Wednesday is always a bittersweet day at PGF 18U Nationals in Huntington Beach, California.
The stakes get higher as the brackets narrow and teams that suffer–and sometimes that word really rings true–their second loss are done for the tournament and graduated seniors suddenly realize that their club careers are over.
Vendors pack up, crowds thin, the parking lots begin to open up more so the walks to the fields are shorter and the festival-like atmosphere starts to dissipate.
But… in its place the championship game that is only 48 hours away begins to loom closer and closer and winning the coveted PGF trophy becomes a more real possibility.
As the Winner’s and Loser’s Brackets start narrowing down to fewer and fewer teams–there are only 16 left total, eight who have yet to lose and eight who don’t have the luxury of another loss–there are always the familiar names. And this year, like in past years, there are the surprises.
Here’s a look at both A and B brackets and how Wednesday’s games put us where we are today and set-up the huge day on Thursday when the finalists will be decided…