Starting today, Friday August 7th, it’s UPSL’s turn to take the soccer’s center stage when they host their National Finals in Los Angeles, California. Up first is returning UPSL Champions, New York Renegades when they take on Miami United FC. Then Deportivo Rose City, from Portland, Oregon play Central Kansas United. Once the finalists are determined, the third place game will be held on Sunday at 3:00pm and Final at 6:30pm.

New York Renegades FC vs Miami United FC

The Fall 2025 Champions, NY Renegades FC made their way back to a UPSL National Finals weekend and are set to take on Miami United FC at Drake Stadium in Los Angeles - kickoff is 3:00pm PT / 6:00pm ET and will be streamed on the UPSL YouTube Channel.

This fixture is a rematch of the Fall 2025 Semifinal on January 31st between New York and Miami, which ended in a lopsided win for the eventual champions, 3-0. Renegades are looking to become only the second team in UPSL history to win back-to-back titles - Soda City FC did it 2024 Spring / 2024 Fall. If New York can pull it off, they would also be only the third team since the league was founded in 2011 to win two championships at all, OC Crew SC being the first in 2011 and 2013.

Renegades won their American North Conference with 9 wins and a draw from 10 matches played - scoring 44 goals and allowing 8 with a +36 Goal Differential. In the Round of 32, NY beat Brockton FC United 3-0; in the Round of 32, they got past Bridge Sports Club 1-0; then knocked out Detroit City FC II 3-1 with Mathews Carriel, Angelo Quintanilla, and Erick Turcios all scoring to advance to the National Finals in LA.

Miami United FC return to the National Finals as well, after coming in 2nd in the Florida South Conference with 11 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss from 13 played. They bagged 40 goals and let in 18 for a GD of +22. To get to this point, they knocked out the Florida Badgers, 1-0, in the Round of 32; pummeled PCU Pelicans SC 5-0 in the Round of 16; took the always challenging South Carolina Heat SC to added on extra time, then penalties, after ending 1-1 - Miami advanced to the finals after an exciting 6-5 win from penalties. Robertino Insua, Nicolas Prada, Santiago Frean, and Elysee Nael are the danger men for Miami United FC heading into this revenge fixture.

Deportivo Rose City vs Central Kansas United

The second semifinal will also be at Drake Stadium in LA, kickoff is set for 6:30pm PT / 8:30 CT and will be streamed on the UPSL YouTube Channel. Deportivo Rose City won their second Oregon Conference title this Spring, 8 wins, a draw, and a loss from 10 played; 39 goals scored and 12 allowed for a GD of +27. The polished off their season with a win over a very competitive Valle Verde FC, 3-1, in the Conference Final. Rose City won the conference back in Spring 2024, but weren’t in the playoff bracket; so, this appears to be their first appearance in the national playoffs.

Before there was a separate Oregon Conference, they used to play in a combined Pacific Northwest Conference and faced old foes Bellevue Athletic in the Round of 32; they won 2-0. Then they beat playoff regulars, Valley 559 FC, 4-2 in the Round of 16; finally, the Portland team won in the national quarterfinals, 2-1, over Next Level Soccer. Dustin Corea is second in the 2026 Spring Playoffs Top Scorers list, on 8 goals. Kevyn Montano, Jesus Patino, Edgar Salazar and Rogelio Rodriguez are also always dangerous.

Another fresh face in the UPSL playoffs is Central Kansas United, who finished 3rd in their Midwest South Conference. Only 6 wins, 3 draws, and a loss from 10 played, CKU are the lowest scoring side left in the playoff, with only 23 goals bagged and 10 given up for a +13 GD. Once they got to the playoffs, however, Central Kansas United had a point to prove and walloped Fountain City Athletic 7-2, then won their Conference Final 3-1 over the Dodge City Toros.

CKU beat Arkansas Wolves 3-2 in the Round of 32, won 1-0 over Worthington Community FC in the Round of 16, and knocked out West Texas Rush, 2-1, in the national quarterfinals. While no single player stood out as a danger man, they spread the goals out evenly once they got into playoff mode and guys like Gerardo Garcia, Juan Lozada, Seth Flores and Noel Zimbeva should not go unmarked.

The winners of both semis will face off on Sunday in the UPSL Final at Wallis Annenberg Stadium, 6:30pm PT /9:30pm ET streamed on the UPSL YouTube Channel.

by Joshua Duder