WPSL Central Region Playoffs: Round 1

Big wins for KC, Cleveland and Colorado

The training facility very publicly opened by the NWSL’s KC Current recently, was apparently severely restricted for the recent Midwest Championship.

Reports reached us that there are no locker rooms, showers , US flag or ball crew. In 90 degree heat, there was no ice available to the trainer- or any other way to cool down players. The observant amongst you will already know that there is no fan attendance and no streaming.

The Current have responded to these allegations:

As it has just opened, there are some items still being completed and some items not yet available for use. All of these items were discussed with the league and accommodations were made to account for all of the Torrent’s needs, despite the fact only nine players traveled from Milwaukee to play this match. Although a locker room was not available on-site, the Current made arrangements for the team to use other facilities nearby. It was a very hot day and ice was most definitely made available for all players.

As I said, we are very proud of our team and look forward to their performance throughout the playoff season. We congratulate the Torrent on their performance throughout the regular season and hope that they are able to field a full team the next time we have the chance to take the field against them.

After all that, Current (as expected) rolled over the Torrent. A 7–0 win with solo goals from Miyako Hallier, Amelia Horton, Mary Long, Chelsea Wagner and a hat trick from Olivia Garcia. They move on to the Central semifinals which were to be hosted by the winner of the Mountain Conference.

Colorado Rapids 5–1 Utah Avalanche

Colorado Rapids Women are the top end of Colorado Rapids Youth rather than the women’s arm of the MLS side and since we don’t cover the Mountain Conference there isn’t much more I can add. However, Rapids went on the road to Utah and absolutely smoked the Wasatch Division winning Avalanche — who had yet to drop a point in the season — to take the hosting duties for the regional semifinals.

Kelly Bullock got the goal for the Utahn side. Marianna Annest scored a hat trick for Rapids, along with solo goals for Alesia Garcia and Alyssa Glover.

Cleveland Ambassadors 6–0 FC Dayton

A healthy season for FCD comes to an shuddering halt as Ambassadors beat the Ohio Valley West champions to advance. Anna Rico scored twice for Ambassadors, with solo goals from Jordan Fusco, Hannah Zaluski, Alex Wright and Sam Wiehe. Nonetheless, Ambassadors declined their spot in the regional semifinals.

Indios Denver FC accepted an invite from the league commissioner to take their place.

Salvo SC are the fourth team in the playoffs, having won the Northern Conference and secured a bye to the semifinals because there is only one division in the North.

Saturday July 16th

Regional Playoff Semifinals

Colorado Rapids v Salvo SC — 10 am CT

Kansas City Current II v Indios Denver FC — 1pm CT

Sunday July 17th

Central Regional Final.

The winners of the Central Region then play the winners of the East Region in the National Semifinals, hosted by Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK, on July 22nd.

The WPSL Championship is on Sunday July 24th. See below for the full bracket.