The Richmond Adult Soccer Association has kicked off what promises to be a even more competitive season with potentially fewer disruptions thanks to some new wrinkles.
Metro Vancouver’s coldest winter in 30 years wreaked havoc with the popular all-city senior circuit — forcing teams to sit idle for an extended period in January following the usual holiday break.
“It was our worst year ever and very frustrating to deal with,” recalled RASA president Steve Valenzuela. “We are certainly doing what we can to avoid it again.”
The league has tweaked its schedule by playing until mid-December — an additional week from previous years. “We’re hoping that extra week will give us some more room at the back end (of the season) if we need,” Valenzuela explained.
The 49-year-old Don Taylor League Cup competition — named after the long serving president — also will have a different look.
Instead of a random draw to determine all match-ups, the RASA has adapted the FA Cup format that will see qualifying rounds featuring Masters and Second Division teams. First Division clubs will now begin play in the Round of 16.
“It’s our biggest competition and the draw has always been done out of a hat. Ideally, we want it to be progressively more competitive and avoid some of those real mismatches we have seen in the earlier rounds. It’s going to be good for all teams,” continued Valenzuela.
Through two weeks of play, including the association’s annual opening kickoff at South Arm Park last weekend, West Coast FC, All Blacks and Rain City sit atop the First Division table with 2-0-0 records. All Blacks’ results include a 1-0 win over two-time defending champion AC Richmond on Sunday in an early season showdown of the top two clubs from a year ago.
Newly-promoted Club Ireland Celtic are 0-2 but did hang tough with Rain City in its opener.
Meanwhile, Pacific Dragon is hoping its relegation to the Second Division this season will be a brief one. They are 2-0-0 out of the gate including a 3-2 victory over the Hammerheads last weekend.
The league has welcomed two new clubs into the division — United FC and Tarzanspor.
“We are always very cognizant of how competitive our league is,” added Valenzuela. “We think we have some really strong teams this year and some have picked up some good players, especially in the First Division.
RASA’s seven-team Masters Division is headed by defending champion Old Blacks who are off to a 2-0-0 start — looking for back-to-back unbeaten campaigns.
The league’s typical weekly match schedule is Masters on Thursday nights, First Division on Friday and Second Division on Sundays.
