Cedar Rapids Inferno 3-3 Union Dubuque

Article: 2021 Midwest Premier League Men’s Soccer at Tuma Soccer Complex, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

This July game featured the two Iowa-based teams in the Midwest Premier League West Division, and was the first time these two sides had ever met. The game ended with honors even after both teams gave it their best shot.

Union Dubuque’s Ryan Bayless (left), whose Glasgow accent could be heard from anywhere around the pitch (Stephen H. Brakel Packer)

As well as being the first meeting between these two sides, it was also the first season for Cedar Rapids Inferno in the MWPL. The team was founded by ex-Dubuque player-manager Kenan Malicevic, which added some extra interest to this tie.

Celebrating one of Dubuque’s goals (Stephen H. Brakel Packer)

Having failed to score in their last two fixtures, Cedar Rapids were keen to get on the scoresheet here.

Union Dubuque’s Patrick Asamoah, who went on to become Dubuque’s top goalscorer (Stephen H. Brakel Packer)

Visitors Union Dubuque had shipped 21 goals in seven games prior to this one (three goals against per game), so perhaps it’s not surprising that they conceded three more here. However, they had improved their average slightly with four goals against in their last three games (1.3 goals against per game), so they would have been hoping to keep it tight at the back once more.

Union Dubuque’s captain Justin Howe, left (Stephen H. Brakel Packer)

Cedar Rapids had allowed a comparatively mean 11 goals in their six games preceding this one (including five in their first game). On paper, this game shouldn’t have been this open. But the fans went home happy after watching both sides slug it out in a very entertaining game.

For more photos from this game, visit shbp.us.

-ShOT