2014 Region 1 Championships

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What happened to SSS. 0 goals for and 6 agaisnt. My opinion is that they are not deep enough to compete at this level becasue Liz does not sub much and has not developed her bench players. My reasoning for this without seeing the game is that they gave up all 6 goals in the second half. This is a team that was tired in my opinion or sub and players could not compete at this level.

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What happened to SSS. 0 goals for and 6 agaisnt. My opinion is that they are not deep enough to compete at this level becasue Liz does not sub much and has not developed her bench players. My reasoning for this without seeing the game is that they gave up all 6 goals in the second half. This is a team that was tired in my opinion or sub and players could not compete at this level.

I watched the first game. Just watch the goals that were given up. And you will get a clear idea at where their weakness is.

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Watched the game on the live feed. Good for MK getting a hat trick but she should have since that teams back 4 was swiss cheese. Sting was not very strong. I think the top 10 teams from MA could have beat Sting today. The back 3 of NEFC look sketchy at times also. Best of luck tomorrow and hope you make the semifainals.

For me, this is an illustration that there is not all that much separates good teams from around the country, or the teams that can make it all the way to a USYS National Championship from those you might see in any decent local tournament. (e.g. Stars Cup) Based on what I saw today, much of what it takes to advance to a National Championship tournament (and I should probably restrict this observation to the USYS Championship, and this age level) is one physically dominant player that can find the back of the net.

Granted, the NPL and ECNL finals may have looked different, and after it's done it would be interesting to see how NEFC itself would rate the competitive level of the NPL Finals versus the USYS Championships, but to me, today's game looked no different than if you were watching NEFC in a typical NPL league game.

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For me, this is an illustration that there is not all that much separates good teams from around the country, or the teams that can make it all the way to a USYS National Championship from those you might see in any decent local tournament. (e.g. Stars Cup) Based on what I saw today, much of what it takes to advance to a National Championship tournament (and I should probably restrict this observation to the USYS Championship, and this age level) is one physically dominant player that can find the back of the net.

Granted, the NPL and ECNL finals may have looked different, and after it's done it would be interesting to see how NEFC itself would rate the competitive level of the NPL Finals versus the USYS Championships, but to me, today's game looked no different than if you were watching NEFC in a typical NPL league game.

I would point out at U13 levels however all of the best teams likely played to get here. SS Select had a great few wins to get of Region 1. At U14 we know that some good teams may not have participated. NEFC had an easy time all year in NPL. Not so in in this tournament. You can't progress anywhere with one strong player in soccer. Great job by SS Select and NEFC to represent Mass well in Region 1 and at Nationals. Congratulations to all the kids.

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What happened to SSS. 0 goals for and 6 agaisnt. My opinion is that they are not deep enough to compete at this level becasue Liz does not sub much and has not developed her bench players. My reasoning for this without seeing the game is that they gave up all 6 goals in the second half. This is a team that was tired in my opinion or sub and players could not compete at this level.

How could you come to such a conclusion? Do the "bench" player train differently? At least you state it is your opinion, which you are entitled too. Perhaps you could watch a live feed of the game, then comment

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For me, this is an illustration that there is not all that much separates good teams from around the country, or the teams that can make it all the way to a USYS National Championship from those you might see in any decent local tournament. (e.g. Stars Cup) Based on what I saw today, much of what it takes to advance to a National Championship tournament (and I should probably restrict this observation to the USYS Championship, and this age level) is one physically dominant player that can find the back of the net.

Granted, the NPL and ECNL finals may have looked different, and after it's done it would be interesting to see how NEFC itself would rate the competitive level of the NPL Finals versus the USYS Championships, but to me, today's game looked no different than if you were watching NEFC in a typical NPL league game.

What you are looking at is the state of youth soccer. All of the teams have holes in them because there are way too many leagues and teams.

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I will watch the SSS replay when avaialable and make a better opinion. Thanks

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No. I think anyone watching was underwhelmed.

I don't think underwhelmed even comes close to what I watched. There was a huge gap in the middle for Sting. looked like they were playing without Center mids. I can't believe that team made it to the finals. I have watched at least 10 teams in New England that are better than that team. Great for NEFC but I really thought it was going to be a good game but the game was so slow and Sting looked like they didn't know what to do when they had the ball and it wasn't like NEFC was overly aggressive. Sting just never really possessed the ball. Very odd!

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I will agree. NEFC is a very talented team but that Sting team look very bad for a national level tournament. As a poster stated earlier the back four for sting were like swiss cheese. They were not connected and played soft on MK. Did they not get the scouting report of have another coach in the club watch the NEFC game the day before. To allow MK to turn twice without pressure at the top of the box is crazy. She is a talented player and deserves a hat trick in this game. NEFC could have sscored a lot more too in my opinion. The Left wing made some great crosses into the box when MK was out in the second half and but NEFC failed to finish. Hit directly at the keeper.

The NEFC keeper almost made a great save on the 3 on 1. How does NEFC give a team like Sting a 3v1 chance at the top of the box. She also made a great save on the corner kick in the second half. If she does not make that save it is 3-2 and new game.

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Just had a chance to watch the replay of SSS vs Surf Academy (1st Game).

First Half 0-0
Both teams played sloppy.

Second Half 4-0 Surf Academy
5 min 1-0 on a give away to a player 55 yards out. Nobody pressured and she shot from 40 yards and scored an easy goal through the keepers hands.

7 min 2-0 on another give a way from SSS to the outside left wing who then ran by the right back like she was standing still and made a great near post cross the the striker. Center back was behind the player and she made a nice finish near post.

24 min 3-0 Surf possesed the ball in the attacking third and made a great cross to the weak side for an outstanding finish over the keepers head who almost got a hand on the ball. Nobody within 15 yards of this player that scored even after she trapped it out of the air.

31 min 4-0 becasue the center back tried to dribble out of the back and got her pocket picked and then over commited on a tackle for another great finish.

So, if you are trying to say the keeper was at fault then you are highly mistaken. If you say the coach did not change her tactics in the second half like Surf Academy did, then you would be correct. SSS was out coached and out played in the second half of the game. The players just kicked the ball forward or tried to dribble and beat to many players. This will work sometimes but on the big stage and against very talented teams it will lead to 4-0 loss. I really enjoyed the style of play of Surf Academy in the second half. It is much easier to play calm with an early 2 goal lead but they made SSS run a lot and got them off balanced and undisaplined. SSS gave the ball away a lot as a team. Not one player is to be blamed for this loss, except the coach. Did not prepare them to play as a team.

With this said they are very good team of individual players but need to learn how to play team soccer and not just kick it to their striker and let her try and beat the back 4.

Just my match analysis.

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How? The replay links aren't posted yet...

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How? The replay links aren't posted yet...

On youtube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_MTr7ELr4o

SSS game starts about 1:48:00 into the video

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Just had a chance to watch the replay of SSS vs Surf Academy (1st Game).

First Half 0-0
Both teams played sloppy.

Second Half 4-0 Surf Academy
5 min 1-0 on a give away to a player 55 yards out. Nobody pressured and she shot from 40 yards and scored an easy goal through the keepers hands.

7 min 2-0 on another give a way from SSS to the outside left wing who then ran by the right back like she was standing still and made a great near post cross the the striker. Center back was behind the player and she made a nice finish near post.

24 min 3-0 Surf possesed the ball in the attacking third and made a great cross to the weak side for an outstanding finish over the keepers head who almost got a hand on the ball. Nobody within 15 yards of this player that scored even after she trapped it out of the air.

31 min 4-0 becasue the center back tried to dribble out of the back and got her pocket picked and then over commited on a tackle for another great finish.

So, if you are trying to say the keeper was at fault then you are highly mistaken. If you say the coach did not change her tactics in the second half like Surf Academy did, then you would be correct. SSS was out coached and out played in the second half of the game. The players just kicked the ball forward or tried to dribble and beat to many players. This will work sometimes but on the big stage and against very talented teams it will lead to 4-0 loss. I really enjoyed the style of play of Surf Academy in the second half. It is much easier to play calm with an early 2 goal lead but they made SSS run a lot and got them off balanced and undisaplined. SSS gave the ball away a lot as a team. Not one player is to be blamed for this loss, except the coach. Did not prepare them to play as a team.

With this said they are very good team of individual players but need to learn how to play team soccer and not just kick it to their striker and let her try and beat the back 4.

Just my match analysis.

First off. Have you ever heard of the word momentum. I am not blaming this game entirely on the keeper. But the first goal was absolutely horrible. And would take the wind out of the sails of any team. SSS had their chances in the first half and didn't convert. There were at least 2 crosses that were on the ground that rolled through the box that no one got to. SSS did an ok job after letting up the first goal. But after the second. Surf completely controlled the play. On that second goal the outside back did get beat but the center back slid over to help. The goalie never left her line. The only shot that the goal scorer had was the short side in which the goalie never came out. Jmo

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First off. Have you ever heard of the word momentum. I am not blaming this game entirely on the keeper. But the first goal was absolutely horrible. And would take the wind out of the sails of any team. SSS had their chances in the first half and didn't convert. There were at least 2 crosses that were on the ground that rolled through the box that no one got to. SSS did an ok job after letting up the first goal. But after the second. Surf completely controlled the play. On that second goal the outside back did get beat but the center back slid over to help. The goalie never left her line. The only shot that the goal scorer had was the short side in which the goalie never came out. Jmo

I agree with you, dude. YOU would have smothered that shot, popped up and distributed quickly to your outside back to lead the break. Would have been a whole different game with you between the pipes. If only you were a 14 year old girl.

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Watched the game on the live feed. Good for MK getting a hat trick but she should have since that teams back 4 was swiss cheese. Sting was not very strong. I think the top 10 teams from MA could have beat Sting today. The back 3 of NEFC look sketchy at times also. Best of luck tomorrow and hope you make the semifainals.

I don't know what game you were watching but the defense played a solid game today along with the rest of the team. Great job NEFC and good luck tomorrow getting through to semis!