World Footy News

The Denver Bulldogs and San Diego Lions will this year again go into the USFooty Nationals hot favorites, being drawn as number one seeds in Division 1 pools A and B respectively.

We take a look at how they're traveling, their players to watch and who their stiffest opponents might be.

The number one seed in Pool A is the "home" team the Denver Bulldogs. Denver will be trying for a rare double, a National Championship while hosting the National Championships. They will also be looking to win back to back premierships after upsetting San Diego in the 2007 Nationals in Louisville KY. While Denver had a down and up season, losing all three games in the Florida Faststream tournament and winning big in all three games in the Portland tournament, Denver must go in to Nationals favorites. Not only will they be at home but they will be at altitude.

Denver were 3-3 on the season. They travelled somewhat undermanned to Florida in April. They lost by 7 points to New York, 2 points to Florida and 12 points to Baltimore Washington. With no home games in 2008, the Bulldogs were back on the road in June with a tourney against Seattle, Vancouver and Portland. The Bulldogs were very impressive with victory margins ranging in from 30 to 60 points. Almost unheard of in tournament competition. They finished 2008 #2 in the USFooty Top 10 Poll.

Some of the best footballers in the US count themselves as Bulldogs. In their latter footy years, Tom and Charlie Ellis were Revo standouts, but they both still command things on and off the field. Rich Mann and James Waddell can be unstoppable and a delight to watch. While current Revo, Chris Candelaria, was the only American named to the All-World Team at the recent International Cup.

The number one seed in Pool B is the San Diego Lions. San Diego were favorites going into the 2007 National Championship but were unable to handle Denver. Their 2008 season has had more ups and downs than in 2007. They went 3 and 2, 1 and 2 against ranked opponents. Their only victory over a ranked opponent came at home a few weeks ago against the number 3 seed Orange County, who they beat by just 2 points.

Despite a somewhat disappointing season, the Lions must be one of the most favored teams given their sheer on-field talent. The Lions have some of the most talented players in USFooty. In the forward line they have Brendan McDonald, Jack Cameron and Revo Justin Valley. In the mid-field they have JJ Cisneros (pictured) who was unable to play in Melbourne due to injury, and Coach Simon Schenk. In the back field there is Revo Captain Donnie Lucero, Revo Brett Ullman, and Revo Brandon Blankenship.

At Nationals they will have to hold off the number two seed the Baltimore Washington Eagles in pool play if they want to go back to the Grand Final and revenge 2007.

For more on the weekend go to USFootyNews.com