Siouxland United 2- 1 Dakota Fusion
The week began with Siouxland United playing host to the 4th team in the current NPSL North standings, Dakota Fusion. The Outlaws dominated possession but were only able to scrape home a 2-1 victory, with goals from Ken Naito and Koki Ogawa which nonetheless put them further ahead at the top of the conference. Fusion's consolation came from Keidin Green in stoppage time.
Speaking to Northland Soccer Journal after the conclusion of the match, Siouxland United head coach Alex Trent said:
Fusion was organized well and executed their game plan to make things challenging for us. Kristoff is doing a great job.
We are still searching for the consistency we've been missing all year from our performances on the field, but as always in this conference, we're happy to be able to walk away with three points.
Another big one on Friday at home against Duluth.
The Sioux City, IA, club then faced the challenge of second-place Duluth FC on Friday night. For the visitors from northern Minnesota, a second match of the weekend lay ahead in the shape of the Sioux Falls Thunder, up the interstate from Bishop Heelan Memorial Stadium, in South Dakota, on Saturday. If they won both, they would be subject to a goal-difference tiebreaker with Siouxland United for the top spot.
Siouxland United 0-0 Duluth FC
A game with barely a handful of chances for either side. Duluth stays 6 points behind the Outlaws with two games in hand. One of which was the following day.
Northland Soccer Journal caught up with Siouxland head coach Alex Trent after the game: Is tonight a missed opportunity?
Always a missed opportunity when you don't take three points at home, but seeing great signs of growth from this group. Two games left to continue to improve and build toward playoffs.
NSJ: You're pretty much locked in for the playoffs. Does that change your approach at all in those remaining games?
Not too much. Always important to try to push for as many home games as possible in playoffs, so always looking to take 3 points from every regular season game if you can to put yourself in a better position for that.
Duluth head coach William Månström also spoke to NSJ between the two games:
I thought it was a very competitive game between two good sides. Both teams had chances, and in games like this, it often comes down to the small details. I thought we defended very well, as we have all season, and created enough chances to come away with all three points. Considering the circumstances of traveling on the bus all day, I was really pleased with the way the boys showed up and competed. It’s a good point away from home, and now we reload and go again today.
Sioux Falls Thunder 0-3 Duluth FC
It took Duluth FC 20 minutes to register their first goal from Seth Davidson, but they strolled through this potential trap game. The second goal came just after the hour mark, an old-school direct ball up the center of the pitch, with Axel Soulemana connecting for the easy finish. The icing on the cake came in the 83rd minute, as João Magalhães met a cross from the right in the six-yard box for a diving finish.
Coach William Månström spoke to us after the game:
Very happy with both the result and the performance! It’s never easy to play back-to-back, but we responded to the challenge really well. A lot of guys got valuable minutes, and the entire squad showed real quality all weekend. Two clean sheets in 48 hours is a great reflection of our core values and the passion this group plays with.
Standings and playoff positioning
(The top two teams host the bottom two in the semifinals)
Remaining games:
Tuesday at 6pm: Siouxland v Joy AC
Wednesday at 7pm: Fusion v Duluth FC
Saturday at 6:30pm: Blizzard v Duluth
7pm: Sioux Falls Thunder v Dakota Fusion
Monday at 8pm: Joy v Blizzard
Weds 1st July 6pm: Blizzard v Siouxland
7pm: Thunder v Joy
Duluth FC v Dakota Fusion
