U13G State Cup Takes Shape

Today was the big draw for the 2009 State Cup. And I forgot all about it... until I got a call from Babes's dad (who can graciously offered to attend to represent our team) at 11AM with the results.

20 teams!  And from what I hear, maybe games in Cambridge, Chisago Lakes, or Stillwater.  What the heck?

Group A

• Eagan
• NLS
• MN Thunder Jrs. 97e Blue (us)
• Prior Lake 1
• Prior Lake 2 (U12 play up team)

Group B

• Tonka United
• Woodbury
• Eden Prairie
• Dakota Rev
• Lakeville

Group C

• Cottage Grove
• Burnsville
• Sibley
• MTA Elite 96 White
• North Metro

Group D

• Edina
• St Croix
• PSA
• MTA Elite 96 Blue
• Coon Rapids

All in all, a pretty good draw for us. We've matched up these past two months in the U13G Footskills D-League against a core group of the Eagan and Prior Lake U13 teams. We competed well with both, though I'm sure both were missing some multi-sport athletes this winter. We see Eagan tomorrow morning in a friendly and will likely try and set something up with Prior Lake next weekend.

We've played the U12 Prior Lake team a couple times already and I believe, at this time, we're a more talented group overall than they are. I have no idea about Northern Lights (NLS).

The other groups look stronger.

Dakota Rev must be the favorite in Group B.  They beat both Tonka and EP in the 2008 Fall Harvest Fest by 4 goals (in the semis and finals respectively) but I think Rev could be in for a surprise if they take either team lightly.  Woodbury is not at Rev's level.  No idea about Lakeville.  Talk about a community that should have much stronger teams based on their youth population. 

In Group C, Cottage Grove is probably the early favorite, though our White group and North Metro will not be push overs.  Burnsville has a new coach who I respect, but their top players at this age group are up with the club's U14 Premier team.

Our Blues are the favorites in Group D.  PSA is decent, Edina is better from what I've seen. 

So in my mind, three horse races in every group. 

I think it's realistic for us to set a goal of advancing out of our group.  We are in the tournament this year for experience, but nothing wrong with setting results goals like this.

Notable clubs/teams missing from this list of 20?  Minneapolis United, Blackhawks, Rochester, TC Fire, and White Bear Lake (undefeated in the fall).  Maybe realistic in where they are currently at with this age group and what the competition would be like.

2008 U12G Summer Standings

2008 U13G Fall Standings

2008 U13G Fall Harvest Fest

We are slated to play on the weekend of April 25th and 26th, so the Eclipse Challenge Cup is out as an event.  Would have been a fun one to attend, but I guess we'll get to save some money... and use it to fill our tanks to get to Cambridge. 

I was so looking forward to this 8.7 mile commute for State Cup this year -

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Now I'll probably get this 61.5 mile one -

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