John Howard-Fusco

Miami FC vs Oakland Roots

The NISA story so far…

Two groups of clubs have been huddling together schedule-wise: Miami FC, Atlanta SC, and Stumptown Athletic on one side of the country, while Cal United Strikers, Oakland Roots, 1904 FC and Los Angeles Force have been beating each other up on the other side. What’s that…did you say Philadelphia Fury? Nope, haven’t seen them. Sorry.

But this Saturday, we have ourselves the first East Coast versus West Coast battle as the Roots take the long trip over to face the class of the new league so far in Miami FC. While winning the social media and cool crest and merchandise game, Oakland has been not as impressive on the pitch as the team has yet to register a win in the league. Wait, what? Neither did the Fury? Again, I don’t know what you’re talking about.

That being said, this is probably the closest thing we have to a “glamour” match in NISA for the Fall Showcase – though Cal United may want to have a word with me later. I would expect Miami FC to play its A lineup and demonstrate its level of quality. Game time is 7PM Eastern at Riccardo Silva Stadium.

Jose Davila IV

LA Force vs. California United Strikers FC

Turn your focus to Rio Hondo College in Whittier, California on Saturday evening as the top two Western Conference clubs in the NISA’s Showcase face-off for territorial bragging rights. LA Force will be looking to secure their spot in the West Coast Championship against current league leaders California United Strikers FC on their home turf at Rio Hondo College in Southern California. As of writing, Cal United sits with 11 points at the top, with LA Force sitting four points behind. Cal United has already qualified for the Championship. The game pits the league’s second-highest scoring offense in Cal United versus its stingiest defense. Cal United sits with fifteen goals on the season while LA Force has only conceded four.

However, three of those four came when Cal United shutout the Force 3-0 a month ago at home in Championship Stadium. Since that meeting, Cal United tied with the Oakland Roots and soundly beat San Diego’s 1904 FC home and away. They will be looking to stay unbeaten for their fifth game on the trot, while LA Force looks to bounce back from a 1-1 draw with the Roots last time out. The match will be Cal United’s last in the NISA Showcase. LA Force will take on 1904 next weekend for a place in the Championship if they fail to take all three points from Cal United at home.

Keep your eye on Cal United’s goalkeeper, Steven Barrera. He denied LA Force a goal from the penalty spot amid an outstanding all-around day to secure a clean sheet last month.

Paul Kowalczyk

Zum Schneider FC 03 vs Lansdowne Yonkers FC

This Sunday, October 27th, Cosmopolitan League leaders Zum Schneider FC 03 will be hosting 3rd place Lansdowne Yonkers FC. Zum Schneider are coming off a mid-week 3-2 win against 2nd place Cedar Stars Academy. Lansdowne Bhoys lost to Westchester United SC 4-2 last weekend in Open Cup play, but defeated New York Athletic Club in PKs 4-3 in the U.S. Amateur Cup this past Wednesday. Zum Schneider have scored 16 goals in six games only losing one, but now that Lansdowne Bhoys are out of the Open Cup they can divert their full attention to trying to win another Cosmopolitan League title. West Chester United are a very good team that the Bhoys put up a good fight against, only down 2-1 at the half. Although Zum Schneider have been on a roll, I expect the undefeated Lansdowne Bhoys to grab the three points this weekend.