National Cup 2017

Group G (SD Surf B #10, Strikers Black #13, South Valley #25, Legends Riverside #34); Not sure what their YSR ranking really is as it looks like they are combined with SD Surf C in their results, but SD Surf B is legit and can compete with the anybody. Their goalie is solid and they have a very strong attack, including good outside backs making runs. I always get confused on which Strikers team is which and who is left on each of the teams, but expect they will give Surf B a good game and have a chance for the upset in this group.

Group H (Beach #8, Legends South #17, SD Force #23, Slammers TD #46); Beach is a physical team with good speed and some girls that can put it on-frame from 40 yards out. They had a pretty poor showing in CRL (only winning one game) and at Surf Cup (outscored 15-2), but they can compete with any team if they focus on soccer and keep their composure. Legends South also struggled in CRL (no wins), but kept it close in most of the games. I expect Beach to take this group.

Group I (Strikers Red #12, Real So Cal #11, Rebels #39 and Murrieta #49); The only group that doesn’t have a YSR top 10 team and I don’t see a clear favorite. Strikers started out CRL well, competing with top teams. However, they were 0-5 in the last few weeks of CRL and were outscored 15-2 in those 5 games. Not sure if there has been player movement on that team, but they appear to be limping into NC. Even if Strikers are back to old form, I think Real So Cal has a chance to take this group. Rebels have a punchers chance too.

Group J (SD Surf C #10, Anaheim #3, Oxnard #24); Again, I don't know their real YSR ranking, but I think SD Surf C was unfortunate to get paired with Anaheim here. SD Surf C has played at a high level and challenged some of the top teams. Despite all the calls of Anaheim only being good because of guests, I think they are still a top 6-7 team without guests. I suspect Anaheim wins this group. SD Surf C is certainly good enough to advance, but it might be tricky to get a WC spot if they only have 2 games in group play.

Group K (SD Surf A #2, CDA HB #21, LAGSB Navy #71); If anyone has SD Surf A out of their top four teams in this age group, then you haven’t seen them play enough. They only lost one game in SCDSL league play (to Blues) and didn’t lose a game in CRL. They are certainly one of the top teams and can win the whole thing this year. I don’t expect the other teams to put up much of a fight in group play.
 
Sike said:
Group G (SD Surf B #10, Strikers Black #13, South Valley #25, Legends Riverside #34); Not sure what their YSR ranking really is as it looks like they are combined with SD Surf C in their results, but SD Surf B is legit and can compete with the anybody. Their goalie is solid and they have a very strong attack, including good outside backs making runs. I always get confused on which Strikers team is which and who is left on each of the teams, but expect they will give Surf B a good game and have a chance for the upset in this group.

Group H (Beach #8, Legends South #17, SD Force #23, Slammers TD #46); Beach is a physical team with good speed and some girls that can put it on-frame from 40 yards out. They had a pretty poor showing in CRL (only winning one game) and at Surf Cup (outscored 15-2), but they can compete with any team if they focus on soccer and keep their composure. Legends South also struggled in CRL (no wins), but kept it close in most of the games. I expect Beach to take this group.

Group I (Strikers Red #12, Real So Cal #11, Rebels #39 and Murrieta #49); The only group that doesn’t have a YSR top 10 team and I don’t see a clear favorite. Strikers started out CRL well, competing with top teams. However, they were 0-5 in the last few weeks of CRL and were outscored 15-2 in those 5 games. Not sure if there has been player movement on that team, but they appear to be limping into NC. Even if Strikers are back to old form, I think Real So Cal has a chance to take this group. Rebels have a punchers chance too.

Group J (SD Surf C #10, Anaheim #3, Oxnard #24); Again, I don't know their real YSR ranking, but I think SD Surf C was unfortunate to get paired with Anaheim here. SD Surf C has played at a high level and challenged some of the top teams. Despite all the calls of Anaheim only being good because of guests, I think they are still a top 6-7 team without guests. I suspect Anaheim wins this group. SD Surf C is certainly good enough to advance, but it might be tricky to get a WC spot if they only have 2 games in group play.

Group K (SD Surf A #2, CDA HB #21, LAGSB Navy #71); If anyone has SD Surf A out of their top four teams in this age group, then you haven’t seen them play enough. They only lost one game in SCDSL league play (to Blues) and didn’t lose a game in CRL. They are certainly one of the top teams and can win the whole thing this year. I don’t expect the other teams to put up much of a fight in group play.
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Good stuff !!
 
myself said:
IMO only 3 teams have a chance of winning, LAGSB, Legends, and S.D. Surf Academy simply because they have fewer potentially bad matchups. Based on this season's results I can see Albion, Blues or Ana Surf getting knocked out in the round of 16 or quarterfinals based on getting a bad matchup.
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I would agree that those three teams have to be the favorites. I think Albion, Blues and maybe Anaheim are in the next group of 3. Beyond that, someone would really have to go on an amazing run or there would have to be some recent player movement.

You never know in a knockout round soccer game, but if the groups hold more or less to form, I would be surprised to see Albion or Blues go home in the round of 16. Albion and Blues should win their groups and end up playing a wildcard team. Wildcards can be tricky (especially if one of the top teams stumbles in group play) but I don't believe either of these teams have lost all year to anyone other than LAGSB, Legends, SD Surf A or CDA Cerritos (or to each other), and I wouldn't expect any of those 4 teams to end up being a wildcard. If I am reading sdb's post correctly, I think there is a good chance they meet in quarters against each other. Anaheim is a somewhat of an unknown to me as I don't know who will be on the roster, but they haven't lost to anyone out of the top 10 this year either.

Of course, there were plenty of surprises to me in state cup last year, so what do I know?!?!
 
I just used a typical 16 team seeded tournament bracket from the Interweb, and have no particular insight into how CalSouth will match teams up after the 1st round. But yes, based on seedings and a typical bracket, and assuming no big upsets in my version of the tourney, Albion and Blues have a strong chance of meeting in the quarters.
 
Don’t forget about the factors, like the wind, flu season, home field advantage, coach using an illegal player, etc... We never know what could happen.
 
soccerdad said:
Don’t forget about the factors, like the wind, flu season, home field advantage, coach using an illegal player, etc... We never know what could happen.
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Strikers and SDSC were both state cup surprises to me last year in this age group, and I am sure there will be some this year. We're going to have to wait a few weeks to find out! Wish we at least knew where games will be this time around.
 
tabletop said:
I don't think any team played Flight 1 this past season that did not fully understand what they were getting themselves into. Sand & Surf and Arsenal West both elected to play Flight 1 this Fall after having good runs in Flight 2 last Fall. Legends Riverside elected to stay in Flight 2 and it was a much tougher road for Sand & Surf (2-6-4) and Arsenal West (2-6-4) than it was for Legends Riverside (11-0-1). Which teams made the right decision in terms of growth? Only they know for sure but I never criticize any team for choosing to compete week in and week out knowing that the deck is stacked against them.

Similarly here, any team that voluntarily chooses to play in the toughest division has my respect. It is a likely one and done weekend for all of these teams, but perhaps they didn't find it as worthwhile to play in Presidents and figure out who is the 43rd best team in the 06 division.
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Legends Riverside did not "elect" to stay flight 2. They applied for flight 1 but were denied. Big difference.

They were significantly better than any of the flight 2 teams. It will be interesting to see how they do playing strong teams in flight 1 national cup. My guess is they will hold their own.
 
LifeisGood said:
Legends Riverside did not "elect" to stay flight 2. They applied for flight 1 but were denied. Big difference.

They were significantly better than any of the flight 2 teams. It will be interesting to see how they do playing strong teams in flight 1 national cup. My guess is they will hold their own.
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I thought SCDSL pretty much allowed clubs to put teams in whatever flight they wanted. Are you saying the league rejected your club's request for this team to be flight 1?

I don't have any issue with the team playing up in National Cup to see what they have against the best. Best of luck to your girls in the tournament.
 
GoPats said:
I thought SCDSL pretty much allowed clubs to put teams in whatever flight they wanted. Are you saying the league rejected your club's request for this team to be flight 1?

I don't have any issue with the team playing up in National Cup to see what they have against the best. Best of luck to your girls in the tournament.
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Yes, they were denied by SCDSL. It happens more than you think. For obvious reasons, teams don't advertise that they didn't get the flight they wanted:)

They were kind of middle of the pack in flight 2 the year before, but then picked up some very strong players, as well having 4 players that were playing up '05 flight 1, dropping down to play their own age. Those additions can certainly change a team.

Apparently, some people think it's pretty funny to think they might hold their own in National Cup. They certainly will be the underdog in any game, but I know it would really suck for any of those other teams to get beaten by a "flight 2" team :eek:
 
LifeisGood said:
Yes, they were denied by SCDSL. It happens more than you think. For obvious reasons, teams don't advertise that they didn't get the flight they wanted:)

They were kind of middle of the pack in flight 2 the year before, but then picked up some very strong players, as well having 4 players that were playing up '05 flight 1, dropping down to play their own age. Those additions can certainly change a team.

Apparently, some people think it's pretty funny to think they might hold their own in National Cup. They certainly will be the underdog in any game, but I know it would really suck for any of those other teams to get beaten by a "flight 2" team :eek:
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The biggest hurdle I've seen Flight 2 teams have to overcome is the speed of play and physicality.
 
LifeisGood said:
Yes, they were denied by SCDSL. It happens more than you think. For obvious reasons, teams don't advertise that they didn't get the flight they wanted:)

They were kind of middle of the pack in flight 2 the year before, but then picked up some very strong players, as well having 4 players that were playing up '05 flight 1, dropping down to play their own age. Those additions can certainly change a team.

Apparently, some people think it's pretty funny to think they might hold their own in National Cup. They certainly will be the underdog in any game, but I know it would really suck for any of those other teams to get beaten by a "flight 2" team :eek:
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I must admit that there are several teams in NC that I have not seen play once this year, and therefore dismissed them from the start. I looked back at the results for your team and you did have some close games against flight 1 teams in tournaments this year. I love an underdog, so good luck!
 
My understanding with league flight placement in SCDSL is that Flight 2 and 3 are granted "no questions asked", but to play Flight 1- you have to prove that you are a flight 1 team. Either through prior league record, recent tournaments or showing that you have significantly upgraded your team.
 
soccerislife said:
100% true but as long as the team continues to play top competition that hurdle will go away. @LifeisGood don't listen to the haters.
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I agree with your statement, as Strikers Ayala who rampaged through Flight 2 last year did pretty well this year. But this is a tournament setting and there's no time to figure things out on the fly. You get 3 games and that's it.

Clearly based on results Flight 2 was the wrong flight for them. Good luck to them and hopefully they can adjust quickly. I checked their schedule on YSR and don't see any games against Flight 1 competition to prepare. Last year Strikers Ayala played in the Silverlakes(?) tournament against Legends Pre-Academy and Beach Perez to prepare.

As far as "losing to a flight 2 team" and feelings being hurt, that's just parental ego. If the girls can play at the required level then that's what matters IMO.
 
LifeisGood said:
Yes, they were denied by SCDSL. It happens more than you think. For obvious reasons, teams don't advertise that they didn't get the flight they wanted:)

They were kind of middle of the pack in flight 2 the year before, but then picked up some very strong players, as well having 4 players that were playing up '05 flight 1, dropping down to play their own age. Those additions can certainly change a team.

Apparently, some people think it's pretty funny to think they might hold their own in National Cup. They certainly will be the underdog in any game, but I know it would really suck for any of those other teams to get beaten by a "flight 2" team :eek:
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On any Given Sunday!!! What team is this again ...Legends Riverside ?? Best of luck ...it always looks good on paper ...thats why you roll the ball out and play the game ⚽⚽
 
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