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THE WPSL RELEASE THE NORTHERN CONFERENCE SCHEDULE FOR 2021 SEASON

The First Match of the Conference Will Kick Off on May 22
Published Apr 7, 2021

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Women’s Premier Soccer League has announced the schedule for the Northern Conference today for the upcoming 2021 season. One of the most recent conferences in the WPSL, formed just three seasons ago, features teams predominately from Minnesota, with the addition of a North Dakota team.

The Northern Conference will be represented by Dakota Fusion – based out of Fargo, ND, Mankato United Soccer Club – based out of Mankato, MN, Rochester United FC – based out of Rochester, MN, and four teams out of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro-area – Fire SC 98, MapleBrook Fury, Minnesota Thunder, and Salvo SC.

Coming in as a member of the 2020 expansion-team class, Minnesota Thunder looks to play their first season in the WPSL while adding another historical club to the leagues Minneapolis/St. Paul footprint. Mankato United Soccer Club and Salvo SC will suit up for their second WPSL seasons, along with Rochester United FC. Dakota Fusion, Fire SC 98, and MapbleBrook Fury each look to play their third season with the league.

If the 2019 season is any indication on how the 2021 competition will play out, you can expect a highly competitive race that goes down to the final matches of the season. The Northern Conference standings were up for grab in the finaly week of the regular season resulting in a three way tie  between Salvo, Mankato, and MapleBrook with Salvo edging out the top spot based on head-to-head results. Salvo would then move on to postseason play by hosting the WPSL Regionals. 

"We are excited for the 2021 season to start!" Mankato United SC general manager, Rustin Luedtke, said. "We have a highly competitive conference with interesting rivalries being created.  Our season split with Salvo, as well as our HWY 14 Derby with Rochester, are just a couple reasons to be excited to see our conference rivals on the pitch again this summer."

The schedule will consist of 28 matches with each team playing eight – four home and four away; with the exception of Fire SC 98 – who will play three matches home and five on the road, and MapleBrook Fury – who will play five matches at home and three on the road.

The first match of the season is set to feature Dakota Fusion traveling to Rochester United FC on May 22nd.  MapleBrook Fury will open at home on May 29th versus Dakota Fusion. Mankato United Soccer Club and Salvo SC will each host their first matches of the season at home on June 4.

The schedule is set to play through July 10th.

 

View the full 2021 Northern Conference Schedule here