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Week 8:
Friday:
Med City FC vs Dakota Fusion FC
Big points were on the line in Rochester as Med City FC and Duluth FC continue to attempt to keep pace with each other and out pace the other. The Mayhem stormed out to a 3-1 halftime lead as Jack Hilton-Jones, Ayrton Redmore, and Till Trippner all scored inside 35 minutes. Fusion did answer back in the 36’ minute with their lone goal by Aaron Pike. Redmore capped off the match with a second goal in the 81st minute to earn himself a brace.
Saturday:
Minneapolis City SC vs La Crosse Aris
In a match that the Crows could have dominated had they wanted too, however instead Minneapolis City laid back and cruised to a win over Aris to stay unbeaten. Nicholas Hutton and Arthur Parens scored two of City’s three goals while the third was from Aris on an own goal in the second half.
Joy Athletic Club vs Duluth FC
Another big match for points with Joy Athletic trying to stay relevant in the playoff race while Duluth needed to catch Med City after the Mayhem’s win on Friday night. Duluth FC’s Sidney Warden opened scoring in the 12th minute before Aidan Hill also scored in the 25th to give them a 2-0 lead. Dennis Mensah scored Joy Atheltic’s only goal and in the second half Duluth FC added three more on with Sidney Warden scoring again and Gabriel Campora and Eric Watson adding their names to the scoresheet as well.
Standings:
After 8 weeks of play the conference lead and title is not officially Minneapolis City’s but it is firmly in their grasp. All the Crows need to do is defeat Duluth FC on the road and they clinch the North Conference title for a third straight season and a berth in the NPSL Midwest Region Playoffs.
It is that playoff race where things get interesting. As Med City and Duluth FC are level on points, Duluth has a game in hand and both sides face the Crows once more as well. Joy Athletic is also not out of the playoff race yet however they could be eliminated from either a Duluth or Med City win tonight while they are on a bye week.
There is also a somewhat intense race for the Wooden Spoon at the bottom of the standings, while not probable Aris could mathematically finish with as many as 14 points on the season. Always prepare for the norm but expect the unexpected with the side from La Crosse.
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Week 9:
Wednesday:
Duluth FC vs Minneapolis City SC
The biggest game in the 2021 NPSL North season happens tonight in Duluth at Public Schools Stadium. The North title is on the line as a win from the Crows wins them their third straight NPSL North title. However home side Duluth FC has a bone to pick with City and can at minimum delay the title celebration until next weekend. So while it’s unlikely that City doesn’t win the North a Duluth win can at least make that a possibility.
La Crosse Aris vs Med City FC
This is a chance for Med City to gain some ground on Duluth, while they are tied on points if the Mayhem win and the underdog Duluth side loses then Med City will have a 3 point advantage in the standings going into next week. That will be mighty helpful as Duluth has a game in hand and Med City still has to face the Crows again to end the season. For the home side Aris they will once again head an hour North and host the match at Arcadia High School Stadium in Arcadia, WI. A win or even a draw would go a long way to Aris avoiding the Wooden Spoon.
Sioux Falls Thunder vs Joy Athletic Club
After a run during which Sioux Falls looked like they could press for a playoff spot, the South Dakotan side has fallen back to the pack and will be looking to avoid dropping below their visitors. Joy, on the other hand, will be hoping to right things and steal some points in Sioux Falls.