The WOP's Season 28 Group Play Picks
(and not that kind of group play, guys and gal)
Well well well….the time has come, hasn’t it? Time for another Brooklyn Cup campaign. This season brings us more change than a Welsh hooker in New York…..more teams, fewer matches, all neutral sites. Makes it difficult for teams like Wind, Ratz,, Tigers, and Ellwood to qualify, you know? Oh wait…..
Some big questions loom out there this season.
1. For two seasons the cup has resided stateside here in our beloved Brooklyn. Will it remain here, or can the Euro trash bring it back across the pond? Maybe and maybe.
2. Can the Brooklyn Wind finally break through and win this thing? Maybe not.
3. Will any of Johnny-come-latelys, and that’s NOT me by the way, qualify and challenge? Maybe not.
4. And finally, will we see our first ever B-Cup national league champion this season in Ellwood of Wales. Sure, it’s Wales, but still, I’m impressed with that team as I am sure all of you are as well. Probably.
So let’s get down to it. This season I am going to make a quick remark about each Group, list my picks in order of finish, with a comment or two on each squad’s chances this year AND overall odds to win it all. Got it? As usual, it’s hard to predict what you guys and gal (are any of the new teams a gal? don’t think so) are thinking in terms of risk vs. reward in the b-cup, and even harder for those new teams with whom I have zero experience. Is that going to stop me? No. As usual, these predictions are made for illegal wagering purposes only. (Illegal here in Pat Roberts, USA, anyway. )
GROUP A
This group is very very hard to predict but here it goes. I’ll give it my best.
1. Ellwood. (3-1) Despite his run at the League championship, Ellwood still wins this group. A two-time champion with an ax to grind from last season, he has a b-team better than most a-teams.
2. Sea Lane. (5-1) Did you guys know Julian could probably pilot ferry through the East River with his eyes closed? This guy knows his transport. Sea Lane gets in. Barely.
3. Direwolf Athletic. (25-1) Did you guys know Maria probably can’t pilot a ferry through the East River? Direwolf has taken a little tumble in league play and I think they’ll just barely miss qualifying.
4. Saltopus. (100-1) Jay’s fighting to win his series. I’m not sure he’ll be a factor in this thing but he could surprise.
5. Monmouth Town. (100-1) This guy will be too busy presiding over the US Supreme Court to be interested in the B-Cup. He will also be trying to avoid relegation. Welcome Monmouth!
GROUP B
This group is very very hard to predict but here it goes. I’ll give it my best.
1. Rasaritul Delta. (6-1) If his Romanian National Cup run is any indication, he’s going to win this group with ease. Cozy 2-5 spot in series play gives him the flexibility to throw some A-teamers into the mix.
2. Kings County United. (6-1) KCU has shown a willingness and ability to excel in the B-cup lately with his counter-attacking style. I think CA’s should be taken off the menu of tactical possibilities personally.
3. Bajen Avalance. (6-1) Claus’s dream of a b-cup championship are dashed as he fights to win his series. Good luck, Claus.
4. The Brooklyn Wind. (1000-1) Who, me? Fughetaboutit. If I want it, I can take it. My run of 6 qualifying seasons comes to a screeching halt.
5. Reefs fc. (100-1) Reefs is a relative newbie with lots of potential. He appears to be English, however, and this could prove troublesome. I thought we had a moratorium on these bloaks! Welcome reefs. Cheerio, now.
GROUP C
1. Dirty Ratz. (3-1) This B-Cup has Ratz written all over it. Can’t win his series, but can win the B-Cup. Former and original champ is hungry.
2. Brooklyn FC. (4-1) Scotty won’t want to suffer the humiliation of not qualifying with the cup on his mantel. Ahem. He’ll lose that match to Ratz but beat everyone else.
3. Genetic Freaks United. (50-1) Freaks are looking good and have some room in series play to take some chances. Problem is that they’re in this group.
4. Anfield IF. (50-1) Uh oh, had scheduling problem from the outset. Not a good sign. As a Liverpool supporter, Anfield should be allowed one scheduling mistake per season. I don’t think the 3-0 walkover would be all the different if they had played. What’s Anfield doing in Sweden anyway? Am I missing something? Welcome Anfield.
5. Presidents. (200-1) Presidents make it back after a season of relegation. Did they learn their lesson sitting in the corner? Not so sure.
GROUP D
This group is very very hard to predict but here it goes. I’ll give it my best.
1. Brooklyn Tigers. (4-1) Once the dominant team in this thing, has fallen back to the pack, Still, in that 2-5 spot in series play, will pull out some big guns to easily win this group.
2. The Hated Bonerfried . (6-1) Will it be apparent at some point that he can’t possibly win his series or not? Does it matter? His team looks good right now, and he’s got some depth. Will take the number 2 spot, at the chagrin of all Wind supporters.
3. Maidstone Reunited. (20-1) Stones are going to come very close and it’s going to come down to that Round 5 match against FCB. And I hate to say it but I see them losing.
4. System 3loc. (20-1) Past performances and series position make me think System is going to fishing in this spot. Though they could surprise anyone in this series in a given week. We know they have the players.
5. Legio Primigenia. (100-1) New American team from my hometown in Dallas. Looks a lot like my squad a couple seasons ago. Central D just got ravaged by injuries, lucky for that 1st round bye. Still, don’t quite have the players to stay up in this Group. Welcome Legio.
So there you have it. The final 8 are:
Ellwood
Sea Lane
Delta
KCU
Ratz
BFC
Tigers
Bonerfried
Questions, comments, hatred? Throw it all my way. I’m ready. Good luck to all…..
PS: In one of those rare and only in Hattrick occurrences, the competition gets going today as two matches – Wind-Reeefs and FCB-System will be played at Ellwood arena at the SAME EXACT TIME – 21:30 CET. Could get a little crowded out there on the pitch, eh? Cheers.
The Wop
posted by johnsic @ 17:48
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