Are there any surprises or predictions based on the opening weekend in 96?

The tornados losing their 1st game in over 12 months was a bit of a surprise in D2.

TOR lost back in June; they were close to one year w/o losing a game. They beat FCD 2-1 the 1st time around so I don't think this could be classified as a shocker. Regardless, I think TOR is the better team; must of been "one of those days".

NT Strikers got waxed pretty good... wonder if the wheels have flown off for that team.

I like the battle going on for 3rd & 4th in D1. Tejanos, FCD, and DTR... should be good down the stretch.

Could DTRW make a run for 2nd in D2? Won't that be nice... if they advance to D1, and DTR leave next yr for academy, you'll have DTW in D1. Gotta love it!

DTRW's season comes pretty much down to this weekend when they play the 2nd place Tornados. If they win then they are within one game and Tornados still have ODY on the schedule.
Would love to see the Tejanos go top three in D1

Tornados plyed like _____ this past weekend. This week they got the keeper back, and a key forward both from injuries. They are well aware of this weekends game. Ody tie was a bit of a suprise to some of us as well. Rain Rain stay away.......

Are the top teams of DI moving to academy next season? .......(yes, I've been living under a rock)....if so seems Andro-Titans-Solar fighting to stay....

CH1 wrote:Are the top teams of DI moving to academy next season? .......(yes, I've been living under a rock)....if so seems Andro-Titans-Solar fighting to stay....

Doesn't really matter because if the top 4 go to academy the clubs will still own the byes for Classic D1. So they will fill those byes with some team from somewhere. I don't see any of those clubs giving up a D1 bye.
This means D1 talent base will be very diluted next season - just look at what happened with the 95's this year if you want a preview. There will be several D2 teams which will be better than the bottom half of D1 next season. Because of the way CCSAI handles these byes, Classic D1 no longer has anywhere close to the status that is used to, especially at U16 and later.

Solar, DTR, and FCD will definitely head to Academy. Not sure about Andro Red.
All the outstanding players will head to FCD tryouts; those who don't make it will filter down to the other 3. Regardless, I think the '96 class is deep in talent, enough for 4 academy teams to form.
I agree, D1 after U15 is very watered down. Being in D1 is not the same; college showcases are more important at this age. So now there is the cost of the clubs, cost of playing CL, additional showcase tourneys, and possible travel... who says the economy is bad?

soccermom040 wrote:Solar, DTR, and FCD will definitely head to Academy. Not sure about Andro Red.
All the outstanding players will head to FCD tryouts; those who don't make it will filter down to the other 3. Regardless, I think the '96 class is deep in talent, enough for 4 academy teams to form.
I agree, D1 after U15 is very watered down. Being in D1 is not the same; college showcases are more important at this age. So now there is the cost of the clubs, cost of playing CL, additional showcase tourneys, and possible travel... who says the economy is bad?

Why would all the outstanding players head to FCD tryouts? All but a couple of the outstanding players are already on the other three teams?

Crochet wrote:

soccermom040 wrote:Solar, DTR, and FCD will definitely head to Academy. Not sure about Andro Red.
All the outstanding players will head to FCD tryouts; those who don't make it will filter down to the other 3. Regardless, I think the '96 class is deep in talent, enough for 4 academy teams to form.
I agree, D1 after U15 is very watered down. Being in D1 is not the same; college showcases are more important at this age. So now there is the cost of the clubs, cost of playing CL, additional showcase tourneys, and possible travel... who says the economy is bad?

Why would all the outstanding players head to FCD tryouts? All but a couple of the outstanding players are already on the other three teams?

I agree - if anything FCD could find themselves losing some of their outstanding players to other academies. One reason is that many of these boys want to play High School soccer, which isn't allowed if you're in FCD academy. To my knowledge the other 3 are still allowing HS play. Some folks like to trivialize this but playing HS soccer is important to a lot of these guys.

Isn't FCD academy funded by the pro franchise? That's why the boys are not allowed to play HS ball... FCD funds them being on the academy team. They don't want their investment getting hurt while playing hack ball in HS. The outstanding players will try out with FCD first b/c it's cheaper. For most families(that means not rich), its a no brainer. If you're good enough to make FCD academy, why would you go pay to play with another academy?

soccermom040 wrote:Isn't FCD academy funded by the pro franchise? That's why the boys are not allowed to play HS ball... FCD funds them being on the academy team. They don't want their investment getting hurt while playing hack ball in HS. The outstanding players will try out with FCD first b/c it's cheaper. For most families(that means not rich), its a no brainer. If you're good enough to make FCD academy, why would you go pay to play with another academy?

HS soccer may be hack ball, but many of the boys still enjoy it. Especially ones from strong soccer schools (Plano, Coppell, FM Marcus, etc). If you want to look at academy players affect on HS teams go and watch Southlake play. I know my 9th grader would give up club before HS - he just enjoys HS

soccermom040 wrote:Isn't FCD academy funded by the pro franchise? That's why the boys are not allowed to play HS ball... FCD funds them being on the academy team. They don't want their investment getting hurt while playing hack ball in HS. The outstanding players will try out with FCD first b/c it's cheaper. For most families(that means not rich), its a no brainer. If you're good enough to make FCD academy, why would you go pay to play with another academy?

Texans are free as well, and I thought Solar was, too. Only Andro not free for Academy.

ontherightside wrote:

soccermom040 wrote:Isn't FCD academy funded by the pro franchise? That's why the boys are not allowed to play HS ball... FCD funds them being on the academy team. They don't want their investment getting hurt while playing hack ball in HS. The outstanding players will try out with FCD first b/c it's cheaper. For most families(that means not rich), its a no brainer. If you're good enough to make FCD academy, why would you go pay to play with another academy?

Texans are free as well, and I thought Solar was, too. Only Andro not free for Academy.

Free as in no fees but you still must pay all travel costs which are about equal what the club would have been. FCD is a full free ride includung travel costs and equipment.

Nice! Did not know that.

Does that mean that DTR,FCD,Solar,Andro Red all vacate the DI spot...but their lower level teams will mvoe up into those places?...basically the 2 teams (Solar-Andro)that could face de-regulation would remain and DII teams would move up (Texans-FCD) ....and does that mean all the DIII and PPL/APL would move into their spots?

Nothing wrong with enjoying HS ball. HS soccer is what it is, a social outlet, not a haven for soccer growth. But for FCD academy, it's not about enjoying HS ball, it's about protecting their investment. Players that are serious about elevating their game tryout for academy teams. Those that are good enough make FCD academy... remember, they get the biggest turn out b/c money is not a factor. If I were paying hard earned money for academy ball, I wouldn't want to increase the risk of injury in HS. If my kid is going to get hurt, let it be during academy practices or games, not b/c of an ill advised slide tackle from Gwar the linebacker.
It's a choice that parents have to make... just like the one they make when they pay over 3K for club soccer.

And yes... the big four clubs leaving for academy create the ripple affect through CL and sometimes even PL/APL. That's why the level of play in CL after U15 takes a nose dive.

off_the_woodwork wrote:

soccermom040 wrote:Isn't FCD academy funded by the pro franchise? That's why the boys are not allowed to play HS ball... FCD funds them being on the academy team. They don't want their investment getting hurt while playing hack ball in HS. The outstanding players will try out with FCD first b/c it's cheaper. For most families(that means not rich), its a no brainer. If you're good enough to make FCD academy, why would you go pay to play with another academy?

HS soccer may be hack ball, but many of the boys still enjoy it. Especially ones from strong soccer schools (Plano, Coppell, FM Marcus, etc). If you want to look at academy players affect on HS teams go and watch Southlake play. I know my 9th grader would give up club before HS - he just enjoys HS

The general concensus outside the closed world of select soccer is, if you can play and you're an athlete, play high school ball.....if not, you gotta pay.....

Crochet wrote:

soccermom040 wrote:Solar, DTR, and FCD will definitely head to Academy. Not sure about Andro Red.
All the outstanding players will head to FCD tryouts; those who don't make it will filter down to the other 3. Regardless, I think the '96 class is deep in talent, enough for 4 academy teams to form.
I agree, D1 after U15 is very watered down. Being in D1 is not the same; college showcases are more important at this age. So now there is the cost of the clubs, cost of playing CL, additional showcase tourneys, and possible travel... who says the economy is bad?

Why would all the outstanding players head to FCD tryouts? All but a couple of the outstanding players are already on the other three teams?

Mainly because FCD pays for everything and if the player has professional aspirations it is a direct path.

For those who don't mind a bit of kickball and screaming coaches, Texans and Solar are options.

Andromeda academy teams are nothing more than classic league level. It remains to be seen if they exist next year. If so, it will likley be under a different moniker.