Canucks4Ever
Well-Known Member
While there is no real interest, given these millennials don't take their football seriously enough these days and certainly not seriously enough to post about it online, perhaps I should pass on these predictions. Still, I like to be inclusive and with only 12 teams from three leagues, this one is not too much of a burden to cover so I will endeavor to give the kids their due. The transient nature of these league means that only three teams from last season's competition return for this season's edition of the tournament.
Standard Disclaimer:
For those not familiar with my column, I am largely just pulling this stuff out of thin air. I try to find whatever information is readily available online, but ultimately I am just trying to generate some interest in local soccer in BC. If I have omitted or overlooked facts that you consider relevant to your team or league, it's not done intentionally...get over it...
Completely Baseless Predictions
U21 Doug Day Provincial Cup
Preliminary Round:
Cowichan Utd. (VISL) v EDC Burnaby (VMSL)
EDC is one of the few returning teams in this competition and they have been a stalwart in the Vancouver Metro Soccer League's U21 Division for the past few seasons. This is as veteran of a group as you can get at this level and you would expect that experience to play a factor. It was a very hotly contested VMSL U21 Division this season; Chile ended up in fourth but were only four points out of first. As is often the case at this level, there were lots of goals to go around, with teams benefiting from beating up on teams of lesser quality at the bottom of the table, and Burnaby were lead by a pair of 13 goal scorers in Jevin Hillis and Zachari Ouariti. Cowichan put in a solid performance, finishing third in the Vancouver Island Soccer League U21 standings and winning the George Smith Cup. They also have the league's leading goal scorer among their ranks in Logan Kits, who netted a whopping 18 times in 18 games. Lots of explosive weapons and both teams in with a chance. I think travel might just tip the scales here though, as getting a group of teenagers to Cowichan for a Saturday afternoon is likely to be a challenge and that could bite EDC. With a full squad I like their chances, but if they show up shorthanded, Cowichan have the tools and the knockout competition pedigree to make home field advantage count.
Rovers Tigers Utd. (VMSL) v Vic West (VISL)
Both teams will fancy their chances given that the two lowest entrants from their respective leagues have been drawn together. Rovers parent club won the Vancouver Metro Soccer League's Premier Division, but their U21 group could not match that feat as, in a league that turned into a four team race, they finished in fifth, a distant 13 points off the pace. Meanwhile, Vic West salvaged a woeful season by making the final of the George Smith Cup after finishing second bottom in the league. In truth though, the draw was very kind to Vic West, as they were handed a bye to the semi-final of the eight team competition. Last placed Juan de Fuca then upset third bottom Bays Utd. setting the stage for Vic West to win a lone game and therefore qualify for the Provincial Cup. Add in the travel factor to Surrey for a Sunday afternoon kickoff and Vic West might just be in over their heads. Adding to the danger for the visitors is VMSL U21 Golden Boot winner Emmanuel Ekeh, who torched the league for 22 goals in 20 games. True, the next highest scorer for Rovers was Balraj Dadwal with only six as Ekeh accounted for nearly half of his teams 45 goals on the season, so if they can keep him in check the Victoria boys might just pull off the upset; however, if they cannot, it could be a long day at the office.
Lakehill FC (VISL) v Faly Academy (VMSL)
This one is definitely the Match of the Round as second place from the Vancouver Island Soccer League hosts third place from the Vancouver Metro Soccer League. Every season there seams to be a fly-by-night academy team in one of the U21 leagues that takes things very seriously and this year's edition looks to be Faly Academy. To their credit the were neck and neck for the league title, missing out on a championship by just three points. The Academy were also runners up for the VMSL U21 Cup. Now they will try their hand on the Provincial stage and their draw has them travelling to the Island to play league runners up, Lakehill FC. The Victoria based club road their strong defensive record and posted six clean sheet behind the play of goalkeeper Kevin Kissinger. In the end they would fall two points short of the League Champions, Mid-Isle Mariners. It sets up to be defense against offense in this one as Faly posted and impressive 62 goals over their 20 games, lead by Wonder Tarr and his 16 tallies, the second most in the league. Travel also a factor again in this one, but I expect the Academy to field a strong squad. If they can get behind the Lakehill defense, Faly Academy might be able to run away with this one, but if the game is close, look for the home side to clamp down and ride their strong defense to a win. Toss a coin here as both teams have a shot and neither will want to see their season end here given they are both likely too good to go out at this stage of the tournament. Only one will progress though and I will fall back on the league pedigree of the VMSL and the fact that these sorts of "academy" teams often have a chip on their shoulder and a point to prove. Not sure Faly Academy will be around next season, but I will take them to be around for the quarterfinals.
Westcoast Utd. (FVSL) v Abbotsford Utd. (FVSL)
It is a domestic battle from the Fraser Valley Soccer League in this one, with second place Abbotsford Utd. away to Westcoast Utd. It was a two horse race in the Valley's U21 Division and the two Abbotsford teams ran away with it, Utd. and their cousins from Abbotsford Soccer Association, the Storm, who finished in first by a two point margin. Westcoast Und. were third, 12 points off the title pace but one point ahead of their club-mates, Westcoast Juventus, who were in this tournament last season. This one should be fairly straight forward for Abby, as they posted a record of 4-0, winning every league meeting between the two sides this year. Perhaps it will be fifth time lucky for Westcoast and for that to happen they will likely need to see Golden Boot runner up Bela Piocza add to his 15 goals on the season. History, however, seems likely to repeat itself in this one.
Standard Disclaimer:
For those not familiar with my column, I am largely just pulling this stuff out of thin air. I try to find whatever information is readily available online, but ultimately I am just trying to generate some interest in local soccer in BC. If I have omitted or overlooked facts that you consider relevant to your team or league, it's not done intentionally...get over it...
Completely Baseless Predictions
U21 Doug Day Provincial Cup
Preliminary Round:
Cowichan Utd. (VISL) v EDC Burnaby (VMSL)
EDC is one of the few returning teams in this competition and they have been a stalwart in the Vancouver Metro Soccer League's U21 Division for the past few seasons. This is as veteran of a group as you can get at this level and you would expect that experience to play a factor. It was a very hotly contested VMSL U21 Division this season; Chile ended up in fourth but were only four points out of first. As is often the case at this level, there were lots of goals to go around, with teams benefiting from beating up on teams of lesser quality at the bottom of the table, and Burnaby were lead by a pair of 13 goal scorers in Jevin Hillis and Zachari Ouariti. Cowichan put in a solid performance, finishing third in the Vancouver Island Soccer League U21 standings and winning the George Smith Cup. They also have the league's leading goal scorer among their ranks in Logan Kits, who netted a whopping 18 times in 18 games. Lots of explosive weapons and both teams in with a chance. I think travel might just tip the scales here though, as getting a group of teenagers to Cowichan for a Saturday afternoon is likely to be a challenge and that could bite EDC. With a full squad I like their chances, but if they show up shorthanded, Cowichan have the tools and the knockout competition pedigree to make home field advantage count.
Rovers Tigers Utd. (VMSL) v Vic West (VISL)
Both teams will fancy their chances given that the two lowest entrants from their respective leagues have been drawn together. Rovers parent club won the Vancouver Metro Soccer League's Premier Division, but their U21 group could not match that feat as, in a league that turned into a four team race, they finished in fifth, a distant 13 points off the pace. Meanwhile, Vic West salvaged a woeful season by making the final of the George Smith Cup after finishing second bottom in the league. In truth though, the draw was very kind to Vic West, as they were handed a bye to the semi-final of the eight team competition. Last placed Juan de Fuca then upset third bottom Bays Utd. setting the stage for Vic West to win a lone game and therefore qualify for the Provincial Cup. Add in the travel factor to Surrey for a Sunday afternoon kickoff and Vic West might just be in over their heads. Adding to the danger for the visitors is VMSL U21 Golden Boot winner Emmanuel Ekeh, who torched the league for 22 goals in 20 games. True, the next highest scorer for Rovers was Balraj Dadwal with only six as Ekeh accounted for nearly half of his teams 45 goals on the season, so if they can keep him in check the Victoria boys might just pull off the upset; however, if they cannot, it could be a long day at the office.
Lakehill FC (VISL) v Faly Academy (VMSL)
This one is definitely the Match of the Round as second place from the Vancouver Island Soccer League hosts third place from the Vancouver Metro Soccer League. Every season there seams to be a fly-by-night academy team in one of the U21 leagues that takes things very seriously and this year's edition looks to be Faly Academy. To their credit the were neck and neck for the league title, missing out on a championship by just three points. The Academy were also runners up for the VMSL U21 Cup. Now they will try their hand on the Provincial stage and their draw has them travelling to the Island to play league runners up, Lakehill FC. The Victoria based club road their strong defensive record and posted six clean sheet behind the play of goalkeeper Kevin Kissinger. In the end they would fall two points short of the League Champions, Mid-Isle Mariners. It sets up to be defense against offense in this one as Faly posted and impressive 62 goals over their 20 games, lead by Wonder Tarr and his 16 tallies, the second most in the league. Travel also a factor again in this one, but I expect the Academy to field a strong squad. If they can get behind the Lakehill defense, Faly Academy might be able to run away with this one, but if the game is close, look for the home side to clamp down and ride their strong defense to a win. Toss a coin here as both teams have a shot and neither will want to see their season end here given they are both likely too good to go out at this stage of the tournament. Only one will progress though and I will fall back on the league pedigree of the VMSL and the fact that these sorts of "academy" teams often have a chip on their shoulder and a point to prove. Not sure Faly Academy will be around next season, but I will take them to be around for the quarterfinals.
Westcoast Utd. (FVSL) v Abbotsford Utd. (FVSL)
It is a domestic battle from the Fraser Valley Soccer League in this one, with second place Abbotsford Utd. away to Westcoast Utd. It was a two horse race in the Valley's U21 Division and the two Abbotsford teams ran away with it, Utd. and their cousins from Abbotsford Soccer Association, the Storm, who finished in first by a two point margin. Westcoast Und. were third, 12 points off the title pace but one point ahead of their club-mates, Westcoast Juventus, who were in this tournament last season. This one should be fairly straight forward for Abby, as they posted a record of 4-0, winning every league meeting between the two sides this year. Perhaps it will be fifth time lucky for Westcoast and for that to happen they will likely need to see Golden Boot runner up Bela Piocza add to his 15 goals on the season. History, however, seems likely to repeat itself in this one.