Tech Specs. (Part 1 of 2)
The “Best of the Best”…..There’s no doubt that Surf Cup continues to be one the marquee soccer tournaments across the country. Last season people were up in arms with the added 2nd Flight and began to question if the tournament was beginning to get watered down.
Now the 2nd Flight isn’t something new, it’s been around for some time. But its purpose has always been to showcase the older teams applying and add room for more teams looking to get in. Last year saw the 2nd Flight get applied to the division U15 and below and a caveat was introduced to allow the teams to promote / demote to the top / lower Flight based on Surf Cup performance. The soccer community argued over who got placed where, as always, but ultimately things played out pretty well and the tournament was a success last year yet again.
The soccer scene is ever changing and with the age groupings getting shifted around from “school year” to “calendar year” Surf Cup had another hurdle to face this year in regards to what teams to accept and how to seed them when rankings and previous results were basically thrown out the window.
As if that wasn’t enough Surf Cup decided to add 3rd and 4th Flights to a number of age groups and open the tournament wide open in many ways. Having the ability to host the boys at one location and the girls at another and splitting the olders and youngers to different weekends has allowed Surf to expand the tournament to epic proportions.
So what about the soccer? The cloud of dust has settled and if you look closely, the Flights are as good as they’ll ever get. You have the fringe teams that get shafted of get a pleasant surprise. You have priority given to out of state teams, and you have a lot of money being made all around. Those things have been around before this year, and will continue to be around for years to come.
So let’s leave the drama at the door, and let’s get to breaking down the “Best of the Best”…..
The age change has caused a whirlwind across the soccer country and while the big clubs have remained perennial favorites, there is a surprise or two out there waiting in the wings. Surf Cup for these girls will provide them with memories they will never forget. The walk into the complex, and feeling like the stage is theirs, and it certainly is. The Surf Cup swag, the stay and play experience visiting SoCal and the best it has to offer will be fun times. Seeing old friends, doing battle, and embracing them afterwards with mutual respect. Meeting new friends, doing battle, and finding commonality through the game we all love.
Format / Rules
Surf Cup – Official Rules (PDF)
Team Size
11 vs. 11
Ball Size
Size 5
Brackets
5 Groups - 4 Teams per Group
Quarter Final Format
Group Winners & 3 Wildcards advance to Quarter-Finals
Games
Group Round: Saturday (8/6) & Sunday (8/7)
Quarter-Finals: Sunday (8/7)
Semi-Finals & Finals: Monday (8/8)
Game Duration
Group Round & Quarter-Finals: 25 Minute Halves
Semi-Finals: 30 Minute Halves
Finals: 35 Minute Halves
Halfitme: 5 Minutes
OverTime
7 Minute Halves
(Semi-Finals & Finals Only)
Penalty Kicks
Quarter-Finals: After Normal Regulation
Semi-Finals: After Overtime
Finals: After Overtime
Scoring System
10 Point System
Win = 6 Points
Draw = 2 Points
Loss = 0 Points
Goals = 1 Points (3 Point Max)
Shutout = 1 Point
Ejection = -1 Point, each Player or Coach
Tie Breakers
Venue
So Cal Sports Complex (Oceanside)
Fields #13 & 14 – Group Round & Quarter-Finals
Fields #19 & 20 – Semi-Finals & Finals
Bracket A
Breakdown:
Bracket A brings us the host team and eyes are immediately directed to the other teams in this grouping and what chance they have at toppling an always favorite in Surf. Although Blues – Kale has bested Surf before, it would be a major upset if Surf doesn’t win this group comfortably.
You have Legends, a team that is well into a turnaround project Coach Wendi Whitman has been trying to pull off for some time now. Last season was very middle of the road, but since the age shift this team has found an identity of sorts. At Legends Classic they conceded 1 goal in 3 games and found a formula that they seem to be sticking with. They will look to stretch the field with tough defense and players that can be threats over the top. The track meet they got into with Arsenal during the first weekend of CRL proved as much.
This being one of the softer groups, every team will need to be playing for max points in every game and hopefully grab a wildcard spot.
Real Colorado has settled in once again as one of top two teams in Colorado along with Colorado Storm and looks to bring some spoiler magic to Surf Cup. You can always count on Real to at least nab some points away and make things interesting. Last year they did just that and dropped two games but ended up beating Arsenal FC and drawing some attention. Both Legends and Blues – Kale on paper should be the #2 teams in this group but Real could easily sneak up on both of them in this group.
Surf, what other season in recent memory has Surf not been the topic of best team in the age group? Now, don’t get me wrong, sit down and watch a game and they look like the typical Surf team and are top 10 for sure, and top 5 wouldn’t get you boo’ed off the stage either. But so much attention has been given to the teams early out of the gate that have impressed that Surf has actually enjoyed a tiny bit of flying under the radar. You have Galaxy –SD and their swagger, you have RSC and their explosiveness, CDA and their strength, and Beach and their downright solid play. Everyone loves the news toys and I think that could be just what Surf wants going into this weekend. In theory Surf should win the group and get the most favorable match up in the quarters. So, will they coast and fly under the radar? Or will they disappear and set the way for a new reign in the 04s?
SC Blues – Kale, can they regain some of that magic from CRL Play-In when they knocked some of the new car smell off of Surf and their reloaded roster? Can Coach Kale truly take advantage of the disarray at the 04 age group and cement his team as #1 in Blues country? I’ll tell you this, Blues – Kale has a keeper that will give them a shot in this bracket, if she’s on her game and can rally the girls around her, and this squad will look to make a statement.
Bracket B
Breakdown:
Take your pick, but either Bracket B or C can be given the moniker, “Group of Death”. Bracket B has a variety of styles that will make a coach really have to do their homework in adjusting to defending against these 4 teams.
IE Surf is a team that attempts to play soccer in a possession oriented style that will see their team move the ball and try to force the defense to shift before they initiate their attack. Last season it culminated in them being a top 5 team that had the game down towards seasons end. The age shift this year has proven to be trying for this team as they relearned to play their game with older opposition that is both fast and strong. The biggest hurdle for this team will be their ability to keep the ball in the offensive third and withstand the press the other teams will undoubtedly bring on them.
Galaxy – SD, is one of those teams that has hit the ground running and is only going to get better. They play a hybrid style of physical / athletic with deadly combinations past midfield. Their wing play can take legitimate shots on goal from distance or serve up crosses that will make the box look like a riot scene as players scramble to put one in and defenders get it out. Galaxy picked up a sleeper of a forward from a rival club that missed the boat on her. Having seen her play as of late, she brings a pace and hunger to go to goal that will have defenses cringing when she gets her motor ramped up.
MVLA, arguably the best team in NorCal. Along with DeAnza, MVLA has the ability to knock the ball around at a stinging pace even with pressure in their face. Opponents will need to either sit at the 50 and be patient and smart with a zone defense, or be able to press in waves. Players off the ball will need to anticipate where the ball is being played and take MVLA out of their game. MVLA has already put SoCal on notice earlier this year and now it’s time to see if anyone can stop them.
Solar Chelsea, arguably the best team in Texas. Starting to see a reoccurring theme here? Chelsea will make some of our athletes look frail and small. But once the whistle blows, everything goes out the window and styles make games. If Chelsea can impose their pace and strength on the rest of this group, it is tough to break out of that type of press and being smothered by an opponent.
The “Best of the Best”…..There’s no doubt that Surf Cup continues to be one the marquee soccer tournaments across the country. Last season people were up in arms with the added 2nd Flight and began to question if the tournament was beginning to get watered down.
Now the 2nd Flight isn’t something new, it’s been around for some time. But its purpose has always been to showcase the older teams applying and add room for more teams looking to get in. Last year saw the 2nd Flight get applied to the division U15 and below and a caveat was introduced to allow the teams to promote / demote to the top / lower Flight based on Surf Cup performance. The soccer community argued over who got placed where, as always, but ultimately things played out pretty well and the tournament was a success last year yet again.
The soccer scene is ever changing and with the age groupings getting shifted around from “school year” to “calendar year” Surf Cup had another hurdle to face this year in regards to what teams to accept and how to seed them when rankings and previous results were basically thrown out the window.
As if that wasn’t enough Surf Cup decided to add 3rd and 4th Flights to a number of age groups and open the tournament wide open in many ways. Having the ability to host the boys at one location and the girls at another and splitting the olders and youngers to different weekends has allowed Surf to expand the tournament to epic proportions.
So what about the soccer? The cloud of dust has settled and if you look closely, the Flights are as good as they’ll ever get. You have the fringe teams that get shafted of get a pleasant surprise. You have priority given to out of state teams, and you have a lot of money being made all around. Those things have been around before this year, and will continue to be around for years to come.
So let’s leave the drama at the door, and let’s get to breaking down the “Best of the Best”…..
The age change has caused a whirlwind across the soccer country and while the big clubs have remained perennial favorites, there is a surprise or two out there waiting in the wings. Surf Cup for these girls will provide them with memories they will never forget. The walk into the complex, and feeling like the stage is theirs, and it certainly is. The Surf Cup swag, the stay and play experience visiting SoCal and the best it has to offer will be fun times. Seeing old friends, doing battle, and embracing them afterwards with mutual respect. Meeting new friends, doing battle, and finding commonality through the game we all love.
Format / Rules
Surf Cup – Official Rules (PDF)
Team Size
11 vs. 11
Ball Size
Size 5
Brackets
5 Groups - 4 Teams per Group
Quarter Final Format
Group Winners & 3 Wildcards advance to Quarter-Finals
Games
Group Round: Saturday (8/6) & Sunday (8/7)
Quarter-Finals: Sunday (8/7)
Semi-Finals & Finals: Monday (8/8)
Game Duration
Group Round & Quarter-Finals: 25 Minute Halves
Semi-Finals: 30 Minute Halves
Finals: 35 Minute Halves
Halfitme: 5 Minutes
OverTime
7 Minute Halves
(Semi-Finals & Finals Only)
Penalty Kicks
Quarter-Finals: After Normal Regulation
Semi-Finals: After Overtime
Finals: After Overtime
Scoring System
10 Point System
Win = 6 Points
Draw = 2 Points
Loss = 0 Points
Goals = 1 Points (3 Point Max)
Shutout = 1 Point
Ejection = -1 Point, each Player or Coach
Tie Breakers
- Head to Head
- Goals Allowed
- Goals in Favor
- Total Wins
- Total Shutouts
- If a tie exists after 1-5, PKs prior to scheduled quarter-final game.
- If a three-way tie exists within bracket after 1-5, a three-way coin clip will occur. Teams that tie in coin flip will compete in PKs. Coin flip and PKs prior to schedule quarter-final game.
Venue
So Cal Sports Complex (Oceanside)
Fields #13 & 14 – Group Round & Quarter-Finals
Fields #19 & 20 – Semi-Finals & Finals
Bracket A
- Legends FC (Cal South)
- Real Colorado National (Colorado)
- Surf – EGSL Academy (Cal South)
- SC Blues – Kale (Cal South)
Breakdown:
Bracket A brings us the host team and eyes are immediately directed to the other teams in this grouping and what chance they have at toppling an always favorite in Surf. Although Blues – Kale has bested Surf before, it would be a major upset if Surf doesn’t win this group comfortably.
You have Legends, a team that is well into a turnaround project Coach Wendi Whitman has been trying to pull off for some time now. Last season was very middle of the road, but since the age shift this team has found an identity of sorts. At Legends Classic they conceded 1 goal in 3 games and found a formula that they seem to be sticking with. They will look to stretch the field with tough defense and players that can be threats over the top. The track meet they got into with Arsenal during the first weekend of CRL proved as much.
This being one of the softer groups, every team will need to be playing for max points in every game and hopefully grab a wildcard spot.
Real Colorado has settled in once again as one of top two teams in Colorado along with Colorado Storm and looks to bring some spoiler magic to Surf Cup. You can always count on Real to at least nab some points away and make things interesting. Last year they did just that and dropped two games but ended up beating Arsenal FC and drawing some attention. Both Legends and Blues – Kale on paper should be the #2 teams in this group but Real could easily sneak up on both of them in this group.
Surf, what other season in recent memory has Surf not been the topic of best team in the age group? Now, don’t get me wrong, sit down and watch a game and they look like the typical Surf team and are top 10 for sure, and top 5 wouldn’t get you boo’ed off the stage either. But so much attention has been given to the teams early out of the gate that have impressed that Surf has actually enjoyed a tiny bit of flying under the radar. You have Galaxy –SD and their swagger, you have RSC and their explosiveness, CDA and their strength, and Beach and their downright solid play. Everyone loves the news toys and I think that could be just what Surf wants going into this weekend. In theory Surf should win the group and get the most favorable match up in the quarters. So, will they coast and fly under the radar? Or will they disappear and set the way for a new reign in the 04s?
SC Blues – Kale, can they regain some of that magic from CRL Play-In when they knocked some of the new car smell off of Surf and their reloaded roster? Can Coach Kale truly take advantage of the disarray at the 04 age group and cement his team as #1 in Blues country? I’ll tell you this, Blues – Kale has a keeper that will give them a shot in this bracket, if she’s on her game and can rally the girls around her, and this squad will look to make a statement.
Bracket B
- IE Surf – Premier (Cal South)
- LA Galaxy – SD – Elite (Cal South)
- MVLA – Barcelona Blue (Cal North)
- Solar Chelsea – Red (Texas)
Breakdown:
Take your pick, but either Bracket B or C can be given the moniker, “Group of Death”. Bracket B has a variety of styles that will make a coach really have to do their homework in adjusting to defending against these 4 teams.
IE Surf is a team that attempts to play soccer in a possession oriented style that will see their team move the ball and try to force the defense to shift before they initiate their attack. Last season it culminated in them being a top 5 team that had the game down towards seasons end. The age shift this year has proven to be trying for this team as they relearned to play their game with older opposition that is both fast and strong. The biggest hurdle for this team will be their ability to keep the ball in the offensive third and withstand the press the other teams will undoubtedly bring on them.
Galaxy – SD, is one of those teams that has hit the ground running and is only going to get better. They play a hybrid style of physical / athletic with deadly combinations past midfield. Their wing play can take legitimate shots on goal from distance or serve up crosses that will make the box look like a riot scene as players scramble to put one in and defenders get it out. Galaxy picked up a sleeper of a forward from a rival club that missed the boat on her. Having seen her play as of late, she brings a pace and hunger to go to goal that will have defenses cringing when she gets her motor ramped up.
MVLA, arguably the best team in NorCal. Along with DeAnza, MVLA has the ability to knock the ball around at a stinging pace even with pressure in their face. Opponents will need to either sit at the 50 and be patient and smart with a zone defense, or be able to press in waves. Players off the ball will need to anticipate where the ball is being played and take MVLA out of their game. MVLA has already put SoCal on notice earlier this year and now it’s time to see if anyone can stop them.
Solar Chelsea, arguably the best team in Texas. Starting to see a reoccurring theme here? Chelsea will make some of our athletes look frail and small. But once the whistle blows, everything goes out the window and styles make games. If Chelsea can impose their pace and strength on the rest of this group, it is tough to break out of that type of press and being smothered by an opponent.