Dan Vaughn

Detroit City vs New York Cosmos

I won’t lie and say I’ve been following The Member’s Cup as much as I follow the other leagues in this country. For the most part, it’s hard to not feel like the matches mean nothing. Tons of big name clubs, most of which are between leagues (NPSL -> NISA), but it all feels like exhibition. Without a personal stake in the clubs playing, I read the scores, see the tweets, and wait for real competitions to kick off. However, this matchup will be a solid one. The Cosmos were ridiculously dominant in the NPSL after exiting the NASL, while DCFC has been a solid club throughout their history, earning one of the most fiery fan bases in the country. That fanbase has been stoking the fire all week, attacking the Cosmos in hilarious and over the top social media posts. Some of the meme work has been solid, won’t lie. Both clubs come into this match undefeated in the Member’s Cup, with DCFC 3-0-0 and Cosmos 4-1-0.

Can I take one more second to show you this. It’s absolutely amazing. DCFC/NGS has been on point at getting match posters made, and this might be my favorite so far. It’s from the artist Marissa Rose Johnson and will be on sale at the match this weekend. It’s spectacular. I wish more clubs would do this sort of thing.

Joshua Duder

PDX FC vs Logrones (OPSL)

This weekend presents a couple of options for fans of lower league soccer in the Portland area – PDX FC will be playing their second match of their fall season. For them, this is a more relaxed schedule, playing against teams from the city league OPSL instead of playing higher-caliber sides from the NPSL. On the other hand, owner/coach Luke Babson had to put on his kit and lace up his boots last weekend to fill out the 11. Autumn is a particularly difficult time to corral top-level student-athletes because they’ve all gone back to their respective collegiate programs. However, PDX FC looked good last weekend, and provided the small number of fans who showed up a little combination play as they lost to fellow local side Nike FC Swoosh. We’re hoping PDX FC has a few more options off the bench (last week none) and can give Logrones a run for their money this Sunday night, September 22nd, 8:00 pm kickoff at Buckman Field.

San Juan FC vs IPS FC (USOC 2020 Qualifying Round 1)

While PDX FC will be trying to get their first points on the table, compatriot OPSL side IPSFC/Marathon Taverna will be playing UPSL side San Juan FC, away in Utah in the US Open Cup qualifiers for 2020’s tournament. Head Coach Harvey Hurst has been trying to raise a little money this year to offset the costs of travel. (Check out their twitter handle for the GoFundMe link). Last year, the amateur club was loaded with talent and were fortunate enough to draw multiple matches at home which allowed them to make a deep run in the qualifiers. I’ll be looking to see if they can get past, what is on paper, a very good UPSL side – San Juan finished top of their table with a +40 Goal Difference. They’re practically unbeatable on their home turf, so IPS FC really have a challenge ahead of them.