2022/23 Matchweek 11 Preview

by NFPL

A massive week in the NFPL awaits futsal fans across the country as Matchweek 11 provides 5 top-tier matchups with playoff implications from top to bottom. Keep reading to get all the details on our five matchups this weekend.

Women's Division

Columbus Futsal (H) vs. Futsal Factory Academy (A)

We've entered the business end of the season for the Women's Division, with the championship match set up for March 18th featuring the #1 and #2 seeds at the end of the regular season. It is the final regular season game for the Ladies of Futsal Factory Academy who are sitting comfortably in first place in the division by a healthy lead on goal differential. They've clinched a playoff spot, while the Columbus Futsal Women will have to win both of their remaining games to unseat Grand Rapids OLé from second place.

It's a must-win matchup for the home side, and having lost their season opener in Michigan 9-1 during Matchweek 5, they'll be well aware of how tough it will be to welcome the league leaders to one of the NFPL's toughest home arenas: Westwood Fieldhouse. 

KEY PLAYERS:

Columbus Futsal:

Futsal Factory:

MATCH DETAILS:

GET TICKETS!

Men's Division

Futsal Factory Academy (H) vs. Joy Athletic (A)

The Futsal Factory Academy Men's team will play a home game on the road this weekend, hosting Joy Athletic at Owens Community College in Ohio for a Friday night kickoff. While the travel is significantly shorter for Futsal Factory Academy, they'll nonetheless be faced with the tough prospect of a must-win game against one of the NFPL's best.

Joy Athletic, league runners-up in 2021/22, will be feeling comfortable with securing a playoff spot in a top-heavy Great Lakes Conference, despite dropping points in a thrilling 12-12 draw in Matchweek 9. On the other hand, Futsal Factory Academy have been embroiled in a brutal loss of form, dropping their last 3 games against top teams in the league. Are we due for a repeat that would effectively end their season?

KEY PLAYERS:

Futsal Factory Academy:

Joy Athletic:

MATCH DETAILS:

GET TICKETS!

Grand Rapids OLé (H) vs. Joy Athletic (A)

Matchweek 11 in the Men's Division kicks off on Saturday with defending champions Grand Rapids OLé hosting the runners-up in a championship game rematch, meeting Joy Athletic for the first and only time this season.

It's not just an opportunity for revenge for Joy Athletic - taking points from Grand Rapids OLé could eventually result in a home playoff game if other results go their way, as OLé will have to take on FC Tryzub in Chicago at the end of the regular season. 

The Columbus Futsal Men's side currently tops the Midwest Conference, and if OLé drop points at home, they too could be at risk of missing out on playoffs if Futsal Factory Academy or Ginga FS can take advantage of their opportunities. 

Lots at stake in this dynamite matchup! Don't miss it - details are below!

KEY PLAYERS:

Grand Rapids OLé:

Joy Athletic:

MATCH DETAILS:

Futsal Indy (H) VS. FC Tryzub

Matchweek 11 pits Futsal Indy against FC Tryzub, a bottom- vs. top-of-the-table clash in the Midwest Conference. Futsal Indy have improved every week, despite not getting the results on the board. A win against the league's most in-form team would be a shock, but they could do it if FC Tryzub take them lightly and don't travel well. 

With Joy Athletic playing twice this weekend, a slip-up from FC Tryzub could see them slip from their position on top of the conference. Futsal Indy will have a huge task ahead of them, but let's see what they can do at home to make this one interesting. 

KEY PLAYERS:

Futsal Indy:

FC Tryzub:

MATCH DETAILS:

San Diego Voyagers (H) VS. New Mexico Flagship FC (A)

Matchweek 11 continues to provide! In the Southwest Conference, we're lucky to witness a 2nd vs. 3rd matchup in a tight race for a playoff spot. San Diego Voyagers will host New Mexico Flagship FC, just a few weeks after NMFS dismantled the Voyagers at home 11-3 (Matchweek 9).

It will be a pivotal game for both of these teams, and the Voyagers will be looking for revenge with their home-court advantage. If Flagship can get a result on the road, it would be a massive blow to the Voyagers' title hopes and would signal to the rest of the Southwest Conference that they've got their eyes on a playoff spot of their own. 

KEY PLAYERS:

San Diego Voyagers:

New Mexico Flagship FC:

MATCH DETAILS:

WHERE THINGS STAND:

We continue to get closer and closer to the NFPL playoffs, with almost every team still able to secure their spot in the postseason. Matchweek 11 will provide a crucial set of games in determining the playoff picture across every conference.

FOLLOW THE NFPL:

Every game, every goal, every week - stream every game on the NFPL YouTube channel and follow along on our social media platforms to find highlights, league news, and more.