Monday, March 10, 2008
'08 Girls State Cup
With a regional champ at U13 last year, the hopes for up and coming regionally-competitive girls teams is high. The girl’s draw shows 16 teams entering at U16 and 17 teams at U13. Can the BNG U14s repeat? Will WDB keep a strangle hold on the U16 age group? Can the BNG 17s maintain their dominance? Can the Shattuck U18 girls really compete with the likes of BNG, TNK and WBL? Can anyone give the SCV U19 girls a run for their money this year?
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533 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 401 – 533 of 533Give 9:07 a break, a question for predictions was offered and he/she responded. Style may not have been perfect but tone is often hard to interperet sp? in this format. Plus the Bangu girls did win their league (U-13) as a group of 12 year olds giving them the Premier status they now hold. That is certainly an accomplishment somewhat noteworthy isn't it ?
The only cure ( I'm not for it) for the explosion of u-12 teams playing u-13 would be for a national then state rule you play state cup in the age group you play league. I suspect this is a recruiting tool for some and an anti recruiting tool for others. They have a right to do it I'm not sure it is best for the kids.
The reason most U12 teams play U13 is because they are to good for the small fields.
With the rule changeg proposed above U12 teams would still enter as U13's and when they turn 13 they would go back to their own age group (like it is today). The only thing such a rule would prevent is the current U13 Blue U14Blue and Woddbury U16 from playing MYSA. If they are good enough to play with the older kids why not let them?
Swedish Smurf
With State Cup coming up, does anyone have any thoughts on the U13 Girls age group? (JK-LOL).
Too good is a relative term SS. The 11 C-2 state champs from last year are not doing the play-up thing. Again, I'm not saying it should not be allowed, I think our motivation to do it needs a look. Someone posted earlier the Dak Rev team was 1-4 last fall, don't know if that's true or not I'm too lazy to look not exactly the results that would lead me to believe it is a great deal for the team. just my humble opinion.
Only age group that there is any room for serious yapping. 14,15,16,17 all dead locks by the favorites. Not ooc parents of 13's just the only speculative age group on girls side.
Teams should be allowed to play up as long as they are in the top third of the league. If they are simply mediocre or worse they should play their age and the older league spot should go to an older team. I get so tired of hearing how it is good for a younger teams development to play against teams that are "bigger, stronger, faster" etc than they are. How about asking what good it does an older superior team to play an inferior younger team. Isn't their development important also?
Well said 8:59. I think the earlier poster was correct too in that clubs need to look at their reson for playing up. Please no mysa rule changes hust introspection!
I disagree that U15 is a "dead lock" for the favorite. Who would you say is the "favorite" there?
My prediction is that the U15 games will be close, just like last year. I am referencing all the games last year at U14, not the blow-out of Bangu White by Bangu Blue in the Championship.
I will agree that at U14,16 and 17 there is one team clearly better than the others. I wouldn't call anyone a lock to win though. This is soccer and all it takes is a break and a bunker and anything can happen.
As far as playing up last fall was the first time for the REV kids on the bigegr field, same thing happened with the bangu U12's that play u14 P this year. They have also beaten C1 teams such as Blackhawks, Kelix and Eagan.
Again I don't have a problem with 8v8 but the fields need to be bigger. One suggEstion woulD be to create a U12 11 v11 section in MYSA based on how the teams do as u11's
Would agree that based on results EP may very well give Bangu a run at State cup.
Swedish Smurf
8:27 as is almost always the case, there is more to the story on the Rev kids moving to the larger field. True they were 1-4 in the fall, but then they went to the Fall Harvest fest and were an eyelash from winning it all. They beat Eagan and Mpls United and lost 1-0 to Burnsville. The entire reason for this group making the descision to play to the larger field at U-13 in the fall was because of their very dominant summer season,undefeated and only allowed three goals while scoring over 50. Most would agree that this was not helping them in their development.Blowout games are no fun for either side. The other factor was the size of the field, these girls do better on the larger field ie: they won the A flight of USA Cup at U-11 which was played on nice sized U-11 fields, they didn't advance out of their bracket in the State tournament which was played on fields not much larger than a U-9 field. Both fields at Blaine, but very different dimensions for the same age and class. In general I think teams with good depth of talent and good physical skills should play on the larger field. I believe long term it will help the kids development.
Having 12 years play 11v11 on larger fields instead of 8v8 will have almost no positive impact on player development. It may prepare them to be more competitive early at u13 when other teams are playing 11v11 for the first time, but will not positively effect individual development.
You want player development? Have your kid bring their ball with them where ever they go, never having it leave their feet. Let them juggle and dribble in the house. Have them play adult free pick up games before school, at school, and after school. Have them watch the champions league, EPL or whatever high level games they can.
11v11 does not equate with better development. Pah!
Amen 12:57 I've watched this for a few years now and am convinced it is a "cache" thing that lends itself to parental egos, a recruiting thing for clubs, and a refuge for coaches who consider it beneath their dignity to coach 8v8. For all of us worried about development, it would be better, not easy, to keep the 12's on 4-5 good 8v8 teams and train and play each other lots.
12:57 I respectfully disagree with your thoughts on the 11v11 game not helping this PARTICULAR group of girls, maybe you have seen a situation where your thoughts are true, not here however. I couldn't agree more with your second paragraph. The more anyone can touch the ball, play the game and study the game the better they will be.
What two words hypnotize virtually all parents with young aspiring children......."playing up". Most hear those two words from coaches and instead of "you had me at hello" (from Jerry McGuire) instead it could be "you had me at playing up". Sure, there are some kids who could or should, but for the vast majority the "player" benefits are minimal, but the "parent" benefits are huge. I've heard it countless times...."my little mia/landon should be a U10, but she/he plays up at U11". The assertion is that their child was just too good for her own age group and needed a stronger challenge.
What "particular" group?
1:24 The Rev players on the U-12 team playing 13. The Bangu 12's of 2007 played 13 and won the league and now by most are widely considered the favorites to win State Cup. I think it is safe to say that those kids benefited from "playing up". You are correct however that it is not in the best interest of all to do this, will it work with the Rev kids ? only time will tell. I can tell you they were getting very little value out of the lopsided U-11 season they played and this seemed the best option .
How did thet do at u-11 state tournament last year? This was from the outside looking in more an attempt to keep the recruiters at bay.
How can you say the Bangu player's benefited from playing up? Did you do a controlled study comparing that same group of girls, half of whom played up, and half of who did not?
It is a huge mistake (but common nonetheless) to equate team success with individual development. In fact, you can't honestly really say that the team benefitted, only that they succeeded. Big difference, that.
Read 12:32, I don't believe that is accurate,(to keep recruiters away) I can understand how it could give that impression, but the team was not sufficiently, regularly challenged as evident by their record and goal differential. I am not aware of any of the top players on that team giving any thought to leaving DKT. It seems you want to find a covert reason for the team playing to a higher level, truth is they are playing where they believe they can best improve their game. They are very sufficently challenged now, and will be Very very challenged on Friday at the State Cup play in game.
I wouldn't use Bangu as a role model for Dakota Rev. The U13 East team was a U12 team that played up. Come tryouts, they replaced several players who helped earn the Premier spot all with players who played U12, including players from Bangu South Academy who tied for last place in their league with a 1-5-2 record.
1:56 The Bangu team competed well amongst a league of kids a full year older than them. Soccer is a team sport and the success of the team cannot be ignored as to the measurement of the players on that team. Very likely the Bangu players who played up benefited because they were ready for that step, likewise the Bangu players who played their own age likely benefited more than being thrown in over their heads at a level of play beyond their abilities. Hopefully all kids are placed on teams conducive to the best opportunity for each of their individual situations. I also have talked to several of the parents of the Bangu players who played up and they were fully in agreement that it helped the development of their child. Are there parents who disagree? I am sure there are. Player evaluations are not by any means an exact science, so no "double blind controlled study" was conducted .
2:14 where did the replaced Bangu players end up playing? Agreed DKT is not trying to be Bangu, 99% of Dkt kids are local to Rosemount Apple Valley and Eagan.
Team success CAN NOT be equated with player development. Do you need me to repeat that? They are not the same thing and often are at odds to each other.
For example, a TEAM will usually find the highest level of success when certain players are put into certain roles (ie, defender). The TEAM will succeed best when the best defenders play defense, and the best attackers play up front, etc.
However, it is not best for the INDIVIDUAL development of a 12 year old to play defense all of the time, or only be allowed to move into different positions during blow-outs, etc.
I am not saying this did happen (though I know it does happen), but it is an example of how team success is NOT the same thing as player development. It is only one example of how they are different things that should not be equated.
I am also not saying there was not player development, just that you can not use team success as an indication.
I agree with most all said above, but give me this, there are more 12 teams than ever playing 13. This leads to really only two conclusions. We as a state are doing a fantastic job with these kids so they need to play up for the competition or it is a new thing to do to "keep up"
If there are that many teams playing up then there is no need for any of them to play up.
I am only aware of three MN girls teams two Bangu teams and one REV. Are there others? who? I will say that this is far from an isolated occurrence in the region. I am aware of several teams (all girls teams) from IA,Neb,and MO who are, or have also "played up".
That negates the poster who posits that play up is an anti-recruiting thing then as those states allegedly have strong rules.
I'm sure we all know of several individual players who play up on older teams. Club,high school etc. not sure what the big deal is if you have a group of these kids who play up as an entire team if they are at that level of play?
1044 I agree that EP has a shot at defeating Bangu at U15. EP has the best player at that age group in the state and some other good players. Bangu still with the better all around team however and should win.
Is the EP girl the one on the U15 national team?
EP is good for sure but no way will Bangu lose. By 15 they have it sorted out and will have had a full winter of training and playing. Their ability to recruit the top players in bigger numbers makes it an insurmountable task to beat them.
346 while I agree that EP has probably the top player on the two teams Bangu has the next 4. They can mark the EP player out of the game but have too many weapons for EP to stop. 3-1 Bangu.
No the Bangu girls is on the National team. EP has one of the best players, although I would say she is pretty one dimensional and relies on her speed to out run teams. She can be marked out of the game and Bangu is well aware that all EP tries to do is play long balls to her and hope she can out run the defense. I will give her credit, she does change the game and is good enough to cause lots of trouble. If she played for Bangu she would make that team one of the hardest teams to beat in the country with the other 3 very good attacking players Bangu has. Should be a fun game to watch.
Since there was no answer to Dak Rev 11's finish in state tournament last year I did some research. With the reportrd lack of competition they did not win it? Some other 2007 u-11 c-2 teams Eau Claire 8-0-1 26-9 gd, North Metro (State Champs) 10-0 30-3, Edina 10-0-1 32-6, Eden Prairie 11-1 34-11 Dkt Rev 11-0 34-3 Bvl 7-0 24-7. Now the real eye popper Bangu south0-7 Bangu East3-6.
Explain again how playing u-13 is benefitting KIDS.
826, Bangu East was a combined team comprised of U10's and U11's, not the top team. Top team was tournament only.
Having seen both teams play, Bangu has the two best, all around players and agree the EP girl is very, very talented, but strictly a "north-south" player. Different styles make for different impressions.
People do know that these two teams recently tied 1-1 at MRL, right?
Seems to me that all of your posturing about national team players, winter training, and recruiting aside, either team could take this game. But hey, I'm old school and let the results on the field do the talking.
9:09 - where you at the game? If so, please provide your analysis.
If I hear anymore about the Bangu U13's winning league last year playing up, I think I'll throw up. Everyone knows you won league (that's why you have the 14P in your name), give it a rest.
They are a very good team, but had some lady luck on their side in league last year and did not do well at Summer State.
Why would you ask for my analysis?
If I was at the game, I would be a parent or coach, and therefore have a bias, rendering my analysis nothing more than any of the meaningless blustering that pollutes this site all of the time.
Anyway, my whole point was that any analysis means diddly and it is the results that matter.
I wish people would understand that, but instead they want to engage in meaningless conversations about their 12 year olds, or 13 year olds, or 15 year olds in some vainglorious attempt at having there ego's stroked by some soiled internet blogger whose analysis obviously means nothing.
Go to your kid's game. Enjoy watching them play. Leave the analysis for wrapping yesterday's dog poo.
I always love it when people rip others for their comments and then write three paragraphs of their own diatribe.
Unfortunately paragraph beginning with "I wish" is right on the mark.
22/4/08 8:26. Your question was answered before you asked it and then referenced again after you asked it.See 22/4/08 12:32. : "they won the A flight of USA Cup at U-11 which was played on nice sized U-11 fields, they didn't advance out of their bracket in the State tournament which was played on fields not much larger than a U-9 field. Both fields at Blaine, but very different dimensions for the same age and class."
Sorry for any confusion.
FYI the goals for and against are capped at a three goal differential. actual game scores are often more lopsided than this would indicate.
By the way the other teams referenced are very good teams and at least one of them moved some of their players up to a U-13C1 team also. I have seen EP,Bville,North Metro,and Edina play, all are very well coached and all part of (what I consider) very good soccer clubs.
Time will tell on the playing up succcess or failure for each of the three teams discussed.
My son plays for the Blackhawks and last night Bangu stole one of our fields we were supposed to be on. According to one of the Bangu parents there it was the 13 and 16 girls that split the field for practice. I watched the 13's practice and wasn't that impressed. If their the favorite at state cup the U13 age group isn't very deep.
Bangu squatting on fields? Another trademark don't pay for or participate in the acquisition of fields then act like victims when it is pointed out.
8:44 good pont. Disclaimer here, my kid is a solid c-2 player with no aspirations of becoming a Bangu whatever that is. This is a pet peeve of mine particularly when I read posts suggesting "sue them for access". Community clubs spend years, dollars and most importantly their human capital in working with cities to get space, build fields, and maitain/protect them. This is a huge effort, again in $ and time. Bangu comes in has one or two kids on A team from that city and demands fields or worse just uses them. It is easy, all their registration dollars are exempt from (beyond pittance rent) the purchase of goals, nets, and other field equipment. A bit of gratitude and manners would be a great start.
Ahhh....soccer season is finally here! The grousing season is now officially open.
This wasn't just a scheduling snafu (fields do get double booked by accident). Hard to believe that they knowingly would take over fields even after your coach confronted them with the situation. If your BHK team had it already booked and reserved then I understand your frustration.
Anon 21/4/08 10:09 PM,
If U13's are the weakest age group Bangu has, and they do end up winning state cup, what does that say about the strength of Bangu?
They are very adept at sowing seeds of discontent among the parents and getting kids to concentrate on one team which is arguably detrimental to the stated (too often) goal of raising the level of play regionally for our top players.
At U15, look at last years pool results. Other than Tonka really skewing the goal differentials, most games were decided by one/two goals.
Given last weeks MRL results, I would say that this group may be tighter than many give credit for. Most have no idea what "improvements" teams have made over the off-season, so until they play the games....who knows?
Close competition is much more interesting, I hope that the U15s give State Cup more "drama" than some of the other groups should.
i think this friday night at the bangu/DKT u13 play in game at state, the prodigous DKT and Bangu bloggers on this site should gather in a section of the field with "I am a certifiable Blogger" t-shirts on and document every single, kick, pass, set piece and goal and player movement and then provide the rest of us summary over the weekend with players stack ranked and coaches decisions analyzed. heck I think ESPN might even hire some folks to broadcast the rest of the u13 bracket! woo hoo! if dkt wins and ESPN does televise, ND may have to go out and buy some fancy new duds!
BHK parent, get a life. Bangu rents the fields at McMurray and had the permit in hand to prove it last night. You will see them there again in the future and they will have the permit with them to prove they belong there. The BHK's don't own McMurray nor did they pay to have the fields built so get used to seeing other teams using the space.
Even better will be the bloggers of the losing team explaining their team's betterness despite defeat.
11:03 Please read the 9:47 post. You just made my point!
The worst top team that Bangu has must be the U16. However they where formed two years ago so a little different. Not saying they are bad team but probably the weakest in their age group compared to how other Bangu teams compare in each age group.
My picks
U13 Bangu Blue over Tonka or PSA
U14 Bangu Blue over Bangu white
U15 EP in PK's over Bangu Blue
U16 Woodbury over St Croix Midwest
U17 Bangu over Wings
U18 Shattuck over Bangu White (Hope Blue can get in through MRL)
U19 St Croix over PSA
Far from an expert but fun to speculate.
Since I pretend to know something about the U14 age group I want to add that Wayzatta will give white a good run for a spot in the final if they can get out of the group as number one, wich they should on paper. White will win their group.
Interesting to see who get the wild card in the U14 age group as well.
No One will touch the Blue team.
Swedish Smurf
All I hope is that the best teams in the state make it to regions. I like upsets but not at state cup where it determines how MN is represented at the regional tournament.
I'm sure if we could review the checking ledgers of EP, WDB, MPB, WAY, DKT, LKV, BLM, BHK, etc.... I doubt we would see a whole lot of checks being written to city governments for the construction of soccer fields. In fact, I bet we would see none. Field rental fees pay for the maintenance of the fieds and the purchase of field equipment. In most instances, the local CC gets first dibs on the fields and then others get the open slots. If anything this added revenue is good for the local municipalities.
11:19 the clubs participate in the purchase of goals all nets and again the time meeting with and working with the cities involved. Rent does not come close to the whole cost. A squatter is a squatter
11:19 - agreed and a squatter is a squatter. Not sure if that was the case in this instance. Also, please advise what all is meant by "meeting with and working with the cities involved"? If this involves scheduling fields, I'm sure every club (CC or not) has to do this same thing.
BHK parent - sounds like either the bangu teams are pulling a fast one, their was an honest double booking mistake, or your coach made a mistake and is blaming bangu as a CYA.
To 11:19: If you "checked the ledger" of the club I am involved with you would see that we pay in the low thousands each year for repair, upkeep, and improvement of fields (this is for turf only, nets and such even more). The "rental" that squatters pay is of no consequence financially. The rental fees for fields like this take into account CCs put in more than they take. Not so with squatters.
Most cities have a meeting each spring and fall where representatives from all sports or groups that will use fields (for example, a local summer day camp program) get together and the city tells them which venues are to be used for what, weather policies, fields that are offline, etc.
Many cities/schools are asking clubs to help offset their costs of fertilizing and maintaining fields. Whether any are paying up or not is another question.
The increase in lacrosse's popularity is having a direct impact on the number of soccer fields available. A CC is going to get first preference in their own community.
What in the world does any of this have to do with State Cup? We are a bit in the weeds?
Let's get back to u-13 girls.. maybe Dakota Rev and Bangu east we haven't disected that yet.
I'd rather see us swapping recipes for lefse than yet another rehash of REV and Bangu.
Any OTHER play in games predictions or input?
I love lefse !!
Bangu East (U-12s playing U13) vs DKT Rev (U12s playing U13) would be a good match up. Bangu is good when they have MA's 12 year old who plays u15 Premier play with them but not extra talented otherwise.
15 girls Wayzata is going to win it. They are not resting on their press clippings or how many ODP players they have. They will surprize all. My prediction.
Sorry, for the interruption. We now return to our regular programming.
static....static....static....static
U15 Wayzata is a very talented team, Woodbury U15 has some strong players, and U15 Coon Rapids should also not be over looked. Unlike many other age groups, there not only is a fair amount of talent at U15, but the talent is spread out amongst many teams. It is a much deeper age group than U14 or U16 IMO. This is also one of the reasons why the top teams may not have had the regional success that the top teams in the other age groups may have achieved.
Not neccesarily a bad thing for them to be spread out. Probably leads to a broader base of great players at the expense of regional play. Better for the kids if more of them get the opportunity to play high level college soccer even if it hurts the plans of some adults for glory.
Wayzata and Woodbury U15s can make thier own magic in pool play. Two great performances in pool play will get them through to the Semis where they will probably meet EP. Then, an organized defense can stop a one-dimensional team. I hold up as my example the West Des Moines Heat U16 team.
I was at the Bangu-EP u15 game over at the high school. And, yes, I am a parent so take my words with a grain of salt. In my opinion, EP had the better of the play for the first part of the game. They scored on a missed clear by the Bangu gk. Bangu made some changes and seemed to take over most of the rest of the game. EP had a couple of chances against the run of play and Bangu had a number of chances that EP did well to clear. Bangu scored on a volley and, just before the end of the game, hit the post. Possession favored Bangu as did dangerous opportunities. Both teams did well playing their styles. EP appeared more explosive in the counterattack while Bangu appeared more methodical. I won't comment on whom I think will win, suffice to say I would like to see another game between these two teams as they are, in my opinion, the two top teams in this age. As for the age, there is a lot of talent on a number of teams. It's a pretty exciting age group. Good luck to everyone.
Don't know that much about the U15 age group. I have no doubt that it is a talented age group the u15 team I coached last year played Wayzatta U14 (current U15P their number one team) and they where a solid and skilled team I made my U15 picks based on the few winter results I know of.
IMO the u14 age group is pretty talented as well but the difference from the U15 group they have one very good team (by national standards) does not mean that talent is down on other teams, both Wayzatta and White did well last weekend and those are teams that a few other MN teams can compete with.
Curious to see how good the St Croix team is at U16 have also seen PSA U16 and they have had some good results (Beat Wings U17 in a scrimmage) not that I think they can touch Woodbury but don't think Woodbury can take them easy eitehr.
Swedish Smurf
245, I don't follow your logic on being spread out leads to a broader base of great players. I get the other part "expense of regional play" I also don't follow your next statement "Better for the kids if more of them get the opportunity to play high level college soccer even if it hurts the plans of some adults for glory. I think you are following the train of thought that it is better to keep the talent spread out and not pool it together. I disagree (if this is what you are saying) and think it hurts the overall talent of all the kids involved. To reach your potential you need to be surrounded by players with close to the same abilities. If you are never challenged you will never try new things or push yourself as hard. I think it is pretty evident that we are doing something right in Minnesota by combining talent at the younger ages as can be seen by our teams results in regional and out of state matches from younger teams to the older ones. I think some Club teams and some CC's have done a good job of putting talented players together at ages groups so they can reach their fullest potential.
3:38 in fact I think it would be better to have 4-5 strong teams for sure until age 15 or 16. The problem inherent to the present model (let's be honest here Bangu) is the ever lowering of the age that "top players or top teams" are identified. I do not buy the premise that CHILDREN 9-12 years old are in need of the "environment" a clever recruiting buzz word in which there are 12 other kids some deserving, some pushed by parents training by driving across the cities all week. For example a 10 year old from Wayzata is not well served driving 35 or 40 minutes orgmore during rush hour or weather to get to St. Paul or Woodbury to train with other players to "push her" Her travel time on a 3 x weekly training schedule would enable 4x for the same hours. Somehow I think Wayne H. John T. Wayne B can come up with a plan to significantly challenge players. Someone told me last year that 9 and 10 year old kids went to Cleveland to play. Not one bit of that (if true) is about development, challenge, or anything except profiling to get cache in the local soccer community.
anon 4:29,
You ought to do a little research on when and how top European soccer clubs identify talent and at what age.
I think you will be surprised.
Different culture if it worked here we'd do it. I'm betting a couple of our clubs who espouse the European thing when convenient would not be willing to adopt the European model of club affiliation and penalties for breaking recruiting rules. Like most things american we use a mix of what works elsewhere and modify it for us. Brazil doesn't use the Euro model and competes well. Their system will not work here either but parts of it are valuable.
5:14 Key word is identified, there is 0 I mean 0 tolerance for Mommy and Daddy pushing the issue in fact little to no parental involvement. The playing opportunities as they get older are many times what U.S. can offer so the system fits them.
5:14 The closest we have locally is Shattuck so I assume we will soon have an announcement that Bangu and Shattuck have an agreement to send the top players from Bangu to the more intensive European model at SSM. I can't wait for the news!
There will be a lot of families cutting back on soccer and all sports expenses due to the deepening recession.
Gas prices $4.00 per gal in July. Nobody is going to want to drive all over town 3/4 times a week for practice let alone pay airfare to all the tournaments. Things are a changing folks.
429, Pooling players at 15-16 is what has been done in MN for years and that has gotten us no where. Maybe a few teams here and there that don't get crushed in regions and actually do well, but a majority get embarrassed. We have finally started to be more competitive and why do you think that is? It's because some club's and CC's have pooled talent at younger ages and yes recruited. The coaches mentioned could come up with plans to try and challenge top players, but the problem still is the same. Most communities don't have enough top players at the same age group to get the job done. They would need to recruit from other communities nearby and most the people on this blog are against that.
Our Bangu team tries something called "car pooling." You should try it. I have yet to drive 3/4 times a week anywhere. Nice try. At this rate, can we go back to talking about the U13's? Or lefse recipes? (What is that anyway?)
So your magic car pool cuts down on the time they spend in the car? The idea relates to time also.
I love lefse !
They are serving Lefse at halftime of the Rev/Bangu Play in game.
6:30 That is a big leap to make regarding getting nowhere. Winning at the regional level is a bit more complex than having two or three guys decide who is good and who is not at age 8,9 or 10 all of whom have a vested financial interest in the process. The greater Chicago area dwarfs our entire state in population that alone may trump any scheme to pool at younger ages. That size population and further example Fl. or Southern California have sufficient population to sustain several high level teams at each age. The competition for top players is several clubs so the base of kids trained at a high level is broader in addition to the advantage of a bigger population. We need to come up with a model that works for our population size, the culture of our state and most importantly get rid of all people who actively treat this as a zero sum game. Give me this, what we are doing now is not satisfactory to very many people or to the level of success at the regional levle we'd like.
Who is printing the blogger shirts?
Anyone know a reliable printer who can print on rain proof parkas ?
Why do you care what someone else does. If they choose to spend it in their car traveling to a practice so be it. I'm sure you do things others think is wrong or crazy. A lot of you are anti Bangu for whatever reason. If you keep up with your hatred it will eventually lead to a postal experience or a heart attack. Get over it and move on.
I'm self centered? Your choice of soccer club for your child could cause my death or me to become a killer? Must quit soccer, must quit soccer. Lefse anyone?
The biggest thing everyone has to remember is that not everyone is in this for the same reason. Not all the kids are at the same level, therefore the needs of each child are not the same.
So, give people room to make thier own decisions for thier family and what is right/not right for them. Heading to SSM was right for our daughter, but I recognize it is not right for all players. I know what is best for my family/player...no one else. This is why we have many clubs to choose from. Each must make thier own decision, and others really should just respect that.
Leave it alone, already?
Now, back to State Cup....I like the discussion. It has been pretty good discourse with a few petty interruptions.
So your magic car pool cuts down on the time they spend in the car? The idea relates to time also.
Oh go sit down and read your novel treehugger! Good Mighty.
Agree with SSM
Youth soccer is like the game itself. It is a simple game that many make more complicated than it is.
Swedish Smurf
I've personally noticed less traffic congestion as gas prices have increased.
I'll gladly pay more for gas if the price of gas results in others driving less.
To me time is money and less traffic equals more time having fun or working and less time stuck in traffic.
P.S - Dontcha just love the increased Minnesota gas tax? What were those fools thinking? ;-)
I've personally noticed less traffic congestion as gas prices have increased.
I'll gladly pay more for gas if the price of gas results in others driving less.
To me time is money and less traffic equals more time having fun or working and less time stuck in traffic.
P.S - Dontcha just love the increased Minnesota gas tax? What were those fools thinking? ;-)
I hope they expand light rail from Lakeville to Blaine, I need to save the gas money for the USA Cup. Gas tax money hard at work.
People should check the MN DOT web site to be aware of significant road closings on 35w and 62 this weekend that will impact travel time for State Cup games. As we know, if you are late, you ain't playing!
for those in the know, what are the 'must see' games that are part of state cup where we should see a good rivalry and good skills? also, who are the sleeper teams? i realize based on the number of champions in the past that bangu will field a strong team across the board, but do people have interesting sleeper picks to watch based on early play?
hopefully the weather will cooperative and not too adversely impact the games
anon 11:14, focusing on pool play, the #1 must-see game would be Bangu U18 vs SSM U18. Other interesting pool games would be most of the Group C games in U16 (to see who most likely would give the Inferno any challenge), and Wayzata-Woodbury in U15. Just one man's opinion.
How about the U-14's. I know Bangu Blue is way above the rest, but how about the other brackets ? Thoughts?
What are the chances of the games being postponed tomorrow night due to lots of rain, bad field conditions?
Here are the play in games .
Weather looks terrible, cold 40 degrees, windy and wet. Possible snow showers.
U-13
BNG 14P v DKT
U-15
ESD v BHK
SCV v WYZ
PSA v EDP (P)
U-17
KIK v PSA
BHK V BGU
These are all to be played on Fri night.
Predictions or comments welcome.
The weather will favor the bigger and physically stronger teams. Not good news for the speedy little teams who rely on significant ball movement. Also favors the team with a good air game.
If fields are like the first weekend of JFG with standing water and poor footing the teams as described above are who will likely find the advantage.
The state needs to take a real good look and decide if they should play those games. If the fields get trashed it could put a real big damper on the quality of play for the rest of state cup.
What was the shape of the fields prior to the rain ? Anyone have any knowledge about this? I didn't see these fields at all last year were they well maintained giving a good grass base for this year or were they worn pretty badly ?
Please let the weather cooperate so some games are played and we get a new topic or two.
Reschedule games???? R U on drugs? Soccer games are not rescheduled. Heck MRL played here a couple weeks ago 30 degrees, wind chill 19 degrees ,slick field and snow showers. Soccer is meant to be played out doors in all weather conditions.Put on your snowmobile suit and just suck it up.
JFG canceled an entire weekend tournament, Midwest tournament at Lucy Bell canceled most games last Sunday because of field conditions (on a sunny, warm day). Games do get rescheduled.
Change venues and play them at Shattuck, inside or out. The outdoor field is heated.
There are bigger issues at play and a bigger picture when the fields being used do not belong to MYSA and must be used for the next 6 months for lots of different organizations.
Or any turf field.
I agree with an anon above who suggested that the U15 Woodbury vs. Wayzata game may be interesting and have some impact on that age group.
Fridays games should be cancelled the fields are going to get ruined and it will make the rest of state cup a disaster as far as quality play.
They're starting the State Cup games 1 weekend earlier this year.
Looks like a bad decision. This is Minnesota after all.
The challenge comes in trying to reschedule. If you just push forward to Sat. fields may not be much better and the entire schedule would need to be pushed back a day which means the games that would be played Sunday are now on Monday night. I was on different fields tonight and they were actually holding together very well except of course the goal boxes where worn to dirt, are now mud.
Has anyone been out on the actual fields in CR lately? How thick was the grass surface? If it is a good thick turf,the fields will likely be OK, if they are fairly worn it will be a mess.
I know some Jersey guys trying to unload some artificial turf fields - used only a short period of time and do not seem to be mineral deficient ;-)
FYI - play-in games scheduled for tonight are now going to be played on Saturday. This info is on the MYSA hotline
Might as well play tonight. Conditions won't be any better to play in Saturday. Fields should be ripped up pretty good for Sunday....
Might as well play tonight. Conditions won't be any better to play in Saturday. Fields should be ripped up pretty good for Sunday....
Oh no, will my lefse still be fresh tomorrow?
only if it's free range lefse
Round up all the "bloviators" on this blog and bus em over to the fields. They got enough hot air to dry the fields.
Okay, dumb question for consideration. Not that I have a horse in this race, but who benefits more now that the play-in winners play back to back days - the play-in winner or the teams they play on Sunday?
PSA and EP 15s were to play Tues 4-22. Does anyone know what happened? If they didn't play, when are they now scheduled to ?
State Cup games cancelled today (sat.)
The whole schedule is going to be off now.
maybe they should play in an inch of snow. show just a little common sense
If they played in an inch of snow, that would pretty much tear up the field for the remainder of the season. That's common sense?
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