On Wednesday, Vlora FC hosted the Minneapolis City SC in a highly touted UPSL Midwest West Division matchup. Both teams came into the match as the only remaining unbeaten teams in the division. Minneapolis City are the defending champions of the division and were coming off some big wins. For instance, in their last two matches they beat Granite City FC and Rochester FC, 6-0 and 4-0, respectively. As you can imagine, the side was coming in very confident and looking to continue their run of success. Vlora FC, the 2019 division champions were coming in off of a 3-1 away win against Granite City FC and with a 4-0 start to the season. For those that have been around, this Vlora squad is definitely showing similarities to the 2019 squad.
Right from the start you could see that Minneapolis City determined to try and dictate the play with their possession, while Vlora FC looked to force turnovers in possession and hit Minneapolis City on the counter. Early into the match Vlora’s strategy almost worked to when Leo Anthony set up an opportunity but wasn’t capitalized on. Minneapolis City would respond minutes later with a score on a shot deflected just outside the 18-yard box that was just out of the reach of the Vlora FC keeper. Vlora FC would create a few more chances that would be denied by strong play from the Minneapolis City keeper. Minneapolis City would lead at the half 1-0.
In second half Vlora FC would make some tactical changes that would prove to make a big impact on the game. In the second half Vlora FC started possessing more and dictating the pace of the match. Vlora FC began to press higher up the pitch forcing more Minneapolis City to look uncomfortable in possession. This high intensity would pay off as Vlora FC would find their equalizer on a finish from Uhunoma Frederick–Ilekhuoba. The match would end in a 1-1 draw, leaving both sides to remain unbeaten midway through league play. Who knows this may just be the first installment of the Battle of the Unbeatens.
