State Cup Semi/FinalsPredictions (Results)

Re: State Cup Semi/FinalsPredictions (Results)

That was point about the right footed goals. It was covered and the posts have been reported along with my own which will hopefully be deleted when the others are..

Re: State Cup Semi/FinalsPredictions (Results)

Thank you to the Stars parent for that post about the U14's. As an MPS parent I have to say I appreciate your comments and I agree.

This was a great game. There have been several posts on this forum about what a great game it was and how well both teams played. The Stars and MPS U14's had never played each other before yesterday. Our girls had the sense leaving the field that BOTH teams enjoyed the game and have respect for each other. It was a close game that took exceptional effort from both teams - from the start. Both teams play possession/pretty soccer. The Stars won the game, but it was a close game and both teams had very good chances to score. Stars out shot MPS, but only by a few shots. This was not a game of domination or of lack of effort and intensity. This was skilled soccer and a good example of what high quality teams can play like. The last minute or two included three MPS corner kicks and a couple of great chances and one excellent save by the Stars keeper. I would applaud both teams for their skill and effort. And I applaud both teams for their play and sportsmanship.

It is obvious that the individual who made the predictions and the follow-up commentary made assumptions and it is also obvious that he/she could not have been at every game in any case. That would not be humanly possible as so many of the games were played at the exact same time! Despite that he/she feels empowered to comment with no direct knowledge.

For the record - Stars beat Scorpions 3-1. Stars beat MPS 1-0. Stars beat Blackhawks in RR 1-0. MPS beat Blackhawks in semi-final 1-0. MPS tied Scorpions 1-1 and won the bracket on PK's having matched identical scores with the Scorpions in beating Fuller and Western. You all may not have known about MPS before hand but we won our bracket and advanced to the final. As to the game against BH, this was a classic game of possession vs direct play. By the latter stages of the second half and both OT's Blackhawks had 10 players behind the ball and MPS still got multiple shots off and finally put one in with a couple of minutes to play. One of the BH parents actually posted elsewhere on this forum "thank god for our keeper who kept us in the game." I thank the Stars parent who saw parts of this game and saw exactly what I just said.

One poster stated in this forum that they would love to watch MPS and Stars play over and over again due to the quality of the game the two teams played. I am sure the Stars players and families agree as do the MPS players and families. This was a great intense game and wonderful on every level. Oh, and btw the MVP of the game was an MPS player. There was an immense amount of talent and skill on that field exhibited by both teams and it is a shame that someone has to make a post that simply ignores reality.

Again, thank you to the Stars parent who was kind enough to post about the game. An example of the kind of class that was exhibited at the game. And thank you to all the U14 Stars players and families who handled themslves with dignity and treated the MPS players and families with respect and dignity. We look forward to the opportunity to play many more games like this over the coming years. And also - good luck at region 1 - we wish you all the best!

Re: State Cup Semi/FinalsPredictions (Results)

Girls U18 - Bolts were counted out early, but will win again. CRU and Scorps is a toss up. CRU improved this year and are more consistent, but Scorps have best player and many talented players. My gut says Scorps, but head says CRU. Will be tough and hard fought. Either CRU by 3 or 4, or Scorps by 1. CRU is the better organized and the more ready team, if they score early, they will score often. Scorps has to hang around to win. If they do, the pure talent will win out. Bolts are the best team and will beat either one of them.BINGO! CHAMPION BOLTS 4-0


Someone posted that CRU had the best strikers in the State--hmmmm, lets see from the Bolts: you have one striker going to St. Johns (Big East), one to University of Maryland (ACC) and one at Clemson (ACC)--all are strikers and one more (2009) who has committed to UConn (Big East). So I guess the strikers on the Bolts weren't too bad. Yes they all got scholarships before anyone asks.

Re: State Cup Semi/FinalsPredictions (Results)

Girls U18 - Bolts were counted out early, but will win again. CRU and Scorps is a toss up. CRU improved this year and are more consistent, but Scorps have best player and many talented players. My gut says Scorps, but head says CRU. Will be tough and hard fought. Either CRU by 3 or 4, or Scorps by 1. CRU is the better organized and the more ready team, if they score early, they will score often. Scorps has to hang around to win. If they do, the pure talent will win out. Bolts are the best team and will beat either one of them.BINGO! CHAMPION BOLTS 4-0


Someone posted that CRU had the best strikers in the State--hmmmm, lets see from the Bolts: you have one striker going to St. Johns (Big East), one to University of Maryland (ACC) and one at Clemson (ACC)--all are strikers and one more (2009) who has committed to UConn (Big East). So I guess the strikers on the Bolts weren't too bad. Yes they all got scholarships before anyone asks.

No one was asking but thanks dad

Re: State Cup Semi/FinalsPredictions (Results)

Girls U18 - Bolts were counted out early, but will win again. CRU and Scorps is a toss up. CRU improved this year and are more consistent, but Scorps have best player and many talented players. My gut says Scorps, but head says CRU. Will be tough and hard fought. Either CRU by 3 or 4, or Scorps by 1. CRU is the better organized and the more ready team, if they score early, they will score often. Scorps has to hang around to win. If they do, the pure talent will win out. Bolts are the best team and will beat either one of them.BINGO! CHAMPION BOLTS 4-0


Someone posted that CRU had the best strikers in the State--hmmmm, lets see from the Bolts: you have one striker going to St. Johns (Big East), one to University of Maryland (ACC) and one at Clemson (ACC)--all are strikers and one more (2009) who has committed to UConn (Big East). So I guess the strikers on the Bolts weren't too bad. Yes they all got scholarships before anyone asks.

No one was asking but thanks dad

No problem, I just wish I was their dad then I might save a few $$. Also thanks for the complete update "Coach on the sideline"--very informative.

Re: State Cup Semi/FinalsPredictions (Results)

U14 Girls: Stars team did not come to play in final and MPS were "up for it." All that being said, the result was never in question. The Stars team was too strong, and MPS was never a threat. Stars team is primed for regionals, their top players are just so far ahead of everyone else. MPS played over their heads I think overall, but good for them. Blackhawks-MPS was a close game, with the decided edge to MPS, but there is no question in my mind that either Stars/Scorpions would have beaten Blackhawks by five or more. Part of the lull in the final was certainly that Stars/Scorpions semifinal was the final for everyone involved. Stars energy was palpable in that contest, the final was just a formality. No doubt that Stars are superior to Scorpions in this age group.

Final was very exciting and intense so to say Stars "did not come to play" is wildly off base. We certainly did show up to play but MPS was much better than expected, we took them a bit too lightely from what I saw and heard post game.

After the game, Ginger had said that that MPS team was the strongest Massachusetts team they have faced in a while and my daughter agrees.

We watched the MPS-Blackhawks game and I think Blackhawks would have given anyone a tough game, including us, with the numbers they had behind the ball at all times during the game.

Congratulations to our girls and MPS for an excellent display of soccer and athleticism.

Let me clarify before Blackhawks parents get crazy: we watch some of the game. About 10-12 minutes in each half.

"we"?!?! Which position do you play? Or are you perhaps a parent who probably never played
competitive sports at any level, but insists on trying to glom onto your kid's athletic endeavors??

Consider getting a life and giving your child some breathing room? I'm fairly certain she will benefit
from it...

Re: State Cup Semi/FinalsPredictions (Results)

No problem, I just wish I was their dad then I might save a few $$. Also thanks for the complete update "Coach on the sideline"--very informative.

Nah, you probably would have spent more than you would have saved.

Re: State Cup Semi/FinalsPredictions (Results)

B

No problem, I just wish I was their dad then I might save a few $$. Also thanks for the complete update "Coach on the sideline"--very informative.

Nah, you probably would have spent more than you would have saved.

You know, you are probably right! Criss Crossing America in search of soccer excellence!! But hey, it is fun if you can keep it in perspective. :)

Re: State Cup Semi/FinalsPredictions (Results)

Nah, you probably would have spent more than you would have saved.

You know, you are probably right! Criss Crossing America in search of soccer excellence!! But hey, it is fun if you can keep it in perspective. :)

Exactly!

Re: State Cup Semi/FinalsPredictions (Results)

without getting to much into details, did the national team player on the scorps skip the national team training camp in order to play in the state cup games

if she did, it was an excellent and selfless decision

Re: State Cup Semi/FinalsPredictions (Results)

6

without getting to much into details, did the national team player on the scorps skip the national team training camp in order to play in the state cup games

if she did, it was an excellent and selfless decision

She attended the camp but was there to play in the Semi Finals vs. CRU

Re: State Cup Semi/FinalsPredictions (Results)

actually, i made all those previous predictions, and no i don't think they ended up being that good!

comments:

U13 Boys: Bolts were awesome as I said. Rumors have them getting even better for next year. Top notch group. Eastern Mass might be one of the teams that is affected by the rumors.

U13 Girls: Scorpions were awesome as expected. MPS were a shock to get through. Scorpions just had too much for MPS, but MPS had a couple of good players, including a strong central defender. Scorpions spent most of the time in the MPS end. Result could have been worse, but Scorpions had players all over the place after the third goal. I have no idea about the MPS/Eagles game, but the result was surprising. Anyone with anything to add, please pitch in!

U14 Boys: Expos in penalties, I did not see it coming, I thought Bolts had turned the corner. I think Bolts is a stronger team, but who cares at this point!

U14 Girls: Stars team did not come to play in final and MPS were "up for it." All that being said, the result was never in question. The Stars team was too strong, and MPS was never a threat. Stars team is primed for regionals, their top players are just so far ahead of everyone else. MPS played over their heads I think overall, but good for them. Blackhawks-MPS was a close game, with the decided edge to MPS, but there is no question in my mind that either Stars/Scorpions would have beaten Blackhawks by five or more. Part of the lull in the final was certainly that Stars/Scorpions semifinal was the final for everyone involved. Stars energy was palpable in that contest, the final was just a formality. No doubt that Stars are superior to Scorpions in this age group.

U15 Boys: Again the final seemed to be a formality, the Puma team is strong and athletic, and they work hard, but all the quality is with that Blast team. Blast/Bolts was the best game of the tournament in this group, what a contest! Blast too strong individually, despite the Bolts more organized approach.

U15 Girls: Shocked by this, but Scorpions deserved to win. They played deep to contain the Stars top strikers, and caught out all the through balls and balls over the top. Someone mentioned that the Stars missed chances, and they did, but so did the Scorpions, particularly when the Nat team player missed a rare simple chance. Stars had quality everywhere but on their left side of their defense. Scorpions scored both goals on this side. Stars failed to create anything with the deep dropping Scorpions defense. Their goal was messy on a corner that nobody touched but should have easily been handled by the inexperienced Scorps keeper.

U16 Boys: Crusaders were a surprise to get through, Eagles had the better team. These age groups now are so hard to figure out with the DAP. Because state cup is such a traditional competition, I'd still like to see these Academy teams enter. I don't think it would stain the overall experience, though eligibility would need to be considered. Maybe the DAP teams should be byed into the round robin?

U16 Girls: Pioneers shocked Crusaders, I don't have any details. The Stars/MPS game was not close at any time, and Stars had all the quality. Pioneers scored early against Stars, otherwise this would also have been a rout.

U17 Boys: Very competitive affair. Blazers are the team to watch/team to beat. Stars of Mass previously won this age group, so they get up for these games. Blazers just have too much quality overall.

U17 Girls: misreported above, the Stars/Aztecs game went to Overtime. The Stars struggled with 1v1 defending all weekend. The Stars should not have advanced, it was only a miracle that they beat Select. Aztecs also should have beaten Stars in regulation. Stars are big/strong/physical, but they had no answers for individual dribblers in their own end.

U18 Girls: Should probably have been Scorpions/Bolts, and that final would have been better, but nobody should have questioned Bolts. They are the best team and would have beaten anyone in the final on any day.

U18 Boys: One of the few predictions I was completely correct about. Nobody was as good as Juventus, and they easily beat everyone. Would love to see a Bolts DAP team in this group.

U19's: Scorps win by what could have been 100, Western United finally pulls away from MPS. In the Western game, it was again more talented individuals against a bettter organized group of good players. Western individuals too much.

Very good recap. Seems I watched the same games you did and had a similar view. The BU14 game was the best game of the weekend. The Bolts U18 girls team was very impressive. It was the first time I saw them play. For the most part. I didn't see any real upsets. I think some teams get promoted more than others, just read this forum, while others remain a bit anonymous. This can create an impression that talked about teams are better than the really are, but the teams that won deserved the their victories and represent the best from Massachusetts in their given age groups.

Re: State Cup Semi/FinalsPredictions (Results)

"we"?!?! Which position do you play? Or are you perhaps a parent who probably never played
competitive sports at any level, but insists on trying to glom onto your kid's athletic endeavors??

Consider getting a life and giving your child some breathing room? I'm fairly certain she will benefit
from it...

Yes WE. I happened to be walking back from the concession stand with another father. Stream of consciousness typing, you know what I mean s-head?

Oh...yes. Played hockey for Colgate while you were staring at Brinkleys poster in the middle of the night.

Re: State Cup Semi/FinalsPredictions (Results)

This can create an impression that talked about teams are better than the really are, but the teams that won deserved the their victories and represent the best from Massachusetts in their given age groups.

The teams that came in second, third, etc deserve a nod as well as many battled from seeds in the high teens even 20s.

Re: State Cup Semi/FinalsPredictions (Results)

"we"?!?! Which position do you play? Or are you perhaps a parent who probably never played
competitive sports at any level, but insists on trying to glom onto your kid's athletic endeavors??

Consider getting a life and giving your child some breathing room? I'm fairly certain she will benefit
from it...

Yes WE. I happened to be walking back from the concession stand with another father. Stream of consciousness typing, you know what I mean s-head?

Oh...yes. Played hockey for Colgate while you were staring at Brinkleys poster in the middle of the night.

"we did show up to play..."
"we took them lightly..."

Which part of the field were "we" playing on?

More like stream of "sub-conciousness typing" -- one too make pucks to the head perhaps?!?