Far West Region Championships

Each year after State Cup, we send our State Champions to Regionals in June. I have been the last few years, and have to say Regionals is more than a tournament. Regionals is an experience that win or lose can be a great team building experience. An experience that the players should remember forever. It's a solid week of being somewhere in the Western United States with your team.

This year will be no different for the fourteen teams going from our State. Aurora, Colorado is the destination, winning Regionals the goal. In the past couple years alone we've had a few Champions. 2 years ago at U-14 Boys, Crossfire Premier won in Hawaii. Last year our State had 2 winners....Crossfire-Premier U-12 Girls and FC United won at U-16 Boys and finished 2nd in the Nation.

I'll go age by age and give everyone an idea of what this years teams face. It's always a battle, but in some age groups we have favorable match-ups in round robin play.

U-12 Girls FC Vancouver Justice
In their group they have New Mexico, Wyoming, and Idaho. This is definitely a group they could win and if nothing else have a great shot at second and getting into the quarterfinals. Strange things can happen, but I like the chances of advancing for them.

U-12 Boys NW Nationals Forza
They have a similar group to the U-12 girls. New Mexico, Idaho, and Nevada. I believe they also have a shot at winning their group and worst case finishing second. Looks like the quarters for them also.

U-13 Girls Crossfire Premier McCormick
Defending Regional Champions didn't get the easiest draw for a group. Drawing Cal-North, Arizona, and the WC#2. Here's the interesting thing with the Wild card draw they got. The first WC team at the age goes to Montana...not likely they will take it. If Montana takes the WC spot, then they draw the second place teams from Cal-South as WC#2 (ouch) If Montana declines, then Cal-South gets the WC #1 spot and they draw Cal-North as WC#2. Regardless of the draw, I see the Crossfire team getting out of group in at least second place. The group also will play tough and prepare them for later games. * This is one teams that has a shot at winning Regionals*.

U-13 Boys Crossfire Premier James
This group is a very winnable group for this team. They end up with Oregon, Hawaii, and then the #1 Wild Card team. This is a bit interesting because the first choice is New Mexico, then Hawaii, then the Oregon runner-up. I'm not positive New Mexico or Hawaii would send a second team. Regardless a good group for this team to draw, and they should finish 1st and advance.

U-14 Girls Evergreen Soccer Academy Stars
Not a bad group for the ESA girls with Hawaii, Utah, and Idaho. This is a group I expect them to finish no worse than 2nd in group, which means they advance. It's an age in the past we've done pretty well in, and the Stars have a decent shot beyond the quarters depending on who they draw. From there it will take a lot of luck.

U-14 Boys FWU Storm
The Storm were honestly one of my favorite teams in State Cup based on how they played the game. Flat out proper soccer and a great job of attacking the flanks and attacking quickly when needed to exploit numbers. Storm however, did not get the best draw though for Regionals. They ended up with Hawaii, a game they should and will win. The other two teams will be from Colorado, both should be quality teams. A win against just one of the two and they advance. This is a team that I hope advances, because they have a keeper that can keep them in big games. Overall, I look for them to make at least the semi finals.

U-15 Girls Phoenix 89 Red
Wow, what can you say about this team. What they did at State Cup was simply amazing. A P2 team winning State Cup in dominating fashion. The sad part is they will need more magic to even get out of group. They ended up with Oregon, Nevada, and Cal-South. Normally I'd like to say they could finish second, but I know the Nevada team at this age is very strong. Tough group, and at best they finish second in group. I like this team but the draw says to me, they don't advance.

U-15 Boys Crossfire Premier James
I believe because of the draw they win the group. They ended up with Oregon, Montana, and New Mexico. Of the 3 teams only Oregon has any chance of beating this Crossfire team. I personally believe if this team plays their best all tournament, they can make the finals. Of course it depends on the semifinal match up, but I believe they have the talent. Great goalie, center mid, and two of the best forwards on the west coast and possibly the whole US.

U-16 Girls NW Nationals Fusion
Interesting group with 2 Wild Card teams and New Mexico. The WC teams could be one of these teams depending on who decides to come or not. The list in this order for WC spots. 1.Nevada 2.Colorado 3.Arizona 4. Hawaii. I'd guess Nevada and Colorado end up taking the spots, so I'll say Fusion finish second in group. This team is hard for me to figure out. I think they could make the semi's, but I'm not positive beyond that. I like their defense and they play tough and knock it well. I say quarters for sure, semi's at best.

U-16 Boys FC Kitsap Red
1st time at Regionals and they will see what it's about in group play. They ended up with Cal-South, Idaho, and Nevada. I'd think at the very best they finish second in group, although I know they can't beat Cal-South. Nevada is tough, and Idaho play physical. My guess is they get knocked out in round robin, but I hope they prove me wrong. Cal-South will be a game to measure where you stand on a National stage.

U-17 Girls FC Royals
This was one of the most entertaining teams at State Cup. I truly believe they have a shot at the semi's or better, maybe even the finals. They are in a bracket with Wyoming, Oregon, and Idaho. They win their bracket and advance for sure if they come prepared and play well. I look for this to be a team that brings some of that luster back to the Royals and goes far at Regionals.

U-17 Boys NW Nationals Pharaohs
I think these boys are up to the challenge and have been a solid team. They have New Mexico, Cal-North, and WC#2. Wild Card #2 looks like Oregon or if they decline Arizona. I think these boys get out of bracket in second at worst. From there on, it will be a battle. I believe all the tough battles with FC United will help these boys. I don't see them winning Regionals, but I see a solid showing. A trip worth being proud of for this team.

U-18 Girls NW Nationals Volante (State Champions)
This is one of those cases losing at State would have got you an easier bracket for Regionals, since we have the WC#1 spot. My hope is these girls are up for the challenge. They are in a group with Cal-South, Arizona, and WC #2 Utah. I have a bad feeling Regionals may end in the round robin, but am hopeful I'm wrong. The group though is very tough with Cal-South and Arizona.

U-18 Girls Crossfire Premier McCormick (WC #1)
This is one of those cases it pays off to lose at State. These girls end up with WC #3, Wyoming, and New Mexico. I believe they advance out of round robin and should have a decent chance in the quarters. It's a team that has Regional experience, so they'll be prepared and know what to expect. The WC #3 spot could be either Alaska, Wyoming, Montana, or Cal-North. It's hard to say if those State will send their second place team for sure.

U-18 Boys Crossfire Premier Jenkins
I like their chances at Regionals to get to the semi's maybe even the final. This is a team loaded with talent and their group is favorable if they show up to play. They have Utah, Idaho, and Cal-North in group. The only thing keeping them from a semi appearance would be themselves.

WPS Soccer