National Cup - 05s - Tech Specs

Tech Specs. (Part 1 of 6)

National Cup…a byproduct of the grandfathering in of the youngers with so much happening that the only constant was change. The 06s were hit the hardest with the rule changes on the horizon, build out lines, no headers, and another year loomed on the small field. Let us not forget the age group changes and oh how it would affect this age group in particular.

But the 05s had a general consensus that these “giants” could no longer be handcuffed by the smaller field and only by moving to the bigger field would we see their work on the small field come to fruition. And indeed we saw some great soccer this year as the 05s met somewhere in the middle of the age spectrum and we saw experienced “big fielders” join the “small field tacticians” for a hybrid display of possession and direct, knocking it around and “kickball”, small and big players alike made for a season that will be remembered.

We saw a Surf Cup which took the girls to the small field for the briefest of instances and we experienced CRL for the little ones to bring forth the clashing of leagues. League play in the fall was used for winning and development and division titles up for grab as showcases brought teams from great distances to play. League Cups were held and every division was represented as David and Goliath were both triumphant at some point this year. Summer Tournaments, Winter Tournaments, Vegas Cup, and beyond. State Cup amidst us as the Sweatshirts are already out in force.

But it all culminates in this…National Cup. Circumstances will always bring about change after National Cup and to some degree or other they have already taken place, but does it lessen gravity of the biggest event of the season? Truly it does not, because it is rolled into the fabric of the event, it has become a part of it and therefore it is not new but par for the course.

1 game a day, “groups of death”, win or go home, and ultimately an end to the 2016-2017 season. Let us begin…and end, what will be the final “Tech Specs.” for the 05 age group…National Cup


Format / Rules
National Cup – Official Rules (PDF)
The document I’ve linked to above shows the rules for National Cup, of which I will list the most commonly referred to ones below.

Ball Size
Size 4

Brackets
8 Groups – 4 Teams per Group
Sweet 16 Format
Top 2 Teams from each Group advance to Sweet 16

Games
Group Round: Saturday (2/18), Sunday (2/19), & Saturday (2/25)
Sweet 16: Sunday (2/26)
Quarter-Finals: Saturday (3/4)
Semi-Finals: Sunday (3/5)
Finals: Saturday (3/11)

Game Duration
30 Minute Halves

Overtime / Penalty Kicks
Elimination Games - (2) 10 Minute Halves

Scoring System
3 Point System
Win = 3 Points
Draw = 1 Point
Loss = 0 Points

Tie Breakers
  1. Head to Head
  2. Goal Differential
  3. Goals Allowed
  4. Goals Scored
  5. Shutouts
  6. PKs
  7. If there is a tie between two or more teams for wild card placement, step 6 will be replaced with a coin toss by the NCPC or Designee.
  8. If more than two (2) teams are tied at the end of the preliminary round, the tiebreaker criteria listed shall be used in the order shown until one team is advanced or one team is eliminated, or both. If remaining teams are still tied at this point in the tie-breaking process, they will then be compared beginning again with step 1 until another team is either advanced or eliminated or both.

Venues
Silverlakes Sports Complex
Galway Downs (Final Only)


Schedules & Standings


Onto the group breakdowns…..
 
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Tech Specs. (Part 2 of 6)

Group A
  • Surf EGSL (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South) National Cup Seed #1
  • Beach FC – SB Parker (SCDSL – Flight 1 – North) National Cup Seed #16
  • CDA Slammers FC – Tustin Aviles (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South II) National Cup Seed #24

Breakdown:
This group has Surf written all over it, they’ve been in the mix in the elimination rounds of practically every event they’ve done this season and they’re certainly to do so here at National Cup. Group round seeding has put them in the best group where if you win 1 game you’re essentially into the next round. I don’t see that being a problem for Surf as they should win both games in this group. Surf has been consistent and although they’re not the only “possession with a purpose” team around, they’re still one of the best at it, and even against a scrappy Beach FC – SB they should be able to move the ball around and play their games to success.

Beach FC – SB, the last time they faced Surf it got out of control on the scoreboard, but against Surf that’s not necessarily a bad sign, more common than not. The girls from South Bay ramped it up in January and were firing on all cylinders at Strikers Winter Cup and beat some good teams. This season proved they could hang and compete game in and game out with anyone outside the top 5 no doubt. Win this being a group of three, they’ll definitely have to set their sights on their 1st game against CDA Slammers and take care of business. They cannot afford to leave their fate against Surf on Day #2 of National Cup.

CDA Slammers – Aviles played in a Flight “1B” grouped by SCDSL with the creation of a South II division and was very middle of the road in a group that was very top heavy with good league performances by Blues Kale and Arsenal SD. That being said, Slammers performance in league and in tournaments was more in line with a lower flight I squad / top flight II team. They played decent ball, but the pace and level of play to get out of this group in particular is going to have be night and day to get past one of these two teams.




Group B
  • LA Galaxy SD – Elite (CSL – Silver Elite South) National Cup Seed #8
  • Oceanside Breakers (SDDA – Flight I) National Cup Seed #9
  • West Coast FC (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South) National Cup Seed #17
  • Anaheim Surf (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South II) National Cup Seed #25

Breakdown:
For my money Galaxy SD was the “best” team in CSL this year despite finishing 2nd in league. Coach Gurley had them committed to playing some of the best well rounded soccer, reposition defenses by playing negative and turning it up athletically when going to goal. Results weren’t always there, but that’s expected when development is put over the win. In this group Galaxy has a bit of breathing room to follow that same formula and the only team that has the horses to throw them off is Breakers. Outside of that matchup, Galaxy should be able to build up some steam and is favored to win this group.

Oceanside Breakers has been up and down all season, sometimes playing well beyond themselves and at other times it’s really gotten away from them. They can bring just the right amount of pace that can give them the edge over other teams at their competitive level. They will need to bring that sort of effort, in particular in the midfield to transition forward to their offense. Breakers got the seeding advantage in this group but they will have to earn a ticket to the elimination round because West Coast is repping the darkhorse banner.

West Coast got blown out a few times this season but don’t let that fool you, they lost those games to “Top 5” opponents and it has in many ways shifted eyes away from them and some of the things they were able to do. They frustrated the heck out of teams many consider to be group favorites in this National Cup and they will challenge for one of the two spots in this group to advance. In the matchups they need to win they’ll have to deal with a Galaxy SD team that is one of the best all-around and an Oceanside squad that can disrupt any team’s gameplay with grit and hustle. West Coast is a darkhorse, can they start by solidifying my hunch and get out of this group?

Anaheim Surf wasn’t going to like any of the draws they got in National Cup. I saw them play a couple of times this season and the pace just isn’t there. They’re attempting to do some good things but it gets disrupted rather quickly by the Flight I pace, they honestly struggled with teams that opted for Presidents and they now have 3 good teams in front of them to close out the season. I will say I was impressed with their resiliency when pinned in by athletic teams and their desire and heart to bend but not break. They will need every bit of that to have a good showing.
 
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Tech Specs. (Part 3 of 6)

Group C
  • Legends FC (SCDSL – Flight 1 –North) National Cup Seed #5
  • Murrieta Surf (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South II) National Cup Seed #12
  • DMCV Sharks (SDDA – Flight I) National Cup Seed #20
  • CDA Slammers HB (SCDSL – Flight 1 –North) National Cup Seed #28

Breakdown:
Legends seemed to play to their competition this season, and even though on paper they’re one of the higher ranked teams going into National Cup, you have to think they’re not satisfied with the way they leveled out going into National Cup. They will need to bring the game they’ve shown against the “Top 5” this season and essentially put their foot on the throats on Murrieta and DMCV, no disrespect to those teams. Legends at their best can bring waves of pressure on a defense and have some speed that will test a defense. Legends not only need to win this group but they need to do it with a statement if they truly plan on competing late into the elimination rounds.

Murrieta Surf looked like that team that was so close to the finish line and then had someone move the line on them at the last minute. For as much as they struggled keeping momentum going, they certainly proved that they have what it takes to not only be there but get it done from time to time. They have had some marquee wins this season, and with this format of top 2 teams advancing, they need one of those type of wins here to get it done. Murrieta opens up against Sharks and that would be the ideal time to do it. They cannot go into their final game against Legends banking on that game to get it done. It either happens on the 1st weekend of two games or it won’t happen at all.

Del Mar had SDDA wrapped up with a game in hand at the end of league and quietly did their thing, almost too quiet. Since the end of league and with a lot of movement going on at Sharks, they will need to refocus and get going quickly here. Most teams have been playing at a high level and Sharks will either benefit from being rested or pay the price from being rusty.

Slammers HB had the “luck” of playing in what has become a group of death in SCDSL North and although they may not be the CDA team everyone looks to, Coach Gath has a tendency to get his teams ready for surprising opponents. His teams pass the eye test for up and comers and what they do in this group will very telling of the work they put in this season. I have a feeling they will earn some respect in this grouping.




Group D
  • SC Blues – Kale (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South II) National Cup Seed #4
  • Strikers FC – OC (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South) National Cup Seed #13
  • Crown City United (CSL – Silver Elite South) National Cup Seed #21
  • Express – Premier (SDDA – Flight I) National Cup Seed #29

Breakdown:
Early in this season Kale had both his 04 & 05 teams looking like the “A” teams in their respective age groups. Although Dralucks girls have benefited from getting rounded out by some very talented players, Blues Kale has more than earned their keep and Blues has a very strong “1A / 1B” combination in the 05 age group to challenge for a National Cup. Kale’s girls are one of the best out there at ball winning and play with a maturity of an older team when using their body and positioning to make sure they win the ball. With some athletic advantages, they play them very well and will test keepers from distance constant and often. This group has a clear two favorites to advance and I imagine the final group game versus Strikers will be to decide this group.

Strikers FC – OC, what could be the last swan song with all the movement in South OC as Slammers reloads in an attempt to corner the market as best as one can in Orange County. Having played up in Vegas recently, these girls can match speed and intensity with some mid-tier 04 squads. Craig Bull’s teams can be technical but the pressure of winning at Flight 1 has turned a lot of the Strikers top teams in various age groups into squads that put together combinations only in one direction, and that’s forward. They are one of the best and quick combinations, in particular up the wing and absolutely lethal once the ball is crossed into the box. Either one of these teams will potential match up nightmares for the winner of Group H, LA Galaxy SB, wink-wink…

Crown City United is a decent squad, but all bets going into National Cup was that we would see their sister team SoCal Academy on this stage having finished 3rd in CSL. Alas, in was not meant to be and CCU will be left holding the bag in a brutal group to try and get out of. Express is no slouch either, so even a respectable 3rd place finish here is not guaranteed. Expect CCU to play it big against pressure to give them time to regroup and try to win field position.

Express peaked that to start the year after coming back from Winter break and they will need to bring some of that flare to rally the girls and swing for the fences. What else can be done in a group like this where you have a clear #1 & #2. The girls will have nothing to lose and they don’t their “easiest” game until the final matchday.
 
Tech Specs. (Part 4 of 6)

Group E
  • Beach FC – LB Perez (SCDSL – Flight 1 –North) National Cup Seed #3
  • Eagles (CSL – Silver Elite South) National Cup Seed #14
  • Albion – Academy (SDDA – Flight I) National Cup Seed #22
  • LA Galaxy – OC (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South) National Cup Seed #30

Breakdown:
Beach LB heads up a Group E that is deceivingly competitive because of the rankings use to seed the group round. Both Albion and Galaxy OC come in on the low end and expectation is for Beach and Eagles to run roughshod through group play. Although it’s definitely possible for that to happen it will speak to how well Beach FC has come along. I’ve been watching Perez come up and do some different things with his teams and Beach. When my DD was at Arsenal when this whole craziness began for us, Perez was a motivator first and teacher second. Dealt with certain talent he made the most of opportunities to bring his girls along and put them on the map. What I have seen from him the past couple of years has been tremendous as he has been able to combine both teaching the game and getting the most out of his players. The result this season in particular has seen his 05 girls win CRL where by the thinnest of margins they surpassed the mythical Surf and now have the spotlight to themselves. For how long and what it amounts to is up to them. They move the ball with a purpose and can kill you with speed up the wings and a central player who can destroy a keeper from distance using either foot.

Eagles, the gatekeepers of CSL, did it again this season showing consistency and a style we’ve come familiar to expect from Eagles. Tim Kelly is money when it comes to the youngers, producing quality sides year in and year out. Now Eagles has shown this year while they are certainly favored in matchups with the #10s and below, they have some room to grow against the “Top 5” crowd. Here in this grouping they will see a fair share of tests in good competition against Albion and Galaxy OC that will give Eagles the chance to show their in the discussion and a group closer against Beach that will be a true measuring stick. Eagles are extremely active in the midfield and can time and weigh through balls with the best of them. They had some back and forth at the keeper spot and it remains to be seen how they stack up in goal.

Albion finished league with a strong flurry and showed some promise at Surf Thanksgiving before running into Strikers OC. If they can play up to the level they showed to close out November they have a shot at stealing some points in this group.

Galaxy OC in my opinion is not getting enough credit in their seeding going into National Cup and although they don’t have the easiest of groups, it will make for an entertaining few games of soccer. Winn and Gonzales have handled the transition as smoothly as one could want and they have some firepower that could give both Eagles and Albion fits. They open up against Beach on the first day and it will be important to walk away from that game with takeaways, either in points or competitive play to face off against opponents 2 and 3.




Group F
  • IE Surf Premier (CSL – Silver Elite South) National Cup Seed #6
  • Real So Cal – White (SCDSL – Flight 1 –North) National Cup Seed #11
  • Arsenal FC – San Diego (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South II) National Cup Seed #19
  • LA Galaxy SD – Premier (SDDA – Flight I) National Cup Seed #27

Breakdown:
IE Surf and my DD’s final dance with the 05s. Our girls have played and experienced the entire spectrum of Flight 1 soccer. I have to admit sometimes it’s been pretty in both loss and victory and other times it’s been downright ugly as things get worked out in the team’s quest to play a disciplined style of soccer that’s tough to pull off when Flight 1 competition is breathing down your neck. IE Surf’s core has been the hub for everything going on with this team and the experienced players on this squad ignite the team to knock the ball around. IE’s downfall this season has been their struggles in the offensive third. Against the top competition, goals allow squads to adjust gameplay and falling behind early could affect this team in the big game.

RSC was a bruising team this season and didn’t give up very much to anyone. They’re a “1 goal a game” type of squad that will make you earn it and feel it during and after a game. They may be ranked below IE Surf in this grouping but in could easily the favored team to win this group. Matchups and styles make games and RSC has a style that will give both IE Surf and Arsenal SD fits.

Arsenal SD started out extremely slow this season and missed out from CRL, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for this team. O’Campo was able to schedule this squad to his liking not tied to CRL and had a very successful league performance from the girls who added a piece our two throughout the year and gradually got better at certain spots. Going into National Cup, they make Group F a 3-way race that should be very close.

Galaxy SD II deserves some praise for stepping up for National Cup, and they will have their work cut out for them in group play. They were about where expected at Strikers Winter Cup and could complicate things in this group as it is a very balanced grouping. Don’t overlook anyone at National Cup, points are at a premium.
 
Tech Specs. (Part 5 of 6)

Group G
  • Surf II (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South II) National Cup Seed #7
  • SC Blues – Draluck (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South) National Cup Seed #10
  • Rebels (SDDA – Flight I) National Cup Seed #18
  • CDA Slammers FC – Cerritos Segovia (SCDSL – Flight 1 –North) National Cup Seed #26

Breakdown:
Surf II had some trouble with styles as they wrapped up CRL and walked away with both sides of the coin to analyze going into National Cup. In this grouping Surf II has some room to regroup and gain some traction drawing Segovia first and then Rebels before having to face Blues. Surf II has everything in place ton advance from this group, but what Surf team will we see in the group round? It will be up to Barclay to get the girls connecting and into a good rhythm for them to have a chance.

Blues Draluck has enough talent to win National Cup but some of the mystique of their runs during summer and fall has rubbed off. Like so many of the favorites to win National Cup, it will be very important for Blues to get it going in a big way during the group round so the kinks are worked out before the games where there is no room for error. Essentially Blues is a 3 goal favorite in every one of these games, but translating that from paper to the field is a task that has to get done.

Rebels and Coach Abel have a tendency to scrap the “in your face” in favor of the technical and practical. This group will see them with both room to do their thing and at times without much room to do any of that at all. Catch a Rebels game every now and then and appreciate the little things their girls do, it’s fun to watch.

CDA Slammers Segovia may be an afterthought in this group with Blues on the sign outside but don’t let their seeding fool you, they will have put in plenty of legwork going into National Cup. They have more than a good opportunity to beat both Rebels and Surf II.




Group H
  • LA Galaxy SB Elite (SCDSL – Flight 1 –North) National Cup Seed #2
  • Legends FC – South (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South II) National Cup Seed #15
  • Hotspurs – Premier (SDDA – Flight I) National Cup Seed #23
  • LA United FA – White (SCDSL – Flight II – North) National Cup Seed #31

Breakdown:
Galaxy SB went into the tail end of CRL expecting to get edged out by Surf by the thinnest of margins and lost track of Beach who snuck in and had everyone doing the double take. Galaxy has really added the attacking third portion of their game this season, not only moving the ball around but being able to take it to goal with more confidence. Some more consistency from distance and they would be absolutely complete. Nonetheless they aren’t starving for opportunities or players as they head into what could be the easiest group of National Cup.

Legends South frustrated a lot of teams this season, very resilient and would have you asking what the score was in games they played. They had a solid finish to the season, only getting tripped up by Blues Kale and Surf, which was to be expected. Legends South’s defensive line was very strong in multiple games I saw them play and their midfield got after it and closed well. This group is wide open for the #2 spot and Legends should go into group round expecting to advance. Will anyone trip them up?

Hotspurs would typically be in a 4th spot in this sort of National Cup draw but this particular draw benefitted them very well. Hotspurs has a legitimate chance of advancing to the knockout rounds with a punchers chance.

LAUFA turned some heads at TOC in December, and could be the only “Flight II” team we see in the knockout rounds. They open up against LA Galaxy and will be looking for their Rocky moment against one of the favorites for the Cup. LA United will need to force teams to play their style of ball and hope to rally deep into games by keeping them close.
 
Tech Specs. (Part 6 of 6)

Well folks, this is indeed the “last” one. I will follow up throughout the event and put something up for each round, but with my DD finally dropping down to play her age, 06, in 2017-2018 after 5 years, it’s truly been an honor. This really started out as an outlet for me to feed my passion for writing and craft stories. I work in the engineering field and my true love took a backseat for stability and complacency to some extent. Although I've kept stats and numbers over the years to help facilitate these breakdowns, I wasn't too keen on just putting out "rankings". I respect the numbers and they definitely don't lie, but I'm old school and the eye ball test has always worked for me, and I've lost count on how many times I've actually seen so many of these teams actually play. It really is what has allowed me to craft the story and bring it to life as best I can.

Writing on this forum and the one before it has gone beyond what I imagined; it introduced my DD’s and our families to a community that is special and at this point very much a family of ours. @Dominic really has put together something potent if used for good. From Katie Hawley to Goats FC and everything in between, the community here can really be special. Putting aside some of the blemishes we’ve seen in the past week, the forum is truly what you make of it and for us it has been information, education, contacts, associates, teammates, friends and family. Please come out and say hello this coming weekend, I don’t hide behind the screen name and I’m not hard to find. I’m the “Big Guy” who absolutely loves watching my kids and others do what they love and being a cog in a machine to support their dreams and aspirations, it takes a village and I am but a villager doing my part.
 
These always amaze me tech. I can't imagine how your able to do this.

Good luck to all in the 05 age group. With the birth year changes moving us to 06 I miss seeing the friends we met over the first few years my DD played. I was able to see a few 05 games this year, perhaps I'll find myself at the fields for some of these national cup games, especially since the 06 age group will be quiet for a few weeks. #YouthSocaHolic
 
Tech once again another fine piece of writing. Trust me I know how hard this process is to accumulate all the information and then put it all together.
Glad to hear you appreciate it, and I'm sure others will show you that same appreciation to you as you take over the 05 mantle!

Good luck my friend, get organized early and don't be afraid to ask for help from the forum, posters and lurkers. You'd be amazed how much feedback I've received back from lurkers with info that wish to remain anonymous.

That being said, thank you to all the forum posters / lurkers / trolls alike. Each year keeping tabs and being to watch games has become increasingly difficult and so many of you have shared insight and information that has made this easier.
 
@Technician72 great writing and great analysis. Since my daughter will be playing yours on Saturday the 18th I will try to come by and say hi. I normally sit as far away from my daughter as possible (to prevent me from "coaching" her). Good luck to you and your daughter.
I try to do the same, although I do like giving her the occasion "stern" look to make sure she's giving it her all, bad habits die hard.
 
Glad to hear you appreciate it, and I'm sure others will show you that same appreciation to you as you take over the 05 mantle!

Good luck my friend, get organized early and don't be afraid to ask for help from the forum, posters and lurkers. You'd be amazed how much feedback I've received back from lurkers with info that wish to remain anonymous.

That being said, thank you to all the forum posters / lurkers / trolls alike. Each year keeping tabs and being to watch games has become increasingly difficult and so many of you have shared insight and information that has made this easier.
I'm already taking notes.:confused: I'm up for it.
 
Thanks don't begin to cover it, Tech. You've made the forum a worthwhile place to spend time. Best of luck to your DD and all of the other girls/teams this weekend. May everyone play to the best of their ability and enjoy the ride.
 
Big thank you, Tech. Excellent report and I agree with much of it.

Who the heck is going to replace Tech for the 05s? Well-read and fair, there's big shoes to be filled. I have an 06 so I'll get to enjoy your reports there but I have to say the 05s being 11v11 makes reports like this even more interesting. Anyone raising their hand?
 
Big thank you, Tech. Excellent report and I agree with much of it.

Who the heck is going to replace Tech for the 05s? Well-read and fair, there's big shoes to be filled. I have an 06 so I'll get to enjoy your reports there but I have to say the 05s being 11v11 makes reports like this even more interesting. Anyone raising their hand?
Tech and I are swooping next year. I did the 06's this year. He will take over that and I will cover next years 05's.
 
Tech thank you for doing what you do, I am still shocked your wife hasn't left you yet or how you find time to be as active as you are with your girls selling those girl scout cookies my hat is off to you. It will be weird not to see you at training after national cup, who am i going to joke around with. LASTMAN14 you have some big shoes to fill but I know you know your soccer. Best of luck to all the 05 girls and parents have fun with your kids.
 
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