WPSL STAFF

 

The WPSL is locked in heading into Week 2 of the 2024 Season. Here's previews of each of the four Matches of the Week presented by Hudl.

 

CENTRAL REGION
KC Courage vs Sunflower State FC
 

The Heartland Conference takes centerstage this week in the Central Region’s Match of the Week as KC Courage hosts crosstown rival, Sunflower State FC at Avila University Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 PM CDT. Watch the game on WPSL TV. 
 

KC Courage (0-0-0) enters its eighth WPSL season ranked 4th in the region and 8th in the National Power Rankings. Runaway winners of the Heartland Conference in 2023, the Courage outscored opponents 25 to five enroute to an unbeaten 7-0-3 regular season record before falling in the Central Region Playoffs semifinals to the Colorado Rapids Women 1-0. 
 

Sunflower State FC (0-0-0) looks to build on its respectable 3-6-1 record from its debut WPSL season. The Overland Park, Kan.-based club was 0-1-1 versus the Courage in 2023, falling 2-1 at home and drawing 1-1 on the road three weeks later. 

 

 

EAST REGION
New York Shockers vs Rhode Island Rogues
 

Last season’s East Region champions Rhode Island Rogues travels to Upstate New York to face the New York Shockers in the East Region’s Match of the Week. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM EDT at Afrim’s Sports Park for this Northeastern Conference clash. Watch the game on WPSL TV. 
 

Ranked 5th in the Region and 13th in the National Power Ranking, the Rhode Island Rogues (0-0-0) looks to extend its postseason momentum from last season that propelled the club into the WPSL Championships semifinals, where it lost heartbreakingly to eventual champions Charlotte Eagles 1-0. The Rogues finished 6-1-3 in the always-tough Northeastern Conference in 2023. 
 

The Albany-based New York Shockers (0-0-0) are 10-10-6 entering its fourth WPSL season. The club went 3-6-1 in 2023, finishing fourth in the incredibly competitive conference play.
 

Rhode Island leads the series between the two clubs 3-1-1. The two clubs faced off twice during the 2023 regular season; Rhode Island won both games, 2-1 and 5-0. 

SOUTH REGION
West Florida Flames vs Seminole Ice

All eyes are on the Sunshine Conference when two of the South’s Top 10 teams, West Florida Flames (3) host Seminole Ice (4), May 18 at JC Handley Sports Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM EDT. Watch the game on WPSL TV. 
 

Divisional winners in 2023, the West Florida Flames (0-0-0) finished 5-1-2 in the regular season, leading the division with a plus-23 goal differential. Ranked third in the South Region, the Flames enter the 2024 season ranked 20th in the National Power Rankings. 
 

Seminole Ice joins the Flames on the national table at 23rd in the National Power Rankings. The Sanford, Fla.—based club went 5-1-1 in division play in 2023 thanks largely to a stout defense that conceded only three goals and five clean sheets in the club’s debut WPSL season. 
 

The fact that every blemish on the Seminole Ice’s debut WPSL record came at the hands of the West Florida Flames speaks volumes to this intense new rivalry: in division play the Flames was the only club to score against the Ice, twice in a 2-2 draw to open the season—the Ice’s only draw of the season—and once more in the 1-0 return win for the Flames in the Ice’s only divisional loss. 
 

 

WEST REGION
Seattle Reign FC II vs Portland Thorns FC II

One of the most intense rivalries in women’s soccer moves to the WPSL this season as NWSL affiliates Seattle Reign FC II and Portland Thorns FC II face off for the first time in the West Region’s Match of the Week. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 PM PDT on Sunday, May 19 at the legendary Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Wash. Watch the game on WPSL TV. 
 

With a keen eye on player development, the Seattle Reign FC II (0-0-0) will serve as a pathway for young players to the first team. Several players with WPSL experience now contribute regularly in the NWSL including Alana Cook (MVLA Wolves) and Bethany Balcer (Sounders Women). 
 

The day before this rivalry kicks off, the Portland Thorns FC II (0-0-0) will get its first taste of WPSL play when it hosts the Vancouver Victory at Providence Park. Multiple Thorns first team players competed in the WPSL enroute to their NWSL contracts including Morgan Weaver (Seattle Sounders Women), Sam Coffey (New York SC Elite), Reyna Reyes (FC Dallas), and 2023 draft pick, Kate Asman (Chicago Red Stars Reserves). 
 

This is the first meeting between the two NWSL affiliated clubs at the WPSL stage. The return match is May 24 at Providence Park in downtown Portland.