Superior City FC (0-0-0) at Bateaux FC (0-0-0) | Non-League Friendly
Saturday, April 22nd | Regis High School (Eau Claire, WI) | 6:00 PM CT
$5 Suggested Donation | Livestream TBD | 43 degrees and cloudy
GAME PREVIEW
This is both Superior City FC and Bateaux FC's first match as UPSL squads. Both teams will be bringing short rosters, with most college players not released until May 1st. Expect a fast paced and physical game, with both clubs attempting to set the tempo for their upcoming seasons. Superior City are lead by frontman Mally Lumsden, who finished as the 2022 WPASL MVP and broke league and club scoring records with Hayward Wolfpack FC. Nick Braun and Matti Sysimaki are a centerback pairing to watch as well, and will make goals hard to come by for the Eau Claire squad. Bateaux FC will retain players like David Ripplinger, who finished second in the WPASL scoring race last year, as well as Union EC transfer Ben Zumwalt, a shifty midfielder who will add some style points to the squad.
WHO ARE THEY?
Bateaux FC were founded in 2019, playing their inaugural season as Eau Claire Heat. The club was formed to participate in the newly founded Wisconsin Primary Amateur Soccer League (WPASL) by combining Eau Claire's top recreational teams, Heat FC and EC Boys. In 2020, the club re-branded to Bateaux FC and have been a perennial power in the WPASL. The club has won the last three WPASL titles (2020, 2021, 2022) and this year have added a second team who will join UPSL League One, the UPSL's second division. The club is very involved in the Eau Claire community, working with and supporting local charities and social groups to boost their club's presence in the Chippewa Valley-area.
HOW DID THEY DO LAST YEAR?
Bateaux FC competed in the Wisconsin Primary Amateur Soccer League, North/Central/Western Wisconsin's top amateur league, during the 2022 season. Bateaux FC finished the regular season in first place with a 10-2-0 record, capturing their third straight league championship.
LOOKING FORWARD:
Bateaux FC's UPSL team will compete in the UPSL Midwest-West League One, opening the season against Granite City II at the end of April. Bateaux FC's WPASL team opens the season on Sunday, April 23rd in a USASA Amateur Cup game against Honduras Majors of the Milwaukee Premier League.
HISTORY AGAINST BATEAUX FC:
This is the first meeting between Superior City FC and Bateaux FC.
WHERE CAN WE FIND THEM?
You can find Bateaux FC at bateauxfc.com or on Facebook (ECAS Bateaux FC), Twitter (@BateauxFC) and Instagram (@bateauxfc)
Superior Wolfpack FC (0-0-0) at Granite City FC (0-0-0) | Non-League Friendly
Sunday, April 23rd | Tiger Stadium (St. Cloud, MN) | 6:00 PM CT
Free Admission | No Livestream | 39 degrees and partly cloudy
GAME PREVIEW
Superior Wolfpack FC will have a much different look this year after the loss of top players Mally Lumsden, Finigan Huffington, Ken Pryde, Jordan Finneran and many others who have advanced their play to the UPSL, NPSL and USL League Two. On a positive note, the squad will retain 2022 WPASL All-League players Kenta Noma and Yabkal Demelash, in addition to 2021 WPASL MVP Kaden Bergman returning after missing all of last season with an injury. The squad has also added youth stars such as Denzel Majwega, MN high school's 3rd leading scorer, and both Keegan Madrinich and Alton Morrissey, two starting defenders for Superior High School. Granite City will retain much of their UPSL squad from last year, a very young but talented group of players, who have had an entire offseason to continue development.
WHO ARE THEY?
Granite City FC were formed in 2016 as an independent club, playing friendlies throughout Minnesota. The club was formed as the first locally owned pro development soccer club based in St. Cloud, MN, aimed at providing players from Central Minnesota the opportunities and training to help them achieve their goals of participating at a higher level of soccer in both a professional and positive environment. The club has a partnership with St. Cloud State University, as well as other local colleges and overseas clubs. The club joined the UPSL ahead of the 2017 season and have played in the Midwest-West conference for the past six years.
HOW DID THEY DO LAST YEAR?
Granite City competed in the Premier Division of the UPSL Midwest-West during the 2022 season. The Rocks finished eight place in the division behind a 3-7-0 record.
LOOKING FORWARD:
This is Granite City's first game of the 2023 season, and they will open their UPSL Premier league play on April 30th at home against St. Croix SC. The club has also added a UPSL League One team, Granite City II, who will open their season against Bateaux FC in late April.
HISTORY AGAINST GRANITE CITY FC:
This is the second meeting between the clubs. The Wolfpack came away with a 3-1 win in a preseason friendly during the 2022 season.
WHERE CAN WE FIND THEM?
You can find Granite City FC at www.granitecityfc.com or on Facebook (Granite City FC "Rocks"), Twitter (@GCFCUpsl) and Instagram (granitecityfc)
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