Its that time of the week again - our writers, podcasters, and friends take a look at the upcoming matches this weekend and tell you what they’ll be watching and why! Let’s get stuck into the best games of the weekend.

Josh Duder Picks…
- El Farolito FC vs Napa Valley 1839 FC - NPSL, Conference Final
  - Sat, 07/13 - 6:30pm PT / 9:30pm ET
    at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco
  - El Farolito and Napa Valley finished 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the Golden Gate Conference. This season, El Faro has done the double over Napa - winning 4-0 back on June 1st and 2-1 earlier in the year, in April. In addition to a great US Open Cup run, El Faro have run the rule over their Conference, running up a +34 Goal Difference in an unbeaten season.

Ben Brannigan Picks…
- I & I FC vs Inter Fort Worth - Metroplex Premier League, League Final
  - Fri, 07/12 - 8:00pm CT / 9:00pm ET
    at Willow Springs MS in Lucas, TX
  - Two of the league's best go up against each other in the final - I&I FC are regular season champs and have been awesome to watch, a credit to their club and the league. They’ve represented the east of the metroplex with distinction. Inter Fort Worth FC are the best of the west and boy can they play too. It’s a final and I have to say the two best teams in the league made it there. This will be a great game to be at and should be attended. Best of luck to all involved.

Dan Creel Picks…
- Baltimore City FC vs Maryland Bobcats FC - Independent Cup
  - Sat, 07/13 - 11:15am PT / 2:15pm ET
    at Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center, Baltimore, MD
  - The Maryland Bobcats are competing for their fifth straight regional Independent Cup title. But the NISA pro side has gone back to their roots by fielding a roster of development players. The Bobcats have put forward a group of equal parts senior roster reserves, U23 players, and youth players. Maryland beat Alloy FC 2-1 off a brace by Caleb Pritchett. Round 2 sees the Bobcats traveling to take on EPSL rival Baltimore City F.C.

Josh Duder Picks…
- Valley FC 559 vs Bellevue Athletic FC - UPSL, Playoffs - Round of 16
  - Sat, 07/13 - 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET
    at Lithia & Driveway Fields in
  - Valley 559 won their NorCal South Division with 9 wins and a lone loss somewhere mid-season. Since then they have gone unbeaten - led by Lucas Ribeiro with 9 goals and Allen Sanchez with 6 of his own, Valley has outscored their opponents 42 to 9. On the other hand, Bellevue Athletic finished 4th in the Washington Division - finishing with 5 wins and 5 losses. Both Tyler Hopp and Ian Mejia have 4 goals a piece but that might not be enough to get past Valley this weekend.

Dan Vaughn Picks…
- Detroit City FC vs Colorado Storm - USL W League
  - Sat, 07/13 - 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET
    at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, MI
  - The national semifinals are here and Detroit will be playing its third match of the playoffs at home. They’ve used that to their advantage and won both of the previous matches handley. Colorado Storm surprisingly emerged from the West and is looking to make a name for itself in the first season of W League play. Big time matchup with a national final at stake.

Rich Schenck Picks…
- Green Bay Glory vs Edgewater Castle - Midwest Premier League
  - Sat, 07/13 - 5:30pm CT / 6:30pm ET
    at Fire Pitch in Chicago, IL
  - WE GOT A PROMOTION RACE FOLKS! Trailing Heartland D2 leaders AFC Roscoe by 2pts, GBG (6-2-0) looks to keep pace and jump Roscoe for the top spot. With only a few games left in the season, AFC Roscoe could further dent the dreams of D2 with a winnable game against 0-7-1 Strikers Fox Valley SC. The Rooks (4-2-3) will look to play spoiler to GBG and a huge offensive outing (GBG sits at +17 GD and ECFC is at +6) could cause some headaches if they bring home 3pts, as they have the tiebreaker thanks to a 3-2 win on 6/15.

Josh Duder Picks…
- FC Arizona vs Santa Clarita Blue Heat - United Women’s Soccer
  - Sat, 07/13 - 7:00pm PT / 10:00pm ET
    at Westwood HS in Mesa, AZ
  - New England Mutiny wrapped up their perfect season last weekend with a 7-0 drubbing of Worcester Fuel. Two-time UWS Champions, Santa Clarita Blue Heat, have an opportunity to complete their perfect season with an away trip to FC Arizona. On paper, it looks likely as FC Arizona only have 1 win this season and have a -22 goal differential. What’s more, SC Blue Heat smashed them 6-0 last time out… but they have to play the game and stranger things have happened.

Michael Battista Picks…
- FC Motown vs Jackson Lions FC - NPSL, Conference Final
  - Sat, 07/13 - 4:30pm PT / 7:30pm ET
    at Drew University’s Ranger Stadium
  - The New Jersey Classico, a match-up with roots dating back to the Garden State Soccer League, will determine the Keystone East Conference champion. FC Motown is ranked #3 in the National Premier Soccer League and looking to win its sixth straight conference title. After years in their Morristown rival’s shadow, Jackson Lions FC is looking for its first piece of silverware since it joined the NPSL and to reach the East Region playoffs for the first time.

Rich Schenck Picks…
- Bavarian United vs DeKalb County United - Midwest Premier League
  - Sat, 07/13 - 7:00pm CT / 8:00pm ET
    at NIU Track and Field & Soccer Complex- DeKalb, IL
  - Titles and top flight safety are the name of the game for this matchup. BU (6-1-0) sits 3 ahead of House AC at the top of Heartland D1 and must win as they share GD (+10) and CHAC holds the tiebreaker. DKCU (1-5-1) need a huge 3pts at home to keep them from relegation to D2 as they sit fifth of six clubs in the table. DKCU, Steel City and Czarni Jaslo all sit at (1-5-1) so every goal and point is crucial.

Dan Vaughn Picks…
- West Texas FC vs Denton Diablos - NPSL
  - Sat, 07/13 - 6:30pm CT / 7:30pm ET
    at Astound Broadband Stadium in Midland, TX
  - West Texas continues its strong 2024 campaign after knocking off Laredo in the midweek match, they will host former national champion Denton Diablos. Both of these teams are primed for the national playoff and are looking to advance out of conference. Either way, the Lone Star Champion will be crowned.

by the Protagonist Staff