Preseason DA Rankings 04

This Surf vs Legends matchup was a microcosm of US Soccer's conflict over the best way forward for their teams. The two teams couldn't be more different in makeup and playstyle, and it was noticeable from the initial team lineup. Maybe Surf has a number of girls playing up but they looked like a year or two younger than Legends. The difference in athleticism was stark, as well. Legends girls were stronger, bigger, faster to a player.

But the most striking thing about the matchup was the difference in how the teams want to play. Surf kept possession, wants to build from the back, midfielders and forwards running a constant motion offense looking for that throughball. Legends plays aggressive defense, looking to create 50/50 balls, win possession, and then send balls over the top to their forward who is the fastest and most physical player in this age group, by a long shot. Both styles work, produce goals but are very different. Surf's midfielders dominated the game, which led to a 5-0 lead until the last 10 minutes when subs came in and defensive turnovers to the dominant Legends forward led to 3 easy goals in 5 minutes. She was unlucky not to get more earlier in the game and she sped past the Surf defenders multiple times.

I can't tell you which style is "better" - maybe this is like the Arsenal vs Leicester debate a few years ago. Both sides have found one that works and I could easily see the score being 5-3 in favor of Legends on another day.
 
JustAParent said:
This Surf vs Legends matchup was a microcosm of US Soccer's conflict over the best way forward for their teams. The two teams couldn't be more different in makeup and playstyle, and it was noticeable from the initial team lineup. Maybe Surf has a number of girls playing up but they looked like a year or two younger than Legends. The difference in athleticism was stark, as well. Legends girls were stronger, bigger, faster to a player.

But the most striking thing about the matchup was the difference in how the teams want to play. Surf kept possession, wants to build from the back, midfielders and forwards running a constant motion offense looking for that throughball. Legends plays aggressive defense, looking to create 50/50 balls, win possession, and then send balls over the top to their forward who is the fastest and most physical player in this age group, by a long shot. Both styles work, produce goals but are very different. Surf's midfielders dominated the game, which led to a 5-0 lead until the last 10 minutes when subs came in and defensive turnovers to the dominant Legends forward led to 3 easy goals in 5 minutes. She was unlucky not to get more earlier in the game and she sped past the Surf defenders multiple times.

I can't tell you which style is "better" - maybe this is like the Arsenal vs Leicester debate a few years ago. Both sides have found one that works and I could easily see the score being 5-3 in favor of Legends on another day.
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Ok...so the 3 goals were all after the 30 Min mark of the 2nd half. (Game report shows 32, 33 and 35th Min.). Still impressive
 
JustAParent said:
This Surf vs Legends matchup was a microcosm of US Soccer's conflict over the best way forward for their teams. The two teams couldn't be more different in makeup and playstyle, and it was noticeable from the initial team lineup. Maybe Surf has a number of girls playing up but they looked like a year or two younger than Legends. The difference in athleticism was stark, as well. Legends girls were stronger, bigger, faster to a player.

But the most striking thing about the matchup was the difference in how the teams want to play. Surf kept possession, wants to build from the back, midfielders and forwards running a constant motion offense looking for that throughball. Legends plays aggressive defense, looking to create 50/50 balls, win possession, and then send balls over the top to their forward who is the fastest and most physical player in this age group, by a long shot. Both styles work, produce goals but are very different. Surf's midfielders dominated the game, which led to a 5-0 lead until the last 10 minutes when subs came in and defensive turnovers to the dominant Legends forward led to 3 easy goals in 5 minutes. She was unlucky not to get more earlier in the game and she sped past the Surf defenders multiple times.

I can't tell you which style is "better" - maybe this is like the Arsenal vs Leicester debate a few years ago. Both sides have found one that works and I could easily see the score being 5-3 in favor of Legends on another day.
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Interesting that you just joined today to make this comment and picked a screen name very similar to a know ref on this forum.
 
Has Pats called up any designated players to their academy?
Their DA team is struggling. Yet, they have a Pats Irvine team in Flight 1 Europa South in 1st place. And they have a Flight 2 RSM team with a center striker that should probably get a look at a DA team (assuming she/her parents want that route).
 
timbuck said:
Has Pats called up any designated players to their academy?
Their DA team is struggling. Yet, they have a Pats Irvine team in Flight 1 Europa South in 1st place. And they have a Flight 2 RSM team with a center striker that should probably get a look at a DA team (assuming she/her parents want that route).
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What is flight 1 SCDSL considered these days with DA and ECNL taking the bulk of the top talent? Truth is, there are too many DA clubs. There just isn't enough top talent to make 14 strong teams, as the results seem to prove.
 
Justafan said:
What makes you say that?
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Would you disagree that DA and ECNL took the bulk of the top talent? I agree there are many very talented kids playing outside of these 2 leagues but I would have to say the “bulk” would be found in either DA or ECNL at this age and above.
 
JoeBieber said:
What is flight 1 SCDSL considered these days with DA and ECNL taking the bulk of the top talent? Truth is, there are too many DA clubs. There just isn't enough top talent to make 14 strong teams, as the results seem to prove.
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Truth of the matter is that the top teams from SCDSL, CSL, ECNL, and DPL are very evenly matched. These top teams can compete (not saying beat) with several DA teams. The talent is spread all over. Now which league has more depth or if the top 10 teams from each league played each other who would prevail? We'll take those questions under submission until perhaps state cup.
 
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