With RSL now in ECNL their players are now eligible to play HS. Will this change the balance of power in the valley?
RSL was allowed to play HS last year, and the answer was yes. Chap was no longer as dominant. DS was also allowed, but most sat HS out last season. Expect to see more of them this year playing HS.
at least one of the national DPL events is scheduled during HS season - it'll be interesting to see if the Arizona DPL teams attend or have to skip those.
Likely skip. You see teams.do showcases up to around Thanksgiving. After that not much due to the HS schedule.
I think some Rising ECNL/ECRL teams are doing a showcase in CA around Thanksgiving. The last league games are Nov 20.
Any predictions on the top teams for 6A? How does Chap, Pinnacle and Xavier look? Perry was very good last year but they also had a lot of seniors. Will they be as good as last year? For 5A, there are lot of club soccer players at Notre Dame. Will they be a top contender? Who else for 5A?
We may have something new in store for us with 6A this year. Not feeling it Chap, Hamilton, or Pinnacle. Xavier look good. Coaching may play a role this year. 5A Arcadia, Horizon, and Millennium have some talent. I haven't seen the roster for Casteel but they rocked it last year. Notre Dame Prep is 4A again this year. They look to be a real contender.
The 6A contenders should get stronger this year. Pinnacle, Xavier and Chap will add players who sat out last year for DS and have switched clubs. Pinnacle does lose a key piece through injury and would really suffer if their goalscoring star doesn't return for her Senior year. Perry lost a lot of Seniors but should still be strong. 5A: Campo Verde and Casteel will contend. Coaching, as always, will make the biggest difference. Xavier on paper weren't favored to win last year, but transformed midseason into a defensively stout, counterattacking team against stronger competition. That kept them 0-0 with Perry until a last second miracle in the Semis, then they dominated the midfield in the 6A Championship game.
Note: High School schedules will be somewhat fluid from what I hear as they are starting to shift games around due to lack of Officials.
Huge 6A State Championship rematch tonight: Xavier @ Chaparral Xavier should be much improved at Midfield and Striker, while I'm not sure where Chap strengthened. Edge to the Gators. Who ya got?
Heard today that AIA temporarily shut down 3 soccer programs due to Covid. Anyone know which schools?
Unaware of programs shutting down. Games are being canceled but mostly for indoor sports. https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...arizona-high-school-winter-sports/9189585002/
Desert Vista looks good so far. Ranked #5 on the girls side and should potential win the rest of their games. The Desert Valley conference looks to be the toughest conference with Pinnacle, Liberty and Chaparral.
