While much of the NPSL is still in preseason mode, one conference is well into the regular season. The West is out of hibernation and the Golden Gate Conference is already 3 matches deep into the schedule and what we know so far is…not much! Currently 5 teams (in a 9 team conference) are in a logjam at the top of the standings.

Contra Costa 5 - 1 Sacramento Gold FC

In what was the most surprising match of last weekend, Contra Costa took down Sacramento Gold FC in a massively lopsided result, 5-1. Few would have expected that kind of a result as it was the first loss for SGFC and the first win for Contra Costa. Nathaniel Carrasco had a hat-trick for CC in the win. The Cal Golden Bear Sophomore is having a massive impact for his club and running away with the golden boot, averaging 2 goals a match (6 in 3 games!). Contra Costa still has plenty of work to get back into the scrum on the top of the table and will Oakland Stompers this weekend. Sacramento Gold will host Academica SC.

El Farolito 1 - 0 Napa Valley 1839 FC

It was a tight match between El Farolito and top of the table Napa Valley 1839 last weekend. In a match with 7 total yellows between the clubs, a single goal would make the difference. That goal would come in the 79th minute from Pedro Ferreira and would give El Farolito its second win of the 2022 campaign. The home side would manage to make that goal stand up, while slowing Napa Valley’s biggest scoring threat Dario Pavon, who has 3 goals in 2022 regular season play already. El Farolito will be on the road this weekend to face Oakland SC, while NV1839 will travel to Sonoma County Sol FC.

Oakland SC 3 - 1 Oakland Stompers

Oakland SC took the battle of Oakland 3-1 over the Stompers who have yet to win a match this season. After a scoreless first half, OSC got a trio of goals from Julio Cervantes, Matt Fondy, and Francisco Mendoza. Fondy’s name might hit a little different from the others, given his time in MLS, USL, and NISA. His goal marks his first appearance with Oakland, so it should be interesting to see how his NPSL career progresses, given his pedigree. Cervantes goal was his second in 2022. Oakland Stompers will get Contra Costa next at home, and will hope to snap the visiting club’s good fortune from last weekend. Oakland SC will face El Farolito, currently 7th on the table.

This Weekend

With only Golden Gate in action for one more weekend, I’ve got limited options, but my eyes will be on the Sonoma County Sol FC hosting Napa Valley 1839 FC. The Sol will be coming off a bye week after losing the week before. Napa Valley, of course, just lost to El Farolito, so both clubs will be coming into this match looking to get back to their winning ways. With both clubs in the that stack at the top of the table, making headway is a priority as quickly as possible.

- Dan Vaughn