Metuchen, NJ — The race for playoff spots could come to a conclusion for all conferences with some high-profile matchups to determine seeding and representation within the divisions.

Great Lakes Division

Tuesday, June 27

MI Legends 2 vs MI Hawks 1

Trying to keep pace with the Nationals SC, the Legends needed to make sure they defended their home turf and take all three points. They did just that with a 2-1 win over a Hawks team that came out to create some chaos in the Great Lakes division. The win allows the Legends to remain unbeaten while staying even with the Nationals, only separated by goal differential. July 8th can’t come soon enough for the Legends in a match that will determine the Great Lakes.

Wednesday, June 28

Livonia City FC 0 vs MI Burn 2

Two teams entered this match winless and one left with their first three points of the season. The Burn came out from the get-go with a game plan and stuck to it for the 90 minutes giving them their first UWS win as they look to continue this form the rest of the way in the Summer of Soccer. Livonia City was impressive at times but just couldn’t connect in the final third to get the result they wanted but have a chance to finish their season with a win on July 11th against Futsal Factory.

Thursday, June 29

MI Stars 1 vs Nationals SC 3

Making sure not to give up any ground to the Legends, Nationals SC needed to win to stay atop the division and will need to continue to win if it wants any chance at the postseason with the Legends on its heels. The Stars meanwhile are a strong side showing a great makeup of talent and skill and although the results haven’t gone their way this season they are a fun team to watch and keep an eye on in the UWS of the foreseeable future.

Sunday, July 2

MI Burn vs Futsal Factory

Start Time: 2:00 PM EST

Venue: Sports Academy

Two games this week could be a good thing for the Burn as they host a Futsal Factory side that is coming off their first win of the season, a 3-1 victory over the Stars. Look for Futsal Factory to keep that momentum going, while the Burn could have some momentum of their own from their match on Wednesday.

East Division

Saturday, July 1

NJ Copa FC vs Keystone FC

Start Time: 2:00 PM EST

Venue: St Joseph HS

Five games in 15 days is something out of a Premier League team calendar but NJ Copa FC has kept going and is getting better each match, especially after a win against playoff-hopeful BC United last weekend. Copa will host a Keystone FC side that is looking to finish strong and could make the playoffs if things shake out in their favor while winning out. With 4 points from 5 matches a win could see them right back in the hunt if the 4 teams in front of them slip up a bit as 5 points separates seeds 8-12. Buckle up, this East division could get a little crazy.

Flower City 1872 vs FC Berlin 

Start Time: 2:30 PM

Venue: Rochester Sports

Coming off an impressive 2-1 win at home against a playoff-caliber team in Erie, Flower City has an opportunity to make it two straight wins when they host FC Berlin. Tegan Morrison has provided some firepower this season for FC Berlin while Tiana Bucknor and the backline have worked hard weekly to get the team forward from the back. Look for this match to be a back-and-forth affair as both teams have hopes of finishing the 2023 Summer of Soccer on a high note.

Sporting CT vs Albany Rush

Start Time: 4:00 PM EST

Venue: Xavier HS

There is a lot on the line for Albany Rush as they travel to face a Sporting CT team that has yet to lose so far this season. A win could secure a playoff spot for Albany while a loss could see them on the outside looking in heading into their last match of the season.

BC United vs Lancaster Inferno

Start Time: 6:00 PM EST

Venue: Binghamton U

A win for either team is a big step toward securing a playoff spot. A win for Lancaster will see their ticket to the postseason punched while BC United with a win jumps back into the mix heading into the last match of the season. Shauny Alterisio will do everything she can to hold the line and Gabriella Picco controlling the midfield as BC United will want to come out and have a strong performance. These two teams have already faced one another back on June 4th, where they split the points. Don’t expect any of that this weekend as they both are wanting to play longer this summer.

FC Buffalo vs Erie Commodores

Start Time: 7:00 PM EST

Venue: Williamsville South HS

The “Erie County” Derby has been a derby like none other as both teams are keen to get one over the other as much as possible. This match will be played like all the others before it and that is hard till the final whistle. In the first derby this year, Buffalo traveled to Erie and won 4-1, now Erie has the opportunity to not only return the favor but also perhaps end FC Buffalo’s league-leading regular season win streak while knocking them off their perch atop the East division.

Maine Footy vs Scorpions SC

Start Time: 7:00 PM EST

Venue: Deering HS

One point separates these two teams heading into this match with all to play for heading into the postseason. The Scorpions find themselves sitting in 10th and a point away from Maine Footy who currently sit in the 8th and final playoff spot in the East. Maine Footy has taken 4 points from their last three matches and will need to win in order to stay on track for the playoffs, while the Scorpions have collected 6 points in their last 3. This game can go either way but don’t anticipate a draw as both teams need to win out to secure spots in the playoffs.

Worcester Fuel vs NE Mutiny

Start Time: 7:00 PM EST

Venue: Quinsigmond Park

Win and advance is the key for the Mutiny as a win all put secures their second consecutive year in the postseason which will be the first time in team history to accomplish such a feat. Worcester Fuel has an opportunity to play spoiler at home against the Mutiny and will want to show their fans how far they have come this season in UWS. Expect Sky Smith and Lilliana Mantoni to have their hands full in this one as Avery Klingensmith, Laci Lewis, and the rest of the Mutiny come in with one thing on their mind and that is to earn three points and secure a spot in the second season.

Sunday, July 2

Steel City FC vs Flower City 1872

Start Time: 5:30 PM EST

Venue: Founders Field

Steel City welcomes a Flower City 1872 side that has discovered a good run of form as of late, and a win for 1872 could be on the cards as they look to continue to play spoiler for teams with playoff dreams. Steel City cannot settle for anything less than a win with only 3 points separating them from 11th-seed Erie Commodores in the East. This match will be fun to watch with the first half being a chess match to see how either side wants to play with a second half that could be an exciting goal-fueled conclusion to playoff dreams for multiple teams.

Midwest Division

Thursday, June 29

Chicago Rush 1 vs Indiana Union 1

If ever a time to not drop points this was that time, with a match against division leaders Cincinnati Sirens, the Union wanted to make sure they took three points and instead enter their next match as a must-win for them to win the division. The Rush played a great match and didn’t allow the Union to settle in at any point and looked like a completely different team than the one that was beaten 7-0 their last time out against the Union. 

Saturday, July 1

Edgewater Castle vs Chicago Rush 

Start Time: 3:30 PM EST

Venue: Fire Pitch

Edgewater Castle has an opportunity to turn their fortunes upside down and finish their UWS Summer of Soccer on a high note with two possible wins in their final matches to finish .500. Chicago Rush will be looking at this “Windy City” derby as an opportunity to send a message to its neighbors as both teams will be looking to finish strong and get it is certain that preparations for 2024 are already in full gear for both of these teams.

Cincinnati Sirens vs Indiana Union

Start Time: 7:00 PM EST

Venue: Fairfield Stadium

The deciding match of the season in the Midwest is here and both teams are ready for the opportunity to represent the division in the playoffs. Both sides are evenly matched and have the talent to do big things in playoffs, the only question is which team will be in? Look for the Sirens to unleash Miranda Weslake up front while Kate Drummond holds down the back line alongside Sydney Taylor. The Union will be hoping Amelia White can keep her form going up front and Erin Baker and the Union backline work to keep the Sirens at bay.

Southwest Division

Saturday, July 1

SA Athenians vs Luxoria FC

Start Time: 7:00 PM EST

Venue: Soccer Central

If you are free on Saturday night and need something to do, tune in to this match as it is going to be a fun one. Luxoria FC needs a win to secure the top spot, while the Athenians, with a win, would hold the cards heading into next Saturday when they play again. Both sides are evenly matched and neither seems to hold an advantage over the other in terms of talent, this will come down to heart, and who wants it more with their respective season on the line?

Saturday, July 1

SA Runners vs ATX Blues

Start Time: 7:00 PM EST

Venue: Cibolo

Two sides looking to finish strong in a season that hasn’t met their own expectations yet not one to hang your head down for. Both teams have been short on the goal-scoring but have shown great things in the center of the park and backlines. This match will go either way but could provide a lot of goals as both teams are bound to break out of their scoring slump in this one.

West Division

Saturday, July 1

LASC vs Reno Vikings

Start Time: 5:00 PM EST

Venue: Master’s University

LASC puts its 3-game-unbeaten run on the line as it hosts a talented and hungry Reno Vikings side that is still looking to register its first win following their promotion from League Two this season. Margaret Osmundson has led the way for LASC, while Ana Bozzi-Mackay has been a monster between the posts in the last few matches. Reno will look to find some offense early in this match with Nikia Evans leading the line and Emma Freeman, Madison, Rabideau, and Alexis Friesen trying to hold off the LASC attack.

FC Arizona vs SC Blue Heat 

Start Time: 7:00 PM EST

Venue: Campo Verde HS

Liz Worden recorded a hat trick in a must-win match against Calgary to give SC Blue Heat the opportunity to control their own destiny the rest of the way. The play of Sade Adamolekun and the leadership of Sydney Vermillion can’t go unnoticed but the return of Zoe Burns may be what this team needs heading into the home stretch. FC Arizona at home is a different story though for Blue Heat and could provide a problem for them if not prepared properly as FC Arizona would love nothing more than to upset the balance of the West. Rebekah Valdez will be called on to finish often while Katrina Wetherall will need to keep the midfield and defense in line if they are going to have an opportunity to win this match and create some chaos.

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.

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