Did anyone get a look at the brackets for state cup? Anything noteworthy, particularly interesting or exciting?
Yes, the biggest of which is that this year there wont be a State Cup. Just kidding, of course there will be. What would the soccer parents do otherwise?
Six Eclipse teams in the U13 bracket. I don't know if that's interesting or exciting, but it probably is noteworthy. What are the odds it's Eclipse v Eclipse in the final?
Eclipse are loaded with talent at that age group, more so than anyone, even themselves at any previous year. I wouldn't be surprised if Eclipse North vs Eclipse Tri-Cities is the final. But Fire Red 11 is also a good team. I'm sure Sockers FC also have a nice competitive team - they however are complete mystery, as they don't compete in the IWSL. It all depends on how Eclipse have grouped their talented players, especially on that North team, as there is also a North white team. They usually don't put the best players on one of those North teams for any event or game....not yet anyway. We will see if that changes at the State Cup. BTW, watch out for that U14 Eclipse West team also.
I would think that after last years tough run in state cup, at least by their high standards, Eclipse could put on a show this year at state cup. A sweep is unlikely due to the talented teams at Sockers and NSA at U17, but they could run the table at all the other ages. Also helps them a great deal that their older teams sit out of high school, with the timing of when state cup occurs, it is a massive benefit to have your players sit out and train year round with their club.
I wonder why this thread is so quiet. I would think it would be heating up this time of year. I think the two ecnl clubs are going to separate themselves from the pack this spring with state cup. Sockers at the younger ages and Eclipse at the hs ages (minus u17).
I think Eclipse will be strong in the younger age groups, too. The North Black and Tri-Cities at U13 are outstanding and West at U14 are really tough. Sockers are tough to judge, playing in NISL as they do. Also regarding the Sockers, why are they not in the Spring pre-MRL league for U13s? They were there in the Fall.
