Photo by Brett Ballachino

Things are heating up in the Summer of Soccer

Metuchen, NJ — The 2023 Summer of Soccer is heating up with competitive matches being played throughout the country.

Great Lakes Division

Friday, June 2

Futsal Factory 1 vs Nationals SC 2

Not a bad way to get the 2023 campaign going for Nationals SC than with a win. Goals from Amber Best and Madison Madalle helped earn all three points for the visitors who now get to have their home opener this weekend against Livonia City. Futsal Factory looked solid all game and were unlucky on many occasions. Mackenzie Dollison was able to score the first goal of the 2023 season for Futsal Factory as well as the first of hopefully many for the club in the Summer of Soccer.

Saturday, June 3

MI Legends 1 vs Michigan Stars 0

In a battle for bragging rights in the Great Lakes State, the Legends came out against a very strong and physical Stars team looking to steal points in the Great Lakes Division. In the end, the Legends were able to stand their ground at home and earn all three points.

Sunday, June 4

Michigan Jaguars 4 vs Michigan Stars 1

Playing back-to-back matches is never easy especially when you’re going against a team that is looking to stay on top of the division. The Jaguars were able to secure three points in the race to the national championship for the Summer of Soccer in the UWS. The Stars look to get back on track on June 17 against Futsal Factory and what could be a critical season matchup for both teams

East Division

Friday, June 2

FC Buffalo 10 vs Flower City 1872 1

The Leadership of FC Buffalo With Cutrona and Barberic has this group firing on all cylinders out East. Scoring 18 goals in three games is unheard of, and the way it is being done is even more impressive. Flower City 1872 couldn’t find an answer as they found themselves down 3-0 in the first 18 minutes of play. They now have a few days to regroup with a matchup against Steel City FC on June 17th.

Coppermine 3 vs Keystone FC 0

With two matches and three goals in each of those matches, Coppermine is showing itself to be a very steady attacking team. Keystone FC held their own in a matchup, though Coppermine had a course of action knowing that they would be playing a doubleheader weekend.

Saturday, June 3 

NJ Copa FC 1 vs Coppermine 3

NJ Copa FC came out, looking dominant. In the end, Coppermine found a way to capture all three points as they battled to the final whistle. Coppermine now sits atop the table separated, only by goal differential with FC Buffalo.

 

Sporting CT 3 vs Worcester Fuel FC 1

Sporting CT keeps finding a way to gain the results needed in their fight to finish atop the East Conference. With only a few days between matches, Worcester Fuel looked like a very different side in creating chances and many opportunities in hopes of earning points to jump-start their season. In the end, Sporting CT was able to outlast the Fuel and defend their home turf.

Albany Rush 1 vs Scorpions SC 1

After two victories in a row, Albany Rush finally slowed down. A talented and relentless Scorpions SC got their season off with a point against another quality team in the UWS. This could be a sign of more things to come for Scorpions, or a wake-up call for Albany as they look to continue to build on their winning streak this season.

Maine Footy 1 vs CT Rush 0

Maine Footy continues to show that first-year UWS teams can hold their own. After a draw in their first match against a strong Mutiny team, Maine Footy demonstrated that they can play well in all phases of the game. The CT Rush had scoring opportunities, but in the end, the collective of Maine Footy held strong to grab all three points. 

Sunday, June 4

Lancaster Inferno 2 vs BC United 2

BC United traveled to Pennsylvania looking to increase their points total during the summer of soccer against a strong Inferno side. This was a matchup that was well played and hard fought as both teams walked with shared points.

FC Berlin 0 vs Steel City FC 3

Both teams were looking for their first win in the UWS 2023 season. Steel City FC came out on top against a solid FC Berlin side. Steel City FC continues to show tremendous growth each week of action with a record of 1-1-1 and sitting in the middle of the division. FC Berlin will look to find a way to regroup as they prepare for a rematch with Steel City FC this coming Saturday.

Midwest Division

Saturday, June 3 

Cincinnati Sirens 13 vs RBFC Elite 0

Cincinnati Sirens entered the match with confidence. It was a very tough matchup for the Elite in their first game of the 2023 season. However, the Elite will put this behind them as they get ready for a midweek match-up with Edgewater Castle.

Edgewater Castle 1 vs Indiana Union 3

Two matches can’t define a season just yet, although Edgewater Castle finds itself in a difficult position with one point from two matches. Indiana Union earned the three points after an opening season loss to Cincinnati.

Southwest Division

Friday, June 2

San Antonio Athenians 0 vs ATX Blues 1

UWS newcomers ATX Blues didn’t want to follow the script against San Antonio Athenian who advanced to the national championship the last two years. The Blues came out looking like a team that has been around for some time causing difficulties for a young Athenian side. If this matchup is what to expect from the Southwest division, buckle up it’s going to be a wild ride. 

Sunday, June 4

San Antonio Runners 0 vs Luxoria FC 2

After a strong 2022 season that saw Luxoria come up short in the end, they began their 2023 campaign with a win to show that they want to be the team to beat in the division with a roster of familiar faces and talent. The Runners on the other hand understand that an early loss isn’t the end and know that they can regroup to come out on top.

West Division

Saturday, June 3

FC Arizona 1 vs Calgary Foothills 3

3,631 miles is a lot of travel for a weekend, and walking away with 6 points is a great leap forward in a competitive division. Calgary showed no signs of slowing down due to travel and on the pitch looked dominant as they put forth two solid efforts within a three day span. FC Arizona will look to regroup with a trip to Calgary on the horizon and a chance to return the favor. 

Sunday, June 4

Los Angeles Soccer Club 0 vs SC Blue Heat 1

The “Hollywood Derby” met the hype and this was a fun one to watch with both sides having opportunities to take the lead. In the end, Blue Heat was able to grab all three points thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Sophia Ruys to give the visitors the victory.

United Women’s Soccer (UWS) is a national pro-am league founded in December 2015 on the basis of providing equality, opportunity, and respect for the women’s game. UWS has proven to be an innovative league that has paved the way for the further advancement of women’s soccer. Eighty-plus teams based in the United States and Canada comprise two distinct levels of competition: UWS and UWS League Two (UWS2).

With over 38 NWSL draftees & 100 professional contracts to its name, UWS provides high-level competition for college players, aspiring & former professionals, and international stars. The season runs from May until the end of July, culminating in a National Championship.

Stay abreast of the latest news by connecting with United Women’s Soccer on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Watch the league’s live shows each week on YouTube.