NPSL Playoffs Update 7/17/19
July 17, 2019
Midwest Region
The reader will recall that this was the situation at the time of yesterday’s update.
Your correspondent lacks the time or patience to ascertain the true nature of the situation. He will leave the reader to examine the following:
“Midwest Region Quarterfinal To Be Decided By Coin Toss” (afcannarbor.com)
“I, Jarrett Maki, called the owner of the @RLancers to discuss with him what happened tonight when his team travelled to @AFCAnnArbor for their @NPSLSoccer playoff match.” (@NGSMaki)
“MIDWEST REGION QUARTERFINAL TO BE RESUMED ON JULY 18TH” (npsl.com)
For those who lack the time or the patience to examine the final link, let it be known that the remaining Midwest Quarterfinal will be resumed in the nice minute at McConnell Family Stadium at Gannon University in Erie, PA at 8:30pm ET. The winner of the match will face Cleveland SC at 4:30 PM Friday at Detroit City’s Keyworth Stadium.
The winner of the July 21 Region Final advances to the National Semifinals.
South Region
Miami FC came out on top in a clash of top ten teams (as ranked by the Grassroots Soccer Media Union). Chattanooga found itself having to substitute out both of its starting centerbacks in the first half due to apparent injuries. At the end of the 40th minute, there was a confusing sequence that made sense after later review. Chattanooga’s Caleb Cole was fouled by Mohamed Thiaw as he was in the act of passing the ball to (offside) Alun Webb. Webb proceeded to close in on goal and put the ball in the back of the net. After discussion, however, the apparent goal was nullified and Chattanooga received a free kick for the foul that had been committed. After making three substitutions to start the second half, Miami showed its customary form and Hector Morales scored in the 67th minute. Ariel Martinez added to the tally with a penalty conversion in the 81st minute.Miami will host Tulsa Athletic at 7:00 PM on Saturday.
Tulsa had to come from behind as Fort Worth Vaqueros’ VcMor Eligwe scored in the 14th minute. Joe Garcia provided his squad’s answer in the 33rd minute and the match went to halftime level at 1-1. Aaron Ugbah scored in the 83rd minute to give Tulsa the lead and Junior Garcia notched the insurance marker in the 90th minute.
The winner of the July 20 Region final advances to the National Semifinals to be held on July 27.
Northeast Region
FC Baltimore-Christos will travel to New York Cosmos B to contest the Northeast Region title on at 6:00 PM on Sunday. The winner advances to the National Semifinals.
West Region
FC Arizona will face ASC San Diego for the region title on Saturday at 10:30 PM. The teams faced each other twice in Southwest Conference regular season action. The season opener at Mesa ended as a 0-0 draw. FC Arizona won the mid-May return fixture 0-2.The winner will advance to the national semifinals .
Currently, the top teams in the playoffs from each region are:
- New York Cosmos B – They would host the national championship if they were to advance that far
- Miami FC – Would host a national semifinal.
- Cleveland SC- Would travel to Miami FC.
- FC Arizona – Would travel to New York Cosmos B.
The ranking of the remaining sides breaks out thusly:
1 New York Cosmos B
2 Miami FC
3 Tulsa Athletic
4 Cleveland SC
5 FC Baltimore
6 Detroit City
7 Minneapolis City SC
8 FC Arizona
9 AFC Ann Arbor
10 ASC San Diego
11Rochester Lancers
The semifinal matches are scheduled for July 27 and a club will claim the league championship on August 3.
The next update will note the result of the AFC Ann Arbor-Rochester Lancers match and update the Midwest Region accordingly.
Eye of the Storm 