Game Day, USA - June 2nd

We're officially into summer now that Memorial Day has come and gone, and we here at the USAFL hope it was a happy and safe one.  We're into the meat of the season now, and with regionals around the corner and local competitions into full swing, the games become more and more important long march to Nationals.  Here is a gander at what's going on around the league today:

80/35 Des Moines Tens Tournament – Des Moines Rugby Club, West Des Moines, IA
10am CDT: Des Moines Roosters v Minnesota Freeze | Denver Bulldogs v Wisconsin/Minnesota-B
11am CDT: Des Moines v Denver | Minnesota v Chicago Swans (1-0)
Noon CDT: Des Moines v Wisconsin/Minnesota | Denver v Chicago
1pm CDT: Minnesota Lady Freeze v All Comers Women
2pm CDT: Minnesota v Denver | Wisconsin/Minnesota v Chicago
3pm CDT: Des Moines v Chicago | Minnesota v Wisconsin/Minnesota

The Minnesota Freeze will try to repeat as men’s and women’s champions of the 80/35 tourney in the Hawkeye State capital.  The Des Moines men combined with Oklahoma to go 1-2 at the Rob Dollar AFLX tournament in Arizona, while the Swans opened the season with a 62-15 win at home against Nashville on April 28th.  Denver, Wisconsin, and Minnesota will play their first interclub games of the season. 

On the women’s side, the Lady Freeze will face a combined side of players from North Star Blue Ox, Wisconsin, Des Moines, and Chicago.  Minnesota won last year’s women’s game at the 85/30 by 54 points over a combined side of those clubs.

Eastern AFL Round 2 – Miller Fields @ NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Noon EDT: North Carolina Tigers (1-0) vs New York Magpies (1-0)
1pm EDT: North Carolina vs Philadelphia Hawks
2pm EDT: Philadelphia vs New York

After the first round of the revamped EAFL competition was rained out, the Hawks and Magpies converge on Raleigh as the Magpies begin the hunt for their sixth official Eastern AFL title.  Carolina beat Baltimore on the coast in their opening game in early April, while New York were winners over Quebec on ANZAC Day weekend to begin their season.  Philadelphia’s first game, in Baltimore on May 19th, was washed out and will be made up next weekend.

Nashville Kangaroos versus Baltimore Dockers – Metro Parks Soccer Complex, Nashville, TN
2pm CDT: Nashville (0-1) v Baltimore (0-2)

Both the ‘Roos and Dockers go in search of their first victory in the Music City.  The Roos fell to Chicago on ANZAC Day Weekend, while the Dockers fell to North Carolina and the DC Eagles in their first two matches as a USAFL entity.

New England AFL Round 2 – Joe Doakley Park, Boston, MA
3:30pm EDT: Boston Demons (1-0) v Maine Cats (0-1)

After losing their first ever USAFL game to Boston by 111 points, Tim Fulwider and the Pine State felines head down I-95 in search of revenge against Ari Joniec and the Beantown Dees.  It’s the second game of a three game series this year between the two New England based sides.

Southern California AFL (Metro) Round 3 – Westchester Recreation Center, Los Angeles, CA
2:45pm PDT: Riverside Eagles (0-2) v Orange County Bombers (1-0)
4:15pm PDT: LA Sharks (0-2) v LA Outlaws (1-1)

The third round of SCAFL play sees the Orange County Bombers tangle with Riverside, while the two LA Dragons sides square off in the nightcap.  The day also includes a beginners clinic at 1pm and a beginners/women’s game at 2pm.

British Columbia AFL Round 4 – Surrey, British Columbia
1pm PDT: Vancouver Vixens v Seattle Grizzlies Women
3pm PDT: Buranby Eagles v Seattle Grizzlies Men

The Grizzlies Women go for their fourth straight win in BCAFL play, having outscored their opponents 221-25 in their first three games.  The Grizzlies men, however, are 1-2 in BCAFL play, and will meet up with the Eagles for the first time this year.

Other Events This Weekend:

Atlanta AFLX Round 3 beginning 11am – Scott Park, Decatur, GA

GGAFL Round 3: SF Knights vs SF Seals, Oakland vs Marin, Sirens vs Breakers – San Ygnacio Valley Park, Concord, CA

"Come and Try" Women's Talent Search -- 11am CDT, Bendwood Park, Houston, TX