The NPSL season kicked off with impending weather in the forecast for Duluth, MN as Joy AC
traveled north for the Thursday night matchup. The worst of the weather passed at the
beginning of the timeframe the teams were to warm up and the game was delayed just 15
minutes. The Blue Greens of Duluth FC were looking to have a strong start to kickoff their 2025
season following their Midwest Regional title run last season. Felipe Olirveira who scored the
game winning goal in extra time in that Midwest Regional Championship game would play be a
huge factor for Duluth FC tonight as well.
Duluth FC came out of the gates with some early pressure testing the Joy AC backline numerous
times in the first five minutes. Joy responded beginning in the sixth minute by winning two
consecutive corner kicks in the next two minutes. After Duluth’s failed clearing attempt on the
second, Philip Caputo, who scored four goals against Duluth FC in a tilt last season, put a good
ball onto teammate Griffin Price at the top right corner of the 18. Price hit a beautiful cross
where Carver Tierney soared high for a booming header past Duluth goal keeper Alex Paredes
to put the visitors up 1-0 in the 8 th minute.
After both teams exchanged several chances in the next 20 minutes without putting any more
goals in the net, Duluth began to really pour on the pressure beginning in the 30 th minute. After
several very nice saves by Joy keeper, John Dufner and a few nice defensive plays to nix Duluth
FC point blank chances, Duluth finally was able to put one across in the 38 th minute. A powerful
cross from Duluth FC’s Teddy Miranda found a streaking Oliveira who tapped it past Dufner to
even the match at 1-1.
The match would stay there until the 51 st minute when Duluth’s Tylor Guerrero crossed a ball
into the box that may have got headed to the feet of Oliveira by Duluth Captain Liam Pritchard.
Oliveira quickly put the ball into the back of the net from the far post for the brace and put the
BlueGreens up 2-1.
After each team made a substitution in the 60 th minute, both sides would make some headway
deep into their opponent’s territory. In the 71 st minute, Duluth got a counter attack deep to the
streaking Pritchard who then put a great ball onto the foot of Caio Gomes, who had subbed on
for Oliveira in the 60 th minute, at the top of the box. He made no mistake tucking it inside the
right post to give Duluth FC the 3-1 lead. The game would remain at 3-1 for the remainder of
the contest, and Duluth FC would come away with the 3-1 victory in their opening match of the
2025 NPSL season.
Following the game, Duluth FC first year Head Coach Thomas Pazo said, “I’m happy with the
result, but know that we can definitely be better. It was a good foundation to build off and glad
we were able to come away with the victory.”
Duluth FC will see its next NPSL action on May 27 against the Minnesota Blizzard. Joy AC will
visit the newest members of the North Conference Iowa Demonhawks on May 24.
John Shuster
