Last week saw the grading of our friends in the Northern Conference. This week we'll take a shot at grading the West. A lot was made of the strength of this conference during the pre-season based mainly on the fact that Minnesota and Milwaukee looked strong candidates in a Western Conference that already looked stacked.
That standing took a hit as the season opened and San Diego was being run by the league with dwindling attendances. Seattle also looked shaky in the attendance department while the Timbers didn't exactly storm to their media given nickname of "Rochester West". All in all it was a very different year out West from what most expected but the Conference itself was strong once again from top to bottom. So let's look at how these teams graded out after the long haul of this season (Once again, pre-season grades are in parentheses).
1. Vancouver: A (B) The Whitecaps had excellent attendance this year and a team that fed off that enthusiasm. The reversion to the old NASL name may have had something to do with it but the product on the field is likely what kept people coming back. This club should take the pole position in heading up the CUSL in the next couple of years. For now they'll just be one of the better franchises in the league.
2. San Diego: B- (F) This team really did everything possible to make an attempt at a successful year. The team on the field played extremely well considering the distractions. Unfortunately, for some reason, the fans in San Diego stayed away in droves. I find it hard to believe that the San Diego Spirit were able to take that many potential Flash fans away but who knows? Either way if the attendance struggles continue the Flash could be the best team in the D3 or elsewhere.
3. Milwaukee: C- (C-) Well, we know now that the move to Franklin Park may have been a mistake. No lights, fewer fans, and a set of wooden bleachers will get you a lukewarm cup of coffee in some parts. The Rampage have remained one of the steadiest on-field products in the league despite some controversial moments off the field early this season with one of their top scorers.
4. Portland: B+ (A) The Timbers have done very well this year both on and off the field. The array of talent that was bought…. errr, I mean, brought in for the inaugural season in Portland if kept together should contend once again next season. They may even be the team to beat. While the attendance numbers and community impact may not have been as high as expected it has been solid. There are rumors about finance problems off the field but those may just be another set of those weekly rumors that have no credence whatsoever.
5. Seattle: C (C+/B-) This club lived up to or down to expectations depending on your viewpoint. They always looked to be a mid-table club and that's exactly where they wound up. They are quickly coming to grips with how difficult it is to hang on to quality players when you lack the finances other clubs have.
6. Minnesota: F (C+) Where to start? Everything that could go wrong did for the once mighty Thunder. The play on the field was beyond erratic and got this club into an early hole. That happens when you win one out of your first twelve. This is also what happens when you spend lengthy stretches on the road without your best players. The Thunder were lucky to have that lengthy stretch at home near the tail end of the season but it was a case of too little too late as they edged El Paso for sixth place in this conference. There is definitely nowhere for this franchise to go but up after this horror show.
7. El Paso: C+ (C+) The Pats did fairly well this year on the field they were just locked into a dogfight of a Conference. If this team is up against Cincinnati and Indiana or Toronto and Long Island several times this year then they're likely a playoff team. As things stand they had respectable crowd numbers and were able to put together a decent season. They're still hampered by being next door to nowhere but they get things done in their own way.
In Other News…
The A-League playoffs continued leaving the wreckage of the Central Conference in its wake. Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Charleston were the four first round casualties last week. The Metros now prepare for their move East while Atlanta and Charleston promptly dumped their respective coaches. The Charlotte Eagles will just look to build on their successes from this season. Welcome to the A-League, Eagles.
It's no secret Alan Dicks had one of the best operations in the league to work with, unfortunately, when it was crunch time it appeared that the players failed to respond to him. Meanwhile, in Atlanta John Dugan was unceremoniously dumped after getting the 'Backs into the playoffs. You'd think losing guys like Norcott, Piesner, and Henderson would be tough for a team to take but I guess some in Silverback land thought with the guys coming in it would be easy to get over those losses. Apparently not so as Atlanta and Charleston go head coach hunting.
The names at the top of the rumor sheets for these clubs are Nuno Piteira back in Atlanta and John Dugan to Charleston but if anything is certain it's that there is nothing certain until someone announces it officially… and even then we're never truly sure. Other names that have been mentioned are former Seattle coach Neil Megson and Metros coach Brett Mosen. There is no word yet on if Mosen will take charge of any new Nashville franchise in the future.
The playoffs continued this week with San Diego beating Vancouver 2-0 while Richmond plays Milwaukee this evening. Other first leg matches included Rochester losing to the upstart Riverhounds 2-1 in Pittsburgh and Hershey beating Portland 2-0 on the Next-surface. This weekend the second round concludes with intriguing possibilities abounding especially if Pittsburgh pulls off its second huge upset in a row. I guess it goes to show that sometimes maybe you can bet against the Rhinos and win in late September.
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