here's predicts for this weekend. some interesting match-ups, particularly in the LA group. btw, the goal of this info is to provide families, coaches and clubs a baseline against which to evaluate development, rather than just focusing on did we win or lose.
A lot of folks will say after a game, "Well, we lost but did better this time," or "We won but didn't play very well." These predicts are intended to help take that mindset a step further, so that folks can say, we were projected to do "x" and we did "y" instead. Why was that? Did we make forward progress this weekend or not?
Good luck to everyone this weekend. Home teams are listed first. Should be good soccer weather (finally). fyi, have started to improvement/decline trends and home/away advantages. will see if this helps w/ accuracy or not.
San Diego
LAGSD 1 vs Strikers 3. Last time these teams played, Strikers won 7-1. Since then, a couple of Strikers' players are playing up w/ u15 and the Strikers seem to be focusing on D a bit more. Having said that, LAGSD has been trending worse defensively, so score could be closer to 5-1.
Nomads 2 vs. Albion 2
SDSC 0 vs. Arsenal 2
Los Angeles
Pats 2 vs. TFA 5. Last time these teams played, Pats lost 0-10. Since then, TFA has trended worse on both sides of the ball as the season has worn on. Plus, seems like there may have been a "come to Jesus" moment around the end of November with the Pats which has started to generate more competitive results. Too early to tell if this trend will hold.
FC Golden State 3 vs. LAUFA 1. These teams have two of the strongest home/away effects in the group, and have been really interesting to watch over the season. FCG has had a steady improvement on both sides of the ball since the beginning of the season, while LAUFA has been struggling to maintain their status as a top LA team since LAG poached a significant number of LAUFA players before the season started. The algo says the result will be FCG 1 vs LAUFA 2, but given FCG's improvement and LAUFA having to play away, am going w/ FCG 3 vs. LAUFA 1. Last time these teams played it was 1-1 w/ LAUFA playing at home.
Real SoCal 0 vs. Legends 1. Both teams rely on size, and score on counters. Re: home/away, the Legends tend to travel well. In terms of trends, RSC has been having some challenges on both sides of the ball, and the weakness in their midfield (only one dynamic mid w/ good, independent decision-making) is starting to show. Last time these teams met, the score was 0-1 Legends. Looking for the same this weekend unless Legends get an early score and then decide to stretch their legs a bit. If that happens score could be closer to 3-1 Legends.
Santa Barbara SC 1 vs. LA Galaxy 6. Some interesting trends and home/away. LA Galaxy had been trending the wrong way on both sides of the ball, and particularly not played well away. But both items may be turning around. LAG broke their home/away trend line vs TFA on Feb 9th. Plus, a number of LAG players who were called up to the Western Regional Training Camp had to sit out in the recent match against FCG due to breaking training camp curfew. One of those players who had to sit went then for a hat trick against TFA.
Santa Barbara may have hit rock bottom when they did not field a full team against FCG in their 0-10 loss, but then beat RSC 3-0 the next match out. Plus Santa Barbara looks like they play better at home than away. Handicapping with all the different trends puts the score closer to 4-2 LAG. Will be an interesting result to watch. Last time these teams played it was 8-0 LAG.