Surf Cup – 04s (8/6 – 8/8) – Tech Specs

Technician72

Technician72

Tech Specs. (Part 1 of 2)

The “Best of the Best”…..There’s no doubt that Surf Cup continues to be one the marquee soccer tournaments across the country. Last season people were up in arms with the added 2nd Flight and began to question if the tournament was beginning to get watered down.

Now the 2nd Flight isn’t something new, it’s been around for some time. But its purpose has always been to showcase the older teams applying and add room for more teams looking to get in. Last year saw the 2nd Flight get applied to the division U15 and below and a caveat was introduced to allow the teams to promote / demote to the top / lower Flight based on Surf Cup performance. The soccer community argued over who got placed where, as always, but ultimately things played out pretty well and the tournament was a success last year yet again.

The soccer scene is ever changing and with the age groupings getting shifted around from “school year” to “calendar year” Surf Cup had another hurdle to face this year in regards to what teams to accept and how to seed them when rankings and previous results were basically thrown out the window.

As if that wasn’t enough Surf Cup decided to add 3rd and 4th Flights to a number of age groups and open the tournament wide open in many ways. Having the ability to host the boys at one location and the girls at another and splitting the olders and youngers to different weekends has allowed Surf to expand the tournament to epic proportions.

So what about the soccer? The cloud of dust has settled and if you look closely, the Flights are as good as they’ll ever get. You have the fringe teams that get shafted of get a pleasant surprise. You have priority given to out of state teams, and you have a lot of money being made all around. Those things have been around before this year, and will continue to be around for years to come.

So let’s leave the drama at the door, and let’s get to breaking down the “Best of the Best”…..

The age change has caused a whirlwind across the soccer country and while the big clubs have remained perennial favorites, there is a surprise or two out there waiting in the wings. Surf Cup for these girls will provide them with memories they will never forget. The walk into the complex, and feeling like the stage is theirs, and it certainly is. The Surf Cup swag, the stay and play experience visiting SoCal and the best it has to offer will be fun times. Seeing old friends, doing battle, and embracing them afterwards with mutual respect. Meeting new friends, doing battle, and finding commonality through the game we all love.


Format / Rules
Surf Cup – Official Rules (PDF)

Team Size
11 vs. 11

Ball Size
Size 5

Brackets
5 Groups - 4 Teams per Group
Quarter Final Format
Group Winners & 3 Wildcards advance to Quarter-Finals

Games
Group Round: Saturday (8/6) & Sunday (8/7)
Quarter-Finals: Sunday (8/7)
Semi-Finals & Finals: Monday (8/8)

Game Duration
Group Round & Quarter-Finals: 25 Minute Halves
Semi-Finals: 30 Minute Halves
Finals: 35 Minute Halves
Halfitme: 5 Minutes

OverTime
7 Minute Halves
(Semi-Finals & Finals Only)

Penalty Kicks
Quarter-Finals: After Normal Regulation
Semi-Finals: After Overtime
Finals: After Overtime

Scoring System
10 Point System
Win = 6 Points
Draw = 2 Points
Loss = 0 Points
Goals = 1 Points (3 Point Max)
Shutout = 1 Point
Ejection = -1 Point, each Player or Coach

Tie Breakers
  1. Head to Head
  2. Goals Allowed
  3. Goals in Favor
  4. Total Wins
  5. Total Shutouts
  6. If a tie exists after 1-5, PKs prior to scheduled quarter-final game.
  7. If a three-way tie exists within bracket after 1-5, a three-way coin clip will occur. Teams that tie in coin flip will compete in PKs. Coin flip and PKs prior to schedule quarter-final game.

Venue
So Cal Sports Complex (Oceanside)
Fields #13 & 14 – Group Round & Quarter-Finals
Fields #19 & 20 – Semi-Finals & Finals



Bracket A
  • Legends FC (Cal South)
  • Real Colorado National (Colorado)
  • Surf – EGSL Academy (Cal South)
  • SC Blues – Kale (Cal South)

Breakdown:
Bracket A brings us the host team and eyes are immediately directed to the other teams in this grouping and what chance they have at toppling an always favorite in Surf. Although Blues – Kale has bested Surf before, it would be a major upset if Surf doesn’t win this group comfortably.

You have Legends, a team that is well into a turnaround project Coach Wendi Whitman has been trying to pull off for some time now. Last season was very middle of the road, but since the age shift this team has found an identity of sorts. At Legends Classic they conceded 1 goal in 3 games and found a formula that they seem to be sticking with. They will look to stretch the field with tough defense and players that can be threats over the top. The track meet they got into with Arsenal during the first weekend of CRL proved as much.

This being one of the softer groups, every team will need to be playing for max points in every game and hopefully grab a wildcard spot.

Real Colorado has settled in once again as one of top two teams in Colorado along with Colorado Storm and looks to bring some spoiler magic to Surf Cup. You can always count on Real to at least nab some points away and make things interesting. Last year they did just that and dropped two games but ended up beating Arsenal FC and drawing some attention. Both Legends and Blues – Kale on paper should be the #2 teams in this group but Real could easily sneak up on both of them in this group.

Surf, what other season in recent memory has Surf not been the topic of best team in the age group? Now, don’t get me wrong, sit down and watch a game and they look like the typical Surf team and are top 10 for sure, and top 5 wouldn’t get you boo’ed off the stage either. But so much attention has been given to the teams early out of the gate that have impressed that Surf has actually enjoyed a tiny bit of flying under the radar. You have Galaxy –SD and their swagger, you have RSC and their explosiveness, CDA and their strength, and Beach and their downright solid play. Everyone loves the news toys and I think that could be just what Surf wants going into this weekend. In theory Surf should win the group and get the most favorable match up in the quarters. So, will they coast and fly under the radar? Or will they disappear and set the way for a new reign in the 04s?

SC Blues – Kale, can they regain some of that magic from CRL Play-In when they knocked some of the new car smell off of Surf and their reloaded roster? Can Coach Kale truly take advantage of the disarray at the 04 age group and cement his team as #1 in Blues country? I’ll tell you this, Blues – Kale has a keeper that will give them a shot in this bracket, if she’s on her game and can rally the girls around her, and this squad will look to make a statement.


Bracket B
  • IE Surf – Premier (Cal South)
  • LA Galaxy – SD – Elite (Cal South)
  • MVLA – Barcelona Blue (Cal North)
  • Solar Chelsea – Red (Texas)

Breakdown:
Take your pick, but either Bracket B or C can be given the moniker, “Group of Death”. Bracket B has a variety of styles that will make a coach really have to do their homework in adjusting to defending against these 4 teams.

IE Surf is a team that attempts to play soccer in a possession oriented style that will see their team move the ball and try to force the defense to shift before they initiate their attack. Last season it culminated in them being a top 5 team that had the game down towards seasons end. The age shift this year has proven to be trying for this team as they relearned to play their game with older opposition that is both fast and strong. The biggest hurdle for this team will be their ability to keep the ball in the offensive third and withstand the press the other teams will undoubtedly bring on them.

Galaxy – SD, is one of those teams that has hit the ground running and is only going to get better. They play a hybrid style of physical / athletic with deadly combinations past midfield. Their wing play can take legitimate shots on goal from distance or serve up crosses that will make the box look like a riot scene as players scramble to put one in and defenders get it out. Galaxy picked up a sleeper of a forward from a rival club that missed the boat on her. Having seen her play as of late, she brings a pace and hunger to go to goal that will have defenses cringing when she gets her motor ramped up.

MVLA, arguably the best team in NorCal. Along with DeAnza, MVLA has the ability to knock the ball around at a stinging pace even with pressure in their face. Opponents will need to either sit at the 50 and be patient and smart with a zone defense, or be able to press in waves. Players off the ball will need to anticipate where the ball is being played and take MVLA out of their game. MVLA has already put SoCal on notice earlier this year and now it’s time to see if anyone can stop them.

Solar Chelsea, arguably the best team in Texas. Starting to see a reoccurring theme here? Chelsea will make some of our athletes look frail and small. But once the whistle blows, everything goes out the window and styles make games. If Chelsea can impose their pace and strength on the rest of this group, it is tough to break out of that type of press and being smothered by an opponent.
 
Tech Specs. (Part 2 of 2)

Bracket C
  • Arsenal FC – Pre-ECNL (Cal South)
  • De Anza Force – Pre-ECNL (Cal North)
  • Real So Cal – EGSL (Cal South)
  • SC Blues – Dido (Cal South)

Breakdown:
“Group of Death – Part II”, we see another example of why Surf Cup is no joke in terms of facing top opponents in group round, hoping to advance and face even further increasing level of difficulties.

Arsenal FC has been a rotating door as of late, as some top players within the club amongst the 03-05 age group have left just before the 8/1 deadline. The 04’s have been the talk of the Inland Empire with so many of their best players playing up on the 03 team during EGSL spring league. Their parents adamant about having their kids play against older girls has been a sticking point for them going to Arsenal in the first place. True, the 04 team has yet to prove to be the Arsenal of old in terms of getting results but they continue to be a slingshot team that can score at any time with players that can go to goal within an instant. If they show up with the weapons they have in their pocket, they may just give everyone what they’ve been asking for, bring the “real” team.

De Anza, is the belle of the ball when it comes to competitive soccer that looks great. They showed that off a couple of times against SoCals best and look to do the same again at Surf Cup and crown themselves the best of them all in the process. In this group they will face some of the best teams in breaking up possession soccer. Teams that will look to outmuscle them and knock them off their game. If De Anza can get solid movement along their backline, I think they can weather the storm and win this group.

Real So Cal, just today, one of our own from our SoCal soccer family went down, and as deep and talented as this squad is, losing a player of her leadership will have an effect one way or the other. RSC has settled in as one of SoCals best, if not the best and they will bring a solid backline to the table. Throw in some of the best combinations and runs from midfield forward and you have an explosive team that can score with the best. Hoping to see Soccer18 and his family out there next weekend, wouldn’t be the same without the kid doing her thing on the pitch!

SC Blues – Dido, has been a bit of a mystery this young season. They qualified for CRL but drew some raised eyebrows in their game against Arsenal. The first weekend of CRL league they dropped games to Galaxy – SB, and Surf. What exactly will they look like at Surf Cup and better yet, what will they look like at the end of the season? We’ll find out soon enough.


Bracket D
  • Beach FC – LB (Cal South)
  • CDA Slammers – Macias (Cal South)
  • Eagles (Cal South)
  • Placer United – Gold (Cal North)

Breakdown:
With all the attention that has been given to brackets C & D, we forget that Bracket D has 3 of SoCals most competitive teams that even on an off day don’t break for anyone.

Beach FC has emerged as one of the most solid teams in SoCal that is only beginning to show some of their potential. We’ve already seen them face off with CDA in a game decided by 1 goal. Then in CRL they put SoCal on notice by beating RSC and routing Blues – Kale.

CDA Slammers – Macias needs to be really commended on what they’ve been able to do with the age change, primarily a younger squad, they proved last year that they can hang with the older girls and this season has been no different. They’ve played a ton of games early on but have a deep roster that will allow them to bring the pace required to make a deep run at a Surf Cup event.

Eagles, for as many barbs as they take, they keep coming strong against any competition. They can play up beyond expectation but they need to be wary of playing down to competition as well. This group can essentially split results so many ways, that a team like Eagles can certainly get through this very tough bracket.

Placer United comes into Surf Cup overshadowed by MVLA and DeAnza and in all honesty, outside of the aforementioned, the 3rd Cal North team accepted into the top flight seemed like non consequential. Placer United will not only have to surprise the heck out of the field, but will have to do something that rarely happens to one of these teams let alone all three, and that is break through defenses that don’t concede that often.


Bracket E
  • Crossfire Premier (Washington)
  • LA Galaxy – SB – Elite (Cal South)
  • Surf – Academy (Cal South)
  • Strikers OC – EGSL (Cal South)

Breakdown:
As deep as Surf Cup is with talent and top teams, some brackets are fully loaded and others while still tough, tend to pale in comparison.

Crossfire drew against Surf II in Washington at the Crossfire tournament and has as good a chance as any to win this group. They have enough to win at least 2 of the 3 games in this bracket.

LA Galaxy is transitioning from an older squad to one on the younger side and trying to implement their possession style with the new faces in the midst of playing top competition who will get in their face and look to disrupt their flow.

Surf II has one of those squads that gets overshadowed by their sister team, but anyone who watches this team sees the fundamentals, skills, and teamwork that make up a great team. They have a very good chance at winning this group and making a run at being the top finishing Surf team in this flight, but they’ll have to go through a team that others better watch out for as well.

Craig Bull and Pete Aguirre have done a great job of putting the youngers on the map for Strikers OC and carrying forward that wave of change from Laguna Hills Eclipse. They’re now at a point where not only are they the new guy in town, but a club that is expected to deliver results to compete with Blues, West Coast at the olders as well. This team in particular is a hybrid of those expectations. Skilled enough to play possession, they’ll throw in a pass to the backline to relieve the pressure, but have a tendency to rely on their strength and speed to slingshot straight to goal, either over the top or up the wings. The pace at which this team plays will remind many of nearby Blues. Having seen them up close, they have to be my pick to take this group.



Well folks, there you have it. My take and breakdown on one of the biggest tournaments in the country. Bracket A & E have favorites in Surf and Strikers OC, but outside of that Brackets B, C, & D are anyone’s to win. In fact those three brackets are so tough that points will be at a premium. Tough to see the wildcards coming out of some of those group of deaths.

Take into account the game durations in group round and quarter-finals. They will benefit teams who exploit a fast pace and are deep along the bench. Fall too far behind and a comeback seems unlikely. Let’s use this thread to post our predictions, call our shots, post results, observations, etc. the weekend of the event!

Don’t lose sight about where these young ladies are in their soccer “careers”. This is still a season where they will focus not only on leaving everything out on the pitch, but having fun with their family and friends. This is a showcase of some of the best soccer out there, but these players aren’t being showcased like the olders where it’s a make it or break it situation. There will be other games and tournaments, don’t forget to hug these girls and tell them you believe in them and make Surf Cup a weekend about the fun and life soccer brings to all of us! Game on!
 
Last edited:
Who would have thought I could surpass the 10,000 character limit, even though it irks me to have to cut the Tech Spec. into two halves, I have edited my original first two posts and the full write up is now up. Enjoy!
 
Technician72 said:
FYI, don't be strangers at the tournament! Come on over and say hello! I'll be rocking the Goats FC T-Shirt on the sidelines!
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OK, I just put down my coffee. Although I may disagree with a few things you R spot on with most. Good luck to all the teams and safe travels to all of the teams traveling to San Diego.
 
Technician72 said:
My DD plays on a Flight I team that was slotted in Flight II for the 05s, hence the coverage for both Flights for the 05s.
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Thanks for your work. It's really entertaining to read and I no longer live in SoCal.
We are in the same boat. We usually get the chance to hang with the big dogs, but not in this tournament. We hoped at least one Nevada team got Flight I. Oh well.:rolleyes:
 
Very little talk about guests this year, with Surf Cup having 3 Flights most top teams will be there already, not a lot of outside talent to draw from.

Have heard of a couple guests overall but nothing that is game changing.
 
MVLA will not have any guests at this tournament. We had some changes in the roster from the spring. On paper, it would seem like net gain in talent but it remains to be seen how it will affect the team chemistry. We have 3 new girls that look to be impact players, although the one who looks like she will make the biggest impact will not be making the trip. Excited to seeing what happens this weekend.
 
davin said:
MVLA will not have any guests at this tournament. We had some changes in the roster from the spring. On paper, it would seem like net gain in talent but it remains to be seen how it will affect the team chemistry. We have 3 new girls that look to be impact players, although the one who looks like she will make the biggest impact will not be making the trip. Excited to seeing what happens this weekend.
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No guest keeper this weekend??
 
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