It seems like the NPSL season just kicked off, but this weekend we’re already to the final match. In a battle of two deserving finalists, FC Motown will host Crossfire Redmond on Saturday to decide the NPSL Championship. Both of these clubs have tremendous pedigree in the NPSL and beyond. Crossfire Redmond is a talent-producing powerhouse, with a laundry list of players now playing in MLS and around the world. FC Motown is no slouch on that front as well, but with the added accolade of being a runner-up to the NPSL championship in 2018. These are worthy opponents.

Crossfire Redmond

Photo Credit: Jeremy Clark, MuskegonSports.com

Crossfire Redmond is the classic story of getting hot at the right moment. While the team struggled in the Pacific Conference, finishing with a 4-1-5 record (good enough for third in the final standings), Crossfire went into the playoffs clicking. The Washington club knocked off #1 seed International Portland Select in the opening round 3-2, before blowing out FC Arizona 4-0 in the Pacific Conference title match. CFR would need penalties to beat Golden Gate Conference Champion El Farolito, advancing (4) 2-2 (2).

In the national semifinals, Crossfire traveled to Midwest Champion Muskegon Risers. Christian Soto would open the scoring in the 20th minute, followed by Omar Grey in the 36th, putting Crossfire up early with a commanding 2 goal lead. River Stewart would put in another insurance goal late in the second half and CFR would advance to the national title match, 3-0. In a post-match interview with NPSL.com, Redmond head coach Bill Colello highlighted the flexibility of his roster after the match. “The group is a very good group. They’re very athletic. All those guys will go to their college teams and be really good college players…The guys were really good tonight, and with all the stuff, all the travel, I’m pretty proud of them and the way they handled it. It was a great game for us.”

Crossfire Redmond is hard to predict, given the playoff energy we’ve seen so far from the club. It stands in stark contrast to the regular season performances. Aside from a 6-0 blowout of SC Brave Lions, the club was not particularly prolific in scoring. Coach Colello attributed the change in play to some foreign-based players returning to the squad just before the playoffs. Those fresh legs may be the key to the club’s great run in the playoffs and a potential national championship.

FC Motown

FC Motown emerged from the Keystone Conference regular season with a 7-1-2 record and sitting in the top spot. Keystone was especially competitive this year, with Electric City Shock tying FCM in record and goal differential. West Chester United and Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals were just a hair behind the front runners. It was a tight race all season long.

For FC Motown, this season has been one of intense sorrow and inspiration. On March 26th, Motown Defender Sainclair Tueno-Nguimfack was struck by a car and eventually succumbed to his injuries. It was a shocking moment for the entire NPSL community, but clearly the New Jersey club decided to make the most of this season to honor Tueno-Nguimfack’s memory.

When the Keystone playoffs kicked off, FC Motown faced off against 4-seed Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals and came away with a solid 2-0 win. That earned the club a ticket to Keystone Conference Championship against perennial powerhouse West Chester United. That match was a bruiser, ending in penalty kicks (4) 2-2 (2). In the East Regional Semifinals, FCM dominated New York Shockers 4-1, really showing their quality. The East Regional Championship was more of the same, as Motown crushed fan-favorite Appalachian FC 3-0. After playing so many matches on the way to the National Semi-finals, the New Jersey side earned a date with South Regional Champion Tulsa-Athletic.

The NPSL National Semi-final was a fun one. After both clubs battled through a scoreless first half, Tulsa Athletic would draw first blood minutes into the second, when Reed Berry would put one into the net. Berry was consistently dangerous in the second half, with Motown’s keeper, David Greczek, denying several chances for the Tulsa attacker. With the score remaining at a tight 1-0 margin, Motown would find an equalizer in the 85th minute. Second half sub Coby Handy was the hero for Motown. Joe Holland would find the winner in the 89th, bringing heartbreak to Tulsa and elation to FC Motown. After the match, Motown defender, Jean Voltaire highlighted the inspiration for their tough play. “We started the season slow but we kept fighting and fighting. We have only one goal and that’s to fight for Sainclair. We said we’re going to win the championship for him, and now we’re in the final so now we have to make it for him.”

In the regular season, FC Motown’s attack was good, scoring just over 3 goals a match. Attacker Assane Ben Fall was third in the Eastern Conference in scoring with 9 goals in 10 matches. Defensively the club gave up 13 goals all regular season, tied for second most-stingy in the Keystone Conference. Since the playoff run began, the club has clearly upped the defensive pressure, only surrendering 4 goals in 5 matches, with 2 shutouts. The club is in top form for the Championship match.

Prediction: I am the world-worst at predicting winners, you should ask the NISA crowd, but I’m game to the challenge. Crossfire has a ton of positive momentum and fresh legs heading into this final, while Motown is inspired and been here before. That’s a contrast that should be exciting for anyone watching. I’ll take inspiration for the win and pick Motown to hoist the trophy on Saturday night.

- Dan Vaughn