Holladay, October 15, LNS. --In two weeks, the top two teams in the Premiership of the Utah Soccer Association will face each other in the annual Daynes Cup game at Storm Mountain Park. The following is an analysis of the March to the Cup.
Group A. Standing, Week 9.
1. Olympique Montreux, 25 points--x
2. International, 21
3. Utah Mix, 20
4. Orem City, 9
5. DLD FC, 4
6. Pan World, 2
x: Clinched Group, qualifies for Daynes Cup.
Although it is the newly promoted team in the Premiership, Olympique Montreux [OM], the former champion of the Liga LatinoAmericana, assembled a truly Olympic roster this fall and clinched the group with one game to spare. It is guaranteed a place in the Daynes Cup. Because International lost to Utah Mix last week, OM had to make sure it wins this evening against DLD FC. The side did just that, winning 4-0, while International won by forfeit against Pan World.
Next week, International will host OM at the West Jordan Soccer Complex. The result, however, will not matter much. If the Super Eagles win, they will still be short one point. Thus, the Olympians are not in a must win situation and can afford to step off the pedal momentarily and rest several key men.
Group B. Standing, Week 9.
Team Excel, 22 points
Park City, 19
Bosnia USA, 17
United Bosnia, 14
Odyssey Web, 9
FC Stoker, 6
While the competition for a place in the Daynes Cup is settled in Group A with OM representing the group, the drama has thicken in Group B where Team Excel and Park City will confront each other next week in a show down of majestic importance.
Last month, the Snowmen of Park City outscored Team Excel 4-1 (Sept. 6). Along the way, Park City slipped and lost to Odyssey Web (2-0. Sept. 24) and tied Bosnia USA (3-3. Oct. 1). Both teams pulled big victories this weekend. Excel beat United Bosnia 5-0 and Park City preyed upon last place FC Stoker 4-0.
The Snowmen must win next week to be in the cup tie against OM. They have 19 points and Excel has 22. A tie will not help Park City. It is not clear to this writer what the league's penalty shoot out system would accomplish at this stage because teams are still awarded one point each despite winning on penalties. And one point would put the Snowmen's counter at just 20. Will the game go into overtime if the teams are tied at the end of regulation? Or will a successful penalty shoot out be worth three points? Could the league order a coin toss? Hardly.
If Park City wins, the teams will be tied on points. Park City then would go to the Daynes Cup because of a better head to head record due to its 4-1 victory against Excel last September.
But it is still possible, in case of a tie in points, that is if Park City wins, the league may require both teams to play once more in a "playoff" game to determine who will face Olympique Montreux in the Daynes Cup. Such a scenario, however, would take us into a potentially snowy November.
With this background, Team Excel probably will go on the offensive early and try to score, and then sit back in a defensive posture to protect the advantage or ensure at least a draw. The danger for Park City if it allows an early goal is that it will have to send men forward to seek the win, and be exposed to the surgical finishing skills of Scott and Kirk Whiteside on counter attacks.
Park City should be patient, play smart and not commit large numbers up front because an early Excel goal may prove an insuperable barrier to the Daynes Cup.
PROGNOSTIC: Team Excel, 2---Park City, 0.
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SOME IMPORTANT PREMIERSHIP WEEK 9 RESULTS
Olympique Montreux, 4
DLD FC, 0
Scorers: Jake Cavanaugh 2 goals, Chad Gilbert and Sergio Vasquez, one goal each.
International, 1
Pan World, 0
(forfeit)
Park City, 4
FC Stoker, 0
Scorers: Rob Tim 2 goals, Liam and Matt 1 goal each.
Team Excel, 5
United Bosnia, 0
Scorers: Scott Whiteside 2 goals, Kirk Whiteside 3 goals.
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