With a little over a month of the season left, teams at the tops of their divisions are not making it any easier to separate them. The top four teams in both the East and West are all within three points of first place. The tight standings were reflected in results this weekend, with four out of six matches ending in 1-1 draws. Toledo and RWB Adria were the only teams to record wins over Father’s Day weekend.
Toledo United 3, Grand Rapids Ole 0
June 17, 2016
Springfield (Holland, OH)
Toledo United matched the damage they inflicted on Aurora Borealis last week, this time against Grand Rapids. Ole has now given up a league-high 21 goals in 6 games and are yet to secure any points. Toledo capitalized on the struggles of its opponent, jumping to a 3-0 halftime lead that they would never be in danger of losing. Jose Ramos slotted a ball home in the 16th minute of the match after a nice pass from Colin Armstrong. It was Ramos again in the 37th minute, catching the keeper out of position after a cross found its way to his foot. Ramos secured the hat trick and the final 3-0 scoreline just three minutes later, and the hosts cruised to their fourth win of the season.
Up next:
Carpathia FC vs. Toledo United FC, June 29
Aurora Borealis SC vs. Grand Rapids Ole SC, July 1
Croatian Eagles 1, Minnesota United Reserves 1
June 18, 2016
Croatian Park (Franklin, WI)
The Reserves nearly went top of the West with a late goal, but Croatian Eagles fought back to earn a draw and keep the Reserves in fourth place. Logan Martell had the only real chance of the first half with a 20th minute breakaway, but his poor finish was easily blocked by United keeper Aaron Perez. The first goal of the game came in the 70th minute when United’s Benjamin Eastwell struck home a screamer to give the visitors a lead. Croatian Eagles responded just five minutes later. Andrew Wiedabach fed Peter Raymonds for the equalizer and his first goal of the season. Croatian Eagles had an opportunity to take the lead when the Reserves lost two defenders in less than ten minutes. Bryce Murphy was shown his second yellow of the day in the 81st minute and Daniel Cisneros joined him in the 87th. The hosts were unable to capitalize on the two-man advantage in such a short remainder of time, and the game ended in a draw.
Up next:
Cedar Rapids Rampage United vs. Croatian Eagles, June 25
Minnesota United Reserves vs. Milwaukee Bavarians, June 26
Carpathia FC 0, RWB Adria 1
June 18, 2016
Carpathia Club (Sterling Heights, MI)
RWB Adria went top of the East (tied with Toledo on points) with a 1-0 win over Carpathia while also completing the season sweep. The second matchup of the season between these two teams was closer than the first, a 4-1 win for RWB Adria. The goalposts denied Adria twice in the first half, but keeper Scott Messer also came up with a number of saves to hold the match scoreless in the first half. The lone goal of the game came in the 63rd minute when Derek Huffman finally put one past Messer. The match evened out from there, with multiple close calls for both teams, but the Adria defense held on to earn the three points.
Up next
Aurora Borealis SC vs. Carpathia FC, June 25
Oakland County FC vs. RWB Adria, June 25
Minneapolis City SC 1, Madison 56ers 1
June 18, 2016
Les Barnard Field (Minneapolis, MN)
Minneapolis City had a chance to move alone into first place but were unable to hold their early lead against Madison and remain tied on points with Milwaukee at the top of the West. The hosts jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 6th minute when Isaac Friendt poked a bouncing ball over Madison’s sliding keeper. The lead lasted all of three minutes however, when City’s Nate Engel tried to clear a long throw into the box and ended up putting the ball in the back of the net for an own goal. The remaining 80 minutes of the game was even, with both teams maintaining possession for long stretches of time but giving up counterattacks, of which nothing came. These teams won’t have to wait long for a chance to get all three points from one another; they play again in Madison next weekend.
Up next:
Madison 56ers vs. Minneapolis City SC, June 26
Oakland County FC 1, Aurora Borealis 1
June 18, 2016
Stoney Creek (Rochester Hills, MI)
A goal early in each half provided the first draw of the season for these two teams. For Oakland County, giving up its early lead put them two points out of a playoff spot. Aurora Borealis kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a point, but will need quite a bit of help in the final half of the season. Oakland County got on the board first, with an 11th minute goal from Chukwudi Nwokoye off Joe Beshara’s cross. County kept the pressure on for the rest of the first half, recording several dangerous-looking chances. The visitors came out of the halftime break firing and Aurora’s Jesse Ortiz equalized in the 53rd minute, slotting home a through ball. The 78th minute nearly saw Aurora take the lead, but the empty net chance was wasted high. Oakland took control from then on, but couldn’t break the draw.
Up next:
Aurora Borealis vs. Carpathia FC, June 25
Oakland County FC vs. RWB Adria, June 25
Milwaukee Bavarians 1, Minnesota United Reserves 1
June 19, 2016
Bavarian Soccer Park (Glendale, WI)
Minnesota United Reserves wrapped up their Milwaukee doubleheader trip with another 1-1 draw, this time against Milwaukee Bavarians. A 40th minute penalty awarded to the Reserves gave them a 1-0 lead going into the locker room for halftime. Bavarians pulled one back in the 60th minute off a Braden Andryk shot. The game ended 1-1 and the point was enough to make sure Milwaukee remained in first place in the West on goal differential. Milwaukee also has a game in hand which it will make up on the weekend of July 9th-10th.
Up next:
Minnesota United Reserves vs. Milwaukee Bavarians, June 26
East Standings
| Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GD | Points |
| RWB Adria | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 12 |
| Toledo United | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 12 |
| Oakland County | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 10 |
| Carpathia | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| Aurora Borealis | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -6 | 4 |
| Grand Rapids Ole | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | -16 | 0 |
West Standings
| Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GD | Points |
| Milwaukee Bavarians | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 9 |
| Minneapolis City | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 9 |
| Cedar Rapids Rampage | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| MNUFC Reserves | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Croatian Eagles | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -3 | 5 |
| Madison 56ers | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | -9 | 2 |
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