Gotta love the 06 age group, so much to talk about outside the actual soccer being played, good thing / bad thing, you decide.
Trying to get this thread back on track, the Sweet 16 will be a good one to watch and after this weekend only four teams will be left standing.
SWEET 16 - TECH SPECS
- LA Galaxy SB - Pre-Academy vs. Strikers FC - North
Galaxy has been a perennial top 5 team all season, but their path to the sweet 16 didn't go as expected with a couple of close games to solidify themselves as the group winners. In this next round they cannot afford more of the same as Strikers has been the team that continues to surprise and compete even when counted out. Both of these teams will look a lot different after this event so it's all or nothing at this point, on paper Galaxy is the favorite but the margins in this one are razor thin.
Strikers will need to force Galaxy to play forward only, with a high press and make the team from the South Bay one dimensional. Galaxy will need to be willing to take more risks in terms of scoring opportunities as they tend to build connections well into the 18 to get the perfect goal, when in fact in this match up, they need havoc in the box and get the keeper to move her feet. Strikers anchor will shut it down as a shot blocker, so Galaxy will need her to move her feet to get some goals past her. Only a few upsets from the looks of match ups in this round. The longer this one remains 0-0, the better chance Strikers has at knocking off Galaxy.
Prediction: Galaxy 2-1 Strikers North
- CDA Slammers FC - Cerritos Salazar vs. SDSC Academy Navy
CDA seems to be the only team able to take the talk away from the whole Surf vs Surf conspiracy theory and for good reason, they're the prototypical controversial team because they have a coach that brings the "olders" philsophy to the "youngers" environment. My DD's have played for both the "teacher" and "motivator" type of coach and a few hybrids as well. I have no skin in the game but have observed the CDA model throughout it's various club name changes. Salazar gets on his girls no doubt, but only his parents could tell with certainty if it's just loud or something that crosses the line. So I'll leave it at that because my kids have never played for him so I hear the noise but can't speak to him being good or bad for a kid.
In terms of match ups, with respect for SDSC and their knack for being able to get to these stages in tournaments says a lot, but CDA is firing on all cylinders and this should be one of the easier match ups to call. SDSC will need to break up the momentum CDA is playing with and that means being able to hold possession and make Salazar's girls chase. Even then, those girls are some of the most conditioned and mentally tough to break down players you'll find, very resilient. I think CDA will keep it going and will pose a difficult match up for either Galaxy or Strikers in the Quarter-Finals.
Prediction: CDA Slammers 4-1 SDSC
- SC Blues Holley vs Legends FC
Any other time of year I would tell you that Blues wins this match up 9 times out of 10, but those odds look a lot different at the moment as Blues finds itself banged up and Legends "B" finds itself in a position familiar for many teams coached by Cris Araya, and that's in a place he's willed them to be. Cris is one of the better coaches at Legends at getting the most out his teams regardless of flight or players. This team is no exception, they play simple routine connections up the wing and attack in numbers on the strong side. Blues will have to buckle down and win the ball and attack Legends on their weak side off the counter. Blues may not have a ton of players but they have the few key players necessary to get them through to Sunday. This one is going to be hard fought and only one team can walk away into the Quarters.
Prediction: Legends 2-1 Blues
- Albion Academy - Whittaker vs. Legends South
Albion was another team that was less than stellar in group and you have to think they can only play better in the elimination round. They face a Legends South team that has hung around all season and tends to frustrate you by keeping it within 1 goal most of the time. Legends South will need to follow the same formula Legends - Araya did to make this a game, not allow Albion time and space to play their game.
Prediction: Albion 3-1 Legends South
- Legends Pre-Academy vs. Surf "C"
Surf will need another epic "upset" in the Sweet 16 to keeps things going, but they face the favorites to win it all this year in Legends Pre-Academy. Matt Evans has this team playing sharp and crisp Legends style of soccer and they don't let up. With Legends it's not so much about aggressive play as it is about speed, everything they do is programmed and they do it faster than anyone else does. There's no doubt what they're going to do defensively and that's ensure the ball doesn't remain in the defensive zone, period. Offensively they connect up the seams with fluidity. They have one of the deepest benches in the age group and everyone is already talking about how they will place the most 06s in the 05/06 DA age group next season. I think Legends make a statement in this game.
Prediction: Legends Pre-Academy 4-0
- Surf "B" vs. Beach FC - LB
On paper this is one of the closer match ups you'll see in this round. Beach was top 5 caliber and has definitely gone through a bit of a roller coaster once the season got underway and balancing CRL, League, and Tournament play has led to some inconsistencies for this squad. Surf on the other hand no longer surprises folks as they've shaken off the moniker of the "B" team and have made a name for themselves all their own.
Prediction: Beach 1-1 Surf "B", in Regulation goes Extra Time, Beach 2-1 Surf "B"
- Real So Cal vs. Anaheim Surf - Whitfield
Not sure I want to touch the whole Anaheim Surf topic in this one, let's just say it's never a dull moment on that team and that includes a talented squad that doesn't get the credit they deserve because of off the field antics. Anaheim is marketing the merge with West Coast as them running point, when they should be thankful to be able to hopefully blend in over the next few years and hopefully not disrupt a well run program that West Coast had in place, now OC Surf.
Real has one job to do in this game and that's not to let her turn and shoot, it sounds like a simple formula on paper but even when you try to man mark Anaheim's attack, it's still a 50-50 shot that they get you. I think RSC has a shot in this one but Anaheim is on track for a rematch with SD Surf in the Quarters, no doubt.
Prediction: Anaheim Surf 4-2 Real So Cal
- Surf - Academy vs. Slammers - AW
Style of play is what will keep Winn's girls in this game, Surf will let you play and Slammers can definitely play, this should be one of the cleaner games in this round. Slammers will need to score some goals in this one to keep up with Surf, but in the end I think Surf is just too deep in this match up.
Prediction: Surf - Academy 3-1 Slammers - AW
Good luck to everyone this weekend, hoping the weather holds up to make the games as pleasurable to watch as possible. Both Saturday and Sunday should be a fun one, we'll be out there supporting friends and Goats alike.
