NFPL Matchweek 11 Review

by NFPL

Matchweek 11 in the National Futsal Premier League has come and gone and we saw all three home teams collect all three points in the three games played!

JOY ATHLETIC 6-5 COLUMBUS FUTSAL

Columbus Futsal made the tip north to Minnesota to take on Joy Athletic in a tightly-fought contest that finished in heartbreaking fashion for the travelers from Ohio.

The first half was a closely-contest affair, with stout defending and strong goalkeeping being the primary highlights for both teams. After a goal from Joy's #12 Brian Kallman in the opening few minutes, the two teams were scoreless until Columbus tied the game at 1-1 with a goal from #10 Juliano Castilhos with about 5 minutes remaining in the first half. Joy Athletic would respond with a well worked goal by #21 Simeon Freisson with 2 minutes left as the teams went into halftime, Columbus trailing Joy by a score of 2-1.

The halftime team talks must have done the trick as both teams came out firing. A goal by Joy's #10 Bennett Kouame a few minutes in was quickly canceled out just 30 seconds later by an own goal. An own goal from Columbus in the 15th minute of the second half restored Joy's two goal cushion before Freisson got his second of the night to give Joy a 5-2 lead.

Joy would defend that lead for over 7 minutes of gameplay and it looked like they might just hold on, but Columbus weren't done yet. A 3-goal flurry in just over 1 minute, beginning under the 7-minute mark, turned the game on its head and made for an intense final few minutes. Columbus's #5 Hamza Belasri scored the first and #9 Cade Remy smashed in the second two goals to tie the game.

As they have done so many times before this season, Joy Athletic would get the last laugh. A goal with 13 seconds left on the clock by #13 Luca Guarin locked in the win for Joy Athletic as they extended their winning streak to 7 games and continue to put pressure on the league leaders.

Joy Athletic are back in action in Matchweek 12 with a home game against Cadence SFC, while Columbus Futsal host Futsal Indy.

Futsal Indy 8-1 Futsal Factory Academy

There are few teams in the league that needed a big win like Futsal Indy, and they got it at the expense of an in-form Futsal Factory Academy with an 8-1 win in Indianapolis.

Contrary to what the scoreline suggests, the first half was a battle. Two quick goals from Futsal Indy's #3 Luis Soriano in the 9th minute would give the Indianapolis futsal club a 2-0 lead which was countered about a minute later with a goal from Futsal Factory Academy's #15 Mike Caldwell. Unfortunately for the traveling Michigan squad, that was all they would get from the game.

In the second half with the support of the home crowd, Futsal Indy ran away with it. Soriano would find his third to complete his hat trick in the first minute of the second half. Just after the 17th minute, #10 Denis Sehic would find the back of the net on an assist by #9 Pedro Vallardo.

As the match reached the midway point of the second half, Futsal Indy led 6-1 after two quick goals by #8 Joao Cuoto. A short bench hindered any chance at a comeback for Futsal Factory Academy as Futsal Indy continued to make life difficult for the visitors. In the final ten minutes of the match, two goals by #12 Dener Marques put the cherry on top of a great home performance for Futsal Indy. With the victory, Futsal Indy snapped a 5-game losing streak for themselves, as well as a 4-game winning streak for Futsal Factory Academy.

Futsal Indy are back in action in Matchweek 12 as they head to Columbus, while Futsal Factory Academy host the league leaders Grand Rapids OLé.

Cadence SFC 9-5 COLUMBUS FUTSAL

After an encouraging performance in Minnesota, Columbus Futsal will rue the missed opportunity to take points back to Ohio after a tough two-game road trip that culminated in a 9-5 loss in Illinois to Cadence SFC.

A bright start for Columbus was marked by a goal in the opening minute by #25 Dave Blamo. The following few minutes displayed a streak of big defensive stops and great saves for both teams which was eventually broken by Cadence SFC's #2 Edrik Padilla in the 11th minute.

Less than a minute later, it was Padilla again to take the lead for Cadence SFC after an assist by #13 Jonathan Claybrook as Cadence took a 2-1 lead. #9 Cade Remy would score his first of the night and his third of the weekend to tie the game with 6 minutes left in the first half.

A 3-goal flurry in the dying minutes of the opening half of play provided fans with plenty to talk about going into halftime. #8 Ignacio Ciotta finished past the keeper with an assist from #2 Padilla, and #21 Judah Shalit put one away with just 16 seconds left in the half for Cadence SFC. An unassisted goal by #8 Jaie Pelletier for Columbus Futsal fell between the two.

With the score 4-3 in favor of Cadence, the second half began with a stalemate, despite chances for both sides. After a goalless ten minutes, Cadence SFC would break through with two goals in the 10th and 9th minutes by #5 Matthew Maciulas and #10 Geraldo Neto with assists coming from #4 Nicolas Espinoza and #2 Padilla.

Chasing a 2-goal deficit and with just a few minutes left in the match, Columbus pushed the attack and were repelled by a strong defensive stand by Cadence SFC. An unassisted goal by #2 Padilla would give him his hat trick with just under 4 minutes to play, and another by Cadence SFC's #10 Neto was the nail in the coffin for Columbus. Padilla would score his 4th of the night for good measure with just 11 seconds left on the clock.

The win gives Cadence their first win in the NFPL this season and will do them some good as they travel to Minnesota to take on high-flying Joy Athletic in Matchweek 12. Columbus Futsal are back in action for what should be a great game as Futsal Indy make the trip to Ohio.

A LOOK AT THE Current League TABLE...

THE NFPL RESUMES...

Matchweek 12 provides 5 games and all 7 teams in action, including a Saturday night triple-header!

Saturday, March 26th

Futsal Factory Academy host the league leaders Grand Rapids OLé in the second seasonal fixture of the Michigan Derby. The game is at 7:00PM EST at High Velocity Sports. Get tickets here.
Columbus Futsal host Futsal Indy with both teams in must-win territory as playoffs approach. The game is at 7:00PM EST at Westwood Fieldhouse. Get tickets here.
Joy Athletic Club play another home game against Cadence SFC. The game is at 7:00PM CST at JOTP Woodbury. Get tickets here.

Sunday, March 27th

Grand Rapids OLé play their second game of the weekend as they host Ginga FS at MSA Sports Spot at 5:00PM EST. Get tickets at the door.
Cadence SFC are at home against Futsal Indy as both teams have weekend double-headers. The game is at 5:00PM CST at Cadence Sports Center.

Follow along and stay tuned here and on the National Futsal Premier League social platforms for our Matchweek 12 preview and more!