FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO – October 21, 2022

WHAT:     2022 National Independent Soccer Association semi-finals are set after tonight’s matches.

Third-seeded Michigan Stars FC punched its ticket to the semi-finals after a convincing 2-0 home win against first-year club and no. 6 seed Syracuse Pulse in Washington, Mich. The winning goal came in the 43rd minute when defenseman Iakov Shmelev headed home a Steven Juncaj cross. Anthony Bowie added an insurance goal in the 76th minute.

MSFC now heads to Chattanooga for a clash against no. 2-seed Chattanooga FC on Sunday, Oct. 30. In four close matches, the most recent -- Oct. 15 in Romeo, Mich. – provided the most electricity: a 2-3 win for CFC. All three other matches (June 25 in Tenn., Aug. 20 in Tenn., and Sept. 18 in Mich.) resulted in 0-0 draws.

In the other match, no. 4 seed ALBION San Diego earned a 2-0 win over guest and no. 5 seed Maryland Bobcats FC in the rubber match between the clubs. After a scoreless first half, Daniel Vicente broke the deadlock hammering home a penalty kick in the 47th minute. Alioune Diakhate earned the foul from Yaya Fane. ALBION stalwart winger Mayele Malango doubled the lead in the 67th off a sweet centering pass from Harold Hanson.

ALBION now gets a chance to travel north and face-off against regional rival and top seed Cal United Strikers FC on Saturday, Oct. 29. ALBION goes into the match with some confidence having earned a 2-1-1 record head-to-head, including a 1-0 win at home Oct. 8. ALBION also won at CAL 1-2 on Sept. 17, and the clubs drew 1-1 on Aug. 20 in Orange County. CAL earned a road win 0-3 on June 10.

WHO/WHEN:    SEMIFINALS:

Game One:

#1 Cal United Strikers FC vs. TBD

Saturday, October 29

Kickoff: 7:00pm PT

Championship Stadium, Irvine, Calif.

Game Two:

#2 Chattanooga FC vs. #3 Michigan Stars FC

Sunday, October 30

Kickoff:  5:00pm ET

Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Dates and times are subject to change.

NEXT:    The final will be November 5 or 6 depending on highest seed participating and venue availability.