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Duluth Face Joy Athletic a Month After Eventful Home Opener

Duluth FC vs. Joy Athletic
Saint Louis Park High School Stadium | Saint Louis Park, MN
June 26th, 2021 | Game #8

Current 2021 Records (W-L-T):
Duluth: 3-0-0; 2-2-0 at home/on the road
Joy: 2-1-1; 1-3-0 at home/on the road

Duluth remain on the road this weekend as they travel to the Twin Cities to face Joy Athletic for
the second and final time this regular season. It’s been about a month since Duluth opened their
season against Joy Athletic, a match which saw James Westfield return to the score sheet for
Duluth for the first time since 2019 to open the scoring before Sidney Warden and Dylan Sumner
added their share of the eventual 4-3 scoreline. Joy’s goals that day came from Emanuel Iwe,
Phillip Capudo, and an own goal.

While much has changed since that match, quite a bit has also remained the same. Westfield and
Warden continue to dominate the scoresheet with thirteen goals between them, Warden proving
one of the league’s best with ten, while many of the defenders and midfielders that featured that
might have gone on the cement their places both as starters and off the bench. They’ve done so
for a BlueGreens side that has tempered its early issues conceding goals and has let in just three
in its last five matches.

The improvement in form, shown by Duluth’s recent sweep of playoff rivals Med City, now has
Duluth ahead of Joy on the table and contending for second place. Tied with Med City for said
place, results are as important as ever. Any ground lost by either club would be a major boast to
the other, with both clubs still having several matches left in their seasons.

While the goals have certainly been coming in recent matches, Head Coach Sean Morgan has
had no issue acknowledging the great performances from his non-goal scorers. Recent Man of
the Match winners have included defender Liam Condone and midfielders Danny Torres and

Jacob Daffern, all of which earning said nominations in matches they did not score. It’s a
testament to the grit and effort that has developed in the BlueGreens’ back line and midfield, a
trait that will be key against a Joy squad that loves to score through the likes of Emanuel Iwe,
Phillip Capudo, and league veteran Whitney Browne.

Kick off is expected at 7 pm at Saint Louis Park High School Stadium. Further ticket and
streaming information can be expected via Joy Athletic and will be relayed as is best possible via
our social media outlets.

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