"I think it's going to be a great investment, but it's also for the love of the game." Today's interview is brought to you by MeritFit. MeritFit.co is a Kansas City based fitness and nutrition blog run by one of my good friends and certified Personal Trainer, Dustin Duewel. He played soccer for 12 years, inspiring his passion for fitness and nutrition. Check out his blog for all kinds of useful information to up your game and get ahead of the competition.
Good morning AP acolytes! That might not be the best nickname, but let's roll with it for now. Round 2 of the US Open Cup just finished last night. Currently the UPSL and Bay State have 1 team each left in the competition, with Christos FC also still alive. The PDL had 3 teams advance, and the NPSL has no teams left. Now, on to Hartford City FC. For those who don't know, this is the second incarnation of Hartford City. The first was an NASL expansion team that came very close to joining before the bid fell apart as a scam. This second version of Hartford City competes in the NPSL, and Rick Ramthun graciously took some time to speak with me about not only this current version of the teams ambition, but also discussed some of the fallout of the failed NASL incarnation of the team, and the fractured state of, well, the state of Connecticut. Check it out. It's been another week of shocking draws, surprising losses, and continued dominance for teams in the National Top 10. And this week, the Regional Top 10 makes it's debut.
First, since the goal of the Power Rankings is to draw more attention to more teams, the Regional Top 10 has been created so teams that play in the regional, state and city USASA Elite Leagues have a home. It's hard to measure how good a team in a regional league is compared to teams in a national league, (or from one national league to the next) so the Regional Top 10 will fill that gap. At the end of everyone's season, we'll also do a year Regional and National Top 10, and then a Combined Top 10. So go score lots of goals, defend like mad, and get as many points as you can! Most of this weeks Power Rankings remain unchanged from last week, with a few notable exceptions. LA Wolves moved up to Number 3, thanks to a massive win, while a draw sees FC Arizona fall to Number 4. Riverside Coras picked up a big win as well and are back up to Number 2. Strikers FC continue their reign at Number 1, and California Victory rounds out the Top 5. Moreno Valley moves up to 6 as a loss sees Santa Ana fall to 7. Orange County FC are looking good, courtesy of a 0-0 draw with FC Arizona. CD Aguiluchos hold on to Number 9, and Colorado Springs FC make their debut at Number 10, thanks to a weekend victory and Rush loss.
And now, onto the debut of the Regional Top 10! Same rules apply here as they do to the National Top 10. Must play 3 games to be considered. Currently, since they already in mid-season, the Regional Rankings will not include teams from the Cosmopolitan Soccer League in NYC. They would be dominating the list, so we'll have to add them in once they start their new season.
What do you think? Any ideas for improvement, things we missed or should change? Let us know in the comments below! Today's interview is brought to you by LeagueApps. League Apps is your one stop shop for streamlining the day to day activities at your club and league. They have multiple options based on your needs, including one that's free! Visit LeagueApps.com to find out more and see what they can do to make running your club and league easier. Read my chat with Mark Turner, the man behind the mike of the only Fan Powered Colorado Springs Switchbacks podcast. At least for the time being. Check out his Podcast here:
www.bgn.fm/back-chat-colorado-springs-switchbacks-fc-podcast/ Mark has some great things to say about the state of the game in Colorado Springs. Read Away! This week is not like the others! Big changes in the Power Rankings due to surprise losses, draws, and wins.
First, some changes are coming to the Power Rankings. The goal of these Rankings is to draw more attention to more teams. Does it get the website views, of course. But at it's heart, these Rankings are about getting more people interested in what's happening in the lower leagues of American Soccer. So, we are making some changes. Starting next week, the Power Rankings will be split in two to better cover teams playing in USASA Elite Leagues. There will be a National League Top 10, made up of teams from the NPSL, PDL, and UPSL, and Regional League Top 10, made of teams from state, city, and regional USASA Elite Leagues. More coverage for more teams makes everyone happy! Strikers FC are Number 1 for the fourth straight week. Below them is where things start to get interesting. After another 4-0 win, FC Arizona now claim Number 2. They've only dropped 4 points all year, and have only given up 2 goals. Santa Ana falls to 3 after a draw, and Riverside Coras to 4, also after a draw. California Victory, undefeated in league play with a stunning +29 goal differential, are in 5, while Moreno Valley, who also drew over the weekend, fall to 6. LA Wolves picked up a 3-0 win and move up to 7. Orange County FC and CD Aguiluchos debut at 8 and 9 respectively, while Colorado Rush fall to 10 after a weekend loss to FC Greely.
Additions for On The Brink: Aegean Hawks FC and Atlantic Stars FC.
What do you think? Are we missing anyone? Are the changes to the Power Rankings a good thing for drawing attention to more teams and leagues? |
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February 2021
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