With the big amateur leagues back in the swing of things, we’re bringing back our 3+1 series. Each week we’ll recap 3 of the best matches from the previous week, then preview 1 of the upcoming week’s matches. Hence the name, 3+1! Here’s this week’s edition.

Recap

Hickory FC 2 - 0 Apotheos FC

Apotheos FC hasn’t been in the NPSL long, but made it all the way to the Championship match last season. If history repeats itself, we might not have to wait long for Hickory FC to have a great run. Hickory’s first home match of its existence kicked off in front of a great crowd in Hickory, North Carolina on Saturday night. No official number for attendance as of yet, but the crowd was loud and supportive for the first match of the season. Scoreless in the first half, HFC had chances, but wouldn’t find the net until early in the second half. A cross into the box went off a trailing defender and the first goal in the history of the club was an own goal scored by the visiting side. But the homeside would find a goal to claim for its own when hometown boy Jorge Jimenez would hit a beautiful shot from just outside the top of the box. It would beat the keeper and the crowd went wild. 2-0 statement win for Hickory and puts them ahead of the rest of the Southeast Conference early on.

FCAZ Tucson 1 - 4 FC Arizona

While a lot of the NPSL is just coming online for the 2024 season, the Southwest Conference is already a month into action. FC Arizona got points in its 4th consecutive match, putting them solidly in second in the conference behind Las Vegas Legends. For Tucson it was a big blow, given their impressive win over top dog Legends in their last matchup. Isaiah Benjamin did the bulk of the damage for FCA, with 2 goals and an assist. His goals would come in the first 10 minutes of play, really cementing the dominance of his club. J. Martin Montealegre managed to get one back for Tucson, but that was all his team could manage.

Napa Valley 1839 FC 1 - 2 Sacramento Gold

Few conferences are as far down the road as the Golden Gate Conference in the NPSL. The first match kicked off in the second week of March, so we’re almost two full months into the season for these clubs. Currently, USOC darling El Farolito is sitting atop the standings, undefeated and with two matches in hand. But just behind them is Napa Valley, who only had a single loss heading into this weekend. Of course, Sacramento Gold added a second to that list. Gold sits in the 4th position in the conference and needs every point to claw back into the top. This match kicked off with a first half own goal that put Gold up for all of three minutes before Napa’s Sebastian Carbajal slotted it home for his fourth goal of the season. Carbajal was dangerous all match and had multiple goals called off for offside. That 1-1 score would hold until the second half, when Sacramento’s Francisco Magaña scored the winner from a set piece. Big three points for Sacramento Gold in a tight Golden Gate Conference.

Preview

FC Arizona vs FCAZ Tucson

Yup, they are going back at it again! That happens a lot in these smaller conferences, back to back matchups. FC Arizona is second second with just two weeks to go in their NPSL season. FCAZ Tucson is basically eliminated but can play revenging spoiler. You love to see it!

- Dan Vaughn