The NPSL Briefing Week 6: The Race for the Playoffs Picks Up Steam
Welcome to Week 6 of The NPSL Briefing! Below are our Games of the Week in the Gulf Coast Sunshine and Southeast Conferences, along with last week’s results and a preview into every game this weekend.
Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference:
Game of the Week: Jacksonville Armada vs. New Orleans Jesters
Credit New Orleans Jesters
Saturday, June 14 at 7:30pm EST
EWC Community Field and Athletic Stadium (Jacksonville, FL; Capacity 5,000)
The Jesters had twelve days between games, and then ended up with two matches two days apart. The second of those will see New Orleans against their long-time rivals, the Jacksonville Armada. The Armada have yet to lose a match, although they've had a couple of single goal victories (both over Club de Lyon). New Orleans also has two single goal victories over CdL, including their most recent outing. This will be a close game with potential playoff implications (Editor’s Note: for other teams, at least. The Jesters and Armada have been guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, an unprecedented decision that we will break down in the future).
Last Week’s Results:
Club de Lyon 3-4 Jacksonville Armada U23
Naples United FC 5-1 Miami Dutch Lions
Global Soccer Pathways 0-9 Naples United FC
Club de Lyon 1-2 New Orleans Jesters
This Week:
Miami Dutch Lions vs Global Soccer Pathways (Saturday, June 14 at 2:00pm EST)
Both of these clubs have struggled so far this season, although Miami has been more competitive than GSP. Their most recent encounter was a 6-4 win for Miami, and I don't expect it to be too different for this round: plenty of goals, with a Miami win. It's also noteworthy that all six Miami goals in the previous meeting were by six different players.
FC Florida vs Naples United FC (Saturday, June 14 at 5:00pm EST)
This will be the third meeting between these two teams, and both previous matches were tight affairs. Naples won the first 2-0, and the second was a 1-1 draw. In general, every game that FC Florida has been in has been close, no matter the competition. Expect this to be another tight match.
Miami Dutch Lions vs Club de Lyon (Tuesday, June 17 at 7:00 EST)
Club de Lyon has bounced around a bit, playing only one match at their intended home field. A lack of home field advantage hasn't caused them major issues, and they've been competitive in their travels, even against the top teams in the conference. They haven't faced Miami yet, but I expect them to make short work of them to grab three points.
Standings:
Jacksonville Armada: 15 Points (+16 GD, 5 GP)
Naples United: 13 Points (+19 GD, 5 GP)
New Orleans Jesters: 9 Points (+2 GD, 4 GP)
Club de Lyon: 6 Points (+2 GD, 6 GP)
FC Florida: 5 points (-1 GD, 5 GP)
Miami Dutch Lions: 4 Points (-8 GD, 4 GP)
PSC Florida: 3 points (-8 GD, 4 GP)
Global Soccer Pathways : 0 Points (-22 GD, 5 GP)
Southeast Conference:
Game of the Week: Charlottetowne Hops vs. Port City FC
Saturday, June 14 at 7:30pm EST
CSA OrthoCarolina Sportsplex (Pineville, NC; Capacity 1,000)
Two weeks ago, the Hops and Port City FC played a thrilling match in Wilmington where Charlottetowne came out as 3-2 winners. Now, Port City head to Pineville hoping for a win that would see them vault to third in the standings, a game in-hand and 1 point back of this week’s opponents in second. Either team puts themselves firmly in the driver seat for a Top 4 playoff position with a win, since the conference only has a 10-game regular season.
The Hops will look to continue their high scoring form behind midfielder Ricardo Ferreira after a 4-goal showing against Greenville United last week, though they did lose 0-3 to Appalachian FC in a mid-week friendly. Meanwhile, Port City are coming off a comfortable 3-0 win against Burlington United (their 2nd win over them this year) and are led by striker Aidan Payne. This rematch has the potential to be one of the best games of the season, and one of the most important.
Last Week’s Results:
865 Alliance 1-0 Bristol Rhythm
Hickory FC 1-0 Appalachian FC
Charlottetowne Hops 4-1 Greenville United
Port City FC 3-0 Burlington United
This Week:
Appalachian FC vs. Burlington United (Saturday, June 14 at 7:00pm EST): Appalachian lost 1-0 to Hickory FC last weekend, firmly cementing that they can no longer challenge for first place, and have lost 3 straight games. However, returning home against a woeful Burlington side should hopefully kickstart the team and get them a crucial 3 points in the playoff race.
Bristol Rhythm AFC vs. Greenville United (Saturday, June 14 at 7:00pm EST): If either of these clubs want to challenge for the 4th and final playoff spot in the conference, this is a game they need to win. Greenville come in on a tough loss to Charlottetowne, and we continue to wonder if they are anything more than an inconsistent team. The Rhythm are the same; a win against Appalachian FC isn’t big when you also lost to 865 Alliance last week. A draw would probably be the most fitting result, but a club can prove themselves here.
865 Alliance vs. Hickory FC (Saturday, June 14 at 7:00pm EST): 865 have started to turn their season around since their first two home games of the year have resulted in a draw and win, 0-0 and 1-0. This was after 3 straight away losses. The Knoxville club have another home game this week, but can they really beat a club like Hickory who are unbeaten in NPSL play? It’s unlikely, and the league leaders should be expected to create more separation at the top.
Standings:
Hickory FC: 18 Points (+13 GD, 6 GP)
Charlottetowne Hops: 13 Points (+7 GD, 7 GP)
Appalachian FC: 9 Points (+3 GD, 6 GP)
Port City FC: 9 Points (+3 GD, 5 GP)
Greenville United: 7 Points (-3 GD, 6 GP)
Bristol Rhythm AFC: 6 Points (-1 GD, 5 GP)
865 Alliance: 4 Points (-5 GD, 5 GP)
Burlington United: 1 Point (-17 GD, 6 GP)
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