If the Richmond Adult Soccer Association was handing out an overall MVP award this season it would appropriately go to the league scheduler.
A harsh winter has wreaked havoc with the all-city soccer circuit — forcing the postponement of a whopping 107 matches, including an eight-week stretch when the league stood idle.
“It has been ridiculous,” said RASA president Steve Valenzuela. “Some games had to be rescheduled several times. Just complete silliness. Fortunately, the city has been great in accommodating us, moving many things around to make it all work. As long as we don’t get any more snow!”
The 2016-17 campaign is back on course enough that a number of highlighted events can proceed.
It starts tonight (Friday) with the first-ever all-star game between RASA and the Burnaby Men’s Soccer League. The match will be played at 8 p.m. at the Minor Oval, followed by a social at Legend’s Pub.
The idea of bringing the top talent from the two leagues together for a friendly, originated a couple of years ago, according to Valenzuela. The league typically would only face each other in Provincial Cup play otherwise. Every team from the first division of each league must have at least one representative.
RASA will also hold its Soccer Sunday on March 5 at Minoru. The day-long event features three high-profile matches — the RASA All-Star Game (top talent from all divisions), the League Cup final (a Provincial Cup berth going to the winner), and the Masters Cup final. The games will take place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. respectively.
Meanwhile, two of three regular season titles have been decided. The Richmond Old Blacks completed an unbeaten campaign (13-0-1) to capture the Masters Division, while Club Ireland Celtic clinched the Second Division title with a 11-2-1 record.
First Division honours are still up for grabs with the All Blacks currently holding down first place with an 8-3-2 record thanks to a four-game win streak.
Based on winning percentage, defending champion AC Richmond is right behind them (8-3-3) while newcomer West Coast is enjoying an outstanding season after earning promotion and sit third at 7-2-4. AC Richmond and West Coast play a key game on Sunday afternoon.
