Changing '04 Landscape heading into 2015 - 16 season

Lots of rumors and talk have been floating around regarding players switching teams, teams switching clubs, and clubs fighting for league spots (as a result of coach/team changes).

Any insights into what changes actually materialized and which teams might be stronger / weaker as a result?  Given teams spots and signings have been happening, I am curious what the 'top 10' for LHGL D1 & D2 might look like given the changes.

Since most of those teams that were fragmented by defections probably filled those spots with warm bodies as to not lose that coveted D1 spot .... I'm guessing the rankings will look the same to start the season. Then reality sets in and tough games against much stronger teams above and below said pieced together teams happen and it's likely down the ladder they fall I would think. But hey .... They got to say "we're a D1 team" for another 365 days so that's what's most important right? ;-)

You sound like there's something we should know, perhaps?

Who improved , who stayed same, who lost players, thoughts???

LIVERPOOL FC AMERICA 04 GIRLS ELITE
D'FEETERS 04 BLACK KENN
DALLAS TEXANS 04 GIRLS SOUTH
FC Dallas 04 ELITE
TEXAS SPIRIT 04
DALLAS TEXANS 04 GIRLS DALLAS
ODYSSEY '04
STING 04 GUTIERREZ
LIVERPOOL FC AMERICA 04 GIRLS OWEN
STING EAST 04 CHACON
DALLAS TEXANS 04G RED DALLAS
FC DALLAS YOUTH 04G PREMIER
TEXAS SPIRIT NORTH 04
SOLAR CHELSEA 04
STING '04 HILTON

WestsideSoccer wrote:Who improved , who stayed same, who lost players, thoughts???

LIVERPOOL FC AMERICA 04 GIRLS ELITE
D'FEETERS 04 BLACK KENN
DALLAS TEXANS  04 GIRLS SOUTH
FC Dallas 04 ELITE
TEXAS SPIRIT 04
DALLAS TEXANS  04 GIRLS DALLAS
ODYSSEY '04
STING 04 GUTIERREZ
LIVERPOOL FC AMERICA 04 GIRLS OWEN
STING EAST 04 CHACON
DALLAS TEXANS 04G RED DALLAS
FC DALLAS  YOUTH 04G PREMIER
TEXAS SPIRIT NORTH 04
SOLAR CHELSEA 04
STING '04 HILTON

Based on my limited insight, the top 4 on list all got better. TS lost a number of players, so likely have taken a step back. Scott lost a few but replaced them so net effect is they are probably better. Odyssey probably remained the same. Don't know about Sting teams except Chacon is no longer Chacon, and likely took step back as result. Owen lost a couple of key players and the replacements likely not of the same caliber. Red should definitely be better with all their additions. Premier is likely a Plano level team now and acting as Elite's B team. TSN will likely be same after losing key player but then adding a F/T GK. Heard Solar has a couple of nice additions at GK and on field so should be improved.

KnKsDad, fascinating assessment! Please share your insight and logic on how you see FCD Premier dropping from the number 12 team to Plano league quality? Certainly you must have some inside info to make such a statement.

Did yall hear about the two pick ups from Venezuela that DN picked up?!

My opinion of team strength relative to last year based on what limited information I've heard during the off-season in terms of player/team movement.

- LIVERPOOL FC AMERICA 04 GIRLS ELITE
- D'FEETERS 04 BLACK KENN
▼DALLAS TEXANS 04 GIRLS SOUTH
▲FC Dallas 04 ELITE
▼▼TEXAS SPIRIT 04
▲DALLAS TEXANS 04 GIRLS DALLAS
-ODYSSEY '04
-STING 04 GUTIERREZ
▲LIVERPOOL FC AMERICA 04 GIRLS OWEN
▼STING EAST 04 CHACON
▲▲DALLAS TEXANS 04G RED DALLAS
▼FC DALLAS YOUTH 04G PREMIER
-TEXAS SPIRIT NORTH 04
▲▲SOLAR CHELSEA 04
-STING '04 HILTON

sparky wrote:KnKsDad, fascinating assessment!  Please share your insight and logic on how you see FCD Premier dropping from the number 12 team to Plano league quality?  Certainly you must have some inside info to make such a statement.

I was only conveying it the way it was conveyed to me. Was told that they lost a number of (key) players and the team that was left was not LH quality. However, I would assume that with all the different teams in the club they would be able to do the pool approach and throw something together to maintain the bye.

KnKsDad wrote:

sparky wrote:KnKsDad, fascinating assessment!  Please share your insight and logic on how you see FCD Premier dropping from the number 12 team to Plano league quality?  Certainly you must have some inside info to make such a statement.

I was only conveying it the way it was conveyed to me. Was told that they lost a number of (key) players and the team that was left was not LH quality. However, I would assume that with all the different teams in the club they would be able to do the pool approach and throw something together to maintain the bye.

Well, the club would keep the bye even if the team didn't.  They were a team that would have been in DII under the old system, but now returns to DI.

And if moving players from the #4 PPL team is their answer . . .

Could be a long year.

All arrows point to the ECNL inevitable.....the landscape won't really change all that much until LP Elite does whatever they are going to do. Solar and Sting will move up. Texans, FCD, and Dfeeters are already there. I know, I know.....its 3 years away so it's not a factor. Good luck to all this year in your new endeavors. It should definitely be an interesting ride.

SD69 wrote:My opinion of team strength relative to last year based on what limited information I've heard during the off-season in terms of player/team movement.

- LIVERPOOL FC AMERICA 04 GIRLS ELITE
- D'FEETERS 04 BLACK KENN
▼DALLAS TEXANS 04 GIRLS SOUTH
▲FC Dallas 04 ELITE
▼▼TEXAS SPIRIT 04
▲DALLAS TEXANS 04 GIRLS DALLAS
-ODYSSEY '04
-STING 04 GUTIERREZ
▲LIVERPOOL FC AMERICA 04 GIRLS OWEN
▼STING EAST 04 CHACON
▲▲DALLAS TEXANS 04G RED DALLAS
▼FC DALLAS YOUTH 04G PREMIER
-TEXAS SPIRIT NORTH 04
▲▲SOLAR CHELSEA 04
-STING '04 HILTON

This is consistent with what I have heard, although I was under the impression LP Owen was struggling to retain some players, etc.

KnKsDad wrote:

sparky wrote:KnKsDad, fascinating assessment!  Please share your insight and logic on how you see FCD Premier dropping from the number 12 team to Plano league quality?  Certainly you must have some inside info to make such a statement.

I was only conveying it the way it was conveyed to me. Was told that they lost a number of (key) players and the team that was left was not LH quality. However, I would assume that with all the different teams in the club they would be able to do the pool approach and throw something together to maintain the bye.

I'd challenge your source. No starters left the team and two big strong players were added. Should be a better team than last year.

I would be careful making predictions based on "resumes" .... What looks good on paper (i.e. rank of previous team, GA, etc) does not always equal production on the field.

Now if you have seen said "upgrade" players in action, I will take your word for it.

sparky wrote:

KnKsDad wrote:

sparky wrote:KnKsDad, fascinating assessment!  Please share your insight and logic on how you see FCD Premier dropping from the number 12 team to Plano league quality?  Certainly you must have some inside info to make such a statement.

I was only conveying it the way it was conveyed to me. Was told that they lost a number of (key) players and the team that was left was not LH quality. However, I would assume that with all the different teams in the club they would be able to do the pool approach and throw something together to maintain the bye.

I'd challenge your source.  No starters left the team and two big strong players were added.  Should be a better team than last year.

Are you with this team, or are you just talking? Or are you gonna go smoke and mirrors on me? If you're with this team then go challenge your coach. If when the LH season starts and this team is still FCD Premier with Thompson as the coach and lost no starters and added two big strong players we'll see it on the field won't we?

sparky wrote:

KnKsDad wrote:

sparky wrote:KnKsDad, fascinating assessment!  Please share your insight and logic on how you see FCD Premier dropping from the number 12 team to Plano league quality?  Certainly you must have some inside info to make such a statement.

I was only conveying it the way it was conveyed to me. Was told that they lost a number of (key) players and the team that was left was not LH quality. However, I would assume that with all the different teams in the club they would be able to do the pool approach and throw something together to maintain the bye.

I'd challenge your source.  No starters left the team and two big strong players were added.  Should be a better team than last year.

Two players total were added, or more than two were added, but only two were big and strong?

You guys got Hans and Franz?

KnKsDad, I am with the team and have been since it began. Not sure I understand your statement about challenging the coach???? I don't know who is providing you with information, but they clearly know nothing about what is going on with FCD Premier.

Well, just because I had too much time on my hands, I took last year's results and removed all of the games involving the 5 teams that were relegated to D2.  Here's what that looks like:

Team	MP__	W__	L__	D__	GF__	GA__	Pts
LP Elite	12	11	0	1	57	4	34
Feet Black	14	10	3	1	31	11	31
DT South	12	9	1	2	24	10	29
FCD Elite	11	8	2	1	24	8	25
TS	12	7	4	1	30	21	22
DT	12	6	3	3	25	12	21
Odyssey	11	4	2	5	10	11	17
Sting Gutierrez	11	5	6	0	12	22	15
LP Owen	12	4	6	2	13	26	14
Sting East	12	4	6	2	17	26	14
DT Red	14	5	8	1	16	23	16
FCD Premier	12	2	8	2	7	36	8
TSN	12	2	10	0	6	25	6
Solar	12	1	9	2	6	23	5
Sting Hilton	13	1	11	1	6	26	4

sparky wrote:KnKsDad, I am with the team and have been since it began. Not sure I understand your statement about challenging the coach???? I don't know who is providing you with information, but they clearly know nothing about what is going on with FCD Premier.

Don't know and frankly don't care, but I think the assumption is that premier is now the feeder team to Elite or will be soon. That seems to be what the other big clubs are doing. So if premier picked up "2 big strong Players" if they are capable of playing for the top team, they will be sooner or later. It is all about "ECNL" isn't it?

soccerballzzzzz wrote:

sparky wrote:KnKsDad, I am with the team and have been since it began.  Not sure I understand your statement about challenging the coach????  I don't know who is providing you with information, but they clearly know nothing about what is going on with FCD Premier.

Don't know and frankly don't care, but I think the assumption is that premier is now the feeder team to Elite or will be soon.  That seems to be what the other big clubs are doing.  So if premier picked up "2 big strong Players" if they are capable of playing for the top team, they will be sooner or later.  It is all about "ECNL" isn't it?

That's a pretty big assumption.

Elite is about the furthest from an "FC Dallas team" as you can be while still wearing an FC Dallas jersey.  They don't practice at the main facility, don't participate in pool practices with other FC Dallas teams, and ultimately, have no connection with FC Dallas Premier.

As a feeder? - your odds are no better or worse playing for FC Dallas Elite coming from FC Dallas Premier or any other select team (though I am sure that FC Dallas would tell you otherwise ).

sparky wrote:KnKsDad, I am with the team and have been since it began.  Not sure I understand your statement about challenging the coach????  I don't know who is providing you with information, but they clearly know nothing about what is going on with FCD Premier.

Sparky, I appreciate you trying to clear up any misperceptions. Let me also say I have nothing personal against your team and no axe to grind. I was only sharing insight based on what had been told to me with the original source being someone who would know what is going on with your team otherwise I wouldn't have made the statement. I also used the same basic wording of how it was conveyed to me. My first thought was that maybe there was some slight exaggeration in how it was communicated to me originally but there would be a pretty big difference between a Plano quality team and a D1 team that hasn't lost any of it's starters for it to be hyperbole, so I guess someone's just not telling the truth. At the end of the day it will all be decided based on the team that actually shows up and not based on any speculations here.

jibjab2 wrote:

soccerballzzzzz wrote:

sparky wrote:KnKsDad, I am with the team and have been since it began.  Not sure I understand your statement about challenging the coach????  I don't know who is providing you with information, but they clearly know nothing about what is going on with FCD Premier.

Don't know and frankly don't care, but I think the assumption is that premier is now the feeder team to Elite or will be soon.  That seems to be what the other big clubs are doing.  So if premier picked up "2 big strong Players" if they are capable of playing for the top team, they will be sooner or later.  It is all about "ECNL" isn't it?

That's a pretty big assumption.

Elite is about the furthest from an "FC Dallas team" as you can be while still wearing an FC Dallas jersey.  They don't practice at the main facility, don't participate in pool practices with other FC Dallas teams, and ultimately, have no connection with FC Dallas Premier.

As a feeder? - your odds are no better or worse playing for FC Dallas Elite coming from FC Dallas Premier or any other select team (though I am sure that FC Dallas would tell you otherwise ).

I think that's a little over the top. I would think they would give preference to the premier kids if they wanted to tryout for elite. Same goes for ecnl, if your dd has been on one of their teams, wouldn't she get first crack at an ecnl slot?

I really don't think at this age you see much passing through of players. My guess is if FCD Premier picked up two solid players they'd stay with that team until it was time to go to ECNL (which is still two years away) unless they chose to move. I don't see FCD forcing movement of players, heck I don't see many clubs actually doing it. Most of the time the opportunity is offered and the player moves. Occasionally you will have a club from Texas threaten siblings of players if they don't move to the team they want or if they leave the club but that doesn't happen too often.

This offseason has been a bit off but I don't see much change at the top this year. I think LP Elite will stay the top team but I imagine the gap will close like it does in every other age group. If DTS kept their squad together (something GA seems to struggle to do) then they shouldnt drop off. Same goes for D'Feeters. FCD Elite seems to have improved offensively but might drop off a bit defensively so they should remain in the mix.

Seems like the more things change the more they stay the same.

soccerballzzzzz wrote:

jibjab2 wrote:

soccerballzzzzz wrote:

sparky wrote:KnKsDad, I am with the team and have been since it began.  Not sure I understand your statement about challenging the coach????  I don't know who is providing you with information, but they clearly know nothing about what is going on with FCD Premier.

Don't know and frankly don't care, but I think the assumption is that premier is now the feeder team to Elite or will be soon.  That seems to be what the other big clubs are doing.  So if premier picked up "2 big strong Players" if they are capable of playing for the top team, they will be sooner or later.  It is all about "ECNL" isn't it?

That's a pretty big assumption.

Elite is about the furthest from an "FC Dallas team" as you can be while still wearing an FC Dallas jersey.  They don't practice at the main facility, don't participate in pool practices with other FC Dallas teams, and ultimately, have no connection with FC Dallas Premier.

As a feeder? - your odds are no better or worse playing for FC Dallas Elite coming from FC Dallas Premier or any other select team (though I am sure that FC Dallas would tell you otherwise ).

I think that's a little over the top. I would think they would give preference to the premier kids if they wanted to tryout for elite. Same goes for ecnl, if your dd has been on one of their teams, wouldn't she get first crack at an ecnl slot?  

Your dd must play for FC Dallas