0-7 Sacramento Surge @ 2-5 Turlock Express I doubt Turlock gives up a game at home to the always defeated Surge. Turlock -4 over/under 14
0-7 Tulsa Revolution @ 5-1 Dallas Sidekicks Dallas haven't beaten the Revolution by more than 2 points all season, why should this game be any different? Dallas -2 o/u 12
0-6 Texas Strikers @ 0-7 Tulsa Revolution I think that the Revolution are the better of these two always defeated teams, but their game the night before could play a factor late in this game. Tayou gets the hat trick in the Revolution's first win of the season. Tulsa -2.5 o/u 14
6-3 Cleveland Freeze @ 3-4 Harrisburg Heat Of the Heat's 4 losses, 3 of them have come at the hands of the Cleveland Freeze. Cleveland should be favored in this to win, but look for the Harrisburg upset and their first win against the Freeze. Cleveland -1.5 o/u 15
2-4 Cincinnati Saints @ 3-4 Detroit Waza Flo Detroit desperately needs to get a win at home after dropping 3 in a row. Detroit wins this one with ease. Detroit -2 o/u 14
1-6 Illinois Piasa @ 7-0 Chicago Mustangs The Chicago Mustangs finish the year out at 8-0 and in control of the Eastern Division. Chicago -6 o/u 14
2-5 Ontario Fury @ 5-2 San Diego Sockers The Sockers have struggled at home so far this year, and have the terrible habit of letting up and giving the opposition a chance to get back in the game. Brian Farber told Craig Elsten that it was because Evan McNeley controlled the music at the half and it was throwing off their game, but the "Sockers Let Up" has a history that at least goes back to March 13, 2010. A Sockers loss would not surprise me, especially if the Sockers let the Fury back into the game after leading at the half. Sockers -1 o/u 15
0-7 Sacramento Surge @ 4-4 Bay Area Rosal Bay Area with ease. Rosal -5 o/u 13
5-1 Dallas Sidekicks @ 6-1 Hidalgo La Fiera This is probably the game of the week and a good litmus test of who the true powers of the Central Division really are. La Fiera will be well rested, they have a great keeper in Juan Gamboa, and are led by the experience of Chile Farias. Dallas needs to prove themselves as a true contender by beating a team with a winning record, something that they haven't done all season. Hidalgo -2 o/u 12
Friday, December 27, 2013
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Power Rankings after Week #8
Happy Holidays from the Indoor Outhouse! First of all I would like to thank Dominic Scicluna, Brian Zellers, Emmy G Arteaga, Xochitl Meza, Ricardo Gandara, Nasir Rafidia, Greg Ponto Suttie, Melissa David, and Tom Andrews for reading and responding to my last Power Rankings. A lot of people thought that the Chicago Mustangs were ranked too low, and you were all probably right. I will take your suggestions into consideration this time around.
In the Power Rankings I will, first of all, put the top ten teams in my Stable. Then, I will put the rest of The Herd out to pasture (in no particular order). Finally, I will name The Deuce, the two teams in the PASL that are stinking up the outhouse.
THE STABLE
1. Monterrey Flash The Flash just beat the Fury and the Strikers at home with the greatest of ease.
2. Chicago Mustangs The Mustangs were underrated last week after winning two back to back games on the road, a feat that many teams have struggled with this year. They are the only undefeated team in the PASL, they have the second best penalty kill in the league, and are led by goal scorers Wilo Martinez, Miguel Vaca, Bryan Velazquez, and Luis Ortega who have a combined 51 goals on the season.
3. San Diego Sockers The Sockers are still lacking in some aspects of the game, mainly finishing goals, and finishing games without letting up and putting the opposing teams back in the game. In their win against Turlock they looked great in terms of ball control, time of possession, and defense. Unfortunately, they struggled with fouls and controlling their emotions with the refs, who did seem to be calling the game oddly, but most of all they had 4 or 5 opportunities that should have been in the back of the net.
4. Dallas Sidekicks I think that the ease of the Sidekicks schedule is hurting them more than it is helping them. After playing the winless Tulsa Revolution for the third time in four games on Friday, a team in which Sidekicks have been unable to beat by more that 2 points, Dallas will play Hidalgo on Sunday. I will wait and see what happens in that game and make adjustments accordingly in next weeks Power Rankings.
5. Hidalgo La Fiera They did not play and were moved down, which I don't like doing, but next weeks game against the Sidekicks will be a litmus test for the Central Division.
6. Las Vegas Legends The Legends dispatched the Bay Area Rosal at home with the greatest of ease, and the Legends get to take a break and rest because they don't play again until next year, when the play host to the Turlock Express.
7. Cleveland Freeze The Freeze go from #10 to # 7 after winning at Illinois and then beating the Heat at home. The Freeze were able to rest Eller, Ostergren, Ball and Grossman for the Piasa game and let some other players get some work in on the turf against a bad Piasa squad. Then in the Freeze's next game, those 4 players logged a combined 6 goals and 6 assists against the Heat.
8. Saltillo Rancho Seco Saltillo has won their last two games and have one of the hardest schedules in the league. They are only 2-4, but have played the Flash twice, Hidalgo, Ontario, and Dallas. They will also face Monterrey 2 more times, Hidalgo 3 more times, and San Diego once.
9. Detroit Waza Flo Detroit has lost their last three games in a row, along with being knocked out of the US Open Cup. The Waza will face the Cincinnati Saints next match in an attempt to catch the 2nd place Freeze since the undefeated Mustangs are well out of reach in the Eastern division.
10. Ontario Fury The Fury, who have just lost 5 consecutive games, the last two on the road, are struggling this season. They have one of the hardest schedules in the league this season and will play their next game in San Diego. Luckily for the Fury, San Diego has struggled at home all season long, and this could be an opportunity to pick up a huge road win and turn their season around.
THE HERD
1. Texas Strikers Texas just went 0-2 on a 2 game road trip where they only saw the back of the net 4 times.
2. Illinois Piasa The Piasa are so bad that Head Coach Doug Montroy is on the brink of madness. I could see his eyes burning red with anger on the fuzzy out of focus America One broadcast as he chased the refs off of the field like a possessed bull at Plaza Monumental de Playas de Tijuana. Hector Marinaro acted as el matador and headed off Montroy as the refs quickly escaped out of the gate before Montroy turned and headed for the auxiliary gate, where a shaky gatekeeper trembled in fear as Montroy demanded the passage be cleared and his access to the throat area of the ref could be grasped and squeezed without interference. Luckily for the refs, the gatekeeper stood his ground and kept that ragging bull from being released into the defenseless public. It would have been a massacre.
In the Power Rankings I will, first of all, put the top ten teams in my Stable. Then, I will put the rest of The Herd out to pasture (in no particular order). Finally, I will name The Deuce, the two teams in the PASL that are stinking up the outhouse.
THE STABLE
1. Monterrey Flash The Flash just beat the Fury and the Strikers at home with the greatest of ease.
2. Chicago Mustangs The Mustangs were underrated last week after winning two back to back games on the road, a feat that many teams have struggled with this year. They are the only undefeated team in the PASL, they have the second best penalty kill in the league, and are led by goal scorers Wilo Martinez, Miguel Vaca, Bryan Velazquez, and Luis Ortega who have a combined 51 goals on the season.
3. San Diego Sockers The Sockers are still lacking in some aspects of the game, mainly finishing goals, and finishing games without letting up and putting the opposing teams back in the game. In their win against Turlock they looked great in terms of ball control, time of possession, and defense. Unfortunately, they struggled with fouls and controlling their emotions with the refs, who did seem to be calling the game oddly, but most of all they had 4 or 5 opportunities that should have been in the back of the net.
4. Dallas Sidekicks I think that the ease of the Sidekicks schedule is hurting them more than it is helping them. After playing the winless Tulsa Revolution for the third time in four games on Friday, a team in which Sidekicks have been unable to beat by more that 2 points, Dallas will play Hidalgo on Sunday. I will wait and see what happens in that game and make adjustments accordingly in next weeks Power Rankings.
5. Hidalgo La Fiera They did not play and were moved down, which I don't like doing, but next weeks game against the Sidekicks will be a litmus test for the Central Division.
6. Las Vegas Legends The Legends dispatched the Bay Area Rosal at home with the greatest of ease, and the Legends get to take a break and rest because they don't play again until next year, when the play host to the Turlock Express.
7. Cleveland Freeze The Freeze go from #10 to # 7 after winning at Illinois and then beating the Heat at home. The Freeze were able to rest Eller, Ostergren, Ball and Grossman for the Piasa game and let some other players get some work in on the turf against a bad Piasa squad. Then in the Freeze's next game, those 4 players logged a combined 6 goals and 6 assists against the Heat.
8. Saltillo Rancho Seco Saltillo has won their last two games and have one of the hardest schedules in the league. They are only 2-4, but have played the Flash twice, Hidalgo, Ontario, and Dallas. They will also face Monterrey 2 more times, Hidalgo 3 more times, and San Diego once.
9. Detroit Waza Flo Detroit has lost their last three games in a row, along with being knocked out of the US Open Cup. The Waza will face the Cincinnati Saints next match in an attempt to catch the 2nd place Freeze since the undefeated Mustangs are well out of reach in the Eastern division.
10. Ontario Fury The Fury, who have just lost 5 consecutive games, the last two on the road, are struggling this season. They have one of the hardest schedules in the league this season and will play their next game in San Diego. Luckily for the Fury, San Diego has struggled at home all season long, and this could be an opportunity to pick up a huge road win and turn their season around.
THE HERD
- Mexico Toros
- Harrisburg Heat
- Cincinnati Saints
- Turlock Express
- Bay Area Rosal
- Wichita B-52's
- Sacramento Surge
- Tulsa Revolution
1. Texas Strikers Texas just went 0-2 on a 2 game road trip where they only saw the back of the net 4 times.
2. Illinois Piasa The Piasa are so bad that Head Coach Doug Montroy is on the brink of madness. I could see his eyes burning red with anger on the fuzzy out of focus America One broadcast as he chased the refs off of the field like a possessed bull at Plaza Monumental de Playas de Tijuana. Hector Marinaro acted as el matador and headed off Montroy as the refs quickly escaped out of the gate before Montroy turned and headed for the auxiliary gate, where a shaky gatekeeper trembled in fear as Montroy demanded the passage be cleared and his access to the throat area of the ref could be grasped and squeezed without interference. Luckily for the refs, the gatekeeper stood his ground and kept that ragging bull from being released into the defenseless public. It would have been a massacre.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Lavishly's Lines Week # 8
4-3 Cleveland Freeze @ 1-5 Illinois Piasa Cleveland is coming off of a big road win against Cincinnati and should have no problem handing the Piasa their third straight loss at home. The St. Louligans will probably put up the best defense for the Piasa, so hopefully Mike Mason, the keeper for the Freeze, has bad hearing and thick skin. Cleveland -2.5 over/under 11
0-5 Texas Strikers @ 2-4 Saltillo Rancho Seco Saltillo is playing the first game of a 6 game home stand and need to start it out with a win, which they will, before facing off with some of the best teams in the league, namely Ontario, Monterrey, Hidalgo, and San Diego. Saltillo -3 o/u 15
2-3 Ontario Fury @ 7-1 Monterrey Flash The Fury, who I think has one of the hardest schedules in the PASL, are coming off of a win against the San Diego Sockers Premier which ended their losing streak and put some wind back in their sails. The Fury haven't won a game on the road yet, and I don't think that they will pull it off against the Flash at home. Monterrey -1.5 o/u 14
4-1 Dallas Sidekicks @ 0-6 Tulsa Revolution If you want to beat Tulsa all you have to do is stop the 6 foot 2 inch offensive powerhouse that is Franck Tayou. The big Cameroonian forward has scored 1/3 of the Revolution's total goals, leads the team in assists, and has also logged the most penalty minutes on the team. Dallas, on the other hand, hasn't blown anybody out since their first game of the season, and won the last meeting with Tulsa 7-5. Dallas -3.5 o/u 14
3-3 Detroit Waza Flo @ 2-3 Harrisburg Heat Detroit needs a win after dropping 2 straight to Chicago, but Harrisburg has beaten the Waza in Detroit this season, and will not give up a win easily. The Waza should be able to walk away victorious. Detroit -2 o/u 16
4-3 Bay Area Rosal @ 6-1 Las Vegas Legends This is the true test for Bay Area, who is on a 3 game winning streak. If Rosal can pull off a win in Las Vegas, they will truly considered a legitimate force in the Pacific Division. Vegas -3.5 o/u 16
0-5 Texas Strikers @ 7-1 Monterrey Flash The Strikers might pick up their first win of the season in Monterrey, and I might be a Chinese Jet Pilot. Monterrey -5.5 o/u 17
2-3 Turlock Express @ 4-2 San Diego Sockers San Diego has not won a game at home this season, but Sockers' fans smell blood and will be circling the halls of the Valley View Casino Center like starving sharks, wild with hunger, howling with bloodthirstiness, perched on the edge of self control and crazed uncontrollable animal instinct. Turlock had better hope that the crowd's vicious hunger is satisfied, or their bus might not leave San Diego in one piece. Sockers -6 o/u 16
1-5 Illinois Piasa @ 2-4 Cincinnati Saints The Seven Hills Crusaders will not go home hungry after this match. Illinois still hasn't won a game on the road this season. They actually haven't won a regular season game on the road since 2011, but this could be Piasa's best chance of the season. Cincinnati -1.5 o/u 15
2-3 Ontario Fury @ 2-4 Saltillo Rancho Seco 2 games in 2 days for these 2 teams, but Saltillo has the advantage of playing at home for both of their games. If Saltillo is as dirty as classless as Allen Harris is claiming, then the Fury are in for a rough and physical game. Lets just hope that their are no injuries at the Rancho Seco home field. Ontario -1 o/u 12
2-3 Turlock Express @ 3-3 Mexico Toros This is the first time these two teams will play each other this season, and both teams are fairly evenly matched, but Mexico has a better offense that can score goals, and they are better on the penalty kill. Mexico -3 o/u 15
2-3 Harrisburg Heat @ 4-3 Cleveland Freeze Both these teams will be looking to end their weekend with a win, but the Heat will be worn out from traveling, and the Freeze will be prepared to take on the Heat. The Wampus should be hungry to see a win after last weeks blow out at home, but the Heat will be ready to play after their last two embarrassing losses to the Freeze. Cleveland -2.5 o/u 14.5
0-5 Texas Strikers @ 2-4 Saltillo Rancho Seco Saltillo is playing the first game of a 6 game home stand and need to start it out with a win, which they will, before facing off with some of the best teams in the league, namely Ontario, Monterrey, Hidalgo, and San Diego. Saltillo -3 o/u 15
2-3 Ontario Fury @ 7-1 Monterrey Flash The Fury, who I think has one of the hardest schedules in the PASL, are coming off of a win against the San Diego Sockers Premier which ended their losing streak and put some wind back in their sails. The Fury haven't won a game on the road yet, and I don't think that they will pull it off against the Flash at home. Monterrey -1.5 o/u 14
4-1 Dallas Sidekicks @ 0-6 Tulsa Revolution If you want to beat Tulsa all you have to do is stop the 6 foot 2 inch offensive powerhouse that is Franck Tayou. The big Cameroonian forward has scored 1/3 of the Revolution's total goals, leads the team in assists, and has also logged the most penalty minutes on the team. Dallas, on the other hand, hasn't blown anybody out since their first game of the season, and won the last meeting with Tulsa 7-5. Dallas -3.5 o/u 14
3-3 Detroit Waza Flo @ 2-3 Harrisburg Heat Detroit needs a win after dropping 2 straight to Chicago, but Harrisburg has beaten the Waza in Detroit this season, and will not give up a win easily. The Waza should be able to walk away victorious. Detroit -2 o/u 16
4-3 Bay Area Rosal @ 6-1 Las Vegas Legends This is the true test for Bay Area, who is on a 3 game winning streak. If Rosal can pull off a win in Las Vegas, they will truly considered a legitimate force in the Pacific Division. Vegas -3.5 o/u 16
0-5 Texas Strikers @ 7-1 Monterrey Flash The Strikers might pick up their first win of the season in Monterrey, and I might be a Chinese Jet Pilot. Monterrey -5.5 o/u 17
2-3 Turlock Express @ 4-2 San Diego Sockers San Diego has not won a game at home this season, but Sockers' fans smell blood and will be circling the halls of the Valley View Casino Center like starving sharks, wild with hunger, howling with bloodthirstiness, perched on the edge of self control and crazed uncontrollable animal instinct. Turlock had better hope that the crowd's vicious hunger is satisfied, or their bus might not leave San Diego in one piece. Sockers -6 o/u 16
1-5 Illinois Piasa @ 2-4 Cincinnati Saints The Seven Hills Crusaders will not go home hungry after this match. Illinois still hasn't won a game on the road this season. They actually haven't won a regular season game on the road since 2011, but this could be Piasa's best chance of the season. Cincinnati -1.5 o/u 15
2-3 Ontario Fury @ 2-4 Saltillo Rancho Seco 2 games in 2 days for these 2 teams, but Saltillo has the advantage of playing at home for both of their games. If Saltillo is as dirty as classless as Allen Harris is claiming, then the Fury are in for a rough and physical game. Lets just hope that their are no injuries at the Rancho Seco home field. Ontario -1 o/u 12
2-3 Turlock Express @ 3-3 Mexico Toros This is the first time these two teams will play each other this season, and both teams are fairly evenly matched, but Mexico has a better offense that can score goals, and they are better on the penalty kill. Mexico -3 o/u 15
2-3 Harrisburg Heat @ 4-3 Cleveland Freeze Both these teams will be looking to end their weekend with a win, but the Heat will be worn out from traveling, and the Freeze will be prepared to take on the Heat. The Wampus should be hungry to see a win after last weeks blow out at home, but the Heat will be ready to play after their last two embarrassing losses to the Freeze. Cleveland -2.5 o/u 14.5
Monday, December 16, 2013
Power Rankings after Week #7
First of all, I would like to thank Dominic Scicluna, Karen Johnson, Zane Johnson, Emmy G Arteaga, Tammy Rich Jones, Sixth City Wampus, RJ Pooch, Marty Costello, Sydney Nusinov, Marty Glaenzer, Mike Hardy, Greg Ponto Suttie, Craig Elsten, and Jay Berlo for reading and commenting on my last Power Rankings. I didn't do a Power Rankings for last week because there was only one game that mattered, Detroit at Chicago. Unfortunately for Detroit, the game came at the end of a long road trip and a match the night before. I felt that #8 Chicago should have moved up to #7, where Hidalgo was, but La Fiera didn't play, so I didn't want to move them. I also didn't think that the loss warranted moving #6 Detroit down to #8. So I thought to myself, "Why not wait until after next week's 13 games?" So here we are.
In the Power Rankings I will first of all put the top ten teams in the Stable. Then, I will put the rest of The Herd out to pasture (in no particular order). Finally, I will name The Deuce, the two teams in the PASL that are stinking up the outhouse.
THE STABLE
1. Monterrey Flash I decided to keep the Flash at the #1 Spot because a loss on the road to a quality La Fiera squad in overtime is not that terrible, especially when you recall that La Fiera lost an overtime match in Monterrey at the beginning of the season. I also felt that moving the Flash down would be a knee jerk reaction. Instead of moving the Flash down, I think that Hidalgo should move up.
2. Dallas Sidekicks In week #5 I predicted that the Sidekicks would finish the season at 14-2 and win the Central Division. Dallas only have 2 teams in the remainder of their schedule, Hidalgo and Las Vegas, with winning records, and the Legends game is late in the season at the Allen Events Center. What makes the season even more of a cake walk for the Sidekicks is that 5 of their next 11 games are against teams that haven't won a single game yet this season. Their weak strength of schedule makes me want to move them down, especially if Dallas isn't blowing out the Deuces. What does my reader base think?
3. San Diego Sockers The Sockers are in good form after winning 4 straight games on the road in the Pacific Division. Their offense is still left wanting in comparison to previous seasons, but as the old adage goes, "defense wins championships."
4. Hidalgo La Fiera And speaking of defense, Hidalgo has been holding their opponents to an average of 5 goals this season, plus they are good on the penalty kill and have one of the best goalies in the league in Juan Gamboa, who has a league leading 3.67% goals against average and 6 wins under his belt. La Fiera is on a 6 game winning streak, but will face the Sidekicks in their next game.
5. Chicago Mustangs The undefeated Mustangs are on a roll at 7-0 on the season, and could go the whole season without a loss considering that the only team that they play for the rest of the season with a winning record is Cleveland. This last road trip they came off was very impressive, and it is possible the Mustangs are ranked too low in the Stable, but none the less they have punched a ticket for the postseason.
6. Las Vegas Legends The Legends suffered a bad loss at home to the Sockers, but they were without 2 key players in the line up. They still have a potent offense and are one of the top 10 teams in my book, and deserve to be in The Stable.
7. Detroit Waza Flo The Waza have lost 2 games in a row to the Chicago Mustangs and are sitting on a 3-3 record, which puts them at the #3 spot in the East. Detroit plays nothing but divisional games from here on out against Cleveland, Harrisburg, Cincinnati, and Illinois. Their chances to win the Division are minimal considering that the Waza are 3.5 games back from a team that could easily go undefeated. Detroit needs to take that #2 spot from Cleveland, but the Freeze won't be losing anytime soon.
8. Ontario Fury They looked completely flat against the Sockers and they have a losing record, but Ontario is a team, in my opinion, that is still a few clicks short of dialing it up as a real contender. We shall wait and see how the Fury does on the road against Monterrey, Saltillo, and San Diego during their upcoming three game road trip. A good road trip could be what it takes to put this team back on track after losing three straight. But a bad road trip could put them 6 games back with only 8 games left in the season, and 4 of those against San Diego and Las Vegas.
9. Bay Area Rosal The Rosal seem to have found the missing link in goalkeeper Jakubek to boost the squad to the 3rd spot in the Pacific Division. Bay Area have 3 game in a row and look to make it 4 as the Rosal travel into Las Vegas to try and hand the Legends their second straight loss of the season. A win in Vegas would be huge for the Rosal and keep them in the #3 spot in the Pacific.
10. Cleveland Freeze The Freeze got the pants beat off of them at home by the Mustangs, but recovered and traveled to Cincinnati to hand the Saints a loss in the Battle for Ohio. Cleveland is the King of Ohio and will hold that title until February 8th when the two teams face off once again. Cleveland is 3rd in the league in converting power plays, and are currently in the 2nd spot in the Eastern Division, and could hold that position given that their next 4 games are against teams with a combined 3 wins. The true test for the Freeze comes when they play Chicago, Detroit, and Cincinnati in their last 5 games.
THE HERD
1. Tulsa Revolution They had a chance to win their first game of the season at home but failed to get it done. Then they went on the road and were held to only 2 points in Wichita. Franck Tayou is the only one on this team who seems to have any clue how to play indoor soccer. Things look bad as they play the Sidekicks two time in a row, but maybe they can pick up their first win against the win less Texas Strikers.
2. Illinois Piasa Not only can they not win on the road, they have been loosing at home, and to teams that are not in the league. The AAC Eagles came into "The Field" and handed the Piasa a huge loss a home. Now the Piasa have to try and salvage their home stand by beating the Freeze next week.
In the Power Rankings I will first of all put the top ten teams in the Stable. Then, I will put the rest of The Herd out to pasture (in no particular order). Finally, I will name The Deuce, the two teams in the PASL that are stinking up the outhouse.
THE STABLE
1. Monterrey Flash I decided to keep the Flash at the #1 Spot because a loss on the road to a quality La Fiera squad in overtime is not that terrible, especially when you recall that La Fiera lost an overtime match in Monterrey at the beginning of the season. I also felt that moving the Flash down would be a knee jerk reaction. Instead of moving the Flash down, I think that Hidalgo should move up.
2. Dallas Sidekicks In week #5 I predicted that the Sidekicks would finish the season at 14-2 and win the Central Division. Dallas only have 2 teams in the remainder of their schedule, Hidalgo and Las Vegas, with winning records, and the Legends game is late in the season at the Allen Events Center. What makes the season even more of a cake walk for the Sidekicks is that 5 of their next 11 games are against teams that haven't won a single game yet this season. Their weak strength of schedule makes me want to move them down, especially if Dallas isn't blowing out the Deuces. What does my reader base think?
3. San Diego Sockers The Sockers are in good form after winning 4 straight games on the road in the Pacific Division. Their offense is still left wanting in comparison to previous seasons, but as the old adage goes, "defense wins championships."
4. Hidalgo La Fiera And speaking of defense, Hidalgo has been holding their opponents to an average of 5 goals this season, plus they are good on the penalty kill and have one of the best goalies in the league in Juan Gamboa, who has a league leading 3.67% goals against average and 6 wins under his belt. La Fiera is on a 6 game winning streak, but will face the Sidekicks in their next game.
5. Chicago Mustangs The undefeated Mustangs are on a roll at 7-0 on the season, and could go the whole season without a loss considering that the only team that they play for the rest of the season with a winning record is Cleveland. This last road trip they came off was very impressive, and it is possible the Mustangs are ranked too low in the Stable, but none the less they have punched a ticket for the postseason.
6. Las Vegas Legends The Legends suffered a bad loss at home to the Sockers, but they were without 2 key players in the line up. They still have a potent offense and are one of the top 10 teams in my book, and deserve to be in The Stable.
7. Detroit Waza Flo The Waza have lost 2 games in a row to the Chicago Mustangs and are sitting on a 3-3 record, which puts them at the #3 spot in the East. Detroit plays nothing but divisional games from here on out against Cleveland, Harrisburg, Cincinnati, and Illinois. Their chances to win the Division are minimal considering that the Waza are 3.5 games back from a team that could easily go undefeated. Detroit needs to take that #2 spot from Cleveland, but the Freeze won't be losing anytime soon.
8. Ontario Fury They looked completely flat against the Sockers and they have a losing record, but Ontario is a team, in my opinion, that is still a few clicks short of dialing it up as a real contender. We shall wait and see how the Fury does on the road against Monterrey, Saltillo, and San Diego during their upcoming three game road trip. A good road trip could be what it takes to put this team back on track after losing three straight. But a bad road trip could put them 6 games back with only 8 games left in the season, and 4 of those against San Diego and Las Vegas.
9. Bay Area Rosal The Rosal seem to have found the missing link in goalkeeper Jakubek to boost the squad to the 3rd spot in the Pacific Division. Bay Area have 3 game in a row and look to make it 4 as the Rosal travel into Las Vegas to try and hand the Legends their second straight loss of the season. A win in Vegas would be huge for the Rosal and keep them in the #3 spot in the Pacific.
10. Cleveland Freeze The Freeze got the pants beat off of them at home by the Mustangs, but recovered and traveled to Cincinnati to hand the Saints a loss in the Battle for Ohio. Cleveland is the King of Ohio and will hold that title until February 8th when the two teams face off once again. Cleveland is 3rd in the league in converting power plays, and are currently in the 2nd spot in the Eastern Division, and could hold that position given that their next 4 games are against teams with a combined 3 wins. The true test for the Freeze comes when they play Chicago, Detroit, and Cincinnati in their last 5 games.
THE HERD
- Mexico Toros
- Harrisburg Heat
- Cincinnati Saints
- Saltillo Rancho Seco
- Wichita B-52's
- Turlock Express
- Texas Strikers
- Sacramento Surge
1. Tulsa Revolution They had a chance to win their first game of the season at home but failed to get it done. Then they went on the road and were held to only 2 points in Wichita. Franck Tayou is the only one on this team who seems to have any clue how to play indoor soccer. Things look bad as they play the Sidekicks two time in a row, but maybe they can pick up their first win against the win less Texas Strikers.
2. Illinois Piasa Not only can they not win on the road, they have been loosing at home, and to teams that are not in the league. The AAC Eagles came into "The Field" and handed the Piasa a huge loss a home. Now the Piasa have to try and salvage their home stand by beating the Freeze next week.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Lavishly's Lines Week #7
2-2 San Diego Sockers @ 2-2 Ontario Fury The San Diego Sockers, after a 19 day break from action, make the 2 hour trip up to the Citizens Business Bank Arena to take on the Ontario Fury for the first of four games this season. The Fury have a high powered offense that can put points up on the board and a solid goalie with plenty of experience. San Diego needs to gain some ground in the Pacific Division, and the way to do that is to start with a win in Ontario, and then move on to Vegas. Ontario is coming off a loss in Tijuana that despite being dealt to a seriously depleted Ontario bench, still shows up in the L column, and neither the Sockers or the Fury can afford it. I expect a great game. Ontario -1 over/under 15
6-0 Monterrey Flash @ 0-4 Texas Strikers I expect the Strikers to get blown out once again at home, but this time by the Flash. Monterrey -14.5 o/u 18
1-3 Saltillo Rancho Seco @ 0-4 Tulsa Revolution Rancho Seco makes their furthest trip up North of the year to take on the Tulsa Revolution at home. The Revolution have yet to win a game this year, and this could be their chance to win their first game of the season at home. Tulsa -1 o/u 14
2-3 Bay Area Rosal @ 2-2 Turock Express Rosal recently beat the Express in a low scoring affair, but now it is time for the Bay Area side to travel to the home of the Turlock Express, where the venue, field, and sometimes even the officiating crew seem to be in favor of Turlock. Both teams have played each other twice this season with each team getting a win, and they will play each other 2 more times this season. I expect another low scoring game between the two teams. Turlock -1.5 o/u 12
5-0 Chicago Mustangs @ 3-2 Cleveland Freeze The Battle for the East continues with undefeated Chicago Mustangs making the trip out to Cleveland to take on the Freeze. This is the biggest test for the Mustangs so far, traveling to Cleveland, and then going to Detroit for a rematch with the Waza. Cleveland is looking to hand Chicago their first loss of the season, but the Mustangs have the chance to seize control of the East with to wins on the road. Chicago -1.5 o/u 17
3-2 Cleveland Freeze @ 2-3 Cincinnati Saints So far in the "Battle for Ohio" both teams have one win, and the winner of this game gets to claim the title of "King of Ohio" until a rematch on Feb 8th. These two teams always play each other close, so this will be a fun game to watch. Given that the Freeze will play the night before, and have to travel to Cincinnati for the game, the Saints will have the slight advantage. Cincinnati -.5 o/u 15
2-2 Mexico Toros @ 0-6 Sacramento Surge Mexico is coming off of a big win at home and will make the trip north to take on a terrible Sacramento Surge. Mexico -3 o/u 17
5-0 Chicago Mustangs @ 3-2 Detroit Waza Flo The last time these two teams met, Detroit was the road weary team that had just played a game the night before. Now the Waza Flo look for some revenge at home against a weakened opponent. I expect a hard fought game from both sides, but I am interested in seeing how the Mustangs respond as a team to Detroit's physical style of play, especially late in the game when fatigue becomes a factor. Detroit -2 o/u 16
0-4 Tulsa Revolution @ 2-4 Wichita B-52's This will be a good game between two mediocre teams in the Central Division. Tulsa will be coming off of a game at home before making the trip to Wichita, so look for some slowing in the Revolution's step late in the game. The B-52's are coming off a 2 game road trip where they picked up a win against the Illinois Piasa, but lost to the Chicago Mustangs in a hard fought match. Wichita -1.5 o/u 15
1-3 Saltillo Rancho Seco @ 3-1 Dallas Sidekicks Dallas fans are going to be whipped up into a savage frenzy at the AEC, screaming at the top of their lungs for the sweet release that only comes with watching the home team devour a lesser animal in front of a bloodthirsty crowd, a dark guilty pleasure that Sidekick fans have not felt for a month. It is hard to tell if this will be a complete massacre, or if Dallas will work the crowd like some skilled gladiator, keep it close and build suspense to some glorious climactic finish. Dallas -5.5 o/u 17
2-2 San Diego Sockers @ 6-0 Las Vegas Legends This will be the second difficult game of the weekend for the Sockers. I don't have much to say about the game, other that this will be the first time the Legends face a high quality defense. Las Vegas doesn't want to lose their first game at home at the Orleans, but SD needs to hand Las Vegas a loss to try and gain some ground on the Pacific Division leaders. Las Vegas -1 o/u 14
2-2 Mexico Toros @ 2-3 Bay Area Rosal Mexico has beaten the Rosal once this season, but this second game will not be as easy. Rosal will keep it close and I think the game will have less goals than last time. Mexico -1 o/u 12
6-0 Monterrey Flash @ 5-1 Hidalgo La Fiera Hidalgo lost to the Flash last time they saw each other in a tight match that went into overtime. La Fiera would love to enact revenge on Monterrey at home, but the Flash will not go down without a fight. This should be a physical match with a lot of fouls and power play opportunities, but the game will ultimately come down to who can score on the man advantage, and who can stop the other team from converting power play goals. The team who stays out of foul trouble wins this game. Monterrey -1 o/u 14
6-0 Monterrey Flash @ 0-4 Texas Strikers I expect the Strikers to get blown out once again at home, but this time by the Flash. Monterrey -14.5 o/u 18
1-3 Saltillo Rancho Seco @ 0-4 Tulsa Revolution Rancho Seco makes their furthest trip up North of the year to take on the Tulsa Revolution at home. The Revolution have yet to win a game this year, and this could be their chance to win their first game of the season at home. Tulsa -1 o/u 14
2-3 Bay Area Rosal @ 2-2 Turock Express Rosal recently beat the Express in a low scoring affair, but now it is time for the Bay Area side to travel to the home of the Turlock Express, where the venue, field, and sometimes even the officiating crew seem to be in favor of Turlock. Both teams have played each other twice this season with each team getting a win, and they will play each other 2 more times this season. I expect another low scoring game between the two teams. Turlock -1.5 o/u 12
5-0 Chicago Mustangs @ 3-2 Cleveland Freeze The Battle for the East continues with undefeated Chicago Mustangs making the trip out to Cleveland to take on the Freeze. This is the biggest test for the Mustangs so far, traveling to Cleveland, and then going to Detroit for a rematch with the Waza. Cleveland is looking to hand Chicago their first loss of the season, but the Mustangs have the chance to seize control of the East with to wins on the road. Chicago -1.5 o/u 17
3-2 Cleveland Freeze @ 2-3 Cincinnati Saints So far in the "Battle for Ohio" both teams have one win, and the winner of this game gets to claim the title of "King of Ohio" until a rematch on Feb 8th. These two teams always play each other close, so this will be a fun game to watch. Given that the Freeze will play the night before, and have to travel to Cincinnati for the game, the Saints will have the slight advantage. Cincinnati -.5 o/u 15
2-2 Mexico Toros @ 0-6 Sacramento Surge Mexico is coming off of a big win at home and will make the trip north to take on a terrible Sacramento Surge. Mexico -3 o/u 17
5-0 Chicago Mustangs @ 3-2 Detroit Waza Flo The last time these two teams met, Detroit was the road weary team that had just played a game the night before. Now the Waza Flo look for some revenge at home against a weakened opponent. I expect a hard fought game from both sides, but I am interested in seeing how the Mustangs respond as a team to Detroit's physical style of play, especially late in the game when fatigue becomes a factor. Detroit -2 o/u 16
0-4 Tulsa Revolution @ 2-4 Wichita B-52's This will be a good game between two mediocre teams in the Central Division. Tulsa will be coming off of a game at home before making the trip to Wichita, so look for some slowing in the Revolution's step late in the game. The B-52's are coming off a 2 game road trip where they picked up a win against the Illinois Piasa, but lost to the Chicago Mustangs in a hard fought match. Wichita -1.5 o/u 15
1-3 Saltillo Rancho Seco @ 3-1 Dallas Sidekicks Dallas fans are going to be whipped up into a savage frenzy at the AEC, screaming at the top of their lungs for the sweet release that only comes with watching the home team devour a lesser animal in front of a bloodthirsty crowd, a dark guilty pleasure that Sidekick fans have not felt for a month. It is hard to tell if this will be a complete massacre, or if Dallas will work the crowd like some skilled gladiator, keep it close and build suspense to some glorious climactic finish. Dallas -5.5 o/u 17
2-2 San Diego Sockers @ 6-0 Las Vegas Legends This will be the second difficult game of the weekend for the Sockers. I don't have much to say about the game, other that this will be the first time the Legends face a high quality defense. Las Vegas doesn't want to lose their first game at home at the Orleans, but SD needs to hand Las Vegas a loss to try and gain some ground on the Pacific Division leaders. Las Vegas -1 o/u 14
2-2 Mexico Toros @ 2-3 Bay Area Rosal Mexico has beaten the Rosal once this season, but this second game will not be as easy. Rosal will keep it close and I think the game will have less goals than last time. Mexico -1 o/u 12
6-0 Monterrey Flash @ 5-1 Hidalgo La Fiera Hidalgo lost to the Flash last time they saw each other in a tight match that went into overtime. La Fiera would love to enact revenge on Monterrey at home, but the Flash will not go down without a fight. This should be a physical match with a lot of fouls and power play opportunities, but the game will ultimately come down to who can score on the man advantage, and who can stop the other team from converting power play goals. The team who stays out of foul trouble wins this game. Monterrey -1 o/u 14
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Lavishly's Lines Week #6
Hidalgo @ Texas La Fiera is great on the penalty kill, killing 12 out of 17 penalties so far. They also have a top goalie in Juan Gamboa, who has a league leading 3.81 GAA among keepers with more than one game. Hidalgo have only lost one game so far, and that one was on the road against the Flash, in overtime. Texas, on the other hand, is one of the worse teams when they are on the man advantage, and they have the fewest goals collectively as a team with 9 total goals this season. Last time these teams faced each other, La Fiera cruised to victory 13-1. Hidalgo -8 over/under 14
Dallas @ Wichita Last time the B-52's faced the Sidekicks, Dallas walked away with a 15-3 victory, but that was at the beginning of the season. Both teams have come a long was since their first game, but the outcome of this game will be similar to the first game, given the full Dallas Squad travels. Wichita gives up too many goals, the most in the league, to be able to hang with the Sidekicks, but I think that the B-52's will at least control the hemorrhaging in this match, and keep it a little closer than last time. Dallas -6 o/u 16
Sacramento @ Las Vegas The Surge are 0-5. The Legends are 5-0. Las Vegas -10 o/u 18
Detroit @ Illinois Illinois plays the second game of their so far disappointing 3 game home stand against the Waza Flo. The Piasa, who lost last week to a visiting Wichita team 8-7, will face a quality Cleveland bench next week to close out their stint at "The Field." Detroit is in an interesting position though, which adds a little intrigue to the game. Detroit has to travel 8 hours to play the Illinois Piasa on Saturday, and then turn around and travel 5 hours to Chicago to play the Mustangs. If the Waza are lucky they will get 10 hours of rest in between games. The question is, who do the Waza rest against the Piasa, and keep for the Mustang game? My guess is that Dominic plays against the Piasa and maybe rests a Costea Decu or a Miki Djerisilo while at the same time limiting Byrds playing time, saving him for Chicago. Detroit's still wins, but not by much. Detroit -3.5 o/u 15
Detroit @ Chicago No matter what, Detroit will be road weary, and will have to get ready for this game in little time. This is the must watch game of the week as Detroit looks to hand the Mustangs their first loss of the season, but Chicago will not go down without a fight. The Waza Flo lead the league with a 67% power play percentage, but Chicago has a league leading 92% penalty kill record. The most important thing is that this is Chicago's first true test of the season playing against their first top ten opponent. Detroit -2 o/u 16
Dallas @ Wichita Last time the B-52's faced the Sidekicks, Dallas walked away with a 15-3 victory, but that was at the beginning of the season. Both teams have come a long was since their first game, but the outcome of this game will be similar to the first game, given the full Dallas Squad travels. Wichita gives up too many goals, the most in the league, to be able to hang with the Sidekicks, but I think that the B-52's will at least control the hemorrhaging in this match, and keep it a little closer than last time. Dallas -6 o/u 16
Sacramento @ Las Vegas The Surge are 0-5. The Legends are 5-0. Las Vegas -10 o/u 18
Detroit @ Illinois Illinois plays the second game of their so far disappointing 3 game home stand against the Waza Flo. The Piasa, who lost last week to a visiting Wichita team 8-7, will face a quality Cleveland bench next week to close out their stint at "The Field." Detroit is in an interesting position though, which adds a little intrigue to the game. Detroit has to travel 8 hours to play the Illinois Piasa on Saturday, and then turn around and travel 5 hours to Chicago to play the Mustangs. If the Waza are lucky they will get 10 hours of rest in between games. The question is, who do the Waza rest against the Piasa, and keep for the Mustang game? My guess is that Dominic plays against the Piasa and maybe rests a Costea Decu or a Miki Djerisilo while at the same time limiting Byrds playing time, saving him for Chicago. Detroit's still wins, but not by much. Detroit -3.5 o/u 15
Detroit @ Chicago No matter what, Detroit will be road weary, and will have to get ready for this game in little time. This is the must watch game of the week as Detroit looks to hand the Mustangs their first loss of the season, but Chicago will not go down without a fight. The Waza Flo lead the league with a 67% power play percentage, but Chicago has a league leading 92% penalty kill record. The most important thing is that this is Chicago's first true test of the season playing against their first top ten opponent. Detroit -2 o/u 16
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Power Rankings after Week #5
I would like to thank RJ, Dominic, Bryan, Sydney, Steve, and Patrick for reading and commenting on last weeks power rankings. Given that only half of the teams in the PASL played last week did not play (DNP), and only 9 teams play next week, the Stable will not change drastically.
In the Power Rankings I will first put the top ten teams in my Stable. Then, I will put the rest of The Herd out to pasture (in no particular order). Finally, I will name The Deuce, the two teams in the PASL that are stinking up the outhouse.
THE STABLE
1. Monterrey Flash DNP
2. Dallas Sidekicks DNP
3. Las Vegas Legends DNP
4. Ontario Fury I just don't feel right, knowing what I know about Ontario's roster, moving the Fury after their loss to Mexico. This is in no way a jab at the Toros. I know how difficult it is for teams to travel to T.J. and play that squad, but this game just screams "Bogus!", given that Tiguinho, Majel Aterado, Sanaldo, and Miguel Sanchez didn't play. This game could come back to bite the Fury in the butt, since it will be chalked up in the loss column, and things look like they could be tight in the Pacific division at the end of the season.
5. San Diego DNP
6. Detroit Waza Flo A solid win at home against a quality Cleveland team, Detroit stays put.
7. Hidalgo La Fiera DNP
8. Chicago Mustangs Still undefeated, but the Mustangs have yet to play a team in the Stable.
9. Cleveland Freeze The Freeze were behind 0-4, on the road, against the defending Eastern Division Champs, and came back to tie it up and give the Waza a tough game.
10. Mexico Toros Why not, they have a .500 record, they just picked up a win at home, and they are tied for second in the Pacific Division, along with three other teams.
THE HERD
THE DEUCE
1. Illinois Piasa If you can't win on the road, you need to at least win at home.
2. Texas Strikers The Strikers didn't play, so they are just place holders right now.
In the Power Rankings I will first put the top ten teams in my Stable. Then, I will put the rest of The Herd out to pasture (in no particular order). Finally, I will name The Deuce, the two teams in the PASL that are stinking up the outhouse.
THE STABLE
1. Monterrey Flash DNP
2. Dallas Sidekicks DNP
3. Las Vegas Legends DNP
4. Ontario Fury I just don't feel right, knowing what I know about Ontario's roster, moving the Fury after their loss to Mexico. This is in no way a jab at the Toros. I know how difficult it is for teams to travel to T.J. and play that squad, but this game just screams "Bogus!", given that Tiguinho, Majel Aterado, Sanaldo, and Miguel Sanchez didn't play. This game could come back to bite the Fury in the butt, since it will be chalked up in the loss column, and things look like they could be tight in the Pacific division at the end of the season.
5. San Diego DNP
6. Detroit Waza Flo A solid win at home against a quality Cleveland team, Detroit stays put.
7. Hidalgo La Fiera DNP
8. Chicago Mustangs Still undefeated, but the Mustangs have yet to play a team in the Stable.
9. Cleveland Freeze The Freeze were behind 0-4, on the road, against the defending Eastern Division Champs, and came back to tie it up and give the Waza a tough game.
10. Mexico Toros Why not, they have a .500 record, they just picked up a win at home, and they are tied for second in the Pacific Division, along with three other teams.
THE HERD
- Bay Area Rosal
- Harrisburg Heat
- Cincinnati Saints
- Wichita B-52's
- Saltillo Rancho Seco
- Turlock Express
- Tulsa Revolution
- Sacramento Surge
THE DEUCE
1. Illinois Piasa If you can't win on the road, you need to at least win at home.
2. Texas Strikers The Strikers didn't play, so they are just place holders right now.
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