NPSL North Week Two Roundup

The match between the Sioux Falls Thunder and Aris was rained out, but we saw three exciting matches play out elsewhere. Here's a brief recap of the action from across the conference:

Minneapolis City 1-1 Duluth

The BlueGreens came down from the Duluth to take on the Crows for the first time on a rainy Saturday evening in Minneapolis. The first half was extremely chippy, as the teams received a combined four yellow cards. Late in the first half Martin Browne Jr. put in the Crows only goal of the night on a free kick from just outside the box.

The second half continued to be just as edgy, resulting in 2 yellow cards and a red card, the second straight week Minneapolis City has had a player sent off. Duluth FC would score in the final minutes of added time to end the match in a tie.

Minnesota TwinStars 1-3 Viejos Son Los Trapos

It was a short trip for VSLT in their first away match, and they made the most of the day, running out 3-1 winners in Minnetonka. Viejos scored early in the fourth minute and held on the rest of the way in front of another small TwinStars crowd.

Dakota Fusion 3-0 Med City

The Mayhem traveled to Moorhead flying high after last week's demolition of Aris, only to receive a beating at the hands of the Fusion. Med City controlled the ball early, but it was Dakota Fusion who struck first, in just the 13th minute. Med City had a goal disallowed in the 64th minute, but Fusion scored their third moments later to put the game out of reach.

Here's the table:

Fusion have leaped out to take the early lead atop the standings, but Minneapolis City and Med City each have a couple of fixtures this week—a chance to catch up. Speaking of which, one will be played before our next NPSL North Weekly, so here's a quick preview:

Minneapolis City v Med City

Which of the Cities will earn the right to the title? Minneapolis appears to have an edge in this one, but Duluth's late equalizer this weekend may have some doubting the Crows ability to shut down the opposition late. Med City have been all over the board so far, so we haven't been able to see what a normal result looks like. Rochester to Minneapolis can be a bit of a hike for a midweek match, so expect the attendance to be a bit smaller at Edor Nelson Field, negating possible home-field advantage for the Crows?

Minneapolis City 1-0 Med City