THE ROJA LEAGUE

Diablos Estudiantes 2 - 0 NTX Rayados

I’ve been a bit slow to the lesson, but consider me now properly instructed on not ever doubting the abilities of Denton’s junior side. The Estudiantes have grown, and risen to the occasion, of each match, and every opponent, presented to them. This was never more evident as it was in their body of work vs NTX Rayados on Saturday night, where the Estudiantes posted an early two- goal lead in the first half, then showed a discipline they’d be lacking in earlier outings by shutting down the veteran Rayados and preventing any opportunity or hope for the visitors that they might make a comeback or share a point.

Estudiantes have held onto their league lead atop the standings, and will play the rest of the season out with a target on their back. Perhaps it may be too daunting a task to maintain their place at the top, but don’t choose against the youngsters yet.

Denton Diablos 4 -1 Fort Worth Vaqueros

Be honest, If you were tuned into this match, and not from Fort Worth, you were pulling for the Diablos. We all love an underdog story, and while The Chisolm Trail Clasico may only be in its second year, it’s already brought much heartache to the Denton side still seeking an inaugural victory against the Vaqueros after two 2019 NPSL regular season matches, one playoff match, and two eNPSL matches.

From the opening kickoff, the Diablos were committed to setting the pace and closing that chapter of heartbreak, and they’d score first at the 21st minute with an expertly turned shot beyond the diving effort of the Fort Worth goalkeeper and buried in the bottom left corner of the net. Seemingly aware of past histories versus the Vaqueros, in which Denton had scored the opening match in all past meetings, the Diablos continued to maintain a predominantly offensive shape and struck for a second goal 4 minutes later. Denton fans may have seen ghosts of Chisholm Trails past when the Vaqueros found a score just before halftime to shave the Diablo lead to just a goal, but a converted penalty in the 61’ and a final score in the 87’ gave Denton an emphatic first win against Fort Worth. The Diablos will also travel down to Cowtown for the second leg of the clasico with a commanding lead.

Inocentes FC 3- 3 Irving FC

Inocentes was a worthy favorite, along the likes of NTX Rayados, to win the inaugural Roja League, at least in my mind. They're a club rich in history, culture, community and developing highly competitive sides, most recently reaching the UPSL championship game in the Fall 2018 season, where they would only fall to the now-professional side California Strikers in penalties.All that history and success clearly hasn’t been lost on their opponents so far in the Roja League season, as Inocentes is absorbing everyone’s evident best shot. Denton’s first team kept clawing back in a season opening, thrilling, 4-4 draw. Fort Worth, while woeful in other contests, brought their A effort to the inaugural Cowtown Clasico in a 1-1 game. And now Irving FC, desperate to improve their position in the standings after an admirable in a 3-2 loss to Rayados and a draw with Denton, clawed their way back from an early deficit to claim a 3-3 finale. Both sides have looked strong and been highly competitive on the pitch, but they’re each still looking for their elusive first victory of the season.

THE HEARTLAND SUPER CUP

Southwest Region

Garden City Potrillos FC 2 - 0 Atletico Liberal FC

The southwest region of the heartland Super Cup kicked off in west Kansas this past weekend, with the Potrillos, or “Colts” of Garden City claiming a 2-0 advantage over neighboring Atletico Liberal FC.

Dodge City Toros FC 0 - 1 FC Wichita U20’s

Proving that playing their under-20 youth to winning results isn’t limited to the Denton Diablos, FC Wichita’s U20’s traveled to western Kansas and battled a stout Dodge City Toros lineup to a scoreless stalemate late into the match. The Reds then found a late goal, and 3 vital points with it, to carry back to Wichita ahead of hosting the rest of their group matches this weekend.

North Region

Iowa Raptors FC 7 - 0 Raptors Reserves

Springfield FC 3 - 0 Raptors Reserves

Iowa Raptors FC 2 - 0 Omaha Kings FC

Springfield FC 1 - 1 Omaha Kings FC

USL League 2 expansion side Iowa Raptors hosted the North Region in Cedar Rapids, and easily swept aside the Reserves, before defeating the Omaha Kings FC inaugural outdoor side. Omaha, a member of the indoor PASL league, would put together a strong effort in a draw versus the UPSL’s Springfield FC. The side from Illinois would later find a win against the Raptor’s Reserves. The group enters the second weekend of play with Iowa Raptors leading with 6 pts, Springfield sitting at 3 points, Omaha with a 1 point and the Reserves at 0.

UNITED PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE

Panther United FC 2 - 0 APTX CDF

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Panther United FC 2 - 3 Houston FC 2

It was a mixed bag of results for Panther United FC this past week. They scored a win and a clean sheet against APTC CDF on Tuesday, then fell in a surprisingly close effort to Houston FC 2 over the weekend in Central Conference - South, Division 2 action.

Houston FC 2 - 1 Athletic Houston FC

The UPSL Central Conference - South, Division One Battle for Houston, bragging rights, and the division lead was as well contested, and thrilling, a match as was hoped for. HFC and AHFC competed intensely all 90 minutes,through the hot and humid conditions, of their midday match. Houston scored two goals late in the first half, then hung on through an Athletic Houston rally for the victory.

Celta Gunners 0 - 2 The Mix SC

No two teams have met so far this season in the midst of such drastic changes in fortunes. Two matches ago, Celta Gunners were a victory away from the Southeast Conference - Central Florida West, Division One lead. In contrast, The Mix were wading through their inaugural season with great struggle, trading the basement of the standings at turns with Diaspora United CC. After The Mix spring the commanding upset of Celta though, the Gunners sit in last place and The Mix are in the mix (sorry!) for postseason play.

Leg A-Z International SA 3 - 1 Clay County SC

In the battle for second place behind Southeast Conference - Central Florida East’s leading OFC Barca, Leg A-Z InterSA may be the only club remaining with a chance of knocking off OFCB. They headed off the visitors from neighbouring Clay County by a 3-1 margin and claim one of only two undefeated records in division play. The other? Leg A-Z INterSA’s next opponent, OFC Barca.

FK Orlando 4 - 2 Orlando Rovers FC

One of the better matches I watched this week, from one of the more interesting selected angles. Much of the game was partially obscured from the camera’s perch in the far corner of the pitch by the timed lawn sprinklers, but from what I could make out, FK Orlando proved the better team on the day and quietly hangs around to make things interesting for future fixtures against OFC Barca and Leg A-Z InterSA. The Orlando Rovers, meanwhile, continue to provide competitive play on the field, just without the elusive win. That should come in a few more of their matches to come.

OFC Barca 4 - 2 Macca Ballers FC

Macca Ballers gave a competitive effort against division leaders OFC Barca, but OFCB eventually pulled away for a comfortable, two-scores, win.

Royal Palms SC 0 - 10 Sporting Orlando SC

Remember last week when I said this match could get ugly, fast? Well, this match got ugly, fast. Sporting Orlando SC carried to hangover from their loss to OFCB into this matchup, and instead took out their frustrations from the week prior on Royal Palms SC, a side now boasting an alarming -17 goal differential through just three games.

Arctic Rush 1 - 1 Fairbanks SC

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Fairbanks SC 1 - 4 Arctic Rush

The northernmost team in a national league, Fairbanks SC debuted against Arctic Rush in Anchorage, playing a doubleheader between the sides over the weekend. The visitors held their own in a game one, earning the draw and a point. However, Arctic came back in dominant fashion the following day to pick up a victory ahead of a rematch versus Last Frontier Conference leaders, Alaska Timbers, next week.

FC Arizona U23 0 - 4 Olympians FC

Another week, another victory, another clean sheet, another three points for Olympians FC in Southwest Conference play. It doesn’t look like they’ll find a serious competitor in the conference until post-covid pay returns and the likes of Sporting Arizona, FC Grande, and Southwest FC make their reappearance. If you aren’t yet watching Olympians FC, and have them as potential favorites for the national title, you should be.

Diaspora United 3 -3 Florida Tropics SC 2

Diaspora United continues to improve each week on the pitch, following up their draw with The Mix SC last week with a draw versus Florida Tropics SC 2 this weekend. The Tropics meanwhile, have just one point in the past two matches and appear to be fading down the stretch if they can’t turn the results around this week.