NPSL Regional Playoffs Preview: Midwest

The 2024 NPSL Regional Playoffs kick-off this week with semifinal matches taking place across the four regions.  Ahead of the midweek competition, NPSL.com’s Sean Maslin will be providing a breakdown of each of the teams as they head into their matches on Wednesday.  In this edition, he will be focusing on the Midwest Region.

In the Midwest Region Semifinals, Des Moines United FC from the Gateway Conference will take on Duluth FC from the North Conference.  The winner will face Steel City FC of the Great Lakes Conference in the Final on Saturday.

Des Moines United FC

Head Coach: JR Fernandes

Regular Season Record: 6-2-2, 20 points (third place in the Gateway Conference)

Pathway to the Midwest Region Playoffs: Defeated Kansas City Sol (5-3) in the Gateway Conference Semifinals and FC Milwaukee Torrent (2-0) in the Gateway Conference Championship

Key Players to Watch: FWD Nasreddine Benbella (12 goals), FWD Paulo Marques (captain), FWD-MID Guilherme Pereira (seven goals)

Duluth FC

Head Coach: Sean Morgan

Regular Season Record: 7-1-4, 22 points (second place in the North Conference)

Pathway to the Midwest Region Playoffs: Defeated Minnesota TwinStars FC (2-0) in the North Conference Semifinals and Dakota Fusion FC (1-0) in the North Conference Championship

Key Players to Watch: MID Edouard Nys (13 goals, NJCAA All-America at Northeast Community College), FWD Tyler Limmer (six goals), GK Jamie Colvill (tallied 339 saves at Northland College over 64 appearances)

Steel City FC

Head Coach: Dan Brower

Regular Season Record: 7-3-0, 24 points (first place in the Great Lakes Conference)

Pathway to the Midwest Region Playoffs: Defeated Flower City Union (3-2) in the Great Lakes Conference Semifinals and Akron City FC (2-0) in the Great Lakes Conference Championship

Key Players to Watch: MID-FWD Nick Graeca (captain, scored a hat trick in their 3-3 draw with Michigan Rangers), MID-FWD Kai McLoughlin (standout from Robert Morris University), MID Ryan Mertz (comes from a talented soccer family that includes both Pittsburgh Riverhounds midfielder Robbie Mertz and North Carolina Courage midfielder Landy Mertz)

Please check out the NPSL Playoffs page for all of the latest on the NPSL Playoffs! 

Photo Credit: Doug Wells/Des Moines United FC