Issue 1.0.1 "The Quarantine Pool" (7/7)

Archive

Just realized I never posted this (though it was in the Archive).  So here it is... Issue #3 will come out after tonight's match as then all 24 teams will have played at least one match.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

     MLS IS BACK! FIRST POOL IN QUARANTINE ERA

Our 11th HWCI soccer pool will be free to all!

SANTA BARBARA, CA (smt) -- With the 2020 HWCI NCAA and 2020 HWCI EURO pools cancelled this year due to the pandemic (COVID-19), Major League Soccer has come back with an interesting concept.  A World Cup style tournament with group stage and knockout stage.  There are some key differences such as this pool is FREE (up to 2 entries per person) as who knows what will happen (DAL has already withdrawn due to 10 player COVID-19 positive tests) and handling money/refunds is not desirable.  Thus, FREE!  I'll see what kind of MLS/soccer swag I may have and will mail stuff out to the top 3 if shipping prices are reasonable.   Also, no Web Entry is not available yet... so print or take a photo or edit and email back to me at worldcup@hwci.com.  Hopefully this will bring some a distraction from the craziness of life. 

All teams are quarantined at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort (pretty nice, stayed there a couple times) in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and all matches will be played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee.  Nashville moved to the Eastern Conference for the rest of the year which means 14 teams in the East and 12 in the West.  Groups A, C, and E have teams from the East and Groups B, D, and F have teams from the West.

Admin's Picks

NOT WORKING FROM HOME -- You would think I would have more insight into MLS than the NCAA or World Cup/Euro pools since I do gamedays with the LA Galaxy (my 25th year!) and have a season ticket with LAFC (my 3rd year).  But, no.  Haven't had any time to think about the pool since putting feelers out there a month ago due to work commitments, but likely most teams will be rusty so will the powerhouses of ATL, TOR, SEA, and LAFC survive their groups.  Looking at the map, it looks like Field 17 a the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.  Didn't read if it was turf or not but having 3 matches in one day could take a toll.

So, here are my two picks.  The first represents the 11th soccer pool we have done and the 11 players on each team on the pitch.  The second is a reference to the six-yard goal box in which case during these safer-at-home protocols, becomes a six-foot box.

Futbol Fabone Eleven
The Six Foot Box

I'll be emailing your picks in this format as well later.  With 2 hours left, good luck!