PPL Predictions 3/27

My first prediction is that there WILL be games this Saturday. If not, then the rest of this post is worthless.

Game of the Week:

Solar Gold (10-2-3) vs. Nationals (4-9-3) - Solar Gold has to win out to have a shot at second place. Of their remaining three games, this one appears to be their best chance to slip up. The Nats are coming off a very impressive peformace against FWU N Blue, a 1-0 loss in which they were very physical and agressive against a team that usually pushes the opoonent around. While FWU was never in real danger of losing the game, the Nats have good size and speed up top and can break you down if you're not on the top of your game. Solar will have to be focused in this game to avoid an extremely costly loss. Solar 2-1.

In Other Action:

FWU N Blue (11-1-4) vs. Valencia (0-5-1, 7-2-2) - FWU still has a date with Monterrey looming, and their only concern is overlooking their current opponent in anticipation of next Saturday's big game. FWU should take care of business 3-0.

TLSC (6-7-3) vs. TFC White (10-6) - TFC looks to rebound from a tough 2-0 loss to Monterrey last time out, while TLSC hopes to build on their 2-0 shutout of Valencia. TLSC wil once again keep the game close but TFC will prevail 1-0.

Monterrey (14-0-2) vs. Aces (0-4-2, 8-1-2) - Aces picked up their second point of the Spring in their last game against a depleted ASG squad. It was a 0-0 tie that had to be somewhat disappointing for both teams. Neither was able to finish their scoring chances, and that trend will not do Aces any favors this week against the high-powered and undefeated Monterrey. Monterrey 2-0.

AGG (6-7-3) vs. Texas Xtreme (4-10-2) - ASG played their last game with on 10 players due to Spring Break and recent player movement. I assume they will have enough players to field a full side in this game, but without two of their better players this game will end up being very competitive. I'll still take ASG, but just barely, 2-1.

Tigres (3-0-2, 11-0) vs. Nationals FC (2-1-1, 0-9) - When these two teams met two weeks ago the game ended in a 1-1 tie, the Tigre's second straight draw after 15 consecutive wins. Rumor has it that they have also moved players to their sister team, which has understandably diminished their dominance on the field. I still think they come out with something to prove and take down the Nats 2-1.

Blaze (3-1-1, 6-4) vs. FC Dallas (2-3, 5-5-1) - These two teams played in the Fall with the Blaze winning 5-1, and again two weeks ago with the Blaze earning a 2-1 victory. Both teams are playing pretty good soccer right now, but based on their history I have to give an edge to Blaze again by the same 2-1 score.

Boca Jrs (0-3, 7-4) vs. Solar Silver (1-3, 1-6-1) - Boca has fallen on hard times amidst rumors of internal conflicts and entire games where they played with less than 11 players. Solar Silver's last recorded result was a 2-1 win over FC Dallas, although these same two teams supposedly met on 3/13, with the result not yet posted. It sure would be nice to know how that one turned out, but based on all of the surrounding evidence I'll take Solar Silver to win 2-1.

FWU N White (5-0, 5-6) vs. Celtic United (0-4, 2) - FWU has already sewn up the Spring title in this group having gone undefeated for the Spring campaign. With Celtic at no Spring wins, this one should be a blowout. FWU 6-0.

McKinney FC (0-1-3, 4-5-2) vs. HPSA Scots (2-1-1, 5-5-1) - McKinney gave the Scots a good game two weeks ago in a 1-1 tie. I think the rematch will also be fairly even, with the Scots earning a hard-fought 1-0 win.

Inferno (1-3-1, 0-10-1) vs. Texas Blitz (2-1-1, 0-10-1) - Not much exciting to say about this one. I'll take the Blitz 4-1.

Monterrey 1 - Aces 0

Good game. Monterrey missed on at least a half-dozen scoring chances before finally converting on a great individual effort with about 12 minutes left. Monterrey was the better team and deserved the win, but Aces continues to show that they are just a couple of pieces away from playing with the "big boys". The wind really sucks.

Solar 3 Nats 2.

FWUB completely dominated Valencia but failed to win missing on at least a dozen scoring opportunities. The goal had a cover on it and the V keeper was outstanding. 0-0. V had only one scoring threat. The wind does suck.

And with that, Solar Gold is in the driver's seat. ASG should be an easy win and then Solar Silver for the final 3 points. Gold is likely to beat silver anyway, but I can't Silver putting up a fight that would cost thier sister team a chance at the challenge games.

Longhorns 1, TFC White 1.

Both teams scored against the wind

How frustrating for FWU. Now they need Solar Gold to slip up somehow and reopen the door for them. If FWU loses to Monterrey and Solar Gold beats ASG on 4/3, then the Solar Gold/Solar Silver game on 4/10 will be meaningless.