07 DA 2019

It's quite interesting how closely the actual standings mirror the (youthsoccerrankings.us) computer rankings of the relative quality of the teams.

DA:
Team - National Ranking (per YSR)
FC Dallas -    #4
Solar  -         #8
Lonestar -     #28
Texans -       #32
Energy -       #56
Dash -         #77

(and FWIW for the DA games that have not counted toward official standings...Real Colorado #21, Sporting Blue Valley #53, Sporting Omaha #403, and Colorado Rush #473)

ECNL:
Team - National Ranking (per YSR)
D'Feeters -      #14
Sting -            #114
TSC -              #51
Solar -            #102
Challenge -     #361
Albion -          #186
CO Rapids -    #447
Classics Elite - #794
CO Pride -      #704
OK Celtic -      #1049
Sting Austin - #1620

Looks like the spring is in full swing. FCD and Solar both take care of business the past week against Energy ahead of their derby against one another next week.
Lonestar takes firm control of 3rd place with a win over Texans. In DA vs ECNL news...Lonestar also with an easy tournament win over Challenge 07 ECNL today.

Did sting Austin and okie energy not qualify for Plano premier and have to switch leagues?

Foxysoccermom wrote:Did sting Austin and okie energy not qualify for Plano premier and have to switch leagues?

Sting Austin is still a thing?
You made me go look. The 07s have scored 4 and given up 70. Flipping through the other ages, through 98 games across all age groups their 6 teams have a -245 goal differential (an average of -41 per team across 16 games).
WTF? Can’t the mothership send them a few NPL or LH players to help on weekends?

cenTex wrote:Looks like the spring is in full swing. FCD and Solar both take care of business the past week against Energy ahead of their derby against one another next week.
Lonestar takes firm control of 3rd place with a win over Texans. In DA vs ECNL news...Lonestar also with an easy tournament win over Challenge 07 ECNL today.

Where will the derby game be played?  I heard that I missed a good game last time, so don’t want to miss this one.  Can someone please provide the date/time/location of the game? Any predictions??

LeftybutGoodie wrote:

cenTex wrote:Looks like the spring is in full swing. FCD and Solar both take care of business the past week against Energy ahead of their derby against one another next week.
Lonestar takes firm control of 3rd place with a win over Texans. In DA vs ECNL news...Lonestar also with an easy tournament win over Challenge 07 ECNL today.

Where will the derby game be played?  I heard that I missed a good game last time, so don’t want to miss this one.  Can someone please provide the date/time/location of the game?  Any predictions??

University of Dallas ... see schedule below.  Not sure about the U13s, but I predict that both the U15 and U16 matches will be a much better watch  

Saturday, February 15 2020

9:00 AM
Solar Soccer Club U-13
University of Dallas Soccer Field
FC Dallas U-13

10:30 AM
Solar Soccer Club U-14
University of Dallas Soccer Field
FC Dallas U-14

12:00 PM
Solar Soccer Club U-15
University of Dallas Soccer Field
FC Dallas U-15

2:00 PM
Solar Soccer Club U-16
University of Dallas Soccer Field
FC Dallas U-16

4:00 PM
Solar Soccer Club U-17
University of Dallas Soccer Field
FC Dallas U-17

Based on our limited number of games against both, I'll predict 2-1 FC Dallas.  

FCD has a girl who was a genuine handful up top, some midfielders who always seemed to make the right play and be in the right place against us, and a couple of freaks on the backline who are pretty difficult to break down.  Once they get the ball they tended to keep it.

Solar is more direct. There is some flashy talent (especially on the attacking end there's couple of special players) and are really good, but don't always seem to be on the same page.  They looked great against us in one game, and then looked like a completely different team in the next game.

It should be a close game and either team could win. Both are among the best teams in the country.  If anyone videos the game, post it. Would love to see it.

As centex said - this is as good as it gets for u13. Both teams play the right way and are extremely talented. Can go either way Saturday. Emotions will be running high that’s for sure.

Big Ern wrote:

LeftybutGoodie wrote:

cenTex wrote:Looks like the spring is in full swing. FCD and Solar both take care of business the past week against Energy ahead of their derby against one another next week.
Lonestar takes firm control of 3rd place with a win over Texans. In DA vs ECNL news...Lonestar also with an easy tournament win over Challenge 07 ECNL today.

Where will the derby game be played?  I heard that I missed a good game last time, so don’t want to miss this one.  Can someone please provide the date/time/location of the game?  Any predictions??

University of Dallas ... see schedule below.  Not sure about the U13s, but I predict that both the U15 and U16 matches will be a much better watch  

Saturday, February 15 2020

9:00 AM
Solar Soccer Club U-13
University of Dallas Soccer Field
FC Dallas U-13

10:30 AM
Solar Soccer Club U-14
University of Dallas Soccer Field
FC Dallas U-14

12:00 PM
Solar Soccer Club U-15
University of Dallas Soccer Field
FC Dallas U-15

2:00 PM
Solar Soccer Club U-16
University of Dallas Soccer Field
FC Dallas U-16

4:00 PM
Solar Soccer Club U-17
University of Dallas Soccer Field
FC Dallas U-17

Thanks for the info! Looks like it will be a good day for some soccer. Will try catching one of these games.

Told FCD took it 1-0.
From a Solar friend, so take with a grain of salt, but...both teams missing a key player or two which had an impact and Solar had the bulk of the chances and were unlucky not to have scored several in the 1st half. FCD weathered the storm and got a goal off a set piece, and Solar kept up the pressure but couldn't find the answer.

[quote="Big Ern"]

LeftybutGoodie wrote:

cenTex wrote:Looks like the spring is in full swing. FCD and Solar both take care of business the past week against Energy ahead of their derby against one another next week.
Lonestar takes firm control of 3rd place with a win over Texans. In DA vs ECNL news...Lonestar also with an easy tournament win over Challenge 07 ECNL today.

Where will the derby game be played?  I heard that I missed a good game last time, so don’t want to miss this one.  Can someone please provide the date/time/location of the game?  Any predictions??

University of Dallas ... see schedule below.  Not sure about the U13s, but I predict that both the U15 and U16 matches will be a much better watch  
/quote]

Curious...How'd the U15 and U16 games go?
Any videos from the games today?

cenTex wrote:

Big Ern wrote:

LeftybutGoodie wrote:

cenTex wrote:Looks like the spring is in full swing. FCD and Solar both take care of business the past week against Energy ahead of their derby against one another next week.
Lonestar takes firm control of 3rd place with a win over Texans. In DA vs ECNL news...Lonestar also with an easy tournament win over Challenge 07 ECNL today.

Where will the derby game be played?  I heard that I missed a good game last time, so don’t want to miss this one.  Can someone please provide the date/time/location of the game?  Any predictions??

University of Dallas ... see schedule below.  Not sure about the U13s, but I predict that both the U15 and U16 matches will be a much better watch  
/quote]

Curious...How'd the U15 and U16 games go?
Any videos from the games today?

Both Draws.  

U15s 2-2 and got really chippy per usual.  Offsetting reds at the end of the match.  Solar CB threw a punch at FCD F while she had her back turned.  FCD F retaliated and landed her 2nd fist to the face of the Solar CB.

U16s 1-1.  Fun game to watch.  Solar went up 1-0 then made good tactical adjustments to sit back as FCD controlled the final 60 or so minutes.

U13 1-0 FCD
U14 ??
U15 2-2
U16 1-1
U17 1-1
U18/19 ??

Best thing going right now in DFW on the girls side. Always entertaining and worth the watch.

U13 1-0 FCD
U14 2-1 FCD
U15 2-2
U16 1-1
U17 1-1
U18/19 3-1 FCD

With the rather large caveat that they've played more games so far than most clubs, FCD now top the Frontier Conference tables in points for 5 of the 6 age groups.

Generally speaking, we've been happy for our first foray into the DA.  Here's my #1 complaint, though.  

The U13s have played 8 games.  There are 7 more on the schedule.  That's a total of about 15 games in an entire year.

Older ages have played 14 games.  There's probably another 12 on the schedule (depending on playoff runs).  That's a total of about 26-30 games in a year.

15 games simply isn't enough to maximize developmental opportunities.  With no showcases, no Colorado and KC trip (thank god), no playoffs, and no allowances for outside tournaments other than the occasional "friendly," it seems that the youngers are simply forgotten about.   I get the DA philosophy to limit the number of games for very good reasons, but the equivalent of slightly more than a game per month for 12 year olds is ridiculous.  I think it's significantly holding back development.

Are Dallas U13 DA teams playing extra games in another league or in a lot of tournaments (or are players picking up on other teams)?  Do the clubs and US Soccer really think 15 games is the "right" number at this age, or is this age simply overlooked and ignored?

cenTex wrote:Generally speaking, we've been happy for our first foray into the DA.  Here's my #1 complaint, though.  

The U13s have played 8 games.  There are 7 more on the schedule.  That's a total of about 15 games in an entire year.

Older ages have played 14 games.  There's probably another 12 on the schedule (depending on playoff runs).  That's a total of about 26-30 games in a year.

15 games simply isn't enough to maximize developmental opportunities.  With no showcases, no Colorado and KC trip (thank god), no playoffs, and no allowances for outside tournaments other than the occasional "friendly," it seems that the youngers are simply forgotten about.   I get the DA philosophy to limit the number of games for very good reasons, but the equivalent of slightly more than a game per month for 12 year olds is ridiculous.  I think it's significantly holding back development.

Are Dallas U13 DA teams playing extra games in another league or in a lot of tournaments (or are players picking up on other teams)?  Do the clubs and US Soccer really think 15 games is the "right" number at this age, or is this age simply overlooked and ignored?

It's a huge problem, but each club has their own fix for how to handle it. Texans get in a few tournaments. Solar lets anyone who complains loud enough play up with any of the 06s, 05s, 04s, or 03s on the off weekends. FCD plays everyone up onto the 06 FDL teams.
If they didn't do all that, you're right, 15 games in a year is not enough. 30 games is about right for the older kids, and it should be the bare minimum for the younger ones who recover quicker and are less susceptible to major injury (40 games or so would be about right, I think).

Truthiness wrote:

cenTex wrote:Generally speaking, we've been happy for our first foray into the DA.  Here's my #1 complaint, though.  

The U13s have played 8 games.  There are 7 more on the schedule.  That's a total of about 15 games in an entire year.

Older ages have played 14 games.  There's probably another 12 on the schedule (depending on playoff runs).  That's a total of about 26-30 games in a year.

15 games simply isn't enough to maximize developmental opportunities.  With no showcases, no Colorado and KC trip (thank god), no playoffs, and no allowances for outside tournaments other than the occasional "friendly," it seems that the youngers are simply forgotten about.   I get the DA philosophy to limit the number of games for very good reasons, but the equivalent of slightly more than a game per month for 12 year olds is ridiculous.  I think it's significantly holding back development.

Are Dallas U13 DA teams playing extra games in another league or in a lot of tournaments (or are players picking up on other teams)?  Do the clubs and US Soccer really think 15 games is the "right" number at this age, or is this age simply overlooked and ignored?

It's a huge problem, but each club has their own fix for how to handle it.  Texans get in a few tournaments.  Solar lets anyone who complains loud enough play up with any of the 06s, 05s, 04s, or 03s on the off weekends. FCD plays everyone up onto the 06 FDL teams.  
If they didn't do all that, you're right, 15 games in a year is not enough.  30 games is about right for the older kids, and it should be the bare minimum for the younger ones who recover quicker and are less susceptible to major injury (40 games or so would be about right, I think).

Few thoughts here. First, the 07s soon enough will be playing 25+ official games at U14. Here before you know it. Second, my DD practices at least 4 times per week where most of the development IMO actually takes place. I used to want my kid to play a ton of games, but if you really count the amount of actual quality touches your DD will get in the game, it probably is not very significant (<50 most likely), at least in comparison to what they get in practice, skills, etc. I understand the need to be in "game time situations" to learn and develop, but I see this happening in training sessions all the time - by scrimmaging each other, older teams, etc. There are 3v3's, Futsal, and other to supplement the playing time throughout the year as well.

07soccerdad wrote:

Truthiness wrote:

cenTex wrote:Generally speaking, we've been happy for our first foray into the DA.  Here's my #1 complaint, though.  

The U13s have played 8 games.  There are 7 more on the schedule.  That's a total of about 15 games in an entire year.

Older ages have played 14 games.  There's probably another 12 on the schedule (depending on playoff runs).  That's a total of about 26-30 games in a year.

15 games simply isn't enough to maximize developmental opportunities.  With no showcases, no Colorado and KC trip (thank god), no playoffs, and no allowances for outside tournaments other than the occasional "friendly," it seems that the youngers are simply forgotten about.   I get the DA philosophy to limit the number of games for very good reasons, but the equivalent of slightly more than a game per month for 12 year olds is ridiculous.  I think it's significantly holding back development.

Are Dallas U13 DA teams playing extra games in another league or in a lot of tournaments (or are players picking up on other teams)?  Do the clubs and US Soccer really think 15 games is the "right" number at this age, or is this age simply overlooked and ignored?

It's a huge problem, but each club has their own fix for how to handle it.  Texans get in a few tournaments.  Solar lets anyone who complains loud enough play up with any of the 06s, 05s, 04s, or 03s on the off weekends. FCD plays everyone up onto the 06 FDL teams.  
If they didn't do all that, you're right, 15 games in a year is not enough.  30 games is about right for the older kids, and it should be the bare minimum for the younger ones who recover quicker and are less susceptible to major injury (40 games or so would be about right, I think).

Few thoughts here.  First, the 07s soon enough will be playing 25+ official games at U14. Here before you know it.  Second, my DD practices at least 4 times per week where most of the development IMO actually takes place.  I used to want my kid to play a ton of games, but if you really count the amount of actual quality touches your DD will get in the game, it probably is not very significant (<50 most likely), at least in comparison to what they get in practice, skills, etc.  I understand the need to be in "game time situations" to learn and develop, but I see this happening in training sessions all the time - by scrimmaging each other, older teams, etc.  There are 3v3's, Futsal, and other to supplement the playing time throughout the year as well.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^

cenTex wrote:Generally speaking, we've been happy for our first foray into the DA.  Here's my #1 complaint, though.  

The U13s have played 8 games.  There are 7 more on the schedule.  That's a total of about 15 games in an entire year.

Older ages have played 14 games.  There's probably another 12 on the schedule (depending on playoff runs).  That's a total of about 26-30 games in a year.

15 games simply isn't enough to maximize developmental opportunities.  With no showcases, no Colorado and KC trip (thank god), no playoffs, and no allowances for outside tournaments other than the occasional "friendly," it seems that the youngers are simply forgotten about.   I get the DA philosophy to limit the number of games for very good reasons, but the equivalent of slightly more than a game per month for 12 year olds is ridiculous.  I think it's significantly holding back development.

Are Dallas U13 DA teams playing extra games in another league or in a lot of tournaments (or are players picking up on other teams)?  Do the clubs and US Soccer really think 15 games is the "right" number at this age, or is this age simply overlooked and ignored?

There are tournaments. Looks like most DA teams (Solar, OKE, Texans, probably FCD?) are playing in the DIGC.

DIGC has 20 min halves for 07s in the playoff rounds. Ridiculous IMO. Not worth it. A whole game is five minutes more than a regular timed half.

07soccerdad wrote:DIGC has 20 min halves for 07s in the playoff rounds. Ridiculous IMO. Not worth it.  A whole game is five minutes more than a regular timed half.

Take a wild guess who the TD is

With quarterfinals meaning multiple games on Sat and Sun, the 20 minute halves is a very good idea, imo. I think they got this one right, and it's probably what allows the DA teams to participate given their one-game-per-day ruleset.

Interesting weekend.

Dash get their first win in a good game with Lonestar that could have gone either way (rematch is next weekend at home).

FCD takes care of business vs Texans and now look like a lock to win the league.

And for the 2nd weekend in a row, Solar spreads all of their 07s out amongst the 02s, 04s, and 05s?! There's a couple of quite good players, but playing a dozen 13 year olds 3/4/5 years up just seems bizarre. If teams are short players, it seems more sensible to give 2nd and 3rd team players in the age group the opportunity (or play the 07s with the U14s and cascade upwards giving deserving kids in each age group challenging opportunities). This is our first DA experience, so maybe it's common, but it was a bit surprising to me.