USL W Most Interesting Matches This Week (6/24)
Hello and welcome back to Most Interesting Games This Week. The second week of this series in the USL W-League as their season is wrapping up. 12 of the 16 playoff spots are still up for grabs as a huge congratulations needs to go out to Florida Elite Soccer Academy who won the Southeast Division, AHFC Royals winners of the Lone Star Division, Indy Eleven who completed a back-to-back Valley Division title, and Colorado Storm who took the Mountain Division.
East
- Mid-Atlantic Division CONFERENCE MATCH OF THE WEEK – Lancaster Inferno at Richmond Ivy on 6/28. This #2 at #4 affair matters a lot more to one club. The Inferno are WELL within striking distance of division leading Eagle FC but the Lancaster outfit will likely need to win both of their remaining games while hoping for Eagle FC to trip up. As of right now all the ladies of the Inferno can do is beat the team in front of them.
- South Atlantic Division – Charlotte Eagles at NC Courage U23 on 6/26. The Courage’s cubs will be looking to secure the South Atlantic Division. Even a draw vs the Eagles would mean that the NC Courage U23’s are in, but they will be wanting more in order to get better seeding the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
- Metropolitan Division – AC Connecticut at Long Island Rough Riders on 6/26. After winning the League MOTW last week the Long Island Rough Riders are a single point away from winning one of the more difficult divisions in the W. Being able to rest a few players in their final matchup vs Cedar Stars would be a great boon for the Riders but they need to finish the job at home vs AC Connecticut.
South
- Southeast Division – Miami AC at Tampa Bay United on 6/29. A matchup of #4 at #2 in a division that has already been decided. The Wild Card is still at play for both of these teams but, especially for Tampa Bay United who are currently in the Wild Card position. If Miami AC is able to complete a 3 win sweep of their games this week they would put themselves in the driver’s seat of the Southern Conference Wild Card. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay United will be looking to maintain their control over the Wild Card.
- South Central Division CONFERENCE MATCH OF THE WEEK – Tennessee SC at Asheville City SC on 6/29. This matchup of #1 at #2 features a Tennessee SC who barely escaped with a win in last week’s Conference MOTW and are now in complete control of their destiny. A win or draw would claim the division crown for Tennessee SC while a loss puts the division in question. Asheville City SC would love to make things interesting with a win, and they’ll have home field advantage in order to do it.
- Lone Star Division – Lonestar SC vs San Antonio Athenians SC on 6/26. This Battle of the I-35 corridor is what everything in Texas is for, pride and bragging rights.
Central
- Great Lakes Division CONFERENCE MATCH OF THE WEEK – Detroit City FC at Midwest United on 6/27. #1 at #2, Midwest United MUST win in order to keep their hopes of a divisional crown alive. A draw will still be enough for the women of DCFC. If Midwest United is able to get the win they’ll need to win again and get some help later in the week, but they need to take things one game at a time and start with this match-up at home versus the division leaders who want to leave nothing to chance come the final gameday.
- Heartland Division – Minnesota Aurora FC at Bavarian United on 6/27. Minnesota Aurora are in plain and simple win-and-in territory. A victory in Milwaukee will secure them into the playoffs for the third time while a loss leaves the door open for River LIght FC to catch up and take over.
- Valley Division – Kings Hammer vs Lexington SC on 6/29. This grudge match will determine who comes runner-up in what is inarguably one of the hardest divisions in the W-League. There’s no reward for coming 2nd in the Valley besides pride, but I’m sure that’s all that needs to be on the line for these two.
West
- NorCal Division LEAGUE MATCH OF THE WEEK – Stockton Cargo at California Storm on 6/26. Neither playoff spot in NorCal has been claimed, but the California Storm are trying to change that while the Stockton Cargo look to stay in the hunt. Both need a win to make their wants a reality (as well as some help), but they have to go through each other to get it done.
- Northwest Division – FC Olympia at United PDX on 6/30. A #1 at #2 matchup as FC Olympia will try to maintain their invincible record and finish off the Northwest Division. FC Olympia Can win the division earlier in the week, but if they don’t, and United PDX are able to get in their match earlier in the week. Then this game would be for the division with FC Olympia having the advantage by virtue of leading in points.
- Mountain Division – ALBION SC Colorado at Northern Colorado Rain FC on 6/26. #2 at #3 as yet again only pride is on the line due to Colorado Storm’s locking up of the division last week. That shouldn’t matter as these two teams still have skilled lineups and will be looking to prove that.
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