Salvo SC is hosting the regional tournament for the Central Region of WPSL, having won the Northern Conference for the first time since 2022, at the University of Northwestern- St Paul, just off Snelling Ave in Roseville, Minnesota this weekend. Who takes these four berths is complicated by teams "opting out" of the postseason (that is, choosing not to play). More about that as we break down the competitors.
All games at University of Northwestern - St Paul, Reynolds Field. 3003 Snelling Avenue North, Roseville, MN. 55113
How They Got Here
Salvo SC [7-0-1] - Hosts and Northern Conference wild card
After playing their first game two full weeks after some others in the Conference, the hosts went on a tear, losing only to a Minnesota Thunder team that opted out. Their closest rivals for the hosts' berth were the late-rallying St Croix Legacy, who stumbled against Joy in their penultimate game. They were last in the playoffs in 2023, when they made it all the way to the National Final.
Speaking to Northland Soccer Journal, Salvo WPSL General Manager Matt Cross said:
We’re obviously excited to have secured a playoff spot and the opportunity to host the Central Region playoffs.
Looking back on the regular season, I think this group has shown a tremendous amount of resilience and growth. We’ve had to navigate injuries, player availability, and the challenges that come with competing in one of the stronger conferences in the WPSL, but the players have continued to find ways to get results. More importantly, they’ve developed a strong identity built around work rate, organization, and belief in each other.
As we head into the postseason, we feel confident in our group while also recognizing the quality of teams we’ll face. At this stage of the year, every match is a challenge, and the margins are small. Our focus is on continuing to improve, taking advantage of the opportunity to play at home, and competing with the intensity and commitment that has defined our season so far.
We’re excited to represent Minnesota soccer on the regional stage and are looking forward to what should be a fantastic playoff weekend.
Biggest regular season loss: 1-0 v Minnesota Thunder on June 21st
Biggest regular season win: 4-0 v Minnesota Dutch Lions on June 28th
FC Milwaukee Torrent [7-2-1] - Lakeshore Conference Champions
The Lakeshore has been a three-way dogfight between Chicago House AC, Bavarian United SC, and Torrent, with the Wauwatosa club only coming out on top by a point from House - Bavarians opted out. Torrent have won their division for the past five seasons, even as the division they were placed in has changed. Last year they bowed out to eventual regional champions St Croix Legacy in the conference final. Having lost in their home city last year, they make the 330-mile journey West with hopes of a better outcome. Their best performance to date was a Conference title in 2023.
Biggest regular season loss: 4-0 vs Chicago House AC on 31st May
Biggest regular season win: 18-0 vs Milwaukee City AFC on 17th June.
We caught up with Torrent owner and WPSL head coach, Andreas Davi, before regionals.
It was for us a season with a few changes, because we lost several players, who are done with college and basically didn't know how life is going to treat them, 2 key players specifically with Lauren Hernandez and Laney Higgins.
So then, before the first WPSL game, our whole back line got injured. So we didn't really play it with the back line that we that we that we were supposed to have. However, the team really proved what they are made of; many of them stepped up. Normally, we are in the position that after half of every half, we could really make 9 subs and our level wouldn't drop.
We couldn't do that this year.
As much as it makes me a little bit feel bad about the other girls, they're also going to grow, so how we play, I think the level this year in the conference was closer; they were much tighter games, but it's good. The competition was just different. And so that was great, and we are happy that we go to regionals.
Austin Rise FC [6-1-1] - Lone Star Conference Champions
Almost as hot, last year's conference winners returned to WPSL play off the back of another appearance in the 7-a-side competition TST and have a firm plan to go professional . They have the longest journey to the regional tournament, at just under 1200 miles. However hot they've been, their path to Roseville has been made considerably easier by the fact that three of the five teams in their division opted out.
Rise Co-Founder Bethany Cyrtmus-Davaul spoke to Northland Soccer Journal in the build-up to the regionals:
I'm glad last night that we put on a great show, and our girls finished. But certainly a great confidence booster, and to finally see us really getting on the offensive side was a great way to cap off a third straight conference championship.
NSJ: You've got the worst travel of all the teams. Milwaukee and KC are just 300, 400 miles away
In our region, every year that we don't host, we would be the only ones that have to fly. 'Cause I think everyone else is always close enough to drive. But we'll fly in the day before and it's certainly gonna be fascinating. I still think two years ago was the strongest 11 we've had, consistently through a season. We had just some terrific players, and they just haven't decided to play anymore, or in fact for Summers- because of school.
I feel more confident about the squad this year heading into it, but make no mistake: whether we're playing Torrent, Salvo, or KC Current, it's gonna be a super tight game. In nationals, there technically isn't seeding because they predetermine. Central plays East, but it doesn't work that way for regionals. So last year, your seeding was based on your win percentage.
NSJ: Salvo has a very young squad.
It's fine to have young talent like that, but you need veterans on there and veteran experience. Absolutely. 19, 20, 21, that's a pretty dangerous age. You've got one, two to three years of college experience. You can be pretty solid. But if it's a bunch of 18-and 19-year-olds, you haven't been at this level of play with this level of physicality long enough.
Biggest regular season loss: 2-1 vs Texas Lone Star on June 14th.
Biggest regular season win: 6-0 vs Texas Lone Star on May 30th
Kansas City Current II [7-2-1] - Midwest Conference Champions
KC Current II's stadium in Riverside, MO, has just been announced as the new host of the National Championships, but even to get to Minnesota, Current II had to win a Conference championship against an undefeated Lou Fusz Athletic (and did so easily: 4-1), and now they face two more games before they can return home to host. It is a short road trip; just 440 miles separate the two metros. KCCII re-entered the WPSL this season after a 1-year hiatus. Half of the six teams in their conference opted out, but they took a sword to the Heartland Division, finishing with a +23 goal difference and edging out Oklahoma City FC by two points. In their second season overall in WPSL, they have yet to break through to regional or national success.
Biggest regular season loss: 2-1 vs Oklahoma City FC on June 24th.
Biggest regular season win: 12-0 vs FC Wichita on May 17th.
We caught up with Current II head coach Vasil Ristov before regionals:
NSJ: How do you feel your season has gone so far?
I'm incredibly proud of this group and what they accomplished throughout the regular season. We competed in one of the toughest conferences in the WPSL, and our players embraced that challenge from day one. What impressed me most wasn't just the wins—it was how consistent they were. Whether we were coming off a big win or a result that didn't go our way, our identity never changed. They trusted one another, stayed committed to our standards, and represented the KC Current crest with pride every single day. Championships aren't won on game day—they're built every day in training, and this group embraced that mindset all season. Our approach doesn't change because it's the playoffs. We have a lot of respect for every team that's still competing because they've earned the opportunity to be here. Our focus remains on ourselves—preparing the right way, continuing to improve, and taking it one game at a time. If we stay true to our identity and continue playing for one another, we'll give ourselves the best chance to keep moving forward.
NSJ: How does it feel to be one step away from hosting a national championship tournament?
Hosting Nationals in Kansas City is an incredible opportunity for our club, our city, and women's soccer. Our dream is to earn the chance to play in the national semifinals and final here at home in front of our supporters. At the same time, we know we have two very good opponents and two difficult matches to get through first, so all of our focus is on the next challenge. If we're fortunate enough to earn that opportunity, competing for a national championship in Kansas City would be something really special for our players, our staff, and everyone who has supported us throughout the season.
We will have full coverage of the regionals as Non-League Editor Tim Abbott leads team coverage live from Roseville.
