D2 East Playoff Preview – Round 1

After 26 regular season games, 16 hopeful D2 teams meet in the hardest competition in ACL, the Division 2 combined playoffs. 8 teams from D2A will square off against D2B in the first round tonight in an effort to get one step closer to the ultimate goal of making Division 1 East, the pinnacle of American Pro Clubs. A quick look at the contending teams:

D2A:

1A – OG Sports, 58 points

2A – Olympique, 55 points

3A – New Era FC, 53 points

4A – Chronic Crew, 51 points

5A – Lacritas, 48 points

6A – No Name XI, 45 points

7A – NB Rovers FC, 44 points

8A – S.I.N., 40 points

D2B:

1B – Buona Notte, 61 points

2B – Cougars SC, 57 points

3B – Deportivo Lara, 56 points

4B – San Sharti CF, 55 points

5B – GG United, 53 points

6B – DANZ FC, 45 points

7B – Dojo FC, 44 points

8B – Collective FC – 40 points

 

1A OG Sports vs 8B Collective FC

OG Sports taking first in the tough D2A division should prepare them well against 8th place Collective FC and has this over early in the second leg.

Prediction: OG Sports wins 6-1 on aggregate

 

4A Chronic Crew vs. 5B GG United

Chronic Crew have made a strong push to close out the season, while former D3 Champs GG United have been in the middle of the D2B playoff race. This should be a great set of fixtures.

Prediction: GG United wins 4-3 on aggregate

 

3A New Era vs 6B DANZ FC

Arguably my favorite matchup of the entire first round, the experience of DANZ FC against the former D3 Champions New Era FC. Both teams can score goals for fun, but will depend on which teams’ defense comes ready to play.

Prediction: DANZ FC wins 6-4 on aggregate over 3 games

 

2A Olympique vs 7B Dojo FC:

Olympique have the most goals scored in D2 and that should propel them over a scrappy Dojo FC team hoping to make an upset.

Prediction: Olympique wins 5-2 on aggregate

 

2B Cougars SC vs 7A NB Rovers FC

Cougars SC finished the season strong with the 3rd most points and face a team in NB Rovers who hasn’t closed the season out as strong as they would have liked.

Prediction: Cougars SC wins 6-2 on aggregate

 

3B Deportivo Lara vs 6A No Name XI

Deportivo Lara has had a nice end to the season, climbing all the way to third and play an experienced No Name XI, who have seen themselves in this position before. Expect this to be hard-fought over 3 games.

Prediction: Deportivo Lara wins 2-1 on aggregate over 3 games

 

4B San Sharti CF vs 5A Lacritas

San Sharti CF see themselves in the playoffs against an experienced Lacritas team who have a lot to prove after an incredibly hot start, which saw them climb as high as second on the table.

Prediction: San Sharti wins 4-3 on aggregate

 

1B Buona Notte vs 8A S.I.N.

A strong attacking side in S.I.N. comes up against a strong defensive side in Buona Notte. This game definitely has upset potential if some lucky breaks favor S.I.N.

Prediction: Buona Notte wins 4-2 on aggregate