The second week of play in the Premier League of America featured four matches, including season openers for Aurora Borealis SC, Madison 56ers, and Minneapolis City SC. If offense was the theme of week one, it was defense in week two. Three teams kept clean sheets, with Milwaukee Bavarians and Minneapolis City playing to a 0-0 draw, while Toldeo made an early statement by defeating�RWB Adria, last year�s Great Lakes Premier League champion.

Madison 56ers 1, Cedar Rapids Rampage United 1

May 20, 2016

Breese Stevens Field (Madison, WI)

Madison 56ers started their PLA season at home by hosting Cedar Rapids, as the two played to a 1-1 draw. The pattern for the visitors from Iowa seemed to be missed opportunities. The match was scoreless for nearly all of the first half despite an open goal chance to score for Cedar Rapids. Just before the halftime whistle blew, Alex Bradley scored�a bicycle-kick goal for Madison, and the home team went to the locker room up 1-0. A few minutes into the second half, Cedar Rapids were awarded a penalty. Gordy Gurson sent keeper Noah Heim the wrong way and the visitors equalized. Madison was shown red with 20 minutes to go, but Cedar Rapids squandered a chance late to capitalize on the advantage, missing a sitter and ending the game at 1-1.

Up Next:

Madison 56ers at Milwaukee Bavarians, May 27

Cedar Rapids Rampage United v. Minnesota United Reserves, May 28

Milwaukee Bavarians 0, Minneapolis City SC 0

May 21, 2016

Bavarian Soccer Park (Glendale, WI)

Minneapolis City SC played its first competitive match�in club�history, hitting the road to face�Milwaukee Bavarians and playing the hosts to a 0-0 draw. City had early chances to score, including a corner that was headed just wide by Kevin Hoof in the 11th minute. City was able to hold possession for much of the match, with Bavarians content to strike at the Crows from the counter. The the contest ebbed�back and forth�until�the hosts pushed hard in the closing minutes. Milwaukee shots found goalposts in each half�including the final shot of the match�and the visitors were happy to see the match�end with each side taking a point.

Up Next:

Milwaukee Bavarians v. Madison 56ers, May 27

Minneapolis CIty SC v. Croatian Eagles, May 28