The Week that Was 2/13/23

Rapid City FC and the Houston Bolt weren't ready to go quietly. In last weekend's biggest games, the Grand Rapids team toppled the Cleveland Crunch 11-5 to pull within a half game of first place, and the Bolt slid into a first place tie with two straight road wins over the Wichita Selection.

Like the proverbial groundhog, Grand Rapids and Houston saw their shadow and have forecast six more weeks of competitive indoor soccer in the Eastern and Southern Divisions.

Saturday, February 18

Omaha 17 Milwaukee 3 F

The Omaha Kings scored early and often in the first half and scored even more often in the second half in a 17-3 rout of visiting Brew City United. The Kings (6-0) got their customary six-point night out of Manuel Lira, and Gabi Gaiotto scored his first three goals of the season. Guilherme Alencar had four goals to lead all goal scorers. Milwaukee fell to 0-4.

Grand Rapids 11 Cleveland 5 F

The Rapid City FC/Cleveland Crunch game lived up to the hype for about 25 minutes. Cleveland led 2-1 after one quarter, but Grand Rapids scored all four second quarter goals and the Crunch had no answer.  It was the most goals ever allowed by the Crunch in their three seasons. Cleveland goalkeeper Marijo Musa, who is 19-0 the last three seasons, did not play. Elmedin Zukic had a hat trick for Rapid City and three other players had a pair of goals apiece. Grand Rapids won't have long to celebrate. This Saturday they have a rematch in Cleveland where the Crunch have never lost since their 2020 return.

Chicago 8 Rockford 7 F

The Illinois State Line Falcons have been competitive in every game this year, but wins remain elusive after an 8-7 loss to the Chicago Mustangs. The Falcons (1-4) led 2-0 and 4--3, but Chicago took the lead for good midway through the fourth quarter. Luis Batalla and Bruce Ruiz each had a pair of goals for Chicago (3-2).

Houston 11 Wichita 7 F

The Houston Bolt (5-3) scored six unanswered goals to rally from a 7-5 deficit for an 11-7 win over the Wichita Selection (4-2). Jeminson Mejia, David Brown, Lucio Martinez, and Cristian Wolter each had two goals for Houston.

Springfield 13 Austin 1 F

For the third time this year the Springfield Demize beat the Austin Emerald. This time it was the Demize (6-3) running away, 13-1. Austin (0-7) has been outscored 37-2 in two visits to Springfield this season. Five Demize players scored two goals each. William Morais spoiled the shutout bid at 1:30 of the fourth quarter. Joel Barroso and Ludin Gonzales each played a half in nets for the Demize.

Sunday, February 19

Houston 10 Wichita 8 F

The Houston Bolt (6-3) came into the weekend needing at least one win in Wichita to stay competitive in the Southern Division. They got two. Houston's 10-8 win over the Selection (4-3) created a three way tie in the division's loss column. Matthew Campos's goal at 7:55 of the fourth quarter put Houston up for good, breaking a 7-7 tie. Jordi Cobo's four-point night led all Bolt scorers. Radley Arnold had the hot foot again for Wichita with four goals. Only Omaha (3-0) has a better road record than Houston's current mark of 4-1.

Monday, February 20

Chicago 12 Milwaukee 2 F

Brew City United's rough weekend turned into a rough holiday weekend with a 12-2 loss Monday at the hands of the Chicago Mustangs. Gabriel Uno had cuatro goals for Chicago (4-2). Milwaukee, who was outscored in two games this week by a combined 29-5, got both of their goals in the second half. United fell to 0-5.

...and coming up:
Eastern Division
Cincinnati Swerve 2/25/23 vs. Detroit
Cleveland Crunch 2/25/23 vs. Grand Rapids
Detroit Waza Flo 2/25/23 at Cincinnati, 2/26/23 vs. Grand Rapids
Rapid City FC 2/25/23 at Cleveland, 2/26/23 at Detroit

Central Division
Brew City United 2/25/23 vs. Chicago
Chicago Mustangs 2/25/23 at Milwaukee
Illinois State Line Falcons 2/25/23 vs. Omaha
Omaha Kings 2/25/23 at Illinois

Southern Division
Austin Emerald 2/26/23 vs. Springfield
Houston Bolt 2/25/23 vs. Springfield
Springfield Demize 2/25/23 at Houston, 2/26/23 at Austin
Wichita Selection 3/4/23 vs. Springfield