U12 Girls

None of the U-12 teams were impressive. The Stars did okay, but that's the worst I've seen them play in the last year or so. Scorpions were about the same as they always are, they are a good team but cannot get over the hump. Western did not play like they usually do, suprised to see they lost a game though because it did look like they carried most of the play. Blackwatch is okay, and probably would fit nice in the bottom of blue because they were overmatched against the top teams. FSA was the biggest surprise, I've seen them play in the past and expected them to do much better. West Hartford has to be given credit as they beat Western 1-0 and took the Stars to PK'S in the semis. The rest of the teams were pretty much what I expected. Overall, the play in this bracket was weak and is evident by a team like West Hartford (which is average at best) reaching the semis. Hopefully it was a combination of the weather and the first time out this season that caused the problems. I've seen all these teams play much better in the past, and suspect they will be much better in a month or so.

Okay I try not to be negative on here, but c'mon. It was wet, it was cold (very cold), most of the teams had, had limited or no time outside (on a big field). Why do some feel it's necessary to critique 10, 11, 12 year old kids like this?

It's bad enough all the monday-morning quarterbacking for the Patriots or the EPL, but c'mon to make a comment like this. "None of the teams were impressive" - let's be real if we really want to talk about good, impressive soccer then none of these teams are that good. They aren't Arsenal, or ManU or the USWNT or UNC or you name it - they are 10-12 years old.

Please read the article from the NYTimes again - I hope your kid is doing this because she loves the sport and that she is having fun, learning life lessons, making new friends, growing as a person and an athlete. If not, then yo too too will be in for a rude awakening.

I love to watch my kids play and it sure is better to watch a well played match, but c'mon it's still just youth soccer.

In my previous post the reference to none of "the teams were impressive " has nothing to do with pro or college teams but rather the play at the U-12 level. For a high U-12 level of play none of the teams were impressive this weekend. As I stated in my previous post, many of the teams are better than they played and I suspect the weather and first time out is a major factor. I've seen most of the top level teams on the east coast and know what high level U-12 soccer is. I think with all of the talk in this thread, it's obvious that people think their teams are much better than they are. There are some teams that are good, but the quality of play this weekend for U-12s would get any of them knocked out in the first round of any major tournament in Region 1. With all the talk in here from the different teams I find it funny that someone feels I'm critiquing 11 year olds when I mention only the teams, and it's a very accurate assesment. As for your other comment, I have no unreal expectations for anything for my kid beyond high school or club soccer like many others on here do. She plays for the enjoyment of the game at a high level and I do agree that if your playing for anything more you are mistaken.

West Hartford has to be given credit as they beat Western 1-0 and took the Stars to PK'S in the semis. The rest of the teams were pretty much what I expected. Overall, the play in this bracket was weak and is evident by a team like West Hartford (which is average at best) reaching the semis.

Isn't this the team that will become the CFC Wolves at U13?

Is the brut force the way to go at this age group? A few of these games were all about whacking anyone who tried to come up the middle. Did we stop caring about the game of soccer?

Is the brut force the way to go at this age group? A few of these games were all about whacking anyone who tried to come up the middle. Did we stop caring about the game of soccer?

I agree, the Granite v Explosion game on Sunday was extra physical and way over the top. The ref's and the coaches didn't do anything to stop this.

Is the brut force the way to go at this age group? A few of these games were all about whacking anyone who tried to come up the middle. Did we stop caring about the game of soccer?

I agree, the Granite v Explosion game on Sunday was extra physical and way over the top. The ref's and the coaches didn't do anything to stop this.

[bouba diop]

Is the brut force the way to go at this age group? A few of these games were all about whacking anyone who tried to come up the middle. Did we stop caring about the game of soccer?

I agree, the Granite v Explosion game on Sunday was extra physical and way over the top. The ref's and the coaches didn't do anything to stop this.

What exactly did the ref and coaches fail to stop? This was a competitive match between two teams that are very close in ability and that have played each other quite a bit in the last year. From my perspective there is a strong respect between the two teams and their coaches but both sides play hard when they meet. I saw nothing particularly untoward. What preceisely is it that you saw that was so objectionable?

It was very physical with players just pushing each other over, the side lines where screaming for the ref to make calls both ways. Maybe there is something between these two teams becasue they where really going at each other

It was very physical with players just pushing each other over, the side lines where screaming for the ref to make calls both ways. Maybe there is something between these two teams becasue they where really going at each other

How many of the sideline screamers have taken a referee course? My daughter is a referee and only makes calls for actual fouls (regardless of the sidelines screaming at a 14 year old referee in the rain). Seriously, soccer is a physical game - a VERY physical game. Every "push" is not a foul.

Explosion has never played Blackwatch except in Futsal which Blackwatch forfeited the Final game.

Explosion has never played Blackwatch except in Futsal which Blackwatch forfeited the Final game.

That's good to know.

It was very physical with players just pushing each other over, the side lines where screaming for the ref to make calls both ways. Maybe there is something between these two teams becasue they where really going at each other

What else is new? You just described what happens at every tournament and every Maple game.

Explosion has never played Blackwatch except in Futsal which Blackwatch forfeited the Final game.

And you posted this because..........?

the girl who left WU is not there best player. She is good but not in the top 4-5 best on the team.

Lets see......

Western United was able to score 1 goal all weekend. Stars of Mass 7. Of these 7 goals 3 were made by the recently added Western United player, who according to the poster above (proabably a pissed off western parent or coach) was not in the top 4 or 5 best. So Western, where were your top 4 or 5 this weekend? On vacation?

Dude (or dudette as the case may be) these are 11 year olds you are talking about. Give it a rest!

who says "dude" now days? Even better "dudette". I didn't realize Spicoli had kids playing soccer.

the girl who left WU is not there best player. She is good but not in the top 4-5 best on the team.

Lets see......

Western United was able to score 1 goal all weekend. Stars of Mass 7. Of these 7 goals 3 were made by the recently added Western United player, who according to the poster above (proabably a pissed off western parent or coach) was not in the top 4 or 5 best. So Western, where were your top 4 or 5 this weekend? On vacation?

Dude (or dudette as the case may be) these are 11 year olds you are talking about. Give it a rest!

who says "dude" now days? Even better "dudette". I didn't realize Spicoli had kids playing soccer.

I think they still talk that way in the western part of the state.

[Oz9]

West Hartford has to be given credit as they beat Western 1-0 and took the Stars to PK'S in the semis. The rest of the teams were pretty much what I expected. Overall, the play in this bracket was weak and is evident by a team like West Hartford (which is average at best) reaching the semis.

Isn't this the team that will become the CFC Wolves at U13?

No. West Hartford Premier and CFC are two seperate clubs.