The Virginia State Cup is quickly coming to a close, with only two weekends of play left as the fields have been narrowed to four.
Girls
The VSA Heat Blue dominated the FCR Mystx in a 6-0 victory in the U-14 division. They will play the CYA Chaos, who snuck by Loudoun 96G Red in a tight 3-2 victory. The PWSI Courage Red defeated Beach FC 1-0, and they will face the DCST Metros Blue, who won 1-0 against the FASA Elite Impact.
The Virginia State Cup is quickly coming to a close, with only two weekends of play left as the fields have been narrowed to four.
Girls
The VSA Heat Blue dominated the FCR Mystx in a 6-0 victory in the U-14 division. They will play the CYA Chaos, who snuck by Loudoun 96G Red in a tight 3-2 victory. The PWSI Courage Red defeated Beach FC 1-0, and they will face the DCST Metros Blue, who won 1-0 against the FASA Elite Impact.
PSW’s Prediction: The Heat Blue have been rolling right along, but the Chaos will be their first tough challenge. The Courage and Metros Blue will be a tight match, and both teams will need a solid defensive effort to move on to the next round.
Final: VSA Heat Blue vs. PWSI Courage Red
The ASC Freedom rolled over the VAR Nike in a 5-1 victory in the U-13 division, and they will face SOC Express, who edged the Roanoke Star Elite 1-0. McLean Extreme Green defeated Beach FC Red 1-0, and they will play PSWI Courage Red, who won 2-1 against the SYA Cardinals.
PSW’s Prediction: The Freedom have also dominated the competition here, but they will face a gritty challenger in Express, who have edged out their competition to get to the semi-final. The Green Extreme had one of the highest scoring matches at the beginning of play when they won 10-0 against VAR Swoosh, but their margins of victory have become smaller. The Courage will have to shut down the Extreme’s offense if they want to move on.
Final: SOC Express vs. McLean Green Extreme
In the U-12 division, the Richmond Kickers Elite managed to hold on to a 5-4 victory against the BRYC Elite. The Kickers will play the Suffolk FC Xplosion, who also won a tight 3-2 game against the SYC Tigers. ASC Arsenal beat the SYA Storm 2-1, and they will play the VSA Heat Blue, who defeated SOC Express 2-0.
PSW’s Prediction: The Kickers and Xplosion have proven they know how to fight for a win, so it’ll be a tough battle between two gritty teams. This match will be a nail biter to the finish, and it may be a matter of who can score just before the whistle. Arsenal and Heat will need to put points on the board early, and then settle in with some solid defending.
Final: Suffolk FC Xplosion vs. VSA Heat Blue
Boys
Herndon Boca Juniors breezed by VAR Nike in a 3-0 victory in the U-14 bracket. They will play the Richmond Strikers Elite, who also won 3-0 against the Arlington Strikers Red. The McLean Fire Green won 2-0 against BRYC Elite, and they will play Beach FC Red, who clinched their semi-final spot by besting BRYC Elite Blue 3-2.
PSW’s Prediction: The Juniors have dominated since the beginning, and will be a tough opponent, however, Nike has also eased their way through the competition, and will most certainly put up a fight. Fire Green and Beach FC have both overcome some quality teams on the way to the semi-finals, and they will need to continue to play strong in the back if either team wants to move on.
Final: Herndon Boca Juniors vs. Beach FC
VSA Heat Blue easily beat Loudoun 97B Red 3-0 to clinch a semi-final spot in the U-13 division, while TAFC Milan narrowly edged Beach FC Red 1-0 to earn their spot. The Arlington Impact Red won 3-2 against PWSI Courage Red, and will play SOC Express, who defeated the Chantilly Strikers 1-0.
PSW’s Prediction: Heat Blue has romped through their early games, but they will face a tough opponent in TAFC Milan. Express posted a high scoring 11-0 victory in the first round, but their goal scoring has dwindled since then. They need to fire up their offensive line if they want to move on.
Final: TAFC Milan vs. Arlington Impact Red
In the U-12 division, the Richmond Kickers Elite Central dominated the SVU Boys Premier, winning 6-0. They will play BRYC Elite, who won 3-1 against the NVSC Royals Blue. The PWSI Courage Red edged the VAR Academy Blue 3-2, and will face the FASA Hotspur Elite, who earned their semi-final spot by defeating Beach FC Red 1-0.
PSW’s Prediction: The Kickers know how to score goals, and Elite will have to figure out how to shut down their offensive line if they want to win. The Courage know how to hold on to victory, but so do the Hotspur. Both teams will have to gut it out for a win.
Final: Richmond Kickers Elite Central vs. FASA Hotspur Elite
