National Cup is just a week away. 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. Please note that Youth Soccer Rankings has been trickling new data and rankings are slowly adjusting Also, take into consideration that rankings change weekly/daily so they may rise or fall continually before National Cup begins. There are 11 brackets and 42 teams. With 11 group winners and the top 5 wild card teams from round 1 advancing. Then a round of 16 until only two remain.
“GROUP A”
LAGSB PRE-ACADEMY (YSR #3)
PATEDORES IER (YSR #20)
ALBION SC ACADEMY (YSR #30)
CRESENTA VALLEY SC (YSR #78)
AVG: 32.75
Much like the 05 LAGSB team this squad also plays a possession based game. They will build from the back and make a series of linking passes to the midfield and forward line. They will find a rhythm in their passing and make passes traveling in all directions. With this they often probe their opponents for the right opportunity to attack. Patedores have been very active this winter which certainly proclaims they are preparing themselves for the tourney of the year. In that preparation have come across a few squads to see where they stand. They also faced some top quality teams in SCDSL, yet haven’t quite found that golden touch. None the less look for them to battle. Albion have also taken a similar road and have taken it upon themselves to get ready. They have played in a few tourneys after finishing league play (SDDA). But, have an assortment of results. Cresenta Valley are certainly the underdogs here. Having played SCDSL flight 2 and finishing mid-table only says one thing. This team has guts and is chasing after the competition.
“GROUP B”
CDA SLAMMERS FC (YSR #7)
SLAMMERS FC AW (YSR #9)
FC GOLDEN STATE (YSR #37)
DMCV SHARKS (YSR #77)
AVG: 32.5
CDA Slammers are a tenacious crew and do not run from playing the best. They play all out for every minute they are on the pitch. They have skilled players that can be lethal up top and a formidable keeper in goal. Tactically they will force teams into giving up the ball and quickly striking. Slammers FC are a well-coached team by a pair of top notch trainers. There a good side but seemingly have not found that stride they have been looking for all year. Despite this they can certainly make a run here. FC Golden State play an attractive and possession minded game. They will not deviate from their style of play to merely win a game, but stay true to their beliefs. And, just recently over MLK weekend they played up at Vegas Cup with some impressive results. At the younger age groups one thing can be said consistency of play cannot be counted on. DMCV Sharks have a potpourri of results over the course of the year. Hoping them the best of luck.
“GROUP C”
SAN DIEGO SC (YSR #20)
SLAMMER FC CB (YSR #18)
EAGLES SC (YSR #22)
BEACH FC SB (YSR #34)
AVG: 23.5
San Diego SC is a capable side with good energy. They aspire to play their best and work hard in victory or defeat. SDSC will certainly see this as a good opportunity to make the most of their pairings and having played CRL will be well prepared to do so. Slammers FC also like their sister team sit just off the pole position as the #2 seed. But also have a fantastic opportunity here to rise from this group and make a splash to the next round. Eagles like most teams from their club have high expectations. They will have to find it deep within themselves and perform above and beyond what we have seen. Like any other team have a chance but will have to make the most of it here at the moment of truth. Beach FC SB are a capable team whose record does not reflect their ability. Yet, they will have to produce to get results and cannot afford to let points slip. Making the most of the situation is a must here for this team.
“GROUP D”
SO CAL BLUES (YSR #5)
SO CAL ACADEMY (YSR #15)
RIVERSIDE MGFM (YSR #29)
OVC (YSR #41)
AVG: 22.5
Blues come in as the clear favorites here. Without a doubt will take advantage of their athletic prowess and direct style of play. They have a dominant forward up top whose shot is like Thor’s Hammer being unleashed. Blues also have one of the most commanding keepers in the age group. This duo often pair up for some impressive play. So Cal Academy come into this contest winning CSL Sliver Elite North and make no mistake will want to take the group. This is a team that will fight. Their high tempo of play with talented players will definitely serve them well here. MGFM finished behind a competitive and formidable IE Surf team in CSL Silver East and making it to the Sweet 16 in league cup. They will not be taken lightly by Blues because they are unknown quantity or by So Cal Academy who they squared off with in January for a shoot-out. OVC will have to pull a rabbit out there hat to really make an impression. They are tasked with competing against two giants. Finishing at the bottom of SDDA and struggling against top to mid-level teams outside of league does not bode well.
“GROUP E”
ALBION SC WHITAKER (YSR #6)
LEGENDS FC (YSR #14)
CZ ELITE (YSR #39)
LAGSB PA2 (YSR #31)
AVG: 22.50
Albion is a fun and creative team. They play with style and technique. This is a team that will make a run for the cup. Albion are able to move the ball around maintaining majority of the possession. They will look for creases between lines and draw their own with accurate passes and imaginative plays. Legends FC are tough little squad. They do a great job competing and staying in the thick of things, but gotta find those key moments to not let it slip away. CZ Elite need to make a statement here. On their roster they have a few ballers and athletes. Just have not seemed to put it together. Earning as many points is a must to earn a wild card spot. They pair up nicely with Legends and LAGSB. LAGSB PA2 is a solid squad that enjoy playing with the ball at their feet. Like their sister team will use passing schemes to search for goal scoring opportunities. They will connect passes from the back-line to the front, and play with their heads up. They will match up nicely with Albion as they share a common style.
“GROUP A”
LAGSB PRE-ACADEMY (YSR #3)
PATEDORES IER (YSR #20)
ALBION SC ACADEMY (YSR #30)
CRESENTA VALLEY SC (YSR #78)
AVG: 32.75
Much like the 05 LAGSB team this squad also plays a possession based game. They will build from the back and make a series of linking passes to the midfield and forward line. They will find a rhythm in their passing and make passes traveling in all directions. With this they often probe their opponents for the right opportunity to attack. Patedores have been very active this winter which certainly proclaims they are preparing themselves for the tourney of the year. In that preparation have come across a few squads to see where they stand. They also faced some top quality teams in SCDSL, yet haven’t quite found that golden touch. None the less look for them to battle. Albion have also taken a similar road and have taken it upon themselves to get ready. They have played in a few tourneys after finishing league play (SDDA). But, have an assortment of results. Cresenta Valley are certainly the underdogs here. Having played SCDSL flight 2 and finishing mid-table only says one thing. This team has guts and is chasing after the competition.
“GROUP B”
CDA SLAMMERS FC (YSR #7)
SLAMMERS FC AW (YSR #9)
FC GOLDEN STATE (YSR #37)
DMCV SHARKS (YSR #77)
AVG: 32.5
CDA Slammers are a tenacious crew and do not run from playing the best. They play all out for every minute they are on the pitch. They have skilled players that can be lethal up top and a formidable keeper in goal. Tactically they will force teams into giving up the ball and quickly striking. Slammers FC are a well-coached team by a pair of top notch trainers. There a good side but seemingly have not found that stride they have been looking for all year. Despite this they can certainly make a run here. FC Golden State play an attractive and possession minded game. They will not deviate from their style of play to merely win a game, but stay true to their beliefs. And, just recently over MLK weekend they played up at Vegas Cup with some impressive results. At the younger age groups one thing can be said consistency of play cannot be counted on. DMCV Sharks have a potpourri of results over the course of the year. Hoping them the best of luck.
“GROUP C”
SAN DIEGO SC (YSR #20)
SLAMMER FC CB (YSR #18)
EAGLES SC (YSR #22)
BEACH FC SB (YSR #34)
AVG: 23.5
San Diego SC is a capable side with good energy. They aspire to play their best and work hard in victory or defeat. SDSC will certainly see this as a good opportunity to make the most of their pairings and having played CRL will be well prepared to do so. Slammers FC also like their sister team sit just off the pole position as the #2 seed. But also have a fantastic opportunity here to rise from this group and make a splash to the next round. Eagles like most teams from their club have high expectations. They will have to find it deep within themselves and perform above and beyond what we have seen. Like any other team have a chance but will have to make the most of it here at the moment of truth. Beach FC SB are a capable team whose record does not reflect their ability. Yet, they will have to produce to get results and cannot afford to let points slip. Making the most of the situation is a must here for this team.
“GROUP D”
SO CAL BLUES (YSR #5)
SO CAL ACADEMY (YSR #15)
RIVERSIDE MGFM (YSR #29)
OVC (YSR #41)
AVG: 22.5
Blues come in as the clear favorites here. Without a doubt will take advantage of their athletic prowess and direct style of play. They have a dominant forward up top whose shot is like Thor’s Hammer being unleashed. Blues also have one of the most commanding keepers in the age group. This duo often pair up for some impressive play. So Cal Academy come into this contest winning CSL Sliver Elite North and make no mistake will want to take the group. This is a team that will fight. Their high tempo of play with talented players will definitely serve them well here. MGFM finished behind a competitive and formidable IE Surf team in CSL Silver East and making it to the Sweet 16 in league cup. They will not be taken lightly by Blues because they are unknown quantity or by So Cal Academy who they squared off with in January for a shoot-out. OVC will have to pull a rabbit out there hat to really make an impression. They are tasked with competing against two giants. Finishing at the bottom of SDDA and struggling against top to mid-level teams outside of league does not bode well.
“GROUP E”
ALBION SC WHITAKER (YSR #6)
LEGENDS FC (YSR #14)
CZ ELITE (YSR #39)
LAGSB PA2 (YSR #31)
AVG: 22.50
Albion is a fun and creative team. They play with style and technique. This is a team that will make a run for the cup. Albion are able to move the ball around maintaining majority of the possession. They will look for creases between lines and draw their own with accurate passes and imaginative plays. Legends FC are tough little squad. They do a great job competing and staying in the thick of things, but gotta find those key moments to not let it slip away. CZ Elite need to make a statement here. On their roster they have a few ballers and athletes. Just have not seemed to put it together. Earning as many points is a must to earn a wild card spot. They pair up nicely with Legends and LAGSB. LAGSB PA2 is a solid squad that enjoy playing with the ball at their feet. Like their sister team will use passing schemes to search for goal scoring opportunities. They will connect passes from the back-line to the front, and play with their heads up. They will match up nicely with Albion as they share a common style.