Metuchen, NJ — We’ve reached the business end of the United Women’s Soccer season. With time running out, division titles are at stake as crucial games line the UWS schedule for July Fourth Weekend.
Central Conference
Great Lakes Division
Friday, July 1
Muskegon Risers vs Michigan Jaguars
Start Time: 7:30 EST
Venue: Oakridge High School (Muskegon, Michigan)
Muskegon Risers close out their regular-season action at home against Michigan Jaguars on Friday evening. The hosts will be out to secure their first win of the season, while Michigan Jaguars can move above Cap City Athletic into third place in the Great Lakes Division with three points in this one.
Sunday, July 3
Nationals FC vs Corktown Hawks
Start Time: 5:00 EST
Venue: Oakland University Track Stadium (Rochester, Michigan)
A thrilling clash between first-place Corktown Hawks and second-place Nationals FC closes out the slate in the Great Lakes Division this week. Nationals FC could move into the top spot with three points here after a victory in midweek action over Cap City Athletic, while Corktown Hawks can clinch the division title with a win.
Heartland Division
Friday, July 1
Sporting Nebraska vs Gretna Elite
Start Time: 10:00 a.m. CST
Venue: Papillion Landings (Papillion, Nebraska)
The competition in the Heartland Division couldn’t be much tighter as we enter the final week of action. Fourth-place Gretna Elite can jump Sporting Nebraska into third place should it grab a big-time road victory here. For its part, Sporting Nebraska will be keen to keep the pressure on second-place FC Wichita with a good performance Friday morning.
Saturday, July 2
FC Wichita vs Arkansas Wolves
Start Time: 3:00 CST
Venue: Stryker Sports Complex (Wichita, Kansas)
Fresh off their first ever win in United Women’s Soccer last weekend, Arkansas Wolves hit the road looking to play spoiler against second-place FC Wichita. The hosts will need to bounce back from a difficult defeat to KC Courage last week in order to secure second place.
Sunday, July 3
Side FC 92 vs Arkansas Comets
Start Time: 3:00 CST
Venue: Case Community Soccer Complex (Sand Springs, Oklahoma)
Side FC 92 and Arkansas Comets round out the weekend of action in the Heartland Division. These two teams produced an intense 1-1 draw in their last meeting this season. Arkansas Comets will be out to grab a landmark win in their rookie campaign, while Side FC 92 will view this as a chance to close out the season on a positive note.
Midwest Division
Friday, July 1
Indiana Union vs Chicago Mustangs
Start Time: 7:00 EST
Venue: Trinity Sports Park (Noblesville, Indiana)
Chicago Mustangs can mathematically clinch a division title if they take a point from this contest. They face a difficult test in the form of a capable Indiana Union side, though. This game will feature three of the four top scorers across UWS. Nina Nicosia tops the charts with 11 goals so far this season for Chicago Mustrangs. Her teammate, Julia Simon, has nine markers on the year, as does Indiana Union star Isabella Wallace.
Sunday, July 3
Illinois Premier vs RBFC Elite
Start Time: 6:00 CST
Venue: John Hersey High School (Arlington Heights, Illinois)
Illinois Premier and RBFC Elite will collide for the first of two contests in quick succession to close out their respective seasons. Both sides are still in search of a victory as they come to the end of their debut seasons in UWS, and this is sure to be an entertaining battle between two motivated teams.
East Conference
Mid-Atlantic Division
Sunday, July 3
NJ Copa FC vs Keystone FC
Start Time: 2:00 EST
Venue: St. Joseph High School (Metuchen, New Jersey)
Both NJ Copa FC and Keystone FC come into this game having played 90 minutes of midweek action, meaning their stamina and depth will be tested here. NJ Copa FC scored a thrilling 2-1 win over the UWS rookies in their first meeting this season, and Keystone FC will be keen on earning some revenge here as it looks for its first victory at this level.
Penn-NY Division
Saturday, July 2
Rochester Lancers vs Pittsburgh Hotspurs
Start Time: 2:00 EST
Venue: Wegmans Stadium at Aquinas Institute (Rochester, New York)
Rochester Lancers can pull into a tie at the top of the Penn-NY Division with three points here against Pittsburgh Hotspurs. Rochester Lancers have been difficult to beat all season, losing just once in seven games. Still, with 12 goals on their ledger this season, Pittsburgh Hotspurs have the firepower to compete with anyone, and will look to do just that as they search for their first UWS win.
Erie Commodores vs FC Buffalo
Start Time: 4:00 EST
Venue: Mercyhurst University Tulio Field (Erie, Pennsylvania)
First and second place in the Penn-NY Division standings collide in Erie as Erie Commodores look to overtake FC Buffalo for the top spot. The hosts are unbeaten in seven games this season, and the first contest between these two clubs this year resulted in a scintillating 2-2 draw. With everything at stake, there’s plenty of potential for dramatics.
South Conference
Southeast Division
Friday, July 1
Atlanta Fire vs Atlanta Panthers
Start Time: 7:00 EST
Venue: Pinecrest Academy (Cumming, Georgia)
The second meeting of the season between the two Atlanta-based clubs in UWS is set for Friday night. The first matchup saw Atlanta Panthers claim a 2-1 victory in an intense match, and Friday’s game should be no different with local bragging rights at stake. It’s also a clash of the Southeast Division’s two best teams, with Atlanta Fire trailing Atlanta United by two points in the standings.
Southwest Division
Friday, July 1
FC Austin Elite vs SA Athenians
Start Time: 7:30 CST
Venue: Round Rock Multipurpose Complex (Round Rock, Texas)
The two best teams in the Southwest Division go head-to-head for the second time in the regular season as FC Austin Elite hosts SA Athenians. FC Austin Elite comes into the weekend holding a three-point edge, but SA Athenians have a significant goal difference advantage over the division leaders, and can take over first place with a win.
SA Runners vs Luxoria FC
Start Time: 7:30 CST
Venue: Wheatley Heights Sports Complex (San Antonio, Texas)
Luxoria FC comes into this contest against SA Runners having won three of its last four games, sitting in third place in the Southwest Division in its first season in UWS. Fellow UWS rookies SA Runners are coming off a midweek defeat to CTX Hornets.
Sunday, July 3
FC Austin Elite vs SA Runners
Start Time: 7:30 CST
Venue: Round Rock Multipurpose Complex (Round Rock, Texas)
FC Austin Elite will take on its second San Antonio-based foe of the weekend as it welcomes SA Runners to Round Rock Multipurpose Complex on Sunday evening. Every point is vital for the home side at this point of the season, while SA Runners will look to make a statement by taking down one of the top sides in the division.
CTX Hornets vs SA Athenians
Start Time: 7:30 CST
Venue: Bob Shelton Stadium (Buda, Texas)
CTX Hornets will look to keep their momentum rolling after they secured their first win of the season with a 2-1 triumph over SA Runners in midweek action. Playing their second game in three days, SA Athenians will have their depth tested here as they continue to fight at the top of the division.
West Conference
Saturday, July 2
SC Blue Heat vs Los Angeles SC
Start Time: 7:30 PST
Venue: College of the Canyons (Santa Clarita, California)
Two Southern California clubs come together to kick things off in West Conference action this week, as SC Blue Heat and Los Angeles SC meet for the first time since Los Angeles SC’s ascent into UWS. SC Blue Heat has its work cut out as it looks to close a six-point gap with Calgary Foothills at the top of the division, while Los Angeles SC can move into a tie for third place with an upset of the defending UWS national champs.
Sunday, July 3
Calgary Foothills vs Impact FC
Start Time: 2:00 MST
Venue: Shouldice Athletic Park – Hellard Field (Calgary, Alberta)
It’s an all-Canadian clash on Sunday afternoon in Calgary, as Calgary Foothills takes on Impact FC. Calgary Foothills will be out to keep its perfect season going against its foes from the great white north, while Impact FC can move into the top half of the division should it manage three points in this one.
