U-14G New Predictions

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Just an observation....... We played Gallium in late Spring and in State Cup last year, then we played them 2 months later in a tournament. NIGHT and DAY difference in talent. Decent in Spring and State Cup, CRAP in the tournament....... Why? Just curious. Did they bring a few Onyx girls to State?

They had to be better than decent in State Cup because I thought they made it to semi finals only to run up against Onyx

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They had to be better than decent in State Cup because I thought they made it to semi finals only to run up against Onyx

They made it the the quarter finals.

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They made it the the quarter finals.

I stand corrected, my bad. However, I still stand by they had to be more than decent because their only loss was to Onyx

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I stand corrected, my bad. However, I still stand by they had to be more than decent because their only loss was to Onyx

So what happened after State Cup?

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So what happened after State Cup?

Nothing bad. They finished 2nd in division 1 and only lost 1 game.

My prediction for next year premier is (no particular order)

FC Portland
Eastside
Onyx
Copa (will merge with WST)
Rush
Gallium
OSSA
OSSA II
Nemesis

Possibly
Samba
VT Timbers

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Things will change a lot, I'm sure

Nothing bad. They finished 2nd in division 1 and only lost 1 game.

My prediction for next year premier is (no particular order)

FC Portland
Eastside
Onyx
Copa (will merge with WST)
Rush
Gallium
OSSA
OSSA II
Nemesis

Possibly
Samba
VT Timbers

It will be interesting to see how many teams/girls will still play, but I can't imagine that a second WT team (the current Div. 1) team would be anywhere in the conversation for Premier.

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Nothing bad. They finished 2nd in division 1 and only lost 1 game.

My prediction for next year premier is (no particular order)

FC Portland
Eastside
Onyx
Copa (will merge with WST)
Rush
Gallium
OSSA
OSSA II
Nemesis

Possibly
Samba
VT Timbers

The team that will have an opportunity to add quality players (impact players) will be the team that can close the gap with Onyx. By the look of the fall scores, Rush, LO, and Copa were the only teams able to score on them. Copa the only team the closed the gap, score wise anyway. Maybe they figured out how to frustrate Thusc. If LO and both SSC teams merge to make one solid team, then that would increase the competitiveness. I don't see Nemesis being a challenger unless they disband and add their good players to VT Timbers. There are some good Gallium players also that may want to play for a 1st team. FC needs lots of players just to be able to compete with the top two teams Copa and Onyx. Then Eastside is also on the same boat as FC... really in need of quality players. Then WST Copa will more than likely merge with Sherwood. I can't imagine that team staying together.

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Nothing bad. They finished 2nd in division 1 and only lost 1 game.

My prediction for next year premier is (no particular order)

FC Portland
Eastside
Onyx
Copa (will merge with WST)
Rush
Gallium
OSSA
OSSA II
Nemesis

Possibly
Samba
VT Timbers

This would be a good Premier division with either Samba or VT Timbers. MAybe it will happen.

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The team that will have an opportunity to add quality players (impact players) will be the team that can close the gap with Onyx. By the look of the fall scores, Rush, LO, and Copa were the only teams able to score on them. Copa the only team the closed the gap, score wise anyway. Maybe they figured out how to frustrate Thusc. If LO and both SSC teams merge to make one solid team, then that would increase the competitiveness. I don't see Nemesis being a challenger unless they disband and add their good players to VT Timbers. There are some good Gallium players also that may want to play for a 1st team. FC needs lots of players just to be able to compete with the top two teams Copa and Onyx. Then Eastside is also on the same boat as FC... really in need of quality players. Then WST Copa will more than likely merge with Sherwood. I can't imagine that team staying together.

Not to mince words, but they are all quality players in my book just based on the time and effort each girl puts in and the sacrifices they make to play the sport they love. Much more will need to happen in this age group than what you stated for a team to be competitive against Onyx and finally deliver them a loss. The only possibility is for a merging of talent as you suggested, just not in the same manner. It would take components of a number of teams, not to mention a first rate coach who is willing to drive the kids in the same manner that the Onyx coach drives his players. That Onyx team is always on the road traveling to big out of state tournaments and they don't take breaks more than a week long during the year. Sherwood merging with Westside would be a start, but still a premier team merging with a middling Div 1 team. LO and Pride merging is 2 premier teams merging, but 2 bottom of the league teams. Yes it brings both combined teams a little closer, but still not close enough. If Eastside could p/u a few girls from across the river, I think they are the closest to being in position. Also, if FC could p/u a few Nemesis players, they would be closer. Eastside is still the team headed in teh right direction with a new coach. V Timbers at this age are not real strong as a team and maybe some girls would go to Eastside. It happens at other age groups. Again though it will still come down to needing a team with a coach who is driving his players just as hard. Nobody is closing the gap on the Onyx. The goal differentials are jsut getting larger for them. Every girl on every team is improving, but the Onyx continue to improve at a faster rate due to the amount of soccer they play and the competition they play. The gap will actually get bigger if something radical doesn't change in this age group soon.

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Not to mince words, but they are all quality players in my book just based on the time and effort each girl puts in and the sacrifices they make to play the sport they love. Much more will need to happen in this age group than what you stated for a team to be competitive against Onyx and finally deliver them a loss. The only possibility is for a merging of talent as you suggested, just not in the same manner. It would take components of a number of teams, not to mention a first rate coach who is willing to drive the kids in the same manner that the Onyx coach drives his players. That Onyx team is always on the road traveling to big out of state tournaments and they don't take breaks more than a week long during the year. Sherwood merging with Westside would be a start, but still a premier team merging with a middling Div 1 team. LO and Pride merging is 2 premier teams merging, but 2 bottom of the league teams. Yes it brings both combined teams a little closer, but still not close enough. If Eastside could p/u a few girls from across the river, I think they are the closest to being in position. Also, if FC could p/u a few Nemesis players, they would be closer. Eastside is still the team headed in teh right direction with a new coach. V Timbers at this age are not real strong as a team and maybe some girls would go to Eastside. It happens at other age groups. Again though it will still come down to needing a team with a coach who is driving his players just as hard. Nobody is closing the gap on the Onyx. The goal differentials are jsut getting larger for them. Every girl on every team is improving, but the Onyx continue to improve at a faster rate due to the amount of soccer they play and the competition they play. The gap will actually get bigger if something radical doesn't change in this age group soon.

Agree with what you mostly said. But in my opinion, and many would disagree with me, is that players make players, not coaches. The Onyx is where they are because they have many quality players on the team. Training with quality players all the time make them the way they are. and yes going to quality tournaments def helps a great deal. I would bet there are players on the Onyx that have older sisters or brothers that played as well and that helped in their development, or perhaps parents who have played the game and that certainly helps in their development as well.
I do believe that the unpopular team, Sherwood is closing the gap based on the two games they have played, losing 3-1, and recently only 1-0. I also think Rush has come close to competing with them. So perhaps with the middle and bottom dwellers, yes the goal differential has been big, but not between the top two teams.
I feel the answer to this is if your DD is an impact player and she's on a mediocre team, she needs to find a team that has players the same or higher level than she is. Players moving at U15 is normal and expected. Parents have to evaluate their current situations for the their DD, and what team out there would be the ideal fit. Again I go back to the premise that coaching is over-rated, and that playing on a team with quality players is the ideal, where high caliber players play against each other and push each other. Again my opinion is that players make players (I could be wrong :). I think in the summer, that's the time for players looking to move, seek out other teams and look to train or guest play in tournaments to try to get a feel prior to U15 tryouts next August.
What's my dog in the fight? My DD plays for Gallium, and I'm looking at other options for her as well. First option is tryout for Onyx next August but yes I'll be looking at other teams as well, but certainly wouldn't look at the middle or bottom teams in premiere. I would imagine the better players on those teams will be looking to move to better teams as well. Good luck to your DD.

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Agree with what you mostly said. But in my opinion, and many would disagree with me, is that players make players, not coaches. The Onyx is where they are because they have many quality players on the team. Training with quality players all the time make them the way they are. and yes going to quality tournaments def helps a great deal. I would bet there are players on the Onyx that have older sisters or brothers that played as well and that helped in their development, or perhaps parents who have played the game and that certainly helps in their development as well.
I do believe that the unpopular team, Sherwood is closing the gap based on the two games they have played, losing 3-1, and recently only 1-0. I also think Rush has come close to competing with them. So perhaps with the middle and bottom dwellers, yes the goal differential has been big, but not between the top two teams.
I feel the answer to this is if your DD is an impact player and she's on a mediocre team, she needs to find a team that has players the same or higher level than she is. Players moving at U15 is normal and expected. Parents have to evaluate their current situations for the their DD, and what team out there would be the ideal fit. Again I go back to the premise that coaching is over-rated, and that playing on a team with quality players is the ideal, where high caliber players play against each other and push each other. Again my opinion is that players make players (I could be wrong :). I think in the summer, that's the time for players looking to move, seek out other teams and look to train or guest play in tournaments to try to get a feel prior to U15 tryouts next August.
What's my dog in the fight? My DD plays for Gallium, and I'm looking at other options for her as well. First option is tryout for Onyx next August but yes I'll be looking at other teams as well, but certainly wouldn't look at the middle or bottom teams in premiere. I would imagine the better players on those teams will be looking to move to better teams as well. Good luck to your DD.

Unpopular team??? Tell me that is because of the few parents that have caused an uproar on this site and not because of the girls?

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Unpopular team??? Tell me that is because of the few parents that have caused an uproar on this site and not because of the girls?

Of course it's because of just a few parents. The girls on the team are great kids and the majority of the parents are as well. Unfortunately, it is just those few Sherwood parents that have really done a number on the whole team. I'm telling you right now though, that it is because of those few parents that I will not ever consider having my child play at Sherwood. A few bad apples on a team can ruin a team in the long term. I have seen it happen. I also have concerns about a club that doesn't reign in parents like that. Again, great kids and solid parents, but those few have ruined it for all.

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Of course it's because of just a few parents. The girls on the team are great kids and the majority of the parents are as well. Unfortunately, it is just those few Sherwood parents that have really done a number on the whole team. I'm telling you right now though, that it is because of those few parents that I will not ever consider having my child play at Sherwood. A few bad apples on a team can ruin a team in the long term. I have seen it happen. I also have concerns about a club that doesn't reign in parents like that. Again, great kids and solid parents, but those few have ruined it for all.

How incredibly sad that this is how it has to be. It really irritates me that their bad decisions have ruined our reputation. Our girls are so talented, they deserve respect. As a Copa T/S parent, I am asking those parents to please look at what you're causing our team. Please back off once and for all! Bite your tongues. You know how the saying goes...."If you can't say something nice......"!

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Of course it's because of just a few parents. The girls on the team are great kids and the majority of the parents are as well. Unfortunately, it is just those few Sherwood parents that have really done a number on the whole team. I'm telling you right now though, that it is because of those few parents that I will not ever consider having my child play at Sherwood. A few bad apples on a team can ruin a team in the long term. I have seen it happen. I also have concerns about a club that doesn't reign in parents like that. Again, great kids and solid parents, but those few have ruined it for all.

You seem pretty uninformed to me. Other than the forum what proof do you have that these are Sherwood parents? Basing your decisions on this forum is foolish and could be detrimental for your daughter. To me anyone could pretend to be anyone and make the group of people look bad. Unless you have proof that these are the parents I would be more cautious and give the other parents the benefit of the doubt. Unless of course you're the onetrying to make them look bad :)

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You seem pretty uninformed to me. Other than the forum what proof do you have that these are Sherwood parents? Basing your decisions on this forum is foolish and could be detrimental for your daughter. To me anyone could pretend to be anyone and make the group of people look bad. Unless you have proof that these are the parents I would be more cautious and give the other parents the benefit of the doubt. Unless of course you're the onetrying to make them look bad :)

Not based entirely on this forum, no. And how is asking someone to please stop with the obnoxious banter back and forth detrimental to my daughter, who by the way has absolutely NOTHING to do with any of this? I have no reason to make my own parents look bad. I am simply asking them to be aware of what it is causing our team. It's really sad.

And it is most certainly not just our parents stirring up trouble! But if it hurts the team, why do you insist on doing it? It's beyond me!