NATIONAL CUP O5 2018

Once again the end of the season has passed. Winter Cups are in play and National Cup looms in the near future. As in years past this is meant for fun and give a bit of insight on teams. Youth Soccer Rankings are FROM Cal South rankings only. Also, please note that rankings change weekly/daily so they may rise or fall continually before National Cup begins. As of now there is no clear format on what the next round will be. Though more than likely with 11 brackets and 44 teams expect 11 group winners and the top 5 wild card teams from round 1. Then a round of 16 until only two remain.

Over the course of the week two groups will be released daily. Here is the release order:

Monday Groups “A” and “B”

Tuesday Groups “C” and “D”

Wednesday Groups “E” and “F”

Thursday Groups “G” and “H”

Friday Groups “I”, “J”, and “K”



“Group A”

ALBION SC G05 ACADEMY HUGHES (YSR #7)

ARSENAL FC G05 ECNL (YSR #23)

LA GALAXY OC G2005 PREMIER (YSR #43)

TFA S. BAY or South West SC (YSR #24)

AVG. 24

This pairing of teams certainly is diverse in the leagues they compete in to their collective styles of play. Albion is surely the favorites here. They play with conviction and are very organized. Their backline will look to feed the ball to their wingers and force teams to commit defensively. They also systematically work as a unit to close passing lanes and make teams feel uncomfortable. Yet, something lurks and hopefully it can be rectified. Albion has had a trio of disappointing loses in a row at CRL. Surely the ship can be righted. Arsenal will work hard and use their size to battle teams. They did well to make the finals at the Nike Challenge against a strong CDA team and otherwise have certainly won their share of games, but can they win when they must? LA Galaxy OC will have to make some waves in this pool to find a way out. If they do it will not be easy going forward. At Vegas Cup they were quite disappointed. Yet, if they can grab a magical point from Albion and a must point against Arsenal maybe, just maybe, they can see their way in. Sometimes rankings can be misleading and I think this is true here for TFA. TFA’s record of late has been positive, but strength of schedule it has not. This certainly will be a difficult mountain for them to climb.


“Group B”

Beach FC LB G05 R. Perez (YSR #4)

West Coast FC G05 Academy (YSR #9)

CDA FC Slammers Orange 05 Hurtarte (YSR #28)

Slammers FC G05 GA (YSR #60)

AVG. 25

Beach will come out and be ready to play. They will certainly take advantage of their speed and athleticism to try and beat teams with intense pressure as well as fervor. When all cylinders are in motion they close down passing lanes and force teams to give up the ball. See them to also use their forwards up top by creating one-on-ones. On the defensive end they can be extremely stingy with a workman like backline and a pair of top notch keepers. West Coast is a solid side that played in one of the most difficult SCDSL league groupings. They have a nice style of controlled play, but have struggled against top competition. Yet, showed some moxie getting to the finals at the Vegas Cup and narrowly losing to Heat FC who certainly upset the #2 team. If they find their way out of this group will once again need to rise to the challenge in the next round. CDA FC struggled in league but had some top competitors to find their way past. At the OC Tourney of Champions they earned some major brownie points and kudos for upsetting Albion in a shootout. But seemingly could not reproduce that momentum in Vegas. Slammers FC just recently competed in the third flight in Vegas against competition that is quite distant to the ones they will face here. This makes one wonder why? SCDSL also was not an easy ride for this bunch. However, both CDA and Slammers are in a similar boat. To have a chance both need to come up with game plan to keep Beach and West Coast in check. But will have to sacrifice style over results. Not sure it’s possible, but this is soccer and anything can happen.
 
HERE ARE GROUPS "C" AND "D"
“Group C”

Real So Cal G05 Pre-Academy (YSR #7)

Eagles G05 (YSR #14)

So Cal Academy G05 Gallo (YSR #26)

Express Girls 05 Premier Newman (YSR #50)

AVG. 24

Real So Cal is another well-organized team that many find difficult to break down. They can play a quick 1-2 game then look for seams in the defensive line or out wide with an overlapping run or switching the ball across the field. They also have speed throughout and it comes in handy when putting players in positions to make something happen. And, quite recently their form in CRL is one to watch out for. They have had some impressive results of late. Eagles like RSC are another formidable systematic outfit that always seem up for a challenge. With a direct style of play look for them to play the ball to their midfield and find gaps to run in and pass through. Eagles are also a resilient team. They recently fell short at Eagles Elite Classic in group play, but came back strong this weekend at the Silver Lakes Winter Cup as the victor against a team they seemingly lost to earlier in the tourney. So Cal Academy appears to be one of those teams that has upset a few teams early on in the year. Can they do it now? Maybe, they have played Eagles several times this year and have had some close results, but not finished the deal. The REAL task what can they do against Real So Cal? Express like so many teams can win those games they should but truly struggle against top competition. Unless they can find the right formula and cohesiveness of play this is another one of those moments.


“Group D”

LAGSB 05 Pre-Academy (YSR #5)

SD Surf Academy 05 (YSR #17)

Beach FC LB 05 (YSR #34)

Pateadores RSM 05 (YSR #62)

AVG. 29.5

LAGSB will play a possession style game where the ball will move in all directions and all the while keeping it on the carpet. They will do this win or lose and without regret. Since summer this team has gelled and had some nice results. Like most Surf teams this squad plays a nice style. Look for them to connect the ball and make some great runs forward. If they play there cards right can garner enough for a coveted wild card spot. Beach comes in having played some very tough teams in league and has demonstrated they are not easy team to encounter and from observations play with a lot of heart. They will look to send the ball and rely on a stout defense to keep teams at bay. Patedores during SCDSL were tasked with taking on top competition from both Surf and Blues. However, they sat towards the bottom of the table. Maybe they were given more than they could handle during league play. It feels National Cup may be as well.

 
HERE ARE GROUPS "C" AND "D"
“Group C”

Real So Cal G05 Pre-Academy (YSR #7)

Eagles G05 (YSR #14)

So Cal Academy G05 Gallo (YSR #26)

Express Girls 05 Premier Newman (YSR #50)

AVG. 24

Real So Cal is another well-organized team that many find difficult to break down. They can play a quick 1-2 game then look for seams in the defensive line or out wide with an overlapping run or switching the ball across the field. They also have speed throughout and it comes in handy when putting players in positions to make something happen. And, quite recently their form in CRL is one to watch out for. They have had some impressive results of late. Eagles like RSC are another formidable systematic outfit that always seem up for a challenge. With a direct style of play look for them to play the ball to their midfield and find gaps to run in and pass through. Eagles are also a resilient team. They recently fell short at Eagles Elite Classic in group play, but came back strong this weekend at the Silver Lakes Winter Cup as the victor against a team they seemingly lost to earlier in the tourney. So Cal Academy appears to be one of those teams that has upset a few teams early on in the year. Can they do it now? Maybe, they have played Eagles several times this year and have had some close results, but not finished the deal. The REAL task what can they do against Real So Cal? Express like so many teams can win those games they should but truly struggle against top competition. Unless they can find the right formula and cohesiveness of play this is another one of those moments.


“Group D”

LAGSB 05 Pre-Academy (YSR #5)

SD Surf Academy 05 (YSR #17)

Beach FC LB 05 (YSR #34)

Pateadores RSM 05 (YSR #62)

AVG. 29.5

LAGSB will play a possession style game where the ball will move in all directions and all the while keeping it on the carpet. They will do this win or lose and without regret. Since summer this team has gelled and had some nice results. Like most Surf teams this squad plays a nice style. Look for them to connect the ball and make some great runs forward. If they play there cards right can garner enough for a coveted wild card spot. Beach comes in having played some very tough teams in league and has demonstrated they are not easy team to encounter and from observations play with a lot of heart. They will look to send the ball and rely on a stout defense to keep teams at bay. Patedores during SCDSL were tasked with taking on top competition from both Surf and Blues. However, they sat towards the bottom of the table. Maybe they were given more than they could handle during league play. It feels National Cup may be as well.

I heard that Encinitas Express might be dropping out of National Cup (since the team is leaving the club and going to GPS)
 
I heard that Encinitas Express might be dropping out of National Cup (since the team is leaving the club and going to GPS)
Don't understand why they would not play national cup. They've already paid. Plus I don't see Newman's name on the Bayern website.
 
Don't understand why they would not play national cup. They've already paid. Plus I don't see Newman's name on the Bayern website.

My info, which is second hand, is that Newman isn't going to be the coach of this team at GPS. Someone else taking the team. Also, it's the club (Express) that is apparently pulling them from Nat'l Cup.
 
Not sure the team can if they left with the coach prior to NC. This happened just a year or two ago.
Had a similar situation with my DD a few years back. Our girls begrudgingly stuck it out with the Club who in turn thru a coach at the team that could not have given 2 shits about them.....In hind sight we should have saved the travel, hotel and referee fees and just dropped out.
 
GROUPS "E" AND "F"

“Group E”

So Cal Blues 05 Draluck (YSR #3)

CDA FC Slammers EGSL 05 Segovia (YSR #16)

FRAM 05 Hernandez (YSR #37)

Oceanside Breakers 05 Black (YSR #68)

AVG. 31

So Cal Blues are a good side who the play the ball with purpose but are willing to do it in all fashions from dropping it over the top, playing it out of the back, connecting in the middle, etc. When able to feed the ball to their forwards from midfield play they can be very dangerous. They are also a tenacious team that are like juggernauts and seem to be everywhere. CDA is a solid and very feisty ensemble of players. Their record shows they can compete with the best and give most teams a difficult run of things. They are led by a talented center midfielder who will pull the strings and make magic in the middle. They will do their best to upset Blues. FRAM are certainly an aggressive side and will look to stifle teams by putting pressure on their opponent’s best players to disrupt play. They will also use their size advantage on set plays to hopefully put a few in the back of net. Oceanside Breakers will have to find a level of commitment and energy to lift themselves out of this solid quartet of teams. Their play has been a mixed bag of results and if they hope to find a spot in the next round must find a consistency yet unseen.


“Group F”

Legends FC 05 Pre-Academy (YSR #8)

So Cal Academy 05 Hazell (YSR #13)

BYSC Corona 05 Academy (YSR #39)

LA Premier FC 05 Academy (YSR #88)

AVG. 37


Well, it seems all teams in this group are called academy! That’s for sure! All kidding aside Legends has become a formidable side to reckon with. They have picked up momentum over the course of the year and took SCDSL East in league. They are also no stranger to facing or avoiding top competition and have had some strong results. Their style of play has also taken time to develop and now are playing in the controlled manner they were looking for. So Cal Academy also have performed well taking CSL Gold and League Cup. However, they have a mixed bag when playing teams at the top of the table in other leagues. Will be very interesting to see how they play at the pinnacle of the year. But will certainly give their opponents fits. BYSC are gritty team and know So Cal Academy very well. I’d have to assume they will be looking forward to rectifying their previous two encounters. The match up with Legends is the make or break game for this team. BYSC also had a very good showing at Vegas Cup playing two top 20 teams nationally. To seize the day they will have to put their noses to the grind stone. Definitely an underdog with something to prove. LA Premier comes into this fight as a journeyman looking for a good experience of playing teams with quality to them. But, my gut says they will be over their heads. Their path is not an easy one, but give them credit for putting on the gloves and swinging away.
 
GROUPS "E" AND "F"

“Group E”

So Cal Blues 05 Draluck (YSR #3)

CDA FC Slammers EGSL 05 Segovia (YSR #16)

FRAM 05 Hernandez (YSR #37)

Oceanside Breakers 05 Black (YSR #68)

AVG. 31

So Cal Blues are a good side who the play the ball with purpose but are willing to do it in all fashions from dropping it over the top, playing it out of the back, connecting in the middle, etc. When able to feed the ball to their forwards from midfield play they can be very dangerous. They are also a tenacious team that are like juggernauts and seem to be everywhere. CDA is a solid and very feisty ensemble of players. Their record shows they can compete with the best and give most teams a difficult run of things. They are led by a talented center midfielder who will pull the strings and make magic in the middle. They will do their best to upset Blues. FRAM are certainly an aggressive side and will look to stifle teams by putting pressure on their opponent’s best players to disrupt play. They will also use their size advantage on set plays to hopefully put a few in the back of net. Oceanside Breakers will have to find a level of commitment and energy to lift themselves out of this solid quartet of teams. Their play has been a mixed bag of results and if they hope to find a spot in the next round must find a consistency yet unseen.


“Group F”

Legends FC 05 Pre-Academy (YSR #8)

So Cal Academy 05 Hazell (YSR #13)

BYSC Corona 05 Academy (YSR #39)

LA Premier FC 05 Academy (YSR #88)

AVG. 37


Well, it seems all teams in this group are called academy! That’s for sure! All kidding aside Legends has become a formidable side to reckon with. They have picked up momentum over the course of the year and took SCDSL East in league. They are also no stranger to facing or avoiding top competition and have had some strong results. Their style of play has also taken time to develop and now are playing in the controlled manner they were looking for. So Cal Academy also have performed well taking CSL Gold and League Cup. However, they have a mixed bag when playing teams at the top of the table in other leagues. Will be very interesting to see how they play at the pinnacle of the year. But will certainly give their opponents fits. BYSC are gritty team and know So Cal Academy very well. I’d have to assume they will be looking forward to rectifying their previous two encounters. The match up with Legends is the make or break game for this team. BYSC also had a very good showing at Vegas Cup playing two top 20 teams nationally. To seize the day they will have to put their noses to the grind stone. Definitely an underdog with something to prove. LA Premier comes into this fight as a journeyman looking for a good experience of playing teams with quality to them. But, my gut says they will be over their heads. Their path is not an easy one, but give them credit for putting on the gloves and swinging away.
LASTMAN are you doing the 06's next ?
 
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