National Cup - 04s - Tech Specs

Technician72

Technician72

Tech Specs. (Part 1 of 6)

Due to a “rain delay and rescheduling”, I now present you with the Tech. Specs. for National Cup 2017 and the 04 age group. It’s been a roller coaster of a season that has seen quite a shake up as our 04 DD’s went from playing in the combined 03/04 age group to “coming down” to their own 04 age group. There were some exceptions as a few girls played up the entire season and others passed back and forth from the older squads down to the 04s.

As teams started to form and gel, it looked like everything was starting to settle in and the age changes were far behind us and there was nothing in the way that could derail the stability of…..uh yeah, scratch that. Let’s disregard the working model to showcase the “olders” via ECNL and let’s shake up the soccer landscape one more time with “DA”. Let’s build anticipation and roll out the accepted teams, build suspense and invite new clubs into the mix and provide a “level” playing field across SoCal. And just like that, a year with some sort of foundation was gutted for many as tryouts started early, again. Offers were made, again. Promises made, again. Uncertainty rampart, again. More changes, again.

But alas, the only constant has been change and with it comes the final foray into competition for the 04 age groups to put a period, comma, or exclamation point on the 2016-2017 season. So for the next few weeks, let time stand still and let these young ladies do what they do best. Let the games begin, let the sweatshirt buying commence, let the ODP scouts swivel back and forth scouring the fields for the talent, and let the talking be done on the field. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

As the 1st weekend of group play kicks off, we will lose out on the 1 game a day format, to take into account this age group has two rounds of group play and the games can’t be pushed out that much further than they already have after the rain delayed the opening weekend.

This particular age group will be absolutely fun to watch, the format is unforgiving as only 1 team from every group will advance with the exception of 1, yes 1 wildcard, that will make every game count and make for the even more dramatic rise for a Cinderella team.

2nd Round BYEs
  1. Surf
  2. Arsenal FC
  3. LA Galaxy SB
  4. Beach FC – LB
  5. IE Surf
  6. SC Blues – Kale

Looking at the BYEs, it’s no secret that they don’t reflect the overall body of work for the strongest teams in the age group, but the BYEs were really up in the air after the age group changed the history of having a team’s prior State / National Cup performance dictate who got directly seeded into the 2nd round. Both Surf and Arsenal certainly earned it this year with Beach and Galaxy very deserving as well. Blues Kale and IE Surf were up and down this year at best and will have their work cut out for them in the 2nd round. But like the saying goes, “It is what it is.” Now all that’s left is to play the games in front of you and control your own destiny…


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 5

Brackets
2 Rounds of Group Play lead into Quarter-Finals Format

1st Group Round, 9 Groups – 4 Teams per Group
1st Group Round, Top Team from each Group + 1 Wildcard advance to 2nd Group Round

2nd Group Round, 4 Groups – 4 Teams per Group
2nd Group Round, Top 2 Teams from each Group advance to Quarter-Finals

Games
1st Group Round: Saturday (2/25), Sunday (2/26)
2nd Group Round: Saturday (3/4), Sunday (3/5)
Quarter-Finals: Saturday (3/11)
Semi-Finals: Sunday (3/12)
Finals: Saturday (3/18)

Game Duration
35 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
Head to Head
Goal Differential
Goals Allowed
Goals Scored
Shutouts
PKs
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.
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 (1st & 2nd Group Rounds)
Galway Downs (Quarter Finals through Finals)


Schedules & Standings


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

Group A
  • Real So Cal – EGSL (SCDSL – Flight 1 – North) National Cup Seed #8
  • Notts Forest FC (SDDA – Flight 1) National Cup Seed #25
  • FRAM (CSL – Silver Elite North) National Cup Seed #34
  • CDA Slammers FC – Yorba Linda Huie (SCDSL – Flight 1 – East) National Cup Seed #43

Breakdown:
On paper RSC has been consistently competitive all season, although their style of play has fluctuated throughout the year. They started out as team that relied on a strong midfield to win and hold the ball and leveraged their speed up the wings to throttle teams. Mid way through they played a bit more direct and as the season closed out with CRL they were more intent and controlling the ball and connecting passes. They have the talent to bring it anyway they need to and they’re the favorites to advance from this group. They added some last minute talent from their “neighbors” and that could very well propel them even further into this tournament.

Notts was a sleeper for some and favorite for others as they went into SDDA with only Rebels and Sharks standing in their way. Well, Notts quietly did their thing for as long as they could but the noise certainly got louder as they started turning heads when facing good competition on a regular basis. At this point Notts isn’t a sleeper anymore, more of a darkhorse. They have a shot if you look at their schedule, they build up from easy to tough in terms of competition. They have a very realistic chance to go into their final group game against RSC undefeated, but will the pressure of the big stage be more than they can handle?

FRAM is throwing their hat into the ring after a positive season in Silver Elite hoping to gear up for next season in CSL as gaps appear in that league with some league stalwarts leaving for DA next fall. FRAM will have a competitive chance in a couple of games here but they’re certainly biting of more than they can chew.

CDA Slammers YL showed a lot of promise going into this season, but after a few seasons now under the direction of Lindsey Huie the girls seemed to have been stuck in neutral going into National Cup. Without taking an in depth look at what happened this season, they would have the favorites to give RSC a run at the group and certainly rack up two wins against their other opponents but the team will have a lot to prove and what better place to do so than National Cup.



Group B
  • Legends FC (SCDSL – Flight 1 – East) National Cup Seed #9
  • Albion (CSL – Gold) National Cup Seed #24
  • Real So Cal - White (SCDSL – Flight 1 – North) National Cup Seed #33
  • Pateadores - Irvine (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South) National Cup Seed #42

Breakdown:
With Legends topsy turvy season and playing to the level of their competition, Wendi Whitman is going to want to right the ship as she looks forward to having the cream of the crop from the Inland Empire for the 04 DA team next season. That gives a lot of these girls incentive to try and earn a coveted spot for the DA squad as offers have already been made and the only holdouts are players that will come over after ECNL wraps up. Legends has shifted to a simple possession game from the backline through the midfield as they mix in the direct play to their forwards. They will see several looks here in this group and are the favorites but with a Albion complicating things are anything but a lock.

Albion was a very frustrating team to play this year, they didn’t take it you but they didn’t give up much either. Noah had the girls playing a simple game with plenty of direction to get the girls out of pressure by trying to bypass lines using the passback to direct approach to shift their lines up and force teams to constantly reset. They will see a familiar foe in RSC – White who they beat at Strikers Winter Cup, but they will have to set their eyes on Legends in the final game and take care of business against their other two opponents.

RSC – White is the 2nd of three Real teams in National Cup and they shouldn’t be overlooked despite their last place finish in a brutal North division. They should coin the nickname “-1 GA” because that’s all they give most teams. They’re the type of team that is going to make you earn it and feel it after playing them. In this type of group they have a good enough chance as anyone to make things interesting, if not darn right exhilarating. Keep an eye on RSC – White.

Pats – Irvine have earned the moniker of the team that plays the right way and will do it under any circumstance. At National Cup it will be even more difficult to do so, but they’re fun to watch and make you appreciate the little details they pay attention to. They will have trouble with style in this group and will have to make their opponents play their game to have a shot.
 
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Tech Specs. (Part 3 of 6)

Group C
  • SC Blues - Dido (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South) National Cup Seed #10
  • DMCV Sharks (SDDA – Flight 1) National Cup Seed #23
  • Strikers OC - Black (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South) National Cup Seed #32
  • Real So Cal – SCV (SCDSL – Flight 1 – North) National Cup Seed #41

Breakdown:
If ever there was a group for the lowest seeded to win it, this is it. SC Blues has gone through an interesting couple of years with Dido at the helm of the 04 girls, having finished as runners up for last year’s State Cup and things got interesting coming into this season as rumors swirled to why certain top 04s wouldn’t stay with the squad and play on his team. Some landed at Surf while others played up on the 03 teams to remain at the club but not on his team. With the announcement of his departure, this team has been in a tailspin that is unfortunate. Having seen the way his girls played several times, he kept it simple and at times it cost his team wins and from what his supporters will tell you, that, and that alone was the main reason why he had friction with certain families. Going into the last weekend of CRL it was tough to see his sideline bench non-existent and movement at the club affect his squad to this extent. I hate to see a team limp into National Cup and hope they can play some good soccer because for once in a long time, the odds are stacked against Blues.

Sharks, movement, movement and more movement. Toumi and a few players have moved to new homes and a Sharks team with potential is another victim to movement before the end of the season. This team is still very capable of taking advantage of a very shaky group but they will need stability and some of the same performances they showed in January.

Strikers OC – Black will draw from some of their more memorable performances this year during league and Surf Thanksgiving to put together a run at winning this group. They have seen both Blues and RSC – SCV and are capable of beating all three teams here but this group has the writings of everyone in it going 1-1-1 and making everyone get their tie breaker rules out going into that final game.

RSC – SCV, third of the Real teams in National Cup with just as good a shot at advancing as any of the teams in this group. They will need to bring their speed and grittiness to the table to get out of group, but it’s not impossible.



Group D
  • LA Galaxy SD - Elite (CSL - Gold) National Cup Seed #11
  • Surf II (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South) National Cup Seed #22
  • Murrieta Surf (SCDSL – Flight 1 – East) National Cup Seed #31
  • CDA Slammers FC - HB (SCDSL – Flight 1 – North) National Cup Seed #40

Breakdown:
Galaxy SD, admittedly one of my favorite teams in the age groups. Their sideline is energetic but not annoying and most importantly their girls have overcome some ups and downs this season to put together one of the most consistent runs all year. A top five team in every right, they are still eluded by the “big win” and they’ve fallen shy a few times most notably to Surf who seem to be their symbolic ceiling to success. With all hands on deck and ready to for Galaxy they will have some room to build momentum in their first couple of games on Saturday but may have to wait until Sunday to book their ticket against Surf II. The pressure is on them to turn in a good performance and run here at National Cup but they’ve been good enough on more than one occasion to get through the first few steps and should be good again here.

Surf II, on many occasion this year has been just as good as their sister team with all the accolades but they’ve often stumbled when least expected to. It’s impressive to come into a group with Galaxy SD and have a legitimate shot of winning the group like they do but they’ll have to make sure they handle their business in games 1 and 2 before dreaming of making that a reality. They’re both crafty and skilled and will need to play with the maturity they’ve shown at times to get the job done.

Murrieta Surf had a rough go in league this year and often got outpaced by their opponents; they have a hill to climb against two very good squads in this group and will need to turn in more than one upset.

CDA Slammers HB quietly did their thing in a tough league and had a good performance in Vegas that reminded people of some epic games they had during league play. They are ranked as the lowest seed in this group but they are far from it. Look for them to not only steal points in this group but possibly shake it wide open. Sleeper, but don’t sleep on them.
 
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Tech Specs. (Part 4 of 6)

Group E
  • Arsenal FC – San Diego (SCDSL – Flight 1 – East) National Cup Seed #12
  • Rebels (SDDA – Flight 1) National Cup Seed #21
  • So Cal Academy (CSL - Gold) National Cup Seed #30
  • Express (SCDSL – Flight 2 – South II) National Cup Seed #39

Breakdown:
Typically when you have a group with either Arsenal SD or Rebels you can expect to see some skill and possession and hope they can hold on against the athletic squads that play kickball. Arsenal SD is the top seed here but they’re no lock to win this group. They have a tendency to break out the joystick and have been solid from the backline through midfield but have had a gap in the attacking third and style of play being consistent through all their lines. They will stifle teams that’s for sure and outside of one game as of late, they don’t tend to get blown out and will not force a high tempo back and forth game that exposes their weaknesses.

Rebels underperformed in league this season but still remain a fun team to watch and are fundamentally set to face most squads and be competitive. They will open up against So Cal Academy who will test their patient with the longball. Rebels, very much like other possession teams will have to move the ball fast and avoid making mistakes that cost them.

So Cal Academy definitely played to their strengths this season and got the best of many teams early on and during league play, they love to crowd the midfield and send it, disrupting the positioning of teams and their backline. They will be a matchup nightmare for both Arsenal and Rebels who have contrasting styles to their gameplay.

Express is jumping in with both feet coming in from Flight II, coming off a strong performance in league but falling a bit short post league coming into National Cup. They certainly have a more accessible group than others but it’s still not that easy to make that kind of jump into the final and biggest tournament of the season.



Group F
  • IE Surf West (CSL – Silver Elite South) National Cup Seed #13
  • Beach FC - SB (SCDSL – Flight 1 – North) National Cup Seed #20
  • Eagles (CSL - Gold) National Cup Seed #29
  • Westside Breakers (SCDSL – Flight 1 – North) National Cup Seed #38

Breakdown:
IE Surf West gets the seeding advantage here because of their play via CRL but they drew a 1-2 punch in Beach SB and Eagles that make you scratch your head after seeing what Eagles is seeded at in this group. Bradbury’s girls have taken their knocks this year and have made some great strides but now it’s about putting it together at the right place and the right time. They will have to step up the intensity in multiple games here as Beach FC – SB has already proven themselves as giant killers and Eagles, albeit a player or two short are just as dangerous. IE Surf West switches over their own independent club keeping the Surf affiliation next season and will look to gain some traction in the SGV with a good showing here.

Beach FC – SB has faced all these teams this year except Surf West and they come into this group as the dark horse transitioning to favorites. They are fast and physical, they will make you earn every 50-50 ball and will play to the final whistle. Their 2nd game against Eagles will be one to watch and could very well decide the group.

Much was said on these forums during the tail end of CSL league play about Eagles and what they should or should not be working while going for 1st place. Some critical comments were made and a lot of them by the Eagles posters themselves. They lost some pieces before National Cup and many expressed the losses as “addition via subtraction”. For Eagles sake, I hope this to be true as they were an explosive offensive team before and can only imagine what they could do if they can play with less drama amongst their ranks. A very good squad that helps make this a very deep group.

Westside Breakers, last season’s Cinderella are back at it again. The age change wasn’t as forgiving to this squad and while they still have a shot at making some noise in this group, they will need to springboard into position in their first game against Surf West.
 
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Tech Specs. (Part 5 of 6)

Group G
  • CDA Slammers FC – Cerritos Macias (SCDSL – Flight 1 – North) National Cup Seed #14
  • Fullerton Rangers (CSL - Gold) National Cup Seed #19
  • CDA Slammers FC – Tustin Aviles (SCDSL – Flight 1 – East) National Cup Seed #28
  • Claremont Stars - Black (CSL – Silver Elite South) National Cup Seed #37

Breakdown:
CDA did their own thing again this year, they came out strong out of the gate at Surf Cup, and then did their usual in winning league and played a lot of older teams, more incredible considering they were one of the younger 04 squads this year to begin with. They opted not to do CRL and most teams tried their best to keep tabs on what CDA was doing knowing that come National Cup they would be a favorite. This team has seen a lot of movement in terms of interest, as many of their players have been out and about testing both the DA and ECNL waters for next year. Regardless of what may or may not happen with these talented girls, they’re very good at leaving it off the field and showing up come game time. Very interested to see how ready they are for this.

Rangers under the guidance of Cristian Rus bounced back to be a formidable representative for CSL and were anchored by a strong midfield that got it done for them this season. They will need to control the midfield this weekend to have any hope of upsetting CDA.

CDA Slammers – Tustin was a decent squad hindered by speed of play this season, they struggled with playing at the level of Flight I despite having some good ideas out there on the pitch. They will see in all three of their games a press and physicality that will not make their job any easier than they would have hoped for.

Stars are a very physical throwback team that plays the player first and the ball second. They have a talented backline that can bring some steady defense to help them play to their strengths on the counter attack and their bruising play in the midfield. Even with al the muscle and hustle they’re going to have a tough time getting points in this group.



Group H
  • Strikers OC - EGSL (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South) National Cup Seed #15
  • CDA Slammers FC – Cerritos Segovia (SCDSL – Flight 1 – North) National Cup Seed #18
  • Santa Monica United (CSL – Silver Elite North) National Cup Seed #27
  • Legends FC - South (SCDSL – Flight 1 – East) National Cup Seed #36

Breakdown:
Strikers OC 04 girls have kept it together amidst all the movement from Strikers to Slammers and will be favored to win this group but will most certainly see a tough challenge from CDA. The Strikers girls have found a formula that has worked for them all season and have both size and speed to play the style of soccer that has worked for Craig Bull teams for years.

CDA Segovia has quietly been gearing up for National Cup via the local Winter Spring league that has always worked for Luis and his team. His girls are always are tough side to face come National Cup and this year will be no different. They have as good a chance if not better at winning this group over Strikers.

Santa Monica adds to the CSL representation that chose to play up in National Cup and will have their hands full with two very talented teams vying for the top spot.

Legends South played very tough this season but very predictable, they pressed their lines up very high and were susceptible to the offside trap when not masking their direct play to their forwards. They left themselves open to some of their own medicine and playing the through ball to the corners hurt their defense.



Group I
  • Legends FC - Riverside (SCDSL – Flight 1 – East) National Cup Seed #16
  • West Coast FC (SCDSL – Flight 1 – South) National Cup Seed #17
  • San Diego Soccer Club – Navy (SCDSL – Flight 2 – South II) National Cup Seed #26
  • Freedom FC (SCDSL – Flight 2 – East) National Cup Seed #35

Breakdown:
Bryan Kuderman has gained a reputation for doing a lot with a little and even more so when he can get more talent to work with. His 04 squad is average on paper but he has done a lot with this team and pushed them very far. Word is he will play a more integral role with some of the North squads next season and if true, it’s well earned. They will go into this last group as the higher seed just edging out West Coast which may be a better team in terms of style but Riverside may have what it takes to win this group.

Swanson has done his thing again this year and his 04 have impressed many with their commitment to the process and how they’ve progressed all season long. They have one of the more talented keepers in the age group who shows great leadership and composure in goal. If this was based on style points West Coast would away with this but they have a couple of teams standing in their way.

SDSC turned a lot of heads in Vegas and went from an afterthought to a let’s take another look at this team in an open grouping. SDSC will need some of that upset magic, and if they can get one upset, it’s all a team needs to get the ball rolling in the right direction.

Freedom was one of the better Flight II teams this season but they bank a lot on what they do with their ODP player at the core of the team, If let loose she can turn the flow of the game to her team but quite often is targeted after a few minutes in and doubled up to force the rest of the team to beat you.
 
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Tech Specs. (Part 6 of 6)

Well there you have it, somehow @LASTMAN14 and @Kicker4Life pushed me to the finish line for the 05 and 04 Tech. Specs. Must be something in the water in the South Bay. I expect a Jack & Coke out at National Cup waiting me as I now sit back and watch my DD's do their thing.

I will be drastically cutting back on doing this much work or so I keep telling myself. Next year is going to be an absolute nightmare with all the leagues and tracking the teams.

I'll do another analysis for all the rounds and finish it out like I always do. Even though my 04 has a BYE, we'll be out there at Silverlakes with my 05 tomorrow and plan on catching an afternoon game or two. Best of luck to all, come by and introduce yourselves if we haven't yet met and if we have have come by and say hello to an 'ol friend. Most likely rocking the Goats FC shirt tomorrow for good luck, and my DD will be rocking the keeper bun mohawk as an ode to a good friend who will be missed out in the So Cal Soccer Scene. Love ya KeeperMegs and @Keeper pops !

Best of luck everyone, have fun, stay safe, and cheer those kids on and enjoy the journey!
 
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Hired Gun said:
Just curious are the players at YL Slammers following LH to Orange - any of the girls going ENCL or DA? If they stay whole they should be strong in EGSL next year.
Click to expand...
We are staying together in Orange and have some good upgrades coming. ECNL and DA only took Macias and Winns players. May have to shop our team after 2017 season
 
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