WPSL Wrap Up: Week 3

Wednesday:

Chicago Red Stars Reserves vs Milwaukee Torrent

Three goals in the second half allowed the Red Stars to maintain their lead in the WPSL North, an important marker in a league where only the division winners make the post season. The first goal came when a corner was flicked in at the near post and through the dive of the Torrent keeper LaMacchia on 49.

One way traffic towards the Milwaukee goal eventually brought goal 2 in the 75th minute and goal 3 in the 80th, although a lopsided scoreline like those of the previous weekend was avoided.

Friday:

Chicago City SC vs Fire SC 98

Both teams came into this meeting with unbeaten records through two matches with both wanting and needing to secure three points to keep pace with the Conference leading Red Stars Reserves. Fire 98 would Molly Fiedler cut through City’s backline before passing to Mimi Eiden who finished it off for a goal.

A single second half goal by Fire 98 secured the win when Roxy Roemer put a corner to Mimi Eiden who would head it in for her second goal of the night.

Saturday:

Dakota Fusion FC vs Chicago Red Stars Reserves

The home debut of the Northern outpost of WPSL came against a Red Stars team which had steamrolled its way through its opening games but had lost some steam - whilst still winning comfortably - against Milwaukee in Wauwatosa. That new normal seemed to be the pattern as a Fusion team without a point in 4 games matched wits with the visitors for 75 minutes before Tamae Douglas poked a ball home from point blank after a free kick close to the touchline was repelled twice by the usual heroics of Haley Hillstrom between the sticks. Dominique Randle finished the scoring 6 minutes later in controversial circumstances.

Joana Villanova made a lung busting run down the right wing for Fusion and then appeared to pull up injured in the Red Stars penalty area. The referee didn't blow play dead and by the time Villanova had gotten up, the Red Stars had the ball in the Fusion box. The winger was just rejoining her team positionally when Randle struck what was nonetheless a crisp finish. Fusion aren't playing like a team with 5 consecutive losses, although a sharper cutting edge will be needed to convert chances to a first point.

Sunday:

Milwaukee Torrent vs Fire SC 98

Again both teams would be looking for the much needed 3 points as Milwaukee has already fallen once this week while Fire 98 is still looking to keep pace with the unbeaten Red Stars Reserves. The Torrent would get the first goal of the night in the 29th minute and would hold that 1-0 lead most of the evening. It wasn’t until the 75th minute when Hanna Norman fed a long pass to Kenzie Langdok, who finished the play with a goal, that Fire 98 would get on the board.

Just like the first meeting, neither team got the result they wanted finishing the match with a single point each in a 1-1 draw.

Week 4 Schedule*:

Wednesday:

Chicago Red Stars Reserves vs Chicago City SC

The first meeting of the Chicago Derby will be an exciting one as the well established and North leading Red Stars Reserves host the expansion side Chicago City SC. A win for RSR will put them leaps and bounds above everyone else in the conference and solidify their place at the top. City on the other hand couldn’t manage a point the previous week and will be wanting to show they can hang with RSR by taking at least 1 point away.

Saturday:

Minnesota TwinStars FC vs Chicago Red Stars Reserves

In the second match of the series TwinStars will need to be much improved over the last time when they lost 11-0 in Chicago back in Week 2. Red Stars Reserves on the other hand will be looking to cruise to victory in their first of two games in the Twin Cities.

Milwaukee Torrent vs Dakota Fusion FC

These two expansion sides face off in Wauwatosa as the only winless clubs in the WPSL North. Torrent have two draws to their credit - both against the division challenging Fire SC 98, whereas Fusion are without a point through 5 games - although not without quality, organisation or grit. This may be broken open by a single piece of skill or defensive error. As the home side, Torrent must expect a marginal advantage.

Fire SC 98 vs Chicago City SC

The second match of the series between the two expansion sides will take place from St. Paul where Fire 98 is so far unbeaten. With both teams needing 3 points it remains to be seen whether or not City will be able to stop the scoring attack of the home club.

Sunday:

Minnesota TwinStars FC vs Chicago City SC

City’s second match of a weekend in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area will take them to Minnetonka to take on TwinStars. A tight game two weeks prior in Chicago saw CCSC take a 1-0 win over the Dragons. MNTS will finally be on their home pitch against one of the best clubs in the conference and will want to make sure that City goes back to Chicago without a point.

Fire SC 98 vs Chicago Red Stars Reserves

This is the first showdown between the top two clubs in the WPSL North. RSR has shown themselves early with big wins over Dakota Fusion and Minnesota TwinStars to start the season. Fire 98 has proven themselves to be a worthy opponent so far with draws against Milwaukee and wins over Dakota Fusion and Chicago City. The winner will have the ball in their court as they start towards the back half of the season, in which only the conference champion goes to the playoffs.

*For exact kickoff times, locations, and tickets, visit the websites of the home club, which can be found by clicking the bolded team