - Eleven Sports
The top 2 teams in the Midwestern Conference face each other in a matchup of metro Indianapolis clubs. Lady Victory is on a run of five straight wins, whereas FC Pride have two losses in the last five games.
Sunday:
FC Milwaukee Torrent vs Chicago Red Stars Reserves - 3pm - Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI - Eleven Sports
Chicago Red Stars Reserves are rolling into Wauwatosa but will face a tougher challenge with Torrent than Chicago City.
Green Bay Glory vs Chicago City SC - 3pm - Capitol Credit Union Park, Ashwaubenon, WI - Eleven Sports
This match sees two struggling squads who will hope to have picked up points earlier in the week.
FC Pride vs Cincinnati Sirens - 3pm - Pride Performance Center, Indianapolis, IN - No Announced Stream
Pride play host to the Sirens in a matchup of teams with close records, results permitting earlier in the week.
Lady Victory FC vs Dayton Dutch Lions FC - 5pm - Guerin Catholic High School, Noblesville, IN - Eleven Sports
Dayton Dutch Lions travel into Indiana with a record of 3-3-4 and they face the top team in their division in Lady Victory.
WPSL Central Region Week 8: Recap
Tuesday:
MapleBrook Fury 4 vs Dakota Fusion 0 : Wilmes Field at Osseo High School, Osseo, MN - No Stream Announced
One of MapleBrook's last officially scheduled matches of the season (as two prior ones have not officially been rescheduled) saw them host Dakota Fusion FC. It was not a good night for the Fusion as MapleBrook dropped them 4-0 in Osseo.
Wednesday:
St. Louis Lions 0 vs Fire & Ice SC 3 : Tony Glavin Soccer Complex, Cottleville, MO - No Stream Announced
The Lions hosted Fire & Ice SC and were looking to gain their first win of 2021. A strong Fire & Ice side shut that hope down with a few goals and a clean sheet. The crowd at the Tony Glavin Soccer Complex watched FISC run away with their 3-0 win and three points on the night.
Minnesota Thunder 1 vs Rochester United FC 1 : Academy of Holy Angels StarDome, Richfield, MN - Eleven Sports
The final match of the 2021 season for the Minnesota Thunder, who have gotten a share of the Northern Conference (pending MapleBrook playing their cancelled matches). RUFC wouldn't let the Thunder go out on a high note as the two sides drew 1-1 in their only meeting of the much shortened season.
Chicago City SC 1 vs Chicago Dutch Lions 1 : Lions for Hope Sports Complex, Chicago, IL - Eleven Sports
Both Chicago City and the Dutch Lions are attempting to catch Red Stars Reserves to attempt to dethrone them and take the first Lake Michigan Conference Championship. The result would be the one that neither side wanted as it ended in a 1-1 draw.
Thursday:
MapleBrook Fury 2 vs Salvo SC 1 : Wilmes Field at Osseo High School Stadium, Osseo, MN - No Stream Announced
The final scheduled match of the season for MapleBrook while Salvo (officially) has two more to play. Another match played in Osseo saw the hosting Fury defeat the defending champion Salvo SC.
Friday:
FC Milwaukee Torrent 2 vs Chicago City SC 1 : Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI - Eleven Sports
The final match of the relatively short week in the WPSL. Lake Michigan Conference match and a Milwaukee/Chicago showdown. The Torrent were able to work past CCSC for a 2-1 victory at Hart Park. A stark contrast of what the Torrent's men's first team had happen just a day later.
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.
WPSL Central Region Week 6: Recap
Wednesday:
Mankato United 2 vs Rochester United 0 - 7pm- Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN - Eleven Sports
Mankato took the inaugural Highway 14 Derby with goals from McKenna Buisman off the high press and half-time substitute Dakota Wendell after the ball had shot upwards and around like a pinball.
Cincinnati Sirens 3 vs Dayton Dutch Lions 1 - 7pm - Lakota West High School, Liberty Township, OH - No Announced Stream
Goals from Hueber from the penalty spot and Donovan and Renie from open play brought the Sirens back from a 1-0 deficit and secured their undefeated record for another match.
Fire and Ice 2 vs St Louis Lions 0 - 7pm - Althoff Catholic High School, Belleville, IL, Eleven Sports
The first St Louis Derby went the way of the elemental squad, with the goals for Fire and Ice coming from a goalkeeping error just before half time and Breece with a driven shot back across the keeper from a left sided cross. The margin would have been even greater were it not for the Lions goalkeeper, who must be getting her work in for a 0-4 club.
Thursday :
Minnesota Thunder 3 vs Salvo SC 1 - 7:45pm - Academy of Holy Angels StarDome, Richfield, MN - Eleven Sports
It took Thunder until the 39th minute to break the deadlock, when a cross field pass was taken back across the Salvo keeper by Morgan Turner. The lead was doubled shortly after half time and the home side's third came in the 56th minute, on the second chance. Salvo spoiled the clean sheet when Anderson scored in the 64th minute, but in the end Thunder get revenge for their only dropped points of the season so far.
Friday:
Fire SC 98 6 vs Dakota Fusion FC 0 - 7pm - Centennial High School Stadium, Circle Pines, MN - Eleven Sports
The Fire were up 3-0 at the half, with two goals from Sara Wendt (one from a header from a right wing cross, and one from a defensive miscue) and another from Lexi Larson. The home team then pulled away as Wendt secured her hat trick in the 63rd minute and Anna Breffle (in the 80th) and Erin Becker (in the 85th) added late goals.
Mankato United 1 vs MapleBrook Fury 3 - 7pm - Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN - Eleven Sports
Mankato took the lead in the 5th minute through Kenna Buisman, bursting down the left wing. It remained 1-0 at half time. The Fury kept things close and accelerated through the second half before a furious few minutes saw them snatch victory. The equalizer came in the 78th minute after Claire Odmark (highlighted by the club's owner in our previous chat) beat a Mankato defender into the box and she was felled. The penalty was subsequently dispatched by Odmark herself. The visitors went ahead in the 82nd minute from a corner, which beat the goalkeeper to the spot and was headed in by Kyra Sosinski. The clinching goal came in the 90th minute as Maille Mathis chipped the goalkeeper from the left edge of the penalty area.
Milwaukee Bavarian SC 1 vs Chicago Red Stars Reserves 0 - 7pm - Bavarian Soccer Club, Glendale, WI - No Announced Stream
In one of the surprises of the season, the women's expansion team of the amateur soccer behemoth pulled out a 1-0 win against the professional juggernaut of CRS Reserves. The goal came through Alex Campana.
Saturday:
Chicago Dutch Lions 2 vs Milwaukee Torrent 3 - 6pm - Benedictine University, Lisle, IL - Eleven Sports
Chicago Dutch Lions took the lead on the road in the 16th minute but Elsi Twombly equalised for the Torrent just before half time. CDL went ahead again the 50th minute but Jelena Sever made it 2-2 in the 57th minute from the penalty spot, and then 3-2 from open play in the 73rd minute for the win.
Cincinnati Sirens 2 vs FC Pride 0 - 7pm - Lakota West High School, Liberty Township, OH - No Announced Stream
Morgan White and Makala Woods picked up the goals for a perfect Sirens squad on top of the Midwestern Division.
Dayton Dutch Lions 6 vs St Louis Lions 0 - 7pm - West Carrolton High School, Dayton, OH - No Announced Stream
DDL FC opened the scoring after only 5 minutes through a St Louis own goal from a Huber cross. Marcella Cash scored in the 24th and thus it remained through half time. Anuci scored shortly after the half. Jenssen scored number 4 in the 52nd minute. Huber added a goal to her earlier assist in the 83rd minute and another in the 90th minute, with another St Louis own goal in the 83rd minute.
Fire and Ice 6 vs Columbus Eagles 0 - 7pm - Althoff Catholic High School, Belleville, IL - Eleven Sports
Doubles from Olivia Smith and Sarah Foley added to solo shots from Sofia Hernandez and Mackenzie Litzs for the blowout of the winless Eagles.
Sunday:
Salvo SC vs MapleBrook Fury - 3pm - Reynolds Field, Roseville, MN - No Announced Stream
This game was suspended due to lightning at 1-1 in the 50th minute, with the remainder of the match to be rescheduled. The Salvo goal was scored by Khyah Harper and the equalizer was in the 37th minute.
Mankato United 9 vs Dakota Fusion 1 - 5pm - Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN - Eleven Sports
Danielle Tazic opened the scoring in the 5th minute for the home team but pretty constant pressure from Mankato failed to secure further goals, prior to a Hallie Thompson equalizer in the 31st minute from 20 yards out, just past the Kato keeper. It was just before halftime at Mankato United finally made their superiority count, after busted defense at a corner left Dakota Wendell open to slot the ball home from the top of the six yard box. The second half started as rapidly for Kato as the first had, with Tazic repeating her trick within 50 seconds of the restart, from a Wendell cross. Wendell was again the benefactor of fortune in the 51st and 54th minutes as she scored off two charge downs of Emily Soukup in goal for the Fusion. Ironically, the margin could have been even larger, were it not for the efforts of Soukup, who is graduating from high school in Moorhead and joining Minnesota State Mankato in the fall. Abigail Hoisington made it 6-1 in the 63rd minute. Cassidy Joyce made it 7-1 before Tazic completed her own hat trick in the 82nd minute with a close range blast into the top right corner. Scoring was completed through a PK in the 87th minute.
Fire SC 98 0 vs Minnesota Thunder 1 - 7pm - Centennial High School Stadium, Circle Pines, MN - No Announced Stream
It took until the 80th minute for the red hot division leading Thunder to break the deadlock against a Fire side fresh off a strong performance against Dakota Fusion, and there would be no further scoring.
Dayton Dutch Lions 1 vs Lady Victory 4 - 4:30pm - West Carrolton High School, Dayton, OH - No Announced Stream
Goals in the 23rd, 25th and 35th minutes led Victory to a lead. Second half goals came in the 58th from Dayton and the 60th from Victory for the win.
St Louis Lions 2 vs Columbus Eagles 3 - 5pm - Tony Glavin Soccer Complex, Cottleville, MO - No Announced Stream
Columbus win the battle of the basement, claiming all three points in the 87th minute after a back and forth match.
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.
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
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