2007 DA

Heard that Murrieta Surf won 2-0 over a "weak Nomads."

Correct. Nomads (my son's team) was without both core starting center backs and starting striker which resulted in a position shuffle and a lack of overall strength. Most notably our strongest midfielder had to play center back. Game was lackluster in general, not poorly played, but not much action in the final third for either team. Might have been of function of the 120 yard field (which is 45 feet shorter than what NYCFC plays on) and the heat for some kids.
 
here's actuals vs predict for this last weekend (9/14/19)

Have incorporated 2019-20 results but the algo is still largely based on 2018-19 u12 results, so please insert appropriate caveats about accuracy here.

San Diego
predict: Albion 6 vs Arsenal 1. Actuals: Albion 1 vs Arsenal 3.
note: interesting result. in the last match-up at u12 in May 2019, Arsenal lost in aggregate 2-13.

here's RedDevilDad's commentary (thx!) "
Arsenal overran Albion and could have easily had 6 but wasted a few solid chances. Albion has good players but got clearly out-coached. Couldn’t adjust to Arsenal and kept trying to come down their right side with no joy. Albion’s only goal was confounding-ly offsides. Shot bounced off the goal post and was scored by the player behind the goalkeeper. Maybe the ref thought there was a deflection? Albion’s first half goalie was phenomenal in the air but very nervous in possession. 2nd goalkeeper was noticeably less competitive. Albion has some good sized players but looks like a team with some really good players used to beating people individually whereas Arsenal looked like a good team of good players that are disciplined.
8-0 loss to albion last year to 3-1 win and same 8-1 to murrieta last year to a 1-0 good contested loss this year hints that Arsenal has improved."

Any other commentary here?


predict: OC Surf 5 vs Chula Vista 1. Actuals: OC Surf 2 vs Chula Vista 2.
note: Chula Vista generated an interesting result last week, and beat the algo again this week. keep it up! (am a sucker for the underdog) Any commentary/insight on CV's apparent improvements yoy?


predict: Strikers 1 vs San Diego Surf 4. Actuals: Strikers 1 vs San Diego Surf 1
note: looking at the trends and GS%, it's early but SD Surf offense may not be what it was this time last year. any commentary here?

predict: LAGSD 1 vs San Diego SC 6 Actuals: LAGSD 0 vs San Diego SC 0
note: the key for LAGSD keeping SDSC's DR ( seven goals in the last two games) under control. sounds like they played conservative and relied on counters. no shame in that. be interesting to see, as word gets out on SDSC strength this year, how SDSC responds.

here's 2nd hand commentary from RedDevilDad (thx!) "
We basically played smart soccer game, kept possession and avoided a quick counter as that would have left us exposed. They are a possession team, but to be honest they lost a lot of balls by bad passes. Particularly in the middle. SDSC did have more chance than us, but we played the defensive gave and let them come to us.. Today we actually had some great potential attacks, but like 3 on 2 but we seemed to be afraid to penetrate and shoot from outside. I feel if we had a bit more physical attack it would have given us a a goal.
They were also vulnerable with thru passes in the corners."

Any other commentary?


predict: Murrieta Surf 5 vs Nomads 0. Actuals: Murrieta Surf 2 vs Nomads 0.
here's commentary from Watfly (thx!): "Nomads (my son's team) was without both core starting center backs and starting striker which resulted in a position shuffle and a lack of overall strength. Most notably our strongest midfielder had to play center back. Game was lackluster in general, not poorly played, but not much action in the final third for either team. Might have been of function of the 120 yard field (which is 45 feet shorter than what NYCFC plays on) and the heat for some kids."

Any other commentary?

Los Angeles
predict: Legends 1 vs TFA 2. Actuals: Legends 1 vs TFA 1.
note: TFA just isn't what they were last year. Any commentary/insight into player churn or other cause?

predict: Ventura Fusion 4 vs LAUFA 1. Actuals: Ventura Fusion 1 vs LAUFA 5
note: not sure what to think about this one. Game report has two yellows and two LAUFA goals in the last five minutes of the match, and a Ventura own goal early on. Any commentary/insight here?

predict: FC Golden State 2 vs Santa Barbara SC 4. Actuals: FC Golden State 2 vs Santa Barbara SC 1
note: looks like the 3-1 win vs the Pats may have been an outlier for Santa Barbara and that FC Golden State (w/ a 2-1 win against LAG at Carson - always tough to do) may be a team to watch this season.

predict: LAFC 12 vs Pateadores 2. Actuals: LAFC 5 vs Pateadores 0
note: LAFC, with other age group, has essentially played the first half with the 2nd line and then subbed in the first line in the 2nd half. per game report, that may have happened here. Any commentary/insight on this?

predict: Real SoCal 2 vs Los Angeles Surf 3 Actuals: Real SoCal 0 vs Los Angeles Surf 2

note: interesting result. LA Surf is good example of showing improvement over time. going back to beginning of season last year, LA Surf has consistently improved on both sides of the ball. Haven't check roster this season vs last, so don't know if this due to adding player or actual development. Seems like they'll be a team to watch this season if the improvement keeps up.
 
here's actuals vs predict for this last weekend (9/14/19)

predict: LAFC 12 vs Pateadores 2. Actuals: LAFC 5 vs Pateadores 0
note: LAFC, with other age group, has essentially played the first half with the 2nd line and then subbed in the first line in the 2nd half. per game report, that may have happened here. Any commentary/insight on this?
While I wasn't at this one, I spoke to a couple of LAFC parents that were. According to them, LAFC played uninspired soccer and looked bored at times on the pitch, making lazy passes and not moving the ball the way they did against TFA. They just did not bring the intensity they did the week before. From the start, it was clear that Pats would not be able to penetrate the defense much less get more than a shot or two on goal. I don't know why LAFC wouldn't try to play this team up an age group like TS discussed in March. Also, knowing this team reasonably well and looking at the game report, the first line did, in fact, start the game and the second line subbed in after half.
 
While I wasn't at this one, I spoke to a couple of LAFC parents that were. According to them, LAFC played uninspired soccer and looked bored at times on the pitch, making lazy passes and not moving the ball the way they did against TFA. They just did not bring the intensity they did the week before. From the start, it was clear that Pats would not be able to penetrate the defense much less get more than a shot or two on goal. I don't know why LAFC wouldn't try to play this team up an age group like TS discussed in March. Also, knowing this team reasonably well and looking at the game report, the first line did, in fact, start the game and the second line subbed in after half.
thx for this. seems like LAFC won't be able to consistently play full teams - as opposed to just some players - up until they add a u19 team and a USL team. seems like the choice to add an age group every year - rather than expand more rapidly - is now hurting player development, and not just for LAFC players. games like this are a bummer for everyone involved. It's this kind of situation that causes players - who are advanced right now - to plateau out by ~u17.
 
thx for this. seems like LAFC won't be able to consistently play full teams - as opposed to just some players - up until they add a u19 team and a USL team. seems like the choice to add an age group every year - rather than expand more rapidly - is now hurting player development, and not just for LAFC players. games like this are a bummer for everyone involved. It's this kind of situation that causes players - who are advanced right now - to plateau out by ~u17.

Yup don't have room to play many players up.

The U16/17 are almost all 04's but they don't have the luxury of pushing any of them to u18/19 without a team so that trickles down: the U15s (05) have been killing it but not much room on the u16/17 to get playing time.

Would have been better if they had a u18/19 team this season with all the coaches they have, come playoffs time this could hurt them as other clubs have players with more experience playing up.
 
here's predicts for this weekend. home team is listed first. am including predicts for the AZ games but most of the AZ team data is from YSR ... most of the data for the other teams is still from last season, so insert all previous caveats here.

Los Angeles
TFA 2 vs LA Galaxy 1

Ventura Fusion 6 vs Pateadores 2

LAUFA 3 vs FC Golden State 2

Santa Barbara SC 2 vs Legends 4

Real So Cal 2 vs LA Galaxy 3

San Diego
Arsenal 0 vs San Diego SC 3

Real Salt Lake AZ 3 vs OC Surf 1
note: all the AZ matches are based mostly on YSR rankings data, so ...

San Diego Surf 3 vs Murrieta Surf 1

SC del Sol 3 vs Strikers 4
note: all the AZ matches are based mostly on YSR rankings data, so ...

Real Salt Lake AZ 2 vs Strikers 2
note: all the AZ matches are based mostly on YSR rankings data, so ...

SC del Sol 3 vs OC Surf 2
note: all the AZ matches are based mostly on YSR rankings data, so ...
 
FCGS just got stronger. The CB from Boca (pumas and Brea before that) turned down LAFC to go to FCGS.
Interesting

From what I’ve heard they’ve got a strong core this year. Two former LAFC players, this new CB addition, some solid players from last year’s squad and a few new acquisitions from elsewhere. Should be interesting to see how they develop.
 
Actuals: Strikers 1 vs San Diego Surf 1
Regarding the Strikers vs SD Surf 1:1 game... These teams have never failed to produce a fast, competitive and enjoyable game to watch. They've played each other 4 times now since the beginning of last year including the LA Galaxy Cup Tournament, with Surf winning 2 and the 2 other games being tied.
Both teams look just as strong this year and honestly Strikers, with a full squad present, are probably the best SD region team right now. Strikers were playing UP their two best defenders for this game and it showed.
First half was fairly even, but if I had to give it to one team, I'd say that Strikers owned the first half of this game. It was 1-0 Strikers at half due to very good midfield play. Surf owned the second half, had their back 4 inside the Strikers half of the field for much of the half, (except for that last few minutes) and got the equalizer toward the end. Strikers put in a huge effort toward the end to get the winning goal, and almost got it after their striker dribbled the keeper, looked to be ready to slot home the winner, only to be "relieved" of the ball at the last second by a desperate Surf midfielder who had charged back to cover.
All in all another great game by two teams who have come to be great and friendly rivals.
 
FCGS just got stronger. The CB from Boca (pumas and Brea before that) turned down LAFC to go to FCGS.
Interesting

The CB from Boca(pumas and Brea before that)- never made Lafc- he couldn't have turned it down since he wasn't good enough to make the team. However, he is a great player and he will do well for FCGS
 
The CB from Boca(pumas and Brea before that)- never made Lafc- he couldn't have turned it down since he wasn't good enough to make the team. However, he is a great player and he will do well for FCGS
Yeah, I questioned that and I guess it was TFA. I didn’t think it mattered to update so I let it ride.
 
All right you Strikers parents, is RSL the real deal? How'd you do?

Legends dominated Santa Barbara 3-0
Strikers 4-2 Del Sol
Del Sol 4-1 OC Surf
Pats 2-1 Ventura

Looks like OC Surf is struggling, Arsenal has improved, Del Sol isn't as good as RSL, SDSC can be beat if you counter and shut down DR, and SD Surf has come back to the pack.
 
here's predicts vs actuals for this weekend. home team is listed first. it's looks the algo is just starting to get dialed in a bit, but there's seemingly inconsistent results. Could be group parity but at this age there's a number of factors that also play a significant role in results. the next couple of weeks will be interesting to watch. Stay tuned ...

Los Angeles
predict: TFA 2 vs LA Galaxy 1. Actuals: TFA 3 vs LA Galaxy 1.

predict: Ventura Fusion 6 vs Pateadores 2. Actuals: Ventura Fusion 1 vs Pateadores 2
note: unexpected result here. per the game report, look like Ventura may have been missing a couple of players but there's not much info. Any commentary from folks at the match?

predict: LAUFA 3 vs FC Golden State 2. Actuals: LAUFA 0 vs FC Golden State 5 (thx RedDevilDad!)
note: last season LAUFA beat FCG 9-5 in aggregate. This season, FCG had a good result vs LAG but then a less than compelling win against Santa Barbara. Tough to tell where things are at from three games, but FCG may be one to watch this season. LAUFA had a good win against Ventura, a tie vs the Pats and then this loss vs FCG.


predict: Santa Barbara SC 2 vs Legends 4. Actuals: Santa Barbara SC 0 vs Legends 3

predict: Real So Cal 2 vs LA Galaxy 3. Actuals: Real So Cal 2 vs LA Galaxy 5

San Diego
predict: Arsenal 0 vs San Diego SC 3. Actuals: Arsenal 4 vs San Diego SC 3
note: Arsenal looking improved this year. per the game report, this looks like it was a good match. SDSC went ahead 2-0 early but Arsenal got one in right before half. of note, Arsenal kept DR from scoring in the 1st h. In the 2nd half, Arsenal came to play, with three unanswered goals to make the score 4-2 Arsenal. DR got one in at the 68th minute to make it 4-3 for the final. It's a bit early to be highlighting Arsenal as significantly improved from last year, but maybe... Some of the signs are there but two good matches do not make a trend.

One learning from this match is that SDSC has a significant dependency on DR, and if teams can contain him, then they'll keep themselves in the match.

Any other commentary on this?


predict: Real Salt Lake AZ 3 vs OC Surf 1 Actuals: Real Salt Lake AZ 8 vs OC Surf 1
note: all the AZ matches are based mostly on YSR rankings data right now, so ...

predict: San Diego Surf 3 vs Murrieta Surf 1. Actuals: San Diego Surf 2 vs Murrieta Surf 1

predict: SC del Sol 3 vs Strikers 4 Actuals: SC del Sol 2 vs Strikers 4
note: all the AZ matches are based mostly on YSR rankings data right now, so ...

predict: Real Salt Lake AZ 2 vs Strikers 2. Actuals: Real Salt Lake AZ 2 vs Strikers 0
note: thx! KR16 for score and commentary. here's KR16 notes: "Strikers lost to RSL 0-2. RSL had Strikers due to speed plus heat. The heat/turf was not in favor of Strikers. I think RSL will do well in the bracket and in my opinion is either comparable or better then LAFC. I would like to see both teams play each other at some point. RSL players had size, speed and skills. The players were very composed on the field and also utilized the whole space. Watch #14 on that team. Really talented player. Considering there’s only two DA teams in the area I’m guessing they really do get the best of the best."

predict: SC del Sol 3 vs OC Surf 2. Actuals: SC del Sol 4 vs OC Surf 1
note: all the AZ matches are based mostly on YSR rankings data right now, so ...
 
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Murrieta v San Diego Surf game...
Game was fairly even. Murrieta picked up a red card that changed the game a bit. Defender lunged in and made the ref make a subjective decision... earned a red. SD kid was unfortunately hurt so that may have made what Murrieta thought was a yellow... into a red. Then, Coach Matt shifted to an even more defensive tactic and Murrieta failed to really generate any offense against an evenly matched SD. I feel like Murrieta has yet to get anything going. Feels like they lack an identity and aren't playing together. Got some talented players that aren't getting the ball with the chance to score.
 
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