The Z Machine
Footballguy
If that's the case, my son is born to be a 6. He's 8 years old though... When is it too early to have "the talk"?Ned said:
You know, when to make a professional foul and take a card.
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Youth Soccer - Questions, Discussion and Stories *Update* College Commitment made. (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter SwampDawg
- Start date
You know, when to make a professional foul and take a card.
PIK95
Footballguy
The boys took care of business last night with a 3-1 result over a weaker opponent. The bad guys scored on a sweet cross/header. Even though we got three, we still don't have much happening in the final third. We are now 6-1-1, and are decent favorites in the next three matches coming up.
Here is a nice article by the local paper. Apparently we snapped the opponents twenty one match unbeaten streak, going back to 2019. We were the better team.
We are Cranston Hometown Paper
The opponents coach even gave us credit.  Doesn't usually happen.
Here is a nice article by the local paper. Apparently we snapped the opponents twenty one match unbeaten streak, going back to 2019. We were the better team.
We are Cranston Hometown Paper
The opponents coach even gave us credit.  Doesn't usually happen.
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Streak now extended to four straight games. Team lost 3-1 to a pretty good team. I think our team mostly played well and my daughter was back to being really aggressive. All three goals felt somewhat preventable - an own goal, a defender caught napping, and a goal against the backup goalie (who plays all second halves) that the starter would likely have stopped.
Oh...and finally solved the mystery of why inferior players are being called up to JV. One of them told my daughter that they asked at the beginning of the season and the coach basically said "Cool - you're the shuttlers for the whole season", without having seen anyone play very much.
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SwampDawg
Footballguy
Boys finished out the week strong. Thursday they took an easy league win then Saturday we played an undefeated single A team at their field. That field had to be the bare minimum size that PIAA allows, looked like the grass hadn't been mowed all week and it had rained the night before. Basically it was a small cow pasture. They certainly knew how to play there, when we would have a corner or free kick they would pack 9 players and the keeper in the box and make it near impossible to get a clean shot off. The small field and tall grass totally negated the fact we were the more athletic team. Rough first half, we were down 3-2 at halftime. My son got called for a trip in the box that led to the second goal on a PK. Can't argue it was a definite trip but the kid also really sold it going down like a ton of bricks on a little toe poke that 85% of kids would have played through. Pulled it out when his buddy (the other freshman starting) knocked a lose ball from a throw in (all the way into the middle of the box) in with a mule kick to win 4-3. Tuesday night we play out rival at home, we beat them 1-0 at their place and 4-0 earlier in the year at a neutral site. A win should all but lock us into Districts. Thursday we have a non-league game that was rescheduled from earlier in the year. Saturday are league playoffs, we face the #1 seed and school that my wife works at so would love to pull that one off.
Lehigh98
Footballguy
Anyone else play a tournament over Columbus Day weekend?
We were at the Explorer Cup in SE PA. Two x four team brackets, standard you play everyone in your bracket and top team from each advances.
First game on Saturday we played a team in our league that we had lost to 6-4 a few weeks ago. Our GK had a horrific day and that game was well out of the usual 2-1 scores we've been a part of in the league so far. Both teams had a couple good chances but the game ended in a surprising 0-0 draw. Second game on Saturday we played a team that had won their first game 5-3. Ended up winning that one 3-1 and we were tied at the top of the group with the team we tied who also won but we held the tiebreaker (H2H, then goals allowed).
We would automatically advance with a 3-0 win (max out with 6 pts for win, 3 pts for goals, 1 pt for SO) and we're playing a team that lost both of their games so of course we give up the first goal. We score next 2 and are up 2-1. The other teams are playing one field over and I lost track and they're either at 2-1 or tied at 2-2 so we're good if we win. So of course, we overcommit on a free kick with <5 mins left (not sure why we weren't parking the bus or at least had more than 2 defenders back) and give up a late goal to finish with a 2-2 draw so we think we're out. Fortunately, the other game ended 2-2 so we back into the final.
The other team in the final went 3-0-0 in their bracket. We score first 2 but then the tides turn and they start outplaying us. They score just before half to make it 2-1. Then the score just after half to tie it up. Back and forth with them still outplaying us a bit but then we get a sweet goal on a hard cross and one-timer into the back of the net. Winners at 3-2.
Backed into a nice finish and our biggest GotSoccer point score (+2738) of the year.
We got a couple of our injured defenders back so my son started at mid for all the games. Ended up staying on and getting shifted back to defense a couple times when subs were made and left on for most of the final. He doesn't stand out but he's been pretty solid making good, quick decisions and it seems like the coach prefers to have him / keep him out there when it matters which is good.
We were at the Explorer Cup in SE PA. Two x four team brackets, standard you play everyone in your bracket and top team from each advances.
First game on Saturday we played a team in our league that we had lost to 6-4 a few weeks ago. Our GK had a horrific day and that game was well out of the usual 2-1 scores we've been a part of in the league so far. Both teams had a couple good chances but the game ended in a surprising 0-0 draw. Second game on Saturday we played a team that had won their first game 5-3. Ended up winning that one 3-1 and we were tied at the top of the group with the team we tied who also won but we held the tiebreaker (H2H, then goals allowed).
We would automatically advance with a 3-0 win (max out with 6 pts for win, 3 pts for goals, 1 pt for SO) and we're playing a team that lost both of their games so of course we give up the first goal. We score next 2 and are up 2-1. The other teams are playing one field over and I lost track and they're either at 2-1 or tied at 2-2 so we're good if we win. So of course, we overcommit on a free kick with <5 mins left (not sure why we weren't parking the bus or at least had more than 2 defenders back) and give up a late goal to finish with a 2-2 draw so we think we're out. Fortunately, the other game ended 2-2 so we back into the final.
The other team in the final went 3-0-0 in their bracket. We score first 2 but then the tides turn and they start outplaying us. They score just before half to make it 2-1. Then the score just after half to tie it up. Back and forth with them still outplaying us a bit but then we get a sweet goal on a hard cross and one-timer into the back of the net. Winners at 3-2.
Backed into a nice finish and our biggest GotSoccer point score (+2738) of the year.
We got a couple of our injured defenders back so my son started at mid for all the games. Ended up staying on and getting shifted back to defense a couple times when subs were made and left on for most of the final. He doesn't stand out but he's been pretty solid making good, quick decisions and it seems like the coach prefers to have him / keep him out there when it matters which is good.
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SwampDawg
Footballguy
Have played in that one a couple times, always a good tournament. Seemed weird not playing Columbus day weekend it has been years since we had that off. COGRATS to your boys team!!
HS school season winding down with league playoffs this weekend and we look to have locked into districts with just tonight's game to go so they start Oct 26th. Club starts training in a couple weeks and then we crank up the weekend before Thanksgiving with the first of two tournaments in three weeks.
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It is interesting/funny to read this, as here in southern California our seasons are the opposite of this - we are right in the middle of our club season which will go until November 20th, at which point all the teams that are 07 or older will go dark until the end of February, where we will resume for the last month of league play before heading to playoffs/tournaments. Pretty much from Thanksgiving through end of February is our high school season, and it is a CIF violation to play both at the same time. Those kids playing in the EAL showcase tournament in Florida the first weekend of December won't be allowed to join their high school teams until they return, which for our teams would mean missing the first 3 high school games of the season.
SwampDawg
Footballguy
I see that in the south and other warmer climates as well. In the Northeast up through U13 primary season is Labor day through mid November then they pick back up in March. U14 and above because a lot of the kids play high school they start after that season is over which can be now through mid-November depending how far you go. We'll play two tournaments and 4 ECNL games before mid-December (weather permitting) then we move indoors for training and Futsal until the last weekend in February (we do have an ECNL showcase in January in Florida). Then it is jam packed full until mid June with ECNL games, EDP games and tournaments then onto playoffs. Losing 2 plus months of the year due to the weather being unpredictable compacts everything. There are few leagues around that do U14 and above travel in the fall but those are mostly entry travel level that the kids don't play for their school. As far as I know there is nothing in PIAA rules saying you can't play club and school at the same time but almost all the higher level clubs shutdown. The exception are the MLS Next academies but those kids do not play for their schools.
SwampDawg
Footballguy
Finished up the regular season last night with a 1-0 win. We controlled the tempo all night but you always know that chance is coming in a close game. Happened with about a 1:30 to go. The RB back got sucked up too high and beat, the CB's were out of position and the left wing had a break away once he was clear. Luckily my son was tucked in a little because they had no one out wide on the right and he made a great angled run to beat the kid to a spot and got a foot on the ball and sided it out to allow everyone to regroup. They did get a light shot off after the throw in but it was easily handled and our goalie punted deep to run out the clock.
They finished the season 13-5, best record since 2008, first time qualifying for the league playoffs since 2008 and first time qualifying for districts since 2009. Since they don't track anything except goals and assists I kept my own stats for my son. He played 1115 of 1450 minutes, mostly at LB, after coming off the bench to start the season he started 11 of the last 12 games (only one he didn't he had a quad bruise and played like 15 minutes as a sub because the game was well within hand early). He was scored against 5 times, 1 was a PK that he caused and another a free kick that he had been called on the foul so only 3 were ones I would say he got beaten on. When he was on the field they gave up a goal every 59 minutes, when he wasn't it was every 34 minutes. No goals (he only took 2 shots) and no assists although he should have had about five had his teammates finished some very well placed balls he delivered. Last night he had two great balls into the box, first the kid was offside the second they hit it high over the goal on the shot. He played 4 JV games early in the season picking up 3 assists and a goal. Not a bad freshman year and he's earned the trust of a few of the better upperclassman that they will pass back to him where they won't to some of the other defenders.
League playoffs start Saturday in what is supposed to be the middle of some decent rain. We are the #8 seed since we are the small school division and take on the #1 seed where my wife happens to work. Would love to pull the upset, they are capable but the two worse games all year have been against well organized, possession based teams and that is exactly what we are playing. Maybe the rain will help. Districts we are the #9 seed and will travel to the #8 seed on the 26th which happens to be my sons 15th birthday so maybe that is a good omen.
They finished the season 13-5, best record since 2008, first time qualifying for the league playoffs since 2008 and first time qualifying for districts since 2009. Since they don't track anything except goals and assists I kept my own stats for my son. He played 1115 of 1450 minutes, mostly at LB, after coming off the bench to start the season he started 11 of the last 12 games (only one he didn't he had a quad bruise and played like 15 minutes as a sub because the game was well within hand early). He was scored against 5 times, 1 was a PK that he caused and another a free kick that he had been called on the foul so only 3 were ones I would say he got beaten on. When he was on the field they gave up a goal every 59 minutes, when he wasn't it was every 34 minutes. No goals (he only took 2 shots) and no assists although he should have had about five had his teammates finished some very well placed balls he delivered. Last night he had two great balls into the box, first the kid was offside the second they hit it high over the goal on the shot. He played 4 JV games early in the season picking up 3 assists and a goal. Not a bad freshman year and he's earned the trust of a few of the better upperclassman that they will pass back to him where they won't to some of the other defenders.
League playoffs start Saturday in what is supposed to be the middle of some decent rain. We are the #8 seed since we are the small school division and take on the #1 seed where my wife happens to work. Would love to pull the upset, they are capable but the two worse games all year have been against well organized, possession based teams and that is exactly what we are playing. Maybe the rain will help. Districts we are the #9 seed and will travel to the #8 seed on the 26th which happens to be my sons 15th birthday so maybe that is a good omen.
brettdj
Footballguy
My son is on a U14 team. I am a non-soccer person. I officiate HS/NCAA American Football. I have looked up offside and understand that. The team runs either a 4-2-4 or 2-4-4 (offense-mid-defense)
His team scored two early goals. Then it seemed the other team got very pushy. One of our players was being pushed and gave a shoulder. He got called for pushing, then earned a yellow card for throwing the ball in an angry manner. The other team tied the game up before the half. The game was officiated by 2 officials.
Second half our goalie was coming out to defend a shot. Dove at the ball before it was kicked. Might have gotten his hands on the ball and then got kicked in the face. The ball trickled out next to the goal. No penalty. Later in the game feet got tangled and a player from each side fell. The other team player got up and chest bumped into our player. Things were getting rough and the other team took a one goal lead. Short on time our team had a run. A kick across the goal and a corner kick coming. The refs call the game.
As the players are leaving the field, one of the other team kicks our player in the back of the legs and he goes down. He gets back up and several players were asking/yelling at the officials about it. We get a red card.
When leaving the stadium (played on a high school field), I hear one of the opposing players talking about beating the "enemy".
I am surprised this game did not end in a fight after the kick in the back.
Just needed to vent a little. Our coach is working with the league on the red card and other issues he had during the game.
His team scored two early goals. Then it seemed the other team got very pushy. One of our players was being pushed and gave a shoulder. He got called for pushing, then earned a yellow card for throwing the ball in an angry manner. The other team tied the game up before the half. The game was officiated by 2 officials.
Second half our goalie was coming out to defend a shot. Dove at the ball before it was kicked. Might have gotten his hands on the ball and then got kicked in the face. The ball trickled out next to the goal. No penalty. Later in the game feet got tangled and a player from each side fell. The other team player got up and chest bumped into our player. Things were getting rough and the other team took a one goal lead. Short on time our team had a run. A kick across the goal and a corner kick coming. The refs call the game.
As the players are leaving the field, one of the other team kicks our player in the back of the legs and he goes down. He gets back up and several players were asking/yelling at the officials about it. We get a red card.
When leaving the stadium (played on a high school field), I hear one of the opposing players talking about beating the "enemy".
I am surprised this game did not end in a fight after the kick in the back.
Just needed to vent a little. Our coach is working with the league on the red card and other issues he had during the game.
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[scooter]
Footballguy
I've done some soccer officiating and I'm friends with several active referees. What I've noticed is that there tends to be a lot of leeway given to players who push "on the ball" but not so much leeway given to retaliatory shoves -- even if you're using the shoulder.
El Floppo
Footballguy
bananas, and can also take electrolyte pills during the day and/or night before. as somebody else said, properly hydrating and salting up a day ahead and day of makes a difference too. I was a profuse and high mineral content sweater- and dumb. I'd cramp every tournament by the 3rd game because I barely drank water leading up to games.
re the positive reinforcement. I generally agree, but feel it's important to provide the same even to the kids who are excelling. they're often filled with the same doubts and anxieties as the kids who aren't as good- but generally don't get to hear affirmative support, because of this attitude. the praise directed towards work and people that earn it also help show the kids what kind of play is working or not.
was the coach's name Berhalter, or have a lot of GGGGs in it?
what does "shuttler" mean here?
a good ref should be able to read the game, understand when it's getting overly heated and nip that stuff in the bud (eg: stopping the game and talking to the captains with warnings of cards for any further behavior). a bad one can let is fester into a fight. not enough good refs out there.
fwiw- soccer formations are always listed from defense to offense... so 4-4-2 is: 4 defenders, 4 MF and 2 attack.
brettdj
Footballguy
That is what I told my son about officials/refs. I told him if he wants to fix that problem, he should try to become a good ref. Next spring when he is 14 I will help him become a soccer ref.
thanks for the formation info.
El Floppo
Footballguy
that's a great idea- learn a lot about the game by reffing.
I used to ref HS games after I had graduated college (during a big recession with 75% unemployment in my field). At that point, it was just one ref- no linesmen- so I had to call everything including out of bounds and off-sides. I got a lot of those wrong. But at least at the time I was still fit (semi-pro player after 4 years college ball), so could always keep on top of the play- as compared to most of the geezers doing it in the same league who basically trotted around at midfield. Just staying with the play by running with it is half the battle. What's harder from younger, less experienced, refs/players is knowing the difference between good hard aggressive play and the line beyond.
I'd get angry parents and the very occasional angry coach (most of them knew me from my HS days and gave me a little lee-way). The rare occasion I'd get a parent overstepping whatever arbitrary line I had, I'd stop the game and talk to the coach to tell him to keep the parent quiet or ask them to leave. that was usually enough to shut them up. I didn't really have any authority to do anything past that, even though I was tempted to card the coach for the actions of his team's parents.
SwampDawg
Footballguy
My son "reffed" a U8 4v4 festival this past weekend with some other kids from his club, it was being run by one of their feeder clubs. 4v4 U8 was basically calling who the ball was out on and telling them when it was a corner kick. I think he had one or two stoppages for a dangerous play when someone was on the ground on top of the ball. But he made $75 for the day so hoping that motivates him to get certified and start doing it on the side. It's one of the few things he can really do around his travel schedule. I think his biggest worry is dealing with the parents because he has seen the way some of them can act and he is a quiet kid not one who is going to go back at an adult.
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SwampDawg
Footballguy
As @El Flopposaid a good ref should have nipped that in the bud as soon as it started. But like any sport there are good and bad officials and sometime you get the bad draw. Throwing the ball was the big mistake, I've noticed most officials will pretty much give an automatic yellow for an action like that and I think rightly or wrongly it has them look at the team as a whole in a bad light. Not protecting the keeper however is inexcusable and a safety issue, assuming he got his hands on it that has to be a penalty and yellow. Heck even if he didn't if he was kicked in the face it sounds like the attacking player wasn't playing the ball unless it was a head first dive. Was the clock running on the scoreboard or was the ref keeping the time? Almost all refs I think would allow the corner at the end if it was earned as part of a progression of an attack. When they run a clock on a scoreboard it is always weird, still getting use to that in high school that the refs don't control the time (at least around here).
brettdj
Footballguy
I agree with the good and bad officials. I talked to the kid about throwing the ball. He thought he was just throwing the ball to the free kick spot. But it looked bad and a well deserved yellow. The clock was kept by one of the refs.
Our coach at practice yesterday talked to the boys about actions and consequences.
SwampDawg
Footballguy
Had our first league playoff game since 2008 on Saturday night in the rain. I hate the way our league seeds the teams, we won division 4 (four division winners are automatic qualifiers) so you would think we would get one of the top four seeds. Nope they reseed based on the district power rankings which weights games higher when playing AAAA schools then AAA schools and so forth. The divisions are set up that Division 1 is all AAAA school, Division 2 is all AAA and then Divisions 3 & 4 are a combo of AA and A. So because our schedule is almost all AA and A schools we get the 8 seed even though our overall record was 13-5 while the Division 1 winner with an overall record of 7-9-3 got the #4 seed and a home game. So we face off with a perennial power, AAA school and #1 seed at their field. It happens that my wife and her best friend (my sons godmother) work at this school. All week their players are saying how they got a Division 4 school and this was going to be easy, etc. Not so much to my wife but to her friend who of course told her.
Game starts and it is pretty even but they have more possession. About 15 minutes they get a nice cross and a kid hits a beautiful header past our keeper to give them the lead. They had actually switched my son from the left to the right to cover this kid but he switched off when anther kid made a run down the side and this kid went central. Not sure he would have stopped it anyway as it was a really nice play. Then about 30 minutes into the half we bang home not one but two goals in about a two minute span to take the lead going into the half. Their fans (who all through youth sports were the worse in the area) were not happy. Second half starts and we are attacking, my son is back on the left but against the same kid. I notice they put in a new LW and he is going after our RB on the dribble and beats him a couple times but it gets cleaned up. Then in about a 5 minute period this kid beats our RB three times and puts two of them home with really nice finishes. He almost puts another one home that went off the post a few minutes later. As per the norm our coach makes no adjustment. The parents sitting around us are openly saying why hasn't he moved my son over there. It was obvious this attacker was all about speed and ball fakes and speed and ability to anticipate are probably my sons biggest traits. We did have one really good attack late that somehow they cleared at the last second but for the most part they just continued to attack down that side. Final was 3-2 and our boys played really well and definitely gave them a scare. The lack of change when you see what was happening is what bugs me, you saw what they are trying to do and after it is tied you need to either move our one midfielder who is like a swiss army knife back to RB and try and stop this kid or you need to flip the fullbacks. I feel bad for our RB because he is a decent defender but he is a school only player and not use to going up against a kid with that speed and skillset. I'm sure he blamed himself but really it was the coaches not realizing what they were trying to do to us and adjusting, even if it was dropping the midfielder on that side to help him.
They get the week of to train and rest up before district playoffs start next week which will be all AA schools. Looks like we are the 9 seed and will be traveling to the 8 seed on paper looks like a fairly even match. We have one common opponent who we beat 2-1 and they lost to 3-2.
Game starts and it is pretty even but they have more possession. About 15 minutes they get a nice cross and a kid hits a beautiful header past our keeper to give them the lead. They had actually switched my son from the left to the right to cover this kid but he switched off when anther kid made a run down the side and this kid went central. Not sure he would have stopped it anyway as it was a really nice play. Then about 30 minutes into the half we bang home not one but two goals in about a two minute span to take the lead going into the half. Their fans (who all through youth sports were the worse in the area) were not happy. Second half starts and we are attacking, my son is back on the left but against the same kid. I notice they put in a new LW and he is going after our RB on the dribble and beats him a couple times but it gets cleaned up. Then in about a 5 minute period this kid beats our RB three times and puts two of them home with really nice finishes. He almost puts another one home that went off the post a few minutes later. As per the norm our coach makes no adjustment. The parents sitting around us are openly saying why hasn't he moved my son over there. It was obvious this attacker was all about speed and ball fakes and speed and ability to anticipate are probably my sons biggest traits. We did have one really good attack late that somehow they cleared at the last second but for the most part they just continued to attack down that side. Final was 3-2 and our boys played really well and definitely gave them a scare. The lack of change when you see what was happening is what bugs me, you saw what they are trying to do and after it is tied you need to either move our one midfielder who is like a swiss army knife back to RB and try and stop this kid or you need to flip the fullbacks. I feel bad for our RB because he is a decent defender but he is a school only player and not use to going up against a kid with that speed and skillset. I'm sure he blamed himself but really it was the coaches not realizing what they were trying to do to us and adjusting, even if it was dropping the midfielder on that side to help him.
They get the week of to train and rest up before district playoffs start next week which will be all AA schools. Looks like we are the 9 seed and will be traveling to the 8 seed on paper looks like a fairly even match. We have one common opponent who we beat 2-1 and they lost to 3-2.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
@SwampDawg, that's a very complicated tournament. I was not following much of that. Glad your son's team gave a team a scare on their home field though. Maybe your son might meet up again with that school and lock down all attackers on his side like Deion used to do for the Falcons.
SwampDawg
Footballguy
LOL, yea we live like an hour and a half northwest of Philly so we have really small rural schools like ours, I think my sons whole class is like 115 kids, all the way up to schools with 800+ kids per class so divisions are based on school size but then when you get to league playoffs it's an 8 team playoff. Districts which are run by PIAA and feed the state playoffs cover a much bigger area but are totally separated by school size.
Ned
Footballguy
Things are coming to a head with my son's HS team. They played a pretty bad team yesterday; won 5-0. My son touched the ball 4 times in total the entire game. Literally zero touches in the second half. He's fine with that and has accepted the kick and run style of play. :X
Early in the first half he makes a save and runs out to the top of the box to punt it. 4 of his teammates were at midfield, covered by 6 players. Coach is yelling at him to punt it quickly, but he waited and waited for someone to move and get open. He finally punts. Of course they don't win the ball.
At HT they're in their huddle and I can see coach is giving him a good dress-down in front of the whole team. I figured it was about that situation, but didn't think a lot of it other than coach is a moron. Come to find out he threatened to kick him off the team if he ever does that again.
Its a good teachable moment, as much as I can't stand this coach. Its his team and should be respected. A big part of me wants to be that parent and have a chat with the coach, but I'll let it be for now.
Icing on the cake was me having to give 5 of the kids a ride to the game. My son texted me at 2:30 saying they missed the team bus; teachers weren't notified to give an early dismissal. Luckily I was able to slip out of work and only live a couple miles from school. How does the team bus leave without everyone there?
Early in the first half he makes a save and runs out to the top of the box to punt it. 4 of his teammates were at midfield, covered by 6 players. Coach is yelling at him to punt it quickly, but he waited and waited for someone to move and get open. He finally punts. Of course they don't win the ball.
At HT they're in their huddle and I can see coach is giving him a good dress-down in front of the whole team. I figured it was about that situation, but didn't think a lot of it other than coach is a moron. Come to find out he threatened to kick him off the team if he ever does that again.
Its a good teachable moment, as much as I can't stand this coach. Its his team and should be respected. A big part of me wants to be that parent and have a chat with the coach, but I'll let it be for now.
Icing on the cake was me having to give 5 of the kids a ride to the game. My son texted me at 2:30 saying they missed the team bus; teachers weren't notified to give an early dismissal. Luckily I was able to slip out of work and only live a couple miles from school. How does the team bus leave without everyone there?
SwampDawg
Footballguy
Ned
Footballguy
SwampDawg
Footballguy
Lost a tough one 5-4 on PK’s after a scoreless regulation and two overtime’s. Our keeper saved the second PK and we were sitting pretty up 4-3 after the fourth round. Ironically it was our keepers brother who took the fifth PK and sailed it high. They tied it and then we missed the sixth and they made it. We had way more chances to score but couldn’t get one home.
My son got knocked out of the game with about 15 minutes left in regulation. Kid caught him with a high kick from behind and snapped his front tooth in half and cut his lip. Guess we are off to the dentist tomorrow. They called a dangerous play but no card. I’ve gotten different opinions from people if that should be a card.
My son got knocked out of the game with about 15 minutes left in regulation. Kid caught him with a high kick from behind and snapped his front tooth in half and cut his lip. Guess we are off to the dentist tomorrow. They called a dangerous play but no card. I’ve gotten different opinions from people if that should be a card.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Sorry about the loss- tough one.
High kick to that makes contact with the face- enough to knock out a tooth? A pro player was red carded over the weekend for this (I forget what league or team)- and barely made contact tbh (didn't leave a mark, let alone require dental work). Unless your son was bending way down to head it, its a red card.
SwampDawg
Footballguy
Nope he was standing up straight playing the ball off his chest. I think part of the problem was he didn't go down right away. The ref was behind the play and the boys had their backs to him, he called the penalty and we played quick. I don't think he realized he had broken the tooth at first. It was about 30 seconds after the ball was back in play he got to the ref with blood running out of his mouth from his lip, then they waited until our attack was over for a stoppage. I guess he could still give a card at that point? Going to tell him I appreciate not flopping but if a dangerous kick ever makes contact with your head at all just go down and stop the play and let the ref sort it out.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
SwampDawg
Footballguy
Any updates on how the kids are doing in HS Playoffs @Ned @PIK95
Club teams ? @Lehigh98 @zoobird @acarey50
Weird not having anything this week. He had a club training session last week but over half the teams kids are still in playoff mode so nothing this week. Wishing them all good luck but wouldn't mind a few getting knocked out so we can get back at it next week. Only a couple weeks until the first tournament of the year. Flights booked for ECNL showcase in Florida in January.
Club teams ? @Lehigh98 @zoobird @acarey50
Weird not having anything this week. He had a club training session last week but over half the teams kids are still in playoff mode so nothing this week. Wishing them all good luck but wouldn't mind a few getting knocked out so we can get back at it next week. Only a couple weeks until the first tournament of the year. Flights booked for ECNL showcase in Florida in January.
Thanks for asking.
Club season is going well. Our age group for NPL has 16 teams, split into 2 8-team divisions. Play a 14 game season (2 games against each team in your division). We are playing 11 games before Thanksgiving, then shut down for high school season, then come back in March for the final 3 games. We have played 9 games so far and are 4-4-1 with our only loss to the team currently in 2nd. We are the tie team - there have been 5 ties in all games played so far, and we have been in 4 of them. We have a fairly strong defense having only given up 11 goals all season (good for 2nd best in our division) and we've scored 23 (3rd best in division). We've only conceded more than 1 goal in 2 games this season (both games ended in ties) and have pitched 2 shutouts. Our remaining 5 games shake out to 1 game each against the top 2 teams in the division, 2 against the team that is right behind us in the standings and 1 against the last place team. Based on current points, I don't think winning the division is likely, but decent chance we can jump up to 2nd place as the 2nd-4th place teams are very bunched up right now.
Ned
Footballguy
2 games left this week for regular season here; they won't make the playoffs. I'm honestly glad - this coach is the fn worst and is making it not fun for my oldest. On the positive side, its making him really appreciate club soccer. He recently had a GK session with the club and he had a blast. He was grinning ear to ear after they were done.
My youngest had an ECNL game all the way up in Long Island. Driving 3.5hrs for one game is for the birds. They lost 4-2; first loss of the season. SUSA is a great club - they were well organized, moved the ball side to side and went vertical at the right times. They had only allowed 1 goal all season, so its a small consolation to hang 2 on them. Outside of MLS Academy teams, this is the first time I've thought the opponent was legitimately better.
SwampDawg
Footballguy
At least we are playing Saturday and Sunday when we go to Massachusetts/Rhode Island (5+ hours), Connecticut (4 hours) and NYC area (2 hours)
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Ned
Footballguy
Ned
Footballguy
When we chatted with the other parents (they were great hosts, btw), they were shocked we didn't have a doubleheader to make the travel worth it.
They were also surprised to hear that we didn't have a pre-game meeting with the coach and team the night before and a dedicated 30mins stretching session an hour before the game.
SwampDawg
Footballguy
Can't say we do that for standard league games either. When the boys went to SC for the NPL playoffs in June the coaches did do a lot of that. They had a players and coaches only meal each night followed by a meeting, then they met each morning and stretched and went on a walk to discuss that days game. Of course it was easy to do with everyone in the same hotel. They did play some of the best soccer they had all year, not sure if that was the reason or not.They were also surprised to hear that we didn't have a pre-game meeting with the coach and team the night before and a dedicated 30mins stretching session an hour before the game.
We'll have one club tournament next weekend. Team just had our first practice following the end of high school season, but we were away for the week. Not much of a fall season for non-elite club teams in our area.
[scooter]
Footballguy
Both of my nieces are starters for their high school team. The older niece plays striker, with her skillset largely centered around her speed and foot strength. She leads the league in offside penalties. The younger niece (a freshman) plays mid and forward -- she excels in the passing game, but she is still adapting to the speed of high school play. Against bad teams she literally controls the game, dishing out assists and breaking ankles at will; but against good/fast teams, she doesn't get enough time to make solid passes.
The team has made the final four of the state championship for the 3rd consecutive year. But they are overachievers. They are the defending state champs, but that was largely due to the presence of one superstar player (100 goals in 4 years) who is now playing college ball. They replaced 5 starting seniors with 5 freshmen, two of which started the year on JV. Only a handful of the girls play club soccer, and even then it's a bit of a stretch to call it "club" soccer -- one of the clubs was literally a no-cut rec league team that applied for membership to one of the lower-tier club programs in the area.
In the first round of the playoffs, both nieces scored goals, and the younger girl also had 2 assists. The second round game was a different story, though -- the other team was highly ranked, featuring several fundamentally sound players. And their "boot ball" style of play was the perfect counter to our most glaring weakness: a slow defensive line. We have one of the best defensive lines in the state, but they have never been taught how to deal with speedy forwards who try to outrun them. And our coach doesn't seem to believe in the concept of "making strategic adjustments", so our defense plays with the same style and same formation no matter what the opponent does.
We could have -- and probably should have -- lost the second round game by a score of 4-0. The other team broke through our defensive line at least a dozen times, but each time we were bailed out by fate, whether it was a slippery field, or a shot grazing off the crossbar, or one of our midfielders running all the way back to cut off the scoring drive.
Somehow, we managed to sneak a ball over their goal line in the 2nd half. Our best player was in front of the goal and was momentarily unmarked; just as the cross came into her, she slipped and started to fall. But she stuck out her right foot and just barely got a toe on the ball, causing it to spin slowly and awkwardly toward the near post. The keeper had already started moving toward the far post (which would have been the logical move if our forward hadn't slipped) and she couldn't recover in time to stop the ball from crossing the plane. 1-0. From there we played keepaway, with the only threat being a phantom foul call just outside the box with a minute to play. (Pro tip for amateur referees: when the field is muddy, players will often fall down without being touched by an opponent!) But the other team made a strategic blunder: instead of trying to directly score on the kick, they instead opted to pass the ball to the middle -- the subsequent shot was easily defended, and the game ended a few moments after that.
This week's semifinal match will feature an even tougher opponent, and I hold no expectations of victory. On paper, the other school is a far superior team -- not only do they have a better record, but they also have a stronger strength of schedule, not to mention the fact that they're much more experienced than us. We can win, but only if we play mistake-free and fire on all cylinders. Which, so far this season, we have only done once.
The team has made the final four of the state championship for the 3rd consecutive year. But they are overachievers. They are the defending state champs, but that was largely due to the presence of one superstar player (100 goals in 4 years) who is now playing college ball. They replaced 5 starting seniors with 5 freshmen, two of which started the year on JV. Only a handful of the girls play club soccer, and even then it's a bit of a stretch to call it "club" soccer -- one of the clubs was literally a no-cut rec league team that applied for membership to one of the lower-tier club programs in the area.
In the first round of the playoffs, both nieces scored goals, and the younger girl also had 2 assists. The second round game was a different story, though -- the other team was highly ranked, featuring several fundamentally sound players. And their "boot ball" style of play was the perfect counter to our most glaring weakness: a slow defensive line. We have one of the best defensive lines in the state, but they have never been taught how to deal with speedy forwards who try to outrun them. And our coach doesn't seem to believe in the concept of "making strategic adjustments", so our defense plays with the same style and same formation no matter what the opponent does.
We could have -- and probably should have -- lost the second round game by a score of 4-0. The other team broke through our defensive line at least a dozen times, but each time we were bailed out by fate, whether it was a slippery field, or a shot grazing off the crossbar, or one of our midfielders running all the way back to cut off the scoring drive.
Somehow, we managed to sneak a ball over their goal line in the 2nd half. Our best player was in front of the goal and was momentarily unmarked; just as the cross came into her, she slipped and started to fall. But she stuck out her right foot and just barely got a toe on the ball, causing it to spin slowly and awkwardly toward the near post. The keeper had already started moving toward the far post (which would have been the logical move if our forward hadn't slipped) and she couldn't recover in time to stop the ball from crossing the plane. 1-0. From there we played keepaway, with the only threat being a phantom foul call just outside the box with a minute to play. (Pro tip for amateur referees: when the field is muddy, players will often fall down without being touched by an opponent!) But the other team made a strategic blunder: instead of trying to directly score on the kick, they instead opted to pass the ball to the middle -- the subsequent shot was easily defended, and the game ended a few moments after that.
This week's semifinal match will feature an even tougher opponent, and I hold no expectations of victory. On paper, the other school is a far superior team -- not only do they have a better record, but they also have a stronger strength of schedule, not to mention the fact that they're much more experienced than us. We can win, but only if we play mistake-free and fire on all cylinders. Which, so far this season, we have only done once.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
My U9 twins finished up their rec season this week, both getting wins. Daughter Z was finally more active and engaged during the game and even tried to take the ball away from the opponents. Progress! She scored 2 goals, including one game winner with seconds left on the clock. Overall her team finished in 2nd (of 4) but got better and better as the season went on. The girls really liked each other and the coaches were great. Tactics was mostly boot and chase in a pack. The coaches gave each girl a framed team photo and a personalized thank you card.
My son's team finished the season undefeated (of 6) with 9 wins and 1 tie. Son Z had like 14 goals and ranked 3rd on the team for goals and 2nd for assists. They learned a lot during the season, including even passing to one another and moving into space when a teammate has the ball! My son grew into his game which was mostly defense and smart positioning at the start, but he gained confidence with the ball at his feet and looked to go at the goal to score at the end of the season. He has trouble getting loft and power on his corners. Any thoughts for tips there? All but 3 of the games were blowouts though, so less interesting.
They both are signed up for indoor (no Futsal in the city...) this winter and will play once they are 2 weeks past their second dose of the vaccine.
My son's team finished the season undefeated (of 6) with 9 wins and 1 tie. Son Z had like 14 goals and ranked 3rd on the team for goals and 2nd for assists. They learned a lot during the season, including even passing to one another and moving into space when a teammate has the ball! My son grew into his game which was mostly defense and smart positioning at the start, but he gained confidence with the ball at his feet and looked to go at the goal to score at the end of the season. He has trouble getting loft and power on his corners. Any thoughts for tips there? All but 3 of the games were blowouts though, so less interesting.
They both are signed up for indoor (no Futsal in the city...) this winter and will play once they are 2 weeks past their second dose of the vaccine.
Lehigh98
Footballguy
Haven't posted much lately mostly out of frustration with the coach and team. The coach last year had a much more organic? approach to passing and tactics and the team played much better. The coach this year seems to be taking more of a kick and chase approach. Keeper / defenders boot the ball, mids head / flick on to the forwards and hope they can make a break and score. It's not working and the team is devolving into blind passes and just kicking the ball into 50/50 situations that we're not winning either. Been quietly griping about it a bit with a couple other parents / previous coaches I know on the sidelines at games but haven't brought anything up with the coach. He also runs the whole program and the "A" team in our age group and not sure how much of a priority we are in comparison. Fortunately my son has been steady with checking his shoulder and making good decisions and passes and hasn't started to backslide like the team in general, but if he does, then I'm going to be more upset about it. My son just made the team before the fall and I wanted to give it a whole season to see what happens and didn't want to rock the boat as the new guy.
Fall season ended on Saturday with a 0-4 loss. My son was back at outside back for almost all of the game and played pretty well. The team had four subs and may have been light on defenders again. And I don't really think any of the goals were his fault. The first two were super-flukey (in line with how our season has gone). First was a weird high spinning bounce over the keeper that he couldn't get back to. Second was a miscommunication between keeper and outside defender on the opposite side from my son.
In line with Ned's comment, the single game was in Baltimore about 3 hours away from us. So we ended up taking the family and spending Saturday night in a hotel in the inner harbor. Went out, threw some axes at Power Plant Live, had a nice dinner, ordered Insomnia Cookies back to the room, went out for breakfast the next morning then hit the aquarium and walked around the harbor. I wanted to tour the sub & ships but my kids were getting tired of spending time with their parents and wanted to head home.
Even though games are over, they'll still be practicing for a while. Not sure what the plan is for winter but the program has their own indoor facility and league so I'm guessing they'll be practicing / playing alot on their turf. My son had done futsal with another program (PTS) over the winter last year with kids from his old team but I don't think we'll have a team for this year. The previous coach was going to put one together for that futsal league but the current coach was against it for some reason. My son is pretty even-keel like me so he's just ready to do whatever they set up and still seems to be into it for the most part. I'm just hoping he has a good chance to make the high school JV team (which is pretty competitive) if he wants to. He's getting alot of practice time and time on the field so hopefully he's developing and on track for that.
I hope everyone else's fall seasons are ending better than ours!
Lehigh98
Footballguy
When my kids had practices on alternating days, I would take both and goof around on an open field with the one that didn't have practice. One of the things we would do is take turns kicking corners with the other trying to finish on as few touches as possible. Give him a target (penalty spot) and get him to try and hit it. You can take a target along too if you want, those collapsible lawn leaf bags work pretty well, and see if he can hit it or even drop a ball in there.
If he's having trouble getting under the ball in general, the other thing is to get some targets for the top corners of a goal and have him work on getting the ball up on his shots to hit the targets. My initial cheap-### setup had a couple of lawn bags held by clamps on our net in the backyard. But it definitely helped him focus on getting some lift on his shots.
SwampDawg
Footballguy
Went through the whole "A"/"B" thing when my son played for Rage. Fortunately we had our own coach (he coached other teams just not in our age group) so he was on task and the "A" team coach at the time was helpful but we were definitely 2nd fiddle for the clubs concerns. Surprised given the size of your club they didn't have a separate coach.
What school district are you (if you don't mind sharing), depending where you are over there you could fall in a couple but they are both pretty heavy hitters in soccer.
Lehigh98
Footballguy
We're in East Penn so it's Emmaus High School (~2700 kids). They just beat rival Parkland (~3200 kids) to win the PIAA D-11 4A championship last week but its usually pretty close with Parkland probably holding the edge now and in the future.
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The Z Machine
Footballguy
SwampDawg
Footballguy
Ok, I figured you were either East Penn or Parkland. You can always move a little west to get him some PT, he'd start on JV for Brandywine next year and probably be on varsity by his sophomore year.
Lehigh98
Footballguy
If I'd have known / remembered I would have asked for some tips / ideas!
Game was 8 miles north of there, we played Baltimore Celtic at the Boys Latin School of Maryland.
Lehigh98
Footballguy
Lol, thanks but he's not that into it that we'd move or change schools. If for some reason he ever was, the next best non-moving option would be Allentown Central Catholic (~610) and less than a mile from where I work.
