Before this weekend, no one in the Premier League of America’s West division had won on the road. That changed after three of four road teams claimed victory. RWB Adria took sole possession of first in the East with a win over Oakland County, but Carpathia kept pace by beating Aurora Borealis SC.
Note: All PLA teams qualify for the postseason tournament, but only the top two teams in each division are eligible to play for the PLA Championship.
Madison 56ers 2, Minneapolis City 3
June 25, 2016
Breese Stevens Field (Madison, WI)
Minneapolis City came from behind twice to become the first West Division team to win away from home this season. Madison struck first in the 11th minute when Taylor Pill’s free kick found the head of Samuel Novak, who put it home. City pulled level in the 27th minute after Andy Lorei crossed into the box and found Isaac Forsgren in the box; Isaac passed to his brother Sam, who beat the keeper and directed the ball into the net. The 38th minute saw Madison go ahead once again when Novak scored his second of the game off a corner. But Minneapolis persisted and drew level again just four minutes after the restart when Lance Gaspar managed to smack one on target after a scramble in front of the goalmouth. A few minutes later, Forsgren scored the winner and his second of the match, winning a race to the ball between himself and the keeper and chipping in. Madison’s loss does not eliminate them from a top two finish, but they remain one of two winless teams in the PLA.
Up next:
Madison 56ers vs. Croatian Eagles, July 2
Minneapolis City vs. Milwaukee Bavarians, July 9
Aurora Borealis 2, Carpathia FC 3
June 25, 2016
Mooseheart (Aurora, IL)
Carpathia kept itself in the race for first in the East with a thrilling 3-2 road win over struggling Aurora Borealis. It took half an hour, but Carpathia was the first to break through when Joey Tinnion chipped the keeper for the lead. Tinnion made it a brace a few minutes later when he capitalized on a defensive miscue from Aurora. The third goal of the first half went to Aurora in stoppage time after Jorge Alvarez’s well placed shot from the top of the box found its way to the bottom corner. It took another half an hour for the next goal to come, when Aurora’s Chris Freeman fired from 30 yards out and drew his team level. A frenetic finish was in store; both teams took chances looking for the win, but it was Carpathia that found it. John DeLeon’s left-footed strike hit the upper corner and sealed victory.
Up next:
Carpathia FC vs. Toledo United FC, June 29
Aurora Borealis SC vs. Grand Rapids Ole SC, July 1
Cedar Rapids Rampage United 1, Croatian Eagles 1
June 25, 2016
Clark Field (Cedar Rapids, IA)
With both teams trying to qualify for a playoff spot in the West, Cedar Rapids and Croatian Eagles battled to a 1-1 draw in the first game of their weekend doubleheader. Several yellow cards were issued in the first half before the visitors from Milwaukee went ahead in spectacular fashion shortly before the break. Boubacar Sylla caught the keeper sleeping and launched a shot from 60 yards out. Five more yellows and a red card to each team in the second half meant that both teams would finish with ten men and nine minutes of stoppage time at the end. Cedar Rapids waited until the 83rd minute to equalize when Gordy Gurson made a well-placed pass to Jacob Bjornsen who slotted home.
Oakland County FC 0, RWB Adria 1
June 25, 2016
Stoney Creek (Rochester Hills, MI)
RWB Adria took sole possession of first place in the East with a 1-0 win over Oakland County. The win also ensured that idle Grand Rapids Ole SC will be unable to finish first its division, and will only be able to finish second by winning out and getting a great deal of help. Oakland controlled play for the majority of the first half, recording several shots, but the Adria defense held firm. That County pressure continued into the second half but to no avail. Adria’s Derek Huffman put his team up when he managed to get a foot on the ball bouncing around the penalty area. Oakland continued to pressure the visitors but were unable to break through. The loss kept County in fourth place in the East.
Up next:
Oakland County FC vs. Toledo United FC, July 2
RWB Adria vs. Grand Rapids Ole SC, July 9
Minnesota United Reserves 1, Milwaukee Bavarians 2
June 26, 2016
Park High School (Cottage Grove, MN)
Milwaukee recovered from the earliest of deficits to climb back to the top of the West with a game in hand. Klenton Miles Stockman-Willis converted a 1st minute penalty kick to give the Reserves the lead. From then on out Bavarians had more chances, though sloppy play in the middle third of the pitch left neither team with much control of possession. Reed Stevenson equalized for Milwaukee shortly before halftime after United lost the ball at midfield. The Reserves took control after the restart and had the majority of the chances. Scott Lorenz’s impressive 74th minute shot off a volley found the twine and secured all three points for the visitors. Milwaukee remains top of the West with a game in hand.
Croatian Eagles 0, Cedar Rapids Rampage United 2
June 26, 2016
Croatian Park (Franklin, WI)
Cedar Rapids climbed into second place in the West (based on the “Goals For” tiebreaker) by beating Croatian Eagles in Milwaukee less than 24 hours after drawing with them in Cedar Rapids. A 2nd minute goal from Alejandro Pacheco set the tone for the rest of the game. Cedar Rapids controlled play and got the better of the chances in a much less physical game than the two teams played the night before. Pacheco added a second goal two minutes into the second half and Cedar Rapids cruised to a win. Rampage United can go top of the table with a result at home against Milwaukee Bavarians in two weeks.
Up next:
Madison 56ers vs. Croatian Eagles, July 2
Cedar Rapids Rampage United vs. Milwaukee Bavarians, July 10
East Standings
| Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GD | Points |
| RWB Adria | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 15 |
| Toledo United | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 12 |
| Carpathia | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 12 |
| Oakland County | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
| Aurora Borealis | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -7 | 4 |
| Grand Rapids Ole | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -16 | 0 |
West Standings
| Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GD | Points |
| Milwaukee Bavarians | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 12 |
| Cedar Rapids Rampage | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 |
| Minneapolis City | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 |
| MNUFC Reserves | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 8 |
| Croatian Eagles | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | -5 | 6 |
| Madison 56ers | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -10 | 2 |
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