Kingston Stockade 2 - 2 Valeo FC

I picked this match as the one to watch last weekend, as both clubs battled for the top spot in the North Atlantic Conference. This match was wild with Valeo scoring twice in the first 10 minutes (Alex Nagy and Andre Simmond) then holding the lead until the final 10 minutes. Stockade score twice after the 80th to even the score and take home a single road point. Petro Klishch and Richard Morris scored for the visiting Kingston side. With the draw, both clubs remain in the top two spots, with Kingston holding the slimmest of leads (2 points) with only two matches remaining. Valeo FC has a slightly tougher final two matches with all to play for.

FC Milwaukee Torrent 7 - 2 FC Indiana

Torrent, second in the NPSL’s power rankings, showed why in this steamrolling home win of FC Indiana. The scoring kicked off in the 6th minute and FCMT kept the pressure on high the entire match. Alexander Fillan scored a brace, while Ian Cerro, Shemar De Gannes, Tony Doellefeld, Malik Mennana all added goals. The visiting side did score two (Ricardo John, Andrew Revanales) but wasn’t able to put up much struggle against the undefeated Great Lakes leader. Three matches to go for Torrent (including one to watch this weekend), while FC Indiana has four matches remaining (including a rematch with Torrent) to find a win this season.

Denton Diablos 6 - 1 Coyotes FC

The margin in the Lone Star Conference is razor thin, with Diablos holding the top spot thanks to Laredo having played one more match (and drawing). The NPSL uses a pts/match system to order the table, so Diablos have a .1 margin currently. Which makes matches like this one, against Coyotes FC, all the more important. Trevor Amann, Ricardo Becerra, Sam Coad, and Carlos Manriquez each had a goal apiece, while Carlos Flores added a brace of PKs. Edgar Soto managed to punch a late one in to avoid a shutout for the away side.

Naples United and CFSC Panthers battle. Photo credit: Scott A. Miller Photography

Tulsa Athletic 2 - 0 OKC 1889 FC

Tulsa repaid the upstarts with a big 2-0 win on the road last weekend. Aboubakr Sidiki Moubarak Diallo and Whitney Gonsalves were the goalscorers for Tulsa, helping Tulsa Athletic hold on to the third spot in the conference, even with OKC 1889 and just barely behind leaders Demize NPSL. This conference has been tight all season and every club has only a handful of matches left. Tulsa only has a single match (July 10th against Reign FC) while OKC has two (Demize NPSL and Arkansas Wolves). How those final matches go will determine who wins the Heartland in 2021.

West Chester United 2 - 0 FC Monmouth

West Chester United managed to slow down NPSL leading scorer, Walter Calderon, and took home the 2-0 result. Ryan Kingsford scored late in the first half, while Adam Azab added a second goal at the death. With the win, West Chester United stays in the top spot of the Keystone Conference, just clear of Atlantic City FC. WCU only has two opponents left to face (FC Motown and Torch FC) while FC Monmouth travels to Atlantic City FC next week for its final test of 2021 regular season.

A MPLS City takes a shot. Photo Credit: Daniel Mick Photography

Minneapolis City Clinches Playoff Berth and NPSL Conference Title

Congratulations to everyone’s favorite bird team on putting together a monster season in two leagues! The Crows clinched the NPSL North Conference with two matches to go, showing just how dominate the team has been all season. Currently sitting at 10-0-0, MPLS City crushed this season, scoring 40 goals and giving up 7, that’s an eye-popping GD of 33, tops in the NPSL. It’s why the club is in the top spot of the NPSL Power Rankings. Of note, the MPLS City U23 squad, which plays in the UPSL Midwest Division, is sitting atop their division, undefeated. It’s been a big year for City!

This Weekend’s Match to Watch

Carpathia FC vs. FC Milwaukee Torrent

This is a matchup between the 1 and 2 teams in Great Lakes Conference, though Torrent has a mile’s worth of breathing room at the moment. If Carpathia wants to make this a contest, taking on Torrent at home is probably its best bet.