What's on Tap: July 31, 2021

The month of July has been filled to the brim with matches every week, and the last weekend will be no exception.  We're in four cities this week: DC, Savannah, Des Moines, and Austin.  It's the last weekend before the Summer Series kicks off, and everyone will be getting that last run in, both in games and locally.

Here's what's on tap for the Saturday:

Baltimore Dockers (1-1) and Philadelphia Hawks (0-1) at DC Eagles (1-0)
DC Lady Eagles (1-0) vs Philadelphia Lady Hawks (0-1)
11am EDT - West Potomac Park, Washington, DC

Two weeks after their three way tangle in Baltimore, the Dockers, Hawks and Eagles all tangle together again, but this time in the shadow of the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument.  On the men’s side, the Hawks and Eagles look to hopefully battle for the first time this year without Thor interfering as He did in the Charm City.  John Hinchen and Philly will look for their first win of the season while the Eagles look to stay unbeaten, and the Dockers will get captain Scott Bradford back to patrol the defensive goal square.

In the women’s match, the Lady Eagles, gunning for a spot in D1 at Nationals this year, will bring a full side in search of their second win of the year.  They’re led by midfielder Meriam Mehter and fullback Kristen Lough.  Defender Jackie Kershaw paced the Hawks in defeat two weeks ago, they’ll be looking for revenge on Saturday.

As in Baltimore, the RVA Lions will be making the ride up I95 to support both Philly teams.

Austin Crows (1-0) vs Houston Lonestars (1-0)
11am CDT - Onion Creek Soccer Complex, Austin, TX

Both teams in this Texas tussle are on wins over Dallas first up, and the Lonestars head to the home of the 2021 USAFL Nationals to play the D1 National men’s Champions.  Mike Montgomery leads a stingy Crows defense chock full of talent, but that won’t stop the Lonestars from thinking upset.  Big, strong ruckman Chance Mire and booming kicker Carey Nolan will try to get Houston over the line in the Texan Capital.

Des Moines Roosters (2-0) vs Kansas City Power (0-2)
11am CDT - Lauridsen Amphitheater, Des Moines, IA

Both teams are back in the swing of things, with the Iowans off to a flying start and the Power playing full squad football again.  KC hosted both the Roosters and St Louis two weeks ago, dropping both matches while Des Moines won both of theirs.  The Roosters knocked off KC in their encounter by the score of 28-3.  Jacob Vander Ploeg and the Des Moines boys will try and do it again in a four quarter match, but will get a tough test from Matthew Amick and the Bolts.

Magnolia Cup: Savannah/Atlanta (2-1) vs Jacksonville Saints (3-0)
2pm EDT - Daffin Park, Savannah, GA

Three weeks before it hosts the Summer Series, the Hostess City of the South will see the Savannah Hurricane combine to face the Jacksonville Saints, who head up I-95 for the challenge.  Atlanta split both of their games in the Rome tournament, and then defeated the Redbacks in a game that saw them set a USAFL record by kicking 29 minor scores in a single game.  Veteran Sam Ridenhour and the Kookas will have a tough test on their hands; the Jacksonville Saints are still savoring their 3-0 run at the Florida Cup back on May 15th.  The Saints have a solid mix of vets and rookies in their ranks, among them former Kookaburra Basil Benjamin Jr.