Nationals

Here is a link to live scoring if anyone is interested.

http://tournaments.usyouthsoccer.org/events/2010-US-Youth-Soccer-National-Championships/Schedule/U14-Girls/Division+1/

1-0 Sting (still in progress)

I predict Sting 96 & MVLA in the Finals. MVLA had to beat Mustang Fury & Arsenal (both SoCal) in Far West Regional to get to Nationals. MVLA gave Arsenal a 3-0 smack down in the Final.

Feet played MVLA at Surf Cup in semis, a couple years back. They jumped on us early with 2 quick goals and won 2-0. They won the tournament, as well. Very good team. I also expect it to be MVLA and Sting.

Sting 1-0 Final
MVLA 1-0 Final

Thursday at 10am is the MVLA vs. Sting game. Too bad that MVLA parent isn't doing the live streaming video/audio of the MVLA games at Nationals. He even had play by play commentary with his broadcast at Far West Regionals.

So, when I heard that we were playing on artificial turf for the National Championships, I thought, Wow, what a bad idea. Man, was I wrong. After several inches of rain yesterday, and more threats of it today, it is very arguable whether we would have played at all if not for the artificial fields. The Overland Park Soccer Complex is VERY nice and the tournament is first class...no surprise, since it is the Nationals.
We played SAC United Premier out of Columbia, Maryland and beat them 1-0 on an excellent goal at the end of the first half. I would say that this was very much of a 50/50 game, with neither side having a decided edge. Guess, that is the way it should be at Nationals. (Heard the 95s won 7-0.....really?). The Maryland side had excellent speed that did cause our defense some problems, but a friendly post or two and a staunch defense held their ground for the win. The fairy tale continues into tomorrow where we play probably our toughest competition, MVLA Foothill Lightning. Should be interesting......will post more later.

Suddenimpact wrote:The fairy tale continues into tomorrow where we play probably our toughest competition, MVLA Foothill Lightning. Should be interesting......will post more later.

Here is a link to MVLA's eteamz site. They have some big Defenders.
http://www.mvlalightning.com/

Socrocks, don't read the "Lightning News" section. It will probably bring back bad Surf Cup memories.

zygor wrote:

Suddenimpact wrote:The fairy tale continues into tomorrow where we play probably our toughest competition, MVLA Foothill Lightning. Should be interesting......will post more later.

Here is a link to MVLA's eteamz site. They have some big Defenders.
http://www.mvlalightning.com/

Socrocks, don't read the "Lightning News" section. It will probably bring back bad Surf Cup memories.

Oh, thanks Zygor, you just had to tell me "don't".......so I did. Ouch! Not too complimentary of their match vs Feet, were they?

Suddenimpact wrote:So, when I heard that we were playing on artificial turf for the National Championships, I thought, Wow, what a bad idea. Man, was I wrong. After several inches of rain yesterday, and more threats of it today, it is very arguable whether we would have played at all if not for the artificial fields. The Overland Park Soccer Complex is VERY nice and the tournament is first class...no surprise, since it is the Nationals.
We played SAC United Premier out of Columbia, Maryland and beat them 1-0 on an excellent goal at the end of the first half. I would say that this was very much of a 50/50 game, with neither side having a decided edge. Guess, that is the way it should be at Nationals. (Heard the 95s won 7-0.....really?). The Maryland side had excellent speed that did cause our defense some problems, but a friendly post or two and a staunch defense held their ground for the win. The fairy tale continues into tomorrow where we play probably our toughest competition, MVLA Foothill Lightning. Should be interesting......will post more later.

Congrats to Sting! Keep it rolling....TOUGH one tomorrow.

They posted some photos online from the Sting 96 game yesterday.
http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/nationals/PhotoGalleryNationals.asp?photo_id=8370&SECTION_ID=256

Sting-MVLA is 0-0 at half

Gunners wrote:Sting-MVLA is 0-0 at half

Thats got to be a great game.

96Guru wrote:

Gunners wrote:Sting-MVLA is 0-0 at half

Thats got to be a great game.

Sting gets the wind in 2nd, and apparently it's blowing pretty hard.

1-0 Sting in 2nd Half

Gunners wrote:1-0 Sting in 2nd Half

Good deal

Sting wins 1-0 and advances to the National Championship game.

Gunners wrote:Sting wins 1-0 and advances to the National Championship game.

Great!

Sting 1-0 Final over MVLA! Fantastic job girls!

Great job Sting! Big win.
Keep the momentum....2 more!

Here's a recap from a Sting parent who thought the forum might be interested...

Wind a major factor today. They had wind first. Dominated us. We had a couple opps but not really threatening. They really worked our defense and kinda made us look like we were standing around. They couldn't finish.
2nd half - wind was with us. We played much more aggressively, but still not very composed. MVLA seemed defeated that they couldn't put it in and started giving the ball up, but we usually gave it right back to them. We scored with 6 min left on a very slow rolling ball across the goal. Keeper was screened and dove but couldn't get to it. Last several minutes were uneventful.

Like most California teams, they were all over our sideline when they were going that direction, making comments etc breaking all the etiquette you see most other places (or at least in Texas). They were certainly a gracious bunch afterward. Not sure we'll see them again. The SAC team I thought was faster up top than we are and had two outside mids that had speed too. They might draw. I don't know the tiebreaker rules or if they'd go to PKs.

Wow....who would of thunk it? Never in my wildest dreams did I think that we would get to the National Championship game. To think that we have never won a State Cup final and did not even win LHGCL this year, yet ran the table at Regionals and have prevailed over our first two opponents is amazing. I think that the kids are on Cloud Nine and this speaks volumes to the competitive nature of North Texas soccer.
Today's game was a Tale of Two Cities....or a least two halves. MVLA is a very good team who live up to the national ranking hype. They are as good as any team I have seen at this age group. Outstanding ball movement, tenacious tacklers of the ball and two exemplary center mids. We were on our heels in the first half and they exposed some mismatches, but never finished any opportunity. We only had a few chances in the first including one breakaway on their keeper, but also had nothing to show for it. Second half was a different story. We had the 20mph wind and controlled most of the half. The goal was from about 25 yards away and was well struck, but on the ground. I had the perfect angle from the shot to the keeper and knew that she would be screened and not able to react. It hit the inside post and went it. I expect to see MVLA in the final......they appear to be the better side in my opinion. I also think that they may possess the edge on us given the outcome of the first game. But honestly, who cares? This whole experience is like stealing. Prior to this year, I have been in select soccer for like 20 years and been to 1 regional event before this year. Think I will just sit back and enjoy the ride. The cup is half full in my world.

SI, Great commentary! Good luck to the girls out there!

Northwatcher! Talk about a blast from the past! Hope all is well with you and yours.

Here's a link to today's Sting/MVLA game, apparently one of the MVLA parents videos/streams all their games!

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/8442676

Goal is at the 53 minute mark.

Thanks Gunners! We are hanging in there! Thanks for the link. That is interesting...streaming "all" their games. I thought over-the-top things calmed down by U-14. LOL.
I hope all is well with you and yours as well!
I need to get my post count up! I tried to get some carryover credit from the old site, but the moderator wouldn't go for it. LOL