UWS Week 10: Preview
Exciting weekend in store with conference races, playoff spots in balance
Central Conference
Saturday, July 10
FC Wichita vs Gretna Elite
Start Time: 2:00 CDT
Venue: Stryker Sports Complex (Wichita, KS)
A massive, season-ending clash is set for Saturday in the Central Conference between Gretna Elite and FC Wichita. Gretna Elite can leap both FC Wichita and KC Courage into second place in the conference standings with three points here, while a draw is enough for FC Wichita to cement a second-place finish.
East Conference
Saturday, July 10
NJ Copa vs CT Rush
Start Time: 2:00 EDT
Venue: St. Joseph High School (Metuchen, NJ)
A hefty Saturday slate on the final full weekend of regular season play in the East begins with this bout between NJ Copa and CT Rush. NJ Copa currently occupies third place in the East and will need three points here to stay in a playoff spot with other sides holding games in hand. Connecticut Rush also has big playoff stakes in this game, sitting in the final playoff spot in fourth place.
FC Buffalo vs Rochester Lancers
Start Time: 4:00 EDT
Venue: Robert Rich Stadium (Buffalo, NY)
Two sides on opposite ends of the table meet here, with FC Buffalo fighting to hold off Scorpions SC and remain in first place in the East Conference. Rochester Lancers, meanwhile, will be fighting for pride. They have yet to get a result from nine games this season, and will look to grind one out here.
Albany Rush vs Syracuse DA
Start Time: 7:00 EDT
Venue: Lansingburgh High School (Troy, NY)
Yet another crucial game in the East is scheduled for this weekend, with two clubs looking to finish the season in the playoff places doing battle here. Syracuse currently occupies second place, while Albany Rush can catapult into the top four places with three points here and some help elsewhere, so this game could have a massive impact on how the playoffs sort themselves out in the East.
NE Mutiny vs Long Island Rough Riders
Start Time: 7:00 EDT
Venue: Lusitano Stadium (Ludlow, MA)
NE Mutiny and Long Island Rough Riders meet here in a clash of two clubs who have seen their seasons somewhat derailed by draws. New England and Long Island have each drawn four matches so far this season, which is tied for the most throughout UWS, and is a big reason why these clubs don’t find themselves further up the standings as we approach playoff time.
Worcester Smiles vs CT Fusion
Start Time: 7:00 EDT
Venue: Commerce Bank Field (Worcester, MA)
CT Fusion enters this game with slim East Conference playoff hopes, needing to jump four teams to extend their season. They’ll hope to claim the three points they need against Worcester Smiles, who have lost eight games in a row and have the worst goal difference in UWS.
Sunday, July 11
Long Island Rough Riders vs LANC Inferno
Start Time: 5:30 EDT
Venue: Hofstra University (Hempstead, NY)
Another side that has had its fair share of trouble settling for draws, LANC Inferno, meets Long Island Rough Riders to get the action going in the East Conference on Sunday. These are all must-win games for the Inferno, as it tries to claim one of the division’s playoff spots at the final time of asking.
Scorpions SC vs Brooklyn City
Start Time: 7:00 EDT
Venue: Medway High School (Medway, MA)
Scorpions SC play an important game in their pursuit of the East Conference regular-season title, as they look to overtake FC Buffalo and Syracuse DA with a win here against Brooklyn City. Brooklyn City, meanwhile, will be out to write a positive conclusion to its first season in UWS.
Midwest Conference North
Saturday, July 10
Detroit City vs Lansing United
Start Time: 7:30 EDT
Venue: Keyworth Stadium (Hamtramck, MI)
Detroit City enters this game against Lansing United hoping to secure a positive end to this regular season and bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to Midwest United last time out. Lansing United, meanwhile, will be hoping to build toward next season with another win, having bested Muskegon Risers in their last game.
Sunday, July 11
Midwest United vs Muskegon Risers
Start Time: 3:00 EDT
Venue: Midwest United FC Complex (Kentwood, MI)
With the Midwest Conference North Division title already well secured, Midwest United will be hoping to keep its positive momentum rolling and its unbeaten record intact as it moves toward the postseason. Muskegon Risers enter this game with their eyes on an upset, with just one win to show for eight games so far this year.
Southwest Conference
Friday, July 10
WilCo FC vs Side FC 92
Start Time: 7:30 CDT
Venue: Round Rock Multipurpose Complex (Round Rock, TX)
WilCo has managed to creep toward the top half in the Southwest Conference with three wins in a row, and now finds itself just a point behind Side FC and FC Austin Elite, who are tied for third. An interesting subplot to this game for Side FC is Joan Nakirya’s race to become UWS’s top goalscorer. She currently sits one goal behind Lone Star Republic’s Kennedy Kessler.
Saturday, Jule 11
Alacranes vs Lone Star Republic
Start Time: 7:30 CDT
Venue: Diamond Hill High School (Fort Worth, TX)
Lone Star Republic is attempting to secure a perfect regular-season record this weekend, with eight wins in eight games so far this season. Kennedy Kessler, the league’s top goalscorer, will be trying to fend off Side FC’s Joan Nakirya for that honor as well. Alacranes, meanwhile, will be out to secure a solid finish to their first season in UWS.
FC Austin Elite vs SA Athenians
Start Time: 7:30 CDT
Venue: Round Rock Multipurpose Complex (Round Rock, TX):
SA Athenians enter this weekend as the only club in the Southwest who can disrupt Lone Star Republic’s march to the regular-season title, but they’ll need a win here and some help elsewhere to make that happen. FC Austin Elite, meanwhile, will be looking to secure a spot in the top four with WilCo FC now hot on their tail.
CTX Hornets vs Batco FC
Start Time: 7:45 CDT
Venue: Bob Shelton Stadium (Buda, TX)
The two bottom teams in the Southwest clash on this final full weekend of regular season play, and both will be out to secure a positive end to the season. CTX Hornets can jump out of last place with a win here, so there is plenty for both sides to play for.
Sunday, July 11
WilCo FC vs Alacranes
Start Time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
Venue: Round Rock Multipurpose Complex (Round Rock, TX):
Another big game closes out the regular season slate for WilCo FC as it continues its pursuit of a top-half finish. Both of these sides will be playing their second games of the weekend here, so fatigue could be a factor late in the season. For Alacranes, it’s a chance to finish their season with a win.
Lone Star Republic vs Side FC 92
Start Time: 8:00 CDT
Venue: Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX)
Kennedy Kessler and Joan Nakirya meet here in a battle between UWS’s two top goalscorers, with Kessler entering the weekend on 11 goals and Nakirya close behind with 10. This is a crucial game for both clubs as well, with positioning in the Southwest still up for grabs heading into the final day.
West Conference
Sunday, July 11
Calgary Foothills vs Impact FC
Start Time: 2:00 MDT
Venue: Shouldice Athletic Park (Calgary, Alberta)
The two Canadian-based teams in UWS meet once again this Sunday as both clubs play their second game of the season. Impact FC claimed a gritty 1-0 win when these two clubs opened their seasons last week, and Calgary Foothills will surely be out for revenge here.
