A seismic power shift over the off season left the Central Region up for grabs in 2024. With both the Northern and Midwest conferences featuring multiple teams in the Preseason National Power Rankings Top 25, and with Wasatch Division teams entering the season with the upper hand in the Mountain Conference chase, it is going to be a season-long slugfest for the top spot in the region.  

 

1.           SALVO SC  Northern Conference

After going an unbeaten 6-0-2 in Northern Conference regular season play, Salvo rode a wave of momentum all the way to the WPSL Championship Final match. The Minn.-based club finished 2023 ranked 11^th nationally and fifth in the Central Region, banging in 34 goals while conceding only three. 

Schedule — *Ranked Opponent (Regional Ranking)

May 24 @ St. Croix Legacy
May 26 @ Joy AC
June 2 Dakota Fusion FC
*June 5 Minnesota Thunder 
June 7 Mankato United Soccer Club
July 19 Manitou F.C.
June 23 @ Rochester United
June 26 @ MapleBrook Fury
*June 28 @ (7) Sioux Falls City FC

 

2.           MINNESOTA THUNDER  Northern Conference

A perfect 7-0-1 in Northern Conference play, the Thunder finished 2023 ranked third nationally and second in the Central Region, averaging just over six goals per game and outscoring opponents 49-8. The only blemish on the Thunder’s impressive regular season record was a 1-1 draw at home versus crosstown rival, Salvo SC.

 

             Schedule — *Ranked Opponent (Regional Ranking)

May 23 Joy AC
May 31 @ Mankato United Soccer Club
*June 5 @ Salvo SC
*June 7 @ Sioux Falls City FC
June 9 @ St. Croix Legacy
June 12 Manitou F.C.
June 19 @ MapleBrook Fury
June 23 Dakota Fusion FC
June 26 Rochester United FC

 

3.           FC MILWAUKEE TORRENT  Midwest Conference - Lake Michigan Division

Going 7-1-0 enroute to the Lake Michigan Division and Midwest Conference titles, the Torrent finished 2023 ranked seventh nationally and third in the Central Region, outscoring opponents 41-4. 

               
               Schedule

June 2 Green Bay Glory
June 9 Chicago KICS Football Club
June 14 @ Quad Cities Rush
June 16 @ Chicago House AC
June 21 @ Green Bay Glory
June 23 @ Chicago KICS Football Club
June 26 Chicago House AC
June 30 Quad Cities Rush

 

4.           KC COURAGE   Heartland Conference

Heartland Conference winners in 2023, the Courage finished the regular season 7-0-3, ranked fourth in the Central Region, earning the club’s first trip to the Central Region Playoffs. The Courage led the conference in both goals scored, with 28 and goals against, conceding only 10. 

             
             Schedule — *Ranked Opponent (Regional Ranking)

May 18 Sunflower State FC
May 22 FC Wichita
June 1 @ FC Wichita
June 8 @ Oklahoma City FC
June 9 @ Side FC 92
*June 20 @ (9) Union KC
June 22 Side FC 92
*June 25 (9) Union KC
June 29 @ Sunflower State FC
June 30 Missouri Reign

 

5.           UTAH AVALANCHE  Mountain Conference — Wasatch Division

Wasatch Division champions two years running, this might be the year the Avalanche advance past the Mountain Conference title match. In 2023 Wasatch Division play, the Avalanche went 7-0-1, outscoring opponents 28 to six.

             Schedule — *Ranked Opponent (Regional Ranking)

May 16 @ La Roca FC
May 17 @ Utah Red Devils
*May 18 (8) Utah Surf
May 26 @ Griffins FC
June 8 Utah Red Devils
*June 12 (8) Utah Surf
June 15 La Roca FC
June 18 Griffins FC

 

6.           FC DAYTON  Midwest Conference — Gateway Division

Picked for the top spot in the Gateway Division, competition will be fierce as FC Dayton looks to improve on its 6-1-1 record from 2023. Entering its third WPSL season, FC Dayton is 13-2-1 all-time. 

             
              Schedule

May 17 Junction FC
May 24 @ F.C. Spirit
May 26 @ Dayton Dutch Lions FC
June 1 F.C. Spirit
June 2 FC Pride
June 8 @ Lou Fusz Athletic
June 9 @ Junction FC
June 18 @ FC Pride
June 22 Lou Fusz Athletic
June 29 Dayton Dutch Lions FC

               

7.           SIOUX FALLS CITY FC  Northern Conference

After finishing third in arguably the most competitive conference in the Central Region, Sioux Falls is looking to build on its 6-1-2 record from last season. The club finished 2023 ranked ninth in the region and is 10-4-3 in two seasons of WPSL play. 

              Schedule — *Ranked Opponent (Regional Ranking)

May 31 @ Rochester United FC
June 2 @ Joy AC
*June 7 (2) Minnesota Thunder
June 9 @ Manitou F.C.
June 15 MapleBrook Fury
June 21 @ Dakota Fusion FC
June 23 Mankato United Soccer Club
*June 28 (1) Salvo SC
June 30 @ St. Croix Legacy

 

8.           UTAH SURF Mountain Conference – Wasatch Division

Another club very much on the rise in 2024, the Utah Surf finished 2023 5-1-2, which was good for second in the intensely competitive Wasatch Division. This is the club’s first time in the regional top 10. 

              Schedule — *Ranked Opponent (Regional Ranking)

*May 18 @ (5) Utah Avalanche
May 25 @ La Roca FC
May 31 Griffins FC
June 1 Utah Red Devils
June 8 La Roca FC
*June 12 @ (5) Utah Avalanche
June 14 @ Utah Red Devils
June 20 @ Griffins FC

 

9.           UNION KC    Heartland Conference

Formerly Kansas City Scott Gallagher, the club’s 7-3-0 record had it three points back of the conference winners in a very tight 2023 standings race. This year, the conference title is in reach for the Mo.-based side playing under a new moniker in its third WPSL season. 

              Schedule — *Ranked Opponent (Regional Ranking)

              May 25 @ Sunflower State FC
              May 30 Missouri Reign
              June 1 Oklahoma City FC
              June 6 Sunflower State FC
              June 14 @ Missouri Reign
              June 18 @ FC Wichita
              *June 20 (4) KC Courage
              June 23 Side FC 92
              *June 25 @ (4) KC Courage
              June 29 @ Oklahoma City FC

 

10.        COLORADO PRIDE  Mountain Conference — Rockies Division

After two straight second-place seasons, the Colorado Pride is preseason favorites to clinch the Rockies Division. The Colorado Springs-based club was 6-2-2 in 2023 and 17-10-3 in three WPSL seasons.

             Schedule

May 25 Colorado Blizzard FC
June 2 Indios Denver FC
June 5 PSD Academy
June 13 Broomfield Burn
June 15 @ Broomfield Burn
June 22 @ Indios Denver FC
June 29 @ PSD Academy
July 2 @ Colorado Blizzard FC

 

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Rankings are compiled by RankR, featuring the Elo Ranking System, an objective, performance based ranking order based on record, goals for and against, match location, relative strength of opponent, and playoff matches. To avoid any subjective or biased results, human voting is not part of the Elo Ranking System process.