D1 Votes for 9-30 - Take your pick

Well, we are knee deep now in the fall season. We are already seeing some twists and turns.

Some pretty good matchups this Wednesday...I think the games will be pretty close overall. Some contrasting styles and offense v defense type matchups.

Hi Dad, would agree. I am not sure that I would bet money on any of the matches Wednesday. Things have been a bit Topsy turvey in the games.

No predictions? Geez, people!

Ferretti vs. West: Ferretti 3-1, but only if 5 or 6 injured (like previous week)! If relatively healthy, Ferretti, 2-1.

Solar Chelsea vs Lady Aztec. Solar continues to roll, 2-1.

Sting Garrett vs DTN: I'm going with the upset... DTN gets their 1st win, 1-0.

Sting Pat vs FCD: Pat misery continues, 2-0.

Bussey vs Brown:  1-1.  bussey gets 1st score of season... Brown's strikers are worn out from previous match with SG's misfortune ...  

SG vs Andro: Very important match for SG...SG's past 3 matches have not ... Ehem, had the expected result. It's rumored SG coaches have reached out to Coach PR for analysis and consultation  SG slows their slide with a 2-2 tie.

well pack I will play!
If it is fair fight Sting West should be able to hold off Ferretti. I hope they don't spoil what should be a good game with guest players
Solar Chelsea by 2
FCD by 4 over Pat
Brown over Bussey by 2
I am going with my heart on this one Andromeda by 1

Let the games begin!

Pack, I am in (but you know I hate taking sides). I think a bit of rivalry will kick in and Ferretti and West come out tied 2-2.

I think Solar C wins 2-0 over Aztecs. I think FCD and Pats will be closer, 1-1. The Pats have it in them, they just have to own it.
unfortunately, I think Bussey will fall to Brown 3-1. I would like to see Bussey rally, they were a strong team last year.

SG 0:1 Andromeda. Pretty much like the score indicated IMO. SG had a few good chances, but Andro a little better tonight.

Andromeda 1 Solar Gold 0. Solar borrowed goalie kept it close.

Yeah. We had a GK from a LH 01 team who stepped in and played really well...nobody is more glad that she played the game with us than the field player who played last week in goal...

Sting North Garrett - 2
Dallas Texans North - 0

Nice PK save for the Sting keeper in 2nd half

Well, a lot of close guesses and some not so close. I thought there would be a tie between Ferretti and West but West took the game. I was off by one on the Solar C-Aztecs game. I was spot on with FCD and Pat.

I think Solar C wins 2-0 over Aztecs. I think FCD and Pats will be closer, 1-1. The Pats have it in them, they just have to own it.
unfortunately, I think Bussey will fall to Brown 3-1. I would like to see Bussey rally, they were a strong team last year. Bussey fell 5-1. Having, you were spot on for the Solar Gold/Andromeda game.

Obviously a lot of games to go, but at this point in the season, the D1 teams from last year are at the top of the division (save Garret who has two games to make up one point on Gold). So as much as we all want to believe there is not much difference between D I, II, and III...the standings show otherwise.

InaB wrote:Well, a lot of close guesses and some not so close. I thought there would be a tie between Ferretti and West but West took the game. I was off by one on the Solar C-Aztecs game. I was spot on with FCD and Pat.

I think Solar C wins 2-0 over Aztecs. I think FCD and Pats will be closer, 1-1. The Pats have it in them, they just have to own it.
unfortunately, I think Bussey will fall to Brown 3-1. I would like to see Bussey rally, they were a strong team last year. Bussey fell 5-1. Having, you were spot on for the Solar Gold/Andromeda game.

InaB-My pre-game picks are correct, but obviously, the teams are feeling the pressure on my predictions.  

Gator, you are correct-- I hadn't really noticed it earlier, but the standings are very indicative of divisional positions last year. Another indicator of relative competitiveness are the GA and GF columns.

Not only was LH combining D1 and D2 the best and most fair way to end last season, it was a terrific opportunity for the D2 to see better competition and get better.
However, the former D2 teams are learning why a tournament or a scrimmage win here & there against a D1 team is almost irrelevant. Every week in D1 is a physical grind, where the margin of error is smaller and injuries are more common ... An off-game rarely gets a W. To be competitive weekly, a team really needs at least 12-13 potential "starters" on its roster.  

In all fairness, although this year's division merge is a great opportunity for D2 players , the scheduling format favors former D1 teams. Since teams will only play each other once, there is little time for the new team to acclimate to the increased competition, as well as gain familiarity with the D1 teams... i.e., Brown knows what to expect from Andro, Parker knows what they have to do against Pulp, etc. So if these former D2 coaches aren't putting in the time to literally scout these D1 teams, their teams are going to have a difficult time.

Lastly, where confidence is also vital to new teams, the early schedule has been more fortunate to some teams, than others. With a few exceptions, teams that move to D1 struggle early with injuries and confidence.

Good luck to all and keep those players healthy!

I agree with your point in the next to last paragraph. Familiarity helps more than most realize. After a while you learn the in and outs of the same opponent and coaching style and it helps either team. I would argue that the top 5 may even recruit players to address specific needs to combat specific opponents.

Gosh Pack, sorry I missed that point, I am sure that is what happened with your predictions. Back, I think you and Pack are both right on the teams understanding of each other. Do I think coaches in D1 (or other divisions) recruit players who fill gaps against other teams? If they don't, they should. Scouting is perhaps the best tool a coach can have aside from players. College and professional coaches do it all the time. If you wait until you are mid-way through a game to say "I should have had two fast defenders instead of (for instance) two midfielders" it is a little late.

If you have only one great forward with no one to balance her, then she will get buried - a lot against teams who have watched your team play. They will know (or should) that no one on your team steps up to help the forward, or, for that matter don't have the speed to keep up with her. The teams who have watched you (and coaches give thanks to all the parents who post videos of games by the way), will know what to expect. They will know if your defenders allow forwards or mids to make it into the goal box unanswered. They will know if your players bunch up and leave gaping holes.

I will add to this and say even if the coach hasn't scouted a team, your team players should be watching their opponents and seeing the patterns. I have been impressed by several goalies and field players directing their team mates to watch number XX or "they are leaving the left side open." It isn't just up to the coach, it is also up to the team - especially at this age and level. Players can't just go on the field and play by rote. They have to see their opponents and adjust. Look for the opportunities and adjust. I watched a game prior to ours a couple of weeks ago. The white team found a formula - the blue team was leaving the upper right side of the field undefended. The white team played the ball up on the left and then shifted the play to the right toward the end of the run. They scored. The white team did this three times before the blue team finally started to defend that side. By then it was too late. The blue team began to bunch up on the right so the white team shifted play to the left. The blue team became frustrated and caused a number of calls on themselves. They finally let down halfway in the second half and lost.

So, yes scouting prior to the game is important - know your opponent. Scouting during the game is important (team players and coaches) to find weaknesses and holes.

Recruiting players of equal abilities is also important. One player can't save every game. In my opinion only, it is important to have a team that all plays the same style and are on par with each other on skills and speed. It won't help to bring in a couple of players who have tremendous skills and speed that the rest of the team can't match. Those players will be perfect targets for opponents. If you have equally matched players, how would an opposing team single out someone to break the bank? A team can't guard two forwards who are equally skilled as well as they can one.

Most of all, what I have seen in D1, are a lot of players who can run, and run as well in the last minutes of the game as they did in the first. The slogan "speed kills" is appropriate to soccer. I have seen many teams wear down under relentless running back and forth. Those teams who can consistently maintain speed and agility, are far more likely to win than those who don't keep up with stamina drills and running on a weekly basis. Is it easy to get players to maintain their stamina during the school year and soccer season? No. But I can tell you that if you go to any college soccer team, the amount of physical work they do each week far eclipses what most teams do in Select. This is the time when players should be proactively preparing themselves physically and mentally. The coach shouldn't have to remind them to keep up their running and skills. They should be willing to do it.

Wow, I think I had too much coffee this morning. I am backing away from the soap box now.

The top D1 teams don't recruit to "combat specific opponents". These coaches know the strengths and weaknesses of their own teams and seek to address them. The top 4-5 are very familiar with each other both because they play each other a lot (LH, Premier League, etc) but also because many of their players have bounced between them all.

Fitness is worked on constantly and these teams are most vulnerable at the beginning of the season. Kids that fade in a game don't last long and having quality back-ups is a must. These teams also have kids that can help a team "switch gears" as the coach needs it.

I think this big experiment of a season has been interesting. It has certainly allowed the lower teams (and parents) insight into what it takes to compete at this level. Hopefully it motivates and inspires instead of deflates. Unfortunately, the very top teams are feeling the pressure to run up the scores a bit in case of end of season tie-breaks. Not a good thing IMO.

backofthenet wrote:I agree with your point in the next to last paragraph.

JUST the next to last paragraph?!  

backofthenet wrote:
Familiarity helps more than most realize. After a while you learn the in and outs of the same opponent and coaching style and it helps either team. I would argue that the top 5 may even recruit players to address specific needs to combat specific opponents.

Imo, generally, 2 teams' of equal talent and familiarity with each other really does help keep some of the games close. As far as recruiting, the top 5 are obviously looking for starters, but usually they are hoping to address a weakness and-or provide quality depth. I wouldn't put it past some of these coaches, but I'm not sure how often "Player A gets chosen over Player B bc they will help me against Pulp".

DrPepper wrote:The top D1 teams don't recruit to "combat specific opponents". These coaches know the strengths and weaknesses of their own teams and seek to address them. The top 4-5 are very familiar with each other both because they play each other a lot (LH, Premier League, etc) but also because many of their players have bounced between them all.

Exactly. To your and BOTN's point, they are addressing weaknesses, which were probably exploited by the those top 5. Anyone notice how many of these matches are being filmed now?

DrPepper wrote:Fitness is worked on constantly and these teams are most vulnerable at the beginning of the season. Kids that fade in a game don't last long and having quality back-ups is a must. These teams also have kids that can help a team "switch gears" as the coach needs it.

Agreed. Exactly. It's also interesting how often a player will have marginal playing time on one team, and then move to a another team of similar or better quality and be a solid contributor!

DrPepper wrote:
I think this big experiment of a season has been interesting. It has certainly allowed the lower teams (and parents) insight into what it takes to compete at this level. Hopefully it motivates and inspires instead of deflates. Unfortunately, the very top teams are feeling the pressure to run up the scores a bit in case of end of season tie-breaks. Not a good thing IMO.

We've discussed this before, but by playing each opponent just once, makes every match crucial -- winning by 1 is still a W, but it probably hurt your standing ... however a draw to "lesser ranked" team is devastating.

Although I believe all coaches should have some sort team specific game plan each week (the girls are going to have to know how adjust their matches in college, anyway) to their fit their opponents, it almost absolutely necessary for the newer and lesser  talented teams to avoid "deflation".

First, I think the recruit to face a certain opponent may be a CPP issue more than a roster issue.

Second, from what I have seen, the difference between D1 and D2 is what we expected. We have been in 1 goal games all season long (save 1)...our games have been competitive, and while that may not be indicative of all the teams that came from D2, I am not that worried about losing (or winning) a game by a goal if we played well. The points will even out over time, and you are what you are. If you look closely at who has played so far, most of the top teams from last year haven't played more than one game against other top teams from last year. As those teams start to play each other more and more, we will see it shake out...

I know that SG expected to be tight in pretty much every game...and it has been so far.

DrPepper wrote:The top D1 teams don't recruit to "combat specific opponents". These coaches know the strengths and weaknesses of their own teams and seek to address them. The top 4-5 are very familiar with each other both because they play each other a lot (LH, Premier League, etc) but also because many of their players have bounced between them all.

Fitness is worked on constantly and these teams are most vulnerable at the beginning of the season. Kids that fade in a game don't last long and having quality back-ups is a must. These teams also have kids that can help a team "switch gears" as the coach needs it.

I think this big experiment of a season has been interesting. It has certainly allowed the lower teams (and parents) insight into what it takes to compete at this level. Hopefully it motivates and inspires instead of deflates. Unfortunately, the very top teams are feeling the pressure to run up the scores a bit in case of end of season tie-breaks. Not a good thing IMO.

I had an interesting conversation with a California transplant recently. The comment that I found interesting was, "There seemed to be more team loyalty in California". Having read a great many comments over the last 4 years about what NTX needs to do to "catch up" with California, I've noticed that "continuity" is a second class citizen in our area. This particular parent was surprised by the fact that most of the girls had played for multiple clubs. Could it be that "team hopping" is one of the impediments that NTX soccer is suffering from?  I suspect that it is.

Dr., sometimes "team hopping" happens when teams fail too. Although that isn't as much a hop as a run.

OLJW wrote:

DrPepper wrote:The top D1 teams don't recruit to "combat specific opponents". These coaches know the strengths and weaknesses of their own teams and seek to address them. The top 4-5 are very familiar with each other both because they play each other a lot (LH, Premier League, etc) but also because many of their players have bounced between them all.

Fitness is worked on constantly and these teams are most vulnerable at the beginning of the season. Kids that fade in a game don't last long and having quality back-ups is a must. These teams also have kids that can help a team "switch gears" as the coach needs it.

I think this big experiment of a season has been interesting. It has certainly allowed the lower teams (and parents) insight into what it takes to compete at this level. Hopefully it motivates and inspires instead of deflates. Unfortunately, the very top teams are feeling the pressure to run up the scores a bit in case of end of season tie-breaks. Not a good thing IMO.

I had an interesting conversation with a California transplant recently. The comment that I found interesting was, "There seemed to be more team loyalty in California". Having read a great many comments over the last 4 years about what NTX needs to do to "catch up" with California, I've noticed that "continuity" is a second class citizen in our area. This particular parent was surprised by the fact that most of the girls had played for multiple clubs. Could it be that "team hopping" is one of the impediments that NTX soccer is suffering from?  I suspect that it is.

From talking to some of the grey beards, whose DD's played their entire select years together, player movement really started in the last 4 years or so... It seems ecnl and the explosion in number of teams (and players) in this area have played a roll. I dont know the situation in California, but there aren't many markets with NTX's vast selection of teams and clubs to chose from. A handful of clubs control the markets in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio.  Smaller, newer clubs have a hard time getting started in those areas.

Does less competition make for better soccer? Some say fewer teams enable a better concentration of good players... Other say more clubs and teams improve innovation and their product- pricing, coaches, etc.  Whatever ones view, at least here, if your DD wants to keep playing soccer at this age, there a team somewhere for her... It beats her hanging out at the mall!