The top four squads in the NPSL have made it to the league semi finals. FC Motown will host Columbus United in New Jersey and El Farolito FC are set to welcome Duluth FC to San Francisco’s Kezar Stadium. Let’s take a look at how they got here and how they stack up.

Let’s get stuck the heck in!

FC Motown vs Columbus United

Sat, 07/27 - 4:00pm PST / 7:00pm EST at Ranger Stadium in Madison, NJ

How they got here: The 2022 NPSL Champions, FC Motown, finished 1st in their Keystone East Division this year with 8 wins, 2 draws and zero losses - earning 26 points. Along the way they allowed only 4 goals to be scored with a +23 goal differential. They have not lost since March 21st, in the US Open Cup 1st Round, to NYCFC II and last week totally blew away a very good New York Shockers side, 5-0, in the East Regional. Motown are set to play Columbus United, out of Georgia NOT Ohio and with the home crowd behind them, may be looking to score early and often to put the game to bed as soon as possible.

However, Columbus United are “Road Warriors,” having won 4 consecutive playoff games on the bounce - they’ve been away to Pensacola, Jacksonville, Hickory, and West Texas and have travelled 6,214 miles, according to their social media post! They won’t be phased by a little noise. On the other hand, they finished only 4th in their Gulf Coast, Sunshine Division with 4 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses. Having only scored 16 goals and allowing 12 in, they are not the epitome of a stalwart defense. If Columbus’ playoff form holds, then this will be a wild one with lots of goals and a tight finish.

Winner Plays the winner of El Farolito FC vs Duluth FC

El Farolito vs Duluth FC

Sat, 07/27 - 6:30pm PST / 9:30pm EST at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, CA

How they got here: El Farolito FC won the Golden Gate conference, handily, going unbeaten with 9 wins and 3 draws. They also won they hearts of lower league soccer lovers across the country with their exciting US Open Cup run - wins over the Portland Timbers 2 of MLSNP and Central Valley Fuego of USL League One, brought them into the national spotlight and the winners of the 1993 USOC will be laser-focused on winning this league and getting back into the tournament proper. El Farolito had the 3rd best goal differential in the league with +34 (just behind Las Vegas on +38 and Annapolis who had +37) scoring 42 goals and only allowing 8 to get past them.

Duluth FC finished 2nd in the Midwest North on 7 wins, a draw and a loss. An impressive haul of 13 goals in 12 games played by Edouard Nys, had him finished 3rd in the Golden Boot race and he leads the line for Duluth against El Faro. They too have been “Road Warriors,” winning away in the last 3 playoff games - including an impressive and exciting 3-2 over Steel City FC last time out. While league finals can disappoint, league semi finals often do not - look for this game to be all fireworks in San Francisco.

by Josh Duder