Written By:  Charlie Corr
             East Region Contributor

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The East Regional Semifinals of the WPSL Playoffs kick off this Saturday, starting with Metropolitan Conference winner Downtown United SC taking on Colonial Conference representative SJEB FC (5:30 p.m. ET kickoff) in Trenton, N.J. Both teams are riding three-game winning streaks to cap off their respective regular seasons.

 

All WPSL Playoff teams are in the same boat when it comes to their respective mid-July rosters, and depth will be crucial, especially for clubs that might be missing several key players. 

 

“I think we could have always put together two solid starting 11s throughout the year,” Paul O’Donnell, DUSC head coach, said. “A lot of players we have had that maybe didn’t get as much playing time, now is their time, and now is their opportunity. They will get to start in some big games and they’ll do fine with it.”

 

2022 WPSL Playoffs Bracket

 

The winner of Saturday’s match will face either host side Real Central NJ or VT Fusion in the East Regional Final on Sunday, July 17 (7 p.m. ET).

 

SJEB FC 2022 season outlook:

SJEB FC finished second in the Colonial Conference standings with a 5-1-1 record and 16 points – runner-up to Penn Fusion SA (7-0-0, 21 points). Monmouth University forward Summer Reimet led SJEB FC with 12 goals, which tied for the most among all league players during the regular season. Offensively, SJEB FC averaged 4.4 goals per match, and defensively conceded 1.0 goals per match.
 

 

 

DUSC 2022 season outlook:

DUSC is looking to maintain its unbeaten WPSL season after posting a 6-0-2 mark and 20 points to win the Metro Conference this season. Tar Heel midfielder Bella Sember led the club with seven goals. Offensively, DUSC averaged 6.1 goals per match, and defensively conceded only 0.9 goals per match – both representing the best rate in the Metro.
 

 

 

Victorious momentum for the playoffs:

The similarities between DUSC’s and SJEB FC’s regular-season finishes are quite similar – everything a club would want heading into an elimination phase of the season.

 

SJEB FC capped off the regular season with its most successful 2022 stretch with three consecutive victories: a win against Athena Soccer Club, followed by back-to-back shutout wins against Washington Dutch Lions FC.

 

DUSC wrapped up the regular season with three consecutive shutout victories against New Jersey Alliance FC, Brooklyn City FC and STA. The latter two teams were also in heavy contention for the top of the Metro late in the season.