This weekend marks the conclusion of the U9/U10 NorCal Premier Soccer State Cup, where 103 different divisions are up for grabs over the course of the semifinals and finals Saturday and Sunday. NorCal Matchday returns to this competition for the final time this season, previewing each of the eight semifinal matchups in the State Division.
Here are your games of the week:
| U9 Girls State Cup |
| 11/8 | Mustang SC |  | 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Legacy Field 13 |  | Placer United |
| Both Mustang SC and Placer United have absolutely rolled through the second phase of the competition, with the closest game either has been involved in amounting to a two-goal victory. In the second group stage and quarterfinals, Mustang scored 23 goals and allowed just two, while Placer fared slightly better with 24 scored and also just two allowed. |
| U9 Girls State Cup |
| 11/8 | Pleasanton RAGE |  | 8:30 a.m. @ Davis Legacy Field 14 |  | Santa Clara Sporting |
| Pleasanton RAGE have played in some truly wild games since the second group phase began, including a 7-5 victory over San Juan and a 4-3 win over Clippers FC. However, they took care of business in the quarterfinals, winning 5-0 to qualify for Finals Weekend. Their opponents in Santa Clara Sporting rode a stingy defense to this stage of the competition, allowing an average of just one goal per game in their past four matches. |
| U10 Girls State Cup |
| 11/9 | MVLA |  | 9:20 a.m. @ Davis Legacy Field 11 |  | Davis Legacy |
| MVLA have been absolutely unstoppable in State Cup this far--since the second round began, the Bay Area club have scored 31 goals in four games, while allowing just three. In the quarterfinals, they punched their ticket to the next round with an emphatic 8-2 victory. Meanwhile, their opponents in Davis Legacy have proved they can grind out positive results, winning four straight games via a one-goal scoreline. |
| U10 Girls State Cup |
| 11/9 | Mustang SC | | 9:20 a.m. @ Davis Legacy Field 12 |  | CV Futbol Academy |
| A year after finishing as runners-up, Mustang SC have gone on an absolute tear in their last four games to qualify for the semifinals. After scoring 34 goals in the second group stage, they settled for "just" a 4-0 win in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, CV Futbol Academy have been equally as impressive, scoring 31 goals in their last four games, while allowing just three strikes. |
| U9 Boys State Cup |
| 11/9 | Santa Clara Sporting | | 9:20 a.m. @ Davis Legacy Field 13 |  | Yuba Elite |
| Santa Clara Sporting successfully won their group in the second round of play after three matches featuring wild scorelines of 6-3, 10-1, and 3-3. In the quarterfinals, though, they coolly dispatched their opponents 5-1 to reach Finals Weekend. Meanwhile, Yuba Elite have yet to concede more than two goals in a game, while scoring at least twice in each of their games. Their highlights en route to this stage include a 6-1 group stage win and a 4-2 victory in the semifinals. |
| U9 Boys State Cup |
| 11/9 | Albion SC Merced |  | 9:20 a.m. @ Davis Legacy Field 14 | | Mustang SC |
| After a group stage in which they fairly handily won their group with a plus-16 goal differential, Albion SC Merced reached this stage of the competition thanks to a wild 5-4 win over Almaden FC. Their opponents will be Mustang SC, who started off the second round with a 5-5 tie before winning each of their next three games by at least two goals. |
| U10 Boys State Cup |
| 11/8 | Marin FC |  | 9:50 a.m. @ Davis Legacy Field 13 |  | Modesto Ajax United |
| Defending champions Marin FC started off the second group stage by hitting the back of the net 11 times in their first two matches before grinding out two close one-goal victories to keep their repeat campaign alive as they head into the semifinals of the competition. Their opponents in Modesto Ajax United are hoping to dethrone Marin and have put together a successful run thus far, winning all of their last four State Cup games while scoring 20 goals in the process. |
| U10 Boys State Cup |
| 11/8 | Santa Clara Sporting | | 9:50 a.m. @ Davis Legacy Field 14 | | Placer United |
| Santa Clara Sporting have been champions at absolutely grinding out results in State Cup and have earned their way into Finals Weekend thanks to a never-say-die attitude that has seen them play every game through to the final minute. Just one of their last four games has been decided by more than a goal, but they've always gotten the result they've needed to advance. Meanwhile, Placer United can't stop hitting the back of the net, scoring 18 goals in their last four games. They will look to continue that pace Saturday in the semifinals. |
