MN State Cup update. The semi-finals are set. Clubs with semi finalists (not including 19s):
16 for MTA
4 each for EDP, SCV and WDB
3 each for BHK, EDI, PSA and SSM
2 for TCF
1 each for BVL, DKT, LKV, NSS, PRL and TRV
This may the the first semi finalists for Three Rivers at girls U17s. Congratulations to all players, coaches, clubs and parents.
1,918 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1601 – 1800 of 1918 Newer› Newest»But it's funny
Couple of interesting matchups this week on the girls AA side:
Edina-Wayzata: Edina coming on strong late in the season. Wayzata starting to fall out of favor in the polls and probably needs this win to secure a top 4 seeding in the state tourney (assuming they even win their section). If Edina wins their last three games against Wayzata, Minnetonka and Duluth East, they will be my pick to upset EP in the 2AA sections (for the 2nd year in a row)
Woodbury-Mounds View: A win by Mounds View builds confidence towards their chances at upsetting Centennial in the 5AA sections. If Mounds View can follow up with a win against Stillwater later in the week, watch out Centennial.
Eagan-Apple Valley: Preview of the 3AA section final. Wins for the rest of the year probably solidifies Eagan's #4 seed in the state tourney.
Required dresses on gameday? Sexist.
8:23 AM -- what part did you find funny?
as opposed to guys having to wear suits and ties on game days?
the ugly grey mullet was funny. dinosaur comment was spot on, but he knows how to win 90% of his games against "less than" opponents and just won state last year so he at least bought five more years to his contract.
Sections for 3AA and 4AA (and 2AA to a lesser extent) on the girl's side are shaping up to be pretty good events. Hope the weather stays nice for a couple more weeks!
Handi,
For tonight:
Bville over Jeff 1-0
Eastview over AV 2-1
Edina over Wayzata 2-1
Eagan over LN 2-0
Woodbury over MV 3-1
EP over Tonka 2-1
MV got results against injury-riddled ER and WBL, but won't get by Woodbury or Stillwater. That said, MV is decent and the only team that may give Centennial a run in their section.
IMO, the Wayzata coach is far from what I'd call a dinosaur. There are maybe two other HS coaches who have had the playing experience that TP has had, and probably none who combine both playing experience and the coaching experience on the girls side. Sure there are some who have coached HS girls for a longer period of time and we all know that just because you can play the game doesn't mean you can teach it, but unless they've played the game at a very high level they will always be missing something that people who have played the game can bring to the table. TP @ WYZ, JT @ Holy Family, MA @ ER, CM @ Hill. Any others out there?
There is the big debate about the effect that HS coaches really have on the game during the compact season, but when push comes to shove in tight games between two fairly evenly matched teams, the outcome is many times be decided by tactical influences from the coach. Take last year's final. WYZ was very good, Woodbury was great.
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/39843/champion-coach-albertin-montoya-puts-winning-in-pe.html#reply
Champion coach Albertin Montoya puts winning in perspective
by Mike Woitalla
On a sunny September Sunday, Coach Albertin Montoya watched his Gold Pride players, including the magnificent Brazilian Marta and U.S. world champion Tiffeny Milbrett, celebrate the WPS championship after a 4-0 win over Philadelphia.
The dominating final performance followed a regular season in which the Gold Pride averaged nearly two goals per game and played such entertaining and effective soccer that longtime reporter on the women’s game, Scott French, declared it the best women’s club team ever.
Thanks much to Marta, the Gold Pride played soccer worth paying to watch. So as Montoya, out of the corner of his eye, watched his players bask in the glory, I asked him why the USA isn't producing Martas. After all, this country has more girls playing and more resources dedicated to female soccer than any other nation. Shouldn't we be seeing many more highly skillful, exciting players?
“We’ll need to talk about youth soccer,” said Montoya. more....
continued...
Montoya is also a longtime Northern California youth coach for girls and boys. He and his wife, Erin, a former collegiate star and pro player, run the Montoya Soccer Academy and coach at Mountain View Los Altos SC, for which Albertin also serves as technical director for under-8 through under-14 boys teams.
“The biggest problem at the youth level is the emphasis on winning,” he says. “I don’t know if it’s in our genes or what, but there’s so much desire to win at the ages when player development should be the emphasis.
“The first thing I tell parents is, ‘You want to win at U-8, U-9, U-10, U-11, U-12 -- you’re at the wrong club.
“We’re here to develop players to where, hopefully, by the time they’re U-14, U-15s, they’re playing at a high level, where if we do our job, winning will be a byproduct and we’ll compete for state championships.”
more..
At the U-14/15 level – when the college showcases begin – MVLA teams do get results and win championships. And it sent 14 players to the girls youth national team program in the last seven years.
“These players might not be winning at 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 – but that’s not what it’s about,” he says. “We’ve lost some good players in the past because their parents wanted to win at U10, U11.”
The challenge is to convince parents that at the early ages the focus should be on individual technical development – not scorelines. Montoya even advocates against playing league ball at the early ages.
“I don’t want our teams at U9, U10, U11 to play in the league,” he says. “I want to just have in-house 4v4s. It’s difficult because parents say, ‘We want to play different teams. We want to travel.’ I say, 'Believe me. You’ll have plenty of time to travel and drive when they’re 14, 15, 16. You don’t want to do it now when they’re U8, U9, U10.'
“We have enough players in our backyard. Let’s play 3v3, 4v4. But the parents want to play other teams. So I said, 'OK. We’ll do it in the fall.' But in the spring we’re not going to play anywhere. We are going to continue what I believe in. They’ll get more touches on the ball.”
Like most close observers of the women’s game, Montoya sees that the USA has depended too much on athleticism – being stronger, faster and quicker:
“When you watch the U-17 and U-20 World Cups you see the technical ability of the Japanese, the Koreans, the Germans, the Brazilians – you ask, ‘Why can’t our players do that?’ We have the athletes and I think it does go down to the early youth level where there’s so much emphasis on winning.”
When Montoya coaches his pros, he wants them to play like Barcelona or Spain. To rely on skill, creativity and possession.
“Once they realized they could play that kind of game … When you have the ball – they enjoy it that much more,” he says. “As soon as we lose it, we try to win it right back. And when we get it back, then identify, ‘Do we do a quick counter or do we keep it and let them chase for a while?’”
With his youngsters, it’s all about developing the individual skills that will enable them to play a possession game later. That, he says, is a bigger challenge for American youth coaches, whose players don’t watch as much soccer as, for example, Brazilian children. So coaches need to demonstrate more and do more skill work – and encourage dribbling during games even it if means the risk of losing the ball and giving up goals.
“My U-9 teams -- I haven’t even told them to pass it yet,” says Montoya. “I want my right back to dribble six players. I want my left back to dribble five, six players. I want my center back to do the same thing. My center-mid, my forward. Every single one of them.
“So we get 9-year-olds who are doing spin turns like Marta does. They’re doing step-overs. And I want that. I encourage that at every single position. And every game, they’ll start at a different position.”
Montoya doesn’t mind if a young player loses the ball because she keeps dribbling and the other team exploits the error for a goal. In fact, he “bribes” his players to try dribbling moves during a game. Giving them a small prize if they pull off a step-over move or a “Maradona” during a game.
“When a U-9 player touches the ball once, passes, touches the ball once, passes. How much are they developing?” he asks. “Teams may look well organized when they keep their players in the same positions – the positions they’re strongest at. But what separates players at the highest level is doing magic with the ball. So dribbling needs to be encouraged early on. The organized tactical stuff should come later. I tell the parents don’t tell the kids to pass the ball.”
When strong athletes are encouraged to strike the ball into space and run after it – coaches may start winning. But these players suffer later because they’ve been encouraged to use their athleticism instead of their skill or their savvy. When they're older, says Montoya, they have a certain style – but’s a power, direct syle.
“When they’re 13, 14, 15 -- there’s even more emphasis on winning and a coach is even less likely to work on developing the player,” he says.
But Montoya sees that parents are starting to understand why the scorelines shouldn’t be considered so important.
“It’s all about educating the parents,” he says. “And fortunately there is a generation of coaches coming up now who have played the game at a high level. But we need to make sure those coaches are working at the younger age groups and that they have developing players as a priority and not winning games.”
When Montoya coaches his pros, he wants them to play like Barcelona or Spain. To rely on skill, creativity and possession.
“Once they realized they could play that kind of game … When you have the ball – they enjoy it that much more,” he says. “As soon as we lose it, we try to win it right back. And when we get it back, then identify, ‘Do we do a quick counter or do we keep it and let them chase for a while?’”
With his youngsters, it’s all about developing the individual skills that will enable them to play a possession game later. That, he says, is a bigger challenge for American youth coaches, whose players don’t watch as much soccer as, for example, Brazilian children. So coaches need to demonstrate more and do more skill work – and encourage dribbling during games even it if means the risk of losing the ball and giving up goals.
“My U-9 teams -- I haven’t even told them to pass it yet,” says Montoya. “I want my right back to dribble six players. I want my left back to dribble five, six players. I want my center back to do the same thing. My center-mid, my forward. Every single one of them.
“So we get 9-year-olds who are doing spin turns like Marta does. They’re doing step-overs. And I want that. I encourage that at every single position. And every game, they’ll start at a different position.”
Montoya doesn’t mind if a young player loses the ball because she keeps dribbling and the other team exploits the error for a goal. In fact, he “bribes” his players to try dribbling moves during a game. Giving them a small prize if they pull off a step-over move or a “Maradona” during a game.
“When a U-9 player touches the ball once, passes, touches the ball once, passes. How much are they developing?” he asks. “Teams may look well organized when they keep their players in the same positions – the positions they’re strongest at. But what separates players at the highest level is doing magic with the ball. So dribbling needs to be encouraged early on. The organized tactical stuff should come later. I tell the parents don’t tell the kids to pass the ball.”
end...
When strong athletes are encouraged to strike the ball into space and run after it – coaches may start winning. But these players suffer later because they’ve been encouraged to use their athleticism instead of their skill or their savvy. When they're older, says Montoya, they have a certain style – but’s a power, direct syle.
“When they’re 13, 14, 15 -- there’s even more emphasis on winning and a coach is even less likely to work on developing the player,” he says.
But Montoya sees that parents are starting to understand why the scorelines shouldn’t be considered so important.
“It’s all about educating the parents,” he says. “And fortunately there is a generation of coaches coming up now who have played the game at a high level. But we need to make sure those coaches are working at the younger age groups and that they have developing players as a priority and not winning games.”
loser.
I guess 8:23 has been cheering for wins since little Mia or Landon was 8 or 9.
Thanks for the article. Maybe just a link next time.
BV and Jeff 1-1
AV over EV 2-1
WAY over Edina 2-1
Wood over MV 3-1
EP over Tonka 3-1
Eagan over LN 2-1
Dude, you're spending time researching and predicting girls' high school soccer games.
Think about that for a minute.
and dude, you're taking the time to comment on it.
think about that.....
me, personally, i don't have a life so i've got all the free time i'd ever want and enjoy reading all the prognosticators.
Great article above.
One of US Soccer's biggest setbacks is that we don't watch higher level soccer. As a result, our players don't even know what "good soccer" should look like. This explains why High School soccer is so disgusting to the eye.
Most of our high school players haven't watched professional soccer in person. And if they have, it was likely when they were 12, watching NSC Thunder Schwan Stars, running around the stadium with Twizzlers, not watching the game. Or we watch a putrid USMNT on TV barely squeak by Slovenia and Algeria every 4 years.
Without an MLS team and without a Gopher Men's team (at the least), MN will have a very difficult time moving up the US Soccer food chain.
A couple more weeks and we can head back to our club team. HS soccer is fun, but somewhat frustrating for talented players!
how many games does a HS coach miss if they get a red card?
341- I use to know
1108, Thank goodness the new Halo is out so you have something else to do with your time than spend it here reading high school girls soccer predictions.
L-O-S-E-R.
And you are here why 4:36?
Yes! I am totally pumped for the new HALO too!
1 game for first red, 4 games for second red
No major upsets last night to talk about on girls AA, scores were closers than expected in EP-Tonka and Centennial-Elk River, any commentary on these games?
Tomorrow's games have some upset potential:
MV-Stillwater
Tonka-Edina
AV-Eagan
I'd say the close scores have more to do with late season fatigue than anything else. Regardless of what you might think of the H.S. quality of play, it is hard on these kids having so many games in such a short period of time, and I am definitely seeing a lot of tired bodies out on the field.
Just hope for continued great weather, and no injuries, and a little rest before sections start.
You mean it's hard for C2 and C3 players! A high level player should have been in great shape before HS even started!
For anyone who cares and wants to shelve the new Halo:
AV and Eagan matches two of the better 2012 keepers in the state. AV might surprise. 2-1 AV.
Stillwater is too much for MV to handle. 3-1 Stillwater.
Edina and Tonka should be pretty even with lots of familiarity between the teams. 2-2 tie.
I think the tired bodies come more from late nights studying than from the play itself.
9:35am I agree! They get to sleep in during the summer, take a nap or two. Now they're up early, school all day, study at night. Kids are exhausted.
-Late nights studying
-Early morning class
-2-3 matches per week
-Training every day
-Training every day on bad fields
-Training every day in cold weather
-Training every day with a bad coach
-Bad diets / school lunches
All of this will lead to fatigue for a 17-yr-old body. Part of why the fall season is kind of dumb.
But it's still fun.
and a great experience!
Fun and a great experience yes, but still somewhat of a joke!
Since someone asked, I will give my input on the ER-Centennial game...Centennial scored very early in the game, and ER came back shortly after with a goal that resulted from some confusion with the goalie and defender. Centennial scored again very late in the half off a beautifully placed through ball. Second half, ER came out strong and aggressive. Lots of calls but it got a little ugly. Centennial has not been down to an opponent all season, and only tied at one other point in their first game of the season against MV. The early tie seemed to either take the wind out of their sails, or put the wind in the sails of the ER girls. ER had some strong, fast forwards but the Centennial defense led by BR stood up to the task. Centennial girls 50 goals for the season, 4 against, which is impressive for a AA school, even for those of you who doubted them early in the season. As everyone knows, anything can happen in Sections, so it is one game at a time.
11:36 AM: You dim-wit, you are the joke! Ask the players if HS soccer is a joke.
My kid, a senior, came home last night and said it's sad, but he can't wait for the high school season to end. He says it stopped being fun long ago (like in his sophomore year). Some coaches aren't what they seem to be.
No denying HS soccer is fun, great to play with your friends. But the quality of play is a joke. I can't wait to get back to practice with my club team.
1:36 - why are you not at school?
Study hall and my ipod touch!
Good thing your a great soccer player because obviously you won't be receiving an academic scholarship.
Actually I do have an academic scholarship offer from St. Olaf. Would prefer to wait for D2 or D1 school. We're in mid-quarter right now and don't have much homework. I take study hall so that I can get some of my work completed before soccer practice begins.
So what if he/she has study hall does that make them some sort of idiot! Many kids take a study hall during their sport season. Helps with workload.
Study hall? My kid is too busy taking all the AP classes they require to get an academic scholarship at a top school, as soccer certainly won't pay the bills.
Sounds like Anonymous can take Study Hall, play on the internet, excel at soccer, and still get an academic scholarship from St. Olaf.
More power to him/her.
1:36 is not a kid - it is an adult pretending to be a kid. otherwise, why would he/she say "No denying HS soccer is fun, great to play with your friends. But the quality of play is a joke."? if it was the actual player, he/she would say "play with MY friends".
5:14pm is just jealous! I play with MY friends. Still the QUALITY of HS soccer is a joke! It's still fun and I've had a great time with MY friends and playing against MY club teammates was tons of fun! But once again, the actual skill in HS soccer is lacking.
5:29 is a Tartan parent...what is there to be jealous about? Maybe his DD not being a HS super star?
Great post, 8:29.
hey look I'm a 4.0 student, average soccer player though. Well I'm sitting in study hall blogging with my phone. What's it to you!
HS soccer is a laugh! But I do have fun with my friends, but I miss my club friends which I get to see soon. Oh, I'm in study hall too!
I too am in Study Hall with a 4.0 GPA. I struggle for minutes on my HS team. The quality of play is way above me.
There are some arrogant pricks from Premier Clubs on my team that think they are too good for my team. Funny thing is, if they try to play in college, they'll probably get cut, and maybe transfer home to try to play in the MIAC.
Thing is, there's always someone out there who is way better than you. So why be a prick?
Will the pricks on my team want their future teammates to be pricks to them when they are the worst player on the team?
8:44 AM -- SHUT UP AND STUDY!
9:27 AM --GO PRICK YOURSELF!
More meaningless comments from Anonymous.
Boys AA
Why is Spring Lake Park ranked below Stillwater when SLP has a better record and won head-to-head? Shows how stupid rankings are, whether it's MSHSL or BCS.
What is Apple Valley's current win streak?
Strength of schedule.
SLP plays panzys.
Stillwater will beat Mounds View tonight and Mounds View will beat SLP Saturday.
Watch.
AV win streak currently at 39
9:57 AM -- great response anonymous
Thanks, Anonymous.
Regards,
Anonymous
Anonymous is always right aren't they!
Section 2A seedings on MSHSL site, hopefully others to follow shortly....
Most of the seedings will be up Monday morning. Not all the teams are done playing yet. And then the coaches in their respective sections have to meet and vote.
splitsville
SAHS 3 - MV 1
SAHS 2, MV 0
(boys are all that really matter anyway)
Are you Chinese?
Shekki? Is that you?
Speaking of that:
I was watching the WNT play China the other night. Oh my heavens was it ugly. Speed of play is beyond slow. Abby Wambach is gross to watch. She's just bigger than everyone. She's like that 13-yr-old who hit puberty early, but she never stopped.
Then I watched Galaxy v. Union of MLS last night. It wasn't much better. Donovan plays like a whiny high school kid. He just tries to use his speed every single time.
In summary, the technical ability of 2 of the best US players is putrid.
Agree with you on Wambach but give her credit for using what she has been given (size and strength) to get it done. Not pretty to watch but pretty effective.
Alex Morgan on the other hand...she can play. She is going to be fun to watch in the years ahead.
Too bad they're all juicing.
Too bad they're all juicing.
Each other
That is some of the dumbest sh#t I have ever read on this blog, I think you need a new sport to talk about because you are clueless about soccer.
Even Donovan admits that he doesn't have the technical ability of the top international players.
When I think of Wambach, I am reminded of this article:
http://www.socceramerica.com/article/39843/champion-coach-albertin-montoya-puts-winning-in-pe.html#reply
We have young, fast and skilled players in our pool, but the US chooses to continue to give caps to old, slow and hulking players like Wambach, even when it's against lousy competition like China.
Marta!
Marta!
Mister Soccer - good comments and decent opinions - I love how when people disagree with anyone they have to resort to name calling and general statements.
So MSIAB or 1214pm for short, why are his comments a pile of crap and why do you think he is clueless about soccer.
Can you give some contradictory statements?
Tomass
I didn't make the nob comments but I often feel akak "Mr. Soccer" has an agenda that he promoting and that it isn't necessarily one for the good of soccer. His comment "We have young, fast and skilled players in our pool, but the US chooses to continue to give caps to old, slow and hulking players like Wambach, even when it's against lousy competition like China." Is suspect as he NEVER says who those young fast and skilled players are. With either the men or women teams. Which makes me think from his previous comments that it just more of aka "Mr Soccer" promoting his agenda, which I personnelly find disgusting.
what would his agenda be?
final games today with section seedings tomorrow - would be great to hear some predictions. Who will win each of the sections? A and AA? Any early predictions for Ms. Soccer, A and AA? Big fan of BR from Centennial, heading to the U of M, with 5 or 6 goals against all season.
Would love to see BR win Ms Soccer, but it went to a defender last year. Think it's going to TU, also heading to the U next fall. As for Class A, I think AP from Rogers has a real shot at it.
Do they do the voting for Ms/Mr Soccer at the end of regular season or after sectional tourneys?
I also would like to see BR win it, but 6 goals against in a soft regular season schedule probably isn't enough (EP only let in 8 all year with a much tougher schedule). I think it is more of a two horse race between TU and MS in the AA girls.
Why Forwards?
AA boys between EM from woodbury and TO from apple valley. IMHO I would have to go with TO because of the fact that his team was undefeated and ranked #1 all season and his stats are better than EM. Both are incredible players but I just see TO being more important to his team than EM. Terrific seasons for both player nonetheless.
Section news?
Congrats to the players of AV over the past couple of years to put up the record they did
Please, there are so many players that deserve it before EM that didn't peak at U16.
Section 4AA Girls
1. Stillwater
2. Woodbury
3. East Ridge
4. White Bear Lake
5. Cretin Durham Hall
6. Hill Murray
7. North
8. Roseville
9. Tartan
You are kidding about the snide EM remark, right? Where is TO playing college ball? Graduating early so he can start college and play Spring ball for a top 10 nationally ranked D-1 program? Anyone? Bueller?
EM is Mr. Soccer. No one is more dangerous at any position in this state. And, he's getting better.
he's the reason stillwater will not win section 4aa, even though their the top seed.
Watch EM play for his club. He's a non-factor hiding on defense. Regarding Creighton, he verbaly committed early based on past glories. I would be surprised if he gets off the bench.
By the way, it's "they're" not "their", EM.
10:53; I don't know TO or his situation but my best guess would be that we have not heard anything on the college front from him because he is most likely weighing the options of what sport to play in college. I have had the pleasure of seeing him both on the soccer pitch as well as the Friday night gridiron and he is without a doubt one of the 5-10 best placekickers in the entire country. Again I don't know for sure, but just my best guess that he has options to choose from.
EM is one of the top players in the nation as evidenced by his playing with US Youth National team in Spain and Argentina in 2008 and 2009.
Get a grip on reality...this kid is the real deal.
TO is an excellent player but can't compete at the national level as EM has and does.
11:29pm = TO's dad?
12:27am = TO's mom?
It is so ignorant when you do that. Do you think parents are the only people who may want to compliment a player? I am pretty sure there are coaches, friends, friends of parents, and fans in general who might be inclined to post a compliment about a good player. It is the jealous person who cannot accept the fact that people are talking about someone other than their kid.
I watch soccer and on occasion have complimented a player on this blog. Even given kudos to players not on my kids teams. Don't always assume that it's the star's parents that make the comment. It makes you sound jealous and bitter!
I watch soccer and on occasion have complimented a player on this blog. Even given kudos to players not on my kids teams. Don't always assume that it's the star's parents that make the comment. It makes you sound jealous and bitter!
I think it is a toss up between the two, EM & TO. I think they are very different players yet both are D 1 guys. EM is a control player who makes his teamates better. TO is a power player with solid skills that makes his team better. Apple Valley would do well without TO but lose a few, Woodbury would be lost without EM. I would personally want TO on my HS team, but EM is the more well rounded player. As long as one of those two win it is fine.
EM - good player. My vote for AA.
IK - good player. My vote for A.
TO - good player. If I were him, I'd try to kick for a D1 team. Gophers!
Agenda?
I think Marta is a great women's soccer player!
Marta's dad
(I had a friend help me with the Portuguese translation for this blog)
Shouldn't we refer to her as just "M"?
TO...Terrell Owens? Yikes.
Considering high school is pretty much "score more goals than the other guys," (i.e., bootball) I'd take TO. Club soccer involves actually playing the game (i.e., you typically have more than two players on the field who know what they're doing), so I'd take EM.
AV plays ugly soccer against panzys to pad a coach's resume.
12:08 PM -- no
Now that section play will begin this week, any predictions on both the boys and girls sides?
Class AA Mr. Soccer- Miller, Mengitsu, or Obarski.
Class A- Kannah, Ben, or Forsgren
Obarski does not even compare to anyone on the MTA U18 team, Miller has to win that.
Forsgren, now that is funny, solid player but has done zero to be considered a top 10 player even, no clue who ben is, IK probably best choice.
http://rise.espn.go.com/boys-soccer/articles/2010/10/01-MN-Eric-Miller-october-mag.aspx
And some schmuck has the balls to say EM peaked two years ago.
Brainless putz.
Ben is Lemay from St. Thomas. Stud.
Juniors can't win Mr. Soccer. It's an award for Seniors.
St. Thomas doesn't have enough wins anyways and he doesn't have enough points.
BL is good. Ben is GB from PSA.
http://www.twelve.tv/news/newsitem.aspx?newsid=406&newsitemid=13690
BL has the best goal. Youtube hill murray st thomas soccer. Game winner direct in OT. Sweet.
didnt EM go to aregentina and spain with the regional team? there is a big difference
5:27,
Yes...Miller has played with US team in International competition on at least 2 overseas strips.
The thing is...isn't Mr. and Ms. Soccer a high school award? I don't think Obarski even tries out for any of that stuff. And the comment of saying Obarski couldn't compare with the U18 MTA boys. I think the 3 Valley boys playing up would all be welcomed onto that team. Let's not blow this out of perspective, both are great players and whoever wins some will be happy and others wont be about it. Both are deserving of the award.
no their not.
they're - 629AM
There, 7:19am
http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/
Interesting article on Apple Valley soccer.
With obarski's red card, does that take him out of contention for Mr. Soccer?
819 - incorrect
2A- Miller locked up that award two years ago. Obarski is a decent forward, he is an athletic player and a great scorer. It is definitely one of those two, but my money is on EM.
In terms of 1A, well when STA played SPA, Lemay v Forsgren. Forsgren 3 goals, Lemay 0 shots. Ben is an amazing forward, one of the fastest players I have seen. Kannah is probably the best overall player in the state but is probably twenty five years old. I think its one of the three, all great players. I also dont know if any players on PSA will receive the award for many reasons, and Forsgren is definitely the next best in 1A.
That MTA team is stacked, Miller (Woodbury), Forsgren (SPA), Ben (PSA), Kannah (PSA), Mengitsu (Park), Mohamed (Mankato East), Rorick (Mankato West), and many other solid high school players. Either way 2 Mr. Soccer's on that team, Miller and either Kannah, Ben, or Forsgren. In terms of Obarski, well he plays for a great team, and I agree he is a great scorer, but I doubt he will beat out Miller.
I vomit during the first half of US-Columbia.
An interesting excerpt from ESPN:
"What Torres and Bedoya have in common, beside their immaculate ball control and deft touches, is that they are both Hispanic (Torres has a Mexican father, Bedoya is of Colombian descent) and are therefore, along with Brazilian-born midfielder Benny Feilhaber, closer to the roots of the No. 10 phenomenon than other American players."
http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/5673057/why-us-needs-true-no-10
Miller is so superior to other AA contention that it is frankly sad to see people take cheap shots. He hides in defense? That is crap. Watch him play and you'll be proud. And I am not his parent or a coach or from Woodbury. I'm a soccer fan. He really is that good, and he is a humble and hard-working player,
A? Kannah is amazing regardless of his age. Like Miller, just watch him. Ben is scary good, too. Forsgren is an excellent talent, top 5 AA or A. Those are your A top 3. Not sure of other A individual talents. Organ from De La Salle is a fantastic team presence and that should count for something.
Forsgren is a nice player, but if you take both classes into consideration he is not even a top 20 kid, sorry. Class A top 20 overall, maybe top 10 senior class A
I disagree 9:32, I think Forsgren is outstanding for both the MTA U18 academy team and SPA, I agree with 9:01, those are top 5 easy, AA or A. Organ is a great physical presence and ball winner but does not compare to the top five (and no Obarski is not in the top five)
Kannah is the best player in 1A, Miller in 2A. Kannah moves the ball well and leads a strong PSA team. Miller is an outstanding all around player, he can play anywhere on the field and do an outstanding job. Ben is an explosive goal scorer, Obarski does great for AV but I dont know how well he would do at a high club level, Forsgren is a very skilled player who runs well and scores well. Those are my top five as well, I also believe that Mengistu, Organ, Wold, Aleman, Cherrey, and Pitsenbarger all deserve a lot of recognition for outstanding seasons.
not to mention next years Class A Mr. Soccer Brandon Welter of Mankato East.
9:32 I live in Eagan and watched many Apple Valley games this year, including their match against SPA. Forsgren was followed every second of that game by a great defender, and even with that he went on amazing runs and almost converted a few goals, by far one of the best I have seen all year and I was much more impressed with him than I was Obarski, no question about it.
Ok what game were you watching, Forsgren was marked out of the game by one player and did not make any amazing runs, SPA had 1 shot in the second half and Foragren was tracking all the way back to his own box trying to get the ball and could not find any space,he is a top player but is not anyplace near Miller, Obarski, IK. I suppose SPA was the better team also because they would swing it around the back a couple of times before loseing it in the midfield and having it shoved back down there throat, and when Apple Valley put a bench guy on him in the second half he still was shut down. Not a Mr. Soccer prospect but a easy solid All State kid. D2 or D3 player
Mr. Football I may have gotten you confused with Mr. Soccer comments on 28/6/10 10:48 AM. My apologies.
IMHO the problem with US Soccer compared to the rest of the world is that they actually develop their players past the age of 18. In the US if they don't go to college they dissappear. Not every soccer player is a student and not every student is a soccer player.
However, I dislike and am offended by comments that point out a players ethnicity as validation of their ability. If they are good, why bring up their ethnicity.
Tomass & Mr Football sorry for the long delay before replying, been busy. Again, Mr. Football got you confused with Mr. Soccer my apologies.
The funny thing about this blog is that if obarski did play for MTA, who by the way has been absolutely begging him to play for them since he was 11 years old to no avail, people would be calling this a close race between two great players like it is. But instead it has become the bash obarski blog, you people have got some serious problems, these are 17 or 18 year old kids who just want to play a game that they love. Do any of you think they really care if they win the award or not? Would they enjoy it? Of course. Are they going to jump off a bridge if they don't win it? No, but I fear some of you might if your choosen one doesn't win. Relax a little, smell the grass and enjoy watching the rest of the high school season and try your hardest not to be the blatently ignorant soccer "fans" that you obviously are
Thank you,
The Management
1:31am. Do you read this blog everyday? The majority of posters hate MTA. If Obarski played for MTA he would have been bashed even more.
By the way I love MTA!
AA - EM is the top player. TO is a good player and could easily play for MTA.
A - IK is the top player. I think the state's top player. He doesn't even look 19, how could he be 25. That's stoopid.
Anonymous, I didn't notice your absence. I may have gotten you confused with someone else.
-Mister Soccer
Any sleeper picks for state that have a reasonable chance? It seems EP, Wayzata, and the usual crew will be there. Stillwater and Centennial or both?
Actually, Mr. Football is completely accurate from yesterday. My father is black but my mom is white and for some reason I am a better basketball player than all my white friends (I'm not a very good swimmer though...). One of the guys in our group has two white parents but his dad is Canadian and he kicks our butt out on the rink. One guy has a Chinese mom and none of us has ever been able to beat him in ping pong, and one guy has a French dad and he usually just quits halfway through.....
Seriously, IMO it has less to do with "nature" than it does with "nuture". If the upbringing is "soccercentric" in that form of culture then it happens. How else do you explain the world class players on the English squad (Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard, Terry, Beckham in his day, etc...). How else do you explain that Germany and Holland (with lots of world class white players) were two of this year's World Cup finalists?
EP, Wayzata, Stillwater, Eagan, and Centennial should all be there on paper. I could very well be wrong, but I think that at least one (and maybe two) don't make it out of their sectional tournament.
In our last 10 matches, the USMNT has 3 wins against:
a solid Turkey side,
a putrid Australia side,
and a putrid Algeria side.
We've tied weak Slovenia, Poland and Colombia teams.
That's not good.
assuming you're talknig about girls, Stillwater will have issues with East Ridge/Woodbury (whichever team makes it to the final). Actually their boys will have isses with Woodbury in the final too. EM has been on and off this fall, but one can imagine he wants to end his career hoisting a trophy. While WDB is very weak in back (3 shutouts in 16 games), I can't imagine anyone stopping WDB if EM brings it.
AV's coach reminds me of my junior high school swim coach, you know, the guy who weighed about 260 and sat there eating doughnuts while yelling at us to swim faster.
EM>IK>GB>NF>TO top 5
EM>IK>GB>NF>TO top 5
EM>IK>GB>NF>TO top 5
we get the point 2:01pm....
1107 AM - great post and humor - mange takk!
OS - correct,
Is GB from Little Falls? Red Devils?
I agree great post 1107! I still curse my Norweign grandfather for playing more soccer than hockey! I could have been a Bobby Hull.
Handi - here are my thoughts on sections.
1AA
I have never seen the #1 seed Owatonna play. However, I still feel Lakeville North is the team to beat.
2AA
Could Burnsville or Edina put an end to the most talented HS team this year (EP)? I'm feeling an upset in PKs somewhere along the way.
3AA
In the second hardest section to predict, I'm still going with an EV upset as they get it done tonight vs AV then Sat against Eagan.
4AA
Toughest section to predict. If WBL's stud is back on the field they take CDH tonight. If AF is still injured, CDH (in great late season form) moves on to face Stillwater with as good a chance as any to end the Ponies' great season. Injury-plagued ER won't have it easy with Hill and in an ER v Woodbury rematch in the semis, Woodbury has the edge with more talent and the motivation to avenge a regular season loss to their new rivals.
5AA
Centennial has a cake walk to the final, but MV can get it done and the final should be a tight game.
6AA
Wayzata is the clear favorite but Tonka got a result against them in the regular season. Like in every section game anything can happen, but IMO TP gets it done again and Wayzata moves on.
7AA
Anoke upsets Andover in the semi but falls to favorite Duluth East in the final.
8AA
Elk River walks by everyone.
Anyone know of a year in which all the #1 seeds made it through?
How about the lowest seed to make it through in recent years?
Good luck to all the teams
Elk River girls last year had a big losing record but made it through to the state QF and lost to Wayzata. I don't remember the seed.
"I have never seen the #1 seed Owatonna play. However, I still feel Lakeville North is the team to beat."
I stopped reading after that. Nice statement. Nice credibility.
Sure you did, buddy.
Pretty sure it's OK to make "I feel..." statements based on other factors like season records vs common opponents, talks with other coaches, etc.
Moreover, if you've read any of my other posts, I'm the first to make fun of my lack of predicting games correctly. Handi and I have had a nice little banter this year and it's been fun to talk AA girls soccer on here.
In case you didn't pick it up yet, my posts start with "ClassAA Girls Guy said...". I even have a blue name, so from now on you don't even need to read my fist line to skip over future posts.
Coaches determine those seeds based on factors like season records vs common opponents, talks with other coaches, etc.
So clearly, you didn't talk to the coaches that did the seeding.
I'm confused is Mr. Soccer now, Mr. Football? If so, why the change?
Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts, ClassAA Girls Guy...I can say it is fairly safe to say that nobody on this site has seen every team play, so 8:57, grow up or go away. It will be an interesting few days of soccer. Injuries will be a factor in some games for sure. Having seen Andover and Anoka, I would go with Anoka. I have not seen Duluth, but they have stayed close against some strong teams. Centennial struggled with the Maple Grove goalie, so, as always, you never know what may happen any given day. Best of luck to all the teams and hopefully the girls stay healthy and the refs call the games equally.
I haven't seen CT play, but I think she's the best player in the state.
I haven't seen EM play, but I think he's the best player in the state.
Do you mean KT from EP?
No. I think CT is better.
Who is CT? Where is she from?
8:57, 10:47, 11:07 are all the same immature individual who is trying to make a (lame) point. Grow up.
CT from Rochester. Easily the best in the state, IMHO.
Goal Post, you're confused?
Haha...funny. According to the rosters, there is not a CT on any team from Rochester. Get a life.
Oops. Typo. I meant TC.
The Twins mascot is playing girls soccer in Rochester?
1AA- North has not played well but they should get it done.
2AA- EP makes it through but I think a shoot out in one of their games. Not a sure thing.
3AA- Tough picks. Any of these four on any given day. With a healthy BP Eastview wins. AV and Eagan have solid keepers and Rosemount has a very dangerous player in SP. Go out on a limb and say Rosemount upsets Eagan and Valley upsets Eastview with Valley advancing.
4AA- Stillwater proves too much for Woodbury.
5AA- Centennial easily
6AA- Wayzata. But a Tonka upset would not surprise.
7AA- Duluth East
8AA- Elk River
I'm all about upsets this year - a reason that October HS soccer is so fun!
I'd love to see Edina and MV take it to the undefeated EP and Centennial respectively.
East Ridge has arguably the best Minnesota-bred coach of all time at the helm and they could get it done in 4AA.
I'd like to see Tonka and Andover advance to the final 8 as well.
Go underdogs!
"East Ridge has arguably the best Minnesota-bred coach of all time at the helm and they could get it done in 4AA."
Huh?
Class A? Benilde in their section, Lourdes in their section, Mahtomedi in theirs, Blake in theirs....should be pretty easy sailing for those teams.
Yippee! I'm #1801! Go Ponies!
1AA Northfield
2AA EP, no shootout required
3AA Eagan (someone has to give the #1 seed some love on this blog)
4AA Woodbury
5AA Centennial
6AA Wayzata over Tonka, shootout
7AA Anoka
8AA should be dissolved
AV over Eastview girls 2-1
Is that the same coach that had some 12 year olds throw a game in state cup. Ya that sounds like a great coach.
Nope. That's east ridge, where the boys are done and the girls may make a dent.
Question: Which school's boys AND girls will advance the farthest? My money is on Stillwater.
Any big upsets, other than some #5s over #4s? Looks like Lakeville North girls lost. Surprise?
In AA boys, just a few #6 over #3 upsets last night (#5 over #4s aren't really upsets)
Champlin over Osseo
Roseville over North St Paul
Shakopee over Chanhassen
Now it gets exciting. Saturday should be fun.
In girls AA:
Rochester John Marshall over Lakeville North (7 over 2)
Southwest over Armstrong (6 over 3)
All the #1s are still standing...who will fall on Saturday?
My money is on Lakeville South to upset Northfield in 1AA boys.
Other possible upset on Saturday on the boys side:
Wayzata over Minneapolis South (if you can call a 3 over a 2 an upset)
What else do you all think?
A #6 over a #3 isn't really an upset.
saw SPA girls play Delasalle. Am impressed by SPA girls...they took quite a beating however by the hacking play of Delasalle. Quite ugly.
Wayzata is the #2 seed, South is the #3 seed.
class A upset #7 winona over #2 austin.
Top scoring Centennial forward was out. Injuries/illness can definately change the outcome of a game.
SPA girls are very strong and likely their section winner.
Poor Centennial. To be the only team with injuries and illnesses at this point of the season.
kind of reminds me of the guy in your golfing foursome that rattles off 3-4 excuses before teeing off on the first hole on why he won't play well.......
Girls 3A - Blake is very tough to beat at home especially in sections. They are the number one seed, they won Trimetro, they are 15-1-3, they have to be the favorite to go through to state, again.
splitsville
12:45, East Ridge has been doing that all year.
Interesting stat for AA boys, which is pretty much all that matters:
Records of top 10 teams against other top 10 teams
Apple Valley: 2-0-0
Southwest: 2-0-0
Eagan: 0-1-1
Edina: 0-0-1
Stillwater: 2-0-0
Woodbury: 2-2-0
Maple Grove: 0-0-1
Spring Lake Park (where is that anyway): 1-0
Wayzata: 1-1-1
Jefferson: 1-2
Edina's is 0-1-1
What is so interesting, the fact that none of these teams has a difficult schedule?
The point was that injuries and illnesses can be a factor in any game, that was just an example.
Really? Then why did you mention your DD as being the top scorer and was out? Why didn't you just say that injuries and illnesses can be a factor in any game?
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