U9/U10 #NorCalStateCup semifinal previews

In a competition that started months ago with the group stage, the U9 and U10 NorCal Premier Soccer State Cup is set to conclude this weekend at three different locations across the state.

After quarterfinal matchups were completed last month for the U9 age group and last week for the U10s, Saturday and Sunday will see the semifinal and final stages of the tournament.

Saturday’s semifinals will take place at Mistlin Sports Park in Ripon and River Islands Sports Complex in Lathrop, with all finals set for Sunday in Lathrop. All schedules can be found here.

For those who play well enough to earn a spot in the coveted final, the game will represent the culmination of a seven-match journey that began with home and away fixtures at the end of August.

Following another group stage game in September, each team then met in October for a third group game followed by October and November’s second round matchups and quarterfinals.

Overall, 582 different teams from 133 clubs participated in the U9 and U10 State Cup, playing over 2,000 matches to get to this stage of the competition.

While NorCal will recognize 71 different winners this weekend, just four teams remain in each State division and will play for the right to call themselves State champions.

Here are your State division previews:

U9 Boys State Semifinal
11/12	CV Futbol Academy		12:45 p.m. Field #9		MVLA
Both CV Futbol Academy and MVLA dropped matches in the group stages of the competition before rebounding to place first in each with six points. CV have been remarkably consistent from a goalscoring perspective, hitting the back of the net either six or seven times in each match, while MVLA have twice exploded for 11 goals en route to semifinal qualification. Expect an attacking thriller -- this pair has combined to score 51 goals in eight State Cup games.
U9 Boys State Semifinal
11/12	Almaden FC		12:45 p.m. Field #10		ECFC Salinas
Unlike the teams in the other semifinal, both Almaden FC and ECFC Salinas each have perfect records in the U9 State Cup so far. Allowing only four goals in four games, ECFC have the best defensive record in the State division, but also have scored 27 goals in their last three games. Meanwhile, Almaden have allowed two more goals but posted a tight 1-0 victory in the quarterfinals to make it to this round.
U9 Girls State Semifinal
11/12	1974 Newark FC		12:45 p.m. Field #11		Mustang SC
One of two teams in the semifinals who didn't win their group, 1974 Newark FC rebounded from a tough group stage loss to narrowly edge Ajax United in the quarterfinals. Newark are the only side left in the competition who haven't hit the double digit goal mark, but they've also only allowed an average of one goal per game en route to the semis. They'll take on Mustang SC, who scored 21 goals in the group stage before defeating MVLA in a tight quarterfinal.
U9 Girls State Semifinal
11/12	San Juan SC		12:45 p.m. Field #12		Santa Clara Sporting
San Juan SC are the other non group winner left in the State division, and like Newark, they rebounded from a group game loss to edge a top-seeded team in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, they'll face Santa Clara Sporting, who have scored 27 goals in four games while only giving up three strikes.

U10 Boys State Semifinal
11/12	Diablo Valley Wolves		11:20 a.m. Field #9		FC Fresno Academy
As the only team left in the semifinals to not top their group, Diablo Valley Wolves could be seen as something of an underdog, but a 4-2 quarterfinal victory over Castro Valley Soccer Club helped Diablo deservedly reach this stage of the competition. On Saturday, they'll face FC Fresno, who have the best defensive record of any team left in both the U9 and U10 boys State divisions. Fresno have allowed just two goals in four games while scoring 23 of their own en route to the semifinals.
U10 Boys State Semifinal
11/12	Juventus Academy Silicon Valley		11:20 a.m. Field #10		CV Futbol Academy
Juventus Academy Silicon Valley topped Diablo Valley's group, defeating the Wolves 3-2 to secure a perfect 3-0-0 record. In the quarterfinals, Juventus posted a 5-3 victory to take their goal tally to 19 in four games. For a place in the final, they'll face CV Futbol Academy, who narrowly edged ECFC Salinas in a tight quarterfinal matchup. CV are currently just two games away from defending their State Cup title.
U10 Girls State Semifinal
11/12	San Juan SC		11:20 a.m. Field #11		Clovis Crossfire
Defending State Cup champions San Juan SC opened group play with a pair of 3-0 wins before clinching the top spot with a 1-1 draw against South Valley United. So far, South Valley are the only team to hit the back of the net against San Juan, who also defeated Santa Clara Sporting 1-0 in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Clovis Crossfire have scored just six goals in four State Cup games, but have allowed just three and made it to this stage thanks to a close win over Manteca Area Soccer in the quarterfinals.
U10 Girls State Semifinal
11/12	Mustang SC		11:20 a.m. Field #12		Roseville Premier
While Mustang SC haven't won all of their State Cup games so far, they also haven't been scored on yet. Mustang have a perfect four shutouts from four games and have scored eight goals themselves to reach the semifinals. Standing in their way of a berth in the final is Roseville Premier, who won their group with just six points before posting an emphatic 3-0 win over Walnut Creek Surf in the quarterfinals.