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Rain threw a wrench into League Cup play last weekend and we have a mix of both Round 1 (4) and Round 2 (11) pool play games on tap this Sunday. A couple of the Round 2 pools will wait and play on Nov 13. Here is a look at my preview for League Cup games taking place this weekend. There are 15 three team pools in the second round, with all pool winners advancing plus one wild card team. The wild card team will likely come from a pool that has two 1-0-1 teams. With all the schedule changes, hopefully I didn't make too many mistakes. 
Pool AA (The Group Previously of Death)
Location: Lancaster (First Round Pool Play)
Date: SU NOV 6
Winner Goes To: Pool AP (Fullerton Rangers White G, YASC Spartans FC SS)
Teams:
Saugus United AC (Bronze North, 5-2-3, GF: 20, GA: 12, Rank #204, SoS Rank #217)
Currently sits in second place in a very competitive Bronze North division. They currently don't have any impressive wins under their belt this season, though they have played the first place team in their division to two ties. With OC Premier dropping out it will come down to whether or not they play a tough full 50 minutes of soccer.
OC Premier Black (Bronze South, 6-3-3, GF: 37, GA: 16, Rank #153, SoS Rank #161)
Ducking League Cup to concentrate on finishing in second place in Bronze South. *** FORFEITED GAMES ***
FC England (Bronze West, 7-2-0, GF: 25, GA: 4, Rank #135, SoS Rank 189)
This is the team clicking on all cylinders in this pool. FC England has won six games in a row, including a convincing 4-1 trouncing of previously undefeated South Bay United. FC England is on track to finish 2nd place in Bronze West and a promotion to Silver for next season.
Prediction: 1) FC England, 2) Saugus United AC
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Pool AD
Location: Conejo Creek South, Thousand Oaks (First Round Pool Play)
Date: SU NOV 6
Winner Goes To: Pool AS (FRAM Ferren SEN, California Elite SC SN)
Teams:
Thousand Oaks FC AC (Bronze Beta, 9-1-2, GF: 45, GA: 8, Rank #165, SoS Rank #195)
The Thousand Oaks Challenge team prides itself on defense. They got an excellent draw and should be favored to advance on their home fields.
LA Premier FC Black (Bronze Central, 2-6-1, GF: 13, GA: 28, Rank #224, SoS Rank #167)
Will lose and get shutout by Thousand Oaks FC AC.
Celtic Hoops (Bronze Delta, 4-5-1, GF: 10, GA: 19, Rank #235, Sos Rank #225)
*** FORFEITED GAMES ***
Prediction: 1) Thousand Oaks FC AC, 2) LA Premier FC Black
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Pool AE
Location: Lancaster Complex, Lancaster (First Round Pool Play)
Date: SU NOV 6
Winner Goes To: Pool AT (UIFC Venom SC SES, Ventura FC Strikers SA)
Teams:
FC North Valley AC (Bronze Gamma, 10-0-1, GF: 38, GA: 3, Rank #196)
They have only given up three goals in league play and are assured at this point a bump up to the Silver level for next year. Sol could challenge them if they don't bring their A game.
Sol (Bronze Alpha, 4-5-1, GF: 14, GA: 10, Rank #167, SoS Rank #167)
Sol is also difficult to score against and they could very easily pull off the upset. Both teams need to pound Valencia UTD as this pool could come down to a tie-breaker.
Valencia UTD 3162 AC (Bronze North, 2-7-1, GF: 7, GA: 19, Rank #240)
The record isn't good, but the goal differential isn't all that bad. If they pack in the defense, they could play the role of spoiler in these short 50 minute games.
Prediction: 1T) Sol, 1T) FC North Valley AC, 3) Valencia UTD 3162 AC
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Pool AH
Location: Cabrillo Park, Upland (First Round Pool Play)
Date: SU NOV 6
Winner Goes To: Pool AW (IE Surf MB/SB West SES, Legacy FC SS)
Teams:
Valencia United AC (Bronze North, 5-3-2, GF: 26, GA: 16, Rank #161)
Lost a big league game to LA Galaxy Bakersfield last weekend and are now fighting for their life to earn promotion to Silver. Originally, pool play was in their home city but now will have to travel to Upland.
International FC Fuego (Bronze West, 2-4-3, GF: 25, GA: 31, Rank #233)
Got walloped in league play 11-1 last week. I really don't see any way that they sneak through.
Newcastle United (Bronze Delta, 2-8-1, GF: 10, GA: 27, Rank #236)
Will be fighting for second place.
Prediction: 1) Valencia United AC, 2) International FC Fuego, 3) Newcastle United
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Pool AO
Location: IE Surf Complex, San Bernadino (2nd Round Pool Play)
Date: SU NOV 6
Teams:
IE Surf Premier RB (Gold, 3-6-3, GF: 20, GA: 22, Rank #15)
An early dark horse pick to compete for the title in the Gold division, IE Surf Premier has had rocky go of things this season. Their goal differential is not bad but they are +8 against BYSC Corona alone. They should have little trouble winning this pool, but it will be interesting to see how two of the better bronze teams stack up against them.
La Mirada FC (Bronze Central, 9-0-1, GF: 44, GA: 6, Rank #101)
Undefeated in league play and 17-1-4 since May. They have played even with SCSDL Flight 2 teams. If they can keep the game against IE Surf to a three goal loss or less they did good.
Celtic St. Patrick (Bronze East, 11-0-1, GF: 54, GA: 2, Rank #94)
This is where I think the seeding for League Cup is off. You have two of the top seeded bronze level teams and where do you place them? In a three team pool with one of the top seeds. Yes, they get a bye into the second round but they would have a much better chance of going deeper had they played in the first round and advanced to a pool without such a good team like many of the other bronze teams did.
Prediction: 1) IE Surf Premier RB, 2T) La Mirada, 2T) Celtic St. Patrick
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Pool AQ
Location: San Bernadino Complex
Date: SU NOV 6
Teams:
CCU Socal Academy (Gold, 3-4-3, GF: 10, GA: 17, Rank #34)
They've settled into the mid 30s for rankings and have two wins against top 50 teams. They are not big, but are very technical and can be pretty to watch when they start stringing passes together. Most of their fire power is on defense. They should win this pool but Albion OC will give them a scare if they aren't careful.
Palm Desert SC (Silver South, 2-6-3, GF: 14, GA: 25, Rank #145)
They beat Albion OC, 3-2 back in June in the Surf City Cup. They have struggled in league play and may have a chance to come in second place in this pool.
Albion OC (Bronze South, 10-0-2, GF: 62, GA: 8, Rank #79)
Had a dominated first half of league play and fought off some scrappy teams in second half of league play. This will be a huge jump in class for them and look for them to struggle against CCU Socal. Probably second place in this pool.
Prediction: 1) CCU Socal Academy, 2) Albion OC, 3) Palm Desert SC
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Pool AR
Location: Eagle Glen Park, Corona (2nd Round Pool Play)
Date: SU NOV 6
Teams:
BYSC Corona United (Gold, 0-8-4, GF: 7, GA: 24, Rank #39)
They've had a tough go of it in the Gold division. They seem to be more competitive, concentrating more on defense of late with ties against Eagles, Rangers and SoCal Academy. They have a good draw with a weaker Silver team. The toughest competition could come from South Bay United.
Fullerton Rangers Blue (Silver South, 2-4-4, GF: 13, GA: 19, Rank #138)
The formula for advancing for Fullerton and South Bay United will be to play Corona to a scoreless tie and then beat each other.
South Bay United (Bronze West, 9-1-0, GF: 52, GA: 8, Rank #108)
Cake walked through an easy first round of pool play last weekend. Will be a big underdog against Corona but they are probably favorites to come in second. Will give Corona a good game though.
Prediction: 1) BYSC Corona United, 2) South Bay United, 3) Fullerton Rangers Blue
Continued in next post.........
G004 League Cup Preview (1st/2nd Round Pool Play)
Pool AA (The Group Previously of Death)
Location: Lancaster (First Round Pool Play)
Date: SU NOV 6
Winner Goes To: Pool AP (Fullerton Rangers White G, YASC Spartans FC SS)
Teams:
Saugus United AC (Bronze North, 5-2-3, GF: 20, GA: 12, Rank #204, SoS Rank #217)
Currently sits in second place in a very competitive Bronze North division. They currently don't have any impressive wins under their belt this season, though they have played the first place team in their division to two ties. With OC Premier dropping out it will come down to whether or not they play a tough full 50 minutes of soccer.
OC Premier Black (Bronze South, 6-3-3, GF: 37, GA: 16, Rank #153, SoS Rank #161)
Ducking League Cup to concentrate on finishing in second place in Bronze South. *** FORFEITED GAMES ***
FC England (Bronze West, 7-2-0, GF: 25, GA: 4, Rank #135, SoS Rank 189)
This is the team clicking on all cylinders in this pool. FC England has won six games in a row, including a convincing 4-1 trouncing of previously undefeated South Bay United. FC England is on track to finish 2nd place in Bronze West and a promotion to Silver for next season.
Prediction: 1) FC England, 2) Saugus United AC
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Pool AD
Location: Conejo Creek South, Thousand Oaks (First Round Pool Play)
Date: SU NOV 6
Winner Goes To: Pool AS (FRAM Ferren SEN, California Elite SC SN)
Teams:
Thousand Oaks FC AC (Bronze Beta, 9-1-2, GF: 45, GA: 8, Rank #165, SoS Rank #195)
The Thousand Oaks Challenge team prides itself on defense. They got an excellent draw and should be favored to advance on their home fields.
LA Premier FC Black (Bronze Central, 2-6-1, GF: 13, GA: 28, Rank #224, SoS Rank #167)
Will lose and get shutout by Thousand Oaks FC AC.
Celtic Hoops (Bronze Delta, 4-5-1, GF: 10, GA: 19, Rank #235, Sos Rank #225)
*** FORFEITED GAMES ***
Prediction: 1) Thousand Oaks FC AC, 2) LA Premier FC Black
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Pool AE
Location: Lancaster Complex, Lancaster (First Round Pool Play)
Date: SU NOV 6
Winner Goes To: Pool AT (UIFC Venom SC SES, Ventura FC Strikers SA)
Teams:
FC North Valley AC (Bronze Gamma, 10-0-1, GF: 38, GA: 3, Rank #196)
They have only given up three goals in league play and are assured at this point a bump up to the Silver level for next year. Sol could challenge them if they don't bring their A game.
Sol (Bronze Alpha, 4-5-1, GF: 14, GA: 10, Rank #167, SoS Rank #167)
Sol is also difficult to score against and they could very easily pull off the upset. Both teams need to pound Valencia UTD as this pool could come down to a tie-breaker.
Valencia UTD 3162 AC (Bronze North, 2-7-1, GF: 7, GA: 19, Rank #240)
The record isn't good, but the goal differential isn't all that bad. If they pack in the defense, they could play the role of spoiler in these short 50 minute games.
Prediction: 1T) Sol, 1T) FC North Valley AC, 3) Valencia UTD 3162 AC
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Pool AH
Location: Cabrillo Park, Upland (First Round Pool Play)
Date: SU NOV 6
Winner Goes To: Pool AW (IE Surf MB/SB West SES, Legacy FC SS)
Teams:
Valencia United AC (Bronze North, 5-3-2, GF: 26, GA: 16, Rank #161)
Lost a big league game to LA Galaxy Bakersfield last weekend and are now fighting for their life to earn promotion to Silver. Originally, pool play was in their home city but now will have to travel to Upland.
International FC Fuego (Bronze West, 2-4-3, GF: 25, GA: 31, Rank #233)
Got walloped in league play 11-1 last week. I really don't see any way that they sneak through.
Newcastle United (Bronze Delta, 2-8-1, GF: 10, GA: 27, Rank #236)
Will be fighting for second place.
Prediction: 1) Valencia United AC, 2) International FC Fuego, 3) Newcastle United
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Pool AO
Location: IE Surf Complex, San Bernadino (2nd Round Pool Play)
Date: SU NOV 6
Teams:
IE Surf Premier RB (Gold, 3-6-3, GF: 20, GA: 22, Rank #15)
An early dark horse pick to compete for the title in the Gold division, IE Surf Premier has had rocky go of things this season. Their goal differential is not bad but they are +8 against BYSC Corona alone. They should have little trouble winning this pool, but it will be interesting to see how two of the better bronze teams stack up against them.
La Mirada FC (Bronze Central, 9-0-1, GF: 44, GA: 6, Rank #101)
Undefeated in league play and 17-1-4 since May. They have played even with SCSDL Flight 2 teams. If they can keep the game against IE Surf to a three goal loss or less they did good.
Celtic St. Patrick (Bronze East, 11-0-1, GF: 54, GA: 2, Rank #94)
This is where I think the seeding for League Cup is off. You have two of the top seeded bronze level teams and where do you place them? In a three team pool with one of the top seeds. Yes, they get a bye into the second round but they would have a much better chance of going deeper had they played in the first round and advanced to a pool without such a good team like many of the other bronze teams did.
Prediction: 1) IE Surf Premier RB, 2T) La Mirada, 2T) Celtic St. Patrick
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Pool AQ
Location: San Bernadino Complex
Date: SU NOV 6
Teams:
CCU Socal Academy (Gold, 3-4-3, GF: 10, GA: 17, Rank #34)
They've settled into the mid 30s for rankings and have two wins against top 50 teams. They are not big, but are very technical and can be pretty to watch when they start stringing passes together. Most of their fire power is on defense. They should win this pool but Albion OC will give them a scare if they aren't careful.
Palm Desert SC (Silver South, 2-6-3, GF: 14, GA: 25, Rank #145)
They beat Albion OC, 3-2 back in June in the Surf City Cup. They have struggled in league play and may have a chance to come in second place in this pool.
Albion OC (Bronze South, 10-0-2, GF: 62, GA: 8, Rank #79)
Had a dominated first half of league play and fought off some scrappy teams in second half of league play. This will be a huge jump in class for them and look for them to struggle against CCU Socal. Probably second place in this pool.
Prediction: 1) CCU Socal Academy, 2) Albion OC, 3) Palm Desert SC
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Pool AR
Location: Eagle Glen Park, Corona (2nd Round Pool Play)
Date: SU NOV 6
Teams:
BYSC Corona United (Gold, 0-8-4, GF: 7, GA: 24, Rank #39)
They've had a tough go of it in the Gold division. They seem to be more competitive, concentrating more on defense of late with ties against Eagles, Rangers and SoCal Academy. They have a good draw with a weaker Silver team. The toughest competition could come from South Bay United.
Fullerton Rangers Blue (Silver South, 2-4-4, GF: 13, GA: 19, Rank #138)
The formula for advancing for Fullerton and South Bay United will be to play Corona to a scoreless tie and then beat each other.
South Bay United (Bronze West, 9-1-0, GF: 52, GA: 8, Rank #108)
Cake walked through an easy first round of pool play last weekend. Will be a big underdog against Corona but they are probably favorites to come in second. Will give Corona a good game though.
Prediction: 1) BYSC Corona United, 2) South Bay United, 3) Fullerton Rangers Blue
Continued in next post.........
