DETROIT CITY FC v NEW AMSTERDAM FC

Saturday, September 5th @ 7:30PM ET (Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck MI)

One team is looking for its first win in NISA, the other is looking for its first goal of the season. It’s 180 minutes and counting for Le Rouge as this attacking group looks to finally break through and put some balls into the net. Changes in personnel led to more chances against Michigan Stars, so it will be interesting to see which players get the starting nod. One player who will be in the lineup without question is Stephen Carroll, anchoring the defensive line. Carroll has been the best player for DCFC so far this season.

NAFC has started its inaugural season with The Stomp during the game with the Cosmos, followed by the decision to not play against Chattanooga FC the following weekend in response to the Jacob Blake shooting. Have these two events brought this newly-formed band of brothers together? A game at Keyworth will be a good test for that. It will be interesting to see if the recent signings will become more prominent in their roles on the team.

LOS ANGELES FORCE v OAKLAND ROOTS SC

Sunday, September 6th @ 8PM ET (Championship Stadium, Irvine CA)

How are things on the West Coast?

Well, we’re about to find out as the California-based NISA teams begin their brief Fall 2020 season.

Of all the NISA clubs, LA Force has arguably been the hardest to get a read on what they want to be. Well, that’s gotten even harder – at least for one game. Our good friend and noted NISA roster watcher Dan Creel posted on social media the number of changes in the LA Force lineup from the Spring 2020 edition, and wow – he is not kidding. With assistant coach Patryk Tenorio taking over as caretaker, and an almost complete makeover of the squad, we will all have to watch and see what the Fall 2020 version of the Force brings onto the field.

Oakland is bringing back much of its same lineup with one notable exception – midfielder Benji Joya. The former Liga MX and MLS player was released by the Roots in April after his arrest. Joya was instrumental in the Roots offense, and it remains to be seen who will pick things up and feed Jack McInerney. Both games the Roots will be playing in this abbreviated season will be on the road – no games at Laney. Without the backing of the packed house in Oakland, how will the Roots fare?