PASL tiebreaker rules, roster shuffling create buzz

We are half-way through the eight-match PASL NW indoor soccer season and the social media buzz around the eight Washington clubs continues to build. An outstanding race is developing for playoff spots and every club is still alive to finish in the top four and claim a post-season spot. Meanwhile roster additions and a slow-to-update league website are causing confusion for some division-watchers.

Roster moves questioned

Arlington’s big come-from-behind win over Snohomish last Saturday was accomplished with what at least one person thought was a ‘illegal player.’ They made their beliefs known in the comments section of our match report, in which they posted, among other comments, “Dont the rules say players have to be on the Roster before games or that game is forfeited? How does that work? Why does PASL allow that? Why do they put rules in place if they are not enforced?” and later “Funny how they added that player today Monday when the game was Saturday.Truly Snohomish should get that win!!!!! Would change everything and affects the league standings.”

It turns out that Arlington says they added the player in question by submitting his name to the PASL on Friday, January 4th. The league didn’t update its website until Monday the 7th, showing the roster move.

“I guess my roster additions didn’t show up on the PASL website,” Arlington head coach Phil Bartlow tells goalWA.net.  ”Eeveryone was on the roster I submitted before the game and sent in to the league.  Vasco Rubio, the Snohomish coach, called me and didn’t have a problem with it.”

“Everyone that played for me was on the roster,” Bartlow continues. “I added a new player last week but he was on the roster. I know Snohomish made some changes with guys out and added a couple to replace them but it wasn’t a big deal to me.”

Tiebreaker rules look like they’ll be needed

The logjam in the PASL NW table for 3rd and 4th spot involves five teams. By the time everyone has played eight matches, something’s gotta give. However, if ties remain then the league tiebreaker rules will take effect.

According to PASL Commissioner Kevin Milliken these are the rules the league uses to decide standings ties:

1)      Tie Breaking:
a)      Head to head results (if applicable)
b)      Head to head goal differential (if applicable)
c)      Head to head goals for (if applicable)
d)      Best winning percentage in division (if applicable)
e)      Division goal differential (if applicable)
f)       Division goals for (if applicable)
g)      Best winning percentage in conference (if applicable)
h)      Conference goal differential (if applicable)
i)        Conference goals for (if applicable)
j)        Coin Flip

The unbalanced schedule in the PASL NW, where some teams don’t play each other at all, while others play more than once, only adds to the confusion if tiebreakers are needed. Based on the list above, can you figure out which teams would be in if the season ended now? (Top four make the playoffs.) Good luck!

Even after the match there are questions about the Arlington-Snohomish contest. (Wilson Tsoi)

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