UPSL Southeast Conference - Florida Central West, Division One

#1 Celta USA vs #5 Celta Gunners, Friday, July 3rd

In a battle of the two sides from the Celta Orlando organization, Celta USA will look to extend their lead in the Florida Central West, while Celta Gunners will be attempting to take advantage of Florida Tropics 2 stunning loss last night to Sportsparadize SA by winning and moving within a point of the conference lead. Expect a wide open match and attacking play between two sides extremely familiar with one another, but I’ll give USA the “home-pitch” advantage in this one, finding a late goal to win 3-2 and remain atop the standings.

#3 CFL GOSA Spurs vs #4 Sportsparadize SA, Sunday, July 5th

Sportsparadize SA played the spoiler role last night, stunning Florida Tropics 2 and, at least briefly, denying the Lakeland side a chance at the conference lead. SSA will look to continue surprising higher ranked sides through the weekend, with a date against CFL GOSA on Sunday afternoon. A win for either side could see them climb as high as the conference lead, a draw would leave them both in the hunt with ground to gain, while a loss could seat them desperately close to the bottom of the rankings. Look for SSA to initially carry Thursday night’s momentum to an early lead Sunday, but GOSA to battle back for 2-2 stalemate between the sides.

#7 The Mix SC vs #6 Diaspora United CC, Sunday, July 5th

Two newcomers to the league, Diaspora United and The Mix have yet to find a win between them, but each side has looked more competitive in the most recents weeks. Diaspora battled Celta Gunners to a 3-3 draw while The Mix acquitted themselves in a close loss to Florida Tropics 2. The Mix will assert themselves early with a couple goals, but Diaspora United will earn their first win of their history, flashing their offensive ability throughout the second half to claim a come from behind 3-2 victory.

UPSL Southeast Conference - Florida Central East, Division One

#7 Macca Ballers FC vs #5 Leg A-Z Soccer International, Saturday, July 4th

Macca Ballers dropped a heartbreaker at home to Clay County last week, while Leg A-Z claimed a draw against Orlando Rovers. This week, Macca again plays host, and this time, they’ll hold off the visitors for 2-1 win and climb three-four spots in the rankings of the Florida Central East.

#1 Orlando FC Barca vs #2 Sporting Orlando, Sunday, July 5th

If there’s a must-watch match around the league this weekend, it’s this feature between the two early front-runners for the Florida Central East title, OFC Barca and Sporting Orlando. Sporting opened their season account last week with a 4-2 victory against a game FK Orlando side, and their National Player of the Week award winner Vander Lee accounted for three of their four scores. OFC Barca has shredded through lesser competition the past two weeks, but should be just as lethal in the attack vs Sporting, boasting National Player of the Week nominee Victor Rojas in the attacking third of their lineup. OFC Barca hosts the match, and they'll/ use that narrow advantage to score a 5-3 win over Sporting Orlando in this one, with Rojas claiming another three scores and finally winning NPOTW honors.

UPSL Central Conference - South, Division Two

#3 Almeyda FC 2 vs #6 APTX CDF, Friday, July 3rd

Almeyda seemed to find their stride last week, tearing La Maquina apart in a 4-1 victory. Look for more of that offensive output from the Lions tonight when they host a winless APTX CDF side that looked largely short of offensive options in a 3-0 shellacking at the hands...er...feet of Houston FC II in their previous outing. Give me Almeyda FC 2 in a 3-1 win over APTX.

ROJA League Opening Weekend, Friday, July 3rd

Game One: NTX Rayados vs Irving FC

Just recently, on June 21st, Irving FC “Los Gallos” of the UPSL, put Arlington FC to the sword in a 4-1 win for the Longhorn Tournament Final. They have a solid squad and look to make their mark in their ROJA League opening fixture against NTX Rayados. Rayados are an exciting team from Dallas, out of the North Texas Premier Soccer League and have five league titles under their belt. This is a team which regularly participates in the US Open Cup as well, despite playing in a USASA 5th division league, and might be a dangerous addition to the ROJA competition. To be honest, despite the higher league play Irving FC participate in, I would not be surprised to see NTX Rayados take this one in an energetic 3-2 match.

Game Two: Inocentes FC vs Denton Diablos FC

It’s hard to be more excited about this matchup. Denton’s first season in the NPSL was a fine one, with the club finishing the season with 9 wins, only 1 spot back from winning their division. The high powered attack of the Diablos produced an incredible 43 points in 12 matches. That was best in their division, and second in the South Region behind Miami FC. This is a club that knows how to score. Facing them, from the UPSL, is Inocentes FC, a club that Protagonist has written about extensively. Since their entry into the league in the 2018 Spring season, Inocentes has gone a combined 27-8-7, never finishing lower than second in their conference. There’s a pedigree at this club that is unmatched in the vast majority of American amateur soccer. So I’m all about this matchup and can’t wait for this match. I see Inocentes taking this game 2-1.

Game Three: Fort Worth Vaqueros FC vs Diablos Estudiantes

With the advantage of training with the Diablos first team for some time already this year, and the experience of last week’s scrimmage opportunity, look for the youthful Estudiantes side to gain an early advantage and take a 2-0 lead into the half. From there, it will be all Vaqueros as the 2019 NPSL Lonestar Conference Champions dig deep into their disciplined experience and pull off a 3-2 comeback victory.