U13G Premier Power Rankings

[Unregistered]

I have to agree with the previous poster. Working on development at the early age and taking losses early in this CULTURE does not work unless you are from a top end club and even then it doesn't work so well in Portland.

Naturally parents gravitate to the winning teams with better players and the teams who have been focused on winning reload, and it seems like they have been developing their kids all along but in truth, They have just been developing off the backs of other coaches.

Taking lumps early only works if you have a committed loyal base, a coach that actually knows what he/she is doing (so it actually shows), core group of talent that is the best in the area.

[Unregistered]

Only watched the latest game so can't comment on U11/U12 history. Both teams are well coached and very technical for young players. FCPDX players have more creativity and a deeper bench. Both teams have great attitudes and competitive spirit. If EMFC's weaker players catch up or they find a few more quick, athletic girls who learn to play with the rest, then the teams will be evenly matched for years to come. As it is, FCPDX is the better team right now.

Hats off to you FCPDX parent who literally doesn't think before they talk.

Do you realize that when these two teams meet up Eugene spends a good portion of the game dominating you?

FCPDX is not the better team right now and to say so is ridiculous.

[Unregistered]

I think what the person meant was that the team is very good tactically. The problem that he/she sees is that the a lot of the girls lack the confidence technically because they are instructed to get rid of the ball in 1-2 touches. If they get in a situation (like in California) where they may have to hold onto the ball some are not able to do so. In Oregon it's easy to play 1-2 touch soccer because other teams tend to chase the ball. In California sometimes it seems as if the other team has 13 players on the field because no one seems to be open and you may have to try to create something out of nothing.

If that is what the poster meant it is very conflicting and doesn't make sense at all. I'm sorry but if the kids are able to effectively play 1-2 touch soccer that also means that they are very technical. You cannot play that style of game w/o 'technical confidence'. When that style doesn't work is when you have a few kids that are NOT technical, an errant trap, a pass that has too much pace, not able to use both feet, not able to use both sides of the foot, kids that are not able control the ball... you lose the ball.

[Unregistered]

Only watched the latest game so can't comment on U11/U12 history. Both teams are well coached and very technical for young players. FCPDX players have more creativity and a deeper bench. Both teams have great attitudes and competitive spirit. If EMFC's weaker players catch up or they find a few more quick, athletic girls who learn to play with the rest, then the teams will be evenly matched for years to come. As it is, FCPDX is the better team right now.

VT Parent here: I can tell you that we played Eugene twice and it was even the first game with us winning. 2nd game they took it to us the first half and then we lived in their half the 2nd half and we tied.

Good strong squad.

We played FC Portland once and it was 90/10 Possession us. They tied it on a 30 yard clear that chipped in with 1 minute left.

My opinion is the Eugene is a better squad.

or maybe a tougher squad FOR us and FC is a better team?

[Unregistered]

Since this is a GU13 thread ... I take exception to your comment regarding "VT".
My God man! This has to be the most posession oriented team in our area! Every time I watch them or play against them I marvel at their skill. There are very few teams at this age that are as confident on the ball. They frequently switch the field and play back to the keeper. I have seen a long ball or two but I would have to say that it does not define their style of play. I have not seen any other ages @ "VT" so I can only comment on the GU13s.

VT GU12's try to play the same way....they have a great possession game...

people that knock on teams that play long ball need to understand ....
possession can occur with a direct ball and there are times when players need to send a ball long which can create problems for defending teams....

I've seen both GU13 and GU12's at VTimbers...my DD is U11....they both are up and coming super teams that have sacrificed results to teach the game correctly...both coaches are inteligent and players type coaches that get the most out of what they have.

[Unregistered]

I think what the person meant was that the team is very good tactically. The problem that he/she sees is that the a lot of the girls lack the confidence technically because they are instructed to get rid of the ball in 1-2 touches. If they get in a situation (like in California) where they may have to hold onto the ball some are not able to do so. In Oregon it's easy to play 1-2 touch soccer because other teams tend to chase the ball. In California sometimes it seems as if the other team has 13 players on the field because no one seems to be open and you may have to try to create something out of nothing.

my daughter guest plays for VT GU13's on a regular basis....she has been with the VT GU12 coach since she was 7 years old....both coaches work on 1v1 and 2v2 constantly...I know the GU12's are very good 1v1 because it is all they focused on for two years...they have since moved towards possession....there isn't a girl on the field that can't create space for themselves....looking at the GU13's VT team I see similiarities.....almost every girl is technical enough to take someone on and be successful

[Unregistered]

Hats off to you FCPDX parent who literally doesn't think before they talk.

Do you realize that when these two teams meet up Eugene spends a good portion of the game dominating you?

FCPDX is not the better team right now and to say so is ridiculous.

Eugene parent here. I do not expect our girls to 'dominate' when FC comes to Eugene. I expect another tough, close game. I agree with the earlier post that our teams are similar and whichever team wants it more and shows up to play will likely win.

[Unregistered]

I think there is a point that you must find a balance between technical and tactical. You can't teach tactical possession without the technical skill. Individual skill is much easier to perform and execute in a possession style game. i.e. U-9 soccer when everyone is bunched up and you can't dribble anywhere vs. everyone has space to dribble into created by space.

You can't teach just one and I think many try to teach both unless they are specifically teaching bootball which many do.

[Unregistered]

1. It's extremely difficult to teach a style of soccer that relies on everyone being technical because as you know most teams don't even have 11 that can do it.

At this young age, you cannot fault some teams for not doing it because they simply don't have the dept to do it.

I can tell you that at the older ages however like with my DD. They look for individual skill who can play that kind of game. So understand just cause your kid can pass the ball, doesn't mean much when their pool for colleges compete with 20 who can but only 5 who are skillful and creative.

Lake Oswego is another team at the GU-13 age that teach possession and try to do the right thing. I think they probably faced losses because of it. But that will be a strong team because they have the make up of dangerous players AND a cast around them who know how to play.

[Unregistered]

If that is what the poster meant it is very conflicting and doesn't make sense at all. I'm sorry but if the kids are able to effectively play 1-2 touch soccer that also means that they are very technical. You cannot play that style of game w/o 'technical confidence'. When that style doesn't work is when you have a few kids that are NOT technical, an errant trap, a pass that has too much pace, not able to use both feet, not able to use both sides of the foot, kids that are not able control the ball... you lose the ball.

bingo

[Unregistered]

Not to belabor this, but what you focus on during practice maters a lot and coaches practices vary significantly. If you understand the game, you can see it. Kids who are more technical and confident on the ball will be more successful at later ages. Kids who are taught to move the ball quickly, long-ball, etc will not be (and are not) confident on the ball. They will fall behind. Clubs like VT, etc focus on tactics too early. They focus on moving the ball quickly and their players show this individually. This is why the gap tends to widen at older ages between clubs who focus on technical development over tactics early on. Kids learning to play the ball out of the back when they are young will turn it over and get scored on. Teams playing long-ball will be more successful at early ages. This absolutely changes as kids get older - when winning really does matter. I'm not minimizing winning. Everyone wants to. However, early success does not indicate later success. Especially for those teams focusing on the wrong things during early ages. My recommendation is to take your lumps early. Focus on the right development because it does pay off.

Funny that you singled out VT. Their U13G is probably the most skilled team and moved the ball better then any team in the age group.

If VT focused on the tactics too early then the other teams should consider doing the same.

Which club focuses on technical development over tactics? Find me a good technical player at U13, and I am 75% sure that she is doing some type of individual or small group training with a private coach and has been doing this for several years.

Not minimizing technical training. Just highlighting the fact that it is likely not coming from the club training sessions although I am sure most club coaches would like to take credit for their star player.

Since you know so much about what is wrong about VT, then can you name a club that is doing it the right way at U13?

[Unregistered]

my daughter guest plays for VT GU13's on a regular basis....she has been with the VT GU12 coach since she was 7 years old....both coaches work on 1v1 and 2v2 constantly...I know the GU12's are very good 1v1 because it is all they focused on for two years...they have since moved towards possession....there isn't a girl on the field that can't create space for themselves....looking at the GU13's VT team I see similiarities.....almost every girl is technical enough to take someone on and be successful

The dismal outcome at Mustang shows that the Timbers need more individual technical skill. When they have time and space on the ball they are fine but the second the game gets fast and they don't have time to think they fall apart. When a player needs to hold possession of the ball in order to find a better pass or to get out of trouble that is where VT does not do as well.

[Unregistered]

The dismal outcome at Mustang shows that the Timbers need more individual technical skill. When they have time and space on the ball they are fine but the second the game gets fast and they don't have time to think they fall apart. When a player needs to hold possession of the ball in order to find a better pass or to get out of trouble that is where VT does not do as well.

Did you see the VT games at Mustang.

If not, then you really have no idea what happened.

[Unregistered]

Which club focuses on technical development over tactics? Find me a good technical player at U13, and I am 75% sure that she is doing some type of individual or small group training with a private coach and has been doing this for several years.

Not minimizing technical training. Just highlighting the fact that it is likely not coming from the club training sessions although I am sure most club coaches would like to take credit for their star player.

Completely untrue statement. You must be going to the wrong practices. I know plenty of girls with great technical skills who have done NO private training. I won't mention their names on here because the second I do someone will blast them. These are all either regional team players or hold over players.

[Unregistered]

Did you see the VT games at Mustang.

If not, then you really have no idea what happened.

Yes I did which is why I know exactly what I'm talking about.