'22-'23 SoCal and National Forecast and Updates

Tllurking said:
Yes it is correct. From what I understand, it was a really off day for Solar. Missed several easy shots and had a couple of errors that they paid for.
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Maybe not so much a fluke. Albion also handed DKSC their only loss for the season. In the Southwest there was an eyebrow-raising result with Phoenix Rising beating Blues 2-0.
 
Looking at the SW Sonoran Standings, interesting that at this time 2 teams might not qualify for the playoffs though their PPG is higher than 15 automatic qualifiers seeded. That does not make any sense for ECNL to have a system where some of the best teams do not qualify. Maybe I am wrong, but didn't they have wild card teams last year?
 
timmyh said:
Some 09 news in Texas. The DKSC 09 coach will be switching clubs and is taking charge of the Solar 09s (as Deion might say...he's bringing luggage, and it's Louis).

Net result is Solar likely brings together the top players from both Solar and DKSC, two top 5 teams in the country. So the defending ECNL Champs will probably be the early overwhelming favorites for the 23/24 season.

In other Texas Conference news, it looks like most top players from Houston Dash, one of GAs top 09 teams, have splintered off and will be joining ECNL clubs (Albion and Challenge) next season.
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I dunno if I could call them overwhelming favorites this early. Players need to learn to work together. You will have egos colliding when put two top teams together not to mention perhaps some favoritism towards DKSC which will eventually upset some parents. I actually already know of a couple…

I would closely watch Real Colorado as well. In my mind they are the favorites to win this year. PDA and DKSC tied yesterday in South Carolina. Solar, PDA, DKSC, Legends are all toss ups perhaps.

Interesting thing about Albion in TX, the IG famous instagram girl left that team mid-season for Challenge ECNL and now Albion has playing much much better. Goes to show you no matter how talented a player is, if they are not a team player they can really hurt a team.

I’m happy to hear the young lady who went into cardiac arrest is doing better. I couldn’t imagine. I will certainly put her in my prayers.
 
MARsSPEED said:
I dunno if I could call them overwhelming favorites this early. Players need to learn to work together. You will have egos colliding when put two top teams together not to mention perhaps some favoritism towards DKSC which will eventually upset some parents. I actually already know of a couple…

I would closely watch Real Colorado as well. In my mind they are the favorites to win this year. PDA and DKSC tied yesterday in South Carolina. Solar, PDA, DKSC, Legends are all toss ups perhaps.

Interesting thing about Albion in TX, the IG famous instagram girl left that team mid-season for Challenge ECNL and now Albion has playing much much better. Goes to show you no matter how talented a player is, if they are not a team player they can really hurt a team.

I’m happy to hear the young lady who went into cardiac arrest is doing better. I couldn’t imagine. I will certainly put her in my prayers.
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Mars, I miss your takes bro. I hope all is well. I agree 100% with the importance of team chemistry. Soccer is a team sport and those who win it all, win it all as a team. My dd natty run in 2017 was 100% a team effort. All the girls put individual ego's aside for the sake of the team and we won. Soccer for girls has become a "whose who" among the stars. "Me me me me" & "Pass to me so I can score all the goals" & "It's all about me and me future." I saw a few "It's about me" in Socal after U13 and it only gets worse, especially at the showcase showdowns. Happy Mothers Day to all the moms and 100% I prayed and will continue to pray for the young girl that had cardiac arrest.
 
MARsSPEED said:
Interesting thing about Albion in TX, the IG famous instagram girl left that team mid-season for Challenge ECNL and now Albion has playing much much better. Goes to show you no matter how talented a player is, if they are not a team player they can really hurt a team.
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I was given a video from the fall ECNL event in San Diego last October to take a look at the CR's repsonse to an Albion player appearing to take a swing at a BA Surf player. The game was Albion vs. Bay Area Surf '09.
I watched the game leading up to the event in question, maybe 20min. i do recall seeing a 'fit or gelling" issue in just the short time i watched.

Attitude and how players chose to play in the collective system has a big impact a teams performance.
 
AZ Arsenal ended up having the highest PPG of all the ECNL non-qualifiers at 1.95. There six losses in SW league play was 2 from Surf, 1 Blues, 1 Legends, 1 Sharks and 1 from Koge.
 
After the AZ Showcase, Arsenal, Koge and Sharks all had a rough finish to claim that final playoff spot. Phoenix Rising started to make a charge at the end, 4 of their 8 wins came in the last 4 games.
 
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Darmah said:
AZ Arsenal ended up having the highest PPG of all the ECNL non-qualifiers at 1.95. There six losses in SW league play was 2 from Surf, 1 Blues, 1 Legends, 1 Sharks and 1 from Koge.
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How did the SW Sonoran and Mojave divisions get divided up? At least at the 2009 age group, it is clearly more difficult to play in the Sonoran. And with only 3 playoff qualifiers, it will be a battle to make playoffs each year with Surf, Koge, and Blues. I know Koge was hurt all year long (heard up to 6 players), and into the finish. Hope the SW represents well in playoffs, and healthy by the time playoffs commence.
 
So I predicted right last year with a PDA vs. Solar final but last year was a little easier 1st year into 11v11 playoffs. This year is different with player movement and other teams getting a whole year od additional 11v11.

I think there are 3 serious contenders and any of them can make the final. I think their are another 3 or 4 that could also pull an upset and make it to the final. Problem is bracketing and the Semis usually come down to PKs.

If PDA and REAL Colorado are on opposite sides of brackets, I think that will be your final. Probably have to take PDA for the win because of experience. Wildcard is if Solar can transfer any DKSC players but I think the coach was brought on after the deadline, but not 100%. That could put Solar back on top obviously.

I think you see at least one, PDA, REAL, or Solar make the final. I’d just about put money on that. Then you have DKSC, Blues, Surf and Eclipse maybe making it in. MVLA and SLSG are dark horses. Deep sleeper is FC Prime. We have a lot of experience with Richmond and they are not on the same level as these teams but will put up competitive games. If I remember correctly I think the Mid Atlantic produced the most teams out of group play. MFA is not the same team and the North Atlantic has gone down hill in a big way this year but could still make it out of group play. I’d put Legends in the conversation but heard they have lost some key players to injury

Lastly, don’t read too much into REAL’s recent tourney and Spring League results. They are one of those clubs that believes in bench development especially at Romper Room Cups.

In the end, it’s a sport so anyone can win on any day. Best of luck to those who made it.

Bonus - GA will see Nationals VS. South Shore in final, maybe Sacramento. Nationals win. I don’t think Gio Reyna’s little sister can get Lonestar there.
 
Analysis you say?

Here you go...

Group A - I like PDA obviously but Beach may be the most improved Southwest ECNL team and could have a chance to pull an upset.

Group B - One of the toughest group with DKSC being the favorite but SLSG is quality and Eagles always finds ways to step up in big tournaments. Sticking with DKSC.

Group C - Complete toss up for any of the 4 teams. Legends has injuries, Albion has been on a good run, and Loudoun probably the biggest team in ECNL. I'm going with Albion because they are hot.

Group D - SUSA

Group E - Richmond

Group F - Real Colorado

Group G - Another tough group. Eclipse, So Cal Blues, or Alabama. If I had to pick one, Blues.

Group H - Similar, three team shootout but not as good as some other groups. VDA, Internationals and San Juan. I'll go with VDA.

Group I - Toss up between MVLA and UFA. I'll go with MVLA.

Group J - FC Prime

Group K - Solar vs. Surf. Going with Solar on this one.

Quarter Finals
PDA vs. (WC5) Crossfire - PDA
DKSC vs. (WC4) San Diego Surf - DKSC moves on.
Albion vs. (WC3) Eclipse Select - Eclipse Select
SUSA vs. (WC2) UFA - SUSA
Richmond vs. (WC1) Internationals - Richmond moves on
Real Colorado vs Solar (Wow, this early? Real in PKs)
Blues vs FC Prime - Blues moves on
VDA vs MVLA - MVLA moves on

Finals in no particular order.
1. PDA
2. DKSC
3. Eclipse Select
4. SUSA
5. Richmond
6. Real Colorado
7. SoCal Blues
8. MVLA

That's my guess but the Wild Card placement could play a big part. The fact that Solar and Real Colorado will likely play in the quarter finals kinda sucks but there isn't really a way around it unless Surf beats Solar and Solar take the Wild Card. That would also be a great game.

FC Prime is actually a legit team now but lack experience in big tournaments unlike Blues which is why I give that team the edge.

If anyone has to play Richmond, PM me. They have a style of play I can give you the inside on.
 
MVLA and San Juan have some additions and subtractions that probably show up in playoffs, but weren't captured in some of the rankings data.
MVLA 09s are supposed to be missing their goal scorer. This doesn't take them out of the running but it will be harder for MVLA to put the ball in the net.
San Juan 09s picked Sacramento United's GA two goal scorers in May. They are rumored to be going to San Deigo. I've seen both of them play and this will have a positive impact for San Juan.

A seperate comment. The Solar vs. San Deigo Surf matchup in the '09 and '08 age groups seems fabricated to me. It looks like a game to make life easier for the USYNT scouts as opposed to a mathmatical luck of the draw. If anyone is a mathmetician i'd love to know the odds that both age groups drew out that way.
 
Orangeteam said:
MVLA and San Juan have some additions and subtractions that probably show up in playoffs, but weren't captured in some of the rankings data.
MVLA 09s are supposed to be missing their goal scorer. This doesn't take them out of the running but it will be harder for MVLA to put the ball in the net.
San Juan 09s picked Sacramento United's GA two goal scorers in May. They are rumored to be going to San Deigo. I've seen both of them play and this will have a positive impact for San Juan.

A seperate comment. The Solar vs. San Deigo Surf matchup in the '09 and '08 age groups seems fabricated to me. It looks like a game to make life easier for the USYNT scouts as opposed to a mathmatical luck of the draw. If anyone is a mathmetician i'd love to know the odds that both age groups drew out that way.
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Still going to go with VDA out of Group H but perhaps San Juan moves forward. VDA is a very physical team with an excellent defense but they lack chemistry on offense. We actually just had a VDA player join our GA team and she decided to come to GA Nationals instead of finishing the season out with VDA.

MVLA will have a tougher time with United then if true. If UFA manages to come out of that group, then I would pick them over VDA.
 
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