From where is Vanguard getting HS players? With Monarchy, imperial, mission (plus old stalwarts like Newport) all appearing on the scene in the past few years, I would think the talent base from their younger teams is being pulled all over.
This yearâs 18-Boyz: Beast to pick until the players settle with their teams and we find out when the Jr National team international tourneys are held.
Also, which college teams are traveling pre-season (and when) to Europe.
Iâll go out on a limb and stick with the âBeast Boyzâ to be champions through May. Also overall champs if the scheduling does not interfere with this team.
Iâve heard from multiple sources that Joe Molina (Cal) class of 2022, is this yearâs vanguard 18s coach. Iâve also heard vanguard will be doing their yearly all senior team with this years team being just like last years squad with multiple seniors from different high schools playing on one team. It will be exciting to watch Molina have such a talented group through the year.
Imperial beat Vanguard Blue 14-12 @ Holiday Cup. Not sure who is on that Vanguard team. HB kids?
Another âVanguard Seniorsâ team? Oh joy.
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I believe that after New Yearâs is when all the top seniors will be back in action. I heard there was a scrimmage a couple of weeks ago featuring standout players from Mater Dei, Foothill, Huntington Beach, and other top high schools, with not many seniors competing in the 18U games this pass weekend. Vanguardâs senior team has always been dominant, especially when they find their rhythm during games. Theyâre known for stepping up when it matters most, but this year, Molina will need to ensure the team is fully prepared and avoids falling into the trap of playing hero ball where individuals try to take over rather than playing as a unified team. With so much talent coming from different high schools, building a strong team dynamic will be critical. Managing that much talent can be challenging, especially in high pressure situations, but if Vanguard can foster a cohesive atmosphere and trust in their system, they have the potential to make a deep run. Last yearâs squad was stacked but didnât achieve their ultimate goal of winning Junior Olympics, so how Molina handles this group could be the difference between a strong showing and falling short again.
Here are my Top10 in 14u Boys as of Christmas Day with the meat of the Club Season set to begin:
- Del Mar â With the exception of their first game against Lamorinda at Championâs Cup and an early game against CIU, this team has been dominant.
- CC United â Has taken Del Mar to a shootout twice and lost twice.
- Channel Islands United â Was the favorite to start the season and was the top 14u team at Evan Cousineau but has lost two straight to Del Mar and has not played CCU.
- Lamorinda â Has looked strong but had losses to each of the teams listed above them in either Championâs Cup or Championâs Cup Quals.
- Mission â This ranking is a guess based on how they looked early. They appear to be playing at least some of their A roster up.
- Patriot â The team that looked beatable early has found their form and was looking very good at SPA Champs.
- Newport Beach â Looking better than expected in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year.
- La Jolla United â Dangerous. They are not quite there yet but do not underestimate this team.
- Vanguard â Sometimes they look great and sometimes they donât.
- (tie) Pegasus and Greenwich â Both put up a good fight at Championâs Cup but I need to see more of them.
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Are you affiliated with Vanguard? Reads like it, great program no doubt.
Vanguard talk is off. The best seniors wont be with them. BEAST BOYZ, playing through North Irvine, will be the champs of Jan-May. Do they get an ELITE goalie and do they stay connected through June /July with the pressures of international play and college pre-season commitments? Those questions remain to be answered before slotting them for Futures champ or JO contender.
Outside of this BB team, Newport cruises.
SoCal is gathering all the next best seniors but wonât compete against BB or Newport. Vanguard is a distant 4th. Not enough depth or elite center play to compete.
What seniors do they have?
@marco, any idea if any of the NorCal teams in your top 10 will be coming to patriot invite next week?
I havenât seen the schedule yet, but so far the only non-Southern California team Iâve heard will be there is Greenwich.
Nor Cal teams have futures next weekend and half are signed up for Frozen Cup the other half Kap7
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Now THAT is a tournament! Unfortunate that the NorCal teams canât participate but what a field! Thatâll shine a light on the 12/14 top teams. Then with Dare to Dream coming for 10u we should know a LOT of how the field is looking before futures / CalCup start.
Who has predictions for this Games By Patriot event?
They have an Instagram account in which they only follow 14 people, I am going to guess that those 14 are the 14 people on the roster. I am interested to see who will coach this group.
Luke Harris/USC
Sam Bowman/UCI
Colt Bradley/USC
Gavin Conant/USC
Milan Sumich/CAL
Reed Hanna/USC
Beck Early/Santa Clara
Jacob Carrera/UCD
Jackson Harlan/UCSB
Max Burstein/Pepp
Saul Biddle/Pepp
Kyson Becker/UCSD
Camden Kocur/?
Brian Barnuevo/?
Itâs an interesting mix of guys. Newport, if they have a high-level goalie, I think will still be the best team this year.
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They will come either 5th or 7th
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Whats their IG handle?
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Iâm thinking in 14u, the game on Saturday between Mission and Patriot could be great. I really hope there is a stream or recording posted someplace so I can catch the game.