Wisconsin Soccer Central

There are a number of scenarios by which the Madison 56ers can still qualify for the National Premier Soccer League Midwest Region playoffs.

But they all have one common denominator: The 56ers beating the Minnesota United FC Reserves in tonight's regular-season finale. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Breese Stevens Field.

With the Quad City Eagles (6-1-2) all but confirmed as Central Conference champions – they need only a point from their finale against Aris FC (0-8-0) on Saturday night to claim their second straight title – the focus turns to second place.

Next weekend's Midwest playoffs will include four teams: The three conference champions and the runner-up with the best points per game average.

The winner of tonight's game between the 56ers (4-2-3) and Minnesota United Reserves  (5-2-2) will finish second in the Central – if it ends in a draw, the Minnesota team would be the runner-up.

If Madison wins, the 56ers would have a 1.80 points per game average. Under that scenario, they would secure the final playoff spot provided the second-place finisher in the Great Lakes West doesn't end the season with more than 25 points. (The best average the Great Lakes East runner-up could have is 1.57 ppg).

Three teams are in the title chase in the Great Lakes West, and all of them play tonight and Sunday: Lansing United (24 points), Detroit City FC (23) and the Indiana Fire (21). Lansing faces Indiana tonight and Detroit City on Sunday.

"Mathematically, it's still possible," 56ers coach Jim Launder said of his team's chances of extending its season. "But it's like all the stars would have to align."

Minnesota United Reserves, the second team of the North American Soccer League club, has the advantage over Madison thanks to its 2-1 victory last Sunday in Woodbury, Minn. Stephen Reed's 80th-minute penalty kick was the difference.

Kiri Portou continued his fine form for the 56ers, giving the visitors the lead in the final minute of the first half. Carlos McCrary got in on the left side and fired a shot that United goalkeeper Adam Acosta saved, but Portou finished off the rebound.

The Reserves, though, pulled level on a similar sequence in the 62nd. Saul Rosales broke in and shot only to be denied by Minneapolis-area native Ryan Onwukwe, but Sam Mann pounced on the rebound and scored to make it 1-1.

But with 10 minutes remaining, Michael Reed – one of several United first-teamers playing in the match – stripped the ball from Madison left back Matt Barry, worked his way into the box and was taken down by Barry for the decisive penalty.

Launder was frustrated that the 56ers couldn't find another goal, as they created several good opportunities. McCrary and his younger brother Marcus McCrary (Madison La Follette), who is headed to Ohio State in the fall, created problems on the flanks.

"We put those guys behind them a lot of times. That's some serious speed," Launder said of the brothers. "Carlos got behind them several times. As a matter of fact, you know they're a pro team, and they were asking about Carlos after the game. He played well, except he didn't finish a couple of other chances."

Midfielder Andrew Wiedabach (Mequon Homestead/UW-Milwaukee) and defender Matt Balshaw, both former 56ers players, started for the United Reserves. "I thought Wiedabach played really well," Launder said.

MADISON 56ERS: Ryan Onwukwe; Matt Barry (Derek Ott 82), Paul Yonga, Drew DeLozier, Dominic O'Connor (Driton Zyteja 69); Carl Schneider, Keenan Newallo (Joe Naughton 82); Carlos McCrary, Kiri Portou (Wira Wama 80), Patrick Ruhland (Marcus McCrary 75); George Gauld (Jed Hohlbein 75).