Wisconsin Soccer Central

Patrick McLain (Eau Claire Memorial) signed with the Chicago Fire during the offseason and was loaned to the Major League Soccer club's affiliate Saint Louis FC last week, but the goalkeeper's debut for the USL club was in a very familiar place.

McLain made four saves as Saint Louis FC posted a 1-0 victory over the Sacramento Republic, his former club, last Saturday night in California. 

The 27-year-old McLain recorded a 1.26 goals-against average and six clean sheets in 25 appearances in all competitions for the Republic last year. He has been on the bench as the backup to Matt Lampson in three of the Fire's six matches this year, but is yet to make an appearance.

"I thought Patrick was phenomenal," Saint Louis FC coach Dale Schilly said of McLain, a fifth-year pro who also has played with now-defunct Chivas USA in MLS and the Orange County Blues in USL. "He did everything we wanted him to do."

Two other players with state ties played key roles for Saint Louis FC (2-2-2) in the win. Center back A.J. Cochran (UW) was named to the USL Team of the Week for his work anchoring the backline in the shutout, while rookie midfielder Drew Conner (UW) – also on loan from the Fire – was involved in the game's lone goal.

Conner, who came on as a sub, made a long run from his own penalty box after a Sacramento corner kick in the 59th minute and was the target of a cross by teammate Mike Ambersley from the right flank. The ball, though, deflected off a Republic defender and past keeper Dominik Jakubek for what proved to be the decisive goal.

On Twitter: @PatrickMcLain24 @Alec_Cochran @Drew_Conner1

• Genevieve Richard (UW) posted her second clean sheet in as many starts as host Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara blanked Nittaidai 1-0 in a Nadeshiko League Division 2 match last Saturday in Japan. Nojima Stella hasn't allowed a goal in winning its first five games, outscoring opponents 12-0 in the second-tier league.
• Goalkeeper Matt Pyzdrowski (Marquette) has missed the past three matches for Swedish club Helsingborgs IF due to a thigh injury, according to media reports. On Twitter: @MattPyzdrowski
• Andrija Novakovich (Muskego) recently returned to training with English club Reading FC after being rested for a few weeks. The 19-year-old striker had two goals and two assists in 14 appearances (11 starts) for the club's Under-21 team this season, and also made six appearances (two starts) while on loan with Cheltenham Town in the National League. Reading, which is 15th in the second-tier Championship, concludes its season May 7 and Novakovich is scheduled to spend some time back home before 2016-17 preseason training starts in late June. On Twitter: @AndrijaNovakov3