World Footy News

In the latest poll of who's who in USFooty, the San Diego Lions are still rated the number one club stateside, recently defeating the powerhouse Denver Bulldogs in Denver. Baltimore-DC, Chicago United and the Atlanta Kookaburras have all climbed the rankings after recent matches and the Minnesota Freeze have cracked the top 10 for the first time, while the Golden Gate Roos and Milwaukee Bombers have taken a slide. Read on for the full results.

Also receiving votes: Seattle Grizzlies (1-0), Milwaukee Bombers (2-4) (OUT), Nashville Kangaroos (3-1), Philadelphia Hawks (1-1).

The San Diego Lions continued to lead the USFooty Top 10 with 10 Number 1 votes and a 4 and 0 record including defeats over Denver (2), Golden Gate (5) and Orange County (6). Denver has remained in second position after good wins and their only loss to San Diego (1). The New York Magpies kept their third position as the best team in the East, but their test is to come with games against Boston (8) and the BW Eagles (4).

BW Eagles took a perfect 3 and 0 record into 4th position after Golden Gate fell to fifth after a big loss to San Diego. Despite a 1 and 3 record, Orange County stayed at 6th. Chicago took their perfect 3 and 0 record to 7th, while Boston dropped to 8th. Atlanta took an impressive 4 and 1 record to 9th. The Minnesota Freeze have had an impressive season and their big win against Milwaukee was enough for voters to put them in the Top 10.

San Diego has made some big statements in recent weeks and have shown why they are ranked number 1 and the favorite to win back-to-back National Championships. On July 14, San Diego traveled to the Western Regional Tournament hosted by the Denver Bulldogs. First up for the Lions was the Orange County Bombers. The Lions were able to play their fast flowing game against the Bombers gaining a good half-time lead that they were able to maintain through to the end of the game.

The second game for the Lions saw the renewel of one of the fiercest rivalries in USFooty - Number 1 San Diego at Number 2 Denver. The game was a very even contest although it must have been tough on the Lions just coming off the game against Orange County and playing in high altitude. The Lions started the game hard and fast to take a solid lead, but the Bulldogs came back into the game as the first half drew to close. The second half was a close, but the Lions were able to grimly hold a 9 point lead to win the game. It wasn't the emphatic statement either team was hoping for, but suggests the possibility of a great return game if the two teams meet up in the National Championship Tournament.

After a very successful Western Regional Tourny, the Lions hosted the Golden Gate Roos who were out to prove a thing or two with one of their few games for the season. Unfortunately for the Roos, it was a debacle with the Roos getting beaten by 80 points by the current National Champs.

Denver has also made some important statements in July. While the Bulldogs were not able to beat their arch nemesis they were able to comfortably defeat the Orange County Bombers at home and then travel to Minneapolis where they shut out the Milwaukee Bombers and comfortably beat the up and coming Freeze. The Bombers are obviously suffering from the loss of the Brunmeier boys as well as injuries to important players, but Denver's 63 to 0 win certainly shows that Denver is one of the few teams in USFooty ready to take on the Lions for the 2007 title.

The tournament in Minneapolis saw the Freeze enter the big time in USFooty. Coach Jason Becker was very pleased with the outcome of the tournament, particularly the win over Milwaukee. "That's the beauty of occasionally playing against top notch competition. You get to see how you stack up and it shows you what you need to do to get to the next level. We're a growing club and will be working hard on expanding the metro competition. We're also working on sending two full squads to the Nationals."