Hey! Hey! Go easy on me, I am moving my still nursing new born, my three year old son who, bless his heart, is the most in the way, pain in the ass, and persistent little helper who has to help do everything, and my exhausted wife this weekend. Not only are we moving, but is during the first and heaviest rain of the year in Southern California. Can you believe that! it has been sunny and 80 degrees all of January and February, but now it is time for us to move, and it rains.
Yes Yes, Craig Elsten, you have taken me to the bank this year, but maybe, just maybe, it is all a part of an elaborate plan to lure you into a false sense of security and confidence before I hustle the pants off of you in one of the greatest gambling cons ever in PASL history. Or, maybe I am just terrible at handicapping the PASL, which by the way is incredibly hard considering all of the variables one has to consider, like the fact that a lot of teams never travel with a full roster, no one field is the same, some teams play out side, while others in sports parks, and I have came to the conclusion that not all refs are calling the games using the same rulebook. If I was a gambling man, which I obviously am, I would bet on the latter excuse though.
I am going to revise my lines again, and maybe I will revise them before this weekend. Here we go.
Cincinnati Saints @ Cleveland Freeze Cleveland -4.5 o/u 21
Monterrey Flash @ Hidalgo La Fiera Hidalgo -1.5 o/u 12.5
San Diego Sockers @ Las Vegas Legends San Diego -1.5 o/u 15
If I am lucky maybe a degenerate Las Vegas gambler will take me up on my SD Line, if that is the case, Elsten can act as my Proxy bookie and handle the money.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Lavishly Line's Playoff Week #2
Cincinnati Saints @ Cleveland Freeze The last time the Saints came to Cleveland to face the Freeze, Cleveland scored 9 unanswered points to put the game out of reach early, and Cincinnati just couldn't recover from that. The Saints offense was also held to 14 less shot on goal than that of the Freezes offense. So, playing "Captain Obvious" I would say that Cincinnati needs to control the bleeding in this next game, as in not letting Cleveland score 9 unanswered goals. Dropping behind by a lot of goals early is very demoralizing and is hard to recover from as a team. "Captain Obvious" also says, "Shoot the ball!" A sloppy scrappy lucky goal is still a goal. I do remember watching the last game between these two teams and thinking to myself a few times, "Just shoot it!" Goals don't need to be pretty, just put the ball on goal, and crash the net looking for the rebound shot or the redirection, especially when you are trailing late in the game as a team. That being said, I think Cleveland will pull this one off at home, but I think the Saints keep this game interesting and a lot closer than last time. Cleveland -2.5 o/u 20
Monterrey Flash @ Hidalgo La Fiera Hidalgo is at home and is coming off of a bye, but my gut is telling me that Monterrey is the favorite in this game. The Flash just won a tough game on the road in Dallas against the Sidekicks, and I think that they are carrying a lot of momentum into this game. Hidalgo has a great defense led by keeper Juan Gamboa and a quality offense with a mix of veteran and youthful weapons that can play good soccer, but their is something about Monterrey, their skill, composure, and experience that makes me think that they should be favored to win this game, even though Hidalgo is at home, and La Fiera beat the Flash in both previous meetings in Hidalgo. What ever the outcome, I am sure this will be an exciting and physical battle that will come down to the last buzzer. Monterrey -.5 o/u 12
San Diego Sockers @ Las Vegas Legends Las Vegas is coming off of the bye and has had a great season statistically, and have added good players to the roster during the season, namely Sesay and Piffer. San Diego has handled Las Vegas before when they faced each other at the Orleans, but the Las Vegas Soccer Park is new territory for the Sockers. Las Vegas is dangerous because they are hungry for a playoff win and a chance to go to Chicago for a shot at the Ron Newman Cup. A lot of people would put the Sockers as the favorites in this game, but I am not. I will give the Legends the slight advantage because they are playing at home, in their practice facility, after getting some rest during the bye week, and having all of that time to prepare for San Diego. Both of these teams know each other well, and the rivalry between them has heated up ever since the Legends upset the Sockers in San Diego. This game will be awesome. I just hope that the internet feed at the LVSP is excellent so I can watch this game without any glitches and hang ups. I am bummed I can't make the trip to Vegas to support the Sockers, but I am moving this weekend. Moving Sucks! This game will be a toss up, but Las Vegas gets the slight advantage. Las Vegas -.5 o/u 14 UPDATE: After thinking about this some more I have decided to change the bet to Las Vegas + 1 o/u 14.5 But I reserve the right to change the line before Saturday.
Monterrey Flash @ Hidalgo La Fiera Hidalgo is at home and is coming off of a bye, but my gut is telling me that Monterrey is the favorite in this game. The Flash just won a tough game on the road in Dallas against the Sidekicks, and I think that they are carrying a lot of momentum into this game. Hidalgo has a great defense led by keeper Juan Gamboa and a quality offense with a mix of veteran and youthful weapons that can play good soccer, but their is something about Monterrey, their skill, composure, and experience that makes me think that they should be favored to win this game, even though Hidalgo is at home, and La Fiera beat the Flash in both previous meetings in Hidalgo. What ever the outcome, I am sure this will be an exciting and physical battle that will come down to the last buzzer. Monterrey -.5 o/u 12
San Diego Sockers @ Las Vegas Legends Las Vegas is coming off of the bye and has had a great season statistically, and have added good players to the roster during the season, namely Sesay and Piffer. San Diego has handled Las Vegas before when they faced each other at the Orleans, but the Las Vegas Soccer Park is new territory for the Sockers. Las Vegas is dangerous because they are hungry for a playoff win and a chance to go to Chicago for a shot at the Ron Newman Cup. A lot of people would put the Sockers as the favorites in this game, but I am not. I will give the Legends the slight advantage because they are playing at home, in their practice facility, after getting some rest during the bye week, and having all of that time to prepare for San Diego. Both of these teams know each other well, and the rivalry between them has heated up ever since the Legends upset the Sockers in San Diego. This game will be awesome. I just hope that the internet feed at the LVSP is excellent so I can watch this game without any glitches and hang ups. I am bummed I can't make the trip to Vegas to support the Sockers, but I am moving this weekend. Moving Sucks! This game will be a toss up, but Las Vegas gets the slight advantage. Las Vegas -.5 o/u 14 UPDATE: After thinking about this some more I have decided to change the bet to Las Vegas + 1 o/u 14.5 But I reserve the right to change the line before Saturday.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Lavishly's Lines
Monterrey Flash @ Dallas Sidekicks I am bummed I will not be able to watch this game as I will be at the VVCC watching the Sockers host the Toros. What I have read, and thanks to Alan Balthrop and everyone else responsible for posting stories that tell about the history between these two teams, this is a huge rivalry with some significant history. Monterrey was at the top of the division through the most part of the regular season before falling to third in the standings, and the winner of this game goes on to Hidalgo to face #1 La Fiera. Dallas and Monterrey, despite being in the same division, have never played against each other, and this game promises to be full of excitement, passion, and incredible indoor soccer. Can Nestor Hernandez and the Dallas offense penetrate the veteran defense of the Flash, led by Genoni Martinez? Will Tatu return to old form and have one of his greatest games and lead the Dallas further into the postseason? Can Monterrey escape from the Allen Events Center with the win? Dallas -0.5 o/u 12.5
Mexico Toros @ San Diego Sockers The Toros came into the VVCC last time and stunned the Sockers with a great first half of play, ending the first 30 minutes of regulation with a 2-2 tie. The Sockers, before that game, went on a two game road trip to Mexico before that to play Saltillo and Monterrey, and when they returned, only practiced once before hosting the team from Tijuana. I am sure this will be a great game with both teams coming out ready to play, but the Veteran San Diego squad will be prepare for this task ahead of them. San Diego -2.5 o/u 15
Cleveland Freeze @ Chicago Mustangs This is a semi-final for the US Open Cup, and if the Freeze could go into Chicago and pick up the win it would be one the biggest shakeups possible before the Ron Newman Cup in Chicago. Chicago has beaten Cleveland in the two game that they played against each other in the regular season, 13-4 and 20-11, respectively. Cleveland's star players are going to have to play their best game and hope that the Mustangs make some big mistakes. Chicago, who is undefeated so far, will play the Freeze and possibly the Open Cup Final before hosting the Finals in Chicago. This could be a trap game if Chicago fails to go into this game prepared to face a up and coming Cleveland Freeze. Chicago -4.5 o/u 18
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Postseason Power Rankings
The playoffs begin this weekend, so I decided to make a Postseason Power Rankings looking into the future at the games to come in both the Ron Newman Cup and the US Open Cup. As a result of the nature of scheduling, the disparity of talent in the PASL, and as a result, the skewed statistics and divergent scores, I don't feel like I am able to rely totally on the statistics accumulated during this regular season. The Postseason is different. What is in between the ears matters. What is in the heart matters. Experience matters. Leadership matters. Luck matters. Team matters. These are untangles that can't be measured, but they are the things that have the biggest impact on the game.
1. Detroit Waza Flo After tuning up at home on the Illinois Piasa this weekend, the Waza will host either the Cincinnati Saints or Cleveland Freeze. Both the Saints and Freeze are making their first Ron Newman Cup appearance, and neither team has gone into Detroit and won a game ever. Detroit can beat Chicago. Chicago beat the Waza in the two times they met in the regular season, but Chicago beating Detroit 3 times in a row is just not a bet I would make. Detroit has made it to the Ron Newman Cup final the last 2 years in a row, and their roster is full of players that know how to play playoff soccer in the PASL. Costea Decu, Aaron Byrd, and Miki Djerisilo, are three good reasons to fear the Waza. These guys have been key players in Detroit's last two Ron Newman Cup Final runs, and are experienced players that seem to perform at their highest level in the postseason, especially Decu. Costea Decu was spectacular in both previous finals appearances for the Waza, at times seemingly dragging the Waza back into the game single handily with his unprecedented skill and game changing goals. Detroit is not just three great players, the core of the Waza have plenty of experience and skill to make it one of the most solid and deep benches in the PASL. Grba, Sampson, the Scicluna Bothers Tino and Dominic, Wilkes, Flores, Quinn, and Djokic are all solid players with playoff experience and are fundamental to the Waza's quality core. The team with the hottest goalie is the one that usually wins championships, and Joey Kapinos is coming off of a great game against the Freeze. If Kapinos can stay hot, Detroit has the best chance at making it to the Ron Newman Cup Finals and winning their first PASL Championship. The magical playoff number is 3. 3 playoff wins and Waza are the Champs.
2. Las Vegas Legends The Legends have a good chance at winning both the Ron Newman Cup and the US Open Cup. 5 is the magic number for the Legends if they want to win both titles, but 3 is the magic number in the Ron Newman Cup if Las Vegas wants to be champions. Enrique Tovar is having a record year statistically, and as Captain of the team, has led the Legends to an impressive 13-3 season as well as secured the team their second straight division championship. Ivan Campos, Alex Caceras, and Eric Guzman are three quality players on their squad that have been key to their success this season and will be key to the success of the Legends in the playoffs. The X-factor on the team is Ricardino Sobreira, if he is hot he is capable of shutting down a defense and changing the tide of the of the game. Felipe Gonzalez is out for the season, but Franck Tayou is back after being acquired from Tulsa. Isreal Sesay and Luis Piffer are two players acquired from Ontario that have only made the Legends better. Edgar Nava and Ridrigo Barbirato are two other players on the squad that can play quite and solid games, and then out of nowhere step up and make spectacular plays that drastically shift the games momentum. Zeke Sanchez is a goalie who can be lights out when he gets hot and could carry the team to a championship if he plays at the top of his ability.
3. Dallas Sidekicks Dallas didn't show up in last years PASL postseason, and they haven't forgot that. The thing that stood out to me when I have watched the Sidekicks play is that they look like they are having fun playing together. Team chemistry can be everything, and it is another one of those intangibles that can make or break a team when the tension is high in a pressure situation. Dallas has a strong midfield with Jamie Lovegrove, Franck Mbemba, Patrick Shamu, and Ricardinho holding it down in the neutral zone. Cody Ellis, Sean Bellomy, and Nick Stavrou are three defenders that have put in a lot of time on the field this season and will need to hold down the back field if they want to stand up against the hottest offenses in the league. Sagu is a proven commodity in the goal and could be the crux of Dallas's success. If Dallas' defense can hold it down and keep the opposition's goals down, the Dallas's offense should be able to do the rest. The Dallas offense, led by Nestor Hernandez, needs to bring their best stuff if they want to get through Genoni Martinez and the Flash defense, and Juan Gamboa and the Hidalgo defense. Hernandez is the fire starter on that offense with his speed and skill, and is the guy that makes that offense dangerous, either by making plays himself, or by forcing the double coverage that exposes the defense opening up other offense weapons. Dallas is legit, but their path to Chicago is through two difficult teams, and the wear and tear from getting to Chicago could be their ultimate undoing.
4. Chicago Mustangs I guarantee you that the Mustangs will finish at least 4th in both the Ron Newman Cup and the US Open Cup. Chicago has had a perfect regular season and has a chance to win both the Ron Newman Cup and the US Open Cup. Their path to the finals in the Open Cup is through the Cleveland Freeze, a team they have beaten twice with scores like 20-11 and 13-4, but the final in the Open Cup will be against either Hidalgo or Las Vegas, two quality teams that have really come into the spotlight this season. In order to get to the Ron Newman Cup Final, the Mustangs will need to go through the Waza, a team of season veterans with plenty of postseason experience. Chicago has some tough games ahead and since they are on top, everyone is ginning for them. The Mustang offense is high powered. Their 4 dominant midfielders, Miguel Vaca, Luis Ortega, Victor Sanchez, and Adrian Ortiz, have a combined 84 goals and 55 assists. Their midfielders feed both Wilo Martinez and Bryan Moya, who have a combined 80 goals and 38 assists. Chicago has a lot on their plate in the next month and will need to withstand the pressures of both the Ron Newman and US Open Cup.
5. San Diego Sockers The Sockers have a tough road ahead of them in their quest for another shot at the Ron Newman Cup. When you have dominated the PASL as the Sockers have done over the years, every team is gunning for you, and that makes every game that much harder. Mexico will be a tough opponent to start out the playoffs against. Last time the Toros came to the Valley View Casino Center they came out fire up and ready to play, catching the Sockers off guard, and almost pulled off the upset. If the Sockers can make it past the Toros, then they have to travel into Las Vegas and take on the Legends on their turf. If they can make it past the Las Vegas, then they will have to take on the Central Division Champ, and who ever that is will most definitely be difficult. If they can make it to the finals in Chicago, they could possibly be facing the Detroit Waza, and I don't like betting on Waza losing 3 in a row to any opponent. The Sockers added Santos to the line up late in the season, and he seems to be fitting into the Sockers system. Nelson Santana, who was picked up by the Sockers by the deadline, will most likely make his debut with the team against Mexico. Santana is a good player, but his addition so late in the season seems questionable, but if our defense needs a boost, he is the guy to do it. Kraig Chiles is back into MVP form, Jeff Hughes seems to have found his place in the offense, Evan McNeley has had a huge season so far this season and has contributed greatly to the teams success, Farber has really had some great moments this season and is his usual speedy offensive self this season, Reza has really came around as an indoor player this year, and Chiky Luna, Edwardo Velez, Anthony Medina, Diego Rivera, Ze Roberto, and Brian O'Connor are the seasoned veteran core of this team that make them so good and so deep in the bench. Chris Toth has been excellent all year playing with great constancy and poise in the Keeper position. He is one of the best Goalies in the league. Team Captain Aaron Susi will be retiring at the end of the season, and if anyone in the league know anything about winning championships it is him, and of course he wants to go out on top. The Sockers can do it, but they have to play their best soccer 4 games in a row.
6. Hidalgo La Fiera La Fiera is in a good position at the top of the Central Division, and only 3 games away from a Championship and 2 games away from a US Open Cup Championship. They have a strong defense led by keeper Juan Gamboa, and defensive staples Joel Perez and Damien Garcia. Their offense is headed up by indoor veteran Carlos Farias, who leads the team with 33 assists. Erick Flores and Robson de Souza are the other offensive weapons that have a combined 48 goals and 27 assists. Edgar Teran and Edgar Flores have done a good job for La Fiera in the midfield, and have helped La Fiera have one of the top offenses and penalty kills in all of the league. Whoever Hidalgo plays in their first game will be strong, and rolling with momentum after escaping the Allen Events Center with a win. They one thing that worries me about La Fiera is some of the trouble with fouls and controlling emotions in the past, as well as some of the posturing that I have seen in the few games that I have seen of Hidalgo. For example, in their blowout win at the end of the season against Tulsa, I saw some Hidalgo players showing up other Hidalgo players for missing passing opportunities much in the same way an NFL wide receiver, say Terrel Owens, might stand in the open field with his hands in the air after the play is done looking at the Quarterback as if saying "hey look at me, I was open stupid." Junk like that is poison. It shows a lack of control and a lack of leadership, especially this late in the season. When I see behavior like that it makes me think that La Fiera might be prone to lose composure when the pressure really piles up in a tight game.
7. Monterrey Flash The Flash also have a very difficult road to the Ron Newman Cup Finals. First, they need to go into Dallas and pick up a win against the Sidekicks at the Allen Events Center. Then, they would have to go into Hidalgo and try and beat La Fiera in Hidalgo for the first time. After that they would have to go through the surviving Pacific team, before facing the remaining Eastern team.
What Monterrey does have is one of the best defenses in the league led by Genoni Martinez and Louis Birche. La Fiera has had a great penalty kill all season and has only allowed 76 total goals. Erick Tovar, Lourenco Andrade, and Omar Tapia are the three key forward when it comes to making their offense work, and they have plenty of combined experience to make the long climb to the finals. Monterrey is a powerful and dangerous team, and if they can make it out of Dallas alive, they will be a handful of rolling momentum that will be difficult for La Fiera to contain.
8. Cleveland Freeze Cleveland can beat Cincinatti, and they should on March 1st, but getting through the Waza afterword will be a monumental task, especially after having to play their achilles heel, Chicago, in the US Open Cup. If the Freeze are going to make it through Detroit and into Chicago, Allen Eller, Stephan Ostergren, and Josh Grossman are going to have to play at their best. David Jordan and Mike Green are really going to have to get that defense together and try and contain Detroit's offensive weapons. If Mike Mason can get hot, Allen Eller can facilitate that offense like he has all year, and guys like Ostergren and Grossman can net some goals, then Cleveland has as good a chance as any team in the East of making it to Chicago. The thing that makes Cleveland dangerous is that they have no real expectations this year. They have nothing to lose. If they can go out to Detroit, relax, and play their game, then the Freeze might catch some luck, or a good bounce of the ball, and end up in Chicago as a Final Four team in their first season.
9. Mexico Toros The Toros have it tough. They need to go into San Diego and get a win, something that they have never done. Then they need to go into Las Vegas and beat the Legends, something else they have never done. The Toros came out with a strong game plan the last time they came to San Diego and caught the Sockers off guard leading the game 2-0 at the end of the first and going into the half with a 2-2 tie. Mexico's coach Joe Pollard will have his team ready this weekend to go into the VVCC to do battle, and if they can pull off the win, it would probably be the biggest playoff upset in the history of the PASL.
10. Cincinnati Saints The Saints need some magic, a little luck, and a miracle to get into Chicago. The Saints have only won 1/3 of their games this season, and they are on a three game losing streak, the last loss being a 23-6 dismantling by Chicago. The Saints beat the Freeze once at the beginning of the season, but the Freeze have come a long way and won't give up their first postseason game as a member of the PASL without a fight.
1. Detroit Waza Flo After tuning up at home on the Illinois Piasa this weekend, the Waza will host either the Cincinnati Saints or Cleveland Freeze. Both the Saints and Freeze are making their first Ron Newman Cup appearance, and neither team has gone into Detroit and won a game ever. Detroit can beat Chicago. Chicago beat the Waza in the two times they met in the regular season, but Chicago beating Detroit 3 times in a row is just not a bet I would make. Detroit has made it to the Ron Newman Cup final the last 2 years in a row, and their roster is full of players that know how to play playoff soccer in the PASL. Costea Decu, Aaron Byrd, and Miki Djerisilo, are three good reasons to fear the Waza. These guys have been key players in Detroit's last two Ron Newman Cup Final runs, and are experienced players that seem to perform at their highest level in the postseason, especially Decu. Costea Decu was spectacular in both previous finals appearances for the Waza, at times seemingly dragging the Waza back into the game single handily with his unprecedented skill and game changing goals. Detroit is not just three great players, the core of the Waza have plenty of experience and skill to make it one of the most solid and deep benches in the PASL. Grba, Sampson, the Scicluna Bothers Tino and Dominic, Wilkes, Flores, Quinn, and Djokic are all solid players with playoff experience and are fundamental to the Waza's quality core. The team with the hottest goalie is the one that usually wins championships, and Joey Kapinos is coming off of a great game against the Freeze. If Kapinos can stay hot, Detroit has the best chance at making it to the Ron Newman Cup Finals and winning their first PASL Championship. The magical playoff number is 3. 3 playoff wins and Waza are the Champs.
2. Las Vegas Legends The Legends have a good chance at winning both the Ron Newman Cup and the US Open Cup. 5 is the magic number for the Legends if they want to win both titles, but 3 is the magic number in the Ron Newman Cup if Las Vegas wants to be champions. Enrique Tovar is having a record year statistically, and as Captain of the team, has led the Legends to an impressive 13-3 season as well as secured the team their second straight division championship. Ivan Campos, Alex Caceras, and Eric Guzman are three quality players on their squad that have been key to their success this season and will be key to the success of the Legends in the playoffs. The X-factor on the team is Ricardino Sobreira, if he is hot he is capable of shutting down a defense and changing the tide of the of the game. Felipe Gonzalez is out for the season, but Franck Tayou is back after being acquired from Tulsa. Isreal Sesay and Luis Piffer are two players acquired from Ontario that have only made the Legends better. Edgar Nava and Ridrigo Barbirato are two other players on the squad that can play quite and solid games, and then out of nowhere step up and make spectacular plays that drastically shift the games momentum. Zeke Sanchez is a goalie who can be lights out when he gets hot and could carry the team to a championship if he plays at the top of his ability.
3. Dallas Sidekicks Dallas didn't show up in last years PASL postseason, and they haven't forgot that. The thing that stood out to me when I have watched the Sidekicks play is that they look like they are having fun playing together. Team chemistry can be everything, and it is another one of those intangibles that can make or break a team when the tension is high in a pressure situation. Dallas has a strong midfield with Jamie Lovegrove, Franck Mbemba, Patrick Shamu, and Ricardinho holding it down in the neutral zone. Cody Ellis, Sean Bellomy, and Nick Stavrou are three defenders that have put in a lot of time on the field this season and will need to hold down the back field if they want to stand up against the hottest offenses in the league. Sagu is a proven commodity in the goal and could be the crux of Dallas's success. If Dallas' defense can hold it down and keep the opposition's goals down, the Dallas's offense should be able to do the rest. The Dallas offense, led by Nestor Hernandez, needs to bring their best stuff if they want to get through Genoni Martinez and the Flash defense, and Juan Gamboa and the Hidalgo defense. Hernandez is the fire starter on that offense with his speed and skill, and is the guy that makes that offense dangerous, either by making plays himself, or by forcing the double coverage that exposes the defense opening up other offense weapons. Dallas is legit, but their path to Chicago is through two difficult teams, and the wear and tear from getting to Chicago could be their ultimate undoing.
4. Chicago Mustangs I guarantee you that the Mustangs will finish at least 4th in both the Ron Newman Cup and the US Open Cup. Chicago has had a perfect regular season and has a chance to win both the Ron Newman Cup and the US Open Cup. Their path to the finals in the Open Cup is through the Cleveland Freeze, a team they have beaten twice with scores like 20-11 and 13-4, but the final in the Open Cup will be against either Hidalgo or Las Vegas, two quality teams that have really come into the spotlight this season. In order to get to the Ron Newman Cup Final, the Mustangs will need to go through the Waza, a team of season veterans with plenty of postseason experience. Chicago has some tough games ahead and since they are on top, everyone is ginning for them. The Mustang offense is high powered. Their 4 dominant midfielders, Miguel Vaca, Luis Ortega, Victor Sanchez, and Adrian Ortiz, have a combined 84 goals and 55 assists. Their midfielders feed both Wilo Martinez and Bryan Moya, who have a combined 80 goals and 38 assists. Chicago has a lot on their plate in the next month and will need to withstand the pressures of both the Ron Newman and US Open Cup.
5. San Diego Sockers The Sockers have a tough road ahead of them in their quest for another shot at the Ron Newman Cup. When you have dominated the PASL as the Sockers have done over the years, every team is gunning for you, and that makes every game that much harder. Mexico will be a tough opponent to start out the playoffs against. Last time the Toros came to the Valley View Casino Center they came out fire up and ready to play, catching the Sockers off guard, and almost pulled off the upset. If the Sockers can make it past the Toros, then they have to travel into Las Vegas and take on the Legends on their turf. If they can make it past the Las Vegas, then they will have to take on the Central Division Champ, and who ever that is will most definitely be difficult. If they can make it to the finals in Chicago, they could possibly be facing the Detroit Waza, and I don't like betting on Waza losing 3 in a row to any opponent. The Sockers added Santos to the line up late in the season, and he seems to be fitting into the Sockers system. Nelson Santana, who was picked up by the Sockers by the deadline, will most likely make his debut with the team against Mexico. Santana is a good player, but his addition so late in the season seems questionable, but if our defense needs a boost, he is the guy to do it. Kraig Chiles is back into MVP form, Jeff Hughes seems to have found his place in the offense, Evan McNeley has had a huge season so far this season and has contributed greatly to the teams success, Farber has really had some great moments this season and is his usual speedy offensive self this season, Reza has really came around as an indoor player this year, and Chiky Luna, Edwardo Velez, Anthony Medina, Diego Rivera, Ze Roberto, and Brian O'Connor are the seasoned veteran core of this team that make them so good and so deep in the bench. Chris Toth has been excellent all year playing with great constancy and poise in the Keeper position. He is one of the best Goalies in the league. Team Captain Aaron Susi will be retiring at the end of the season, and if anyone in the league know anything about winning championships it is him, and of course he wants to go out on top. The Sockers can do it, but they have to play their best soccer 4 games in a row.
6. Hidalgo La Fiera La Fiera is in a good position at the top of the Central Division, and only 3 games away from a Championship and 2 games away from a US Open Cup Championship. They have a strong defense led by keeper Juan Gamboa, and defensive staples Joel Perez and Damien Garcia. Their offense is headed up by indoor veteran Carlos Farias, who leads the team with 33 assists. Erick Flores and Robson de Souza are the other offensive weapons that have a combined 48 goals and 27 assists. Edgar Teran and Edgar Flores have done a good job for La Fiera in the midfield, and have helped La Fiera have one of the top offenses and penalty kills in all of the league. Whoever Hidalgo plays in their first game will be strong, and rolling with momentum after escaping the Allen Events Center with a win. They one thing that worries me about La Fiera is some of the trouble with fouls and controlling emotions in the past, as well as some of the posturing that I have seen in the few games that I have seen of Hidalgo. For example, in their blowout win at the end of the season against Tulsa, I saw some Hidalgo players showing up other Hidalgo players for missing passing opportunities much in the same way an NFL wide receiver, say Terrel Owens, might stand in the open field with his hands in the air after the play is done looking at the Quarterback as if saying "hey look at me, I was open stupid." Junk like that is poison. It shows a lack of control and a lack of leadership, especially this late in the season. When I see behavior like that it makes me think that La Fiera might be prone to lose composure when the pressure really piles up in a tight game.
7. Monterrey Flash The Flash also have a very difficult road to the Ron Newman Cup Finals. First, they need to go into Dallas and pick up a win against the Sidekicks at the Allen Events Center. Then, they would have to go into Hidalgo and try and beat La Fiera in Hidalgo for the first time. After that they would have to go through the surviving Pacific team, before facing the remaining Eastern team.
What Monterrey does have is one of the best defenses in the league led by Genoni Martinez and Louis Birche. La Fiera has had a great penalty kill all season and has only allowed 76 total goals. Erick Tovar, Lourenco Andrade, and Omar Tapia are the three key forward when it comes to making their offense work, and they have plenty of combined experience to make the long climb to the finals. Monterrey is a powerful and dangerous team, and if they can make it out of Dallas alive, they will be a handful of rolling momentum that will be difficult for La Fiera to contain.
8. Cleveland Freeze Cleveland can beat Cincinatti, and they should on March 1st, but getting through the Waza afterword will be a monumental task, especially after having to play their achilles heel, Chicago, in the US Open Cup. If the Freeze are going to make it through Detroit and into Chicago, Allen Eller, Stephan Ostergren, and Josh Grossman are going to have to play at their best. David Jordan and Mike Green are really going to have to get that defense together and try and contain Detroit's offensive weapons. If Mike Mason can get hot, Allen Eller can facilitate that offense like he has all year, and guys like Ostergren and Grossman can net some goals, then Cleveland has as good a chance as any team in the East of making it to Chicago. The thing that makes Cleveland dangerous is that they have no real expectations this year. They have nothing to lose. If they can go out to Detroit, relax, and play their game, then the Freeze might catch some luck, or a good bounce of the ball, and end up in Chicago as a Final Four team in their first season.
9. Mexico Toros The Toros have it tough. They need to go into San Diego and get a win, something that they have never done. Then they need to go into Las Vegas and beat the Legends, something else they have never done. The Toros came out with a strong game plan the last time they came to San Diego and caught the Sockers off guard leading the game 2-0 at the end of the first and going into the half with a 2-2 tie. Mexico's coach Joe Pollard will have his team ready this weekend to go into the VVCC to do battle, and if they can pull off the win, it would probably be the biggest playoff upset in the history of the PASL.
10. Cincinnati Saints The Saints need some magic, a little luck, and a miracle to get into Chicago. The Saints have only won 1/3 of their games this season, and they are on a three game losing streak, the last loss being a 23-6 dismantling by Chicago. The Saints beat the Freeze once at the beginning of the season, but the Freeze have come a long way and won't give up their first postseason game as a member of the PASL without a fight.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Power Rankings after Week #16
First of all I would like to thank Dominic Scicluna, Brian Zellers, Emmy G Arteaga, Rigo Garcia, Ed Dravecky, Rey Silva, and Christopher Funk for reading and commenting on last weeks Power Rankings.
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.
NOTICE: These Power Ranking reflect the last week, week #16, of the PASL and not the Playoffs. I will do a Postseason Power Rankings before the weekend.
THE STABLE
1. Chicago Mustangs Chicago finished up their regular season by dismantling the Saints in front of the home crowd.
2. Hidalgo La Fiera Hidalgo blew Tulsa out of the water in their last home game of the regular season and now have they bye as they wait and see who their next playoff opponent will be.
3. Dallas Sidekicks Dallas controlled the game that they played against the Heat at the AEC, but now they have their eyes set on going to Chicago.
4. Las Vegas Legends Las Vegas beat the Fury soundly at home in their last regular season game.
5. San Diego Sockers DNP
6. Monterrey Flash The Flash won at home with the greatest of ease against Saltillo, but now have to go into Dallas for the Playoffs.
7. Detroit Waza Flo The Waza had a huge weekend on the road beating the Saints in overtime and then traveling into Cleveland and winning another. With that performance Detroit moves into the #2 spot in the East, getting the bye where they can recover from their road trip.
8. Mexico Toros The Toros hung Bay Area out to dry with a 27-2 shellacking in Tijuana. Mexico will be coming off of a high note when they take on the Sockers in round 1 of the playoffs.
9. Cleveland Freeze The Freeze lost at home to the Waza and also lost their #2 playoff spot with a 1st round bye. Cleveland will now have to beat the Saints if they want to have another shot at Detroit on the road to the Ron Newman Cup.
10. Cincinnati Saints Cincinnati lost two really tough games in a row, an overtime loss to Detroit, and a 23-6 misadventure in Chicago, but they still managed to make it into the playoffs over Harrisburg, and that is all that matters.
THE HERD
1. Tulsa Revolution After losing to the Strikers, the team with the worst record in the PASL, Tulsa goes into Hidalgo and gets handed a 21 point beat down.
2. The last regular season weekend of the PASL 27-2, 23-2, 23-6, 13-3, 17-8, 10-2, 11-3. BOOOOO! HISSSSS! Boo this. Detroit was the show for the final week, all of the other games were uneventful.
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.
NOTICE: These Power Ranking reflect the last week, week #16, of the PASL and not the Playoffs. I will do a Postseason Power Rankings before the weekend.
THE STABLE
1. Chicago Mustangs Chicago finished up their regular season by dismantling the Saints in front of the home crowd.
2. Hidalgo La Fiera Hidalgo blew Tulsa out of the water in their last home game of the regular season and now have they bye as they wait and see who their next playoff opponent will be.
3. Dallas Sidekicks Dallas controlled the game that they played against the Heat at the AEC, but now they have their eyes set on going to Chicago.
4. Las Vegas Legends Las Vegas beat the Fury soundly at home in their last regular season game.
5. San Diego Sockers DNP
6. Monterrey Flash The Flash won at home with the greatest of ease against Saltillo, but now have to go into Dallas for the Playoffs.
7. Detroit Waza Flo The Waza had a huge weekend on the road beating the Saints in overtime and then traveling into Cleveland and winning another. With that performance Detroit moves into the #2 spot in the East, getting the bye where they can recover from their road trip.
8. Mexico Toros The Toros hung Bay Area out to dry with a 27-2 shellacking in Tijuana. Mexico will be coming off of a high note when they take on the Sockers in round 1 of the playoffs.
9. Cleveland Freeze The Freeze lost at home to the Waza and also lost their #2 playoff spot with a 1st round bye. Cleveland will now have to beat the Saints if they want to have another shot at Detroit on the road to the Ron Newman Cup.
10. Cincinnati Saints Cincinnati lost two really tough games in a row, an overtime loss to Detroit, and a 23-6 misadventure in Chicago, but they still managed to make it into the playoffs over Harrisburg, and that is all that matters.
THE HERD
- Wichita B-52's
- Illinois Piasa
- Saltillo Rancho Seco
- Sacramento Surge
- Bay Area Rosal
- Turlock Express
- Ontario Fury
- Texas Strikers
- Harrisburg Heat
1. Tulsa Revolution After losing to the Strikers, the team with the worst record in the PASL, Tulsa goes into Hidalgo and gets handed a 21 point beat down.
2. The last regular season weekend of the PASL 27-2, 23-2, 23-6, 13-3, 17-8, 10-2, 11-3. BOOOOO! HISSSSS! Boo this. Detroit was the show for the final week, all of the other games were uneventful.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Lavishly's Lines for PASL Week #16
12-2 Hidalgo La Fiera @ 6-8 Saltillo Rancho Seco Saltillo usually keeps it closer with La Fiera when they play at home, plus this is Saltillo's last home game of the season, so I expect a little more heart in their game. Hidalgo, on the other hand, has punched their ticket to the playoffs, and with a win in this game, they secure the top spot in the Central Division. Hidalgo -3.5 o/u 14
7-8 Bay Area Rosal @ 8-7 Mexico Toros So far this season, Bay Area has struggle when it comes to traveling to Tijuana and playing against the Toros. Mexico coach Joe Pollard will have his team ready for this game and read for the playoffs. Mexico -4.5 o/u 20
5-10 Ontario Fury @ 12-3 Las Vegas Legends Ontario has yet to beat the Legends all season, but if they could travel into Vegas and get a win, it would be a huge victory for the Fury and great way to end their season and a good morale boost going into next season. The Fury have struggled in their inaugural season, but their last home game against the Legends had some real positive indicators, namely the dominate first half against the Legends and the great fan turnout. Las Vegas, on the other hand, needs to win this game to secure the #1 Playoff spot in the Pacific Division. Las Vegas -3.5 o/u 17
2-12 Tulsa Revolution @ 0-15 Texas Strikers Tulsa is coming off a big win at home against the B-52's and should be able to easily pick up a win in Beaumont against the winless Strikers. Texas, on the other hand, really could use a win at home in their last game of the season so that they can erase that giant goose egg that has been occupying the win column on their record all season. Tulsa seems like the more improved team on the season, so they should win. Tulsa -4.5 o/u 18
5-10 Turlock Express @ 2-13 Sacramento Surge In the last game of the season for both teams Turlock edges out Sacramento in a game that is close for most of the 60 minutes of regulation. Turlock -2.5 o/u 14
6-9 Wichita B-52's @ 2-12 Illinois Piasa Illinois tries to make it two in a row at home and end their season on a high note, but the B-52's are a quality team that will play a good game and most likely pick up a win on the road and end their season with win after losing three in a row. Wichita -1.5 o/u 12
8-5 Detroit Waza @ 5-9 Cincinnati Saints Detroit begins their two game road stint at the end of the season in Cincinnati against the Saints who the Waza have beaten 3 times all ready. Detroit will have to get through both the Saints and the Freeze if they want to make it to Chicago so these games will be a good preparation for the Waza. Cincinnati just lost a game to Cleveland, now they have to play the Waza, and then they have to face the undefeated Chicago Mustangs, definitely a tough last 3 games of the season. Even if they lose these last 2 games, the Saints should make it into the Playoffs where they will need to go through Detroit and Cleveland if they want to go to Chicago. Detroit wins this game with ease as they tune for the postseason. Detroit -3.5 o/u 16
8-5 Detroit Waza @ 10-5 Cleveland Freeze Detroit only has 15 games on their schedule and if they win these two games it will put them at 10-5 and Cleveland at 10-6. I don't know if Detroit has another make up game that I don't know about, but if they did and they won it, it would put them ahead of the Cleveland Freeze and give them a by in the playoffs where they would face the winner of Cleveland vs Cincinnati. Maybe Dominic or another one of my readers can give me some more insight on what is going on in the East on the Road to Chicago. Cleveland is coming off of a dominate win over the Saints at home. Detroit -1.5 o/u 14
4-11 Harrisburg Heat @ 13-2 Dallas Sidekicks Harrisburg has lost 4 in a row and will lose their 5th straight game in Dallas against Tatu's Sidekicks. Dallas -3.5 o/u 14
5-9 Cincinnati Saints @ 15-0 Chicago Mustangs Cincinnati loses their third in a row at Chicago against the undefeated Mustangs. Chicago -4.5 o/u 18
6-8 Saltillo Rancho Seco @ 12-3 Monterrey Flash Saltillo has had a good season this year and is a solid team that I hope returns to the PASL next season, but winning in Monterrey is too tall of an order for Rancho Seco. Monterrey -3.5 o/u 15
2-12 Tulsa Revolution @ 12-2 Hidalgo La Fiera Hidalgo cleans up on the Revolution at home in the last regular season game of the 2013-2014 PASL season. Hidalgo -6.5 o/u 14
7-8 Bay Area Rosal @ 8-7 Mexico Toros So far this season, Bay Area has struggle when it comes to traveling to Tijuana and playing against the Toros. Mexico coach Joe Pollard will have his team ready for this game and read for the playoffs. Mexico -4.5 o/u 20
5-10 Ontario Fury @ 12-3 Las Vegas Legends Ontario has yet to beat the Legends all season, but if they could travel into Vegas and get a win, it would be a huge victory for the Fury and great way to end their season and a good morale boost going into next season. The Fury have struggled in their inaugural season, but their last home game against the Legends had some real positive indicators, namely the dominate first half against the Legends and the great fan turnout. Las Vegas, on the other hand, needs to win this game to secure the #1 Playoff spot in the Pacific Division. Las Vegas -3.5 o/u 17
2-12 Tulsa Revolution @ 0-15 Texas Strikers Tulsa is coming off a big win at home against the B-52's and should be able to easily pick up a win in Beaumont against the winless Strikers. Texas, on the other hand, really could use a win at home in their last game of the season so that they can erase that giant goose egg that has been occupying the win column on their record all season. Tulsa seems like the more improved team on the season, so they should win. Tulsa -4.5 o/u 18
5-10 Turlock Express @ 2-13 Sacramento Surge In the last game of the season for both teams Turlock edges out Sacramento in a game that is close for most of the 60 minutes of regulation. Turlock -2.5 o/u 14
6-9 Wichita B-52's @ 2-12 Illinois Piasa Illinois tries to make it two in a row at home and end their season on a high note, but the B-52's are a quality team that will play a good game and most likely pick up a win on the road and end their season with win after losing three in a row. Wichita -1.5 o/u 12
8-5 Detroit Waza @ 5-9 Cincinnati Saints Detroit begins their two game road stint at the end of the season in Cincinnati against the Saints who the Waza have beaten 3 times all ready. Detroit will have to get through both the Saints and the Freeze if they want to make it to Chicago so these games will be a good preparation for the Waza. Cincinnati just lost a game to Cleveland, now they have to play the Waza, and then they have to face the undefeated Chicago Mustangs, definitely a tough last 3 games of the season. Even if they lose these last 2 games, the Saints should make it into the Playoffs where they will need to go through Detroit and Cleveland if they want to go to Chicago. Detroit wins this game with ease as they tune for the postseason. Detroit -3.5 o/u 16
8-5 Detroit Waza @ 10-5 Cleveland Freeze Detroit only has 15 games on their schedule and if they win these two games it will put them at 10-5 and Cleveland at 10-6. I don't know if Detroit has another make up game that I don't know about, but if they did and they won it, it would put them ahead of the Cleveland Freeze and give them a by in the playoffs where they would face the winner of Cleveland vs Cincinnati. Maybe Dominic or another one of my readers can give me some more insight on what is going on in the East on the Road to Chicago. Cleveland is coming off of a dominate win over the Saints at home. Detroit -1.5 o/u 14
4-11 Harrisburg Heat @ 13-2 Dallas Sidekicks Harrisburg has lost 4 in a row and will lose their 5th straight game in Dallas against Tatu's Sidekicks. Dallas -3.5 o/u 14
5-9 Cincinnati Saints @ 15-0 Chicago Mustangs Cincinnati loses their third in a row at Chicago against the undefeated Mustangs. Chicago -4.5 o/u 18
6-8 Saltillo Rancho Seco @ 12-3 Monterrey Flash Saltillo has had a good season this year and is a solid team that I hope returns to the PASL next season, but winning in Monterrey is too tall of an order for Rancho Seco. Monterrey -3.5 o/u 15
2-12 Tulsa Revolution @ 12-2 Hidalgo La Fiera Hidalgo cleans up on the Revolution at home in the last regular season game of the 2013-2014 PASL season. Hidalgo -6.5 o/u 14
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Power Rankings after Week #15
First of all, I would like to thank Dominic Scicluna, RJ Pooch, Tom Andrews, Steve Caves, Greg Ponto Suttie, Ed Dravecky, Eric Roberts, Alan Balthrop, Brian Zellers, Coach Pete, and Keith Kokinda for reading and commenting on last weeks Power Rankings.
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.
POWER RANKINGS
1. Chicago Mustangs They beat Harrisburg in their last regular season home game and will travel to Cincinnati the play the Saints this weekend before sitting out the post season with a 5 week break as the shoe in host of the Ron Newman Cup. Their is also at least one game left for the Mustangs in the US Open Cup.
2. Hidalgo La Fiera They blew out the Strikers in Hidalgo so I will just keep them in the #2 spot for now.
3. Dallas Sidekicks A win is a win. I will keep the Sidekicks in the #3 spot.
4. Las Vegas Legends The Legends came back from behind and were able to pick up a win on the road in Ontario.
5. San Diego Sockers The Sockers were able to pick up an easy win at home in their last game of the regular season.
6. Monterrey Flash DNP
7. Detroit Waza Flo DNP
8. Cleveland Freeze The Freeze beat the Saints at home with the greatest of ease, but will face Detroit this weekend in a preview of the postseason.
9. Mexico Toros They lost one and won one this weekend, but will play their last game of the regular season at home against Bay Area. If Bay Area wins the game then both Toros and Rosal would have 8-7 records on the season, putting them into a tie for third place, but Mexico has beaten Bay Area 2 out of 3 times this season, and they should win the tie breaker.
10. Wichita B-52's Wichita lost both games this weekend, but were able to force overtime with the Sidekicks despite losing to the Revolution. I decided to keep the B-52's in 10th because I think that they are a much improved team since the beginning of the season.
THE HERD (in no particular order)
THE DEUCE
1. Texas Strikers The Strikers lost 2 game this last weekend, but it was the ass whooping in front of an empty house that puts them in The Deuce.
2. Harrisburg Heat The Heat have lost 3 of their last 4 games to the Chicago Mustangs, which isn't terrible considering that it is the Mustangs, but it was that one loss to the Piasa that put them in The Deuce.
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.
POWER RANKINGS
1. Chicago Mustangs They beat Harrisburg in their last regular season home game and will travel to Cincinnati the play the Saints this weekend before sitting out the post season with a 5 week break as the shoe in host of the Ron Newman Cup. Their is also at least one game left for the Mustangs in the US Open Cup.
2. Hidalgo La Fiera They blew out the Strikers in Hidalgo so I will just keep them in the #2 spot for now.
3. Dallas Sidekicks A win is a win. I will keep the Sidekicks in the #3 spot.
4. Las Vegas Legends The Legends came back from behind and were able to pick up a win on the road in Ontario.
5. San Diego Sockers The Sockers were able to pick up an easy win at home in their last game of the regular season.
6. Monterrey Flash DNP
7. Detroit Waza Flo DNP
8. Cleveland Freeze The Freeze beat the Saints at home with the greatest of ease, but will face Detroit this weekend in a preview of the postseason.
9. Mexico Toros They lost one and won one this weekend, but will play their last game of the regular season at home against Bay Area. If Bay Area wins the game then both Toros and Rosal would have 8-7 records on the season, putting them into a tie for third place, but Mexico has beaten Bay Area 2 out of 3 times this season, and they should win the tie breaker.
10. Wichita B-52's Wichita lost both games this weekend, but were able to force overtime with the Sidekicks despite losing to the Revolution. I decided to keep the B-52's in 10th because I think that they are a much improved team since the beginning of the season.
THE HERD (in no particular order)
- Cincinnati Saints
- Illinois Piasa
- Saltillo Rancho Seco
- Sacramento Surge
- Bay Area Rosal
- Turlock Express
- Ontario Fury
- Tulsa Revolution
THE DEUCE
1. Texas Strikers The Strikers lost 2 game this last weekend, but it was the ass whooping in front of an empty house that puts them in The Deuce.
2. Harrisburg Heat The Heat have lost 3 of their last 4 games to the Chicago Mustangs, which isn't terrible considering that it is the Mustangs, but it was that one loss to the Piasa that put them in The Deuce.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Lavishly's Lines for Week #15
0-13 Texas Strikers @ 11-2 Hidalgo La Fiera La Fiera have scored 130 goals this season, the Strikers have scored 43. La Fiera have allowed 57 goals this season, the Strikers have allowed 158. La Fiera has the 5th best penalty kill in the PASL, and the 7th best powerplay. Texas is last in the league in both powerplays and penalty kills. (Insert quip about Texas having no chance at winning this game.) Hidalgo -10.5 over/under 20
6-7 Wichita B-52's @ 1-12 Tulsa Revolution Tulsa lost both previous meetings with the B-52's, but both games were in Wichita, and Tulsa looked like a better team in the second game compared to the first game. Revolution will give Wichita a run for their money in Tulsa, possibly picking up their second win of the season. On the other hand, the B-52's are coming off of a tough loss to Chicago and will be primed for a victory on the road. Wichita -1 o/u 15
7-6 Mexico Toros @ 4-10 Turlock Express Mexico is a dangerous team that plays with a lot of heart and passion, and they played a strong game last week in San Diego. Turlock is 3-4 at home and have lost their last three games, so they will be desperate for a win, especially at home. Mexico is playing too good of soccer, and needs to win in order to punch their ticket to the postseason. Turlock puts up a fight but the Toros walk away with the win. Mexico -1.5 o/u 12
5-8 Cincinnati Saints @ 9-5 Cleveland Freeze In the Battle for Ohio Cleveland is king. The Freeze are coming off of a loss to the Waza in Detroit and need to get a win at home against the Saints before hosting the Waza in their last home game of the regular season. Cincinnati is still growing as a PASL team, but are buying into their new head coach's philosophy and will be a serious threat next season. Cleveland -4 o/u 18
5-8 Saltillo Rancho Seco @ 0-13 Texas Strikers After their game on Thursday the Strikers have to return home and host Saltillo Rancho Seco in Beaumont. Saltillo is a really good team who played a tough schedule against quality opponents. They are out of the playoffs, but could use a win against the Strikers before facing Monterrey and Hidalgo in their last two games of the season. Texas hasn't won a game all season, and they won't against Saltillo. Saltillo -4.5 o/u 17
7-6 Mexico Toros @ 2-12 Sacramento Surge Mexico will win their last road game of the season in Sacramento before returning home to host Bay Area in their last regular season game. Sacramento could pull of a win at home, but that would be a miracle. Mexico -6.5 o/u 16
11-3 Las Vegas Legends @ 5-8 Ontario Fury The Legends escaped with an overtime win the last time they traveled to the Inland Empire to face the Fury. This time the Legends have some former Fury players on their team, so this could be an interesting reunion with some memorable moments. Las Vegas wins this one, but not in overtime. Las Vegas -3.5 o/u 20
4-9 Harrisburg Heat @ 1-12 Illinois Piasa If the Piasa are going to pull off another win it is going to be at home. Illinois is still trying to right the ship after firing their coach, and Harrisburg has had a tough schedule this season and are better that their record says they are. Harrisburg wins this one and moves closer to getting the last spot in the East for the Postseason. Harrisburg -5 o/u 14
12-2 Dallas Sidekicks @ 6-7 Wichita B-52's Dallas is a good team on the road and should have no problem handling the B-52's on the road. The B-52's will be coming off of a game in Tulsa and will have a tough time keeping up with the Sidekicks. Dallas -3 o/u 12.5
5-8 Ontario Fury @ 12-3 San Diego Sockers Ontario posted a good game against the Sockers the last time they played each other in Ontario, but the last time the Fury came to San Diego it was a different story. This is San Diego's last home game in the regular season, and fan appreciation night, so the Yellow Socks will be playing with a good bit of 7th man behind them. The Ontario Fury are a very different team than when the season started, and a good number of players have left the team for other opportunities. The Fury will have played a tough game the night before against Las Vegas and who knows what the Ontario roster will be on Sunday afternoon in San Diego. San Diego -3.5 o/u 14
4-9 Harrisburg Heat @ 14-0 Chicago Mustangs The #1 team in the Eastern Division hosts the Harrisburg Heat. Two weekends ago the Mustangs beat the Heat twice in a row in Harrisburg, and now the Mustangs will beat the Heat in Chicago. Mustangs -10 o/u 20
6-7 Wichita B-52's @ 1-12 Tulsa Revolution Tulsa lost both previous meetings with the B-52's, but both games were in Wichita, and Tulsa looked like a better team in the second game compared to the first game. Revolution will give Wichita a run for their money in Tulsa, possibly picking up their second win of the season. On the other hand, the B-52's are coming off of a tough loss to Chicago and will be primed for a victory on the road. Wichita -1 o/u 15
7-6 Mexico Toros @ 4-10 Turlock Express Mexico is a dangerous team that plays with a lot of heart and passion, and they played a strong game last week in San Diego. Turlock is 3-4 at home and have lost their last three games, so they will be desperate for a win, especially at home. Mexico is playing too good of soccer, and needs to win in order to punch their ticket to the postseason. Turlock puts up a fight but the Toros walk away with the win. Mexico -1.5 o/u 12
5-8 Cincinnati Saints @ 9-5 Cleveland Freeze In the Battle for Ohio Cleveland is king. The Freeze are coming off of a loss to the Waza in Detroit and need to get a win at home against the Saints before hosting the Waza in their last home game of the regular season. Cincinnati is still growing as a PASL team, but are buying into their new head coach's philosophy and will be a serious threat next season. Cleveland -4 o/u 18
5-8 Saltillo Rancho Seco @ 0-13 Texas Strikers After their game on Thursday the Strikers have to return home and host Saltillo Rancho Seco in Beaumont. Saltillo is a really good team who played a tough schedule against quality opponents. They are out of the playoffs, but could use a win against the Strikers before facing Monterrey and Hidalgo in their last two games of the season. Texas hasn't won a game all season, and they won't against Saltillo. Saltillo -4.5 o/u 17
7-6 Mexico Toros @ 2-12 Sacramento Surge Mexico will win their last road game of the season in Sacramento before returning home to host Bay Area in their last regular season game. Sacramento could pull of a win at home, but that would be a miracle. Mexico -6.5 o/u 16
11-3 Las Vegas Legends @ 5-8 Ontario Fury The Legends escaped with an overtime win the last time they traveled to the Inland Empire to face the Fury. This time the Legends have some former Fury players on their team, so this could be an interesting reunion with some memorable moments. Las Vegas wins this one, but not in overtime. Las Vegas -3.5 o/u 20
4-9 Harrisburg Heat @ 1-12 Illinois Piasa If the Piasa are going to pull off another win it is going to be at home. Illinois is still trying to right the ship after firing their coach, and Harrisburg has had a tough schedule this season and are better that their record says they are. Harrisburg wins this one and moves closer to getting the last spot in the East for the Postseason. Harrisburg -5 o/u 14
12-2 Dallas Sidekicks @ 6-7 Wichita B-52's Dallas is a good team on the road and should have no problem handling the B-52's on the road. The B-52's will be coming off of a game in Tulsa and will have a tough time keeping up with the Sidekicks. Dallas -3 o/u 12.5
5-8 Ontario Fury @ 12-3 San Diego Sockers Ontario posted a good game against the Sockers the last time they played each other in Ontario, but the last time the Fury came to San Diego it was a different story. This is San Diego's last home game in the regular season, and fan appreciation night, so the Yellow Socks will be playing with a good bit of 7th man behind them. The Ontario Fury are a very different team than when the season started, and a good number of players have left the team for other opportunities. The Fury will have played a tough game the night before against Las Vegas and who knows what the Ontario roster will be on Sunday afternoon in San Diego. San Diego -3.5 o/u 14
4-9 Harrisburg Heat @ 14-0 Chicago Mustangs The #1 team in the Eastern Division hosts the Harrisburg Heat. Two weekends ago the Mustangs beat the Heat twice in a row in Harrisburg, and now the Mustangs will beat the Heat in Chicago. Mustangs -10 o/u 20
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Power Rankings after Week #14
First of all, I would like to thank Anna Espino, Joey Kapinos, Eric Roberts, Dominic Scicluna, RJ Pooch, Greg Ponto Suttie, Christopher Funk, and Craig Elsten for reading and commenting on last weeks Power Rankings.
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. Chicago Mustangs The Mustangs beat Tulsa and Wichita on the road this last weekend to remain in the top spot in the Stable.
2. Hidalgo La Fiera DNP
3. Dallas Sidekicks After a good win at home against Las Vegas I decided to move the Sidekicks to the # 3 Spot.
4. Las Vegas Legends The Legends lost to the Sidekicks on the road, but mounted a late comeback that almost tied it up in the 4th.
5. San Diego Sockers A win is a win, no matter how ugly it is, but an ugly win against a lower ranked team can drop you in the Stable.
6. Monterrey Flash DNP
7. Detroit Waza Flo Detroit picked up a solid win at home and obviously have their sights set on Chicago in March.
8. Mexico Toros Mexico had a great game plan and stuck to it during their game against the Sockers. Even thought they lost, the Toros will be a handful for the Sockers in the playoffs. They have skill and speed, and last Saturday night, played like a true team.
9. Cleveland Freeze Cleveland lost to the Waza, but hung with them through the game, and looked pretty good in the half that I watched. If all of the offensive pieces are working for Cleveland they become a very dangerous team.
10. Wichita B-52's The B-52's lost to the #1 Mustangs, but played well enough to hang with them for a half, before Chicago put the game away with a 5 goal scoring spree.
THE HERD
1. Sacramento Surge They are here because Texas didn't play.
2. Illinois Piasa The Piasa can't seem to beat a team in their own division, but did show signs of life in the first part of their game against the Saints.
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. Chicago Mustangs The Mustangs beat Tulsa and Wichita on the road this last weekend to remain in the top spot in the Stable.
2. Hidalgo La Fiera DNP
3. Dallas Sidekicks After a good win at home against Las Vegas I decided to move the Sidekicks to the # 3 Spot.
4. Las Vegas Legends The Legends lost to the Sidekicks on the road, but mounted a late comeback that almost tied it up in the 4th.
5. San Diego Sockers A win is a win, no matter how ugly it is, but an ugly win against a lower ranked team can drop you in the Stable.
6. Monterrey Flash DNP
7. Detroit Waza Flo Detroit picked up a solid win at home and obviously have their sights set on Chicago in March.
8. Mexico Toros Mexico had a great game plan and stuck to it during their game against the Sockers. Even thought they lost, the Toros will be a handful for the Sockers in the playoffs. They have skill and speed, and last Saturday night, played like a true team.
9. Cleveland Freeze Cleveland lost to the Waza, but hung with them through the game, and looked pretty good in the half that I watched. If all of the offensive pieces are working for Cleveland they become a very dangerous team.
10. Wichita B-52's The B-52's lost to the #1 Mustangs, but played well enough to hang with them for a half, before Chicago put the game away with a 5 goal scoring spree.
THE HERD
- Cincinnati Saints
- Texas Strikers
- Saltillo Rancho Seco
- Harrisburg Heat
- Bay Area Rosal
- Turlock Express
- Ontario Fury
- Tulsa Revolution
1. Sacramento Surge They are here because Texas didn't play.
2. Illinois Piasa The Piasa can't seem to beat a team in their own division, but did show signs of life in the first part of their game against the Saints.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)