NPSL North Round-Up: Week 3

Week 3:

Saturday:

Dakota Fusion FC vs Med City FC

Med City began this match like a house on fire, crossing deep into the Fusion half on a number of occasions, including the opening goal by Hilton Jones within the first two minutes. That was followed by a penalty on the 6th minute, neatly dispatched by Hart for the visitors to take a 2-0 lead. It was he who made it 3-0 direct from a free kick into the penalty area on 25 minutes.

The big story on the other sideline was the ill-discipline of Fusion’s Celik, who received a yellow card after 15 minutes and another yellow 40 minutes later to reduce the home side to 10 men. Resilience drills must be paying off because this week, the short handed team only gave up one more goal, this time to the substitute Mazeed Aro-Lambo, shortly after he joined the fray. Med City return home with two wins from two and the Fusion stare down a 0-3 record.

Duluth FC vs Joy Athletic

Unfortunately one of the most highly anticipated matches of the 2021 NPSL season was unable to watch outside the confines of Public Schools Stadium due to stream issues. However that did not make it any less of a great match. Duluth FC took an early lead with a James Westfield goal in the 6th minute before cranking it to a 2-0 lead in the 21st minute with a goal by Sidney Warden.

Joy Athletic responded back only seven minutes later when Phillip Caputo got the first goal of the night for the visitors. Then right before the half-time whistle Emmanuel Iwe notched Joy’s second goal to draw the match even at 2-2.

Things didn’t look so good for Duluth FC heading into the final half hour as Whitney Browne put Joy on top 3-2 with a 62nd minute goal. However the BlueGreens would draw even at 3-3 with a goal by Dylan Sumner. As the match looked to head for a draw Sidney Warden would bring Duluth their fourth goal of the night and give them a victory to open the 2021 season.

La Crosse Aris FC vs Minneapolis City SC

After forcing a comeback draw last week against Joy Athletic, La Crosse Aris had the opportunity to make the night tough for the Crows. The match was almost cancelled but salvaged last minute moving it to Arcadia, WI so the clubs could play.

However outside of the movement of the match on short notice it was anything but tough for City. The Crows would score four times on the night with Justin Oliver earning a brace after a 16th minute goal and 46nd minute one. Kevin Andrews would make it 3-0 in the 77th while Arthur Parens would knock home one more in the 88th to give the Crows a 4-0 win on the road in Wisconsin

Week 4:

Wednesday:

Minneapolis City SC vs Duluth FC

The match between two powerhouse clubs in the NPSL North leaves little room for words as both have their own agendas to attend too. The Crows are looking for win number four in a 12 match season, which could give them the lead they need to take the Conference once again. However the BlueGreens are coming off a 4-3 come from behind win at home in their season opener. If you can be at Edor Nelson Field on Wednesday night you need to be, because this is easily Match of the Week.

Friday:

Med City FC vs Joy Athletic

The Mayhem host the Goats in some Friday Night Football at Rochester Regional Stadium at RCTC this week. Med City is currently sitting at second in the Conference with six points after wins over Sioux Falls and Dakota Fusion to start the campaign. Joy Athletic on the other hand started their season on a high note with a big win over Dakota Fusion, however two matches later that feeling has faded. The Goats lost a late lead costing them extra points just two weeks ago to Aris and fell in a comeback loss to Duluth this past weekend.

A Med City win coupled with a Duluth win is what the Mayhem can hope best for as it will create a huge fight at the top of the North. However a Joy loss really puts them down at the third of the season mark. Though a win for Joy Athletic, especially on the road puts them right back into the title hunt.

Saturday:

Dakota Fusion FC vs Sioux Falls Thunder

The Thunder travel up I-29 to Moorhead as the two squads scrapping down the bottom of the table meet up. The visitors do have a substantially better goal difference. This match forms the second part of a WPSL/NPSL doubleheader which is the women’s home opener, which should (or at least could) infuse a bit more energy into the crowd than a conventional basement battle.

La Crosse Aris vs Duluth FC

A match whose intrigue is very contingent on what happens Wednesday with Duluth FC/Mpls City. The BlueGreens should by all means look to steamroll Aris and pickup points to continue their chase towards the NPSL North title. However Aris has already shown their ability to disrupt seasons this year by drawing on the road with Joy Athletic. Prepare for the expected in this match but with Aris always expect the unexpected.