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: MN Aurora vs Chicago Dutch Lions
In May, Minnesota Aurora opened their season with a 8-0 win over the Chicago Dutch Lions on the road (at Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois). On Sunday, June 16, Aurora welcomed the Dutch Lions to Eagan’s TCO Stadium, the Heartland Division leaders hosting the bottom of the table. With only a 1 point lead over CDL’s stadium mate, River Light, going into the weekend, Aurora needed a win to stay atop the Heartland Division table. While River Light put up 12 unanswered goals on 6th place RKC, Aurora tallied 6 over the 7th place Chicago Dutch to maintain the lead.
Two first half goals highlighted 45 minutes of attacking spurts. Mariah Nguyen tallied the first in the 16th minute on the rebound after a shot from Sophie French hit the crossbar. French found the net in the 23rd minute to take Aurora up 2-0. CDL goalkeeper Abigail O’Connor made a handful of saves to hold Aurora to two in the first half while Aurora’s back-line picked apart every Chicago offensive sequence early. The visitors’ best chance came from a free kick in the 36th minute. Olivia Anderson lined up the shot, set just outside Aurora’s 18 yard box, and was able to clear the defense’s wall but put a little too much spin on the ball to curl it under the crossbar, sending it high instead.
Nicole Norfolk, whose presence and work rate has been praised by teammates and coaches alike in her first season with the club, explained that the back line stayed engaged by reading the pitch for the midfield: “You’re communicating and helping the attack, giving them information on who’s open on the field, how to break down the other team. I think that helps keep the back line engaged and locked in on the game so that we can stay focused, so that when it’s the other team transitioning, then we're ready to go because we’re locked in and paying attention.”
Norfolk also had a front-row seat to a midfield performance that opened the floodgates for Aurora in the second half: “Our midfielders connected really well. I thought they were able to find each other’s feet a lot, and then get balls out wide. You know, I thought there was variation in our attack as well, obviously the set pieces we were successful on as well.”
Katie Duong and Servane Blouin entered at halftime (for French and Jelena Zibiljic respectively) and so began the clinic. Duong sent a screamer into goal in the 55th minute to make it 3-0. She had options but, “I’ve been trying to work on my long distance shot so I decided to hit it,” she said. Duong then notched an assist, sending a ball to Sofia Bush in the 57th minute for a cool finish, 4-0 -- Bush’s first goal contribution of the season.
After skimming the crossbar with a freekick attempt in the 60th minute, Duong got another chance at a dead ball in the 63rd when she served a corner kick to the head of an unmarked Addy Weichers, 5-0. In the 75th minute, Duong did it again, this time finding Morgan Stone, in the same space and unmarked just as Weichers had been. Stone’s header made it 6-0.
“I usually just try to deliver it into a good area and I feel like we have so many aerial assets on this team that make it super easy - someone always gets on the end of it,” Duong said, a composed and casual answer for a player who tallied a goal and three assists in a 45 minute shift.
“I think watching from the sideline, my biggest goal was just to bring some energy into the game,” she continued. “I mean, it’s a hot day out and I felt like we were able to do that. I think Servane [Blouin] did awesome getting her first minutes and she made two or three huge tackles out there.”
Aurora’s roster is deep, even with a handful of players still working back from injury or otherwise unavailable. Duong and Norfolk were both quick to praise teammates when talking about day’s victory and Duong seemed to deliberately use the phrase ‘game changers’ in place of ‘substitutes’ in one instance, a choice later clarified by head coach Colette Montgomery.
“We have the mentality that they’re not necessarily substitutes, they’re game changers,” Montgomery said when asked about squad rotation. “Again we’re asking for professional performances from the team, finding ways to break down teams’ defense from the final third,” she said. “Obviously [I’d] still like to be a little bit more clinical with some of those finishes but overall a great team performance [tonight].”
Six goals on the board was obviously an improvement after two consecutive matches that had Montgomery plotting finishing drills for the next day’s training. When NLF asked about this specifically, Montgomery said, “For the players, at the end I said, ‘I think you have all colluded to try to do this so we can keep working on scoring at training and give them [the fans] what they want.’ [But] at the end of the day it’s still hard to put goals on the board and so again, [it’s] a cast of characters that have all different individual talents and [they’re] bringing those different qualities to the field and that's great to have.”
Aurora will play two more games at home this week (vs Bavarian on Thursday and Chicago City on Saturday) before finishing the regular season with two matches in Wisconsin. Four games don’t feel like much in these condensed schedules but they make up one-third of the regular season. Minnesota Aurora will need their depth to collect all the points they can to stay ahead of River Light.
USL-W Match Preview: MN Aurora FC host RKC Third Coast
One week into the Heartland Division's 2024 season, MN Aurora returns to TCO Stadium on Thursday night after adding two away results to a regular season unbeaten record that dates back to their inaugural match in 2022. With plenty of new faces - including the entire coaching staff - joining stalwart returnees, Aurora has shown a continuation of the "Aurora way" on the road, but the first week of Heartland results highlights the increasing parity across the division and the W-League standard as a whole.
Aurora [at] Aurora [University in] Aurora [Illinois]
Aurora opened the season in Aurora, Ill., playing two matches at Aurora University. The opener was what everyone has come to expect from Aurora: Goals, early and often. The second match proved that there is room for growth and competition in the regular season.
On Thursday, May 23, Aurora outplayed the Chicago Dutch Lions 8-0. Given that the Dutch Lions lost to River Light FC by the same score on May 19, Aurora's eight goals may have taught us more about the Lions than Aurora. However, the variety of play-makers, goals, and goalscorers, kept the match intriguing.
The goals:
- 6' Sophie French, assisted by fellow returnee Jill Zbiljic from the corner
- 25' Giada Zhou makes her mark in her debut
- 50' French bags a brace
- 53' Tess Werts, who entered for Zbiljic after the break, scores just 8 minutes into her debut
- 57' Mariah Nguyen, back for year three, assisted by Werts
- 59' Werts notches the brace from distance (Yes, that's two goals and one assist less than 15 minutes into her shift)
- 75' Lydia Ruppert, another third-year returnee, assisted by newcomer Taylor Shell
- 77' Ruppert tallies Aurora's third brace and final goal on the night
Two returnees and one debutante accounted for six of the eight goals; the ever-improving Nguyen and confident newcomer Zhou added the other two.
On Saturday Aurora returned to Aurora University, this time to face the aforementioned River Light FC. After going into halftime scoreless, Aurora was the first to concede. River Light took the lead with a goal from Mya Nugent in the 53rd minute. Minutes later, Aurora leveled with a Sophie French header (off of a freekick this time) in the 55th. After that quick succession of goals, the two sides continued to battle it out in midfield without finding the goal. The 1-1 tie was Aurora's first since the club's inaugural home opener in 2022.
“River Light brought a great game against us, and we’re excited to have an opponent like this in the division," said first-year head coach Colette Montgomery. "Our players responded well to the game plan we put out there and the strategy we wanted to put in place today."
Both clubs made the USL-W Power Rankings for the week, with Aurora coming in at 10th and River Light 11th. Judging by the standings, River Light's performance on Saturday may have been a harbinger of a tough[er] season. Aurora has only been outscored by River Light and Chicago City SC but has a game in hand on both clubs. Aurora will get their first look at Chicago City this coming Sunday (at Chicago's Loyola University), but will first face RKC Third Coast.
Welcoming RKC Third Coast
RKC Third Coast opened their season at home on May 19, losing to Chicago City 4-2. After a week's rest, they traveled to Rochester FC, where they lost 3-2. Brielle Rochester scored both goals in the opening match while Haley Christianson tallied both goals against Rochester. RKC has returned 13 players from their inaugural 2023 roster but they do not have as many experienced players as Aurora.
In 2023, RKC's inaugural season, Aurora outscored them 18-1 across two head-to-head matches. Aurora's 2024 roster of 29 players features 12 returning players, a number of whom have already moved up a few rungs on the franchise's all-time goals and all-time points ladders.
Preseason thoughts from the coaches
"We've got exceptional leaders in the group and I'm very thankful for the returning players," Coach Montgomery said following at an open training session in preseason. "They know the Aurora Way and I'm learning that and bringing my pieces of that and seeing how we can collaborate." She reiterated later, "I'm very thankful for the veteran players that are here. This is a collaborative effort."
Goalkeeper coach Lucca Shimanuki is genuinely thrilled about the new experience, telling NLF after that same training session, "It's been amazing, to be honest, just working with Colette [Montgomery]. She's a fantastic coach, I know her from the past, I learned a lot from her, and just to be here in this new environment, which - it's where every soccer coach wants to be, at the highest level possible, and it can't get much better than this."
Returning goalkeeper Taylor Kane played every minute of the two matches on the road. Every indication is that she will get the nod again on Thursday at home. Shimanuki was impressed with the level she brought to training before the season started: "[Aurora] has always had solid goalkeepers and our defense was always something that we're proud of and we want to maintain that for this year. We have Taylor, a returner, and she's just been getting better and better every day. Every season, she's been fantastic."
Thursday evening will be many fans' first opportunity to see in-person the collaboration between the first-year staff, new players, and veteran players. It is also the first match of the season to be broadcast on TV, returning to Fox 9+ (TV) and Fox9.com. Northern Lights Football will also be there for live coverage and to recap all aspects of the event so follow along.
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.
MN Aurora Emphasizes Effort Over Goals - Even For Their Opponents
Minnesota Aurora FC closed out the month of May with three wins from three games, having outscored their opponents 19-0. Ten of those goals came from a home match against expansion side RKC Third Coast on May 31 so they rolled into an away fixture at Rochester FC on June 4 with confidence in their depth and creativity. In Aurora's home opener against Rochester FC, the squad put up five unanswered goals on an injury-depleted squad. As hosts, Rochester bettered that performance in the second leg and proved that despite the lopsided resources seen across USL-W conferences, even the bottom ranked teams can play level with the leaders.
Sunday, June 4 at RCTC Stadium: Rochester FC 0 - 1 MN Aurora FC
The Sunday matinee at RCTC Stadium felt more like a home game for Aurora with at least half of the crowd sporting teal, as captured by our friends at Equal Time Soccer, but both squads heard cheers for some stellar efforts through the match. Both starting goalkeepers, Aurora's Olivia Graupman and Rochester's Emma Knack, played lights out. While RFC went into the match outscored 8-0 on the season, Knack held off Aurora's chances from open play and tested Aurora's shot selection. The Isanti native and NDSU-commit allowed only one goal in this game, a header by Tianna Harris from one of Aurora's many corner kicks.
Graupman, starting over Taylor Kane as a precaution at this stage of the season, has not faced too many shots but was tested by Rochester. Lissa Mizutani, who was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in her freshman year at University of St Thomas, nearly snagged the equalizing [and Rochester's first] goal in the 89th minute, but the crossbar and perhaps Graupman's fingertips, kept her off the board.
One might think that continuing to concede goals while not scoring any of their own would be detrimental to a squad's confidence. However, Mizutani and teammate Jayda Brown relish the opportunity. When asked about their goals as players on an expansion team, amidst the gaps in the standings and playing experience between teams, Mizutani told NLF, "It's good learning and you're not always gonna win, but you're getting better every game and we're all on the same page."
The goal [*ahem*] of the W League is to develop players and give them a pathway to higher levels of play. For Brown, match results are not the most important part of that development: "Well, I guess for everyone on our team it's just like, getting better. That's one of our main goals from here. Hopefully, if we get the opportunity to go pro then that's something that we're looking forward to but our goal right now is to focus on getting better first before we can move forward." It is also an opportunity to learn from each other, maturing as players in a new environment with new people. "I mean, I think like being such a new team, we are working really on team bonding and chemistry and just being able to connect passes and work on the simple stuff and get to know each other better," Mizutani explained. For Brown, the proof was in the 1-0 loss:
Yeah, that's one of the hard things about being a new team. Like we don't know each other. So we're just trying to build that chemistry as you can see. Like, today I felt like we did an awesome job. Coming after this we're going to do so good - like I can see great things happening. I'm not sure about anybody else but I think we're getting there and we're working extremely hard to become better. So playing against a team like that [Aurora] is like teaching us, you know, how to make better passes and you know, just transitioning and how to make better moves. So yeah, we're extremely proud of our team and what we did today, for sure.
For Aurora head coach Nicole Lukic, the lesson was in a rotated lineup getting the job done against an improved team: "We learned a lot today from trying different players in new positions. It was a good reminder for us that we are going to get our opponents' best game the second time we play them."
Speaking of second times...
(View our full MN Aurora v. Chicago Dutch Lions photo gallery here)
Wednesday, June 7: MN Aurora FC 6 - 1 Chicago Dutch Lions
Aurora returned home on Wednesday night to host the Chicago Dutch Lions after beating them 4-0 on the road (at Aurora University, in Aurora, Ill.). The Dutch Lions did indeed bring their best game, scoring in the 73rd minute to end Aurora's clean sheet streak. Unfortunately for the Lions, Katelyn Nardulli's tally was merely a consolation goal, as Aurora had already put up five of their own and would add one more before the final whistle to win 6-1.
Three of Aurora's six goals came in the first half -- all credited to Hannah Adler, who capped off a hat trick in the 44th minute with a beautiful assist from Cat Rapp. After two penalty kick goals, the open play goal was all the more sweet. "Hannah created a lot for us," Lukic said. "She is good at moving into spaces. It was a different game, there was less space behind today. But she still was able to find different moments to link up with players."
https://twitter.com/MNAuroraFC/status/1666610872767184896
Adler is one of the second-year additions still gaining familiarity with the squad but the Star Tribune Star of the Game said, "It's been a really easy adjustment to come into this team. They've made it really easy for me and yeah, I think just as we continue to grow, our confidence as a group will continue to grow."
According to Lukic, they still have a lot of growing to do. To say she was not thrilled with the team's performance on Wednesday may be an understatement.
"I think we just lacked energy and passion overall at moments and were complacent with the 6-1, at one time 5-0, win. So yeah, I would like to see us stay mentally sharp for 90 minutes and that's something that we've already talked about since the game ended and feel the group agreeing which is a good thing but something we have to be better at going forward."
She went on to describe it as "a mindset problem" -- "It's just one of those things that you can't really put your thumb on but you know something was off" and that is a problem that will need to be fixed as the team moves on to the second half of the season to face teams they haven't yet seen.
"We still have the best opponents in the division left, according to the table right now. Second, third, and fourth place teams, Green Bay and Milwaukee Bavarians, who we haven't seen at all. We'll see City on Sunday so, right away, we should have a good challenge right in front of us, but we're definitely gonna have to play a lot better than we did today to make the payoffs."
While Mariah Nguyen's late goal made SportsCenter's Top Ten at No. 6, it was perhaps a poor decision. Lukic cited over-dribbling multiple times in her critique of the 90-minute performance. Aurora will need to be more purposeful with the ball in upcoming games to continue to earn the accolades they have in the first five weeks of the season. We may see some more shots from distance and quick decisions, like Morgan Stone's goal against RKC last weekend, which was named the league's Goal of the Week. And last Sunday's Star of the Game, Tianna Harris, who was also named Captain of the Team of the Month, will need to pull out all the centerback stops moving forward.
Second-Best Is Up Next (Sunday, June 11: Chicago City SC v. MN Aurora FC)
Chicago City SC is in second place, two points behind Aurora following a draw with Bavarians (the only tie in the Heartland Division thus far). City has only conceded four goals in five games while scoring 14, half of which came against RKC Third Coast just days before Aurora shutout that side 10-0. Sunday's matchup will likely be Aurora's toughest test on the season and it will be a true away environment given the distance from the Twin Cities. Goals are nice, but three points on the road would be a great boost ahead of a two-match home stand this coming week and would put a little distance between Aurora and City as we move into the latter half of the season.
Sunday's action will be streamed live on Eleven Sports.
**Author's notes: This article was first published with Brown's quotes attributed to her teammate Jennifer Reyna -- I had copy/pasted my quote sheet to the roster and did not catch the error until after publishing. We have also corrected an error naming Poorbaugh as the MNA keeper on Sunday - Olivia Graupman played the full match. My sincere apologies for the errors.
Photo Gallery: Minnesota Aurora v Chicago Dutch Lions
Chicago Dutch Lions
With a hat trick from midfielder Hannah Adler (10), Minnesota Aurora defeated Chicago Dutch Lions 6-1 on Wednesday’s match at TCO Stadium.
MN Aurora Score Four on the Road, Take Three Points from Chicago Dutch Lions
In their first road match of 2023, Minnesota Aurora out classed Chicago Dutch Lions at a fitting location, Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois, shutting out their hosts 4-0 and taking the top spot in the division with a game in hand.
Head coach Nicole Lukic made only one change from Wednesday's opener, slotting Jelena Zbiljic in on the right wing for Sophie French, placing all four goalscorers from Wednesday in the XI. The Lions had one more game under their belts going into Saturday but with mixed results, opening the season with a 2-1 win over RKC and a 1-0 loss to Chicago City. Their two goalscorers from that opening match, Katrina Barthelt and Anna Stiffler, earned another start against Minnesota, but neither could overcome Aurora's stingy defense. Goalkeeper Caitlin Richards, who had conceded only two goals in two games, made some solid saves on the night but could not hold off a tested Aurora press. The Aurora Way continues in Year Two.
Saturday's goals were not as fast and furious as Wednesday's but they are just as stunning. Kennedy Faulknor got it started in the 21st minute with a rocket from 35 yards out, burying a postage stamp goal past a leaping Richards.
“Their defense was dropping off, and I had a lot of space,” said center back Kennedy Faulknor. “I thought I’d try to take the shot, and it went in!”
https://twitter.com/MNAuroraFC/status/1662619385620488193
Following the goal, both sides spent far more time working the midfield, with Chicago becoming more physical and Aurora stretching their press a bit rather than camping out in the final third. The second goal came in the 38th when Mariah Nguyen, who was a thorn in the side of CDL's midfield, sprinted down the wing and crossed a ball into the box. Maya Hansen was there for the finish, putting Aurora up 2-0. She would do again in the 43rd, after receiving a ball picked out of CDL's midfield by Cat Rapp, and making a central run on goal and going one on one with Richards, forcing the keeper to commit well off her line before sending the ball past her. It was Hansen's third goal of the season and Aurora's third of the night.
The second half was chippy but more even in terms of possession. Aurora's back line did well to prevent Chicago from getting into shooting positions, let alone scoring positions, but they did have to work a little to keep the clean sheet. The best opportunity for the hosts came from a corner, but even that was not incredibly threatening. Mariah Nguyen, the work horse of the left wing, finally got a goal of her own in the 89th minute, putting a bow on the shutout result with a leaping half volley, ending the night 4-0.
The result sees Aurora leapfrog Chicago City SC to first place in the Heartland Division, with identical records aside from a slim margin in goals scored -- Aurora has 9, CCSC 8. Minnesota Aurora will return home to host RKC at TCO Stadium on Wednesday, May 31, at 7:00 PM CST.
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 9: Recap
Tuesday:
Bavarian Soccer Club 2 vs FC Milwaukee Torrent 0 : Heartland Value Fund Stadium, Glendale, WI - No Stream Announced
The opening match of the week was the WPSL's Milwaukee Derby with the Women's sides of Bavarians and Torrent facing each other. The hosting Bavarians came away with a clean sheet victory at home to take the season series with Torrent.
Wednesday:
Chicago Dutch Lions 1 vs Chicago Red Stars Reserves 1 : Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex, Lisle, IL - Eleven Sports
One of the many battles of Chicago's saw the Dutch Lions host the powerful Red Stars Reserves side. RSR struck first early in the second half but CDL drew the match even later on in the half. For the second time this season RSR has dropped points, this time only dropping two rather than three.
FC Pride 8 vs St. Louis Lions 0 : Pride Performance Center, Indianapolis, IN - No Stream Announced
The season has not been kind to St. Louis who entered the match with an 0-0-8 record and being outscored 38 GA to 6 GF. FC Pride on the other hand was chasing a conference championship. This match was very kind to the hosting Pride but not to the Lions who were shut down badly on the road in their second to last match of the season.
Rochester United FC 1 vs Fire SC 98 1 : Spartan Field at Mayo High School, Rochester, MN - Eleven Sports
A match where points were on the line but not much else other than pride and experience. After a hard fought match it was Rochester who walked away with a win/
Saturday:
Green Bay Glory 0 vs Bavarian Soccer Club 1 : Capital Credit Union Park, Ashwaubenon, WI - Eleven Sports
Green Bay has had a tough go of things in 2021 so far. While they haven't won a match a lot of them have been very competitive. This was no exception as the Glory held strong but still allowed a lone goal for Bavarians to win.
St. Louis Lions 0 vs Lady Victory FC 5 : Tony Glavin Soccer Complex, Fenton, MO - No Stream Announced
The Lions final match of the 2021 season saw them face Lady Victory FC from the other side of the St. Louis area. Just days before the match it was moved from the Tony Glavin Soccer Complex in Fenton to the Lou Fusz Soccer Complex in St. Louis. Before starting it also endured a rain delay and then finally kicked off with a late start. Lady Victory cruised to a big win over St. Louis in the hosts final match of 2021.
Dayton Dutch Lions 3 vs FC Pride 1 : Dayton Outpatient Center Stadium, West Carrolton, OH - Gem City Sports Network
Dayton is sitting at the middle of the table in the Midwest while FC Pride sits near the top. In a stunning upset the Dutch Lions defeated FC Pride in Dayton setting Pride back pretty heavily in a year with no playoffs.
Dakota Fusion 1 vs Salvo SC 10 : Jim Gotta Stadium, Moorhead, MN - Magnitude Sports
Fusion's hopes for a win, a lone win on the season were dashed by Salvo SC. Salvo fired well salvos at Fusion all evening in Moorhead and left back to the Twin Cities with a blowout victory.
Chicago Red Stars Reserves 1 vs FC Milwaukee Torrent 1 : Evergreen Bank Group Athletic Field, Oak Brook, IL - Eleven Sports
After dropping points against the Dutch Lions earlier in the week with a draw it's something Red Stars Reserves wanted to avoid in their second match of the week. However the Torrent were able to hold their own against RSR and come out with a point on a misty Chicago night.
Fire & Ice SC 1 vs Cincinnati Sirens 0 : Althoff Catholic High School Stadium, Belleville, IL - Eleven Sports
In order to stay in the race for the Midwestern Conference, Fire & Ice needed to defeat Cincinnati. And they did that in a very close match.
Sunday:
Fire & Ice SC 2 vs Lady Victory FC 4 : Althoff Catholic High School Stadium, Belleville, IL - Eleven Sports
Another one that Fire & Ice needed to win to keep pace with the division leaders. This was not meant to be as Lady Victory FC ran away with a massive 4-2 win over Fire & Ice. This win puts Lady Victory up over FC Pride by 5 points with two matches left on the season.
Columbus Eagles 0 vs Dayton Dutch Lions 4 : Bernlohr Stadium at Capital University, Bexley, OH - Eleven Sports
This was the final match of the WPSL season for Columbus and the penultimate match of 2021 for the Dutch Lions. Columbus did not go out on a strong note as the Dutch Lions shut down and shut out the Eagles in suburban Columbus.
WPSL Central Region Week 9: Preview
Tuesday:
Bavarian Soccer Club vs FC Milwaukee Torrent: 7 PM - Heartland Value Fund Stadium, Glendale, WI - No Stream Announced
While neither team technically in Milwaukee this is a match between to sides from MKE and second match in the Milwaukee Derby should prove to be as exciting as ever. Bavarian SC (2-2-1, 8 points) host the Torrent (3-2-2, 11 points) at Heartland Value Fund Stadium at Bavarian Soccer Park. Currently Bavarian SC are 2-1-0 with a major win over Red Stars Reserves in their last three matches. Torrent meanwhile are also sitting at 2-1-0 with wins over Chicago Dutch Lions and Chicago City, the draw between the two sides falls within both teams last three.
Wednesday:
Chicago Dutch Lions vs Chicago Red Stars Reserves: 6 PM - Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex, Lisle, IL - Eleven Sports
Red Stars Reserves dominance has been shown to not be as much as previously thought. With their 1-0 loss to Bavarians and BSC's 1-1 draw with the Chicago Dutch Lions this looks to be a very formidable opponent for RSR. RSR does hold a game in hand and a four point advantage over the Dutch Lions. Staying in title contention will require a win as a draw, while would technically keep CDL mathematically in the chase, will effectively end the chance. However this will take a lot of work for the Dutch Lions to knock down the mighty Red Stars Reserves after CDL lost 4-0 to RSR in their season opener.
FC Pride vs St. Louis Lions: 7 PM - Pride Performance Center, Indianapolis, IN - No Stream Announced
Unlike the Northern Conference who played just an 8 game schedule with the same amount of teams the Midwestern Conference has a 12 match slate and full double round robin. This means almost everyone in the Midwestern Conference is within range of taking the title, currently the top spot is owned by Lady Victory. However an FC Pride win will snag that spot from Lady Victory, at least for a bit. While for the Lions this match is another attempt to get win number one in 2021.
Rochester United FC vs Fire SC 98: 7 PM - Spartan Field at Mayo High School, Rochester, MN - Eleven Sports
With the Northern Conference title being between MapleBrook and the Minnesota Thunder this match is really just for pride and playing time for both sides. RUFC should be able to handle the Thunder fairly easily in the Lions final match of 2021.
Saturday:
Green Bay Glory vs Bavarian Soccer Club: 1 PM - Capital Credit Union Park, Ashwaubenon, WI - Eleven Sports
Green Bay has a tough match on their hands against Bavarians on Saturday afternoon. The 0-1-6 (1 point) Glory host the 3-2-1 (11 points) Bavarian SC in the first match of a home and home series between the teams. While Glory cannot shoot for the division title they'll look to earn only their second set of points in 2021. Bavarians on the other hand have four games left and 12 possible points, more than anyone else in the conference. With that they have a great chance at unseating RSR from the top spot in the conference over the next few matches.
St. Louis Lions vs Lady Victory FC: 2 PM - Tony Glavin Soccer Complex, Fenton, MO - No Stream Announced
Lady Victory sits second in the Midwestern Conference just a point back from FC Pride who currently hold the lead in the conference. With five matches to play for Lady Victory the Midwestern Conference championship is up for the taking. The host Lions on the other hand are still looking to get their first win or even points of the season, entering this afternoon at 0-0-9.
Dayton Dutch Lions vs FC Pride: 3:30 PM - Dayton Outpatient Center Stadium, West Carrolton, OH - Gem City Sports Network
Dayton is out of the race for the conference title at this point with a record of 2-3-4 (9 points) with three matches to play. On the other hand FC Pride leads the conference by one point with three matches left. A win is not only imperative to FC Pride but also very necessary to keep themselves in the face as Lady Victory has two games in hand over Pride.
Dakota Fusion vs Salvo SC: 5:00 PM - Jim Gotta Stadium, Moorhead, MN - Magnitude Sports
The Northern Conference inches ever closer to the close of their 2021 season and with no playoffs and the division title race at least partially decided this is more or less a friendly that happens to have points on the line. The Fusion women will want to claim points and avoid finishing 0-0-8 this season while Salvo will try to redeem themselves after a 2-1 loss to MapleBrook.
Chicago Red Stars Reserves vs FC Milwaukee Torrent: 7 PM - Evergreen Bank Group Athletic Field, Oak Brook, IL - Eleven Sports
RSR are very much showing they are not an unbeatable juggernaut like most season. With a loss to Bavarians and the Dutch Lions forcing a draw RSR have dropped four points this year, making the Lake Michigan Conference ripe for the taking. With a win the Torrent women would tie RSR on points at the top of the conference and both sides enter with an identical 1-1-1 run of form in their last three.
Fire & Ice SC vs Cincinnati Sirens: 7 PM - Althoff Catholic High School Stadium, Belleville, IL - Eleven Sports
Back in the Midwestern Conference again and another match with pretty huge implications for the table. The Sirens are also a single point back of FC Pride and also have two games in hand, the only loss the Sirens have been dealt was against Lady Victory in their last outing. Fire & Ice are even on matches with FC Pride but are 5-1-3 with 16 points. A loss would put a massive dent in the trophy hopes of Fire & Ice while it wouldn't be a massive issue to the Sirens. On the other hand a win will possibly get the Sirens to the top of the standings.
Sunday:
Fire & Ice SC vs Lady Victory FC: 2 PM - Althoff Catholic High School Stadium, Belleville, IL - Eleven Sports
After both sides won on Saturday they came into another big match regarding the Midwestern Conference title. Just a two point difference between the sides showed the title was still up for grabs. Fire & Ice will 100% need to win to stay in the title race as they have one match left. Anything less and Lady Victory inches closer to a Conference Championship and Fire & Ice's hopes are dashed.
Columbus Eagles vs Dayton Dutch Lions: 2 PM - Bernlohr Stadium at Capital University, Bexley, OH - Eleven Sports
Another Midwestern Conference match between two sides closer to the bottom of the table. Neither side can challenge for the conference title so this is a battle for price, experience, and Ohio.
* All Times CT
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.