Region I Premier League Playoffs

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Saw a few of the girls games over the weekend, pretty disappointed overall.The older girls games especially. A lot of brawn and very few skilled players. With all the huffing and puffing on this site I expected better. The scorpions U/14 team were fairly good. They had a nice playing style with a few standout players, which seems to be all you need to be in the mix. Again expected more.

thanks Dad

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Saw a few of the girls games over the weekend, pretty disappointed overall.The older girls games especially. A lot of brawn and very few skilled players. With all the huffing and puffing on this site I expected better. The scorpions U/14 team were fairly good. They had a nice playing style with a few standout players, which seems to be all you need to be in the mix. Again expected more.

Assuming this is serious comment and not just a way to draw attention to a particular team-

At U14 teams typically get to play their own style. The game does get more physical as the teams get older. Also as the players get older opposing teams try to disrupt each others' styles. It can be kind of disheartening to watch a possession team end up with tons of airballs and headers with calls from their fans to "play your game". You'll see one team with five defenders and another team packing the midfield all trying to prey on their opponents' perceived weaknesses or disable their strengths. Sometimes teams double and triple team "impact" players. These games can be very dissatisfying and frustrating to watch. But I wouldn't draw any conclusions about any team or its players from one game.

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Although at U15 Stars United and Scorpions Elite finished 3rd and 4th respectively, both could very well end up in Region 1 playoffs. Two things need to happen:

1. PDA Charge needs to win NJ state cup
2. Either Stars or Scorpions win MA state cup

Obviously Stars are favored to win MA SC, and are not likely concerned about the NJ SC turnout...this is more of a concern for Scorpions.

PDA Charge vs Westfield FC Premier Havoc was scheduled for 5/3, but it does not appear that game has been played. The semi-final and final games are scheduled for this upcoming weekend...I presume they need to play before this weekend. Real NJSC Power vs Wall Wombats are on the other side of the semi-final. The former team is very strong. Let's hope PDA Charge takes the NJ SC.

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Assuming this is serious comment and not just a way to draw attention to a particular team-

At U14 teams typically get to play their own style. The game does get more physical as the teams get older. Also as the players get older opposing teams try to disrupt each others' styles. It can be kind of disheartening to watch a possession team end up with tons of airballs and headers with calls from their fans to "play your game". You'll see one team with five defenders and another team packing the midfield all trying to prey on their opponents' perceived weaknesses or disable their strengths. Sometimes teams double and triple team "impact" players. These games can be very dissatisfying and frustrating to watch. But I wouldn't draw any conclusions about any team or its players from one game.

Thanks for your thoughtful reply.I agree with most of what you have pointed out. The question to be asked I guess is what does it say about the coaching and the need to secure results over teaching the fundamentals of the game. double and triple teaming the impact players on a team is not the way to prepare players to deal with game situations going forward in there playing career. That type of thinking should be designated to the soccer scrap heap like the old time sweeper back of not so long ago. A good coach should be able to devise a game plan to contain the threats on the other team. Any rec coach could apply the triple team plan. Is it not reasonable to expect more from a professional coach?

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Thanks for your thoughtful reply.I agree with most of what you have pointed out. The question to be asked I guess is what does it say about the coaching and the need to secure results over teaching the fundamentals of the game. double and triple teaming the impact players on a team is not the way to prepare players to deal with game situations going forward in there playing career. That type of thinking should be designated to the soccer scrap heap like the old time sweeper back of not so long ago. A good coach should be able to devise a game plan to contain the threats on the other team. Any rec coach could apply the triple team plan. Is it not reasonable to expect more from a professional coach?

This is pretty foolish. Soccer is all about teams implementing game plans that debilitate their opponents. The ability to effectively implement tactics and in the inverse to handle special coverages and formations is critical to team, and individual success. If you look at the specific game, it would appear that the Bethesda tactics were very effective. By all accounts the Stars had more scoring chances but ultimately the game went scoreless for 120 minutes and ended in a 0-0 draw. Advantage Bethesda. This is a story that is played out through-out the soccer world from club to college to the pros. Do you think that Man City plays the same way against Man U or Chelsea as they do against West Ham??

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statments alto

Are you suggesting they double or triple team Ronaldo?

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This is pretty foolish. Soccer is all about teams implementing game plans that debilitate their opponents. The ability to effectively implement tactics and in the inverse to handle special coverages and formations is critical to team, and individual success. If you look at the specific game, it would appear that the Bethesda tactics were very effective. By all accounts the Stars had more scoring chances but ultimately the game went scoreless for 120 minutes and ended in a 0-0 draw. Advantage Bethesda. This is a story that is played out through-out the soccer world from club to college to the pros. Do you think that Man City plays the same way against Man U or Chelsea as they do against West Ham??

Are you equating these teams to men's professional soccer? Don't you have to learn to walk before you run?

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layers ong

I would expect my kids coach to teach him/her to be able to defend under pressure, and how and when to tackle, how to time the tackle and tactical awareness. Isnt this why we play and pay club! A lot of this was not on display. I would put some of the reason down to the pressure from the club and parents, on the coaches who in turn feels the need to win, no matter how ugly. (And a lot of it was ugly)

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I would expect my kids coach to teach him/her to be able to defend under pressure, and how and when to tackle, how to time the tackle and tactical awareness. Isnt this why we play and pay club! A lot of this was not on display. I would put some of the reason down to the pressure from the club and parents, on the coaches who in turn feels the need to win, no matter how ugly. (And a lot of it was ugly)

My assumption is that you are a Scorps U14 or U15 parent. If you are with the 14s good luck, maybe your team will have the success of the Scorps 16s or Stars 16s. You only have to win another R1 Premier league, a few Region 1 championships and a bunch of major tournaments, (Disney, PDA, CASL, Jefferson, Phoenix) to reach their level. I watched you play, you don't have the individual talent of those teams, or the talent of some of the U14 players who are currently playing up, but you are a nice little team in a weaker age group. I'd suggest you worry about the ugly teams in that group and less about the older established teams. You will see how things go after you get a little more experience.

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I would put some of the reason down to the pressure from the club and parents, on the coaches who in turn feels the need to win, no matter how ugly. (And a lot of it was ugly)

I understand EXACTLY what you are saying! I seen a lot of that myself lately.

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Although at U15 Stars United and Scorpions Elite finished 3rd and 4th respectively, both could very well end up in Region 1 playoffs. Two things need to happen:

1. PDA Charge needs to win NJ state cup
2. Either Stars or Scorpions win MA state cup

Obviously Stars are favored to win MA SC, and are not likely concerned about the NJ SC turnout...this is more of a concern for Scorpions.

Update for those of us who are pulling for U15G PDA Charge in NJ SC: PDA Charge vs Pittsgrove Pride in the semi final, scheduled for this upcoming Saturday. I expect PDA Charge and Real NJSC Power to be in the final this Sunday.

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I understand EXACTLY what you are saying! I seen a lot of that myself lately.

Ugly? All you need to do is look in the mirror.

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PDA won their State Cup today so the Stars U-17 girls will be in WV no matter what happens at State Cup.

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PDA won their State Cup today so the Stars U-17 girls will be in WV no matter what happens at State Cup.

Do you know how the U15G PDA Charge did in the NJ state cup final?

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Do you know how the U15G PDA Charge did in the NJ state cup final?

Wall Wombats defeated PDA in the NJ SC.