NPSL is heating up and we had some straight bangers this week! It’s a big league, so we made it bite-sized, highlighting 3 of the big matches from last weekend and looking forward to another this upcoming week. It’s 3+1!

Review

FC Motown 4-0 FC Monmouth

The I-287 Derby had plenty of goals but all for one side. FC Motown looked every bit of a conference leader on Saturday, demolishing third-place FC Monmouth 4-0. Goals from Assane, Falla, and Germain made this a route as Motown had zero problems finding space between the backline to score goals. It was a dominate performance from last year’s Regional Finalists, who look every bit ready to have another long run into the playoffs. The win puts FC Motown solidly in the top spot in the Division, with a 3-1-0 record. Next week FC Motown takes on WC Predators while Monmouth will face Jackson Lions.

.@fc_motown win the I-287 Derby against @WeAreMonmouth and maintain 1st place in the @NPSLSoccer Keystone East Conference. pic.twitter.com/fc7XMZb7yK
— New Logical (@newlogicaltech) May 26, 2024

Ft. Worth Vaqueros 2 - 2 Lubbock Matadors

It was Military Appreciation Night in Ft. Worth and it looks like that theme carried onto the playing field. This match featured one of the best shots you’ll see all year, 3 red cards, and a last second equalizer. Couldn’t ask for much more!

Lubbock Matadors kicked the scoring off in the FIRST MINUTE. Evan Howard beat the Vaquero backline on a streaking run and then shot through the keeper to score the first goal of the match. The best chance of the first half came on a penalty for Ft. Worth, but Lubbock’s keeper Eduard Garcia was up for it and blocked the shot, keeping his team up. Dueling red cards left both teams down a man at the half. The second half started the same as the first, with Howard again catching the backline napping and firing a shot from the keeper’s left into the net.

Here’s the first goal by Michael Grimm! pic.twitter.com/sYl0wpVCA8
— Fort Worth Vaqueros (@FtWorthVaqueros) May 26, 2024

And then Ft. Worth woke up. Michael Grimm hit one of the best shots I’ve seen all season. Absolutely crushing an unstoppable ball from miles outside the box. Keeper dove, but it didn’t matter. After a second red card, given to the Vaqueros keeper, all looked to be lost for the homeside, but Francisco Jaramillo found the end of a corner kick and headed it into the goal at the death. Spectacular match. Wow.

865 Alliance 0-3 Appalachian FC

Appalachian continued its undefeated 2024 campaign with a big 3-0 win over 865 Alliance. After Jacobo Rodriguez picked up back to back yellows in the first 30 minutes, it was game over. The squatchie visitors scored three over their undermanned opponents and cruised to their 2nd win of the season. Daniel Becerra Güell started the scoring for Appalachian FC and Elie Bokota finished it with a brace. Solid win on the road. Appalachian faces Bristol Rhythm AFC this week while 865 Alliance will go on the road to face Port City.

Preview

Annapolis Blues vs DMV Elite

Annapolis has something special going on, finding fans in a way we’ve never seen before in amateur soccer. The team is loved and is paying its fans back by winning. After kicking off the season with a dominant 12-0 win, the Blues are now 3-0 and cruising. They’ll face DMV Elite this week, who are coming off a 8-0 win of their own last week.

- Dan Vaughn