This used to be an active group!

Which teams are getting stronger here in the spring?

Gall looks strong
I saw the bandits play this past weekend and they were strong against the wiz
Andro developing,
TFC still one dimensional or is Wells developing them
FCD Premier up and down all the time, good O, no D
What is going on with wizards and partain?
Will toros, tigres, andro white, solar red,texans red end in top10

Would be interested to hear other thoughts

Bandits are big winners of the first 3 weeks. They were up against tough schedule and cleaned up perfectly. They are a lock for the second place, now and could go higher if they can win next week.

Given the schedule (and quality/consistency too), TFC is the most likely #3 and FCD-Pino and Ando-red will likely battle for #4.

Tigres, Toros and Andro-white have relatively easy schedule and could all reach near 30 points by the end. So it will take about 31 or 32 points to absolutely secure D1 spot.

Solar-red is practically out of contention, after their loss to FCD east. I like how they play though; they at least try to play on the ground. They will reap benefits in the future, if they can stay together.

Solar and Wizards hit a rough patch, but they have quality and will come back.

My overall impression (still did not see Texans-Gall) is that strength and speed still dominate the game over skill. I expect that to change in next 2-3 years.

If last year can be brought up as a comparison the 99 age group in U11 division ended up dominated by the texans (no loss) which ended with 51 points; second place was Andro at 49 point and it then dropped to 43. The last team finished with 0 point (and disbanded) and one before last had 7 (and also disbanded). Team # 10 qualified with 27 points everybody else had 30 points or more.

Spring records/opponents/odds on remaining games (point total based on remaining games: 3 pts favorite, 1 pt tossup). Rankings are predicted finish, so they do not align with points.

Like March Madness, I hope for lots of upsets.

1. Gall – 3-0… top team easily, beat East, Andro White and ASG. Favored to win 4 of 6 with 2 tossups. (51)

2. Bandits – 3-0… three strong wins vs. Partain, Wizards and Wells. Favored to win 4 of 6 with 2 tossups. (47)

3. TFC Wells – 2-1… beat East and Partain, but lost to Bandits. Favored to win 5 of 6 with 1 tossup. (45)

4. Andro Red – 2-0-1…beat Partain and FWFC, tied Solar Red. Favored to win 4 of 6 with 1 tossup. (42)

5. FCD-East – 1-2…lost to Gall and Wells, beat Solar Red. Favored in 4 with 2 tossups. (35)

6. FCD Premier – 2-1… lost to DT Red, beat Tejanos and ASG. Not favored in any, 5 of 6 are tossups. (35)

7. DT Red – 2-1…beat Premier and Wizards lost to Solar Red. Favored to win next 6. (37)

8. Solar Partain – 0-3…lost to Wells, Andro Red and Bandits. Favored in 2 with 3 tossups. (33)

9. Wizards – 0-3… lost to Andro White, Bandits and Craft. Favored in 1 with 5 tossups. (30)

10. Toros – 2-0-1…tied Liverpool, beat Strikers and TFC White. Favored to win 4 of 6 with 2 tossups. (33)

11. Andro White – 2-1…beat Wizards,TFC White and lost to Gall. Favored to win 5 of 6 with 1 tossup. (31)

12. Tigres – 3-0…beat FWFC, Odyssey and Strikers. Favored to win 2 and 2 tossups. (27)

13. Solar Red – 1-1-1… beat DT Red, lost to East and tied Andro Red. Favored to win 3 with 2 tossups. (24)

14. ASG – 1-2… lost to Gall and Premier, beat Odyssey. Favored to win 1 with 5 tossups. (19)

15. Liverpool – 1-0-2… beat Strikers, tied FWFC and Toros. Favored to win 1 with 1 tossup. (16)

16. Odyssey – 0-3… lost to ASG, Toros and Tigres. Not favored in any remaining games. (12)

17. NT Strikers – 1-2… lost to Liverpool and Tigres, beat Tejanos. Not favored in any remaining games. ( 8 )

18. FWFC – 0-2-1… lost to Andro Red and Tigres, tied Liverpool. 1 tossup, not favored in remaining 5 games. ( 8 )

19. TFC White – 0-2-1… lost to Andro White and Toros, tied Tejanos. Not favored in any remaining games. (4)

20. Tejanos – 0-2-1… lost to Strikers and Premier, tied TFC White. 1 tossup, not favored in remaining 5 games. (4)

Very well put, I think those look accurate.

In terms of how the team is developing, I think that is more important to note. It's one thing to have a good team, but it's amazing to see if a coach is actually improving the team. When you play the same team over and over and nothing is different, it should be a red flag...no matter how you are ranked.

You have to ask yourself, "How is my son's skill compared to last year?"



1. Gall – Great skill, very athletic. Ball movement is phenomenal, how they move the ball from sideline to sideline is awesome. They get the game, but I think they also have just matured faster than everyone else.

2. Bandits – Great athletes, same as Gall. Faster maturity.

3. TFC Wells – Have not seen that much improvement since fall. By no means am I trying to say that the team is bad, but its the same style of play. Drive it into the box, then dump it out and let someone on the outside take a shot. Last year, they had high scoring games, but I think everyone is maturing and catching up.

4. Andro Red – Skill gets better, it better get better, or ML will make the parents run laps.

5. FCD-East – I really like how this team moves the ball. It's done right. Constantly improving, always a threat.

6. FCD Premier – I see good skill, but I also wonder if the coach just tells the team,"If you cross mid field, you can take a shot." They seem to rain in shots with no strategy in mind.

7. DT Red – Improving. I heard one of the parents say, "We're just as good as Gall."

8. Solar Partain – Not improving. I think their philosophy is, be over aggressive and you can win the ball. At some point, skill will overtake rugby style of play.

9. Wizards – Not sure what's going on, now that all the teams are getting stuck in...I think they are going to be exposed in the spring.

10. Toros – Holding steady.

11. Andro White – Improving, strong D, but forward area is lacking.

12. Tigres – Can be dangerous, but they can also be kittens. I think the team could be good in the future...if nobody steals their forward.

13. Solar Red – No matter what the outcome has been, this team is great. I think they just need a Kumbayah session to gel as a team.

14. ASG – Decline in improvement. Last year, I thought they were top 10 bound.

15. Liverpool – They keep improving.

16. Odyssey – Holding in there, still level.

17. NT Strikers – They keep improving.

18. FWFC – These guys were ferocious at qualifying, they seem to have lost their spark.

19. TFC White – Decline in improvement.

20. Tejanos – The team has talent, but seem to be declining in improvement.

Interesting commments: My take. The teams below all seem to be playing better soccer or at least trying to play the right way.

Gall is the best passing team, no question, their forwards and mids are so good at it, it hides the deficiencies in the back. Although I will say their central defender is savvy.

Bandits: Saw them play the Wiz and were stringing passes together the entire game. Their defense is good, really good. They are more than just athletes at this point. Surprised by this team.

FCEast: passes well, defense is good, lack scoring punch. They are playing the right way and have the ability to play with anyone. Team is consistent.

FCpremier:highly skilled, good passing team, struggle on D. Don't understand why they lose to teams consistently that they should beat.


Andro: mids on this team pass well, forwards dribble too much and defense kicks as far as they can every time they touch the ball. They have improved.

TFC: Foul the most of any team in the league. Most good teams that have good defenses have figured them out or can shut them down, not always but more times than not. Last time I saw them play they are starting to pass the ball better and will need to do this more and more to support the forwards. Defense is much improved.

Solar: surprised by their results. I thought they played decent soccer, saw them the other a few weeks ago and they were Ok.

Wiz: they just kick it, they played better soccer six months ago. They must be missing a few kids or something.

Goalz wrote:Interesting commments: My take. The teams below all seem to be playing better soccer or at least trying to play the right way.

Gall is the best passing team, no question, their forwards and mids are so good at it, it hides the deficiencies in the back. Although I will say their central defender is savvy.

Bandits: Saw them play the Wiz and were stringing passes together the entire game. Their defense is good, really good. They are more than just athletes at this point. Surprised by this team.

FCEast: passes well, defense is good, lack scoring punch. They are playing the right way and have the ability to play with anyone. Team is consistent.

FCpremier:highly skilled, good passing team, struggle on D. Don't understand why they lose to teams consistently that they should beat.


Andro: mids on this team pass well, forwards dribble too much and defense kicks as far as they can every time they touch the ball. They have improved.

TFC: Foul the most of any team in the league. Most good teams that have good defenses have figured them out or can shut them down, not always but more times than not. Last time I saw them play they are starting to pass the ball better and will need to do this more and more to support the forwards. Defense is much improved.

Solar: surprised by their results. I thought they played decent soccer, saw them the other a few weeks ago and they were Ok.

Wiz: they just kick it, they played better soccer six months ago. They must be missing a few kids or something.

Wiz is missing their coach who was recently called to play professional ball. His dad, also the 99 Wizards coach, is taking charge of the team for the time being.

1. Gall – The best all around team because of their midfield understanding of the game.
2. Bandits – Hope they stay together as a team and keep the big 4 away they play a great defensive game.
3. TFC Wells – Starting to get it together but can score alot on any team.
4. Andro Red – Great team they just need a little more speed.
5. FCD-East – Should be FCD Premier they are the best team at FCD.

6. FCD Premier – Great skill. But have no Idea they are playing a team sport
7. DT Red – Dt Red good skill just not athletic enough to keep up
8. Solar Partain – Good team that plays aggresive they are just short a couple players
9. Wizards – Hope they hang on to d1 to good of a team for d2?

10. Toros – Havent seen them play in awhile but there is some good talent on this team.
11. Andro White – No team speed.

12. Tigres –Good Luck keeping them together.

13. Solar Red –Overated to start the year and it shows
14. ASG – should be a good d2 team next year.

Best team is Texans Gallo all around team .

#1 Texans G
#2 FC Dallas east ( all around team strong D . Hardest yet to score on all 4 defenders are strong tried to play threw all sides got stopped at the 20 vs bandits one strong sweeper if moved can cripple the bandits . Bandits and FC Dallas could fight for second but the defense will make the difference .)
#3 TFC Wells (aggressive, aggressive, aggressive at this age can beat a better team beat D Texans and FC Dallas east with aggressiveness and never giving up . Their forwards best in the Classic league always being creative on the run can score at any second .)

If this teams don't loose players next year the standings can be different hardest team Texans played in MY OPINION are FC Dallas East , Bandits , Wells in that order . To beat the Texans what might this team need .

FC Dallas (forwards or more speed up front)
Bandits (defenders to move their sweeper forward will make a difference, more goals )
Wells (midfielders to feed the talent up front)

They can also wait on the bandits to see if they stay together . The Bandits don't stay maybe this teams can take their picking and create a power team .

Again in my opinion hope dint offend any teams . Bandits hope the team stays together more competition for us to play .

Opinions are great. Standings are factual. I think they are accurate. So if you want to see how the teams stack up, look there April 1st.

What's the deal with all the Bandits talk. Are they on the verge of a breakup? And with the Wizards coach gone, could they be gone too?

All these scenarios could impact end of year rankings.

If these teams disband, then other teams could slide into D1 by default.

Could be interesting.

If teams disband from D1, # 11 and # 12 don't automatically take their place. Not how it works.

What does happen if a independent breaks up and doesnt have another team to fill the slot???? highest bidder?

jimulon6 wrote:If teams disband from D1, # 11 and # 12 don't automatically take their place. Not how it works.

Actually this IS what happens. If one of the 1 - 10 teams does not make and that club doesn't have another team to substitute then # 11 will fill the D1 spot. This would result in team #19 staying in D2 also since D2 would have a hole, and would then cascade to D3, etc.. Doesn't seem right but this is how CCSAI has always done in (at least in the last 5 years).

Only of coach of disbanding team does not give spot to a non D1 team before June 1st.

off_the_woodwork wrote:

jimulon6 wrote:If teams disband from D1, # 11 and # 12 don't automatically take their place. Not how it works.

Actually this IS what happens. If one of the 1 - 10 teams does not make and that club doesn't have another team to substitute then # 11 will fill the D1 spot. This would result in team #19 staying in D2 also since D2 would have a hole, and would then cascade to D3, etc.. Doesn't seem right but this is how CCSAI has always done in (at least in the last 5 years).

Correct:

Unfilled Invitations in the League. If any invitations (“Bye Positions”) go unfilled, the following will apply:

a. In U12-U19, if any Bye Position into the Classic League goes unfilled, the remaining invitees will be promoted up to fill those places. Any resulting vacancies in the Classic League will be filled through the Challenge Games. For example, if one of the 10 Bye Positions into U12/Division I is not filled, the club whose team finished in 11th place from U11 the previous year (which otherwise would have received an invitation to field a team in Division II of U12 the following year), will now be invited to field a team in Division I U12 the following year. NOTE: the 29th or 30th place team (9th or 10th in Division II) in U11 the previous year will not be promoted into a U12 Division III Bye Position because teams finishing in the last 2 places of the bottom division are not considered “invitees” for a Bye Position. If such circumstances arose prior to the beginning of the Challenge Games, such Challenge Games would be modified to accommodate the additional open position, and if such circumstances arose after the beginning of the Challenge Games, such open position would be filled through the Supplemental Challenge Games as provided below.


c. Merger/Sale/Assignment and/or Other Transfers.
There may be limited circumstances under which the Classic League will permit invitations issued to one club to be transferred to another club as a result of a merger of clubs. This will only be permitted in very limited circumstances to be decided on a case-by-case basis in the Board’s sole discretion. Invitations are not property rights and remain revocable at all times. Invitations are merely invitations to apply for a Bye Position. No person or entity should assume that an invitation extended by the Classic League may be transferred to another club (even in the face of an otherwise effective merger) without the prior written consent of the Classic League.

ALL DECISIONS ABOUT WHETHER TO PERMIT AN INVITATION TO BE TRANSFERRED FALL WITHIN THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE CLASSIC LEAGUE AND ITS DECISIONS ON THIS POINT ARE FINAL AND NON-APPEALABLE. In this connection, all persons and entities are advised that it is highly unlikely that the Classic League will permit the transfer of an invitation in a circumstance where less than 100% of the teams currently playing for a given club merge (or claimed to have merged) with another club (to whom it wishes to see the invitation transferred). IN THE EVENT THAT A DISPUTE ARISES BETWEEN ANY INTERESTED PARTIES (INCLUDING CLUBS, TEAMS, PLAYERS, PARENTS, OR OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES) AS TO THE VALIDITY OF AN INVITATION (INCLUDING THE IDENTITY OF THE CLUB TO WHOM AN INVITATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED), THE CLASSIC LEAGUE SHALL HAVE THE SOLE RIGHT TO DETERMINE SUCH DISPUTE FINALLY AND CONCLUSIVELY IN THE UNFETTERED EXERCISE OF ITS DISCRETION.

Ahh yes. So I am wrong. Sorry it was explained to me that way. Makes more sense promoting #11 anyway.

So it goes to the highest bidder?

Durty-Tackle wrote:What's the deal with all the Bandits talk. Are they on the verge of a breakup? And with the Wizards coach gone, could they be gone too?

All these scenarios could impact end of year rankings.

If these teams disband, then other teams could slide into D1 by default.

Could be interesting.

Burciaga Jr.was coaching Wizards today...great game,tied TFC Wells 1-1. Wiz had TFC on their heels for most of the second half...Anyone who ever says that a coach does not make a difference, should have seen these boys play today....totally different team.

Ibra wrote:

Durty-Tackle wrote:What's the deal with all the Bandits talk. Are they on the verge of a breakup? And with the Wizards coach gone, could they be gone too?

All these scenarios could impact end of year rankings.

If these teams disband, then other teams could slide into D1 by default.

Could be interesting.

Burciaga Jr.was coaching Wizards today...great game,tied TFC Wells 1-1. Wiz had TFC on their heels for most of the second half...Anyone who ever says that a coach does not make a difference, should have seen these boys play today....totally different team.

it is good to see them playing well...agree with your observations re coach...

jimulon6 wrote:Opinions are great. Standings are factual. I think they are accurate. So if you want to see how the teams stack up, look there April 1st.

I guess standings are factual my top picks are going to be top 4 . Tex Gallo lost a tournament against Wells , dos not mean their a better team . Tied FC Dallas and went to shootouts and tied the wizards are ranked 10. A better team can dominate the game but a weaker team can get lucky and win at the last minute . My top 4 picks stand

BigTex wrote:

jimulon6 wrote:Opinions are great. Standings are factual. I think they are accurate. So if you want to see how the teams stack up, look there April 1st.

I guess standings are factual my top picks are going to be top 4 . Tex Gallo lost a tournament against Wells , dos not mean their a better team . Tied FC Dallas and went to shootouts and tied the wizards are ranked 10. A better team can dominate the game but a weaker team can get lucky and win at the last minute . My top 4 picks stand

1# Tex Gallo
2# Wells
3# Bandits
4# Fc Dallas East

BigTex wrote:

BigTex wrote:

jimulon6 wrote:Opinions are great. Standings are factual. I think they are accurate. So if you want to see how the teams stack up, look there April 1st.

I guess standings are factual my top picks are going to be top 4 . Tex Gallo lost a tournament against Wells , dos not mean their a better team . Tied FC Dallas and went to shootouts and tied the wizards are ranked 10. A better team can dominate the game but a weaker team can get lucky and win at the last minute . My top 4 picks stand

1# Tex Gallo
2# Wells
3# Bandits
4# Fc Dallas East

Way to go out on a limb there

He's in the zone

Yes, Big Tex, it seems u have it all figured out. With the exception of the part that there is not much difference in the teams 1-7 currently, and that Gall will be caught up to next year. Gall is the only team that can substantiate there absolute reign this season. That being said , teams 2-7 are completely interchangeable, I suspect that next year some teams will regroup and mature, and hopefully challenge the 1 spot.