The first month of the 2013-2014 PASL season has 43 games, 9 inter-divisional games, and a game on a Thursday night. 19 of these games will be played at the home arenas of the 9 expansion teams (Tulsa, Hildago, Wichita, Monterrey, Saltillo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Bay Area, and Ontario). Out of the 3 divisions there are 5 games that have some divisional interest based on last years performances.
The Eastern Division has 4 teams, Detroit, Illinois, Harrisburg, and Chicago, that are returning from last year's PASL season, and 2, Cincinnati and Cleveland, that are expansion teams. Of the two returning teams, Chicago and Detroit had winning seasons last year, with Detroit making it to the finals. Unfortunately, Detroit and Chicago don't play each other in the month of November, but Detroit and Harrisburg do play each other. Twice. On the 9th Harrisburg goes to the new home of the Waza Flo, Melvindale arena, and on the 16th Detroit makes the journey to the Equine Arena for a rematch. Detroit, who had and impressive 14-2 season as well as a US Open Cup championship, will look to continue their success in the 2013-2014 season. Harrisburg, who finished last season 6-10, will look to improve this season with returning Heat standouts midfielder Tyler Witmer and defender Zach Sell. Last season Witmer had 20 goals with 30 total points and will be an important part of the Heat offense. Detroit will look to continue their dominance of the east this year, but it will be interesting to see what additions, if any, the Waza Flo will make to a veteran team with a lot of history together.
The Central Division has 2 teams, Dallas and Beaumont, that are returning from last years season, and 5 teams, Tulsa, Wichita, Hildago, Saltillo, and Monterrey, that are expansions. It can be noted that the Monterrey team is made up of last years RGV Flash, who made it to the playoffs. Even though the Dallas Sidekicks made an early exit from the playoffs last season, they are still my favorite choice to win the division. The Games that I am interested in are the two games between the two Mexican teams in the division, Monterrey and Saltillo, on the 9th and the 21st. Monterrey has a quality squad that will be returning from relative success last season, and I am interested in seeing how they fill the Monterrey Arena, which is the largest venue in the PASL with a seating capacity of more that 17,000. Saltillo Rancho Seco, who are new to the PASL, but not as a team, had a strong season in the Liga Mexicana de Futbol Rapido, finishing out the season in second place. I know that the Toros of Tijuana will have a strong team, but I am interested in the quality of the other Mexican teams.
The Pacific division has 5 teams, Sacramento, Turlock, Las Vegas, Tijuana, and San Diego, that are returning from last season, and 2 teams, Ontario and Bay Area, that are expansion teams this season. The two expansion teams do not play each other in the month of November, and neither do San Diego and Las Vegas, two teams that made it to the semi-finals last season. Don't fret dear single reader, there are still two divisional games with some import. Mexico travels to Las Vegas on the 10th for their first meeting of the season and I am personally interested how Las Vegas will do in their sophomore season in the PASL given that they lost their legendary coach Greg Howes, but also signed Turlock's offensive star Ivan Campos and standout midfielder Armando Martinez. The Legend's signing of Campos and Martinez brings me to the next game, San Diego and Turlock on the 22nd. I am interested in seeing how the team from Turlock responds to a new season without their leading scorer and amid unsubstantiated rumors of a Bronil Koochoie trade to Dallas. Turlock should be able to pick up wins against Sacramento, Ontario, Bay Area, and Tijuana, but Vegas and San Diego will be the true litmus test of the Pacific Division.
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