RSF Attack vs Carlsbad Lightning GU14 Playoff - Photo Credit Aaron Jaffe

Youth Soccer News: Presidio Soccer League Resolves Bracket Competition with Playoff.

Presidio Soccer League’s President Bob Turner chats with SN and the recent GU14 playoff & its impact on San Diego youth soccer.

With hundreds of youth soccer players playing soccer, teams are ranked according to their competitive abilities and grouped into ‘brackets’ by soccer leagues.  This procedure avoids a highly practiced and capable team from playing an inexperienced team whose players have had less technical or tactical training.  

In the San Diego Presidio Soccer League, the guidelines are clearly established and are determined by the team’s performance and coaches’ requests. The process is carefully reviewed and there are multiple brackets with multiple teams in each group.  

Sounds simple…but what happens when two teams are closely ranked for same spot in the Presidio Soccer League?  The GU14 Premier bracket had two talented teams; Carlsbad Lightning and RSF Attack closely ranked for the one playing slot.  

Which team deserved the spot?  A playoff date was set and RSF Attack Coach Mike Jones’ GU14 team met Carlsbad Lightning's Coach Joaquin Valdez GU14 team on the pitch and the outcome of the game determined the decision.

According to San Diego’s Presidio League President, Bob Turner, “Last year we took the step to have playoffs at the discretion of the board in these unique cases.” 

SN interviewed Bob Turner, President of Presidio Soccer League to learn more about this new process and help readers understand.

SN: Why did Presidio choose to hold this game with two teams tying for 1 spot?  

Bob Turner: “These types of decisions usually occur when two teams play in different levels, for example one plays in Premier and finishes in 6th place with a losing record and the other plays in AAA and finishes in first and is usually undefeated. There are many scenarios and this is just one example. You are comparing apples and oranges so what better way of eliminating what could be perceived as bias or politics than to let them decide it on the field as everybody claims to want.”

SN: What are the details?  

Bob Turner: “Lightning finished in 6th place with a 3-4-7 record in GU13 AAA while RSF finished in 1st place in GU 13 AA-A with a 11-0-3 record.”  

SN: Is this new?  

Bob Turner: “There has been discussion for several years that even with entitlement and seeding rules there are a few instances each year where "the team deemed best capable" way of placing teams becomes more of a flip of a coin so why not have a playoff and decide it on the field.”

SN: How often do think this will happen? 

Bob Turner: “Normally we would have 3 or 4 situations at the most each year where a playoff would be our fairest option.”    

SN: When will you choose to do this in the future?  

Bob Turner: “Presidio Soccer League will review all brackets and any play off games will be held each year at the beginning of July, as needed.” 

SN: What has been the response to this procedure?  

Bob Turner: “Before the game it was very positive and thought to be much needed. After the game I have only heard a few comments, which have been positive.”

"One problem that has been discussed is that only one game is played and the stress on the kids. Another potential issue is that teams may want playoffs for even the easy decisions. The one game argument is a mute point as this is part of typical 'sports' and deciding a winner. More games, such as best of three games only places more pressure on the kids. Playoffs will only be offered by and at the discretion of the Presidio Board."        

Thank you Bob Turner, President, Presidio Soccer for speaking with SoccerNation.

All Photo Credit: Aaron Jaffe

Related Articles: Bob Turner on the New Southern California Development Soccer League and  GU14 RSF ATTACK vs CARLSBAD LIGHTING GAME RECAP