FiftyFive.One

After a full weekend of games, the playoff picture became a little more clear in the West and just about set in the East. Toledo United and RWB Adria breathed easy after United’s thumping of Carpathia FC, as the race in the East was narrowed to a three team affair. Carpathia can only match the two leaders on points, and must rely on goal differential for a playoff spot; a herculean task at this point. Postseason berths in the West may not be decided until the last week of the regular season, but Bavarians and Cedar Rapids both pulled away from Minneapolis City. The top pair now have 15 points while City stands on 12, with all having played eight games.

 

Aurora Borealis SC 1, Oakland County FC 2
July 8, 2016
Mooseheart (Aurora, IL)

Oakland County was one of the teams tasked with this weekend’s doubleheaders, and started it off well with a 2-1 win away to struggling Aurora Borealis. The visitors were the more effective side, recording the majority of chances in the first half but were unable break through. Aurora struck in the 70th minute after a free kick bounced around the penalty area before being smacked home by Will Butler. The lead barely lasted five minutes with Danny Dragoi equalizing for County in the 75th. The comeback was completed two minutes later when Jason Leslie managed to get his head to the ball off a free kick and sent it to the back of the net. The loss eliminated Aurora from tournament contention.

Up Next:
Grand Rapids Ole SC vs. Aurora Borealis SC, July 16
Oakland County FC vs. Carpathia FC, July 23rd

 

Croatian Eagles 4, Madison 56ers 0
July 9, 2016
Croatian Park (Franklin, WI)

Croatian Eagles did their part to keep their tournament hopes alive, recording a 2-0 win over Madison. Two quick goals early in the game did the trick for the hosts. Boubacar Sylla converted a 12th minute penalty to go ahead. Andrew Wiedabach doubled the lead just a minute later and Croatian Eagles saw out the remainder of the match. Neither team will be making the trip to Toledo, however. The loss on Saturday eliminated Madison and results elsewhere promised the same fate for Croatian Eagles.

Up Next:
Milwaukee Bavarians vs. Croatian Eagles, July 13
Madison 56ers vs. Minnesota United Reserves, July 16

 

Minneapolis City SC 0, Milwaukee Bavarians 2
July 9, 2016
Les Barnard Field (Minneapolis, MN)

Milwaukee made it all the more tough for City to qualify for the postseason tournament with a 2-0 road win. The hosts had a number of early chances but could not capitalize and allowed Bavarians to control the game. Scott Lorenz struck first for the visitors in the 35th minute, slipping past the defense and finishing calmly over keeper Matt Elder. The second half was better offensively for City, but the defense faltered. A mistake in the 79th minute allowed Braden Andryk to pass across the penalty area to Patrick Ruhland who tapped the ball into an open goal. Both teams are still alive in the race for a tournament spot.

Up next:
Minneapolis City vs. Cedar Rapids Rampage United, July 17
Milwaukee Bavarians vs. Croatian Eagles, July 13

 

Toledo United FC 3, Carpathia FC 0
July 9, 2016
Springfield (Holland, OH)

Toledo secured a major win this weekend, virtually clinching a tournament spot while keeping Carpathia out of the second spot. Toledo took the lead in the 18th minute after Kyle Breitmeyer was taken down for a penalty. Kenny Hewitt converted the chance and Toledo never looked back. The 59th minute saw a similar situation occur, when Hewitt was awarded a penalty. Breitmeyer slammed the spot kick into the top corner for a 2-0 lead. Breitmeyer made it a brace less than ten minutes later, collecting a misplaced pass between Carpathia defenders and taking another hard shot that bounced off the keeper and into the back of the net. Carpathia, while still alive, will need a lot of luck to make the tournament.

Up next:
RWB Adria vs. Toledo United FC, July 16
Oakland County FC vs. Carpatia FC, July 23

 

Cedar Rapids Rampage United 2, Milwaukee Bavarians 0
July 10, 2016
Clark Field (Cedar Rapids, IA)

Cedar Rapids handed Milwaukee its first loss of the season while keeping pace in the playoff race. The two occupy the West’s playoff spots with 15 points apiece. Two first half headers were enough to secure three points for Cedar Rapids, with the first coming on a 4th minute corner that found Kenan Malicevic in the box. Jacob Johnson put the second goal away off a free kick from Bobby Hurwitz in the 25th minute. Bavarians fought back in the second half, controlling possession but finding no way to climb back into the game. Cedar Rapids can clinch a playoff spot with a win next Sunday.

Up next:
Cedar Rapids Rampage United vs. Minneapolis City SC, July 17
Milwaukee Bavarians vs. Croatian Eagles, July 13

 

RWB Adria 2, Oakland County FC 2
July 10, 2016
Triton College (River Grove, IL)

Oakland County let a 2-0 lead slip away and with it their chances of a tournament spot. Adria controlled the match for much of the first half, but the goals came within a fifteen minute period in the second. Oakland took the lead in the 54th minute when Mario Morana slotted home. The visitors made it 2-0 when Javier Steinwascher was awarded a penalty a minute later and Chukwudi Nwokoye converted the place kick. Adria drew a penalty of its own and converted in the 63rd minute and five minutes later scored the equalizer on a quick counterattack. The draw means that Oakland County cannot finish in one of the top two places in the East this season.

Up Next:
RWB Adria vs. Toledo United FC, July 16
Oakland County FC vs. Carpatia FC, July 23

 

East Standings

Club	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	GD	Points
Toledo United	9	6	1	2	13	19
RWB Adria	8	6	1	1	12	19
Oakland CountyX	9	4	2	3	2	14
Carpathia	8	4	1	3	-2	13
Aurora BorealisX	8	1	1	6	-9	4
Grand Rapids OleX	8	1	0	7	-16	3

West Standings

Club	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	GD	Points
Milwaukee Bavarians	8	4	3	1	8	15
Cedar Rapids Rampage	8	4	3	1	6	15
Minneapolis City	8	3	3	2	2	12
Croatian EaglesX	9	2	3	4	-2	9
MNUFC Reserves	7	2	2	3	-1	8
Madison 56ersX	8	1	2	5	-13	5

X: Eliminated from postseason tournament contention.