Tulsa Athletic 4 - 0 Arkansas Wolves

What a match for Aboubakr Sidiki Moubarak Diallo, pulling a hat trick in the shutout win over Arkansas Wolves. Joseph Garcia would add another for Athletic, who cruised to the 4-0 win over Wolves. Tulsa is two points behind OKC 1889 in the Heartland standings, a product of their week 3 home loss. The team will have a chance in two weeks to return the favor and with only three matches left on their schedule, every point will be vital! Wolves is only halfway through its 2021 schedule but has yet to win a match, only earning points from a couple of draws. While it appears the Arkansas expansion side won’t finish atop the standings, a solid run in their final matches could salvage the season.

Med City celebrates a score against Duluth. Photo credit: Holden Law

MPLS City 3 - 2 Joy Athletic

7 wins, 21 points, +20 GD, MPLS City is this the year the Crows finally win a league title? That story is yet unwritten, but with three of their final five matches at home, it appears the Crows are locked in at the top spot in the North. This match saw the Crows fall behind in the first half, after Darley Florvil scored early for the Goats. MPLS City would answer back just before halftime, netting two (Will Kidd and Lionel Vang) and taking the lead, which they wouldn’t give up for the rest of the match. Both clubs would add one more goal apiece, Justin Oliver for MPLS City and Emmanuel Iwe for Joy, finishing 3-2. It should be interesting to see if City can continue this run AND if success in the North will finally mean success in the national playoffs.

OKC 1889 9 - 1 Dallas City FC

OKC came to the NPSL this year and have been an unexpected force. Undefeated so far and number one in the Heartland, they are riding a 5 match win streak that began in week 2. And these matches haven’t been close. This week’s matchup with Dallas City was over early. Fabian Forisch led the team with an early brace and Victor Arias followed up with a hat trick of his own. Four other OKC players scored to get to the final tally. 1889 has a pair of home matches next, with third-place Demize this Friday and second-place Tulsa Athletic the week after. Regardless of the result, OKC 1889 has planted its flag this season in a big way.

Atlantic City FC 4 - 1 First State FC

Atlantic City FC looked the part of a top of the table team in its match against First State FC. Johnny Fenwick scored a brace to kick off the scoring and Atlantic City would be up 3-0 before First State managed a single goal. Atlantic City is still without a loss this season, clinging to first at 5-0-1, with West Chester United nipping at its heels. First State fell to 7th in the conference with the loss and will look to bounce back against current third-place club, FC Motown, next weekend.

Laredo Heat in action. Photo credit: Laredo Heat SC

Duluth FC 4 - 0 Dakota Fusion FC

Duluth FC continues to have a strong showing this season, tallying another win against a North Conference opponent, Dakota Fusion FC. After scoring a goal in the 2nd minute, Sidney Warden followed with another in the 34th, really shutting the door on DFFC early. Those two goals put Warden into a four-way tie for top scorer in the league with 8 goals this season. Two other players, Jacob Daffern and Michael Devlin, would also add to the total. Duluth sits third in the conference, behind MPLS City and Med City FC. Duluth will have a chance to change that standing with another match against Med City, this first being a 2-1 midweek loss. Dakota Fusion will face Joy St. Louis Park next, hoping to find its second win of the season.

This Weekend’s Match to Watch

Med City vs. Duluth FC

This is a big matchup in the North and with matches dwindling, it could decide if either of these clubs will challenge conference-leader MPLS City. While the Crows are dominating the conference currently, the next two sides are separated by 3 points, meaning this match will be big. Med City will host this match on Saturday, after winning the away fixture earlier this week. Can Med City sweep the series or will Duluth even the score and the standings. We’ll find out Saturday!