04 Labor Day Tournament

The defense was shaky all weekend which is unusual. Only 1 goal given up in bracket play but there were opportunities in every game which is unusual for this defensive group. And yes waaaay too much kickball in the defeeters game and it's not something elite does well. The only goal game from a very nice series of connected passes resulting in a easy tap in goal. The girls and coach will recover and go back to their old way of playing good soccer and be fine. Or they will continue to run at teams and try to get in behind and do okay but won't be anything special. If you saw the game and it was the first time you would think "very NTX". If you have seen them before you would think "wow thats different". I wasn't impressed and we got the loss we deserved and that had been coming all weekend. But even playing that way I think we can beat scott and probably spirit. It was a came of pure athleticism and defeeters had the team full of athletes to match.

Someone breakdown the DT Scott/ Premire game. Looked close. Haven't heard anything about it. Great tournament win for Scott group. Kitterman, Sting, Premire did pretty well too. Hot hot hot out there!!!!

Oh and of course congrats again to Defeeters Black. Didn't think I would see Eliite get beat for another 8 to 10 months.

Bow-Chicka-Wow Wow wrote:Someone breakdown the DT Scott/ Premire game.  Looked close.  Haven't heard anything about it.   Great tournament win for Scott group.  Kitterman, Sting, Premire did pretty well too.   Hot hot  hot out there!!!!

Unfortunately it was a bit of an ugly game compared to others I saw over the weekend. In the first few minutes, DT kept LP off their normal game of possessing out of the back on the ground by utilizing high pressure and the wind at their backs. They got a few corners into dangerous spots and scored about 5 minutes in on a ball bouncing around in the six. GK appeared to have control of the ball on the ground but it was kicked out of her hands as she stood up shaking her left glove in pain. LP settled down and began to work the ball around connecting midfield to forwards creating a few good chances for the remainder of the half. DT GK played well by cutting down crossed balls across the 6 and handling a couple decent shots cleanly. She was beaten once towards the end of the half but the shot found the lower near post. After their goal and for the remainder of the game, DT didn't threaten to score at all and couldn't hold the ball for more than 3-4 passes at a time (which is more than any other team I saw aside from LP Premier/Elite and D'Feeters Black). Other than a few errant passes that were quickly turned back over, the second half was generally controlled by LP. Again, the DT GK handled the pressure well, having to make a couple clean saves including one that was deflected from the top of the box. LP had another post and a couple sailing inches over the crossbar including one in the final minute. DT was certainly helped by their sweeper tactic and big boots out of the back shagging time (which is what they did in the portion of the semi against D'Feeters I saw). I suppose that and a bit of good fortune can win you games at this age, but not sure it's the best for the development of the girls in back.

Looking forward to many more years of great soccer in this highly competitive age group ... a lot of talent!

BigErn wrote:

Bow-Chicka-Wow Wow wrote:Someone breakdown the DT Scott/ Premire game.  Looked close.  Haven't heard anything about it.   Great tournament win for Scott group.  Kitterman, Sting, Premire did pretty well too.   Hot hot  hot out there!!!!

Unfortunately it was a bit of an ugly game compared to others I saw over the weekend.  In the first few minutes, DT kept LP off their normal game of possessing out of the back on the ground by utilizing high pressure and the wind at their backs.  They got a few corners into dangerous spots and scored about 5 minutes in on a ball bouncing around in the six.  GK appeared to have control of the ball on the ground but it was kicked out of her hands as she stood up shaking her left glove in pain.  LP settled down and began to work the ball around connecting midfield to forwards creating a few good chances for the remainder of the half.  DT GK played well by cutting down crossed balls across the 6 and handling a couple decent shots cleanly.  She was beaten once towards the end of the half but the shot found the lower near post.  After their goal and for the remainder of the game, DT didn't threaten to score at all and couldn't hold the ball for more than 3-4 passes at a time (which is more than any other team I saw aside from LP Premier/Elite and D'Feeters Black).  Other than a few errant passes that were quickly turned back over, the second half was generally controlled by LP.  Again, the DT GK handled the pressure well, having to make a couple clean saves including one that was deflected from the top of the box.  LP had another post and a couple sailing inches over the crossbar including one in the final minute.  DT was certainly helped by their sweeper tactic and big boots out of the back shagging time (which is what they did in the portion of the semi against D'Feeters I saw).  I suppose that and a bit of good fortune can win you games at this age, but not sure it's the best for the development of the girls in back.  

Looking forward to many more years of great soccer in this highly competitive age group ... a lot of talent!

Clearly an LP slant.

Clearly....

When I read post like that...I think of boxing. Even though Pacquiao beat Marquez statistically in their last fight, those numbers didn't keep him off the canvas and Marquez without the title...

Possession at the end of the game by a defender? With minutes remaining up 1-0. I don't even think The big boys do that right?

BigErn wrote:

Bow-Chicka-Wow Wow wrote:Someone breakdown the DT Scott/ Premire game.  Looked close.  Haven't heard anything about it.   Great tournament win for Scott group.  Kitterman, Sting, Premire did pretty well too.   Hot hot  hot out there!!!!

Unfortunately it was a bit of an ugly game compared to others I saw over the weekend.  In the first few minutes, DT kept LP off their normal game of possessing out of the back on the ground by utilizing high pressure and the wind at their backs.  They got a few corners into dangerous spots and scored about 5 minutes in on a ball bouncing around in the six.  GK appeared to have control of the ball on the ground but it was kicked out of her hands as she stood up shaking her left glove in pain.  LP settled down and began to work the ball around connecting midfield to forwards creating a few good chances for the remainder of the half.  DT GK played well by cutting down crossed balls across the 6 and handling a couple decent shots cleanly.  She was beaten once towards the end of the half but the shot found the lower near post.  After their goal and for the remainder of the game, DT didn't threaten to score at all and couldn't hold the ball for more than 3-4 passes at a time (which is more than any other team I saw aside from LP Premier/Elite and D'Feeters Black).  Other than a few errant passes that were quickly turned back over, the second half was generally controlled by LP.  Again, the DT GK handled the pressure well, having to make a couple clean saves including one that was deflected from the top of the box.  LP had another post and a couple sailing inches over the crossbar including one in the final minute.  DT was certainly helped by their sweeper tactic and big boots out of the back shagging time (which is what they did in the portion of the semi against D'Feeters I saw).  I suppose that and a bit of good fortune can win you games at this age, but not sure it's the best for the development of the girls in back.  

Looking forward to many more years of great soccer in this highly competitive age group ... a lot of talent!

Now that we have an LP homer recap how about the DT version?

Yip.

Was a competitive game by two good teams.  After the first 5 minutes it was pretty evenly matched from what I saw (DT came out ready to play. Didn't look like LP did).  Both teams trying to possess the ball and move it around.  Well played and a nice win by a very good team. On another note I think we played the final on the worst  field I saw all weekend! Props to all the kids on both teams for playing 6 tough games in the heat!

As described to me by an unassociated, unbiased observer from a team that didn't make it to the final.

Tired teams, 25 mph wind going straight down the field. This parents observations below:

* LP against the wind first half
* LP GK instructed to time waste from first whistle
* DT caught on quickly and had couple parents go behind goal
* LP did have some chances against the wind first half
* DT missed two from right in front of goal in first half
* LP had more possession and chances with wind in second half
* DT was in hang on mode for last 15 minutes

The assessment was a pretty even game with volume of chances in favor of LP but quality of chances in favor of DT.

Also found it interesting that DT had a starter that was out the entire tournament but showed up for final? Can anyone confirm? If it was the player I was told about, their tournament win is even more impressive.

Cleansheets --

I hear your daughter is the GK I spoke so highly of. Since you were there, I'd love to hear your take on the game.

I'd especially enjoy your argument against the fact that shots were 10ish to 1 or that DT threatened to score at all after their goal.

Interesting disection of the game BigErn, albeit heavy on the LP syrup. So it was a bit of good fortune and some shimmy sham sham razz matazz by the Scott sweeper and big boots in back. Ya know, the funny thing is I recall hearing about the "Dalglish Sweeper" a few seasons back and how that was the greatest thing since peanut butter and jelly in the same jar. Now you speak of the Scott sweeper and defensive tactics like it's some kind of novelty not worthy of any serious soccer cred. How about this version of the game, Premier couldn't score on the Scott defense and keeper and they just flat out got beat. How bout that?

Yip.

Cleansheets wrote:Interesting disection of the game BigErn, albeit heavy on the LP syrup. So it was a bit of good fortune and some shimmy sham sham razz matazz by the Scott sweeper and big boots in back. Ya know, the funny thing is I recall hearing about the "Dalglish Sweeper" a few seasons back and how that was the greatest thing since peanut butter and jelly in the same jar. Now you speak of the Scott sweeper and defensive tactics like it's some kind of novelty not worthy of any serious soccer cred. How about this version of the game, Premier couldn't score on the Scott defense and keeper and they just flat out got beat. How bout that?

But, but they didn't play the right way...and it was too windy...and hot...and it was their sixth game...and that one girl showed up for the other team...

I got this one for ya BCWW...Yip.

Cleansheets wrote:Interesting disection of the game BigErn, albeit heavy on the LP syrup. So it was a bit of good fortune and some shimmy sham sham razz matazz by the Scott sweeper and big boots in back. Ya know, the funny thing is I recall hearing about the "Dalglish Sweeper" a few seasons back and how that was the greatest thing since peanut butter and jelly in the same jar. Now you speak of the Scott sweeper and defensive tactics like it's some kind of novelty not worthy of any serious soccer cred. How about this version of the game, Premier couldn't score on the Scott defense and keeper and they just flat out got beat. How bout that?

You are correct, Premier got beat. Period, no excuses.  It was a competitive game by both teams with the same conditions...Congrats to yall on a well played game and tourney! Maybe we will catch yall next time. Props to your keeper first I have seen her, well composed and all over the box.

I think that's kinda Premier's Achilles heal. They generate a lot of opportunities to score, but struggle to finish In some games. Ie- Sting Donovan game and sounds like final against Scott. Tie one day and then 4 to 0 victory next. Typical 10 yr old though. Scott has done very well of late. I can't wait for them to play Elite and TS.

It is funny how everyone has to put in their slants of a game played by 10 year old girls and how there is offense taken most of the time by somebody.

Here is mine and take it for what it is as a LP Premier parent.

DT Scott did enough to win and they did. I was impressed with what they did on the field. They had spirit and fight.

LP Premier had their chances, but did not do enough to win so they didn't. I was also very proud and impressed with the fight and spirit in the girls.

Both sets of girls were out of gas at the end and should be cheered for their efforts throughout the entire tournament.

Let's focus on the the great future of competitiveness in the top half of the 04 division vs worrying who's best.

Big thanks to all the kids who put in the work!

Albeit very rudimentary, that would be another way to put it Cleansheets. LP certainly didn't score on DT and did lose the game.

As for your "recollection" regarding a Dalglish sweeper ... From what I know of LW, the sight of any more that 3 in the back or playing a sweeper makes his stomach turn. In the two years we've been with him, he's refused to compromise his belief in his back 3 in any situation ... even in a loss.

I gotcha BigErn. I see the game a little more evenly played than you but thats ok. It's all in good fun and I appreciate the kind words.

by the way, where is that LP sweeper?

FCsoccer1 wrote:by the way, where is that LP sweeper?

Plays for LP Elite.

Heard rumors that TX Spirit players were guesting this weekend but I didn't see. Were they playing up?

Son_ofa_Pitch wrote:

FCsoccer1 wrote:by the way, where is that LP sweeper?

Plays for LP Elite.

But not as a sweeper...