The culminating event of the National Premier Leagues (NPL) season each year is the NPL Champions Cup, where the NPL national champions will be crowned. The NPL Champions Cup will feature qualifiers from all 17 Leagues across the country in a true “champions league” competition. The tournament this year is July 18 – 22, 2013 and will be hosted at Aurora Sports Park near Denver, CO.
There are 24 teams that compete in the Midwest Development League (MDL) that opened their qualifying tournament today (Saturday June 29). The Gateway Division of the MDL includes St Louis Scott Gallagher Metro and St Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri as well as River City Rovers (Louisville), Springfield SC, Sporting BV, Sporting KC and TSC Hurricane (Tulsa). As the largest Division, the Top 2 finishers advanced to the playoffs this year. In addition, two wildcard teams from the League are added based upon Points per Game. That brings eight teams in age groups U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16 and U-18 boys’ to Chicago this weekend.
The teams qualifying from the Metro area include the St Louis Scott Gallagher Metro boys in the U13, U14 and U15 age group. For SLSG Missouri, U13, U14, U15 and U18 are headed to Chicago for the Midwest playoffs. In addition, the Springfield SC U18 team that just won the Region II title qualified as a wildcard in the Gateway Division and will be competing.
SLSG Missouri captured two MDL titles in 2012, as the U-16’s defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 and the U-17/18’s won 2-1 over the Chicago Fire as well. The two teams and coaches can be seen above following their wins last year. The U16’s went on to win the National Title with a 1-0 win over Massapequa SC (NY).
Photo Galleries – NPL Games in 2013 (SLSG IL and SLSG MO)
SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
NPL MDL U13
SLSG Missouri, coached by Mike Baer, won the Gateway Division with a 12-2-5 record while allowing only 10 goals in 19 games played. They open play against the Raiders FC who were 3-1 winners in the League match June 2nd.
Saturday – Missouri opens with a 2-4 loss to Raiders FC. The Raiders took a 1-0 halftime lead and BOTH teams were down to 10 men by that point in time as well.
Sunday – Win 5-2 vs Michigan Wolves, who lost 1-2 to the Fire on Saturday
Monday –
SLSG Metro, coached by Blake Decker, grabbed the second spot in the Division. Their record was 9-6-5 and finished with a +20 GD in 20 games. They are led by Codie Lynd (GK) along with Reed Hawkins, Austin Huang, Blake Little and Kyle Swanner.
Saturday – Metro opens with a 3-2 win over Chicago Magic. The game was tied 1-1 at halftime before outscoring the hometown team for the opening game win.
Sunday – face MN Thunder Academy, 5-1 winners over Vardar, at 1:00 pm
Qualifying teams include Chicago Magic PSG, Vardar, MN Thunder Academy, Raiders FC Premier, Chicago Fire Academy, Michigan Wolves Hawks
NPL MDL U14
SLSG Metro, coached by Blake Decker, were Champions in Gateway Division, allowing only 12 goals while compiling a 15-4-1 record. Gage Steiner is between the pipes while Kuzain Wan Kamal (AM), Orlando Arreola (HM/CB), Austin Toby (HM), Jordan Blasingame (CB) provide field leadership. Leading scorers were Clayton Pearson, Kuzain Wan Kamal and Riley Patterson.
Saturday – An opening game win over the Internationals, 3-0 shutout.
Sunday – face Sporting KC, 2-1 winners over Chicago Sockers, at 3:00 pm
SLSG Missouri, coached by Mark Dorsey, grabbed a wildcard spot, to advance to Regionals. 12-3-3 on the season, they were among the stingiest teams allowing only 14 goals as did Division finalist Sporting KC.
Saturday – The Chicago Magic PSG grabbed the 3-2 win
Sunday – defeat Chicago Fire 2-1
Qualifying teams were Chicago Magic PSG, who are the defending champions along with Michigan Wolves Hawks, Chicago Fire Academy, Sporting KC, Sockers FC Chicago, Internationals
NPL MDL U15 –
SLSG Missouri, coached by Kevin Kalish and Jon Boyer, were Gateway champions with a 13-1-1 record. They allowed only 9 goals while accumulating a +22 GD. Key Players are Justin Stinson, Ryan Matteo, AJ Palzzolo and Kaden Keller. Top Scorers were Sean Gouveia and Justin Stinson while Connor Robinson is the keeper.
Saturday – A shutout win over the Michigan Wolves Hawks, by 2-0
Sunday – face Chicago Fire, 2-1 winners over Sporting KC, at 1:00 pm
SLSG Metro, coached by Jesse Miech (UI-Springfield) grabbed a Wildcard spot with an 8-4-3 record.
Saturday – Lost 2-3 to the Chicago Magic PSG
Sunday – face Vardar, 2-3 losers to MN Thunder, at 11:00 am
Qualified teams include defending champions Chicago Magic, Vardar, MN Thunder, Michigan Wolves, Sporting KC, Chicago Fire
NPL MDL U18
SLSG Missouri, coached by Andy Cooper, won the Division title in advancing. They finished 12-2-2 and gave up only 10 goals in their 16 matches. Key Players include Curtis Schillingsford, Tommy Barlow, Mitch Morris and goalkeeper Nate Griffin. Top Scorers were Tommy Barlow & Jordan Bay.
Saturday – won 1-0 over the Madison 56er’s. An overtime win, the goal was scored by
Sunday – face Michigan Wolves, 3-2 winners over the Bavarian’s, at 9:00 am
Qualifying teams include Michigan Wolves, Vardar, Springfield SC, Madison 56ers, Rockford Raptors, River City Rovers, Chicago Magic
| Midwest Development League | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age Group | Date | Time | Opponent | SLSG | Result |
| U18 | June 29 | 9:00 am | Rockford Raptors FC | Springfield SC | 1-0 Win |
| U18 | June 29 | 9:00 am | Madison 56ers | SLSG Missouri | 1-0 Win |
| U16 | June 29 | 11:00 am | Sockers FC | Springfield SC | 1-3 Loss |
| U15 | June 29 | 1:00 pm | Chicago Magic PSG | SLSG Metro | 2-3 Loss |
| U15 | June 29 | 1:00 pm | Michigan Wolves Hawks | SLSG Missouri | 2-0 Win |
| U14 | June 29 | 3:00 pm | Chicago Magic PSG | SLSG Missouri | 2-3 Loss |
| U14 | June 29 | 3:00 pm | Internationals | SLSG Metro | 3-0 Win |
| U13 | June 29 | 5:00 pm | Chicago Magic PSG | SLSG Metro | 3-2 Win |
| U13 | June 29 | 5:00 pm | Raiders FC Premier | SLSG Missouri | 2-4 Loss |
| U16 | June 30 | 9:00 am | Michigan Wolves | Springfield SC | 1-2 Loss |
| U18 | June 30 | 9:00 am | Michigan Wolves | Springfield SC | |
| U18 | June 30 | 9:00 am | River City Rovers | SLSG Missouri | |
| U13 | June 30 | 11:00 am | Michigan Wolves | SLSG Missouri | 5-2 Win |
| U15 | June 30 | 11:00 am | Vardar | SLSG Metro | |
| U13 | June 30 | 1:00 pm | MN Thunder | SLSG Metro | |
| U14 | June 30 | 1:00 pm | Chicago Fire | SLSG Missouri | 2-1 Win |
| U15 | June 30 | 1:00 pm | Chicago Fire | SLSG Missouri | |
| U14 | June 30 | 3:00 pm | Sporting KC | SLSG Metro |
For some background on the National Premier League, here is an interview I did with Chris Baer, League GM after last years Midwest Development League Playoffs.
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