Playoff Predictions - 2nd Division

This is going to be a very intriguing bracket.  Can I call it a bracket when you re-seed?  I'm going to answer my own question and say no.  So this will be a very intriguing 3 week playoff, which presents many different potential semi-final matchups, some better some worse for top seeds Rampart & Tonawanda United.

2nd Division

#6 DSC Buffalo (6-4-1) at #3 Pendleton United FC (7-2-2)
Pre-season Predictions: DSC Buffalo to finish 2nd, Pendleton 6th

Looks like I got Pendleton in the right quarter-final game, except they're actually hosting it out at Wendelville Fire Hall.  Would someone please update this effing website to read 'Wendelville' and not 'Wendleville'?  I swear, one more spelling mistake and I'm overthrowing the entire Board and taking over.  Anyway, DSC beat Pendleton earlier this season, and I believe they did it with not their most desired lineup.  I don't get these guys...I feel like they should win comfortably in most of their games, yet they've dropped points in almost half their regular season contests this season.  I saw them play Crimson Fire before one of our games out on the Island back in June and let me tell you something, they were DESTROYING Crimson.  Wasn't close, didn't feel close, didn't look close.  So based on what I've seen in person, I have to think they have enough to get by Pendleton, who I have also seen in person in a summer Tuesday league.  Some decent players on that side of the ball, sure, but I hope goalkeeper by trade Mike Juszczak actually suits up in net, unless he wants to be part of the scoring.  I think Mike in net though gives them their best chance at advancing from this point forward.  I'm sure he's one of the more skillful players on the pitch from a CB position, and it would hurt to pull him out of that spot, but I think if Pendleton would just counter attack over the next two weeks they can secure a spot in D1.  I doubt they listen to a guy on the Forum though, so I got this coming for them:

Prediction: DSC Buffalo 3, Pendleton United FC 1

#5 West Side FC (6-4-1) at #4 Crimson Fire FC (6-3-2)
Pre-Season Predictions: West Side to finish 10th, Crimson to finish 1st

To start, I'm happy Crimson Fire found some success this season in Division 2.  This is clearly the division that they belonged in all along this season, so it's nice to see the Board, albeit a late move,
make the right move.  These guys are so up and down.  I've had the privilege of catching many of their second halves this season due to our shared field, and at times they're dropping 8 goals on WNY United Reds, or mercifully beating down Meerkats (no different than indoors I suppose), but then they're getting the business from DSC.  It's not like the players present change all that much too, so I don't know.  One of Crimson's main weaknesses, in my opinion, is their keeper.  Maybe I'm being too harsh; he's certainly a step up from 2015, but with a potential daunting offensive West Side team coming to a large field, he may have to really step up.  West Side I originally picked to have a down year, and the reason was simple: Cory Martin left the team, Richie Namulala left the team, and Kovan left the team.  I figured they couldn't possibly repeat a 5th place finish last season (remember, they missed the playoffs last year with that roster).  Then out of no where Brian Knapp shows up on this team, Namulala gets transferred back and Cory Martin comes back from out of the country.  This team is DANGEROUS.  I wouldn't necessarily want to be playing an all-time FC Buffalo great on a field this large/wide.  Crimson can score too though, so I'm visualizing a game with a lot of goals.

Prediction: West Side FC 4, Crimson Fire FC 3 (in regulation)

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Semi-Finals

#6 DSC Buffalo at #1 Rampart FC (8-1-2)
Pre-season Prediction for Rampart: 7th

I probably would have initially went with Rampart here, but I'm being told they could be missing some key pieces that week.  Or maybe I have my weeks wrong.  I'll put it to you this way: On a personal level, I hope I see Rampart in Division 1 next year.  But I think DSC can do enough to get by in a close game.  What hurts Rampart is that they've never actually played against DSC this season, who I think is an improved side (as is Rampart) from 2015.  I've got another semi-final decided here in PK's, DSC advancing 4-3 in that stanza after 120 minutes (or whatever we play in OT) of 1-1 ball.

#5 West Side FC at #2 Tonawanda United (8-2-1)
Pre-season Prediction for Tonawanda United: 5th

Tonawanda United is another team that looks like they're benefiting from a mid-season transfer, in the form of Nate Holler.  Back to his old stomping grounds, and he appears to be making an impact, or at least the threat of a more potent offense up top.  Gone are the days of his detached hamstring taking in blowouts while sitting on the BSC International bench.  The glory days have returned.  Paired up with Linderman & Schulmeister, this team could be tough to get by.  They were close to promotion last year, but I think they get it done this time around.  A gritty 2-1 victory over West Side.

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Final

#6 DSC Buffalo at #2 Tonawanda United

DSC brings way too many people to the season finale, actually hurting their substitution patterns they were accustomed to all season, and Tonawanda United buries a few early goals before DSC ends up figuring things out as the game progresses.  DSC outplays TU for the final 45 minutes, but can only muster up 1 goal, while Tonawanda United strikes on the counter-attack, sealing their title.  3-1 is your final, as Tonawanda reigns supreme.

Predicted champion: Tonawanda United

DSC was definitely the better team when we played against them. We were much more evenly matched in the first half before Fenesse and August both went down with knee injuries. The game was 1-0 for most of the second half, 0-0 at HT, but we moved up for the equalizer and opened us up to counter attacks. Once the game was out of hand guys quit. Not quite sure if they truly dominated us for the whole half.

Anyways

I'm taking Pendleton over DSC.

Pendleton has been on a hot streak lately and is the only team that has beat Rampart this season. Pendleton is not the same team that played DSC week 2 where they lost 3-2. On the flip side DSC seems to struggle with the same issue we do, attendance. If George shows up for them then I can see them taking the win. If not Pendleton takes the game.

Pendleton 3 - DSC 2

I believe I'm obligated to take Crimson over West Side.

When we played them earlier this season both teams left the field feeling that they should have had more. West Side scored an equalizer in the last few minutes. We proceeded to hit a crossbar after that. Not sure why Dylan Guarino, our goalie, was attacked in your prediction. The 17 year old has showed some great skill, ball movement and has saved 2 out of 4 PKs he has faced. He has been one of our bright spots this season where our defense, since losing Mike Asbach, has faltered. Crimson's biggest issue lately has been attendance. If we don't have our squad show West Side should take it. If we do I believe we will use the speed that was difficult for their defense to control.

Crimson 4 - West Side 2

I wouldn't call what I said about Guarino an "attack". This is only my opinion, it's not the gospel or anything like that. From what I've seen, which is a small sample size both indoors and outdoors, he'd be what I'd call your biggest (doesn't mean it's big) weakness on the pitch. Maybe there's more to be said in that about how you're pretty well rounded defensively and in the midfield, and borderline lethal at times at striker. C'mon now, let's not make a mountain out of a mole hill.