Lower League Action March 6-8

Dan Vaughn

Napa Valley 1839 vs Project 510 - It’s early going in the Golden Gate Conference of the NPSL, but the ball is rolling. Napa already picked up their first three points last week and will face Oakland Roots amateur side Project 510. Maybe Project 510 can do what Oakland’s pro side has been so far unable to do: win a match. Napa beat El Farolito last week, but only scored a single goal in the process. So getting more scoring opportunities and converting will be key for this season’s success. I think this is a fun one and will clearly be impossible to predict, so soon into 2020.

Josh Duder

UPSL Wild West Returns – In 2019 Contra Costa FC joined the UPSL Wild West from Liga NorCal and made an instant impact; winning the table with 27 points and a positive 22 goal difference. They followed that up by winning the division’s Fall table as well. On Saturday, March 7th, Contra Costa FC defend their title to newcomers NorCal United FC. NorCal United made a splash in the offseason by scheduling an exhibition match with NISA side Oakland Roots then followed that up with a friendly with NPSL side Napa Valley 1839 – showing their commitment to competing against the best clubs in their region and looking to put their team in the spotlight. Contra Costa FC and NorCal United kickoff 3:00 pm PST on the pitch at Northgate High School in Walnut Creek, California.

WISL Women’s Indoor Season Continues – Shannon McMahon of OlyTown Artesians and Kayla Carter of Tacoma Narrows are the WISL’s first ever women players of the week; McMahon scored a hatty in her debut for the club as they went on to defeat the Oly-Pen Force 7-4. Carter started in between the pipes for Tacoma and looked to shutout the Snohomish Skyhawks until the waning minutes of the match; however she only gave up the one goal and her side went on to win 8-1 in their debut game. This weekend Shannon and Olytown take on the Skyhawks at the Snohomish Soccer Dome at 7:00 pm on Saturday the 7th and a half-hour later Kayla and her Tacoma Narrows match up against the Force at the Oly-Pen Sports Center.

UPSL Semifinals

Shawn Laird

Soda City FC vs Maryland Bobcats FC

It’s that time of the year again folks. Yes, it is time for the 2019-20 UPSL Fall Season National Semifinals. It’s been a long and difficult road for the final four playing this weekend, but that trophy at the end is all worth it.

I’ll be the first to admit, I didn’t think Soda City stood a chance against the unstoppable force of OFC Barca in the last round. But, they proved me wrong. It was a tightly contested match in Savannah but Soda City prevailed 2-1 over the Florida Champions on February 1st. Through their 4 match playoff run, Soda City have outscored their opponents 10-3. It’s easy to see that their regular season defensive form carried over to the playoffs.

Soda City’s opponents in this weekend’s semifinal, Maryland Bobcats FC, had a bit of an eventful path to get to this point. After dispatching Quake FC in mid-November 3-1, they faced off with Mass United FC for the chance to move on to this weekend. Unfortunately, due to outside interference on Mass United’s behalf, the match was abandoned at halftime and the league decided the winner. Obviously it’s not how anyone wants to advance, but it’s in the past and they face a strong Soda City side.

Judging by both teams’ regular season finishes, I’d say this will be one hell of a match. Both teams didn’t allow more than ten goals all season, while destroying everyone in their paths. I look forward to watching this game and I hope to see some great play. My prediction? Bobcats move on to the finals by a score of 4-3.

Dan Vaughn

Santa Ana Winds vs. Foro Soccer Club

Of course it would fall to me to pick a match involving Foro Soccer Club. I’ve made mistake after mistake predicting this club’s rise to the semifinals. They came out of the highly competitive Central conference and battled through the playoffs to get their spot, beating club after club. The Central conference might be one of the toughest in the country and Foro won against great teams on their way here.

If there is another conference as competitive it would be the Western Conference, home of Foro’s opponent, Santa Ana Winds. Winds has been dominant this season, losing zero matches during the regular season. Their last match was against Pajaro Valley United, which they won 2-1. This match comes almost three weeks since their last. Does that layoff hurt them? Particularly against an opponent that has been in action more recently and played most of their playoff matches at home?

I have learned one thing this season, don’t pick against Foro SC. Foro 2-1.

UPSL Action January 18-19

UPSL Division One Playoffs

Dan Vaughn

Foro Soccer Club vs Houston FC

So I refused to pick a winner in Houston FC’s matchup last week with Almeyda, said it was too close to call. Houston disagreed with me and won 2-1. The other match I previewed was Foro vs Alamo City SC. In that one, I predicted that Alamo City would prevail due to their ability to win on the road. I was wrong, Foro advanced 2-1. So where do we stand today, with these two clubs taking on each other for the Central Conference Final?

Where we stand is two confident clubs, battle-tested and ready for this Texas-sized matchup. Houston was as good away as they were at home, hauling in 5 wins and losing once away from home. I cannot imagine being on the road will affect Houston. Foro was perfect at home this season, with an impressive +35 GD. What I’m saying is that both of these clubs are great and this is going to be a war. At this point of the season, this should be expected.

I’m predicting a Houston FC win on the road, 2-1.

Santa Ana Winds FC vs Contra Costa FC

Last week Contra Costa took on Pajaro Valley United. The Wild West Championship match ended at 2-2 after regular time, so the clubs went to PKs. That ended with a CCFC win 6-5. Wild West is right! Contra Costa’s regular season record, which ended with the club atop the Wild West - Blue Division, wasn’t as gaudy as some of the other playoff clubs (5-3-2), but their gritty play has earned them the chance to knock off one of the premier clubs of the UPSL, Santa Ana Winds.

Santa Ana advanced from the highly competitive and deep (11 clubs) SoCal North Division. Winds ended their regular season without a loss and earned 3 points from every match, except one. While their goal production was impressive, their real excellence lies in their stingy defense that ended the season only surrendering 8 goals in 12 matches. In their playoff matchup earlier this month with SoCal South Division Champions San Diego White Tigers FC, they surrendered 2 goals, something Winds only did twice all season. Granted White Tigers had a regular season goal differential of +37, but Winds still managed to overcome the high scoring club by putting up 4 of their own.

So now CCFC must take another long road trip (7+ hours worth of driving) to face a formidable same-state foe. I’ll predict the home team in this match, Santa Ana wins 3-0.

Florida Soccer Soldiers vs. Red Force FC

Red Force FC played Miami Sun FC last week and though a high scoring affair was expected, the two clubs only managed 3 goals, with Red Force pulling ahead 2-1 to advance. Their opponent will be Florida Soccer Soldiers, who defeated fellow conference foe PSL United 2-1 to advance to this match. FSS and RFFC have played each other twice this season with a win for FSS and a draw.

Predicting this one is easy, though easy predictions are often wrong. I’ll take Soccer Soldiers 3-1 over Red Force FC.

Shawn Laird

OFC Barca vs Sporting Orlando

After dominating in last week’s 3-0 win, OFC Barca looks to continue their winning ways by defeating Sporting Orlando, who won their own match 3-0 last weekend. In my eyes, that was a surprising and very unexpected victory by a team that placed sixth during the regular season. However, it should be noted that form doesn’t necessarily carry over from one round to the next.

Am I hoping for a great game? That’s a resounding hell yes. Sporting has run the gamut in terms of results this season and their luck turned a corner over the last couple of weeks. But, with how merciless OFC Barca has been to this point, I expect Sporting’s form to fail them and their luck to run out. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got nothing but love for Sporting. I just don’t see them knocking off Barca.

I fully expect Barca to keep a clean sheet on Sunday, so I’m taking them with a 4-0 win and moving on to the Florida Championship match.

UPSL Division Two Promotion Match

Ryan Stallings

Tyler FC Kings vs Football Factory Premier

In the Central Conference, Red River Division 2, the Tulsa Athletic U23 side have all but wrapped up the division title, but another promotion spot to division one in the spring 2020 season remains. It would seem only appropriate that the remaining rival claimants for that promotion, Football Factory Premier & Tyler FC, will meet in their season’s grudge match with that Division 1 place on the line.

Both Football Factory Premier and Tyler FC enter this weekend’s match with 20 points on the table. However, Tyler FC has a game in hand, a nearly assured victory over Dallas City the following week, so FF Premier will need nothing less than a victory to give themselves a shot at promotion from the 2nd division. Tyler FC, holding the home field advantage in this tilt, will need at least a draw this weekend to continue to control their own fate into their final weekend of play.

In their previous meetings this season, each club secured their home turf. Tyler FC won an offensive battle, 6-4, on October 5th, while FF Premier administered a 5-0 beat down back home in Richardson, Texas, the following week. With bragging rights, and much more, on the line this weekend, expect a competitive score line more like the first meeting and less like the second. Both teams enter the match with victories over the Arkansas Wolves in their most recent action, but that last match for Tyler FC was two weeks ago. Whether that parlays into rest or rust on the pitch for the home side will be the deciding factor in this game.

Prediction: FF Premier leads by a goal or two early, but Tyler FC storms back to eventually claim promotion to Central Conference Division 1 with a 4-3 victory.

Quick Kicks: UPSL Division One Playoff Matches Jan 11-12

Joshua Duder

Pajaro Valley United FC vs. Contra Costa FC - On Saturday, January 11th, the UPSL playoffs bring us a “Wild West” shoot-out when Red Conference winner Pajaro Valley United FC host Blue Conference winner Contra Costa FC. Pajaro Valley Utd earned their way to the playoffs by winning their division and outscoring their opponents 20 to 15, earning 3 clean-sheets and then capping their season with a first-round playoff win over Oakland Stompers 3-1. The boys from Pajaro Valley went unbeaten at home this season, earning 16 of their 19 points on the pitch at Watsonville High School. 

Contra Costa FC, who shut out JASA RWC 2-0 in last week’s first-round of UPSL playoffs, will have to travel two hours up the 680 to Watsonville for the second-round. Contra Costa finished the season with one less point in their respective table, earning 18 points from 10 matches; however, 8 of those points came on the road where they only lost one away match all Fall. The match is set for a high-noon kickoff and will be available on the “PV United” MyCujoo page. The winner will move on to represent, not only California, but everything west of the Rockies, in the following rounds of the UPSL Fall Season Playoffs.

Dan Vaughn

Almeyda FC vs. Houston FC - This matchup is a tough one to measure. Both clubs play in the same conference and Almeyda won the conference by a single point. Houston’s only loss this season came against Almeyda, in the first month of the Fall season, meaning that result decided the conference regular season title. Goal differential (my favorite measure of success) is a single goal between these two.

Trying to find what separates these two clubs is tough. In the second meeting of these clubs in the regular season, the match ended in a 3-3 draw. But Houston FC had been up 3-1 early in the second half and the second goal from Almeyda was a Houston FC own goal. So what does all that mean? Who the hell knows. This matchup will be a great match, but picking a winner is impossible. Let’s see tomorrow!

Foro Soccer Club vs. Alamo City SC - Foro Soccer Club had one of the best seasons in the UPSL this year, finishing with a single loss in a very top heavy Central Conference - North. That record was achieved with a hefty +35 goal differential. The only loss was to fellow playoff club, Inocentes FC, 2-1 in late December. And that’s where the plot thickens.

The club Foro will be hosting is Alamo City SC, who interestingly enough, had a bigger GD (+43) in a slightly stronger conference (Heart). Granted that GD was padded by a 17 goal whipping of Bell County, but you play the clubs on your schedule. Alamo City SC was perfect on the road, going 5-0-0, so traveling to Foro shouldn’t be an issue. Another caveat, ACSC’s last win (2-1) was against the only club that beat Foro SC this year, Inocentes FC.

So which wins out? I’m putting my money on the club that has no problem winning on the road and who just knocked off Inocentes, Alamo City SC.

Shawn Laird

OFC Barca vs. Atletico Orlando - OFC Barca takes on Atletico Orlando this weekend in the quarterfinals of the UPSL Southeast-Florida Central playoffs in a matchup of the regular season champions and the number 5 team in the conference.  OFC Barca goes into this game undefeated with a perfect record of 14W-0D-0L and a goal difference of +39.  It seems like no one could stop this absolute juggernaut of a squad this season, with them easily averaging 4.2 goals per match.  On the other side, Atletico Orlando has struggled this season but still managed a respectable 5W-2D-6L, though they ended with a -3 goal difference.

On paper, OFC Barca should easily win this due to the superior average goals per game (4.2 to 1.9 goals).  However, crazier things have happened, and it wouldn't surprise me if Atletico pulled off an upset.  Unfortunately, I don't see that happening and predict a Barca win by a score of 5-1.

Inter Orlando vs. Sporting Orlando - In the other Florida Central Division playoff matchup, the academy of Inter Orlando faces off with Sporting Orlando.  Like OFC Barca, Inter Orlando Academy steamrolled through the conference this season.  However, when Inter faced off against Barca, they were handed two losses by a combined score of 4-0.  If you were to take those two losses out, Inter outscored opponents 41-9 and showed why they were a force this season.

Sporting had high hopes for this season when it began, but things went awry for them.  They go into this match against Inter with a 4W-4D-5L record and a -3 goal difference.  It's hard to pinpoint what may have happened during the season, however, for them to still be in the playoffs at this point is a testament to their drive as a team.

Unfortunately, I have to predict who will win and I feel that Inter will easily handle Sporting.  It's anyone's guess how much Inter could win by, but Inter should get a clean sheet out of this.

Jose Davila IV

Miami Sun FC vs. Red Force FC - Two South Florida powerhouses will face off for a spot in the UPSL Fall Division 1 Florida Division semifinals on Saturday night at 6:30pm local time. The home team, Miami Sun FC, finished 2nd in the Florida South Division to Florida Soccer Soldiers during the regular season and will host the match at Doral Meadows Park. Miami Sun ended the regular season in that spot due to a goal differential of 20, one better than that of the third-place team: Red Force FC. The clubs finished seven points behind FSS. Spectators should expect a highly attacking affair as Miami Sun led the league in goals scored with 45 and Red Force finished 2nd with 41. Both teams head into the affair after a long holiday period off. Before the break, Miami Sun crushed Hurricane FC 9-1 in a game played at the Orange Bowl Field and Red Force took care of Boca Raton FC 6-2 at home.

Quick Kicks: Best Matches of the Weekend 11/1-11/3

Shawn Laird

Deportivo Lake Mary vs Sporting Orlando

It’s game week 10 for Deportivo Lake Mary and Sporting Orlando in the UPSL fall season of the Florida Central Division 1. Deportivo is looking to keep their winning streak, which has seen them score six goals over the last two games against Huracan and Winter Haven United, going. They will also look to temporarily close the gap between themselves and OFC Barca to two points.

While Deportivo looks to continue their winning ways, Sporting will look to get back to winning ways after two consecutive draws against SportsParadize Soccer Academy and Huracan. With a win against a top two club, Sporting will be able to move up to a tie for fourth, however temporary that may be. At the same time, knocking off a top two team could give Sporting a confidence boost and allow them to make a winning run of their own.

Looking at everything concerning both clubs, I would have to say Deportivo has the upper hand in this one. However, I can’t discredit Sporting in this matchup. I think Sporting will give them a tough game but ultimately Deportivo takes the three points, 4-2.

Paul Kowalczyk

Cedar Stars Academy vs NY Pancyprian Freedoms

Cedar Stars Academy of The Bronx will be travelling to Queens to face the New York Pancyprians in this Cosmopolitan League week 8 matchup. Cedar Stars Academy started the season on a hot streak scoring 25 goals in their first five games, but have cooled off recently, dropping points in their past two games and falling into 3rd place. CSA will be looking to regain their form against last season’s winners and current sixth place, NY Pancyprian Freedoms. The Pancyprians have only played five games in the season’s first seven weeks, because of scheduling conflicts with the U.S. Open cup, but have only lost one out of those five. This matchup will be the teams’ second time facing one another with the 3-time US Open Cup Champion Pancyprians defeating CSA in the 2nd round of Open Cup qualifying 2-0.

The match will be at 8:00 am on Sunday, November 2nd at St. John’s University Belson Stadium. I expect both of these teams to be in the top four by season’s end and that this will be a close game with the Pancyprians winning by a goal.

Weekend of July 19-21

Shawn Laird

Miami FC vs. Tulsa Athletic

The path to the NPSL South Region Trophy once again runs through Miami FC. This year Miami’s opponent makes the trip to Barry University from the great city of Tulsa, Oklahoma. With both clubs achieving undefeated seasons during the regular season, I am officially dubbing this a clash of titans.

Miami once again impressed with their dominance by running through the Sunshine Conference, dropping two points en route to an undefeated season. Meanwhile, Tulsa achieved the same result but finished with three fewer points overall (Miami’s 27 to their 24). As they reached their playoff stretches, it was apparent that their roads would converge, so long as they ran their respective gauntlets.

As each club reached the region semifinals, it became clear who would have the tougher test to get to the final. Luckily, Miami passed with flying colors as they dispatched Chattanooga FC 2-0. For their part, Tulsa wasn’t much of a slouch in their semifinal either. They also passed a difficult test in the Vaqueros of Fort Worth, winning 3-1.

Now, the title is to be decided on what is likely to be a hot and humid night in Miami. Don’t get me wrong, Tulsa has its fair share of heat but the humidity may catch them off guard. At the same time, I don’t expect them to wilt and crumble under the pressure. I have a feeling that this goes to penalties, with Tulsa taking it 5-4. At least that’s what my heart says.

Joshua Duder

Capital FC Atletica vs Seattle Stars FC

Last week, in the NWPL semifinals, number one seed Seattle Stars shut out the Washington Timbers 1-0 and advanced to the Championship match to defend their title. Seattle will face the number two seed Capital FC Atletica of Salem, Oregon, who outscored Yakima United 3-1 in the opposite semi. The two sides first faced each other on June 22nd, with Seattle getting the 2-1 win at home that night. It turns out that was CFC Atletica’s only loss on the season and they’re eager to head back up to Washington to repay the favor.

This match has the potential to be a barnburner too, Seattle Stars finished the season with a +26 Goal Differential, while Atletica managed a, not-too-shabby, +19 GD of their own. CFC Atletica were led by Whitney Pitalo with 7 goals, while Vicky Cruz and Annouscka Kordom each had 5—there were five additional goal scorers with at least 1 goal; meanwhile, keeper Makenzie Pineda earned three shutouts on the year. Seattle’s scoring was much more spread out; while Braeden Small led the way with only 4 goals, the Stars had 16 additional scorers with at least one goal and three goalies with at least one shutout.

While Seattle clearly had a successful season, no Stars player brought home a NWPL player of the week award while CFC Atletica’s Vicky Cruz, Makenzie Pineda, and Whitney Pitalo each won the accolade. Seattle’s great season is coming off the back of having won the title last year, and with so many players contributing to their successes, it’s doubtful that missing out on individual awards will matter much if they can win back-to-back NWPL Championships. The final kicks off at 3:45 pm on Sunday, July 21st. Tickets are just $7 to get through the gate at Kent-Meridian High School’s French Field.

Dan Creel

Cleveland SC vs. Rochester Lancers/Detroit City FC vs Minneapolis City SC

I’m interested to see how these Midwest Region semifinals play out. Rochester had a good, but not great regular season and was able to take out favorite, Ann Arbor, in that uncanny two-day game which ended in a shootout.

Myself included, I don’t think Cleveland has gotten enough respect for the season they put together. Cleveland flew under the radar for me after back-to-back losses early on. But, since then they’ve gone on a five game winning streak. They can score goals and have a stingy defense. That’s a recipe for playoff success.

The game is this afternoon at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck. The presumed top dogs of the region, Detroit and Minneapolis, go at it in the night cap of the doubleheader. The regional finals are Sunday, 1pm at the same venue.

Paul Kowalczyk

Milwaukee Bavarians vs Mass United FC

The Road to Texas for the UPSL playoffs continues this weekend as the Midwest Division champions, the Bavarians SC, take on the Northeastern champions, Mass United FC, on Sunday the 21st at 1 p.m. ET. Zee Germans will be travelling to Chelmsford, Massachusetts in this quarterfinal matchup as the 8-time national champions from Milwaukee look to move one step closer to adding a ninth star to their crest in their 90th year of existence. Mass United FC might be at a bit of a disadvantage as the team has not played a game in three weeks, while the Bavarians have stayed in form winning two playoff games last week to become the Midwest Division Champions. The UPSL has ranked the Bavarians and Mass United at #2 and #3 in their most recent top 10 rankings with the winner of this game playing undefeated #1 ranked Florida Tropics SC in Weatherford, Texas on the 27th.