|
 The Milwaukee Bavarians moved into first place in the National Premier Soccer League's Midwest Division on Wednesday without having to even kick a ball.
The Chicago Fire forfeited their match scheduled for Wednesday night in Milwaukee because they didn't have enough players to field a team, Bavarians coach Andreas Davi said.
"Three points are three points, right?" said Davi, whose team scrimmaged the club's Majors team in place of the league game.
The Bavarians improved to 4-0-2 in the league and with 14 points moved one ahead of the Quad City Eagles (3-1-4) and two ahead of the Madison 56ers (3-1-2). Milwaukee plays host to the 56ers on Saturday night in a match that could go a long way in determining the championship.
Last Saturday night, the Bavarians tied Quad City 0-0 in Moline, Ill., to remain unbeaten. UW-Milwaukee goalkeeper Bryce Boyd (Milwaukee Marquette) posted the shutout in place of Marquette's David Check (Mequon Homestead), who wasn't available due to a family commitment.
"We played really much better than they did," said Davi, who saw the Eagles' lone shot on goal in the game – a deflected strike in the final minute – hit the crossbar. "Quad City is a not a bad team. ... They have discipline in their positioning, they fight like crazy, they run like the devil, they never give up. I was happy with a point."
The Fire (1-4-1), who lost to the Bavarians 2-1 on June 4, were deducted three points for the forfeit, per NPSL rules. Davi said Fire coach Mark Spooner told him the factors that led to the forfeit included several players having summer school classes and the club's Premier Development League team's busy schedule this week.
|
