ECNL 99 Texas Conference Thoughts:

Pretty early, but it is still fun to try to size things up for the coming year. No predictions yet. Please share your thoughts.

Alpha order-

1. Albion – Got off to a decent early start last year and then struggled the rest of the way.  Heard they’re losing an important player to Rush as well. Most likely a tough year coming up.

2. Challenge – Wore down during the season last year. Rumors that they may have loss one or two players to Rush again. If so, things could be worse this year. However, they have one of the best players in the Nation and that can keep you in it.

3. D’ Feeters – Had a few scrappy results last year, but really struggled over-all. They have re-vamped the Roster quite a bit. Should have some excitement as the soccer season starts with the fresh faces, including one very good player!

4. FC Dallas – Great year last season as they made a run to Nationals and finished 11th in the Nation. They have had some important player losses to the Texans and I have not heard how they will replace them. The rest of the Club also had important player losses in ECNL and the “trickle-down” could affect them badly or maybe well if the star 99s come back down from the 98s.

5. Dallas Texans – They had a shot at Nationals last year until the last week or two of the season. Very good talent on the Roster and only lost a few players during the course of last year. And they have now added players believed to be an upgrade. Coach did have to take seven 99 players to Nationals with his 98s this month, so we have to let the dust settle and see how many 99s MAY end up on the 98s, before everyone knows what the Roster will look like.

6. Hurricanes – Hung tough in nearly every game last year. This year the super strong rumor is that they have now gained several (or more) of the OK Blitz 99 team, which went to the Regional Finals in June. Looks to be true as the Blitz are not showing on the websites for Premier League and Regional Premier League. Would be the most improved team “on paper”.

7. Lonestars – Really a nice season last year with the 2nd best goal differential in the League. If they matched up better with Sting, they would have made Nationals over FCD. Not sure how much roster change is possible down in Austin, but should be right in the mix and dangerous every week.

8. Rush – Nice season last year. Another team that was alive for Nationals until the last week or so. If the rumors of them gaining players from Albion and Challenge are true, they have to be considered one of the favorites with Solar.

9. Solar – Defending Champs and finishing 8th in the Nation at Nationals. Great Season last year and I’m sure they hope to hold pat this year. Did lose important players to Sting and Texans, but have been able to replace from within the Club. Will definitely start the Season as the benchmark for the rest of the conference.

10. Sting – Some very early excitement last year, followed by a bad Fall and exciting, improving Spring. Many Roster moves around the core of the team this Summer, including gaining some Solar players, looks to be a very exciting year. 2nd most improved team “on paper” behind Hurricanes.

Blitz transformation is true. Gotsoccer now shows they changed their name to TSC Hurricane 99 ECNL. Here's the PL link from last season that shows the old Blitz name on the schedule but the name changed at the top. http://events.gotsport.com/events/schedule.aspx?EventID=25682&ApplicationID=1461887

News from the south 99's.

Rush added one very good player from Albion

Challenge lost 3 or 4 players to other sports and added one from Albion

Albion lost a player to both Rush and Challenge. Still expect a better performance this year, tho

stx guest wrote:News from the south 99's.

Rush added one very good player from Albion

Challenge lost 3 or 4 players to other sports and added one from Albion

Albion lost a player to both Rush and Challenge.  Still expect a better performance this year, tho

Thanks for the update and info!

geno105 wrote:Blitz transformation is true.  Gotsoccer now shows they changed their name to TSC Hurricane 99 ECNL.  Here's the PL link from last season that shows the old Blitz name on the schedule but the name changed at the top.  http://events.gotsport.com/events/schedule.aspx?EventID=25682&ApplicationID=1461887

Entire team moved from Blitz to TSCH.

tschlurker wrote:

geno105 wrote:Blitz transformation is true.  Gotsoccer now shows they changed their name to TSC Hurricane 99 ECNL.  Here's the PL link from last season that shows the old Blitz name on the schedule but the name changed at the top.  http://events.gotsport.com/events/schedule.aspx?EventID=25682&ApplicationID=1461887

Entire team moved from Blitz to TSCH.

If that's correct, there could be some upset parents from last year's TSC ECNL team. How did they work it out to take the whole team?

geno105 wrote:

tschlurker wrote:

geno105 wrote:Blitz transformation is true.  Gotsoccer now shows they changed their name to TSC Hurricane 99 ECNL.  Here's the PL link from last season that shows the old Blitz name on the schedule but the name changed at the top.  http://events.gotsport.com/events/schedule.aspx?EventID=25682&ApplicationID=1461887

Entire team moved from Blitz to TSCH.

If that's correct, there could be some upset parents from last year's TSC ECNL team.  How did they work it out to take the whole team?

DD not in that age group, but it is my understanding there was much drama before and at tryouts.  However, last year's ECNL group was not extremely successful so it should not necessarily have been surprising that Blitz group formed majority of this year's ECNL team.  Anyway, as I understand it, situation was similar to 98 Attack group moving from Blitz to TSCH ECNL last year: parents/coaches on successful teams which dominated in-state competition decided ECNL was the best option for the team.

soccersounder wrote:Pretty early, but it is still fun to try to size things up for the coming year. No predictions yet. Please share your thoughts.

Alpha order-

1. Albion – Got off to a decent early start last year and then struggled the rest of the way.  Heard they’re losing an important player to Rush as well. Most likely a tough year coming up.

2. Challenge – Wore down during the season last year. Rumors that they may have loss one or two players to Rush again. If so, things could be worse this year. However, they have one of the best players in the Nation and that can keep you in it.

3. D’ Feeters – Had a few scrappy results last year, but really struggled over-all. They have re-vamped the Roster quite a bit. Should have some excitement as the soccer season starts with the fresh faces, including one very good player!

4. FC Dallas – Great year last season as they made a run to Nationals and finished 11th in the Nation. They have had some important player losses to the Texans and I have not heard how they will replace them. The rest of the Club also had important player losses in ECNL and the “trickle-down” could affect them badly or maybe well if the star 99s come back down from the 98s.

5. Dallas Texans – They had a shot at Nationals last year until the last week or two of the season. Very good talent on the Roster and only lost a few players during the course of last year. And they have now added players believed to be an upgrade. Coach did have to take seven 99 players to Nationals with his 98s this month, so we have to let the dust settle and see how many 99s MAY end up on the 98s, before everyone knows what the Roster will look like.

6. Hurricanes – Hung tough in nearly every game last year. This year the super strong rumor is that they have now gained several (or more) of the OK Blitz 99 team, which went to the Regional Finals in June. Looks to be true as the Blitz are not showing on the websites for Premier League and Regional Premier League. Would be the most improved team “on paper”.

7. Lonestars – Really a nice season last year with the 2nd best goal differential in the League. If they matched up better with Sting, they would have made Nationals over FCD. Not sure how much roster change is possible down in Austin, but should be right in the mix and dangerous every week.

8. Rush – Nice season last year. Another team that was alive for Nationals until the last week or so. If the rumors of them gaining players from Albion and Challenge are true, they have to be considered one of the favorites with Solar.

9. Solar – Defending Champs and finishing 8th in the Nation at Nationals. Great Season last year and I’m sure they hope to hold pat this year. Did lose important players to Sting and Texans, but have been able to replace from within the Club. Will definitely start the Season as the benchmark for the rest of the conference.

10. Sting – Some very early excitement last year, followed by a bad Fall and exciting, improving Spring. Many Roster moves around the core of the team this Summer, including gaining some Solar players, looks to be a very exciting year. 2nd most improved team “on paper” behind Hurricanes.

Can only comment on the 99 Houston Clubs. In alpha order

Albion did lose a starter. Have not heard that they added anybody.

Challenge lost one top forward and two other contributors. All three quit the ECNL team. I have not heard they transferred anywhere.

Rush added one from Albion and one from out of town.

As far as the favorites go, I would have Solar and FC Dallas, they are one and two until proven otherwise. I like the Texans, Rush and Lonestar as the closest pursuers. Maybe Sting can break in that group.

If Hurricane rumor is true, Solar and TSCH have to be the favorites.

futbollove wrote:If Hurricane rumor is true, Solar and TSCH have to be the favorites.

How do you figure that?

http://home.gotsoccer.com/rankings/team.aspx?teamid=134812.  

The TSCH transformation is more than a rumor.  It is a brand new team. Blitz 99 finished with 12 kids last year.  All 12 moved to TSCH, and I understand that 11 now form the core of the TSCH ECNL team.  No axe to grind, not my DD age group, but why wouldn't they be one of the top teams?

MoveYourFeet wrote:

futbollove wrote:If Hurricane rumor is true, Solar and TSCH have to be the favorites.

How do you figure that?

Which part? Solar or TSCH? Have you seen either play? That's how I figure.
But just my opinion. You never know.

futbollove wrote:

MoveYourFeet wrote:

futbollove wrote:If Hurricane rumor is true, Solar and TSCH have to be the favorites.

How do you figure that?

Which part? Solar or TSCH? Have you seen either play? That's how I figure.
But just my opinion. You never know.

Seen both, played both, but I was referring to TSCH.
What is it that will make them a favorite?
The new addition? Definitely an upgrade, but I don't see how it makes them the favorite.

Last year's TSCH team is irrelevant to the issue of 99 ECNL favorites. "Upgrade" is quite the understatement. This is Blitz 99 with new shirts and more depth, and regardless of whether you saw them play, their record is impressive. Everything's bigger in Texas, but it seems TSCH could be in the hunt for one of the top spots.

tschlurker wrote:http://home.gotsoccer.com/rankings/team.aspx?teamid=134812.  

The TSCH transformation is more than a rumor.  It is a brand new team. Blitz 99 finished with 12 kids last year.  All 12 moved to TSCH, and I understand that 11 now form the core of the TSCH ECNL team.  No axe to grind, not my DD age group, but why wouldn't they be one of the top teams?

My reasons
1. They were one of the worst teams last year.
2. They are mixing two teams. That is never easy and usually takes time to see results.
3. The incoming girls have zero ECNL experience.
4. The U15 Texas division may be the most difficult conference. It's like playing an SEC schedule. No off days.
5. Extrapolating results against weaker opponents never yields accurate data.

It is not hard to believe they will be more competitive. But only a parent would suggest them as a favorite.

I am not a parent of a kid on that team nor does my DD have any friends on that team. Have just seen the Blitz group (this team is not a mashup, same girls, same coach, deeper bench) play a lot and think they can be in the mix. Some "top" Oklahoma teams struggle in Texas, so we'll see.

Definitely an upgrade. A major upgrade. But to call them the favorite? Silly.

We played Blitz twice, last spring in the International Cup and at the end of the season
before that at Regionals. We beat them both times.
They are good, but not worthy of being one of the standout top two teams to beat.

You can't look at their record last year against inferior teams and take that into
consideration. Those weren't ECNL teams they were facing.

Clearly Solar and FC Dallas are the teams to beat. They proved it last year and have
done nothing to show that they are going to be less of a handful this year.

Blitz Attack 98 made nearly the same transition last year (moved largely as a group to TSCH) and did well. The gap between top non-ECNL teams and top ECNL teams is almost certainly at its smallest at U14. So, again, we'll see how it goes in the games. They may indeed struggle. Should have some indication after first three games (at D'F, at FCS, home v Solar).

MoveYourFeet wrote:Definitely an upgrade. A major upgrade. But to call them the favorite? Silly.

We played Blitz twice, last spring in the International Cup and at the end of the season
before that at Regionals. We beat them both times.
They are good, but not worthy of being one of the standout top two teams to beat.

You can't look at their record last year against inferior teams and take that into
consideration. Those weren't ECNL teams they were facing.

Clearly Solar and FC Dallas are the teams to beat. They proved it last year and have
done nothing to show that they are going to be less of a handful this year.

I was looking more at the games I saw against ECNL level teams. Despite what everyone seems to assume, not all of the top level teams play ECNL. Blitz and Tophat are two that give almost all ECNL teams a run for their money.
But I stand behind my prediction. Who do you see as the favorites?

futbollove wrote:

MoveYourFeet wrote:Definitely an upgrade. A major upgrade. But to call them the favorite? Silly.

We played Blitz twice, last spring in the International Cup and at the end of the season
before that at Regionals. We beat them both times.
They are good, but not worthy of being one of the standout top two teams to beat.

You can't look at their record last year against inferior teams and take that into
consideration. Those weren't ECNL teams they were facing.

Clearly Solar and FC Dallas are the teams to beat. They proved it last year and have
done nothing to show that they are going to be less of a handful this year.

I was looking more at the games I saw against ECNL level teams. Despite what everyone seems to assume, not all of the top level teams play ECNL. Blitz and Tophat are two that give almost all ECNL teams a run for their money.
But I stand behind my prediction. Who do you see as the favorites?

Don't worry about these guys in here....

Blitz was a top 10 or so team in the Country last year...  They beat some of those "SEC" (lol) teams..  Did someone mention a game that took place 2 years ago, as to why Blitz are not that good???? Very funny!  All the kids in Tulsa know each other and have played together. The coach knows all of the kids.. It will be a smooth transition.

Hurricane is in the mix at the top.. Get use to it..

Solar are the champs until they are not, but Solar, FCD, Rush, Sting, Hurricane, Lonestar and Texans are in the mix.... Good Conference. You will have some very good teams miss out on Nationals...

soccersounder wrote:

Blitz was a top 10 or so team in the Country last year...  They beat some of those "SEC" (lol) teams..  Did someone mention a game that took place 2 years ago, as to why Blitz are not that good???? Very funny!  All the kids in Tulsa know each other and have played together. The coach knows all of the kids.. It will be a smooth transition.

Hurricane is in the mix at the top.. Get use to it..

Solar are the champs until they are not, but Solar, FCD, Rush, Sting, Hurricane, Lonestar and Texans are in the mix.... Good Conference. You will have some very good teams miss out on Nationals...

Two years ago? Sorry brother, but one year and a couple of months isn't quite 2 years. But my point was that they are good, but to elevate them to being the team to beat is going too far. They are definitely in the mix. Anything more than that need to be proven.

MYF: No reason to be sorry. I know what you meant. But the fact is you mentioned a  U13 game and the girls are now U 15.  Now when you beat Blitz a few months ago, Blitz beat Sting that week and then Sting beat you several days later. What does it all mean, lol

soccersounder wrote:MYF: No reason to be sorry. I know what you meant. But the fact is you mentioned a  U13 game and the girls are now U 15.  Now when you beat Blitz a few months ago, Blitz beat Sting that week and then Sting beat you several days later. What does it all mean, lol

I guess what I'm thinking and what I am typing is two different points (Is "typing" the proper word these days? Or did I just show my age?). In both game we played Blitz, the games were close enough to go either way at the end of the game. We could have just as easily tied or lost. So I don't mean to sound like I am over here thumping my chest. Not at all. My point was that they are not going to come into ECNL and be a clear favorite like was earlier stated.

Will they be in the mix? Absolutely. But I was just disagreeing with the point of saying that Solar and the Blitz/Hurricane group should be the favorites. If anything, I was sticking up for FCD and trying to give them their due for their season last year.

For what it's worth, TSCH beat FCD and Feet over the weekend.

What are you hearing about the remaining minutes for the match that was interrupted against Challenge? The score is not entered. Is it a tie?