R1PL Finals

Re: R1PL Finals

Sorry for the late post following the weekend action. I watched both the Stars United and Blazers finals which was not hard because they were supposed to be side by side at the same time, but the Blazers match was delayed because the prior game went into two 15 minute overtimes (I could not watch all of either game but most of both).

There were a lot more college scouts watching the girls game. Even the girls game before the Blazers had more college scouts. After the girls game on the Blazers pitch, the scouts left and fewer filled their slots - this was noticeable. I am not too familiar with the college process so I am not sure why this is.

The Stars United team was not dominant in terms of time of possession in the first half but were up by 3-0 by the midway point. The Stars United did two offensive things very well. Firstly they move the ball well forward and then back and then forward again between the strikers and midfielders. The first ball forward goes to the striker, then back to the midfield on a slant and then back up front on a slant through to space. While the ball is going back and then forward, the striker runs off and then in again to avoid offsides. Having a tall very fast striker helps too. :-) Secondly Stars United rushes multiple girls at the goal essentially overloading and overrunning the opposing defense. At this age it is not a bad startegy because the girls are not capable of a quick counter to catch the Stars too far forward. Also the keepers at this age are not that strong and do not counter well, so even though the Stars committ a lot of resources up front, there is adequate time to recover. PDA's scoring chances did not come from counter attacks. I was very impressed with the level of soccer, the players attitude and the coaches/clubs attitude. Stars United won 3-0.

The Blazers was a different story. The coach had been thrown out in the first game so he was not able to coach the final. The boys are amazingly skilled (I thought more so than PDA), very calm with the ball and the speed of play is more than twice that of the girls. Even though the Blazers were obviously well trained and very skilled, the teamwork left a lot to be desired. The Blazers inidividual play was strong (taking on defenders one-on-one), but the collective play was poor (worse than the U15G Stars United team in my opinion). PDA was much more cohesive, subbed all of their players in for a lengthy period and the coach was vey positive, barely talking to the refs. On the sideline one Blazers official was continuing to complain to the ref (even though the coach was ejected in the first game), and some players never saw the pitch (others played very little). You could not help but wonder if the difference in team play between the Blazers' and PDA was not reflective of the coach's and club's attitude. PDA included everyone, coached positively, and appeared very professional. The Blazers kept the same group on the field for 1.5 hours, complained, and looked like a "sand lot" team. Maybe I am completely wrong and it was just an off day for the Blazers - let's hope - because the boys individual skills were wonderful, but the coaching and leadership looked poor. PDA won 2-0.

I watched the U15 final as my sons game was after, I agree that the time of possession in the first half for Stars was not that dominant even though they where leading 3-0 at half time. The second half was totally different though, the possession to Stars was probably 70-30% in favour of Stars. Very good to watch, two very good teams. I did not see the Blazers game so I cannot comment.

Re: R1PL Finals

I saw the PDA/Stars game too. I would say that PDA dominated possession for the first 15 minutes until the first goal by Stars on a quick counter which was against the run of play. After that it was increasingly Stars in terms of possession and scoring. Second half PDA came out strong but, fifteen minutes into the second half, PDA didn't exactly give up - but they seemed less confident - and certainly too tired for many offensive attempts.

I don't understand the comment about height of the Stars striker. As far as size - both horizontal and vertical, I thought PDA had the advantage.

Re: R1PL Finals

The Blazers was a different story. The coach had been thrown out in the first game so he was not able to coach the final. The boys are amazingly skilled (I thought more so than PDA), very calm with the ball and the speed of play is more than twice that of the girls. Even though the Blazers were obviously well trained and very skilled, the teamwork left a lot to be desired. The Blazers inidividual play was strong (taking on defenders one-on-one), but the collective play was poor (worse than the U15G Stars United team in my opinion). PDA was much more cohesive, subbed all of their players in for a lengthy period and the coach was vey positive, barely talking to the refs. On the sideline one Blazers official was continuing to complain to the ref (even though the coach was ejected in the first game), and some players never saw the pitch (others played very little). You could not help but wonder if the difference in team play between the Blazers' and PDA was not reflective of the coach's and club's attitude. PDA included everyone, coached positively, and appeared very professional. The Blazers kept the same group on the field for 1.5 hours, complained, and looked like a "sand lot" team. Maybe I am completely wrong and it was just an off day for the Blazers - let's hope - because the boys individual skills were wonderful, but the coaching and leadership looked poor. PDA won 2-0.

Was this BU17? The Region One site says PDA won 2-1 - that's why I ask.

If it is BU17 the the comparisons between the U15 girls and the U17 boys in team play and speed of play are interesting. I would not expect kids two years younger to play as fast, but I would also expect a team two years older were play more tactically as a team - even if they are boys ;) Do you think if the coach had been there more kids would have played?

Re: R1PL Finals

Was this BU17? The Region One site says PDA won 2-1 - that's why I ask.

Yes BU17 - site is wrong - final was 2-0.

Re: R1PL Finals

I also watched the Blazers game. I think it was a game of two halves and I think you have to offer a more descriptive report of what happened. You can disagree if you like.

Less than one minute into a Region 1 Final, the ref calls a questionable hand ball in the box which resulted in a PK (PDA 1-0). I believe the remainder of the first half was controlled by the Blazers who were unable to capitalize on the chances. This was not "sandlot" soccer played by the Blazers in the first half. However, you are correct in that there were very few substitutions in the first half (don't know if there were any) and this may have cost them in the end.

The second half was a different game altogether. PDA controlled the play and had more quality chances. At the half wore on, the Blazers looked tired with continued with limited substitutions moving the existng players on the field to different position and changing formations.

With about 20 min left in the game, PDA went up 2-0 when the Blazers couldn't clear the area.

PDA player was red carded in the final 10 minutes of the game, however it really didn't change the momentum or play. The Blazer players looked tired and were pressing...for much of the second half I think you saw a tired team with individuals pressing and trying to take it upon themselves when they could have made the extra pass.

Re: R1PL Finals

I think you might have misunderstood my "sand lot" comment. I was not talking about the play of the team but the management of the team. The coach was thrown out of the first game, the Blazers' club official is still barking at the ref from the sideline, and the rotations and sideline coaching was poor. The Blazers' boys looked more skilled and the better side to me, but the game looked to have been managed poorly. It is my opinion that it is too bad too have such a talented MA team in the management hands of the Blazers organization (at least it looked that way on that day).

Another way to say it, IMO, if the Blazers players had the PDA training and management they would definitely be the Region 1 champs right now and the favorite to be the Regional champs. Maybe you disagree.

A lot of kids followed the coach to the Blazers. From what I saw at the Region 1 final I am at a complete loss to understand why.

Re: R1PL Finals

I think you might have misunderstood my "sand lot" comment. I was not talking about the play of the team but the management of the team. The coach was thrown out of the first game, the Blazers' club official is still barking at the ref from the sideline, and the rotations and sideline coaching was poor. The Blazers' boys looked more skilled and the better side to me, but the game looked to have been managed poorly. It is my opinion that it is too bad too have such a talented MA team in the management hands of the Blazers organization (at least it looked that way on that day).

Another way to say it, IMO, if the Blazers players had the PDA training and management they would definitely be the Region 1 champs right now and the favorite to be the Regional champs. Maybe you disagree.

A lot of kids followed the coach to the Blazers. From what I saw at the Region 1 final I am at a complete loss to understand why.

You wouldn't happen to be a Bolts parent would you??

Re: R1PL Finals

No and my soccer player is a girl. Did you see the game?

Re: R1PL Finals

Looks like the Blazers u17B have a spot sewn up for Regionals already due to PDA Cruyff winning NJ State Cup.