Demize 4 - 1 Arkansas Wolves

Arkansas Wolves jumped out to the early lead in the 22nd minute, but it was all Demize after. Four different players for Arkansas scored - Jake Buckle, John Clout, Quentin Hornung, and Jeremiah Musa - putting Demize in the driver’s seat for the match and into second place in the NPSL Heartland. Wait, you say, how are they second? Doesn’t Tulsa Athletic have more points? Yes, you would be correct. However, NPSL uses points PER MATCH to determine table position. And Demize leads that category 2 to 1.6. Demize drew Tulsa on Tuesday this week as well.

FC Monmouth 11 - 1 Torch FC

A couple of matches this week were absolute blowouts and this was the biggest of the weekend with Monmouth pumping in 11(!) against Torch FC. Man of the match was definitely Walter Calderon who was responsible for 6 in this match, grabbing a double hat trick and catipulting himself to the front of the NPSL Golden Boot list! The scoreline had me wondering how Torch scored 1, being so overmatched. It was an own goal. Monmouth stays dead center in the Keystone standings, with Torch one spot lower. Better days for Torch in the future, hopefully!

Miami Dutch Lions 10 - 0 Storm FC

The other big blowout of the weekend was Miami Dutch Lions scoring 10 against Storm FC. The win puts the Lions into first in the Sunshine Conference with a perfect 2-0 record. Scoring was pretty evenly distributed in this one, with Presten Manthey, Thijs Middeldorp, Riki Soto, and Phillip Spickenbaum each grabbing a brace in the match. Storm falls to the bottom of the standings with 4 losses in as many matches with a -21 goal differential. They’ll face one-win Miami United this weekend, hoping for better results.

MPLS City in action. Photo credit: Daniel Mick Photo

FC Baltimore Christos 5 - 0 Virginia Beach City FC

Christos kicked off their 2021 NPSL campaign with a solid win over VBCFC. The team, which has dealt with the recent passing of Christos founder James Haslip, added a “JH” patch to their sleeves for this season. Spencer Hanks would open the scoring 3 minutes in and Christos never looked back. Alejandro Arbelaez would score a brace in the win that put FCBC at the top of their conference. Head coach Larry Sancomb, quoted in a NPSL.com recap, was thrilled with the result. “We got better on our final third passing, we pressed the game better in the corners…we are an offensive machine but our defensive guys did a great job. Jordan Ehart played freakin’ phenomenal. Ben Bender was really good in that ten spot and it gave them problems.”

The first place Diablos celebrate their 2021 Chisholm Trail Classico win. Photo credit: Denton Diablos

Denton Diablos 7 - 2 Fort Worth Vaqueros

Welp, can’t deny that I expected this matchup to be a bit closer this year, but Denton closes out the 2021 Chisholm Trail Classico with a dominating win over its crosstown rival. While Allyson Angieski would open the scoring with a quick goal for Fort Worth in the opening minutes, Denton would do all the scoring from that point on (including an own goal). The scoring was spread evenly through the roster, with 6 Diablos scoring a single goal apiece. Aside from winning the rivalry match, Denton continues to stay in the top spot of the Lone Star Conference with an unblemished 3-0 record. Denton will travel to Laredo tomorrow to take on Heat SC, who are currently 1-1-1 and in 5th spot in the conference.

Atlantic City 4 - 2 West Chester United FC

The match that John Howard-Fusco attempted to attend (he eventually did make it for the second half) took place on an ugly Northeast day. “Windy and wet,” according to the Knight. It was less back and forth than the score line would imply, with WCUFC only scoring once in the second half (the other was an own goal by Atlantic City). The result of the match means Atlantic City stays on top of the Keystone Conference while West Chester United falls to third. Atlantic City will face a big task this weekend, playing second place FC Motown for the top spot. WCUFC will face 6th place Electric City Shock.

Jacksonville Armada in action with Port City FC. Photo Credit: NPSL

This Weekend’s Match to Watch

Georgia Revolution v. Georgia Storm

This Saturday, we’ll have an important match between two Georgia teams fighting for first in the Southeast Conference. Unlike so many other battles for first, both clubs have some matches under their belts. Battle-tested and ready, Storm (3-1-0) will travel to unbeaten Revs (5-0-0). On paper, Revs are clearly the superior team, having a massive +12 goal differential in only one more match. Does that mean they win? That’s why we play the game!