here's predicts for this coming weekend (2/29). home teams are listed first. Some good matches coming up.
In other news, sounds like USSDA informed clubs last week if they will receive new age groups for 2020-21. So far, only news that's public is that TFA will get u17 (congrats!)in 2020-21. If there's any other news form any other clubs, am 1000% sure that folks are interested.
Here's predicts:
Real Salt Lake 1 - LAFC 2 - match to watch
note: last match was also LAFC 2-1 but RSL's YNT callup - JB - wasn't rostered for the match. saw a bit of the match last time around, and two cents is that RSL's mid was more than a little soft w/o JB and that they need to get the ball more up to the right wing who can be a handful. hopefully, JB's back. should be a fun match to watch. will be following this one closely.
Strikers 2 - LA Galaxy 3 - match to watch
note: LAG has had a turnaround since the holiday break, but their defensive improvement has seemed to have dissipated in the last two games. Saw the match vs RSC last week, for example,, and there's no way LAG should have given RSC as many opportunities as they did. Even though LAG dominated for large parts, RSC could have easily tied the match 2-2 at one point, and then it would have been anyone's game.The 1v1 defending was a particular gap for LAG. The upside for LAG was that their mid was dominant, and DR is definitely starting to feel it. And while the LAG offense has been trending in the right direction, LAG needs better finishing. Hopefully, JO is back for this match.
On the other hand, the Strikers are, well, just OK. Aside from an early in the season five goal performance vs RSC, the Striker's offense is clearly missing SR (who went to LAFC for the 2019-20 season and is averaging 1.2 goals per match) and the Striker's defense is trending pretty generous. Honestly, would have though that the Algo would have LAG as bigger favorites int his match. In any case, should be a fun match to watch.
Pateadores 1 - FC Golden State 4
Nomads 3 - TFA 3 - match to watch
note: ah, the Nomads. always like to see teams surprise, and the Nomads pulled one off last week with a come from behind 3-3 tie vs RSL. The previous week, the Nomads put away a tidy 1-0 win over RSC. However, the week before that, the Nomads were shellacked 7-1 by LAG, who played the game mostly w/ 10 men. Saw most of that match, and the Nomads just looked over matched athletically across the board. So one week the Nomads lose 1-7 to a ten man LAG squad, and two week later they tie a mostly full strength RSL squad that beat that same LAG squad 3-1. So what gives?
The Nomads have been trending in the right direction defensively since about mid-October, and occasionally they get some goals. Will be interesting to see if they can build on last week's result against TFA
TFA, by almost all anecdotal accounts, is a solid team. Haven't had a chance to see them but have heard that comment from multiple opposing team parents. Looking at the numbers, TFA, aside from 0-2 loss to RSL, have been trending strongly positive on the offensive side of the ball since late Sept. Defensively, however, they're a different story, and have been trending in the wrong direction since Sept.
TFA's x factor is how many 06s they play. Sometimes these 06s score key goals and give TFA an edge. In other matches, mostly against BFS teams, not so much. Also, there's starting to be some rumblings from 05 families about PT. With TFA getting u17 for 2020-21, will be interesting to see how they manage all this thru the rest of the season. It can be a delicate balance.
In any case, should be a fun match to watch and a good challenge for the Nomads to keep things going in the right direction.
LAUFA 2 - Arsenal 1