00' LH D1 Picks

Fall season is almost complete! 1st place, 2nd and last place are locked. Hat's off to LP Elite for securing 1st place
and SR for securing 2nd! The remaining two weeks are important for 3-8, which will make the games very important:
*FCD v. Sting G: Both teams are very much in the running for 3rd place.
*LP v. Texans: Important for Texans to win to help secure 3rd place and to not fall to far behind to make a run in spring. Not so big for LP
*Sting W. v. Defeet: Chance for Sting W to create log jam for 7th and Defeet chance to move from to as high as 3rd depending on outcomes.

Good luck to all! At this age with the girls, their play is truly, "on any given sunday or saturday" anything is possible.

Who really gives a crap!! This is the last year before ECNL! Lets see what happens Next year

forgetaboutit wrote:Who really gives a crap!! This is the last year before ECNL! Lets see what happens Next year

Yes, but it is still good banter...

forgetaboutit wrote:Who really gives a crap!! This is the last year before ECNL! Lets see what happens Next year

Next year let alone ECNL isn't promised to any so let's live in the moment....and enjoy the banter.

Texans 1, LP 0 -- The Texan train is finally on the track..... will they allow Bieber Fever and All Hallows Eve to through it off again.

Sting G 2, FCD 0 -- G's getting healthier one player at a time and has been holding things together with ace wrap and bubble gum. FC has been missing the "D" lately. This one could get a bit chippy as both teams are a bit temperamental and coming off loses.

D'feet 1, Sting West 0 -- Feet rediscovered the net in their last game. I think they will keep those scoring shoes on and add back the "D".

Interesting giving up on the season already, a lot could happen

*FCD v. Sting G: This game can go either way. FCD is coming off a 5-0 beating from Texans. So they have a statement to make this weekend. Sting G has to get their offense going. So the question is: Will it be this weekend?

*LP v. Texans: If I'm in Vegas I'll have to go with LP. Strong Defense with 0 goals against. However, Texans are second in goal scored. So the question is: Will they be able the first to score on LP. One goal will be the difference in a win or loss.

*Sting W. v. Defeet: Of course, I have to say Sting W. If not, our parents will make me sit on the end. However, both teams seem to be in the process of trying to find themselves. Consistency is the issue here! Can you say "Tony Romo"?

Hmm, let me see... T O N Y R O M O, yes I think I can Its Me!

Great win for LP elite today 2 to 0 over DT. Of course I am a big LP fan, but seriously, this team is flat out awesome. They really play good soccer. I think if CP can keep doing what he does very well and the parents can avoid "ecnl fever" and trust the coach will get them where they should be, I seriously think this team could and will go all the way and bring home a National trophy to Ntx.

Totally Agree. LP has had another great fall, clearly separating themselves from even their one true competition in league play in SR. At the same time, SR started the year blazing beating DT, easily rolling through the PLD tournament, winning a couple more before losing to LP 0-1. From there LP kept going and SR finished uncharacteristically very sloppy with ties to close out leaving SR 7 huge points out of first. Needless to say, these two teams have been winning everything in the age group had to offer since their academy and now going select. The most important events to win for any age group at select are LHGCL & State & (if possible) a national prestigious tournament outside of North Texas like Surf or Disney Showcase. Again, the only two teams to deliver the last two years LP & SR:

LHGCL -

2010-2011 Season - SR Champs
2011-2012 Season - LP Champs

State Champs
2010-2011 Season - LP Champs
2011-2012 Season - SR Champs

2012-2013 - LHGCL - State

Signature Tournaments outside North Texas
2011 Disney Showcase Champs - SR

Again - there is no doubt LP has had a great Fall, but to believe SR and the rest of the age will sit down in the Spring is wishful thinking. BTW - ECNL fever is REAL and the five ECNL members (Dfeeters, FCD, Solar, Sting, and Texans) will all benefit. For the better programs, "it will be "Christmas in July." After more than five years, the top players have competed for various teams and now need to decide which coach will get them to the next level. It is going to be very interesting which ECNL coach & team benefits the most and gets the better players come next year. Unfortunately for LP, this is a huge reality for their top kids to face leaving them with a very real decision to make. Best of luck to everyone.

and another hugh reality check for player$ not currently on one of those 5 ecnl member$ this year..."good cu$tomer loyalty". those new players trying out are really going to have to shine.

Anyone who believes that the ECNL (or any other) coaches have loyalty to players is clearly smoking something good and not sharing with the rest of us. They have a job, and their job is to win. If better players come out, they WILL take spots, no matter what.

and anyone who thinks it doesn't go on has their own stash.

When the sources are the ones that do the rostering it's as clear as smoke rings.

and I do PPP but not for years.

keep22 wrote:and anyone who thinks it doesn't go on has their own stash.

When the sources are the ones that do the rostering it's as clear as smoke rings.

and I do PPP but not for years.

PPP

BumpyPitch wrote:Totally Agree. LP has had another great fall, clearly separating themselves from even their one true competition in league play in SR. At the same time, SR started the year blazing beating DT, easily rolling through the PLD tournament, winning a couple more before losing to LP 0-1. From there LP kept going and SR finished uncharacteristically very sloppy with ties to close out leaving SR 7 huge points out of first. Needless to say, these two teams have been winning everything in the age group had to offer since their academy and now going select. The most important events to win for any age group at select are LHGCL & State & (if possible) a national prestigious tournament outside of North Texas like Surf or Disney Showcase. Again, the only two teams to deliver the last two years LP & SR:

LHGCL -

2010-2011 Season - SR Champs
2011-2012 Season - LP Champs

State Champs
2010-2011 Season - LP Champs
2011-2012 Season - SR Champs

2012-2013 - LHGCL - State

Signature Tournaments outside North Texas
2011 Disney Showcase Champs - SR

Again - there is no doubt LP has had a great Fall, but to believe SR and the rest of the age will sit down in the Spring is wishful thinking. BTW - ECNL fever is REAL and the five ECNL members (Dfeeters, FCD, Solar, Sting, and Texans) will all benefit. For the better programs, "it will be "Christmas in July." After more than five years, the top players have competed for various teams and now need to decide which coach will get them to the next level. It is going to be very interesting which ECNL coach & team benefits the most and gets the better players come next year. Unfortunately for LP, this is a huge reality for their top kids to face leaving them with a very real decision to make. Best of luck to everyone.

Well Said! From my perspective, those two teams have been awesome for a long time and Hat's off to the girls, coaches and parents. My dd played on both teams when they won their respective LH champs and I can tell you the thing that makes both team special is their culture. The girls practice at FULL SPEED. Practice is a blood bath in a good way. The players make each other better b/c they compete 100% at everything, especially LP. The game is easy compared to practice. My dd's current team lost to both SR & LP this season. Both teams deserved to win, but LP WHUPPED our -SS. It was very impressive...painful. :-). At the beginning of the season, Many people counted LP out b/c they lost 4 starters from LY team. But I knew they would be equally as good and most likely better.. I believe I predicted them to do well. Despite losing 4, LP picked up 2 that were PERFECT fits for the team. A CM who is a beast of player and a goalie who is hands down the best in the age group. No disrespect intended to anyone but Rock, is her nickname, is off the charts. i am happy for CP...Real Good Guy!

As far as the spring, anything can happen with injuries, drop in focus, and normal teenage girl drama. So, it will be interesting to see how it will pain out. History tends to repeat itself, so I predict that the 3 teams that have finished in the top 3 since academy will do the same this year.

In terms of ECNL, my only hope is a Super team is formed that can win nationals. The 00 age group does not have enough depth for two national champ quality teams. For example, IMO, there is only 1 maybe 2 attacking CM that is the full package of size, speed, strength, skills, etc. There are not any Madison Haley like forwards who are Very Big, Very fast, Very Skilled, & Proficient at finishing. The division does have GREAT defenders. Net, IMO, to win a national champs, somehow a Super team will need to be formed. If not we will have 2 good but not great teams b/c 5 ECNL teams is dilutive by nature. As the saying goes, "3 is a crowd & beyond that forgetaboutit"!

puff puff pass...(itsme)

and I was kidding about that not the other stuff.

BumpyPitch wrote:Totally Agree. LP has had another great fall, clearly separating themselves from even their one true competition in league play in SR. At the same time, SR started the year blazing beating DT, easily rolling through the PLD tournament, winning a couple more before losing to LP 0-1. From there LP kept going and SR finished uncharacteristically very sloppy with ties to close out leaving SR 7 huge points out of first. Needless to say, these two teams have been winning everything in the age group had to offer since their academy and now going select. The most important events to win for any age group at select are LHGCL & State & (if possible) a national prestigious tournament outside of North Texas like Surf or Disney Showcase. Again, the only two teams to deliver the last two years LP & SR:

LHGCL -

2010-2011 Season - SR Champs
2011-2012 Season - LP Champs

State Champs
2010-2011 Season - LP Champs
2011-2012 Season - SR Champs

2012-2013 - LHGCL - State

Signature Tournaments outside North Texas
2011 Disney Showcase Champs - SR

Again - there is no doubt LP has had a great Fall, but to believe SR and the rest of the age will sit down in the Spring is wishful thinking. BTW - ECNL fever is REAL and the five ECNL members (Dfeeters, FCD, Solar, Sting, and Texans) will all benefit. For the better programs, "it will be "Christmas in July." After more than five years, the top players have competed for various teams and now need to decide which coach will get them to the next level. It is going to be very interesting which ECNL coach & team benefits the most and gets the better players come next year. Unfortunately for LP, this is a huge reality for their top kids to face leaving them with a very real decision to make. Best of luck to everyone.

There is also a flip side and from my conversations with parents from ECNL teams the reality of funding and time committments, there are a bunch of really good players (and really good parents) who will be looking for a non-ecnl option. A few players should never represent the entire depth of a team and the skills a coach brings to the table should outweigh the individual skills of a few players when it comes to winning games as a team. The ecnl fever IS REAL but sometimes that fever causes sweats, chills and vomitting. Depending on the plans of clubs, teams and parents ecnl offers both sides of the fence some great opportunities.

Antipelagian wrote:

BumpyPitch wrote:Totally Agree. LP has had another great fall, clearly separating themselves from even their one true competition in league play in SR. At the same time, SR started the year blazing beating DT, easily rolling through the PLD tournament, winning a couple more before losing to LP 0-1. From there LP kept going and SR finished uncharacteristically very sloppy with ties to close out leaving SR 7 huge points out of first. Needless to say, these two teams have been winning everything in the age group had to offer since their academy and now going select. The most important events to win for any age group at select are LHGCL & State & (if possible) a national prestigious tournament outside of North Texas like Surf or Disney Showcase. Again, the only two teams to deliver the last two years LP & SR:

LHGCL -

2010-2011 Season - SR Champs
2011-2012 Season - LP Champs

State Champs
2010-2011 Season - LP Champs
2011-2012 Season - SR Champs

2012-2013 - LHGCL - State

Signature Tournaments outside North Texas
2011 Disney Showcase Champs - SR

Again - there is no doubt LP has had a great Fall, but to believe SR and the rest of the age will sit down in the Spring is wishful thinking. BTW - ECNL fever is REAL and the five ECNL members (Dfeeters, FCD, Solar, Sting, and Texans) will all benefit. For the better programs, "it will be "Christmas in July." After more than five years, the top players have competed for various teams and now need to decide which coach will get them to the next level. It is going to be very interesting which ECNL coach & team benefits the most and gets the better players come next year. Unfortunately for LP, this is a huge reality for their top kids to face leaving them with a very real decision to make. Best of luck to everyone.

There is also a flip side and from my conversations with parents from ECNL teams the reality of funding and time committments, there are a bunch of really good players (and really good parents) who will be looking for a non-ecnl option. A few players should never represent the entire depth of a team and the skills a coach brings to the table should outweigh the individual skills of a few players when it comes to winning games as a team. The ecnl fever IS REAL but sometimes that fever causes sweats, chills and vomitting. Depending on the plans of clubs, teams and parents ecnl offers both sides of the fence some great opportunities.

What is the difference in the "funding and time commitment" between an ECNL team and a top level non-ECNL team?

I would agree that LP is the cream of the '00 crop ....no debate. Saturday's game vs DT was the most recent example. One team came out as if they had something to prove.

However let's not break our arm with the patting of the back. The 3 top teams in '00 age group (dating back to academy) are pretty darn close when you look at their history versus one another.

Since going select: (W-T-L)

LP vs SR (6 - 0 - 0)
SR vs DT (3 - 3 - 1)
DT vs LP (4 - 1 - 2)

It is unfortunate to say the least that you will likely only see these teams face off a few more times before ECNL hits....

LP vs SR could happen 2 more times (LHGCL, State Cup)
SR vs DT could happen 2 more times (LHGCL, State Cup)
DT vs LP could happen 3 more times (Texans Fall Festival, LHGCL, State Cup)

no back patting but... I believe LP is the real deal, with the right coach. ecnl makes all the sense for development in a Boonville Montana club, where you might have one or possible two programs and pooling the top talent to play other top kids from Outthere Idaho makes sense. In Ntx it was and is a money switch and if the other clubs had any sense they would be able to see that (and some are). If it was really about development, etc. there would be one club in the market not 5, but as I said, it may be one of the best marketing efforts I have ever seen. The interesting thing is I think it is shifting back now as so many kids (and families) are coming back to non ecnl teams and after a few years the sizzle is wearing off and the reality is taking hold; folks are realizing "I can think for myself" and there are several good paths not just one.

Pulling it back to the topic. with CP you get a guy that can teach it both on and off the field, is a great motivator and keeps it fun while intense. You get two great coaches and my hope is these parents can be strong enough to follow what they know and see and avoid the sizzle. I really think this group can bring home allot of hardware to Ntx.

soccer4fun wrote:no back patting but... I believe LP is the real deal, with the right coach. ecnl makes all the sense for development in a Boonville Montana club, where you might have one or possible two programs and pooling the top talent to play other top kids from Outthere Idaho makes sense. In Ntx it was and is a money switch and if the other clubs had any sense they would be able to see that (and some are). If it was really about development, etc. there would be one club in the market not 5, but as I said, it may be one of the best marketing efforts I have ever seen. The interesting thing is I think it is shifting back now as so many kids (and families) are coming back to non ecnl teams and after a few years the sizzle is wearing off and the reality is taking hold; folks are realizing "I can think for myself" and there are several good paths not just one.

Pulling it back to the topic. with CP you get a guy that can teach it both on and off the field, is a great motivator and keeps it fun while intense. You get two great coaches and my hope is these parents can be strong enough to follow what they know and see and avoid the sizzle. I really think this group can bring home allot of hardware to Ntx.

If what you say is true, then why has Liverpool repeatedly applied to join the ECNL? Why would they also approach at least one local ECNL club about the possibility of setting up a system where Liverpool players could have access to ECNL teams?

Gunners wrote:

soccer4fun wrote:no back patting but... I believe LP is the real deal, with the right coach. ecnl makes all the sense for development in a Boonville Montana club, where you might have one or possible two programs and pooling the top talent to play other top kids from Outthere Idaho makes sense. In Ntx it was and is a money switch and if the other clubs had any sense they would be able to see that (and some are). If it was really about development, etc. there would be one club in the market not 5, but as I said, it may be one of the best marketing efforts I have ever seen. The interesting thing is I think it is shifting back now as so many kids (and families) are coming back to non ecnl teams and after a few years the sizzle is wearing off and the reality is taking hold; folks are realizing "I can think for myself" and there are several good paths not just one.

Pulling it back to the topic. with CP you get a guy that can teach it both on and off the field, is a great motivator and keeps it fun while intense. You get two great coaches and my hope is these parents can be strong enough to follow what they know and see and avoid the sizzle. I really think this group can bring home allot of hardware to Ntx.

If what you say is true, then why has Liverpool repeatedly applied to join the ECNL? Why would they also approach at least one local ECNL club about the possibility of setting up a system where Liverpool players could have access to ECNL teams?

Dang it Gunners... you beat me to that response.

outonthelimb wrote:

Gunners wrote:

soccer4fun wrote:no back patting but... I believe LP is the real deal, with the right coach. ecnl makes all the sense for development in a Boonville Montana club, where you might have one or possible two programs and pooling the top talent to play other top kids from Outthere Idaho makes sense. In Ntx it was and is a money switch and if the other clubs had any sense they would be able to see that (and some are). If it was really about development, etc. there would be one club in the market not 5, but as I said, it may be one of the best marketing efforts I have ever seen. The interesting thing is I think it is shifting back now as so many kids (and families) are coming back to non ecnl teams and after a few years the sizzle is wearing off and the reality is taking hold; folks are realizing "I can think for myself" and there are several good paths not just one.

Pulling it back to the topic. with CP you get a guy that can teach it both on and off the field, is a great motivator and keeps it fun while intense. You get two great coaches and my hope is these parents can be strong enough to follow what they know and see and avoid the sizzle. I really think this group can bring home allot of hardware to Ntx.

If what you say is true, then why has Liverpool repeatedly applied to join the ECNL? Why would they also approach at least one local ECNL club about the possibility of setting up a system where Liverpool players could have access to ECNL teams?

Dang it Gunners... you beat me to that response.

Because if they didn't (not that I have heard of it happening) that would be one less thing to hate about Liverpool and we can't have that now, can we?