Why Not - Plano needs some love

I think AFC Black is definitely in the hunt. Haven't seen WF Express in a year, but based on years past, they seem to improve as the season goes on.

dadof3 wrote:That was the discussion about PPL before the season started (and what should have been the case last year). In PPL 1 about half the games are reasonably matched, the other half is not really fun for either team most of the time. That said, an injury or Spring Break can change the standings pretty fast if you get 4 games (half a season) over that one week...

With regard to the the previous discussions, were any notions gleened, or has the admin clarified why there are so many teams in PPL DI? Just seems a waste play less skilled teams. Is the PPL QT match builder at fault?

Our team was in PPL U13 Div I last year and it would not have been my first choice, but now that it's over, it probably was better for long-term development. If you are one of the stronger teams- you get a lot of possession, and finishing opportunities, and it can build confidence, especially if you believe that "confidence is the memory of past successes". And you can have a bit more flexibility to move players into new positions without stressing about every Saturday's result. I'm not saying it is the optimal situation for the teams in the bottom fourth of the table- but for most of the teams, it doesn't have to be a negative.

intrinsic wrote:Our team was in PPL U13 Div I last year and it would not have been my first choice, but now that it's over, it probably was better for long-term development. If you are one of the stronger teams- you get a lot of possession, and finishing opportunities, and it can build confidence, especially if you believe that "confidence is the memory of past successes". And you can have a bit more flexibility to move players into new positions without stressing about every Saturday's result. I'm not saying it is the optimal situation for the teams in the bottom fourth of the table- but for most of the teams, it doesn't have to be a negative.

PPL's larger DI may be better for team development... Support the larger DI, Do ya?

I wouldn't say I support it, because it probably isn't best for ALL the teams. I'm just saying, it can be good for the strongest teams.

So, having the opportunity to beat up and demoralize teams that are in the bottom is a good thing?

No, demoralizing and beating up teams would not be a good thing. But you will note that I said I do not support the big D 1 because it is not best for all the teams. Did you not read that part?

midfieldersdad wrote:

dadof3 wrote:That was the discussion about PPL before the season started (and what should have been the case last year). In PPL 1 about half the games are reasonably matched, the other half is not really fun for either team most of the time. That said, an injury or Spring Break can change the standings pretty fast if you get 4 games (half a season) over that one week...

With regard to the the previous discussions, were any notions gleened, or has the admin clarified why there are so many teams in PPL DI? Just seems a waste play less skilled teams. Is the PPL QT match builder at fault?

Ummm. I think it is being reviewed in a committee??? Not sure it went anywhere.

As to the further discussion, I see Intrinsic's point...We were PPL D1 last year too, and there were positives and negatives. When we started to dominate teams, the keeper came out, the girls played other positions, opportunity to possess rose, the chances at goal rose, yes. We won a few games 3-0 or 4-0, but at least half were 1 or 2 goal games. Even when we dominated play. Our girls took that confidence into spring tournaments and figured out they were as good as many of the teams we were looking up at, so when we played those teams, we were ready...It definitely helped in QT. I still favor the top ten go D1, the next 10, D2, but we did our best with the scenario presented. We would have rather qualified, but even that heartbreak was a learning experience...Make lemonade.

intrinsic wrote:No, demoralizing and beating up teams would not be a good thing. But you will note that I said I do not support the big D 1 because it is not best for all the teams. Did you not read that part?

Hi Intrinsic, yes I did read that part, but since that statement was followed by "I'm just saying, it can be good for the strongest teams," one thought seemed to cancel out the other. I just think that team levels should be more level. Equal versus equal. To me that is how you grow. No offense intended to you, just to the notion that it is ok to sacrifice one level of teams to provide good vibes for another. (Probably my middle child syndrome kicking in.) I look at it like the Romans tossing the Christians to the lions. It was really great for the lions - not so much for the Christians.

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InaB wrote:

intrinsic wrote:No, demoralizing and beating up teams would not be a good thing. But you will note that I said I do not support the big D 1 because it is not best for all the teams. Did you not read that part?

Hi Intrinsic, yes I did read that part, but since that statement was followed by "I'm just saying, it can be good for the strongest teams," one thought seemed to cancel out the other. I just think that team levels should be more level. Equal versus equal. To me that is how you grow. No offense intended to you, just to the notion that it is ok to sacrifice one level of teams to provide good vibes for another. (Probably my middle child syndrome kicking in.) I look at it like the Romans tossing the Christians to the lions. It was really great for the lions - not so much for the Christians.

No disrespect, but sometimes its down right annoying with all the chiming in. So based on what you are saying your team should be in PPL, correct, if you really believe in equal vs equal? Is that why so concerned with goings on in PPL when participating in LH D3? Is it because PPL is the proper place for team?

Geez Knks. We are all soccer nerds here. No need to get hostile.

KnKsDad wrote:

InaB wrote:

intrinsic wrote:No, demoralizing and beating up teams would not be a good thing. But you will note that I said I do not support the big D 1 because it is not best for all the teams. Did you not read that part?

Hi Intrinsic, yes I did read that part, but since that statement was followed by "I'm just saying, it can be good for the strongest teams," one thought seemed to cancel out the other. I just think that team levels should be more level. Equal versus equal. To me that is how you grow. No offense intended to you, just to the notion that it is ok to sacrifice one level of teams to provide good vibes for another. (Probably my middle child syndrome kicking in.) I look at it like the Romans tossing the Christians to the lions. It was really great for the lions - not so much for the Christians.

No disrespect, but sometimes its down right annoying with all the chiming in. So based on what you are saying your team should be in PPL, correct, if you really believe in equal vs equal? Is that why so concerned with goings on in PPL when participating in LH D3? Is it because PPL is the proper place for team?

Wow....hit a nerve? Why the concern? Since when are posters limited to only commenting on the league/division they play in? That sure would make for a boring forum.

dadof3 wrote:

midfieldersdad wrote:

dadof3 wrote:That was the discussion about PPL before the season started (and what should have been the case last year). In PPL 1 about half the games are reasonably matched, the other half is not really fun for either team most of the time. That said, an injury or Spring Break can change the standings pretty fast if you get 4 games (half a season) over that one week...

With regard to the the previous discussions, were any notions gleened, or has the admin clarified why there are so many teams in PPL DI? Just seems a waste play less skilled teams. Is the PPL QT match builder at fault?

Ummm. I think it is being reviewed in a committee??? Not sure it went anywhere.

As to the further discussion, I see Intrinsic's point...We were PPL D1 last year too, and there were positives and negatives. When we started to dominate teams, the keeper came out, the girls played other positions, opportunity to possess rose, the chances at goal rose, yes. We won a few games 3-0 or 4-0, but at least half were 1 or 2 goal games. Even when we dominated play. Our girls took that confidence into spring tournaments and figured out they were as good as many of the teams we were looking up at, so when we played those teams, we were ready...It definitely helped in QT. I still favor the top ten go D1, the next 10, D2, but we did our best with the scenario presented. We would have rather qualified, but even that heartbreak was a learning experience...Make lemonade.

Good to hear PYSA is meeting about the division sizes, hope they move back to 10 teams per division. I understand the points you and intrinsic have expanded upon. However, evenly matched teams can have a bad day or be missing key players due to injury. My case for smaller division, having two games with evenly matched teams is better for team development.

midfieldersdad wrote:

dadof3 wrote:

midfieldersdad wrote:

dadof3 wrote:That was the discussion about PPL before the season started (and what should have been the case last year). In PPL 1 about half the games are reasonably matched, the other half is not really fun for either team most of the time. That said, an injury or Spring Break can change the standings pretty fast if you get 4 games (half a season) over that one week...

With regard to the the previous discussions, were any notions gleened, or has the admin clarified why there are so many teams in PPL DI? Just seems a waste play less skilled teams. Is the PPL QT match builder at fault?

Ummm. I think it is being reviewed in a committee??? Not sure it went anywhere.

As to the further discussion, I see Intrinsic's point...We were PPL D1 last year too, and there were positives and negatives. When we started to dominate teams, the keeper came out, the girls played other positions, opportunity to possess rose, the chances at goal rose, yes. We won a few games 3-0 or 4-0, but at least half were 1 or 2 goal games. Even when we dominated play. Our girls took that confidence into spring tournaments and figured out they were as good as many of the teams we were looking up at, so when we played those teams, we were ready...It definitely helped in QT. I still favor the top ten go D1, the next 10, D2, but we did our best with the scenario presented. We would have rather qualified, but even that heartbreak was a learning experience...Make lemonade.

Good to hear PYSA is meeting about the division sizes, hope they move back to 10 teams per division. I understand the points you and intrinsic have expanded upon. However, evenly matched teams can have a bad day or be missing key players due to injury. My case for smaller division, having two games with evenly matched teams is better for team development.

Chalk up 1 more in favor of 10-team divisions for better comp. Hopefully that will be imemented in the Fall.

ralfdallas wrote:

midfieldersdad wrote:

dadof3 wrote:

midfieldersdad wrote:

dadof3 wrote:That was the discussion about PPL before the season started (and what should have been the case last year). In PPL 1 about half the games are reasonably matched, the other half is not really fun for either team most of the time. That said, an injury or Spring Break can change the standings pretty fast if you get 4 games (half a season) over that one week...

With regard to the the previous discussions, were any notions gleened, or has the admin clarified why there are so many teams in PPL DI? Just seems a waste play less skilled teams. Is the PPL QT match builder at fault?

Ummm. I think it is being reviewed in a committee??? Not sure it went anywhere.

As to the further discussion, I see Intrinsic's point...We were PPL D1 last year too, and there were positives and negatives. When we started to dominate teams, the keeper came out, the girls played other positions, opportunity to possess rose, the chances at goal rose, yes. We won a few games 3-0 or 4-0, but at least half were 1 or 2 goal games. Even when we dominated play. Our girls took that confidence into spring tournaments and figured out they were as good as many of the teams we were looking up at, so when we played those teams, we were ready...It definitely helped in QT. I still favor the top ten go D1, the next 10, D2, but we did our best with the scenario presented. We would have rather qualified, but even that heartbreak was a learning experience...Make lemonade.

Good to hear PYSA is meeting about the division sizes, hope they move back to 10 teams per division. I understand the points you and intrinsic have expanded upon. However, evenly matched teams can have a bad day or be missing key players due to injury. My case for smaller division, having two games with evenly matched teams is better for team development.

Chalk up 1 more in favor of 10-team divisions for better comp. Hopefully that will be imemented in the Fall.

Amen to that RalfDallas!

I am also in favor of the 10 team divisions. I completely agree with playing more even, tighter games. I think this is the most frustrating aspect of PPL. We were frustrated by it last year.

I am just saying that we made lemonade out of lemons when we fell a goal short in QT. As frustrating as that was, we used our time in the PPL to develop offensive chemistry and defensive cohesiveness.

I would rather watch 2-1 games than 5-0 games disregarding which end we wind up on. I am glad to win, but at the end of the day, I would rather watch a good close soccer match than a blow out. Just saying we didn't see many blow outs though we won most of the games. Aside from the bottom 5-6 teams, most games were 2-0 or thereabouts.

Straight Shooter wrote:Geez Knks. We are all soccer nerds here. No need to get hostile.

You are absolutely right. Public apology to InaB as well as private.

I agree that PPL should split and have 3 divisions if they are going to continue to have 30+ teams play in an age group. However, I dispute the perception that there will be more evenly matched games. LHGCL D3 (and even some D1 and D2 divisions for that matter) at almost every age division there is a wide difference in goal differential between the top and bottom teams. Look at U15 specifically. The last place D3 team has 2 GF and 51 GA and the top team has 32 GF and 12 GA so it's safe to say that not all games are evenly matched.
Granted in U13, Meja (previously Juventus Royal) was thrown into the ring with the bye. Despite them coming from PPL D2, they are holding their own with just a few larger goal (4+ goal differential) loses but they do have a tie and some close losses.

Anyway, just some food for thought. League QTs are just a snapshot with varying factors that determine which teams make it and which don't. And even if you think all the right teams make it in to give the most evenly match play, things like injuries, etc. come into factor and mess up the whole universe!

True, and the only game that didn't involve Galaxy with more than a 3 goal split was right after Solar White lost their keeper...

Just like a 2-1 game can look close in the table, it could have been completely dominated by one of the teams...and even good teams can get blown out on a bad day.

It is only a matter of where you draw the line. (eg. By the standings, AFC Red is in last...their worst defeat came at the hands of US Elite who is only a few spots above them and TX Lightning was beaten 5-1 by Blues who are just a few spots above them...both Blues and Elite would be mid pack D2 if the standings dictated it at this point).

dadof3 wrote:True, and the only game that didn't involve Galaxy with more than a 3 goal split was right after Solar White lost their keeper...

Just like a 2-1 game can look close in the table, it could have been completely dominated by one of the teams...and even good teams can get blown out on a bad day.

It is only a matter of where you draw the line. (eg. By the standings, AFC Red is in last...their worst defeat came at the hands of US Elite who is only a few spots above them and TX Lightning was beaten 5-1 by Blues who are just a few spots above them...both Blues and Elite would be mid pack D2 if the standings dictated it at this point).

Don't let scores alone fool you re whether 19 or 20 team division 1 is competitive. This past weekend Fever took approx 50 shots on goal, but between their keeper playing great, a number of our girls' shots rolling just wide, and some "Hey! I want to score!" syndrome, the final tally was only 3-0. It was not, by any stretch of the imagination, a particularly fun game for anyone, and I doubt that anyone other than the Aces Red keeper and center back got much out of it.

In regards to smaller divisions, it would seem that Plano has their hands full in just posting the scores for games within a weeks time. To completely overhaul the league would perhaps take an activation of the National Guard.... Baby steps

ralfdallas wrote:

dadof3 wrote:True, and the only game that didn't involve Galaxy with more than a 3 goal split was right after Solar White lost their keeper...

Just like a 2-1 game can look close in the table, it could have been completely dominated by one of the teams...and even good teams can get blown out on a bad day.

It is only a matter of where you draw the line. (eg. By the standings, AFC Red is in last...their worst defeat came at the hands of US Elite who is only a few spots above them and TX Lightning was beaten 5-1 by Blues who are just a few spots above them...both Blues and Elite would be mid pack D2 if the standings dictated it at this point).

Don't let scores alone fool you re whether 19 or 20 team division 1 is competitive. This past weekend Fever took approx 50 shots on goal, but between their keeper playing great, a number of our girls' shots rolling just wide, and some "Hey! I want to score!" syndrome, the final tally was only 3-0. It was not, by any stretch of the imagination, a particularly fun game for anyone, and I doubt that anyone other than the Aces Red keeper and center back got much out of it.

I completely agree and that was my point, and the other side is also true, the blow outs don't have to happen by the top team over the bottom...it can be two teams close in the table.

00scrmom wrote:I agree that PPL should split and have 3 divisions if they are going to continue to have 30+ teams play in an age group. However, I dispute the perception that there will be more evenly matched games. LHGCL D3 (and even some D1 and D2 divisions for that matter) at almost every age division there is a wide difference in goal differential between the top and bottom teams. Look at U15 specifically. The last place D3 team has 2 GF and 51 GA and the top team has 32 GF and 12 GA so it's safe to say that not all games are evenly matched.
Granted in U13, Meja (previously Juventus Royal) was thrown into the ring with the bye. Despite them coming from PPL D2, they are holding their own with just a few larger goal (4+ goal differential) loses but they do have a tie and some close losses.

Anyway, just some food for thought. League QTs are just a snapshot with varying factors that determine which teams make it and which don't. And even if you think all the right teams make it in to give the most evenly match play, things like injuries, etc. come into factor and mess up the whole universe!

I am not disparaging any of the teams, but I will dispute the assertion that there have been some close matches. I am certainly not inviting conspiracy but the team you mentioned only tied with a sister team. However there have been some roster changes in the higher ranked team that may have had an affect in scoring of that tie game. Looking at the data in the PPL for the games played and points earned thus far, we can see a clear line of division in the scoring.By the game report Ralph gave sounds like Fever the 3rd ranked team completely dominated the 19th ranked team. With 50 shots on goal and 3 in the back of the net and zippo for AFC, I'd say that was a blow out, not unlike what has been seen with Galaxy.
As controversial as the Galaxy bye was this season it has to be demoralizing for the girls, but it is what it i and this experience will not doubt make them stronger. I would venture a guess and say that where the PPL stands right now, you could draw a line in-between place holder 10 and 11 and call it a division. Can't wait to see the next season! Good luck everyone, one more regular season game and tournament season is upon us

midfieldersdad wrote:

00scrmom wrote:I agree that PPL should split and have 3 divisions if they are going to continue to have 30+ teams play in an age group. However, I dispute the perception that there will be more evenly matched games. LHGCL D3 (and even some D1 and D2 divisions for that matter) at almost every age division there is a wide difference in goal differential between the top and bottom teams. Look at U15 specifically. The last place D3 team has 2 GF and 51 GA and the top team has 32 GF and 12 GA so it's safe to say that not all games are evenly matched.
Granted in U13, Meja (previously Juventus Royal) was thrown into the ring with the bye. Despite them coming from PPL D2, they are holding their own with just a few larger goal (4+ goal differential) loses but they do have a tie and some close losses.

Anyway, just some food for thought. League QTs are just a snapshot with varying factors that determine which teams make it and which don't. And even if you think all the right teams make it in to give the most evenly match play, things like injuries, etc. come into factor and mess up the whole universe!

I am not disparaging any of the teams, but I will dispute the assertion that there have been some close matches. I am certainly not inviting conspiracy but the team you mentioned only tied with a sister team. However there have been some roster changes in the higher ranked team that may have had an affect in scoring of that tie game. Looking at the data in the PPL for the games played and points earned thus far, we can see a clear line of division in the scoring.By the game report Ralph gave sounds like Fever the 3rd ranked team completely dominated the 19th ranked team. With 50 shots on goal and 3 in the back of the net and zippo for AFC, I'd say that was a blow out, not unlike what has been seen with Galaxy.
As controversial as the Galaxy bye was this season it has to be demoralizing for the girls, but it is what it i and this experience will not doubt make them stronger. I would venture a guess and say that where the PPL stands right now, you could draw a line in-between place holder 10 and 11 and call it a division. Can't wait to see the next season! Good luck everyone, one more regular season game and tournament season is upon us

Hi Mid, I did not see any of the Galaxy games (mistakenly referred as Meja earlier - my bad) so for me to say a close loss (and I was specifically looking at the 2-1 loss to Sting F) is not fair. I only looked at scores and total stats, which I will make a point shortly that as said several times above, score outcomes are not always reflective of the game play. I'm sure it has been a rough fall season for Galaxy and they will grow stronger from it and hope they have a better spring season.

My point really was that even if you look at LHGCL there are some not so close matches (4-5+ goal shutouts) even in an 8-10 team division no matter what the age group. Even if PPL split the division from the start (and it would have to be from the start of the season, not at the half way point) and made 3 divisions (D1, D2, D3) you would still see the same goal differentials, more GFs at the top and more GAs at the bottom. For example, TXL would have been placed in D1 because of their place last year in PPL. No doubt they would have been towards the bottom of PPL D1 at the end of fall. The loss of their top forward and goalie is hurting them and they are struggling.
Just as Ralf described with the AFC/Fever game, I've seen the opposite happen whereas 5 shots on goal just happen to go in the net, where as the other team got twice as many shots and only 1 went in. Talk about frustration!
Smaller divisions is a mute point with PPL. Sometimes I don't think they care to listen to reason. Anyway...that's another topic thread.
I'll echo your sentiment and say best of luck to everyone as we head into tournament season and hope spring season shows some much closer matches!

midfieldersdad wrote:

00scrmom wrote:I agree that PPL should split and have 3 divisions if they are going to continue to have 30+ teams play in an age group. However, I dispute the perception that there will be more evenly matched games. LHGCL D3 (and even some D1 and D2 divisions for that matter) at almost every age division there is a wide difference in goal differential between the top and bottom teams. Look at U15 specifically. The last place D3 team has 2 GF and 51 GA and the top team has 32 GF and 12 GA so it's safe to say that not all games are evenly matched.
Granted in U13, Meja (previously Juventus Royal) was thrown into the ring with the bye. Despite them coming from PPL D2, they are holding their own with just a few larger goal (4+ goal differential) loses but they do have a tie and some close losses.

Anyway, just some food for thought. League QTs are just a snapshot with varying factors that determine which teams make it and which don't. And even if you think all the right teams make it in to give the most evenly match play, things like injuries, etc. come into factor and mess up the whole universe!

I am not disparaging any of the teams, but I will dispute the assertion that there have been some close matches. I am certainly not inviting conspiracy but the team you mentioned only tied with a sister team. However there have been some roster changes in the higher ranked team that may have had an affect in scoring of that tie game. Looking at the data in the PPL for the games played and points earned thus far, we can see a clear line of division in the scoring.By the game report Ralph gave sounds like Fever the 3rd ranked team completely dominated the 19th ranked team. With 50 shots on goal and 3 in the back of the net and zippo for AFC, I'd say that was a blow out, not unlike what has been seen with Galaxy.
As controversial as the Galaxy bye was this season it has to be demoralizing for the girls, but it is what it i and this experience will not doubt make them stronger. I would venture a guess and say that where the PPL stands right now, you could draw a line in-between place holder 10 and 11 and call it a division. Can't wait to see the next season! Good luck everyone, one more regular season game and tournament season is upon us