PDL Central 7/5 [R]

[SnakeEyes]

Menace down KC 8-2 but Chicago Fire are able to beat Thunder Bay 2-1 in OT (drat). So nothing changes between those two. No idea yet what's going on in Boulder against Sioux Falls.

[willydonc]

Sunday morning's table from USL soccer.com:

HEARTLAND DIVISION . . . Pts GP
Chicago Fire Reserves . . . . 34 .14
Des Moines Menace . . . . . .31 .14
Boulder Rapids Reserve . . . 22 .13
Thunder Bay Chill . . . . . . . .22 .14
St. Louis Strikers ._. . . . . . .21 .15
Kansas City Brass ._. . . . . .21 .15
Sioux Falls SpitFire . . . . . . .15 .13
Wisconsin Rebels . ._. . . . . . 1 .14

The CFR is highly unlikely to drop points the rest of the season playing Sioux Falls at home & three against Wisconsin. Des Moines has a dicey pair at Thunder Bay to end the season, but appears to have plenty of cushion over the rest of the division to rest comfortably.

The next question is, will the Central Conference Playoffs become a Des Moines, or Mid-Michigan love fest? Or can the CFR (perhaps partnered with the senior side), put together enough of an offer to host the playoffs?

The Lemont facility the CFR call their primary home is a nice soccer specific venue just down the road from where the Western Open is taking place this weekend. Turnouts have been respectable, though far from Des Moines numbers. Hosting the playoffs would also help the region in it's effort to entice the Anschultz Entertainment Group to build a new Firehouse in SW suburban Bridgeview. Both Des Moines and Mid-Michigan have hosted conference, or national finals the last three years. It's time to head for the big city.

[LotharDSM]

So, going by the CFR on-line schedule anyone know what's the story with them not having to travel to Boulder at all this season and only playing them one time at home? Is there a "distance" clause where a team doesn't have to travel a certain mileage to play teams in its own conference more than once (or none)? Seems a bit out of balance to include teams that only play each other once while the rest of the teams play 3-4 times home and away. Of course, having teams play 2 nights in a row is also nuts but the PDL League must go on.

Then again, how did Sioux Falls go to Boulder and win 3-1 last night? If they can do it again tonight it looks like the Menace will join CFR in the playoffs rather easily.

Ahh, the wild and wacky PDL...

[SnakeEyes]

Originally posted by willydonc
Sunday morning's table from USL soccer.com:

HEARTLAND DIVISION . . . Pts GP
Chicago Fire Reserves . . . . 34 .14
Des Moines Menace . . . . . .31 .14
Boulder Rapids Reserve . . . 22 .13
Thunder Bay Chill . . . . . . . .22 .14
St. Louis Strikers ._. . . . . . .21 .15
Kansas City Brass ._. . . . . .21 .15
Sioux Falls SpitFire . . . . . . .15 .13
Wisconsin Rebels . ._. . . . . . 1 .14

The CFR is highly unlikely to drop points the rest of the season playing Sioux Falls at home & three against Wisconsin. Des Moines has a dicey pair at Thunder Bay to end the season, but appears to have plenty of cushion over the rest of the division to rest comfortably.

The next question is, will the Central Conference Playoffs become a Des Moines, or Mid-Michigan love fest? Or can the CFR (perhaps partnered with the senior side), put together enough of an offer to host the playoffs?

The Lemont facility the CFR call their primary home is a nice soccer specific venue just down the road from where the Western Open is taking place this weekend. Turnouts have been respectable, though far from Des Moines numbers. Hosting the playoffs would also help the region in it's effort to entice the Anschultz Entertainment Group to build a new Firehouse in SW suburban Bridgeview. Both Des Moines and Mid-Michigan have hosted conference, or national finals the last three years. It's time to head for the big city.

I expected Boulder to knock around Sioux Falls yet they lost 3-1. I wouldn't count on anything.. except maybe Wisconsin not winning a game this year. CFR could lose a game or at least a draw the way things are going this year. 9 points ahead of Boulder is nice but we can't take it for granted.

oh and... forget the big city. Id imagine PDL wants what's sound business... thus $$$ and attendance, looking good on Fox Sports World... and thus Des Moines should we make the playoffs. :) When we get at least 3000+ those are paid, season ticket holders gotta pay for the playoffs too.

[SnakeEyes]

Originally posted by LotharDSM
So, going by the CFR on-line schedule anyone know what's the story with them not having to travel to Boulder at all this season and only playing them one time at home? Is there a "distance" clause where a team doesn't have to travel a certain mileage to play teams in its own conference more than once (or none)? Seems a bit out of balance to include teams that only play each other once while the rest of the teams play 3-4 times home and away. Of course, having teams play 2 nights in a row is also nuts but the PDL League must go on.

Then again, how did Sioux Falls go to Boulder and win 3-1 last night? If they can do it again tonight it looks like the Menace will join CFR in the playoffs rather easily.

Ahh, the wild and wacky PDL...

I was wondering that myself earlier this year but decided not to analyze it. I just decided this is the PDL and there probably is no reason to it other than.. it's the PDL ;)

And here's to hoping for another Sioux Falls win! :)

[terp fan]

Originally posted by LotharDSM

Then again, how did Sioux Falls go to Boulder and win 3-1 last night? If they can do it again tonight it looks like the Menace will join CFR in the playoffs rather easily.

Ahh, the wild and wacky PDL... [/B]

Boulder lost to Sioux Falls yesterday because they are about out of players. They have lost 7-8 starters for various reasons and have had to mix up the remaining players to put a team on the field. BTW, they beat SF today 3-2 with Centerback Clarence Goodson playing up top and contributing a goal.
Here is a list of missing players:

Martin Hutton, GK, St Louis, broken hand

Kevin Wilson, MF, USD, academics

Alejandro Salazar, F, academics

Ben Stevens, M, Australia U-20, serious infection

Jarrod Smith, F, New Zealand U-20, currently sick

Abe Thompson, F, UMD, Home w/pulled hamstring

Jason Thompson, F, UC- Irv, unknown reasons went home

Robbie C'Debaca, M, New Mexico, injury

Brandon Moss, D, New Mexico, injury

Miguel Guante, MF, Portland, home


It's actually kind of amazing that they are still in the play off race at this point. The PDL is a crazy league, this weekend's home games for Boulder were played in Rapid City, SD and Spearfish, SD which are only 7-8 hours from Boulder. Apparently Boulder sells their "home game" to cover expenses, I wonder if this hurts their competitive situation? Oh well, life in the PDL it's not to be taken too seriously just something to do in the summer.