Arkansas Wolves 3 - 3 Tulsa Athletic

Tulsa Athletic made the journey to Arkansas to take on a new Little Rock club, given the exit of Little Rock Rangers to USL2. If Tulsa expected a cake walk, they were mistaken. The 2019 conference champions limped out with a draw, with goals coming from three different players. Wolves got a brace from Oscar Herrera and an 87th minute equalizer from Matheus Ribeiro, the 28-year-old Brazilian. It was a great match and signaled that the Heartland Conference could be a battle throughout this year.

Tallahassee SC 1 - 2 Jacksonville Armada

Tallahassee kicked off their first season in the NPSL with a home loss to Jacksonville. Jacksonville finished fourth in the Sunshine Conference in 2019, but moved to the newly established Gulf Coast Conference. The Conference is a mishmash of clubs, either new to the league or returning from hiatus, so it should be interesting to see who climbs to the top of the conference this year. Jacksonville got two goals from University of North Florida forward, Jovoney Brown. Cole Redd scored the goal for TSC in the 90th minute.

Metro Louisville FC 1 - 1 Appalachian FC

This matchup was an interesting one, with neither club having played a single NPSL match leading into this season. Metro Louisville kicked off the scoring early, notching a goal in the 17th minute. The goal scorer, Kornell Hillard, is a former USL2 player and a standout attacker for Spalding University. With the early goal, it looked like the hometown team would kick off their 2021 season with 3 points, but Appalachian FC would answer back in the 86th minute from a corner kick. The in-swinging kick was headed into goal by Tahzeiko Harris. From the sound on the video, there was a loud contingent of traveling supporters for the well-branded NPSL freshman club.

Souther States SC in action this weekend. (Photo from SSSC social media)

Other Results of Note

Southern States SC 3 - 0 AFC Mobile

Georgia Storm SA 0 - 1 Georgia Revolution FC

This Weekend’s Match to Watch

Sioux Falls Thunder v Minneapolis City SC

2019 saw MPLS City win the North Conference by a single point, with a total of 28. Sioux Falls, on the other hand, finished that season with 8 points. On paper, this shouldn’t be much of a contest, so why is this the match to watch? Because Minneapolis has had one of the craziest years of any city in the country. Covid affected everyone world-wide, but the city was forced to face the challenges of a pandemic AND the brutal murder of George Floyd by the police and the resulting protests, trial, and conviction of the officer responsible. Tough year. So given the shittiness of the year, we can all enjoy watching MPLS City go on the road and highlight the twin cities for something positive!