I know its hard to think of with the great weather we've had this summer, but with training and exhibition games starting, I guess summer is officially over....
With that said, looks like the off season has stirred up a little drama which may or may not affect teams this season....soooo how are teams going to size up this year???
1 Columbus FC-always a good team with a good mix of veterans and youth, and the addition of SFU kids come November will give them the depth to contend for the title come year end...Eggy will have them in a top 4 finish for sure....
2 Coquitlam M-Ford Wolves-this team is always solid and with Freddy and Joey Scigs joining last season, adding to an already good group, + the addition of Ollie, they should be in contention all year...not to sure about depth after the top 11 and 1 or 2 off the bench...we'll have to see....
3 Croatia SC-not to sure what to think about the boys with the best supporters in the league. With management making open casting calls on TTP (looking for a diamond in the rough), loss of some players and rumours of Johnny S not starting the season, coupled with a new coach, could be an interesting transition...maybe a long needed one. They will still be a tough team to play and the addition of Cravzy from SUFF will help...middle of the pack...
4 Delta Metro United/Sporting-The biggest news this off-season being the defunked CSL's "Mr October", taking over the abondoned whitecaps reserve spot. Thrilla Miller has taken his old bones (and his suitcase) and has landed back where the legend began!! He has also managed to convince the Gomes bro's to bring the sporting boys over to aid in his latest endevour. IMO this amalgamation could be the most genious move or the dumbest move in recent VMSL history. I can understand the motivation for the Sporting lads to keep there team together and play at the highest level in the VMSL, but with Millers track record this could be an experiment gone horribly wrong. Stating that, and based on the talent, this team could be very good....middle to top of the pack....
5 ICSF Inter-- This is always a good team with some very good players, but their end result is always the same. Top 4/5 in the league but can't get over the hump come clutch time. This year could be different...not sure what they've added or lost but based on last year they will compete all year in the league...cup time will be the question....
6 ICST Pegasus-The 1st of the newly promoted teams this season will be skilled and quick. Reedie will have these lads ready to go for the beginning of the season. The key to this squad IMO are the middle months when commitment starts to wean, the weather becomes shitty, and the fear of implosion sets in. I've heard of Maysam(sp) from West Van and Nico Marcina(sp) from Croatia joining this group which will definately help...I see them in the middle of the pack with potential of upsetting some good teams...
7 Norvan Pacific "A"-no idea what this team will look like after the mass exodus but if recent history serves me correct anywhere hurricane Miller touches down, results in complete decimation...the transition may lead to a long season in the bowels of the VMSL...wish the lads the best but, it could be a relegation battle all year...
8 Rich. FC Hibernians "A"-this team knows its limitations and also knows what it needs to do to stay in the Premier division. Last year they came out fit and structured while other teams were slow out of the gate. This allowed them to gain enough points to stay out of relegation all season. Not knowing what additions they made this year, they will probably have to do the same thing this year and rely on their hard work and seasoned vets to get them through this season...middle/bottom of the pack....
9 Sapperton Rovers "A" -welcome back WAB and congrats on the promo. Not to lick balls, but something has to be said of a group that gets relegated, sticks together, and gets themselves back into premier the following year....without a merger!! I think Croatia did it years back as well. Job well done...stating that, this team will need some work. I'm sure WAB is aware of this, and signing vets like Woody and Blakeway this season is a great start. One thing most teams in this league know....there will be no free points when you play Sapp, they will make you earn every blade of grass (artificial turf) come season time....middle/bottom of pack....
10 Surrey Utd. Firefighters-after a struggle and a hard fought transition for the newly merged club,SUFF fought back in true fashion and battled to end the season on a good note. This year brings promise of a successful season with quite a few quality additions, return of Rizal a healthy Skinner, and a full season of Clarke. With the talent and depth, SUFF could compete for the title this year. The biggest question will be whether the, arguably most talented team on paper, can translate that success on the field. Can everyone buy in and put the team 1st for the common goal? The job of managing ego's will fall on the lap of the biggest ego of them all....THOMO....contending for title/top 4 finish
11 West Van FC "A" -The team to beat...period. This was the best "TEAM" all last season. They are well coached and they have a mix of veterans and youth that all buy into a system...and this translates into winning. The standard was set last year and this group of North Shore boys knows every team in the league will be gunning for them this season. Good luck at the Nationals lads!... They will hang around the top of the table all season.
12 Westside FC "A" -Don't know of any off season activities for Smally's group (if he is still coaching?) They struggled last year, and they will probably struggle this year barring quite a few quality additions...relegation contenders all season.
These are just my humble opinions, and since I was bored, I thought this may get the pre-season banter going. It already looks better having WAB back in the premier discussions on a regular basis. I'm sure he can't wait to piss peeps off!! Good luck to all the teams this season and again to West Van at nationals.
Ltr homeskillets!
Herb Jr.
With that said, looks like the off season has stirred up a little drama which may or may not affect teams this season....soooo how are teams going to size up this year???
1 Columbus FC-always a good team with a good mix of veterans and youth, and the addition of SFU kids come November will give them the depth to contend for the title come year end...Eggy will have them in a top 4 finish for sure....
2 Coquitlam M-Ford Wolves-this team is always solid and with Freddy and Joey Scigs joining last season, adding to an already good group, + the addition of Ollie, they should be in contention all year...not to sure about depth after the top 11 and 1 or 2 off the bench...we'll have to see....
3 Croatia SC-not to sure what to think about the boys with the best supporters in the league. With management making open casting calls on TTP (looking for a diamond in the rough), loss of some players and rumours of Johnny S not starting the season, coupled with a new coach, could be an interesting transition...maybe a long needed one. They will still be a tough team to play and the addition of Cravzy from SUFF will help...middle of the pack...
4 Delta Metro United/Sporting-The biggest news this off-season being the defunked CSL's "Mr October", taking over the abondoned whitecaps reserve spot. Thrilla Miller has taken his old bones (and his suitcase) and has landed back where the legend began!! He has also managed to convince the Gomes bro's to bring the sporting boys over to aid in his latest endevour. IMO this amalgamation could be the most genious move or the dumbest move in recent VMSL history. I can understand the motivation for the Sporting lads to keep there team together and play at the highest level in the VMSL, but with Millers track record this could be an experiment gone horribly wrong. Stating that, and based on the talent, this team could be very good....middle to top of the pack....
5 ICSF Inter-- This is always a good team with some very good players, but their end result is always the same. Top 4/5 in the league but can't get over the hump come clutch time. This year could be different...not sure what they've added or lost but based on last year they will compete all year in the league...cup time will be the question....
6 ICST Pegasus-The 1st of the newly promoted teams this season will be skilled and quick. Reedie will have these lads ready to go for the beginning of the season. The key to this squad IMO are the middle months when commitment starts to wean, the weather becomes shitty, and the fear of implosion sets in. I've heard of Maysam(sp) from West Van and Nico Marcina(sp) from Croatia joining this group which will definately help...I see them in the middle of the pack with potential of upsetting some good teams...
7 Norvan Pacific "A"-no idea what this team will look like after the mass exodus but if recent history serves me correct anywhere hurricane Miller touches down, results in complete decimation...the transition may lead to a long season in the bowels of the VMSL...wish the lads the best but, it could be a relegation battle all year...
8 Rich. FC Hibernians "A"-this team knows its limitations and also knows what it needs to do to stay in the Premier division. Last year they came out fit and structured while other teams were slow out of the gate. This allowed them to gain enough points to stay out of relegation all season. Not knowing what additions they made this year, they will probably have to do the same thing this year and rely on their hard work and seasoned vets to get them through this season...middle/bottom of the pack....
9 Sapperton Rovers "A" -welcome back WAB and congrats on the promo. Not to lick balls, but something has to be said of a group that gets relegated, sticks together, and gets themselves back into premier the following year....without a merger!! I think Croatia did it years back as well. Job well done...stating that, this team will need some work. I'm sure WAB is aware of this, and signing vets like Woody and Blakeway this season is a great start. One thing most teams in this league know....there will be no free points when you play Sapp, they will make you earn every blade of grass (artificial turf) come season time....middle/bottom of pack....
10 Surrey Utd. Firefighters-after a struggle and a hard fought transition for the newly merged club,SUFF fought back in true fashion and battled to end the season on a good note. This year brings promise of a successful season with quite a few quality additions, return of Rizal a healthy Skinner, and a full season of Clarke. With the talent and depth, SUFF could compete for the title this year. The biggest question will be whether the, arguably most talented team on paper, can translate that success on the field. Can everyone buy in and put the team 1st for the common goal? The job of managing ego's will fall on the lap of the biggest ego of them all....THOMO....contending for title/top 4 finish
11 West Van FC "A" -The team to beat...period. This was the best "TEAM" all last season. They are well coached and they have a mix of veterans and youth that all buy into a system...and this translates into winning. The standard was set last year and this group of North Shore boys knows every team in the league will be gunning for them this season. Good luck at the Nationals lads!... They will hang around the top of the table all season.
12 Westside FC "A" -Don't know of any off season activities for Smally's group (if he is still coaching?) They struggled last year, and they will probably struggle this year barring quite a few quality additions...relegation contenders all season.
These are just my humble opinions, and since I was bored, I thought this may get the pre-season banter going. It already looks better having WAB back in the premier discussions on a regular basis. I'm sure he can't wait to piss peeps off!! Good luck to all the teams this season and again to West Van at nationals.
Ltr homeskillets!
Herb Jr.