:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59697759/20180505_192726.0.jpg)
Sioux Falls Thunder FC hosted Minneapolis City SC in the 2018 NPSL North season opener being played from the USF Sports Complex Soccer Stadium.
As mentioned in our preview... the NPSL North has the one game this weekend to open the season, creating almost a baseball style "opening series".
— Tim Abbott ⚽ ️➡️ (@timreporting) May 4, 2018
That game should be well covered, @mplscitysc fly down to @SFThunderFC https://t.co/FEljJK1Hcr
With only one match this week as our writer Tim Abbot stated it felt more like a baseball opening series rather than the first full wekk of play for NPSL North.
Sioux Falls started the match fast with #3 Michael Haight scoring the Thunder’s and conference’s first goal of the young season in the 10th minute. It wouldn’t take long for Minneapolis CIty to come back and even the score as Nick Hutton scored in the 13th minute for the Crows.
The tide started to change about midway through the first half when #10 Whitney Browne was fouled hard in the box. The referee awarded a PK to Browne who did score on it to make 2-1 for the Crows but no card was issued, a recurring theme throughout the night. City would hold that 2-1 lead until late in the second half of play when Manny Rosas Quiroz scored in the 75th Minute for Sioux Falls to even the score for the Thunder.
A very rough game that for the most part didn’t have any cards issued until the end when the Thunder’s Jorge Lopez and Eric Beltran were issued cards in the 90th minute. Both teams tried to break out and score in the last few minutes to give their club the 3 points but neither was able too.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10816787/20180505_201140.jpg)
A big highlight of the night was The Citizens who, some of which had already attented the Minnesota United match earlier that day, drove 4 hour trip down to Sioux Falls to support their Crows.
What a way to start the season! 3-1 win over @uniondfc
— Med City FC (@MedCityFC) May 10, 2018
Med City FC also kicked off their season with a friendly match against UPSL side Union Dubuque F.C. at Rochester Regional Stadium. The Mayhem came away with a 3-1 victory on Wednesday night in Rochester.
This week sees the first full slate of action as all 8 clubs take the field for the first time in 2018.
Week 2 Schedule*:
Minnesota TwinStars FC vs Duluth FC
Dakota Fusion FC vs Viejos Son Los Trapos FC
Minneapolis City SC vs Med City FC
Sioux Falls Thunder FC vs La Crosse Aris FC
*For exact kickoff times, locations, and tickets, visit the websites of the home club, which can be found by clicking the bolded team.