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Preview: Open Cup bid at stake when Steel City FC face Med City FC in NPSL Midwest Regional in Des Moines

photo courtesy John Krysinsky / Pittsburgh Soccer Now
NPSL Midwest Region Semifinal 

Steel City FC (1-seed) vs Med City FC (4-seed) 

5 p.m. (ET) – Indianola Stadium, Indianola, IA

Live Stream Here on FIFA+

 

Following the excitement of capturing the Great Lakes Conference Championship on Saturday, Steel City FC’s men’s squad are in Des Moines, Iowa for the NPSL Midwest Regional Semifinal match vs Med City FC Mayham (MN), to be played at 5 p.m. (ET).

The Club is promoting a watch party at Voodoo Brewing Co.  in New Kensington.

Head Coach Dan Brower’s squad defeated rival Cleveland SC, 2-0, on Saturday to advance in the National Tournament, where they’ll now travel to the Midwest Region playoffs, along with Med City FC, Tulsa Athletic and the hosts, Des Moines United FC.

“We have a long week ahead of us, and a lot of work to do,” Brower said after the big win on Saturday, before he knew his team’s travel plans and opponent.

“If we can win, we can guarantee a U.S. Open Cup bid, and this club deserves that.”

The NPSL’s top eight teams (each of the Regional Finalists), will be eligible to enter the 2024 U.S. Open Cup Despite being the top seed in the Region,

Steel City (11-0-2), were nudged out of being able to host the Region playoffs at Founders Field in the outskirts of Pittsburgh. Instead the site for the NPSL Regional was determined by proposal which was submitted by the participating teams, and reviewed by those teams, league Staff, and Board of Directors members from the Midwest Region.

Med City advanced to the semifinals by virtue of its 2-1 defeat of Diluth (MN), in what was a pretty wild match on Saturday.

The winner of the match will have a super quick turnaround, as they’ll face the winner of the second semifinal match between Des Moines United FC and Tulsa Athletic, on Saturday at 7 p.m.

The Pittsburgh club has been selling t-shirts and seeking support to cover costs of their first-ever trip to the NPSL Regional tournament.   T-shirts can be purchased at store.steelcityfc.com

 

2023 NPSL Midwest Region Semifinals – July 21: Host Des Moines United FC

5 p.m.  (ET) — #1 seed Steel City FC x #4 seed Med City FC
8 p.m.  (ET) — #2 seed Des Moines United FC x #3 seed Tulsa Athletic

2023 NPSL Midwest Region Final – July 22: Host Des Moines United FC

7 p.m. (ET) — Highest remaining seed x Lowest remaining seed

 

INTERVIEW WITH STEEL CITY HC DAN BROWER 

Related Topics

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

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