u14 ECNL Spring '14 Predictions

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

Its time to round out our predictions and prognostications. I'm just reporting the news (and eating crow), so the uninitiated need to read the below disclaimer before proceeding. If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, pregnant or otherwise sensitive, it best to look away now.

The Texas Conference has shown this season that it is one of the more competitive, if not the most competitive in the nation. NTX had 4 teams with 9 wins or more.

Dallas Texans: Spring record: 5-1-1. Season: 13-3-2.
Consistent. This team played at a consistently high level all year and will most likely be the Conference Champion. Their only losses this Spring were against against top teams in nation-- WC, Hawks and Solar (+tie). To beat this team (and it's attacking waves of players) is pretty simple:  An opponent needs to bring great effort, great players, and a sack lunch to the match and have a bag of ice and aspirin ready afterwards.

Solar:  Spring Record: 6-0-2.  Season: 10-1-5 (2 matches remaining).
Red Hot. It is incredible how this team came together this spring going (including tournament play) 15-0-2. They have beaten all comers whether the teams were big, physical, fast, skilled, Canadians, Yankees, it didn't matter, ... I heard from DIGC tournament officials that the U-14 division will be renamed Dallas Solar Cup until someone else wins it. Unless stricken with the "13 yr doldrums", I'm not sure who can beat this team. Let it be Decreed Henceforth: Until this team loses a match, it must be referred to as The Red Hot Solar Team or TRHST.

DFeeters: Spring Record: 2-4-1. Season: 10-6-2
(Sigh).   Jekyll or Hyde? This was not the same gritty team I saw play last Fall. The past month is indicative: Rush 4-0 in DIGC, and then edged out a tie against them last week. They beat a nationally ranked Hawks team in KC (to be fair,  the Hawks had played both Lonestar and Texans the day before) but then lost decisively this past weekend to Lonestar.  Since it a well established fact (here on the forum) that players win matches and coaches lose them, I guess the two questions that need to be asked are, 1) What's wrong with that guy?!" 2) Didn't he read my predictions!!??

FCD: Spring Record: 4-0-2. Season: 9-7-2
Improving. After finishing strong at the end of last Fall, FCD just kept getting better this Spring. Only 2 losses this Spring were to the Red Hot Solar team. We all talked about The Red Hot Solar Team "gelling" earlier this year, but had this FC team gelled a little earlier last fall, they very well could have been contending for the 3rd spot now. It looks like The Real Ben Waldrum may be building a contender for next year.

C'mon...you didn't really believe in some of the things you were predicting did you? You didn't but it was fun typing them.

In case you were actually serious do you like your crow with dry rub or plain? How 'bout a side of Tiger paws?

I kid....I kid...

outonthelimb wrote:C'mon...you didn't really believe in some of the things you were predicting did you?  You didn't but it was fun typing them.  

In case you were actually serious do you like your crow with dry rub or plain?  How 'bout a side of Tiger paws?

I kid....I kid...

I knew you had a sense of humor!!!  

outonthelimb wrote:
C'mon...you didn't really believe in some of the things you were predicting did you?  You didn't but it was fun typing them.  

I did believe and had fun typing them! Fortunately or unfortunately (based on ones affiliation), I made those predictions based on matches I personally witnessed,  and/or unbiased non-mommy/daddy reports.  I realize its a major event when I'm wrong     , so I am ready to endure my share of ridicule!

outonthelimb wrote:
In case you were actually serious do you like your crow with dry rub or plain?  How 'bout a side of Tiger paws?

I kid....I kid...

I know, I own it... My predictions ....

Club---------Fall------Spring-------W L T----PPG
Lonestar....8--0--4...4--1--1.......12-1-5.....2.28
Feet..........8--2--1...5--1--1.......13-3-2....2.28
Texan........7--2--1...5--2--1.......12-4-2....2.11
Solar.........4--1--3...5--2--3.........9-3-6....1.83
FCD..........5--5--2...3--0--3.........8-5-5....1.61
Sting........2--6--3...2--2--3.........4-2-6....1.50

--I really can't explain my Lonestar numbers since I wrote afterwards that they would lose a couple of matches in their trips to NTX...      
--Texans: was pretty close, but can't say I was shocked by their spring record overall...
--The Red Hot Solar Team... Knew they were good and had the potential, but, geez... they were dominate.
--My Dfeeter    predictions?? Although there are now observations and theories abounds, I really didn't expect (nor would I openly predict) any team to have a 2nd half meltdown.  
--FCD: They were improving and playing well at the end of last fall, so their strong finish shouldn't have been that surprising. Last 10 conference matches: 7-2-1 with the losses coming against TRHST.

Competitive prognosticating aside, it was a lot of fun being in a position this year to watch several of this age group's matches...even got to see OOL in action at 3 or 4 of them.   Overall, it was a pleasure watching these teams progress through the season.

Speaking of drama, I did learn it was more than a little delicate at times "reporting the news" regardless of friends/acquaintances on each team. I apologize to those who got blamed for being their team's PackRabbit. (For the record: Those of you who are absolutely sure who PackRabbit is on your team, its a pretty good chance its NOT him or her).

IMO the best team in the country at this age group right now is TRHST...followed by SoCal and MI Hawks. What could be interesting at nationals is all three could technically be in the same group as they will be #2, #1 and #3 seeds, respectively.

"Speaking of drama, I did learn it was more than a little delicate at times "reporting the news" regardless of friends/acquaintances on each team. I apologize to those who got blamed for being their team's PackRabbit. (For the record: Those of you who are absolutely sure who PackRabbit is on your team, its a pretty good chance its NOT him or her)." Relax Pack, we ALL know how prolifically Rabbits multiply!   They are everywhere.