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MATCHES TO WATCH IN 2025 — CENTRAL REGION

Published May 7, 2025

MATCHES TO WATCH – CENTRAL REGION

With fiercely contested local derbies, some of the longest-running rivalries in the league, and exciting new editions, the Central Region promises to be a roller coaster ride in 2025.

And with the return of the Lone Star Conference to the region, there will be a shift in power as the Texas-based clubs challenge for the top spots in the regional and national rankings. And with both old and new rivalries heating up across the region, here are some of the most anticipated matchups to look forward to as the season kicks off.

WEEK TWO: May 12 - 18

FC Pride vs. Peoria City

Midwest Conference – Gateway Division

Friday, May 16

7 p.m. (EDT)

Pride Performance Center – Lawrence, Ind.

Gateway Division action kicks off Friday, May 16 when the 2024 Central Region Champs, FC Pride hosts Peoria City in Peoria’s inaugural WPSL match. FC Pride is coming off its most successful WPSL season as it enters its 11th season, riding a wave of momentum into the WPSL Championships Semifinal.

Though an unknown quantity, Peoria City is expected to make an immediate impact in the division with a rich and deep talent pool to draw from. Peoria City makes its home debut May 24 versus Lou Fusz Athletic.

Austin Rise FC vs. FC Dallas Women

Lone Star Conference

Sunday, May 18

7 p.m. (CDT)

House Park — Austin, Texas

FC Dallas Women travel to face Austin Rise FC in both club’s opening matches that could have huge implications on the conference standings. Austin enters 2025 after falling in the South Region Final in just the club’s second season.

After a hiatus in 2024, FC Dallas Women return to WPSL play as the most tenured club in the Lone Star Conference, kicking off its 10th season of WPSL competition with this match.

WEEK THREE: May 19-25

La Roca FC vs. Utah Avalanche

Mountain Conference – Wasatch Division

Tuesday, May 20

7 p.m. (MDT)

Webber High School – Pleasant View, Utah

Two high-flying Wasatch Division clubs face off looking for an upper hand in what is always a dogfight for the top spot. In 2024, only a single point separated the two clubs in the table.

The Avalanche had the upper hand in last season’s series, playing to a 1-1 draw at home followed by a stunning 3-4 win at La Roca five days later. With second place finishes in 2022 and 2024, and a third-place finish in 2023, the division title is within La Roca’s grasp this season.

In three WPSL seasons, the Avalanche has never lost to La Roca.

Fort Worth Vaqueras FC vs. SouthStar FC

Lone Star Conference

Thursday, May 22

7 p.m. (CDT)

W.O. Barnes Stadium — River Oaks, Texas

Week Three heats up with the first edition of the Cowtown Derby when Fort Worth Vaqueras hosts WPSL veterans, SouthStar FC, in the expansion side’s WPSL debut match.

Vaqueras FC is part of the Fort Worth Vaqueros FC organization which features a full youth club and non-profit academy to feed its pre-professional women’s and men’s teams.

Entering the Cowtown Derby, SouthStar FC will have the upper hand having kicked off its season the previous weekend hosting Futbolera Select.

WEEK FOUR: May 26-June 1

Union KC vs. KC Courage

Midwest Conference – Heartland Division

Wednesday, May 28

7 p.m. (CDT)

Paragon Star Sports Complex – Lees Summit, Mo.

The only club to beat Union KC in conference play in 2024, KC Courage looks to unseat last season’s champs when it travels to Lees Summit for the first of two meetings between the bitter rivals.

Last year saw the away team walk away with the stunning victory, with Union KC winning 3-0 at KC Courage in Week Seven. Five days later KC Courage returned the favor, handing Union KC its only regular season loss 3-0 at home.

FC Milwaukee Torrent vs. Green Bay Glory

North Lakes Conference – Lake Michigan Division

Saturday, May 31

7 p.m. (CDT)

Heart Park Stadium – Wauwatosa, Wis.

Two old rivals face off for an early-season claim to the top spot of the newly realigned Lake Michigan Division when perennial conference champs FC Milwaukee Torrent hosts in-state rivals, Green Bay Glory.

Milwaukee won both meetings in 2025: 2-0 at home in Week Two, and by the same score in the return match in Appleton in Week Seven. The Torrent was a perfect 8-0-0 in divisional play last season, outscoring opponents 31 to three before falling in the Midwest Conference Final.

With two matches under its belt to Milwaukee’s one before the highly anticipated Week Four match-up, Green Bay will have the upper hand in the first of two meetings between the two clubs.

Minnesota Thunder vs. Salvo SC

North Lakes Conference – Land of the Lakes Division

Sunday, June 1

1:00 p.m. (CDT)

Academy of Holy Angels Stardome

The big guns will be blazing when powers Minnesota Thunder hosts Salvo SC in the only meeting between the juggernauts in 2025. Salvo won 1-0 at home in the clubs’ only meeting in 2024. WPSL Golden Boot winner, Kayah Harper, who made her NWSL debut with NY/NJ Gotham FC in March, had the lone goal of the match.

Minnesota is looking to rebound after its disappointing third place Northern Conference finish last season, going 6-0-3 after consecutive road losses to Salvo, Sioux Falls City FC, and St. Croix Legacy over a brutal five-day stretch that torpedoed the season.

Salvo SC enters the post-Kayah Harper era primed to pick right back up where it left off in 2025, with the club’s only blemish last season was a 1-0 loss in the final match of the season at Sioux Falls City FC that decided which team advanced to the Central Region Semifinal.

WEEK FIVE: June 2-8

Chicago KICS Football Club vs. Chicago House AC

North Lakes Conference – Lake Michigan Division

Wednesday, June 4

7:15 p.m. (CDT)

Lions of Hope Sports Complex – Chicago, Ill.

The Windy City Derby heats up in its second year when Chicago KICS Football Club hosts crosstown rivals Chicago House AC in the first of two derby dates this season.

After playing to a contentious 1-1 draw in the first meeting of the two Chicago-based clubs, Chicago KICS took home the city honors with a 3-0 away win in Week Eight.

Colorado Pride vs. PSD Academy

Mountain Conference – Rockies Division

Sunday, June 8

6 p.m. (MDT)

Mountain Lion Stadium – Colorado Springs, Colo.

The top two clubs in the Rockies Division in 2024 face off at the picturesque Mountain Lion Stadium in Colorado Springs in a pivotal Rockies Division match-up.

These two high-powered clubs have faced each other twice in the short history of the intense rivalry, with Colorado Pride winning 3-1 at home in Week Five, followed by a 5-1 drubbing at PSD Academy to close out the regular season.