So the winter break is over, first games played......lots of rain and snow and cold weather. Parents wonder could we have done more, is our team what it is, indoor, futsol or scrimmages what is best. Lots of running, a bad fall fall season or a good fall season, parents talk about player movement, coaches get fired, teams switch clubs, players leave teams, injuries, other sportss, no warm up tournaments, recuriting is heating up for next year, rumors are at a high because parents have nothing better to do than talk, coaches are getting hit because parents question approach for spring. This is the final push for the new 20 team D1......few spots remain what teams will step up and take their spot in D1 for next year?
Ok, we got all that out of the way. ? is how do you feel about the 20 team D1. I feel as I did before this started is that 20 teams is a joke and the better teams will end up where they should. It will in the future make the top kids to play up and skip the first year because a lot of the games are not competitive. I understand why NTX did it, but I bet the Spring rumor mill and recuriting will be high and the fun is just started.

LoneStar wrote:So the winter break is over, first games played......lots of rain and snow and cold weather. Parents wonder could we have done more, is our team what it is, indoor, futsol or scrimmages what is best. Lots of running, a bad fall fall season or a good fall season, parents talk about player movement, coaches get fired, teams switch clubs, players leave teams, injuries, other sportss, no warm up tournaments, recuriting is heating up for next year, rumors are at a high because parents have nothing better to do than talk, coaches are getting hit because parents question approach for spring. This is the final push for the new 20 team D1......few spots remain what teams will step up and take their spot in D1 for next year?
Ok, we got all that out of the way. ? is how do you feel about the 20 team D1. I feel as I did before this started is that 20 teams is a joke and the better teams will end up where they should. It will in the future make the top kids to play up and skip the first year because a lot of the games are not competitive. I understand why NTX did it, but I bet the Spring rumor mill and recuriting will be high and the fun is just started.

Could not agree more LoneStar....the 20 team D1 format is a total joke and unnecessarily makes for non-competitive games. All to get to the same place that you were going to end up with (ie. the annual battle for spots 8-12)

Qualifying ended up in this order (top ten):
1) Sting
2) FC Dallas
3) Solar
4) Solar Red
5) D'Feeters
6) Dallas Texans
7) Sting Royal
8 ) TFC
9) Mustangs
10) Dallas Texans Red

That is fairly close to where we stand as far as teams making D1 at the end of spring. TFC and especially D. Texans Red are out of
place. So I imagine that they would be the bottom two D1 teams if we split them up this year. And I'm guessing that D. Texans North,
Solar Blue and Meja would be fighting it out in D2 to move to D1 at the end of the spring.

So I don't see why they shouldn't split it up based on this 99 season.

But then again, if you do split it up after qualifying, all the D2 teams that had even a little success during their season would be claiming
they aren't D1 only because they were never given a chance based on the qualifying tournament seeding, or something of that nature.

This way everybody earned their spot and really have no right to complain. Now this may suck for teams 1-6 since they are clearly
better than the rest, and teams 15-20 who don't stand much of a chance against those top teams, but it isn't about just those teams, IMO.

And since my opinion doesn't count (my wife taught me that), we just have to play by the rules set before us. Maybe they will change things
by the time my '04 goes to qualifying.

MoveYourFeet wrote:Qualifying ended up in this order (top ten):
1) Sting
2) FC Dallas
3) Solar
4) Solar Red
5) D'Feeters
6) Dallas Texans
7) Sting Royal
8 ) TFC
9) Mustangs
10) Dallas Texans Red

That is fairly close to where we stand as far as teams making D1 at the end of spring. TFC and especially D. Texans Red are out of
place. So I imagine that they would be the bottom two D1 teams if we split them up this year. And I'm guessing that D. Texans North,
Solar Blue and Meja would be fighting it out in D2 to move to D1 at the end of the spring.

So I don't see why they shouldn't split it up based on this 99 season.

But then again, if you do split it up after qualifying, all the D2 teams that had even a little success during their season would be claiming
they aren't D1 only because they were never given a chance based on the qualifying tournament seeding, or something of that nature.

This way everybody earned their spot and really have no right to complain. Now this may suck for teams 1-6 since they are clearly
better than the rest, and teams 15-20 who don't stand much of a chance against those top teams, but it isn't about just those teams, IMO.

And since my opinion doesn't count (my wife taught me that), we just have to play by the rules set before us. Maybe they will change things
by the time my '04 goes to qualifying.

I have an 04 as well.
2 points with 20 teams
1. Top teams play more games against top teams
2. D2 teams that are doing well, create confidence that is more important for girls this age than playing in D1. D1 is for the parents and for club bragging , having girls that believe in themselves is.......priceless. Hate to say it, but why do we play to win or to make our kids better.

LS,

I know you and I know that you started this thread after 11pm on Friday night.....

LoneStar wrote:

MoveYourFeet wrote:Qualifying ended up in this order (top ten):
1) Sting
2) FC Dallas
3) Solar
4) Solar Red
5) D'Feeters
6) Dallas Texans
7) Sting Royal
8 ) TFC
9) Mustangs
10) Dallas Texans Red

That is fairly close to where we stand as far as teams making D1 at the end of spring. TFC and especially D. Texans Red are out of
place. So I imagine that they would be the bottom two D1 teams if we split them up this year. And I'm guessing that D. Texans North,
Solar Blue and Meja would be fighting it out in D2 to move to D1 at the end of the spring.

So I don't see why they shouldn't split it up based on this 99 season.

But then again, if you do split it up after qualifying, all the D2 teams that had even a little success during their season would be claiming
they aren't D1 only because they were never given a chance based on the qualifying tournament seeding, or something of that nature.

This way everybody earned their spot and really have no right to complain. Now this may suck for teams 1-6 since they are clearly
better than the rest, and teams 15-20 who don't stand much of a chance against those top teams, but it isn't about just those teams, IMO.

And since my opinion doesn't count (my wife taught me that), we just have to play by the rules set before us. Maybe they will change things
by the time my '04 goes to qualifying.

I have an 04 as well.
2 points with 20 teams
1. Top teams play more games against top teams
2. D2 teams that are doing well, create confidence that is more important for girls this age than playing in D1. D1 is for the parents and for club bragging , having girls that believe in themselves is.......priceless. Hate to say it, but why do we play to win or to make our kids better.

All legit points by both of you. I tend to agree and like the 20 team format the first season as well for the points made by Feet. 1 bad qualifying round or game and you are relegated to D2 which IMHO isn't bad. If we have to have our DD's involved in youth soccer the way it is currently constructed, then might as well be this way.

20 team D1 is a joke to the qualifying tournament. It makes the U11 year a qualifier. It also makes for a pretty boring year to the top teams. It is now a "watered down" league. But what it does in the long run is make a very good recruiting platform for the top teams as they are able to see more of the girls out there as they play them.

bevowhoopin wrote:20 team D1 is a joke to the qualifying tournament. It makes the U11 year a qualifier. It also makes for a pretty boring year to the top teams. It is now a "watered down" league. But what it does in the long run is make a very good recruiting platform for the top teams as they are able to see more of the girls out there as they play them.

Your wrong! Actually, to each his own. I like it but then again my daughters team benefits from this format. Did you guys not have the two divisions divided last year?

dadonthesidelines wrote:

bevowhoopin wrote:20 team D1 is a joke to the qualifying tournament. It makes the U11 year a qualifier. It also makes for a pretty boring year to the top teams. It is now a "watered down" league. But what it does in the long run is make a very good recruiting platform for the top teams as they are able to see more of the girls out there as they play them.

Your wrong! Actually, to each his own. I like it but then again my daughters team benefits from this format. Did you guys not have the two divisions divided last year?

You are correct that your team did benefit but to what accord. If your team is one that is 7-13 then those are the teams that benefit the most from this format. If your team is 14-20 then you benefit in getting to play the more competitive teams which will make your team better but you have to be prepared to get embarrassed some times. If you are unfortunate enough to be top five or six, you gotta hope that you have a good recruiter on your squad and that maybe you can get into some competitive tournaments or scrimmages to supplement your season.
Last year the tournament meant everything as there were 3 divisions of 10 after qualifying. There is nothing wrong with change as long as it can be evaluated and corrections made if it doesn't work. But your right, to each his own and maybe I'm in the minority.

bevowhoopin wrote:

dadonthesidelines wrote:

bevowhoopin wrote:20 team D1 is a joke to the qualifying tournament. It makes the U11 year a qualifier. It also makes for a pretty boring year to the top teams. It is now a "watered down" league. But what it does in the long run is make a very good recruiting platform for the top teams as they are able to see more of the girls out there as they play them.

Your wrong! Actually, to each his own. I like it but then again my daughters team benefits from this format. Did you guys not have the two divisions divided last year?

You are correct that your team did benefit but to what accord. If your team is one that is 7-13 then those are the teams that benefit the most from this format. If your team is 14-20 then you benefit in getting to play the more competitive teams which will make your team better but you have to be prepared to get embarrassed some times. If you are unfortunate enough to be top five or six, you gotta hope that you have a good recruiter on your squad and that maybe you can get into some competitive tournaments or scrimmages to supplement your season.
Last year the tournament meant everything as there were 3 divisions of 10 after qualifying. There is nothing wrong with change as long as it can be evaluated and corrections made if it doesn't work. But your right, to each his own and maybe I'm in the minority.

Bevo, I am right there with ya! I just don't see the point if you are going to get to the same situation after 12 months (give or take 2-3 teams)....but that is what happens every year in select soccer. This is nothing more than 20 teams (and clubs) being able to say that they are D1 teams. Here is one positive - teams get to play 19 games instead of 18!

No way I can compete with the infinate wisdom that you and TT bring to the table. I am a whole lot newbier(really, it's a word) to this than you guys. It is definately more beneficial to the 7-20 teams than the top 6, I agree. It is my understanding that they boys have been doing this for a while. What was the reason that LHGCL made the change this last season? Is it a failed experiment? Will they go back next season? I think the biggest question looming is how many games will be re-scheduled due to weather. Wow, this last 1 year has been rough. El Nino-El-Nina, whatever, it's just been a struggle. Not just with games but with practice as well.

bevowhoopin wrote:

dadonthesidelines wrote:

bevowhoopin wrote:20 team D1 is a joke to the qualifying tournament. It makes the U11 year a qualifier. It also makes for a pretty boring year to the top teams. It is now a "watered down" league. But what it does in the long run is make a very good recruiting platform for the top teams as they are able to see more of the girls out there as they play them.

Your wrong! Actually, to each his own. I like it but then again my daughters team benefits from this format. Did you guys not have the two divisions divided last year?

You are correct that your team did benefit but to what accord. If your team is one that is 7-13 then those are the teams that benefit the most from this format. If your team is 14-20 then you benefit in getting to play the more competitive teams which will make your team better but you have to be prepared to get embarrassed some times. If you are unfortunate enough to be top five or six, you gotta hope that you have a good recruiter on your squad and that maybe you can get into some competitive tournaments or scrimmages to supplement your season.
Last year the tournament meant everything as there were 3 divisions of 10 after qualifying. There is nothing wrong with change as long as it can be evaluated and corrections made if it doesn't work. But your right, to each his own and maybe I'm in the minority.

First time through, so really nothing to compare it to first hand.... But the boys have done it this way for some time and they do just fine...
Bevo did you mean when you said unforunate to be on a top team???
The Spring Season is shaping up to be a nice season, so really just the Fall was lopsided for some teams... And that is an easy fix... Just play odd seeds V odd seeds and even V evens in the Fall and then switch it up for the Spring... That way you get competitve games everyother week all year.... And what did you mean by recruiting??? Logic says the top teams will have much to choose from teams 8 thru 20(really no difference there).. Parents that want the dds to stay in the top D1 mix.... Could almost be easy... But just incase, we have some recruiters on the card...

So teams 7-10 benefit. Teams 11-14 that have a chance for D1 get that test to play D1 teams and prove to themselves they can play. Teams 14-20, get a lot of tough games. Is it better to be the top of D2 and not lose or to finish 11-14 and lose girls to top teams. Big picture it is about how you and your kid handle your situation. You can be on a top team and be out of soccer in 2 years or you can be on a team that has not won much this year and in 2 years be a stud. It is all a learning experience. I still hate the 20 teams set up. Funny you guys bring up the boys, I heard last year they were about to change to 10 teams for the first year last year. If the girls stay the same and I had a child that was considered a top player, I would play up before going through this crap again. It is for only one year, but when the season is over, I would be suprised to see any big suprises.

SoccerSounder wrote:

bevowhoopin wrote:

dadonthesidelines wrote:

bevowhoopin wrote:20 team D1 is a joke to the qualifying tournament. It makes the U11 year a qualifier. It also makes for a pretty boring year to the top teams. It is now a "watered down" league. But what it does in the long run is make a very good recruiting platform for the top teams as they are able to see more of the girls out there as they play them.

Your wrong! Actually, to each his own. I like it but then again my daughters team benefits from this format. Did you guys not have the two divisions divided last year?

You are correct that your team did benefit but to what accord. If your team is one that is 7-13 then those are the teams that benefit the most from this format. If your team is 14-20 then you benefit in getting to play the more competitive teams which will make your team better but you have to be prepared to get embarrassed some times. If you are unfortunate enough to be top five or six, you gotta hope that you have a good recruiter on your squad and that maybe you can get into some competitive tournaments or scrimmages to supplement your season.
Last year the tournament meant everything as there were 3 divisions of 10 after qualifying. There is nothing wrong with change as long as it can be evaluated and corrections made if it doesn't work. But your right, to each his own and maybe I'm in the minority.

First time through, so really nothing to compare it to first hand.... But the boys have done it this way for some time and they do just fine...
Bevo did you mean when you said unforunate to be on a top team???
The Spring Season is shaping up to be a nice season, so really just the Fall was lopsided for some teams... And that is an easy fix... Just play odd seeds V odd seeds and even V evens in the Fall and then switch it up for the Spring... That way you get competitve games everyother week all year.... And what did you mean by recruiting??? Logic says the top teams will have much to choose from teams 8 thru 20(really no difference there).. Parents that want the dds to stay in the top D1 mix.... Could almost be easy... But just incase, we have some recruiters on the card...

I look at it as the rich get richer, and the not so lucky get poorer. So, if you have a good recruiter (sorry can't use that word ) I mean if somehow girls just flock to your team in June then you must have done well. TT always finds the good in it. 19 games are better than 18 for the price if the weather will allow it. But it depends because if you are a top 7-8 team then IMO you would rather play the top 7-8 teams twice a year instead of once. That is where the top few teams are unfortunate (instead of 18 competitive games, you may end up with 8 or 9 or fewer depending on where you rank).

The newbier may have some decisions coming up? I just wanted to try that word in a sentence. Did that sound right???

LoneStar wrote:

MoveYourFeet wrote:Qualifying ended up in this order (top ten):
1) Sting
2) FC Dallas
3) Solar
4) Solar Red
5) D'Feeters
6) Dallas Texans
7) Sting Royal
8 ) TFC
9) Mustangs
10) Dallas Texans Red

That is fairly close to where we stand as far as teams making D1 at the end of spring. TFC and especially D. Texans Red are out of
place. So I imagine that they would be the bottom two D1 teams if we split them up this year. And I'm guessing that D. Texans North,
Solar Blue and Meja would be fighting it out in D2 to move to D1 at the end of the spring.

So I don't see why they shouldn't split it up based on this 99 season.

But then again, if you do split it up after qualifying, all the D2 teams that had even a little success during their season would be claiming
they aren't D1 only because they were never given a chance based on the qualifying tournament seeding, or something of that nature.

This way everybody earned their spot and really have no right to complain. Now this may suck for teams 1-6 since they are clearly
better than the rest, and teams 15-20 who don't stand much of a chance against those top teams, but it isn't about just those teams, IMO.

And since my opinion doesn't count (my wife taught me that), we just have to play by the rules set before us. Maybe they will change things
by the time my '04 goes to qualifying.

I have an 04 as well.
2 points with 20 teams
1. Top teams play more games against top teams
2. D2 teams that are doing well, create confidence that is more important for girls this age than playing in D1. D1 is for the parents and for club bragging , having girls that believe in themselves is.......priceless. Hate to say it, but why do we play to win or to make our kids better.

LoneStar's 04 ?????