For a west coast team an 8am game in Richmond is really a 5am game in a suana so it's both timezone and weather.
The tough thing for California teams is that ECNL needs the game to end in early afternoon before the thunderstorms come in.
When two West coast teams play each other the weather and time zone are equalized.
If its an East v. West the East has to take advantage of their familiarity with time and weather. Most West coast/Cal teams run out of steam by the second half. I dont' mean this to imply that east coast team will beat west coast teams, there is just a 'home field' advantage they have.
Consolation games have been a mix over the years. Some have been really good games and some have been zero energy.
ECNL should look to offer 3 games instead of just two games. Families spend a lot of money to come out to this, especially after playoffs.
Or, play your final 8 at playoffs and bring 4 teams to Richmond. This creates a 3rd place game a game with no real outcome other than a W/L/T