Wednesday Night Lights - D1 Games

maggiemae wrote:I think we've already seen what happens when the CPP/Dual rostered players are unable to play...

Historically Solar Chelsea Elite has been a strong team which is why it was shocking to see them resort to such unsporting antics.  Parker has been playing this game ever since they landed in D1 so it isn't surprising, just more of a continued disappointment. The coaches should have a little faith in their girls since both of these teams can & should stand on their own. Now Solar Hopkins history shows a team that struggled to stay in D1 and probably would be struggling still without the help from their ECNL ringers. I was privileged to see a couple of minutes of their game on Sunday against Sting Pat.   Both on & off the field it wasn't the same team faced Andro the week before. Even the parents recognized it as was shown in the cheers of relief when Solar scored on a last minute penelty. The final score 1-0.  Of course in that game they did not have the use of their ECNL national team goalie (by the way she is pretty amazing). I assume that for the Andro game the regular goalie was injured because she never saw the field.   Throw in a stellar ECNL defender and you've locked up the defense. Now for offense and the only goal...nah, I'll skip it.

However, these aren't the only three teams who hedge their bets.  Dad-0-3, fess up.  Haven't you used a superstar lately? Sting W? Sting F?  

So, here are my predictions for this evening.        
Three solid wins for Solar Elite, Andro & Brown. Two ties- Aztecs/Dallas Texans & Sting West/Sting P

Please commence the defense/justification of Superstars in pivotal matches. Let me help.
1. It's OK, they really are on the team, just look at the roster
2. All the other clubs are doing it so we have to
3. We have injuries and our bench isn't that deep
4. Because we can, we will
5. If you just look at it from a business perspective...
6. It's all about player development.  More touches are always a good thing.

Gunners wrote:I dont have much of an issue with the whole CPP thing, but I do have to question a club/coach who brings in two ECNL players (one is National team player btw) to play a LHGCL game two days prior to a national event. Four games in five days at this age/level is ridiculous.

sportsnerd wrote:

Gunners wrote:I dont have much of an issue with the whole CPP thing, but I do have to question a club/coach who brings in two ECNL players (one is National team player btw) to play a LHGCL game two days prior to a national event. Four games in five days at this age/level is ridiculous.

I dont follow D1 as close as some so i am little behind, but could we put the names with these teams so the rest of the peanut gallery knows who to dogcuss about abusing CPP....

soccer222 wrote:

sportsnerd wrote:

Gunners wrote:I dont have much of an issue with the whole CPP thing, but I do have to question a club/coach who brings in two ECNL players (one is National team player btw) to play a LHGCL game two days prior to a national event. Four games in five days at this age/level is ridiculous.

I dont follow D1 as close as some so i am little behind, but could we put the names with these teams so the rest of the peanut gallery knows who to dogcuss about abusing CPP....

I watched the FC Dallas / Solar Chelsea Elite game and it was obvious that Solar was using their ECNL ringers.  In fact I am pretty sure that all 3 goals were scored by the same ECNL forward - for sure she scored 2.  Bottom line is that I also have to question a coach/club who has to constantly use ECNL players to boost their team's position in LHGCL.  I am pretty sure that these ECNL girls are already committed to big D1 schools, so what really is the point in risking injury in a lowly LHGCL game, especially when there is a big ECNL tournament in AZ this weekend?

It was a good game - both teams played hard and clean - and the refs did a good job (even though one Solar Goal was called off by the linesman and then reinstated by the head ref - FC Dallas goalie had possession and the play was dead but the solar player knocked the ball into the net.  At least that is how I saw it but I will admit that I may be a little biased - haha).  

Just a note - FC Dallas 00G has not used CPP or ECNL players this entire season and we have had some major injuries.  Really proud of this team, the coach and the players - class act all the way around - and this was a good hard fought win.  Go FC Dallas!