Coming off huge wins over the weekend both the hosts Minnesota Aurora and visitors Sioux Falls City are ready for a rematch, one with massive implications. A six point swing is possible, which could put Aurora that much closer to the playoffs or put Sioux Falls in reach of a division title. Aurora's 5-0 thrashing of Edgewater Castle moved them to 18 points with four to play, while Sioux Falls 5-1 whipping of River Light moved SFC to 16 points with five to play.
Minnesota has proven themselves to be the team to beat this season. Aurora is tied for the 8th ranked offence in the W League and outright has the top defensive effort. While the goalkeepers have only combined for a handful of saves, players like defender Olivia Albert have made sure it stays that way. As if the teams high press doesn't win the ball back early, she and the entire back line stop attacks before they even sniff the eighteen.
On the other side of the pitch is that top ten attack that has scored an astounding 22 goals this season. Ai Kitagawa leads the club with eight goals in as many games and is currently in the W League golden boot race. Eleven other players have scored for Aurora and 12 players have tallied assists this season, showing it is a massive all around effort on the attack.
After taking their first loss of the season to Aurora, it took a minute for Sioux Falls to bounce back. A draw at RKC Third Coast where the Gulls scored a rare goal to push a 1-1 draw. Though Sioux Falls followed that up with the rebound they wanted, smashing River Light FC in South Dakota.
That win showed that Sioux Falls is also a threatening team, having scored 18 goals over the course of just seven matches. Though eleven of those eighteen goals come in just two matches. An early season drubbing of Rochester FC and last weekends 5-1 win over River Light. Defensively they have failed to keep a clean sheet since losing to Aurora last week. Something they will certainly need to do in order to steal a point in Eagan.
News & Notes
Minnesota Aurora is hosting Nature & Sustainability Night on Wednesday. A good theme considering all the rain this season and potential storms tonight.
Aurora is #1 in USLW Power Rankings for the second straight week. No other team in the Heartland Division made the power rankings.
Two other teams from the Central Conference are in the power rankings. Pittsburgh Riveters (Great Forest Division) are ranked fifth. Indy Eleven (Valley Division) are ranked 14th.
Sioux Falls City has committed the most fouls in the W League with 111 through seven matches.
Aurora hosts final home match of the regular season on Saturday, 20 July against River Light FC. Following that, Aurora will have two road matches to close the regular season.
