Monitoring The MPS Impact

[pitch420]

I'm not an MPS parent, nor do I have a bone to pick with the club. I'd make the following observations about the "anti-MPS" sentiment.

1. If Club A and Club B are in the same geographic area, competing for the same players, there is bound to be a rivalry. It's natural. MPS competes as a state wide entity, therefore is is a "rival" for anyone. I would assume this is the primary motivator of the "everyone is against MPS" feeling.

2. The exclusive franchise structure of Super Y also leads to an "us vs them" metality on both sides. Bolts and Juventus may compete for the same players but they work together at league meetings and there is some sense of common interest.

To put it another way, if Super Y were to become a huge success, and since only MPS is allowed into the building, it would lead not just to the demise of MAPLE but to the elimination of every other club. That's a pretty powerful reason for hoping they don't succeed.


As I see it, if the players and parents involved in MPS feel it's a good program for them then they should feel no need to defend themselves in this forum or anywhere else.

Good points.

Maple is obviously the larger league in Mass so I (and I'm sure I'm not alone) doubt Super Y will overtake or replace. If it does happen, I would think that the Maple clubs would simply work with US Club/Super Y about 'franchising' or whatever the term is just like BW did.

Does this sound right or am I over-simplifying it?

[Fred Marks]

"So your resentment towards MPS is because they recruit and are not limited by MAPLE internal rules. That seems like a pretty weak reason to maintain this endless ranting against MPS. I’m sure you can go toe to toe with any other club when it comes to recruiting."

I made sure to say that I didnt complain when it happened and I was not complaining now. You must have missed that part of my 'rant' (everything is evidently a rant to some posters). I have indicated zero 'resentment'.

Some posters have asked for reasons that there are criticisms of MPS. I passed along two that I knew of. You can take it for what it is worth.

[FSM]

Perhaps this thread has played itself out finally and I should leave it alone, but when looking at the results at State Cups this weekend, I decided to see how goal differential played out for clubs. I'll be the first to admit that it really isn't an accurate way to compare clubs, but I was still trying to find a way to quantify a comparison of clubs. Again, I don't think game results, standings, who advanced and who didn't, really tells a lot about a program. Those who would use these things alone to determine where they went to tryouts would be foolish to do so.

So rather than provide GD numbers for all the clubs that participated in State Cups this past weekend, here is some of the interesting things I found.

Sporting had only 1 team which was the #8 seed in BU17 who finished last in their bracket having lost all their games. But when you look at their actual games and scores, they lost each game by 1 goal to the likes of the Bolts (U15 National Champion), Nor'easter Stinger who advanced to the semi finals and Western United. Without having seen them play, they sure sound like a competitive team to me.

When you add up the goals for and the goals against for MPS you come up with a club differential of -17, the lowest GD of any club. The next closest was the Aztecs with -14,. but if you divide those numbers by the number of teams from the club competing this weekend, MPS 7 (2 boys, 5 girls); Aztec 5 (1 boys, 4 girls), then you come up with -3.4 for MPS and -3.5 for Aztecs, which suggests to me that these clubs maybe comparably competitive.

Since this thread is suppose to be about MPS, here is at least one other interesting fact about their situation this weekend. In GU14 they played in the bracket with the Stars, the Fuller Hamlets and Nor'easter and finished last with a record of 0-2-1. The Stars and Fuller Hamlets advanced to semi finals. The FH had a GD of -6, Nor'easter a GD of -10 and MPS a GD of -7. Of these 3 teams MPS had the fewest goals scored against them by the Stars, 5. The FH had 9 goals against them and Nor'easter 11 (although Nor'easter was the only one to score against them). And BTW, if you took the club GD for the Fuller Hamlets and Nor'easter, -12 and -10 respectively and divide that by the number of teams competing for these club (2), the club GD is higher than MPS.
So I guess its safe to say, MPS is really just like most every other clubs in MAPLE.

EXCEPT a few and those few would have to include the Stars, and the Scorpions on the girls side and the Bolts on the boys. Check out these numbers

BOLTS (5 boys, 4 girls)
Boys
GF: 40
GA: 9
GD: +31

Girls
GF: 19
GA: 12
GD: +7

SCORPIONS (1 boys, 4 girls)
Boys
GF: 5
GA: 10
GD: -5

Girls
GF: 38
GA: 11
GD: +27

STARS (3 boys, 4 girls)
Boys
GF: 13
GA: 29
GD: -16

Girls
GF: 50
GA: 8
GD: +42

[Susy Soccer]

Since this thread is suppose to be about MPS, here is at least one other interesting fact about their situation this weekend. In GU14 they played in the bracket with the Stars, the Fuller Hamlets and Nor'easter and finished last with a record of 0-2-1. The Stars and Fuller Hamlets advanced to semi finals. The FH had a GD of -6, Nor'easter a GD of -10 and MPS a GD of -7. Of these 3 teams MPS had the fewest goals scored against them by the Stars, 5. The FH had 9 goals against them and Nor'easter 11 (although Nor'easter was the only one to score against them).

I figured this would come up sooner or later-

I think the number of the goals scored by Stars in each of these games was more dependent on whether the game mattered or not, what the weather was, whether there was a long time rivalry, and whether the other team surprised them by scoring first. The result of the MPS game (which was the third game) did not impact Stars' first place standing, so Stars could be completely relaxed. After the win was assured, the team concentrated on setting up players who hadn't had as many opportunities to score in the earlier games. (That had happened at the end of the two prior games as well I think). That's one spectator's opinion - I could be wrong.

[FSM]

Since this thread is suppose to be about MPS, here is at least one other interesting fact about their situation this weekend. In GU14 they played in the bracket with the Stars, the Fuller Hamlets and Nor'easter and finished last with a record of 0-2-1. The Stars and Fuller Hamlets advanced to semi finals. The FH had a GD of -6, Nor'easter a GD of -10 and MPS a GD of -7. Of these 3 teams MPS had the fewest goals scored against them by the Stars, 5. The FH had 9 goals against them and Nor'easter 11 (although Nor'easter was the only one to score against them).

I figured this would come up sooner or later-

I think the number of the goals scored by Stars in each of these games was more dependent on whether the game mattered or not, what the weather was, whether there was a long time rivalry, and whether the other team surprised them by scoring first. The result of the MPS game (which was the third game) did not impact Stars' first place standing, so Stars could be completely relaxed. After the win was assured, the team concentrated on setting up players who hadn't had as many opportunities to score in the earlier games. (That had happened at the end of the two prior games as well I think). That's one spectator's opinion - I could be wrong.

So what you're saying is, the Stars scored 20 goals when it was hot and humid and only 5 when it was cool and starting to rain? Too bad the Regional are being played in Maine instead of Virginia this year. :D

Since this thread is suppose to be about MPS, here is at least one other interesting fact about their situation this weekend. In GU14 they played in the bracket with the Stars, the Fuller Hamlets and Nor'easter and finished last with a record of 0-2-1. The Stars and Fuller Hamlets advanced to semi finals. The FH had a GD of -6, Nor'easter a GD of -10 and MPS a GD of -7. Of these 3 teams MPS had the fewest goals scored against them by the Stars, 5. The FH had 9 goals against them and Nor'easter 11 (although Nor'easter was the only one to score against them).

I figured this would come up sooner or later-

I think the number of the goals scored by Stars in each of these games was more dependent on whether the game mattered or not, what the weather was, whether there was a long time rivalry, and whether the other team surprised them by scoring first. The result of the MPS game (which was the third game) did not impact Stars' first place standing, so Stars could be completely relaxed. After the win was assured, the team concentrated on setting up players who hadn't had as many opportunities to score in the earlier games. (That had happened at the end of the two prior games as well I think). That's one spectator's opinion - I could be wrong.

Noted, but also noted that past midway through 2nd half up 5-0 there were still "major players" (Stars) in the game. That seemed strange to me. As an aside, and certainly not an excuse because every team no doubt struggled with it, that particular MPS team was unfortunate to lose several players to injuries & illness for the RR weekend.

Not that it would have made a difference vs. Stars, by the way, that is one great team.

[Susy Soccer]

So what you're saying is, the Stars scored 20 goals when it was hot and humid and only 5 when it was cool and starting to rain? Too bad the Regional are being played in Maine instead of Virginia this year. :D

No. What I am saying is do not score first or you will be punished. ;)

Really though Stars lucked out with the heat - definitely a there but for the Grace of God go I situation in the Fuller game. Glad to hear everyone seems to be recovered.

My daughter (u15)wants to try out for MPS but I'm not sure which team to have her try out for, Renegades or Crusaders. Travel time is just about the same for us. I see that the Renegades made it to the state cup round robin and the Crusaders won the Needham tourny. Has anyone seen these 2 teams play and if so which do you think is the stronger team or has the better coach. Thanks for any opinions.

who cares.

Another intelligent response.

[soccerlimo]

soccerdad4,
PM, me and I may be able to help you out.

[pitch420]

soccerdad4,
PM, me and I may be able to help you out.

I'll be glad to as well.

Roll one coach under a bus in a PM and not in a public forum.
Good idea.

[pitch420]

Roll one coach under a bus in a PM and not in a public forum.
Good idea.

:?:

Roll one coach under a bus in a PM and not in a public forum.
Good idea.

:?:

I think the idea is that comments about specific teams, coaches or players are best kept in private