u14 ECNL Spring '14 Predictions

Packrabbit and outonthelimb!!! Where ya'll at? Finally some action today/tonight?
Good luck to all the players. I wish them all an injury free game. Unfortunately I have D'feeters winning...because of home field advantage.

Tiger,
Not sure if any of the NTX teams have a home field advantage, but I echo your sentiments! Good luck to both of these very good teams, and pray for all of the young ladies' continued good health.

O-O-L: Wish your DD good luck tonight and keep us appraised of the tonight's outcome so we don't have to wait on the ECNL website scores!

It was a very well played game. You know a game is big when the opposing coach actually takes time out of his schedule to come scout the opponent. Randy was cited out at RR on Saturday during the Texans vs AHFC game. IMO that act says a lot about the coach and his approach to the game. He wanted to prepare his troops and have a game plan. I love it as it shows these games mean as much to him as they do to the girls/parents. To that end I give mad props to R. Shaw and the Defeeters for their game plan. Randy knows his team and their shortcomings well and devised a scheme that suits their strengths and makes them a tough out. The Feet girls deserve a great deal of credit for executing that plan and playing their hearts out. The plan of shortening the field by keeping the defenders high and the keeper at the top of the box was nicely played. Whenever the Feet defenders cleared the ball up the field the entire back line went flying up field leaving several Texan girls offside. I'll be hearing the Center Defender and Keeper hollering "Get Up" in my sleep. They were hell bent not to let the Texans speed beat them over the top and sprung the offside trap at least 15 times in the 1st half. A lesser team would not have been that disciplined on defense...well played, very well played. Feet came out very gritty as well and tried to take the fight to Texans with some physical (yet clean) play. This was a tougher side of Feet that I hadn't seen before and showed their intent on leaving it all on the field.

Unfortunately for Feet this Texans team is not only extremely physically gifted but they are excellent soccer players. Their ability to change up their style of play from over the top to small ball yet do them both at an extremely fast pace is what could make them a tough out if they are fortunate enough to make it to nationals. Texans were on the attack from the opening whistle and attacked in waves most of the game keeping Feet on their heels a lot. The game was tied 1-1 at half but momentum was heavily weighted toward the Texans. The 2nd half was much of the same except for the change in style for the Texans. The ball stayed on the ground more and the girls used their speed with the ball at their foot and off the ball movement to get around Feet. Having the high line worked against Feet once the Texans were dribbling toward the defenders with a full head of steam and several waves of attackers. Feet made things interesting off the big foot of one of their defenders on free kicks at the end of the 2nd half. She was dropping bombs from midfield into the box and Feet girls got off a couple of decent looks that were sent over the bar or snuffed out by the keeper in the scrum.

The game ended 3-1 Texans and no serious injuries to either side.

All in all it was some really good soccer being played by both teams. A couple of things stuck out to me.

1. The game was physical at times with the physicality being initiated by the more finesse team (Feet) but interestingly it was always the Feet player that was the last one off the ground. Texans girls seemed to bounce up immediately from collisions while Feet girls often stayed down for extended periods. I believe this is indicative of how the girls practice and that Feet was trying to play a style that Texans are more akin to. By the end of the game Feet had lost two players in the last few minutes on contact that they initiated. Texan practices are mini-wars. Girls go hard all the time. Quote from my DD on the way home "When we scrimmage the '99 and '98 ECNL teams if you don't go in hard then you'll get hurt, if you lay on the ground you will get stepped on and if you cry you will get laughed at....play never stops"

2. Texans bench is deep with almost the entire team seeing significant playing time while Feet "may" have used 14 players (including 2 keepers). At times Randy chose to go extended time with 10 players instead of subbing. This could be an issue for Feet in the upcoming game against Solar as Solar will bring 18 to the party.

There is still a lot of soccer to be played in the battle for the top 2 spots. Tonight only solidified that it is still a 4 horse race with each team in control of its own destiny.

O-O-L great recap. Thanks. All I can say is yowwzzzaaa!!! I'll take my crow with curry and pepper sauce. I'm glad that the girls walked away with nicks and bruises only. Congrats to your girls. By the way, I'm a huge fan of #19. Saw her play at the TX Showcase last weekend. Texans definitely made a statement with their ability to change their style to get a quality win.
I see my Spring predictions heading to a slippery slope.  

She is a really good holding mid, nothing flashy just fundamentally sound, great stamina, quick first step and an excellent decision maker. The exact same statement can be made for her running mate at holding mid #15 which is why they both have gotten to play in the last 2 showcases w/ the '99s. One of them can lock up the middle of the field by herself.....two of them is just gravy.

Soccer is really going to get in the way of teenage life for D'Feet in the coming weeks. From what I could tell they didn't get much off time in between the Fall/Spring season and now they won't get a spring break either!

Interesting that Feet/Solar will play each other at the tail end of Spring Break (3/15) which means the girls who were supposed to be on break from 3/10-3/14 won't get a spring break or they risk going into a must win game with little to no preparation.

Feet then has to turn around the following weekend (3/23) and play FCD in what could be the deciding game of their season if they lose or tie Solar. The girls who would have had spring break 3/17-3/21 will either forego the time off or go into another big game with very little preparation. If I were a Feet official then I would be petitioning for reschedules....If I were Solar or FCD I would be saying....Hell No!

outonthelimb wrote:She is a really good holding mid, nothing flashy just fundamentally sound, great stamina, quick first step and an excellent decision maker.  The exact same stat

---

ement can be made for her running mate at holding mid #15 which is why they both have gotten to play in the last 2 showcases w/ the '99s.  One of them can lock up the middle of the field by herself.....two of them is just gravy.

Ah yes. AJ. She is a good one. They make a great tandem. We're getting closer to consistent action. It will be interesting.

outonthelimb wrote:It was a very well played game.  You know a game is big when the opposing coach actually takes time out of his schedule to come scout the opponent. Randy was cited out at RR on Saturday during the Texans vs AHFC game.  IMO that act says a lot about the coach and his approach to the game.  He wanted to prepare his troops and have a game plan.  I love it as it shows these games mean as much to him as they do to the girls/parents. To that end I give mad props to R. Shaw and the Defeeters for their game plan.  Randy knows his team and their shortcomings well and devised a scheme that suits their strengths and makes them a tough out.  The Feet girls deserve a great deal of credit for executing that plan and playing their hearts out.  The plan of shortening the field by keeping the defenders high and the keeper at the top of the box was nicely played.  Whenever the Feet defenders cleared the ball up the field the entire back line went flying up field leaving several Texan girls offside.  I'll be hearing the Center Defender and Keeper hollering "Get Up" in my sleep.  They were hell bent not to let the Texans speed beat them over the top and sprung the offside trap at least 15 times in the 1st half.  A lesser team would not have been that disciplined on defense...well played, very well played.  Feet came out very gritty as well and tried to take the fight to Texans with some physical (yet clean) play.  This was a tougher side of Feet that I hadn't seen before and showed their intent on leaving it all on the field.

Unfortunately for Feet this Texans team is not only extremely physically gifted but they are excellent soccer players.  Their ability to change up their style of play from over the top to small ball yet do them both at an extremely fast pace is what could make them a tough out if they are fortunate enough to make it to nationals. Texans were on the attack from the opening whistle and attacked in waves most of the game keeping Feet on their heels a lot.  The game was tied 1-1 at half but momentum was heavily weighted toward the Texans.  The 2nd half was much of the same except for the change in style for the Texans. The ball stayed on the ground more and the girls used their speed with the ball at their foot and off the ball movement to get around Feet.  Having the high line worked against Feet once the Texans were dribbling toward the defenders with a full head of steam and several waves of attackers.  Feet made things interesting off the big foot of one of their defenders on free kicks at the end of the 2nd half.  She was dropping bombs from midfield into the box and Feet girls got off a couple of decent looks that were sent over the bar or snuffed out by the keeper in the scrum.

The game ended 3-1 Texans and no serious injuries to either side.

All in all it was some really good soccer being played by both teams. A couple of things stuck out to me.

1.  The game was physical at times with the physicality being initiated by the more finesse team (Feet) but interestingly it was always the Feet player that was the last one off the ground.  Texans girls seemed to bounce up immediately from collisions while Feet girls often stayed down for extended periods.  I believe this is indicative of how the girls practice and that Feet was trying to play a style that Texans are more akin to.  By the end of the game Feet had lost two players in the last few minutes on contact that they initiated.  Texan practices are mini-wars.  Girls go hard all the time.  Quote from my DD on the way home "When we scrimmage the '99 and '98 ECNL teams if you don't go in hard then you'll get hurt, if you lay on the ground you will get stepped on and if you cry you will get laughed at....play never stops"

2.  Texans bench is deep with almost the entire team seeing significant playing time while Feet "may" have used 14 players (including 2 keepers).  At times Randy chose to go extended time with 10 players instead of subbing.  This could be an issue for Feet in the upcoming game against Solar as Solar will bring 18 to the party.

There is still a lot of soccer to be played in the battle for the top 2 spots.  Tonight only solidified that it is still a 4 horse race with each team in control of its own destiny.

Good game and Texans deserved the win. The 2 goal difference: PK and a 40-yard free kick. Lots of speed in a dump and run style soccer....

SweepFeet wrote:

outonthelimb wrote:It was a very well played game.  You know a game is big when the opposing coach actually takes time out of his schedule to come scout the opponent. Randy was cited out at RR on Saturday during the Texans vs AHFC game.  IMO that act says a lot about the coach and his approach to the game.  He wanted to prepare his troops and have a game plan.  I love it as it shows these games mean as much to him as they do to the girls/parents. To that end I give mad props to R. Shaw and the Defeeters for their game plan.  Randy knows his team and their shortcomings well and devised a scheme that suits their strengths and makes them a tough out.  The Feet girls deserve a great deal of credit for executing that plan and playing their hearts out.  The plan of shortening the field by keeping the defenders high and the keeper at the top of the box was nicely played.  Whenever the Feet defenders cleared the ball up the field the entire back line went flying up field leaving several Texan girls offside.  I'll be hearing the Center Defender and Keeper hollering "Get Up" in my sleep.  They were hell bent not to let the Texans speed beat them over the top and sprung the offside trap at least 15 times in the 1st half.  A lesser team would not have been that disciplined on defense...well played, very well played.  Feet came out very gritty as well and tried to take the fight to Texans with some physical (yet clean) play.  This was a tougher side of Feet that I hadn't seen before and showed their intent on leaving it all on the field.

Unfortunately for Feet this Texans team is not only extremely physically gifted but they are excellent soccer players.  Their ability to change up their style of play from over the top to small ball yet do them both at an extremely fast pace is what could make them a tough out if they are fortunate enough to make it to nationals. Texans were on the attack from the opening whistle and attacked in waves most of the game keeping Feet on their heels a lot.  The game was tied 1-1 at half but momentum was heavily weighted toward the Texans.  The 2nd half was much of the same except for the change in style for the Texans. The ball stayed on the ground more and the girls used their speed with the ball at their foot and off the ball movement to get around Feet.  Having the high line worked against Feet once the Texans were dribbling toward the defenders with a full head of steam and several waves of attackers.  Feet made things interesting off the big foot of one of their defenders on free kicks at the end of the 2nd half.  She was dropping bombs from midfield into the box and Feet girls got off a couple of decent looks that were sent over the bar or snuffed out by the keeper in the scrum.

The game ended 3-1 Texans and no serious injuries to either side.

All in all it was some really good soccer being played by both teams. A couple of things stuck out to me.

1.  The game was physical at times with the physicality being initiated by the more finesse team (Feet) but interestingly it was always the Feet player that was the last one off the ground.  Texans girls seemed to bounce up immediately from collisions while Feet girls often stayed down for extended periods.  I believe this is indicative of how the girls practice and that Feet was trying to play a style that Texans are more akin to.  By the end of the game Feet had lost two players in the last few minutes on contact that they initiated.  Texan practices are mini-wars.  Girls go hard all the time.  Quote from my DD on the way home "When we scrimmage the '99 and '98 ECNL teams if you don't go in hard then you'll get hurt, if you lay on the ground you will get stepped on and if you cry you will get laughed at....play never stops"

2.  Texans bench is deep with almost the entire team seeing significant playing time while Feet "may" have used 14 players (including 2 keepers).  At times Randy chose to go extended time with 10 players instead of subbing.  This could be an issue for Feet in the upcoming game against Solar as Solar will bring 18 to the party.

There is still a lot of soccer to be played in the battle for the top 2 spots.  Tonight only solidified that it is still a 4 horse race with each team in control of its own destiny.

Good game and Texans deserved the win. The 2 goal difference: PK and a 40-yard free kick. Lots of speed in a dump and run style soccer....

Oouuch.........hates those some times. Reminds me of Bayern Munich vs Barcelona in last year UCL semis.  I believe goals aggregrate was like Bayern 7-0 Barca, possession was 75% Barca.

SweepFeet wrote:


Good game and Texans deserved the win. The 2 goal difference: PK and a 40-yard free kick. Lots of speed in a dump and run style soccer....

You certainly didn't watch the same game as the rest of the parents, coaches, girls but in case you did......Don't hate the player....hate the genes.

outonthelimb wrote:

SweepFeet wrote:


Good game and Texans deserved the win. The 2 goal difference: PK and a 40-yard free kick. Lots of speed in a dump and run style soccer....

 You certainly didn't watch the same game as the rest of the parents, coaches, girls but in case you did......Don't hate the player....hate the genes.  

OOL- wow, I go out of town for a couple of days and come back to find books of commentary. Congrats on the win and thanks for the detailed account of the match. I guess I missed what Tiger was saying earlier in thread, but I thought the Feet/DTX match was last Saturday? When was it changed?

I must admit, I thought the match could go either way, but would be closer. I'm not following your last comment, did your girls score on a PK and a 40 yd free kick or is that an inaccurate description?

I didn't see this one, but I am still interested. Was it a lot of dump and run w some goals on kicks or not. No shame in scoring goals on free kicks. Last stat I saw showed that more than 60% of epl goals scored on set pieces.

can anyone give a play by play on the free kick? hopefully at this level and higher that a clean shot from 40 yards out wouldn't score.

dadof3 wrote:I didn't see this one, but I am still interested. Was it a lot of dump and run w some goals on kicks or not. No shame in scoring goals on free kicks. Last stat I saw showed that more than 60% of epl goals scored on set pieces.

Well dad, I guess O-O-L's eloquence is no longer available on this topic. From what I have been able to ascertain from multiple sources....

The PK Score: In the first half, amongst the attacking waves of physically gifted, but excellent Texan soccer players, the Dfeeters were called for handling in the penalty box.  

The 40 yard Free Kick:  In the 2nd half, after the Texans had demonstrated their ability to change-up their style of play from, 'over the top' to 'small ball', the Dfeeters were called for a foul just short of the midfield (DTX right hand side).  The kick was very high and long, and the ball came down into the upper left corner of the net.

I really hope all is well with O-O-L. He has contributed some great dialogue to this topic - especially when he gets "pissy"  

Tiger wrote:I really hope all is well with O-O-L. He has contributed some great dialogue to this topic - especially when he gets "pissy"  

Tiger, now I am a little concerned...

(*Gasp*) You don't think he might have been inadvertently run-over and seriously injured at one of those warlike Texan practices, do you?!... If so, they may have just laughed at him and left him laying there! I shudder to think that he may be laying there helpless, while attacking waves of DTX players running by and stepping on him!

Can you run some over to the DTX practice facility to check on him? Although the days have been pretty nice this week, it been getting pretty cold at night!

Packrabbit, my leg is really hurting. You've been pulling it too long!! I thought DTX were nomad without "home" fields.

I missed yesterday's game. It looks like D'feeters are still reeling from the 3-1 defeat.

Packrabbit wrote:

dadof3 wrote:I didn't see this one, but I am still interested. Was it a lot of dump and run w some goals on kicks or not. No shame in scoring goals on free kicks. Last stat I saw showed that more than 60% of epl goals scored on set pieces.

Well dad, I guess O-O-L's eloquence is no longer available on this topic. From what I have been able to ascertain from multiple sources....

The PK Score: In the first half, amongst the attacking waves of physically gifted, but excellent Texan soccer players, the Dfeeters were called for handling in the penalty box.  

The 40 yard Free Kick:  In the 2nd half, after the Texans had demonstrated their ability to change-up their style of play from, 'over the top' to 'small ball', the Dfeeters were called for a foul just short of the midfield (DTX right hand side).  The kick was very high and long, and the ball came down into the upper left corner of the net.

Pack, allow me to add some clarifying points.  We wouldn't want anyone to be misled by some of the implications that may be floating around due to missing or misleading information now would we?

1.  Potentially misleading statement: "The difference in the game was a PK and a Free kick".
The implication here is that those two goals were in succession and thereby were the deciding goals in the game.  The reality is that the PK was the 1st of 3 goals and the Free kick was the 3rd of 3 goals.  No one mentions the 2nd goal    The final was 3-1

2.  Misleading statements: "The 40 yard Free Kick", "foul just short of the midfield"
The implication here is that the free kick was from 40 yards and somehow should be diminished.  The reality is that the kick was from ~28 yards as the 3-man wall was set on the 18 yard box (after the ref "eye-balled" 10 yards from the spot of the foul) and the secondary wall was just above the goalie box. 28-30 yards is quite a ways from "just short of the midfield."  In case anyone may be wondering, the attacking mid drew the foul as she entered the 18yd box and then exited the box because it was filled w/ Texan (3 forwards) & Feet (4 defenders) players. That is the 1st wave of the "waves of attackers" that I mentioned.  The initial ball came to her from the holding mid who received it from one of the outside backs.  The resulting free kick was a solid one from the left footer and taken from the right side of the field which hit the upper left corner as you've noted.  It was a valiant effort by the keeper to try to reach behind & over her head to punch the ball over the net but to no avail.  She did get a glove on the ball but punched it into the top of the net grazing the post on it's way back down.

3.  There was nothing misleading about the PK score.  There were lots of Texans in the box shooting at the goalie and on a clean shot the Feet defender who was standing on the goal line stopped a ball that was heading into the corner as the keeper was on the opposite post.  If she doesn't "handle" that ball it goes in so it's poetic justice that Texans made the ensuing PK by placing the kick in the same corner (I think)

I think that closes the book on this game as it's more than 2 weeks old.  I'm moving on and I'm sure the Feet folks have moved on as well to a bigger game vs Solar.

Welcome back O-O-L!!! Again eloquent commentary with a grumpy and "pissy" edge.   

Tiger wrote:I missed yesterday's game. It looks like D'feeters are still reeling from the 3-1 defeat.

Tiger/Pack

I hear that this past weekends Feet vs Solar matchup was as close on the field as it was on the scoreboard which is a far cry from the last time these teams met. Feet ended up the losing end but all hope is not lost for you guys. Feet is not in control of their own destiny but they are still mathematically in the hunt to qualify for the championship tournament. Here's what my spreadsheet says…

Scenario: All of the minimum conditions below must be met
- Feet must go undefeated the rest of the way including a win vs LS (May 18th). Finishes #2 in a tie with LS at 2.22pts but owns the head to head tie breaker
- Lonestar beats Texans, loses to Solar and loses to Feet. Finishes #3 in a tie with Feet at 2.22pts but loses the head to head tie breaker
- Texans loses to Solar (x2) and LS. Finishes #4 w/ 2.06pts
- Solar could finish as high as #1 (≥ 2.28pts) or as low as #4 (≤ 2.17pts) and it's okay with Feet as long as Solar beats Texans (x2) and LS.

Bottom Line: This weekend's game @ FCD is the first of many "must win" games for Feet.

I saw the 2nd half of the last FCD/Feet game which I believe was 0-0 (or 1-0 Feet) at half. Feet definitely got the better of FCD in the 2nd half to win 4-0. However, as Pack pointed out FCD is improving rapidly and a tie is definitely a very real possibility. A tie would be devastating for Feet though.

outonthelimb wrote:

Packrabbit wrote:

dadof3 wrote:I didn't see this one, but I am still interested. Was it a lot of dump and run w some goals on kicks or not. No shame in scoring goals on free kicks. Last stat I saw showed that more than 60% of epl goals scored on set pieces.

Well dad, I guess O-O-L's eloquence is no longer available on this topic. From what I have been able to ascertain from multiple sources....

The PK Score: In the first half, amongst the attacking waves of physically gifted, but excellent Texan soccer players, the Dfeeters were called for handling in the penalty box.  

The 40 yard Free Kick:  In the 2nd half, after the Texans had demonstrated their ability to change-up their style of play from, 'over the top' to 'small ball', the Dfeeters were called for a foul just short of the midfield (DTX right hand side).  The kick was very high and long, and the ball came down into the upper left corner of the net.

Pack, allow me to add some clarifying points.  We wouldn't want anyone to be misled by some of the implications that may be floating around due to missing or misleading information now would we?

1.  Potentially misleading statement: "The difference in the game was a PK and a Free kick".
The implication here is that those two goals were in succession and thereby were the deciding goals in the game.  The reality is that the PK was the 1st of 3 goals and the Free kick was the 3rd of 3 goals.  No one mentions the 2nd goal    The final was 3-1

2.  Misleading statements: "The 40 yard Free Kick", "foul just short of the midfield"
The implication here is that the free kick was from 40 yards and somehow should be diminished.  The reality is that the kick was from ~28 yards as the 3-man wall was set on the 18 yard box (after the ref "eye-balled" 10 yards from the spot of the foul) and the secondary wall was just above the goalie box. 28-30 yards is quite a ways from "just short of the midfield."  In case anyone may be wondering, the attacking mid drew the foul as she entered the 18yd box and then exited the box because it was filled w/ Texan (3 forwards) & Feet (4 defenders) players. That is the 1st wave of the "waves of attackers" that I mentioned.  The initial ball came to her from the holding mid who received it from one of the outside backs.  The resulting free kick was a solid one from the left footer and taken from the right side of the field which hit the upper left corner as you've noted.  It was a valiant effort by the keeper to try to reach behind & over her head to punch the ball over the net but to no avail.  She did get a glove on the ball but punched it into the top of the net grazing the post on it's way back down.

3.  There was nothing misleading about the PK score.  There were lots of Texans in the box shooting at the goalie and on a clean shot the Feet defender who was standing on the goal line stopped a ball that was heading into the corner as the keeper was on the opposite post.  If she doesn't "handle" that ball it goes in so it's poetic justice that Texans made the ensuing PK by placing the kick in the same corner (I think)

I think that closes the book on this game as it's more than 2 weeks old.  I'm moving on and I'm sure the Feet folks have moved on as well to a bigger game vs Solar.

No big deal to me. I asked the question a week and a half ago, so I had already moved on and was trying to use my crystal ball for the DGIC. I am a little interested in these games especially when I get a play by play on how the goals were scored etc. I like to be able to "see" the games...just the soccer junkie in me. When I give recaps of our games I try to be (relatively) unbiased and descriptive for those who were unable to see for themselves...oh, and I thought Tiger was a Texans guy?? I figured Pack...was just not a Texans guy...or just giving you a hard time like he tends to do!

outonthelimb wrote:

Tiger wrote:I missed yesterday's game. It looks like D'feeters are still reeling from the 3-1 defeat.

Tiger/Pack

I hear that this past weekends Feet vs Solar matchup was as close on the field as it was on the scoreboard which is a far cry from the last time these teams met.  Feet ended up the losing end but all hope is not lost for you guys.  Feet is not in control of their own destiny but they are still mathematically in the hunt to qualify for the championship tournament.  Here's what my spreadsheet says…

Scenario:  All of the minimum conditions below must be met
-  Feet must go undefeated the rest of the way including a win vs LS (May 18th).  Finishes #2 in a tie with LS at 2.22pts but owns the head to head tie breaker
-  Lonestar beats Texans, loses to Solar and loses to Feet.  Finishes #3 in a tie with Feet at 2.22pts but loses the head to head tie breaker
-  Texans loses to Solar (x2) and LS.  Finishes #4 w/ 2.06pts
-  Solar could finish as high as #1 (≥ 2.28pts) or as low as #4 (≤ 2.17pts) and it's okay with Feet as long as Solar beats Texans (x2) and LS.

Bottom Line:  This weekend's game @ FCD is the first of many "must win" games for Feet.  

I saw the 2nd half of the last FCD/Feet game which I believe was 0-0 (or 1-0 Feet) at half.  Feet definitely got the better of FCD in the 2nd half to win 4-0.  However, as Pack pointed out FCD is improving rapidly and a tie is definitely a very real possibility.  A tie would be devastating for Feet though.

Looks like D'feeters brought on some bad Juju. Can someone give a synopsis of the game? And match the commentary skills of O-O-T-L's?  This works out well for Solar.
Hopefully this team can travel north of the Red River and get a win.

Bad juju is right, my prognostication has blown up. Tiger, you're correct, it does work out well for Solar. They have the attacking waves of Texan players next week to help decide the #2 spot.

I have to admit, I am surprised by the Feet's 3 losses. Obviously, the Feet were unaware of my faith in the team...    Or possibly, if they were aware, the pressure of my favoring them created too much pressure?    

Seriously, I have actually watched all of these teams play (granted, it was last year), what's going on (aside from Texans having all the talent, Solar having the dream team and/or gelled, etc) with these 4 teams?  Injuries, girls coming back from injuries, middle school blues, Reazie their new coach, what?

I hate to say I'm rarely wrong, but ...

Packrabbit wrote:Bad juju is right, my prognostication has blown up. Tiger, you're correct, it does work out well for Solar. They have the attacking waves of Texan players next week to help decide the #2 spot.

I have to admit, I am surprised by the Feet's 3 losses. Obviously, the Feet were unaware of my faith in the team...    Or possibly, if they were aware, the pressure of my favoring them created too much pressure?    

Seriously, I have actually watched all of these teams play (granted, it was last year), what's going on (aside from Texans having all the talent, Solar having the dream team and/or gelled, etc) with these 4 teams?  Injuries, girls coming back from injuries, middle school blues, Reazie their new coach, what?

I hate to say I'm rarely wrong, but ...

Packrabbit the game between the team that has all the talent vs. the "not yet gelled" team that really has all the talent is definitely the hi-light game of the week. I am sticking with my Solar pick even though Texans two middies have just come back from id2 and will be ready to unleash their new training on the Dream Team.    Don't get "pissy" O-O-L. Just my corny commentary and thoughts. Now, what is up with Feet? I guess they made a mid season run and ran out of gas.

didn't S. Bubb(a) leave the Texans? is there a Q for the job?