NPSL This Week: July 13, 2013

Well, it's playoffs for some and the end of the regular season for others as they get ready for the playoffs...

Let's start with what we know...

Western Region

It's FC Hasental vs. Sacramento- Saturday 5:30 local time... but the more interesting situation came from the battle for the #2 seed in the Southern Division. The San Diego Flash make it through to play Sonoma County Saturday night on an odd situation- surviving a 1-1 draw with FC Santa Clarita. But not without controversy...

Okay, a lot of controversy...

In the 72nd minute, the Flash was awarded a Penalty Kick. Jose Torres took the kick, but this happened...
((HT: SD Diego))


But, then, according to the Flash:

Finally in what was obviously the play of the match, a Storm player was given a Penalty Kick opportunity in the 78th minute. The goal was converted and it look as if the Flash would have to come up with an equalizer with only 12 minutes left. Enter the Center Referee. To the astonishment of almost everyone in the stadium, the goal was waved off.

When asked for an explanation of the call afterward, the referee explained. A Storm player was assigned to take the PK. In his attempt, he stutter-stepped. At that moment, one of his teammates encroached on the area. This gave the referee the right to disallow the goal. Now, should the PK be retaken or should the Flash be given the ball? The ref gave the ball to the Flash.

FC Santa Clarita Storm have filed a protest with the National Premier Soccer League after the match. So for now, the Flash have won their way into the Playoffs. We’ll hear from the league in a few days to see if the score and or the game stands.

FCSC lost the protest... San Diego moves on...

And how do the Sol celebrate (or break it down) after a refreshing workout...???
It goes a little something like this...
((HT: The Sol their own selves))


Midwest Region

The Central Conference still has a game left on the board and the Bavarians have a game in hand over Madison for the weekend to determine who is in with Quad Cities and who goes home. The Bavarians have a game with Eau Claire and one with Quad City on the last day of the regular season.

In the Great Lakes Conference, Erie and FC Buffalo play each other in the first round of the playoffs while Detroit City FC and AFC Cleveland go at it as well. Le Rouge will be hosting a two-day tourney at Cass Tech to determine who gets to play at Quad City next Saturday. Winners win out and move on...

The HQ gives a tip of the hat to Dion Degennaro (@DionDege) for the update...

South Region

The Tulsa Athletics, South Central Conference champs host Chattanooga FC, the winner from the Southeast Conference. The match will take place at Tulsa’s historic Drillers Stadium on July 13 at 7:30 pm CST. Tickets, priced at $5 for general admission and $10 for reserved, are available at the gate or online at https://www.tulsa-athletics.com/tickets/.

Mid-Atlantic Conference champion RVA Football Club will host Jacksonville United FC from the Sunshine Conference. That match will take place on July 13 at 8 pm EST. The venue is Richmond’s Sports Backers Stadium, which is located at 100 Avenue of Champions. Tickets are $5 at the gate with season passes being honored as well.

RVA knocked off Chesterfield United 4-0 to get the match-up... Don Smart scored twice...
Here's their celebration...
((HT: Grover Gibson))


Jacksonville beat Tampa last weekend 2-1 to solidify their place in the second season...
Here's some highlights from Jax United their own selves...

JUFC Highlights 7-6-2013 from Elite Sports Video on Vimeo.

Atlantic Region

These two divisions still have some work to do...

In the Atlantic, it's still the Red Bulls and the Italians. We just don't know the seeding...
The Red Bulls have a game in hand, but play Brooklyn Saturday afternoon...

In the Keystone, it's Lehigh Valley and Binghamton as the 1-2. We just don't know the total points they'll have in the end of the year. And if Binghamton wins twice, they could have the division.

Binghamton had last weekend off while Lehigh Valley beat Buxmont 5-1...

Player of the Week

The winner, for the week ending June 30th, is Myrtle Beach Mutiny striker Tom Butler.

Butler has been one of the South Region’s top goal scorers all season. Most recently he had a hat trick in a 3-3 draw with RVA FC on June 28.

Teams: Let us know your news and notes so we can pass the word along as the season heads to a champion...