Med City FC made a visit down to Dubuque, Iowa on Tuesday, June 11 for a non-conference meeting with UPSL club Union Dubuque F.C. And despite leaving six regular starters at home, the Mayhem ran out 3-1 winners.
Having had a hectic start to the season, including a draining game last Saturday in the afternoon heat and humidity of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Med City FC made the decision to rest some players for their trip to Iowa just three days later. The move also allowed the Mayhem to get some game time for some of the players who have been on the fringe in terms of making the Med City FC 18-man rosters this season. The team did not disappoint, delivering a commanding performance and a solid away win that keeps the Mayhem undefeated in all contests this season.
A dominant first half saw Med City FC take the lead on an Ayo Adebayo goal in the 38th minute. Union Dubuque would equalize just two minutes later, however, to level the game at 1-1. That score would hold into halftime and the first few minutes of the second half, before Nicholas Itopolous would score Med City’s second goal of the game, and his second in two games, to give the Mayhem a 2-1 lead.
Just seven minutes later, Man of the Match Marcos Fernandez would add a third with a beautifully taken free kick that curved around the wall and past the goalkeeper, making the score 3-1. Med City FC continued to control play for the last half hour, while getting a chance for several players to get into the game and get some valuable minutes as the NPSL season reaches its apex.
“We have some great depth on this team,” said Med City FC general manager Frank Spaeth. “This win shows just what kind of talent we have on this year’s team. Our coaches struggle before every game to decide on the 18-man roster and the performances of several players in this game will only make those decisions harder.”
The win took the Mayhem’s record to 7-0-2 overall and 5-0-2 in the NPSL North Conference. Med City FC is back in action on Saturday night as they take on conference opponent Sioux Falls Thunder FC at home at RCTC with a 7 PM kickoff. The Mayhem overcame the Thunder 2-0 earlier this season in Sioux Falls and will be looking for a season sweep with a victory on Saturday.