Playoff Preview: Down Home Blues (6-4-2) vs. Wildcards (12-1-1)

2010 Regular Season: Week 2: Blues 6 @ Wildcards 9

Week 10: Wildcards 12 @ Blues 4

Playoff history: The Wildcards defeated the Blues last year in a consolation game following their semi-final defeats to, respectively, the Warriors and eventual champions, the Bears.

Down Home Blues notes: P Craig Corbie, following a 12-4 week 10 loss to the Wildcards, vowed that the results would be different should his wish be fulfilled and the teams meet in the playoffs. He’s gotten his wish.

The Blues have managed to qualify for a playoff spot despite missing several key players down the stretch. Their week 10 loss to the Wildcards was with a depleted lineup due to injury. Going into the playoffs, the team claims they are 100% healthy and they will have “all hands on deck”. Though they lost to the ‘Cards with a full lineup, they held them to just 9 runs, by far their worst offensive output all season. If they can do that while putting up numbers that they’re capable of, the Wildcards could be in trouble.

The Blues have been playing life-or-death all year, never managing a record two games above .500. With playoff-aspirations in jeopardy and an ever-changing lineup, the Blues overcame all of that to qualify for the fourth and final playoff spot. They are arguably the more battle-tested and primed of the two teams.

Wildcards notes: Despite a final regular season loss to the Warriors, the Wildcards secured a third President’s Trophy on their mantle and cruised into the postseason with not only the best record, but by far the widest run differential margin in the WSL. With the Bears missing the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, the Wildcards draw a different semi-final opponent for the first time in three.

Nobody on the team has said anything, probably because it doesn’t need to be said: the time is now for the Wildcards. Many have questioned their ability to win important games, evidenced by their three consecutive first-round exits despite winning seasons.

The Wildcards have, arguably, played stress-free since the beginning of the season. This is both a testiment to their abilities and a curse. Sure, they’ve fallen behind in some games, but most of their “distress” have come when their lead drops below five runs. Some say the lack of stress is a sign of a veteran team; the ability to temper crisis with confidence. Others note the lack of stress has fostered a team that, while strong in mind, may show cracks in spirit if they were to fall behind.

The question remains: if the going gets tough, will the Wildcards bend or break?

Contenders or Pretenders?

After securing their straight President's Trophy, are the Wildcard due for a third straight playoff disappointment?

Before their loss to the Warriors on the final game of the 2010 season, the last time the Wildcards felt the agony of defeat was when it mattered most - in the playoffs.

In 2008, following a 14-0 shutout victory over the Bears, virtually unheard of in the WSL, the Wildcards entered the playoffs brimming with confidence. They had just won their first President's Trophy, and had defeated all comers in the final stretch of the season. And then when the pressure was on, suddenly, the Wildcards were not. Simple plays were bobbled, offensive weapons were stowed away. Meanwhile, their opponents stepped up and left the Wildcards defeated, disappointed, and confused. Last year, same scenario and same result; another first-round playoff exit at the hands of the eventual champions, the Bears.

This year looks like it may be following the same template. The Wildcards head into the post-season full of confidence, having completed an entire regular season with only a single loss. Teams around the league suspect the Wildcards may fall under a sense of complacency. The Wildcards themselves disagree.

"No I don't think we've become complacent." said Al "Hollywood" Fernando. "We still play hard each and every game. And now with the playoffs, I'm sure we'll play even harder - much harder."

Despite all of their regular season successes and accolades over the past four seasons, the Wildcards have surprisingly never won a playoff game (excluding all consolation games following losses). They have managed to win all consolation games to bring home B cups and D cups, but so far have failed to advance to the second and final round each and every season.

So the question must be asked: what are the Wildcards made of? Are they the team they were a few seasons ago - jittery, slightly unsure of themselves, and ready to break under pressure? Or are they truly the veteran, relaxed team that has come together, and has battled their way out of adversity this season?

"I find that at times our nerves tend to get the best of us, but we still bounce back and play hard." noted Jeanette "Bubba" Nisperos. "And still I think we have a solid team this year, we'll be fine."

Playoff Preview: The Scorpions (8-4-1) vs. TD Waterhouse Warriors (9-2-3)

Playoff History: None.

2010 Regular Season: Week 1: Scorpions 12 @ Warriors 15
Week 8: Warriors 6 @ Scorpions 12

Scorpions Notes: For the first time since the WSL adopted an eight-team format six years ago, the Scorpions have qualified for the playoffs. Their road to eventual playoff qualification is not unlike that taken by the Wildcards, whom they shared residence with in the WSL basement five years ago. They have not undergone dramatic changes or made knee-jerk reactions when things didn’t go as planned. Instead, they built from within, developing their young core whilst slowly adding small pieces to the puzzle along the way.

The entire team is ecstatic, and yet, according to SS Brent Graham, they want more.

“We’re happy to be here, it’s new territory for all of us so there’s that level of excitement. But we’re not satisfied. We’ve hung tough against the toughest teams in the league, and we feel we belong here. If we can play like we know we can, winning it all isn’t out of the question.”

TD Waterhouse Warriors Notes: Three years since their last championship victory, the Warriors enter the postseason full of confidence. Fresh off a convincing victory over the first-place Wildcards, the Warriors square off against the Scorpions whom they split the season series with.

Team captain Kim Ploplovlich says her team is ready to show that the Scorpions’ first win was a fluke.

“Not to take anything away from them, but we weren’t all there that night. They were on their A-game, we were having our worst game of the season. After last week (beating the Wildcards), , we’re all feeling good about ourselves and we know that we can win it all this year.”

Back to Reality

Wildcards Let Game Slip, First Loss Comes on the Last Day

On the final day of the regular season, with history beckoning, the Wildcards knew they had the opportunity to do something special. Yet they were unable to come through with a win to secure the undefeated season, falling 18-12 to the TD Waterhouse Warriors.

The Wildcards were not on their A game at either end of the plate. Their opponents on the other hand, most definitely were. After failing to score in the first inning, the Warriors responded with three of their own in the bottom half. They never looked back afterwards. All season the 'Cards have been able to score runs in bunches, but not last night.; the offensive tap was sputtering rather than gushing.

It's a disappointing end to a fantastic season for a team that has come together so wonderfully over the past three seasons. And yet, some are finding a real positive in the one and only loss of the season.

"The perfect season would've been nice, " commented captain Redoblado. "but now it's the playoffs. The pressure of perfection is off our backs now, and we can focus on the task at hand."

OF Reza "r3z" Salehoun believes this loss took the team's collective heads out of the proverbial cloud, and it could not have happened at a better time.

"It's humbling. Also kind of a wake-up call. It could be a good thing with playoffs starting in two weeks."

3B Steve Saks didn't find any disappointment in losing. "We're the #1 team in the league, there's nothing to be disappointed in. And now we have a chance to win the whole thing."

The Wildcards may have been out of sync defensively due to some experimenting in preparation for the post-season. They attempted an outfield defensive shift that saw perennial right fielders Ricky "B.Kiddo" Wong and Andrew "El Saviour" Bulos switch with usual rover Jeanette "Bubba" Nisperos. Nisperos wondered what had taken the coaching staff so long to recognize the need for change.

"I'm younger, faster, and better-looking than either of them. They have done nothing defensively all season. It's about time people recognize that."

Wong and Bulos refused comment after the game.

NOTES: P Andrew "El Saviour" Bulos had a wardrobe malfunction prior to the game, having lost his glove - it was found before game time.

Glimpse of the Future?

Wildcards and Warriors Meet in Potential Championship Preview

After thirteen grueling weeks, the Wildcards and Warriors will meet for the very first time this season at Hendon West field in the final week of regular season play (6:37pm EST).

The final regular season game is often likened to the NHL All-Star Game; in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter. Important starters are rested, players are noticably looser, and the tone of games are generally less tense than usual. However, given that these two teams may very well play one another in this year's championship finals, the 2010 season finale for both teams looks to be considerably different. League standings can't be gained, but psychological edges can.

"For sure, it's a chance for us to show them what we're made of, that we can play with them." said captain Arn "Voodoo" Redoblado. "I'm pretty sure they're thinking the same."

And they most certainly are. For all the President's Trophies the Wildcards have won, the Warriors have managed to beat them each of the last three seasons.

"They've been excellent each of the last few years." said Warriors' captain Kim Popovich "And we feel we've been excellent too. As good as they've been, we don't feel either team has the other's number. The game is always up for grabs whenever we play."

The task at hand will be difficult for the 'Cards, as they will be without SS Brynn "Sinbad" Sinclair, who has been a rock for them this season. Expected to fill in Sinclair's spot is self-proclaimed franchise player, Travis "The Franchise" Fernando. When asked about having Fernando in place for Sinbad at shortstop, starting pitcher Erika "Ice ?ueen" Reyes pulled no punches.

"There's no doubt that he (Sinclair) will be missed this Sunday, but I'm not too worried. Though I heard Travis (Fernando) may be taking over for him. Let's face it, he's no Sinbad; he's just bad. I mean, who the hell drops an easy fly out? What a douche lord."

T. Fernando refused comment.

NOTES: Team officials have said little of Sinclair's upcoming absence. Speculation has ranged from upper body injury to pregnancy. We wish Sinclair the best.

Field of (Wet) Dreams

Play Suspended, One Week Remains

All four playoff-bound teams were looking for a clearer view of their playoff fates on Sunday. Instead they got the exact opposite: a hazy, fog-filled view of both Hendon East and Hendon West as inclement weather led to the cancellation of all games.

To further add to the level of unclarity, none of the first-round playoff matches have been set. And now with one week of regular season play left and all playoff-bound teams facing one another in the fourteenth and final week, players and captains alike will be trying to wrap their heads around just who their first-round playoff opponent will be. The suspense will be high, the stakes even higher.

In the Scorpions vs. Down Home Blues match, both teams will be vying for third-place overall as the Scorpions cling to a one-game lead. With a victory, however, the Down Home Blues would take third-place overall and go on to face the Warriors in the Championship semifinals via tie-breaker (head-to-head record). Given that both teams have had arguably more success against the Warriors, a victory on Sunday takes on paramount importance.

In the Warriors vs. Wildcards match, we get a preview of what could be the Championship finals. Both teams will surely be looking for a psychological edge heading into the playoffs. Though many scoff at the importance of a mental edge going into the post-season, history has shown that teams can perform well in the regular season, and poorly in the pressure-filled playoffs. Just ask the Wildcards.

Though this is the final week of the regular season, it will be the first meeting between the Warriors and Wildcards in nearly a year, as their first schedule game was cancelled due to rain.

It is because of this inactivity that the Wildcards have -impressively or unimpressively, depending on one's perspective - managed to lock up first place overall while laying dormant. It is indeed a humourous way for the team to earn their third consecutive President's Trophy.

"Yeah, it's a funny way to win, that's for sure." said captain Arn "Voodoo" Redoblado.

Teammates had a different view, that it was cosmic forces at play.

"It's destiny." noted 2B Bryan "Blue" San Luis. "We didn't have to do **** (profanity)."

Despite the third-straight President's Trophy, the Wildcards are avoiding complacency and keeping their eyes on the prize: their first ever WSL Championship.

"I don't like that (we've never won)." said SS Brynn "Sinbad" Sinclair. "We do good in the regular season, we should be able to do good in the playoffs."

A Different Kind of Foe

Wildcards look to secure first-place overall against different Bears squad

This Sunday the Wildcards hope to secure their third consecutive President's Trophy in as many years when they lock horns with the Bears in a late away game (8:30pm EST).

Although they have won the President's Trophy twice now, Wildcards CF Reza "r3z" Salehoun insists that winning the award has not became passe.

"Through our sweat, blood and tears,this team has been created soley for the purpose of winning seasons and championships. So, a 3-peat can only be seen as the stamp that verifies our dominance, and anything but boring."

Inspiring monologues aside, standing in their way is the same team that has ousted the Wildcards in the playoffs for three years running, the Bears.

This is surely not the same team that has inhibited the Wildcards on their pursuit for championship glory. This past-season, three months after winning second consecutive championship (oddly enough), the Bears went through dissension among their ranks, dissension so severe it led to the exile of several players that played key roles in the Bears' fortunes.

Star pitcher Carlos Sandana, whose mastery of the Wildcards has been nothing short of spectacular given their offesive potentcy: gone. Anthony Hardaway, whose solid play at shortstop and ability to strike fear in Wildcards' defensive hearts when at the plate: see ya. With the news that star rover Sandra Cohen will be lost for the remainder of this season and the entire 2011 campaign, and the team one loss away from being eliminated from the playoffs, this is clearly a tumultuous time for the two-time defending champions. The Wildcards aren't exactly sure what to make of their recent misfortunes.

"They're going through a rough time, that's for sure." said RF Andrew "El Saviour" Bulos. "It's the nature of the game; things happen, sometimes seemingly all at once. You can't control it, you can only adapt and do what you can."

Although these are bleak times for the Bears, Bulos is certain they'll become a force again soon enough.

"Not a doubt in my mind, they'll be back for sure. And when they do, we'll be ready."