The West division playoff spots were wrapped up over the weekend after wins by Milwaukee Bavarians and Cedar Rapids Rampage United. The East is still up for discussion, though it will likely be a very short one. Toledo United punched its ticket to the postseason tournament but the second spot will be decided in the last week of the season. RWB Adria is in the driver’s seat, but Carpathia FC is still alive.
Milwaukee Bavarians 1, Croatian Eagles 0
July 13, 2016
Bavarian Soccer Park (Glendale, WI)
An early goal from Bret Dietz helped secure a tournament berth for Milwaukee Bavarians in the latest installment of Wisconsin’s oldest soccer rivalry. Three minutes into the match, Scott Lorenz assisted on the Dietz goal to put the hosts up 1-0. Croatian Eagles fought hard the rest of the match trying to find the equalizer, but several yellow cards were all the visitors had to show for it. The PLA season is over for Croatian Eagles, ending with a 2-3-5 record and 9 points. The win keeps Bavarians in place for a #1 seed in the postseason tournament at the end of the month.
Up next:
Madison 56ers vs. Milwaukee Bavarians, July 22
RWB Adria 2, Toledo United 4
July 16, 2016
Triton College (River Grove, IL)
Toledo United’s first season may end with a division championship thanks to a big win over second place RWB Adria. Oliver Verdult put Toledo up 1-0 in the 37th minute, firing in a crossed ball. Amadou Cisse’s deflected cross into the box found its way to the back of the net to double Toledo’s lead in the 68th minute. Adria got one back in the 73rd minute, but moments later Cisse struck again, taking a shot and burying the rebound for a 3-1 lead. Adria was right back in it by the 86th minute. A screamer into the top right corner made it 3-2, but the offensive push left them exposed. Hunter Theis chipped the Adria keeper coming out to the center circle and scored a 55-yard insurance goal. Toledo locked up a spot in the tournament with the win and Adria will as well next weekend with a win or a draw, though a five goal margin will be necessary to claim the division crown.
Up next:
RWB Adria vs. Aurora Borealis SC, July 23
Aurora Borealis SC 5, Grand Rapids Ole SC 2
July 16, 2016
Lee Athletic Complex (Wyoming, MI)
Aurora Borealis trounced Grand Rapids in what amounted to a postseason scrimmage. Both teams have had a rough 2016 season and were eliminated from playoff contention last week. Reuel Obilo put Aurora up 1-0 in the 35th minute but Grand Rapids equalized just five minutes later. Colby Newquist scored a second for Aurora to give his team a lead right before the halftime whistle blew, connecting on the volley and firing home. Obilo bagged his second of the game in the first three minutes into the second half and made it a hat trick with his penalty conversion in the 62nd minute. Chris Freeman tallied the fifth and final goal five minutes later, scoring off an Art Garza corner. Grand Rapids has given up a league-high 30 goals this season, four more than second place Madison with 26.
Up next:
RWB Adria vs. Aurora Borealis SC, July 23
Grand Rapids Ole SC vs. Carpathia FC, July 23
Minneapolis City SC 2, Cedar Rapids Rampage United 4
July 17, 2016
Les Barnard Field (Minneapolis, MN)
Minneapolis City needed at least a draw to stay alive in the playoff hunt, but Cedar Rapids proved to be too much. Bobby Hurwitz put the visitors up early in the first half with his 9th minute goal and ten minutes later Kenan Malicevic doubled the lead. Captain Gordy Gurson headed home in the 32nd minute to give Cedar Rapids a 3-0 halftime lead. Gurson made it a brace in the 65th minute to give his team a four goal cushion. Minneapolis City made it a game, but left it too late. Two late goals–one from Will Kidd in the 77th minute and a late penalty to Max Stiegwardt–denied Cedar Rapids the goal differential needed to take over first place, but the win ensures the team will make the trip to Toledo for the tournament.
Up next:
Minnesota United Reserves vs. Cedar Rapids Rampage, July 22
Minnesota United Reserves vs. Minneapolis City SC, July 24
Madison 56ers defeated Minnesota United Reserves 4-1 but neither team was willing to post updates on the match.
East Standings
| Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GD | Points |
| Toledo United | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 22 |
| RWB Adria | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1o | 19 |
| Oakland CountyX | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 14 |
| Carpathia | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 13 |
| Aurora BorealisX | 9 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -6 | 7 |
| Grand Rapids OleX | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | -19 | 3 |
West Standings
| Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GD | Points |
| Milwaukee Bavarians | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 18 |
| Cedar Rapids Rampage | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 18 |
| Minneapolis CityX | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 12 |
| MNUFC ReservesX | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 11 |
| Croatian EaglesX | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -3 | 9 |
| Madison 56ersX | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | -16 | 5 |
X: Eliminated from postseason tournament contention.
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