Duluth FC vs. Minneapolis City SC
Public Schools Stadium | Duluth, MN
5.26.18 | Game #4
Current 2018 Records (W-L-D):
Duluth: 0-0-0; 1-0-2 at home; on the road
Minneapolis: 2-0-0; 0-0-1 at home; on the road
With their first stretch of away games at a close, the BlueGreens will finally have the chance to play the beautiful game at home for the 2018 NPSL season, having played only their two open cup matches in Duluth. Their opponent is a familiar one on and off the field. Minneapolis City, who sit in second on the conference table with seven points in three games, have often been on the other side of many social media brawls with the likes of Duluth and shared some notable matches in 2017. The BlueGreens currently hold a positive record with the Crows, earning a draw at Minneapolis and a win at home.
Currently holding five points and third on the table, Duluth will need a strong home record to secure a successful season. While five points in three away games is a good turn out, poor home performances can cripple any season. The Crows have had success so far this season, though both of their wins have come at home, and both sides will be dealing with a variety of rotation and injury issues as they head into their first clash of the season. Having scored fourteen goals in their first four games in all competitions, Duluth was held goalless for the first time on Wednesday against Med City, but also earned their first clean sheet of the season after conceding a total of ten in those same four games. Minneapolis will arrive in at the north shore off of a massive 5-0 win against the Dakota Fusion the previous weekend after drawing Sioux Falls 2-2 and winning a tight 3-2 game against Med City.
This weekend’s match may also prove crucial as an anchor for the club having pushed past the opening excitement of the U.S. Open Cup and the beginning of soccer season as they then look on to a week of rough away days. They will face the Dakota Fusion and then Sioux Falls on May 30th and June 2nd respectively. Both matches will provide long drives to face teams who will be fighting hard for home points in seasons that have so far proven difficult.
With both Duluth and Minneapolis starting the season well this weekend’s match up could prove crucial in deciding who will best be prepared to challenge a skyrocketing Viejos Son Los Trapos side for the 2018 conference title and a run in the playoffs. The grit that will be required is what won Duluth the conference last year and Coach Person’s squad will be looking to bring an updated but similar strength to this year’s campaign. We hope to see you at Public Schools Stadium at 7 this Saturday, come out and support your BlueGreens!
