2015 USAFL Nationals Preview

The USAFL Nationals are set to get underway in Austin Texas this weekend.  USAFL matches have been underway since early in the year but for most clubs all those games are the warm-up for this tournament.  This year 36 men's teams and 9 women's teams from all over the US will battle it out in warm conditions at Onion Creek Soccer complex in Austin.

The Austin Crows will be favourites in their own backyard to take the title as they did here two years ago, their most likely rival in the final is set to be the reigning champions the New York Magpies.  Don't be surprised though if Austin's neighbours in the Dallas Magpies can work some magic to make it an all Texas affair in the final.  In the Women's Division the Denver Lady Bulldogs are looking to go 6 in a row but will face stiff competition from the other four teams in their division.

Read on for all the details on the schedule of events, the pools, my predictions and the USAFL Weekly Report show schedule for the Nationals. 

The tournament schedule is as follows

MEN'S DIVISION 1:
(Two pools of four teams, round robin.  Winners advance to Grand Final)

Alex's Predictions

Unlike the previous years where the teams in Division 1 would same pushovers and powerhouses, all of the teams this year are in the top 15 in the USAFLWR standings. Add Calgary to that mix and it becomes the toughest Division One tournament in the last 7 years.
Pool A Prediction: Pool A is the easier of the two pools this year, but don’t underestimate any of the 4 teams in the pool. Calgary has a strong contingent and with Golden Gate and LA both playing each other twice and tying once, it’s a tough sledding. Pool A Champion: Austin Crows
Pool B Prediction: Pool B is the toughest of all 12 pools in the men’s divisions and in Division 1. 4 of the top 7 teams in the USAFLWR standings will be fighting on this one and expect a battle. It will literally be decided on percentage and who has the firepower to do it in. Pool B Champion: Based on past experiences and since they are the defending Premiers, New York, but don’t be surprised if Dallas or Denver can sneak up to win the pool.
Grand Final: Austin vs. New York. A rematch of 2 years ago when Austin won the game by the tightest margin in USAFL history. New York hasn’t forgotten on that and they are going for 2 straight Premiers, a feat that hasn’t been done in nearly a decade. Expect a battle. Premiers: Austin Crows by 2.
 

MEN'S DIVISION 2:
(Two pools of four teams, round robin.  Winners advance to Grand Final)

Alex's predictions

Defending Division 2 Champions are the clear favorites. That being said, expect the unexpected in this division as always.
Pool A Prediction: This pool is almost too cut and dry with Columbus on a roll and no other team in the Division with better than a break-even record. If any team outside of Columbus makes it in, it’s because of upsets. Columbus is just that good. Pool A Champion: Columbus Jackaroos
Pool B Prediction: This pool, like Pool A, is almost too cut and dry. Quebec has been the 4th seed before and yes have won a game in this pool, but Chicago and Houston are much tougher despite their records. Whoever wins between Minnesota and Chicago in their match (3 pm Saturday) will win the pool. Pool B Champion: Minnesota Freeze
Grand Final: Columbus vs. Minnesota. The last time these two teams played each other last year, Columbus won by nearly 3 goals. With a powerful team, expect a first in this Division…Back-to-back Premiers. Premiers: Columbus by 13.
 

MEN'S DIVISION 3:
(Two pools of four teams, round robin.  Winners advance to Grand Final)

Alex's predictions

Division 3 expect a wide open field and surprises during the weekend.
Pool A Prediction: Tulsa got the top seed thanks to Sacramento moving up to Division 2 and North Carolina is moving up to their pool and Division 3 because of their win last year in Division 4. With those two, expect a lot of scoring as well as from Ohio Valley. Philadelphia has surprised a many of teams in the past 2 years, so expect a dogfight. Ironically enough, whoever wins the 9 am game on Saturday between Ohio Valley and Tulsa will win the pool. Pool A Champion: Tulsa Buffaloes
Pool B Prediction: This is the more interesting pool of the two as 3 of these teams have never faced each other (Nashville has faced Austin 3 times and won twice). Expect some interesting games to say the least. The game that will decide the pool will be the last game on Sunday @ 10 am between Portland and Nashville. Whoever wins that game wins the pool considering both of those teams have winning records. Pool B Champion: Nashville Kangaroos
Grand Final: Tulsa vs. Nashville. If this happens to be the final, it will be their first ever meeting against each other. Dustin Brasel’s team is a tough competition in the USAFL Southwest region, but the Kangaroos have had tough games with Chicago, Columbus and Atlanta, going 4-2 between the matches. Expect a major battle that will come to the final minute to decide. Premiers: Nashville by 3.
 

MEN'S DIVISION 4:
(Four pools of three teams, round robin.  Winners advance to semi-finals, winners of semis advance to Grand Final)

WOMEN'S DIVISION 1
(Round Robin, best record declared champions)

Alex's predictions

What an interesting year that the top 5 teams have had, especially the 5-time defending champion Denver Lady Bulldogs have had. Coming in with only 3 games under their belt, they have their work cut out for them as they face what could be their toughest competition to date. If Denver can beat New York (Saturday at 1 pm), then their rematch for the 3rd time will be set against San Francisco (Sunday @ 4 pm). Premiers: Denver will take their 6th straight.

WOMEN'S DIVISION 2
(Round Robin, best record declared champions)

For the record here is how the teams have fared during the 2015 USAFL season.  The table includes the USAFLWR standings based on points for matches played, the USAFL standings based on an opinion poll ranking the top 20 teams and the seedings of each team and their pool for the Nationals.

Womens Division

USAFL Weekly Report Show Schedule

You can catch the USAFL Weekly Report shows right throughout the Nationals on Youtube.  The timing for each of the scheduled shows is below (and subject to change).

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