U13 Girls Preview I
Group B: Washington Freedom, MPS Boston, Diablo FC, Atlanta Fire
USL News Release
Monday, September 22, 2008
TAMPA – Just 61 days away from the 10th annual USL Super Y-League North American Finals (67 days out from Thanksgiving) the majority of the boys and girls U13 field is set. Focusing in on the four clubs that represent Group B of the girls’ campaign, the Washington Freedom, MPS Boston, Diablo FC and the Atlanta Fire have a combined record of 34-3-4 on the season, a winning percentage of 83%.
Washington Freedom
The Freedom girls played out their qualification season in the 15-team, single table Mid Atlantic Division. They ended the summer in second place behind the undefeated Long Island Rough Riders. The only loss on the Freedom’s record of 11-1-1 was a 4-1 defeat to the Brooklyn Knights on Sunday, July 20. They also drew even with Match Fit Academy, 2-2 on Thursday, July 24.
 Washington had, by a large margin, the best offense in the division. They netted 53 goals in 13 matches for a goal-scoring average over four per game. On the other side of the ball, the Freedom could use some tightening up if they hope to advance to the knockout phase of the Super Y-League North American Finals. Their defense allowed 16 goals in 13 matches, which is not a horrible goals against average (1.2), but it was the fifth best mark in the division.
MPS Boston
The only undefeated side in this group, MPS Boston relied on their defense to win the New England Division. They completed the task with a goals against average of 0.2 per match, one of the lowest totals in Super Y-League history. With the team’s spotlight on defense, the counterattack prospered. The side netted 33 goals in 10 matches.
Their first match in group play on Friday, November 21 will be against Diablo FC from the Northern California Division. The first goal of that match will be crucial, seeing as both sides revolve around the defensive mind frame. There was more parity in the Northern California Division this season and Diablo may be more prepared to handle a tight match as a result, but either way it should be a low scoring affair, a goalkeeper’s delight.
“The MPS U13 Renegades have had an excellent first season in the Super Y League,” wrote Sarah Dooley and Mark McDevitt of MPS Boston. “[The side] finished in first place with 28 points and a record of 9-0-1. The team has a great work ethic and showed tremendous improvement as the season progressed. They are looking forward to their first Super Y-League North American Finals.”
Diablo FC
The aforementioned Northern Californians ended their summer season with a record of 7-1-1. Their only loss of the year was to Juventus, 2-1 on Sunday, July 1. Diablo however, was able to split the season with Juventus as they downed the side 2-0 at home on Saturday, May 10. Diablo won Group A of the split division by posting better results than Juventus against their Group B opponents. Where Juventus went 1-2-0 against Group B competition, Diablo picked up a crucial 1-1 draw with undefeated North Cal Lamorinda, who will inhabit Group A at the North American Finals. Diablo also defeated San Ramon Soccer club, 1-0 on Sunday, June 15 where Juventus fell 3-2 in the final match of their season on Sunday, August 10.
Atlanta Fire United
Last, but not least, the 7-1-1 Atlanta Fire escaped a hot South Atlantic Division by one point over their cross-town rivals, the Atlanta Silverbacks. The Fire, who ended the summer with 22 points, edged the Silverbacks in head-to-head competition, 4-1 on Wednesday, July 16. Playing from behind the remainder of the season, the Silverbacks fell to the CASL RailHawks, who will fight out of Group C at the North American Finals. With a chance to put the Silverbacks away though, the Fire also fell to CASL, and a 1-1 draw with the Northern Virginia Majestics opened the door for the Silverbacks. But in the end the deficit created by the face-to-face encounter with the Fire result was too much for the Silverbacks to overcome.
The Fire will open group play at the North American Finals against the Washington Freedom. That match will be decided by the ongoing debate on which is stronger – a fierce attack vs. a solid defense (the Fire allowed 0.55 goals per game this summer). If the Freedom is able to improve on that defense, they will be tough to beat in this competition.
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