ASG '97B on Mon Aug 15, 2011 6:39 pm
What a great tournament for the '97B age division. Plenty of Div I, Div II, and Div III talent represented there. I didn't weigh in on the predictions because I was still getting the down low on the depth of the talent lost due to Academy league for some of the teams. Observations are as follows:
1.) Congratulations to the Amarillo Lightning '97B. I have been a big fan of your team for several years getting to know you'll through the Arlington Soccer Association. You put on one hell of a show this weekend! I have to admit I thought you would struggle against the Tigres, but to my suprise you beat them in every facet of the game. Wasn't even close! Score should have been 5 or 6-0. You dominated every single team you played and made it look easy. I also happened to notice that you added some major talent to an already technically, tactically sound team. You will be the team to beat in this age group for the year 2011-2012. GUARANTEE!
2.) Tigres: Great team with tremendous athletes. Problem I see is that you aren't the superior athelets on the field you were last year. Other teams players have hit puberty and now the "deep" ball you had such success with, simply isn't getting it done. You have a good coach, but during the game with Lightning you were out coached the whole game. Technically and tactically you were dominated, and the Lightning coach won the "chess" game with no problems. I believe you will have success, but don't think you'll even be in the top of Div I?
3.) Hurst: Wow, you continue to go downhill year after year. Lack of technique, and training has finally caught up to you. Going to be an interesting upcoming year. Predict you will finish no better than middle of the pack Div III.
4.) FWFC: I feel sorry for these young men. Great team with talent and appear to have tremendous heart. I have never heard such negativity from a coach in my 20+ years of being in and around the game. Sarcastic comments throughout and constant be-littlement. I even heard several of the boys after the game walking towards the awards saying they can't f**king stand him and are considering quiting the game. If I were a parent on this team, and this coach would have been utilizing the coaching methodolgy I witness with my own child, I would have been arrested for physically assaulting him! Hate to see this environment for these young men.
5.) Solar '98: Great young team. Thought you are well coached and believe you will do outstanding this next year. You lost some talent due to the Academy League, but should still be strong. Solar has a great program and I thought you'll handled yourself wonderfully against the older teams. Congrats!
In conclusion, I enjoyed seeing what the '97B age group had to offer. We are in for some real suprises, and I fear many disappointments in this age group. Good luck to all and I look forward to watching you'll grow.
OnTheSurface
