Duluth FC vs. Med City
Public Schools Stadium | Duluth, MN
May 31, 2023 | Matchday 5
Current 2023 Records (W-L-T):
Duluth: 5-0-0
Med City: 2-2-1
Starting XI: James Price, Myles Edmondson, Jake Starling, Santiago Erazo, Stefan Roeb, Conor Behan, Andres Solares, Rory Doyle, Colin O’Mahony, Tyler Limmer, Kostya Domaratskyy
Substitutions: Liam Pritchard for O’Mahony, Felipe Santos for Behan, Tom Akinola for Limmer, Paul Bobai for Domaratskyy
Goals:
63’ – Liam Pritchard (DFC)
Wednesday, May 31 saw Duluth FC host reigning NPSL North champions Med City in a 1-0 win that is sure to inform the 2023 title race. Duluth started the day five points ahead of Med City, a gap adjusted to eight points by the result.
The night started slow, with Med City’s defensive style helping the visiting Mayhem keep it 0-0 going into halftime. Duluth had their chances in the first 45, at times missing by thin margins and at other times finding their shots blocked point blank by Med City’s dedicated defense.
After both teams had penalty claims denied, the opening goal finally came in the 63rd minute thanks to substitute Liam Pritchard, who headed in a cross from Tyler Limmer to make it 1-0. The goal emphasized Limmer’s abilities off the scoresheet, as well as the persistence of Pritchard, who showed why he’s amongst the competitors in this BlueGreens roster within 20 minutes of entering the game.
Pritchard was amongst the players that remained dangerous through the second half, joined by the likes of Felipe Santos, Tom Akinola, and Paul Bobai as attacking substitutes. Med City held fast, however, and made it a siege with some big saves for Mayhem goalkeeper Iker Gonzalez.
Duluth did not score again on Wednesday, but they did get the job done with a 1-0 win over Med City. The game also saw the return of James Price in goal. Price started the 3-0 win over the TwinStars on opening day and the win against Med City marked his second cleansheet of the season.
The BlueGreens ended the day eight points ahead of Med City, a place of great potential amid a season yet to be determined. The same night, Joy Athletic won 2-0 against the Sioux Falls Thunder.
