- East Bay Prep Corner
East Bay Boys Soccer pre-season rankings
By Matt Smith
Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 10:26 am in Boys soccer.
Soccer season is set to start this week, therefore I have put together a pre-season ranking.
Things will definitely start to sort themselves out, so this should at least make for some good conversation.
1. Richmond
2. De La Salle
3. Newark Memorial
4. Acalanes
5. San Ramon Valley
6. Amador Valley
7. Granada
8. Monte Vista
9. Albany
10. Bishop O’Dowd
11. Pittsburg
12. Piedmont
13. Berkeley
14. Hayward
15. Clayton Valley
Others considered: Castro Valley, Deer Valley, Antioch, Dublin, Ygnacio Valley, Freedom, Alhambra, Logan, De Anza, Washington.
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November 16th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Hey, what about some rankings for the girls? Those games have turned out to be better to watch than a lot of the boys games…..
November 16th, 2009 at 11:56 am
I do boys soccer. We’ll see if the person who covers girls soccer does rankings, but it’s completely up to them.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Who does girls soccer?
November 16th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Matt Schwab did it last year.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Let’s have a season for the ages!
My concern would be about the impact of the USSF Academy program on HS soccer in NCS. Could all NCS HS coaches get together and take a common position on this issue?
November 16th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Cokito,
Honestly it doesn’t matter what stance the high school coaches take on the issue or if they all agree. The Academy programs don’t care about high school soccer one bit and wouldn’t give two cents what anyone associated with high school thinks. I am not saying it’s right or wrong, just saying there is nothing which will be done. Arrogance is a tough thing to deal with. Enjoy high school soccer for what it is — good school against school, emotional games
November 16th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Matt,
Can’t argue with the first two teams, but after that, think Acalanes and Albany are way too high. I get it that your trying to please the entire circulation area, so we’ll just let the season sort things out. Good luck with soccer this year and stay warm!!!
November 16th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Ebal Fan,
You may be right, but let me say this. I have been dealing with the federation for the last few years, and I will not characterize the coaching education leadership as being arrogant at all. For example, the Staff Coach for Region IV, Rene Miramontes, is an open-minded individual who will listen to what one has to say and take it into account, provided it makes sense. Roberto Lopes, from Region II is very much the same. The Federation has changed for the better over the last few years.
November 16th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
The Academy program will definitely effect many schools. For example, SRV’s star Sweeper (Cal bound) is not playing high school due to his Academy commitment, and that’s a big loss for the Wolves. However, I’m sure other teams will be without good players as well. It’s just too bad that Academy soccer’s arrogance will result in many high school teams not fielding their best 11 possible.
November 16th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
These Academy coaches and administrators will listen to anything to portrsy they are caring snd open minded. But one uestion — how often to they comprise with anyone? Just because they listen doesn’t mean they care.
November 16th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Whistle,
Good to see you are still around and caring for soccer!
I can’t talk about all Academy or Federation people, but the ones I dealt with over the years (basically the two named above) struck me as truly intellectually honest;if someone has a better idea than theirs, they will admit it and incorporate it to their thinking.
November 16th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Thanks Cokito…will be here for the season and having fun! I just don’t see these guys thinking anything to do with high school soccer will be better than what they have going. Might be cynical on my behalf, but that’s what I see…let’s make sure we get these soccer boards cranking this season and help Matt out!!
November 16th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
If these academy’s cared about the kids they would not infringe upon high school sports.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Matt,
What do you think about doing another pre-season ranking for each league?
I don’t think it would be necessary to continue it once league gets going in January, but would be good discussion during pre-season.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
That is actually a good idea.
I will look into it and see what I come up with, and if it is good enough or accurate enough, then I’ll post it.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:29 am
I believe Antioch will win BVAL again this year with Pittsburg coming in 2nd place. Clayton Valley should be good but I don’t believe they will win DVAL… My favorites are College Park or Ygnacio Valley. Thanks for the rankings Matt!!!!!
November 17th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Yes, Matt, thanks for doing these rankings!!
November 17th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Looks like several players from EBAL on this Mustang USSF team – http://academy.demosphere.com/teams/17276140/17297565-17276234/TEAM.html
November 17th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
One from Alameda HS as well.
November 17th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
AV has first “game’ tonite vs Accalanes, plus another on Saturday vs Alameda. The fun begins.
November 18th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Cokito,
The Region Coaches are for CYSA ODP programs, they are NOT the Academy Program coaches.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
EBAL Dad,
Yes, they are actually involved in ODP at the regional and national levels, as well as in coaching education at the national level. However, they are also involved in the design of the Academy program. At least, that is my understanding.
Anybody knows what Acalanes and AV did last night?
November 18th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Btw, Where is Marques?
November 18th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Where’s Northgate? Coach Dickie Thow thinks his boyz are gonna kick-ass in DVAL this year.
November 18th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Wheres Northgate?Better question is where is Las Lomas?
November 18th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Where’s LAS LOMAS? They finished 2nd in DFAL and were semi finalists in NCS. they’ve won the championship, and have been quarter finalists and semi finalists in the last 3 years.. not to mention beat half the teams on this list. shows how accurate these rankings are.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:23 am
You guys have to calm down about Las Lomas. Before you start criticizing the rankings (which you already did) remember, these are a pre-season ranking, and are just for fun. They’re not going to be accurate. I know that. Things will sort themselves out. Just relax.
As far as someone calling for Northgate, I guess we can just chill on them in the rankings for a while after a loss to Dougherty Valley. Don’t get me wrong, they’ll be fine, but just not ranked for now.
And I found out that Acalanes v. Amador Valley was a scrimmage, so nothing to report there.
November 19th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Las Lomas should be in there
November 20th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
i think tennyson will do good this year even though the last season wasnt good you never can expect a team to be the best its always going to be diffrent
November 22nd, 2009 at 7:33 pm
berkeley barely lost to newark 2-1 on a fluke offsides call during stoppage time in the 2nd half. theres no way that kid was offsides when he scored. also, i think berkeley should be ranked higher than albany.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I’m just confused on what contributes to these rankings… Are they based on how teams finished last year or returning players?
November 24th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Maybe the first 15 names drawn from a hat! But when all is said and done, Castro Valley may very well find their spot in the top 15 or higher. Combines coaching, possession, speed of play, and tenacity. 3-0 win over AV last night on set piece and two PKs.
November 25th, 2009 at 1:09 am
This list is a good place to start as any. Thanks Matt for putting the list together. Meanwhile, you can take Northgate off the list – two losses in a row both shutouts. It looks like NG is in rebuilding mode this year. Meanwhile, the darkhorse in the DVAL should be Berean – with new coach in tow, Jon Scoles, they will not be an easy W for any opponent. De La Salle looks like they are ready to defend their title this season. They scrimmaged Concord this past Saturday and displayed lots of depth and tough defense as Concord dominated possession and shots on goal but DLS got the result as is the DLS way.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
i think the academy is a waist of time because i play on santa clara sporting and we have beaten supposebly one of the best academy in the nation but its basically these clubs taking money from the rich kids and trying to make a program..
November 29th, 2009 at 12:27 am
Don’t think Tennyson will be very good this year.
San Lorenzo played pretty well with Las Lomas last week, 4-3 i think it was, with Las Lomas scoring in the final minutes.
November 29th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
indeed San lorenzo played good, but the LL team was pretty legit too. they’re 4-0 with a win over concord last week. I’m expecting a lot from the concord team this year, they look pretty good. I don’t know how’s YV and Dublin but probably from what i saw the past years they will have good teams. From what I heard Acalanes is nothing this year. Watch out for Dougherty Valley, they had horrible teams in the past but after playing 4 years in a row together you kinda expect them to have a good team..
But as I always say,” it’s soccer, WHO KNOWS!!!???”
November 30th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
tennyson has a pretty legit team. 2 fast fowards and one or 2 solid mids.. team has too much offense and lacks on D. LL beat them in a hard game 3-1 tonight.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:22 am
Not much love for Dougherty Valley in the DFAL. They completely outclassed Northgate on the road and dismantled De Anza last night. Things get difficult this week, however, with O’Dowd and and Albany. Good test for DV and no pressure on the Wildcats to win as both opponents ranked among the best. Return same team as last year which lost 1-0 on the road against Acalanes, Miramonte and Las Lomas. Darkhorse indeed!
December 1st, 2009 at 11:27 am
Not much love for Dougherty Valley in the DFAL. They completely outclassed Northgate on the road and dismantled De Anza last night. Things get difficult this week, however, with O’Dowd and and Albany. Good test for DV and no pressure on the Wildcats to win as both opponents ranked among the best. Return same team as last year (no Seniors) which lost 1-0 on the road against Acalanes, Miramonte and Las Lomas. Darkhorse indeed!
December 1st, 2009 at 10:05 pm
CAL HIGH. MUST be considered in these rankings. They had 3 seniors last year who werent very good, and were led by a sophmore and junior. This team is a year older and very talented. This team should be considered with Monte Vista. They tied Richmond 1-1, and could have easily won that game. They dominated that game and Richmond got a very lucky goal. Cal HIgh will contend for and EBAl title this year, you can guarantee that.
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:25 am
Your posting in the wrong rankings. The new ones have Cal considered. These are a couple of weeks old.