UPA Regionals 2009 Preview for October 1st Weekend

Nation,

Regionals start this weekend in various parts of America. Here's a preview of the tournaments that involve Canadian teams.

2009 Club Northwest Open Regionals

Number of Teams: 14
Number of bids to the UPA Championships: 3
Number of Canadian Teams: 2

This regionals is a pool of Death! At least 4 (maybe 6) teams that are worthy or UPA finals appearance, but only three will get the right to move on.

Furious George of Vancouver seems to be getting stronger as the year progresses. However, they will have to defeat one of the final to make it to Sarasota

• Sockeye- 3 time UPA Champions
  
• Revolver- The exciting California team lead by Mac Taylor and Beau Kittredge
  
• Jam- Only the Defending UPA Champs
  

It's going to be a tall order for the Monkey. They've played all three teams this year, with their only win against the trio coming against JAM (17-16). Expect the 3rd place game to go to feature Furious, and we're hoping they can pull it out.

Blackfish of Vancouver suffered the most of any team from Furious retirements and recruitment of new players. However, in losing players like Adam Silverstein and Alex Davis, the team simply has spent the summer developing a new class of talent. That's what good teams with good leadership (Moses, Gats, etc) do.

According tho their kick a$$ site, the goal is to make it to regional quarters. That would likely include a great matchup against the big boys, which to me seems quite realistic.

2009 Club Northwest Womens Regionals

Number of Teams: 8
Number of bids to the UPA Championships: 4
Number of Canadian Teams: 1

Traffic from Vancouver enters the weekend with a very strong chance of making it to Florida. Despite being seeded 5th, Traffic simply have to finish ahead of one of four teams to make it:

• Fury- Probably not going to happen against San Francisco's finest (0-3 season record in favor of Fury)
  
• Riot- Seattle's top squad (1-2 record)
• Zeitgeist- Traffic beat them 15-10 at ECC 2009 in only match up
  
• Underground- 2-2 record against Seattle's B team

Realistically, the difference between Traffic and seeds 6-8 is great, so Traffic should find themselves beating one of the top four and make travel plans!

2009 Club Northwest Mixed Regionals

Number of Teams: 16
Number of bids to the UPA Championships: 3
Number of Canadian Teams: 1

Edmonton's best club team, Physchoplastique, will take on some of the best coed teams in the country to win a spot at UPA Finals. It will be tough.

Seeded 8th with only 3 spots to Florida, they should expect nothing short of a quarterfinals appearance.