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Div 2 [VMSL Div 2] Predictions, Results & Banter 2019/2020

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Regs

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Season starts with Week 1 taking place on Friday September 6th, Saturday September 7th & Sunday September 8th

There are 2 sides, I'm not gonna split them here, those in the know can figure it out as the season progresses :)

Friday
Strathcona vs 13th Legion
NK Hrvat vs Marpole
Apna Tigers vs Snipers

Saturday
Muckerlomas vs Van Rangers
Richmond Olympics vs Gastown
GFC Lions vs Twin Peaks
Westside Juniors vs Metropolitan

Sunday
Greencaps B vs Bingers Army
Shaheen vs Romania
Rinos Bulldogs vs MF Lobos
Sarajevo vs Harps
Serbia vs Astro
 

Macho Man

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Serbia vs Astro game fixed for Swanguard Stadium on Sunday night. Getting to play there is a pretty cool way to open the season
 

Regs

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Is this a one-off at Swangard or is the facility now in play for the VMSL throughout the season?
 

big gk

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I don't have the foggiest idea about many of these teams but this is how i would predict the division we are not in (can't gamble on your own matches, it would be very Chicago black socks)

TeamGPWDLGFGAGDPTS
Rinos Bulldogs A (9th)00000000
Metropolitan FC A (1st)00000000
Shaheen FC A (2nd)00000000
FC Romania A (5th)00000000
Meraloma FC A (3rd)00000000
Vancouver Rangers A (6th)00000000
Westside FC Juniors (10th)00000000
Snipers FC A (4th)00000000
Coq Metro Ford Lobos (7th)00000000
NK Hrvat A (8th)00000000
Marpole Tropics (12th)00000000
BCT Apna Tigers FC A (11th)00000000
 

DerHoots

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NK Hrvat v Marpole Tropics - Draw
BCT Apna Tigers v Snipers FC - Snipers win
Meraloma v Vancouver Rangers - Lomas win
Westside FC Juniors v Metropolitan - Draw
Shaheen FC v Romania - Shaheen win
Rinos Bulldogs v CMF Lobos - Rinos win

Final results at the end of the season for 2a, because I don't know anything about 2b:

1. Shaheen - Mehrabi to score more goals then all of Atletico Santos in Div 1 combined.
2. Metropolitan - Always the bridesmaid, never the bride
3. Westside
4. Hrvat - The managerial return of The Watcher should help lead the train to a top half finish where they will surely go on another magical cup run, because that is just what they do.
5. Rinos
6. Marpole
7. CMF Lobos
8. Romania
9. Meralomas
10. Snipers
11. Vancouver Rangers
12. BCT Apna tigers
 

Canucks4Ever

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By popular demand...

Completely Baseless Predictions:

Completely Baseless SEASON PREVIEW - Division 2


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, it's not done intentionally...get over it...;)


That disclaimer applies even more than usual here as with twice the number of teams, this is going to be more off the cuff that usual. Also, before anyone gets their hopes up, no, I unfortunately still do not have time to do weekly, in depth game predictions for Div. 2 as, again, it is twice the number of teams as the other two divisions. Plus I will be pressed just to get Div. 1 and Prem done regularly this season since @Regs still hasn't found a budget for me yet that will allow me to give up my day job! Hopefully, though, it might spark those in the know to get slightly more active on this board and then I can just chime in with whatever info I might have gleaned from the league, etc. All that being said...

2A

1) Shaheen FC

They were in the thick of the promotion battle with Serbia and Sierra last season in 2B, but came up short down the stretch. In response the have managed to use personal connections to lure former UBC man Milad Mehrabi, who was the leading goal scorer for Provincial Champions CCB last season, down to Division 2. Assuming that he is in the lineup on a regular basis they have to be favourites to make a return to Division 1 after a few seasons away. Hell, they might even be favourites for the treble of the league, the Div. 2 Cup and B Provincials they way they did last time they won promotion to Div. 1

2) Metropolitan FC
Since being relegated Students have twice been runners up, proving that, as they say, it is easier to stay up rather than go up. 2A looks set to be a two horse race between them and Shaheen and while Metro finished the season strongly last season, winning the Div. 2 and B Provincial Cup, it might well be another season of appointment's for the UBC based side. Goalkeeper Derek Monkman emerged as a star in both of their cup runs and former Premier player Edson Castro, along with top scorer Masumi Turnbull make Metro a formidable side, but can they do enough to edge Shaheen?

3) Coquitlam Metro Ford Lobos
Anybody caught sleeping on these Tri-Cities boys is likely in for a rude awakening. After bossing the U21 division for several season, when this group aged out they headed to Open and more or less walked through Division 3 last season, only conceding eight goals in 22 games. Now this side will be looking to follow in the footsteps of clubmates CMF Lupi who posted back to back promotions and climbed into Division 1. Things, unfortunately, do not set up quite as well for Lobos as they did for Lupi with several strong teams in the group this season, but this is a young, skilled group used to a high performance environment. They will likely have success at this level, but it will be interesting to see what their future holds if their progress up the ladder stalls after this season.

4) FC Romania
The fall from Division 1 looks likely to be relatively permanent for aging Romania. Barring an influx of young talent from somewhere, it is unlikely that Romania will be in the promotion conversation. Such an influx seems unlikely given that if it could have occured, one assumes they would have used it to stay up in Div. 1 last year. Their pedigree alone will be enough to win them games this season at this level, but mid-table and battling for a Provincial Cup berth is likely as good as it gets.

5) Meraloma FC
Last season's surprise package in the division, Meraloma might find things to be slightly tougher sledding this time around. The strength of this team was their free scoring offense last year as they only kept six clean sheets in the league, giving up 31 goals. Lomas were masters of scoring their way out of trouble, and that played well against the teams bleeding goals in the bottom half of the table. This season, the top teams look to be solid at the back, plus there will be no sneaking up on the opposition this time around. Still a formidable opponent, no doubt, but there's more room to fall than climb.

6) NK Hrvat
The VMSL's ultimate wild card team. By their own admission, Hrvat never really know what to expect from themselves. An impressive run to the Div. 2 Cup final put a serious gloss on what was an otherwise banal season. Hrvat seem to sputter once they realize they are out of the promotion race, but once cup play starts, it is all systems go. The early part of the season reckons to be crucial then, with potentially a good start off the back of that cup form perhaps vaulting them into the promotion conversation. A poor start might have them back in the relegation zone, as they were two seasons ago though. The safe money is probably another campaign similar to the last one that leaves them somewhere in the middle.

7) Snipers FC
All three teams that finished seventh through ninth remained in the division after this years draw. Snipers were seventh last season and are likely a mid-table side again. They once challenged for promotion before spending a few seasons clinging to life at this level. Not much to get overly excited about out at UHill these days, so probably another lower mid-table season for the men in sky blue.

8) Rino's Bull Dogs
It is a similar story for Rino's. Very much the recreational arm of the club with Tigers and Fury well up the competitive ladder, there is not a ton of appetite to be challenging at the top of the table from this group. That is certainly not to say that, if put in the position, Bull Dogs would not love a chance to contend for Provincials and more, but, the reality is that this group is happy where they are, which is too good, likely, to go down, but not much more than that.

9) Westside Juniors
Rounding out the mid-table crew is Westside's B team. Again, there is definitely a competitive fire here, but with the club's top team sucking up the majority of the resources, expectations have to be realistic. There is a decent ceiling for these lower mid-table teams to move up though and, with Westside's A group now established in Div. 1, perhaps the Div. 2 side may have had a chance for some better summer recruitment. So there is room to move up, but at the very least you don't expect this group to go down.

10) Marpole Tropics
Newly promoted Marpole are far from modest about their perceived ability. They are also far from the first team to come up from Division 3 thinking that Div. 2 will be a cake walk. In reality, Marpole advanced from what was likely the weakest of the three Div. 3 groups last season, so a bit of a reality check likely awaits. Full of piss and vinegar, watch for some good early season results, but then a self correction by Christmas. That being said, at this end of the table one or two wins can jump your three or four places and Marpole will likely have enough to stay up.

11) Vancouver Rangers
Cast aside by VanU and with their Masters club on life support, Rangers are beginning to look like they are on a bit of an island. They have never been a powerhouse in the division, but with club resources drying up, these season could well be a struggle. For the first time in a few seasons Rangers were able to steer clear of the drop before the final stretch, but 2B had a glut of lower mid-table calibre teams to share the points among themselves. This season the mid-table crop in 2A is likely of a slightly higher standard so it could be a struggle for the former VanU side.

12) BCT Apna Tigers
After relegation from FVSL Division 1, Apna Tigers figured that the grass was greener on the other side, hoping over to the VMSL. Unable to secure a berth anywhere other than Div. 3, they were then further dismayed when they were pipped to promotion by Marpole in 3B. Indeed the grass may have been greener, but the competition was also stronger. West Coast Saints folded though, gifting Apna the chance to go up after all. However, this is now another step up for a team that was not exactly dominant at a lower level. Perhaps a second season under the BCT banner has helped with their summer recruitment, otherwise watch for them to struggle.

2B

1) FC Serbia United

After falling short at the line despite doing all they could to catch Sierra, there is no reason not to think Serbia won't be back at the top again this season. 2B is shaping up to be much tougher to call than 2A with a few teams that could emerge as promotion contenders, but if Ramsey Alfantazi and Pedro Vega are back in the fold then Serbia certainly have to be favourites. Those two lead an attack that put up 65 goals, 41 of which were scored by them, and that was the highest across all of Div. 2. No one else on this side of the draw reckons to have an attack like that this season.

2) Twin Arrows
Benefiting from the annual shuffle between pools, Twin Arrows are now in pole position to contend for promotion. After an impressive season they have swapped places with Shaheen, who are off to fight it out with Metropolitan and will now rival Serbia for the chance to go up. Assuming they can continue to build on the successful season they had in 2018/19, there is no reason why they should not be right in the thick of things come the New Year.

3) Binger's Army
After a being a fixture in Division 1 for the majority of the past two decades, the Army succumbed to relegation. Now, in Division 2, they will try to reinvigorate an aging core and start the journey back into the upper echelons of the VMSL. By all accounts Binger's should have some new faces next season, although rumours are that long time stalwart striker Tony Haley has departed the club. The Army remain anchored by talisman and veteran goal keeper Chris O'Conner though and he will be hoping to lead the Army immediately back up. It will not be easy by any stretch though, and you have to wonder if the Army will have the legs left come the New Year to push a promotion bid over the top.

4) Strathcona United
The East Van boys needed a charity spot to get into Division 2 last season after failing to win Division 3 the year before. Once they were there, however, they certainly proved they were worthy of their place. In truth, it was some early season growing pains that likely cost them automatic promotion from Div. 3, as, by the end of the season, they were clearly the top team in their group. They continued that evolution in Div. 2 and were full value for a fifth place finish last season. This year competing for a Provincial Cup spot is surely the goal.

5) NVFC Sarajevo
After a decent wobble, Sarajevo's merger with NVFC last season really seemed to steady the ship. By the end of the year the former Division 1 side were on the up and likely better than their fifth place finish. This season they should be in the thick of things and, with a few solid early season results, might just be in the conversation at the top come January. Not sure that a return to Div. 1 is on the cards this season, but they should be sniffing around a Provincial Cup spot.

6) 13th Legion
It certainly seems like the window has closed for the Legion. After two heartbreaking near misses, Legion were well off the pace last season, fully 20 points back of first place Sierra. The way things shook down, that was still good enough for fourth in 2B, but with a -2 goal difference 13th could hardly have been considered contenders. Still a solid squad overall, this feels like a make or break season for this group, but likely mid-table awaits again.

7) Harps FC
Another side that has had its highs, including a season in Division 1, but looks like it is perhaps on the way back to earth is Harps. The Irishmen look perhaps hard done by flipping over to 2B where there appears to be more upper mid-table quality teams than there might be in 2A. Certainly Harps could end up catching fire again and be up in the Provincial Cup spots, which is somewhat of the beauty of how wide open 2B looks to be, but they seem to be trending down after a few seasons.

8) GFC Lions
The only newly promoted side in 2B, GFC will need to carry the form that saw them skate to the 3C title into this season. Lions have a softer early schedule and they will need to make some serious hay. Assuming they can do that, the next stretch just becomes an opportunity for bonus points. If it all goes to plan, GFC should be relatively safe, any hiccups though and it could become panic stations very quickly.

9) Astro FC
Perhaps the VMSL's most overlooked and forgotten team, Astro are back for yet another season. Under the radar by nature, expect them to put in another quality shift and quietly pick up the points they need to stay in the league. At this end of the table, a couple of wins or even draws can bump your right up the standings, so ninth is likely a slightly conservative estimate for a well-established Div. 2 group like Astro.

10) Richmond Olympics
The stretch drive was a bit dodgy for the veteran Richmond crew as the boys from below sea level limped survival over the line. Come the final tally, Olympics were just one point out of a playoff to determine who would cross over and play Bombastic for survival after losing their final five league games on the spin to close our their campaign. Things look set to be somewhat similar this season, baring any surprise pick ups from the club's now defunct former Premier outfit, Richmond Hibernian. Again at this end of the table though, even one or two results can make a world of difference.

11) Gastown FC
The fall from Division 1 to Division 3 obscurity was only just barely staved off by Gastown last season when they won their final three league games on the bounce to force a playoff with Greencaps B. They would win that match and be spared the crossover survival game, thus ensuring they remained in Div. 2 for another year. In the words of the Magic 8 Ball, however, "outlook not so good" as it is shaping up to be another season of struggles for the downtowners and another Houdini-esqu escape may well be necessary.

12) Vancouver Greencaps B
After a season of champagne and celebration with both of Greencaps's teams earning promotions, everything started out brightly enough in Div. 2 for the B boys. However, by the end of the season they looked like a newly promoted side as they won only one of their final 12 league games, with that win coming over last place Apna, picking up only seven points over that stretch. Thay also mixed in a first round cup loss to lower league opposition. All reports have Greencaps struggling again this season, with resources at the club potentially stretched thin. Relying heavily on tourist visas and newcomers to fill out their ranks, one never know who might step of a plane to save the Greenmen, but relegation does look a real possibility.
 

TC3

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Looks like the Metropolitan v Shaheen show will inevitably play out in 2A, and in all likelihood, in the Div2 Cup Final early 2020. Milad scores in minute #1 (lol) against a former Div 1 side in Romania, and Shaheen was up 5 - 0 in half an hour. Basically, there is a 3rd place finish in it for someone in 2A, and hopefully a provincials berth from there.

2B is officially going to be wide open. Twin Arrows, may have lost a player or two - a 3 - 1 loss too newly promoted GFC Lions is weird, if in fact they have the same team. FC Serbia have lost Ramsey, along with 2 more of their best players, up to the prem ranks. They barely snuck by Astro 2 - 1 at home, with an 88th minute winner against the run of play.

Bingers and Greencaps looked like a friendly match - two straight reds and six cautions - in a 1 - 0 scrap. 13th Legion and Strathcona also tilt to a 1-1 draw, full of sporting behaviour as well - 4 cautions to Legion and a second yellow red to Strathcona. With 10 minutes to end the game up a man, Legion couldn't capitalize. Harps and Sarajevo, a close tilt with a 75th minute winner. And finally Richmond beating Gastown with a late 2 - 1 winner sounds like a game that likely could have gone either way.

Every team in 2B will drop points this year. Any team is capable of winning any given game. 2B predictions for week 2?

Bingers v Harps -- 1 - 1
Gastown v Serbia - 2 - 3
Legion v Sarajevo - 1 - 2
Astro v GFC Lions - 3 - 1
Strathcona v Twin Arrows - 2 - 0
Greencaps v Richmond - 1 - 1
 

Macho Man

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Probably biased here but Astro super unlucky not to get something from Serbia. We took the lead, hit the crossbar and post before conceding from a corner. Looked headed for a 1-1 until they mishit a cross that flew in. Both sides enjoying periods of pressure throughout.

Great game and looking forward to facing them later in the season. Last time we faced them they hung six goals on us so it's progress
 
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