Steven Ramirez

FC Arizona vs. Orange County FC

This is a top of the table battle between two very successful NPSL clubs. Both teams are tied at 19 points, but Orange County FC has scored six more goals then the undefeated Arizona side. FC Arizona is surging through the table, trying to reclaim the Southwest title it earned in 2017, the club’s inaugural year. Arizona made tons of noise going into the season by signing a few professional players, but it has been the FC Arizona original, Cesar Mexia, who has been lighting the opposition goal on fire.

Orange County FC is the most successful post season squads. The club made a run to the regional finals last year and has started out 2019 in a strong fashion. Paul Caligiuri’s men are currently leading the division in goals with 25. The club has seven different goal scorers and the team is led by Cody Shelton with seven goals in eight games. One of OCFC’s big transfers this season was goalkeeper Jose Miranda, a former FC Golden State and Cuba National Team player.

In week three Orange County FC host FC Arizona and would lose 3-1 in a fiery battle that would see two yellows shown to Arizona and one red shown to OCFC. While both teams battled hard in the match, set pieces helped FC Arizona toppled the SoCal giants.

Dan Vaughn

Miami FC vs. Miami United FC

All offseason, the talk in Miami soccer was the maybe/will they/is this going to happen business with the MLS franchise that has struggled to get started in Miami. Beckham and company finally settled on branding and some of the basics for their club, but they’re still not settled on where they will play. Thankfully for Florida soccer fans, there are other soccer clubs in the area who deliver results.

Given the name Magic City Clásico by the clubs involved, this is a great match up of NPSL clubs who share the same city. Of course, last season saw one club win the league while the other exited in the conference playoffs, but who’s counting! When the clubs met to play this series last year, both matches ended in 1-1 draws, showing that, regardless of quality, both clubs are stepping up their game when they meet. Absolutely love it. The first match last season was tied in the last minutes of the match, while the second saw multiple players sent off. There’s fire in this matchup, which always makes for good watching.

This will see the first chance to see the returning champion in NPSL action, so it will give early indications of what this season will be like the Miami powerhouse. Miami United will have a chance to punch their main rival in the mouth on day one, setting the tone for the season. This is a can’t miss match.