State Cup  - Spring 2006

West Side Scoreboard - 16/17/18

TNT and Capital Area are generally considered to be mid State Clubs

State Cup is the tournament that allows you to play at least 3 games against the top teams in the State.  It is a measuring stick as to where your team actually fits in.  This is the only tournament that the teams from the Detroit area actually take seriously.  There are no guest players allowed.  It allows you to see the other teams in your area that take the game seriously.

In the 16's, 3 teams entered from the West side and 1 advanced

In the 17's, 6 teams entered from the West Side and 2 advanced

In the 18's, 4 teams entered from the West side and 3 advanced

Add this up and 6 out of 13 teams entered advanced to the quarterfinals.  This is a great result. 

Club Scorecard:

• 3 from West Michigan Fire (16,17,18)

• 1 from GRASA (17)

• 1 from MPSA Rovers (18)

• 1 from Kalamazoo Kingdom Reserves(18)

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Many good teams did not advance.  Some because of injuries.  Some because of a bad bounce.  Some because of a bad draw. Some because they had one bad game and couldn't afford to.  It is all a great experience.  More teams should enter this yearly tournament and stretch their wings a little.  Great job. 

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This is a direct link to U16 quarters:

QUARTERFINALS

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U16 Boys

Only 3 teams from the West side entered at 16.  The West Michigan Fire advanced to the quarterfinals.  The small number of teams that entered is not due to a lack of talent, it is due to the "Premier" clubs not developing teams that were able to carry through at this age and at 17.  Many of the elite players have chosen to play up an age group(17/18) or have chosen to play on local select teams or have simply  decided that they have made their varsity high school team and club soccer doesn't interest them anymore.  In addition, jobs, cars and girlfriends shrink the numbers.

My prediction for the final:  Wolves vs VardarStars

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POOL 4

TKO White:  1-1-1

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POOL 6

West Michigan Fire: Wins Pool 

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POOL 6

TKO Blue: 0-1-2

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This is a direct link to U17 quarters:

QUARTERFINALS

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U17 Boys

Five teams entered from the West side.  The West Michigan Fire and the GRASA White advanced to the quarterfinals.  Most observers will notice a lack of a Grand Valley team here and at 16. 

My prediction for the final: VardarStars vs Wolves

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POOL 2

Kingdom Reserves:  2-0-1

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POOL 4

West Michigan Fire: Wins Pool

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POOL 4

Muskegon Lakers: 0-0-3

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POOL 7

TKO Premier:  1-0-2

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POOL  7

West Michigan Fire:  0-0-3

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POOL 8

GRASA White:  Wins pool

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This is a direct link to U18 quarters:

QUARTERFINALS

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U18 Boys

Four teams entered from the West side.  The West Michigan Fire, The Kalamazoo Kingdom Reserves and the MPSA (West Michigan) Rovers advanced to the quarterfinals.  The very big surprise was that the GVP U18 (last years State Cup winner at 17 did not advance through Pool play.  Player attrition, injuries and poor scheduling (11 games in 16 days is too much for anyone, let alone 18 year olds) all contributed.

My prediction for the final: West Michigan Fire vs CA United

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POOL 1

MPSA Rovers: gets Wild Card #2

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POOL 2

Grand Valley SC: 1-1-1

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POOL  2

Kalamazoo Kingdom:  Wins Pool

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POOL 5

West Michigan Fire:  Wins Pool

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