I could care less about which team made it to the next round or wins - that's the difference. I'll let the players and the coach decide how to strategize a tournament and not criticize them based on a video and an article, rather than listen to those who experienced the climate. I'm sorry that you feel everyone has to make the decisions you would have made during a game. I agree with Courtney. Why would I let my subs get injured in an unnecessary game in extreme heat? I need them for the elimination game too if it's going to be hot again, which it most likely will be. Some teams need to win and will have to play differently because they didn't play well enough to earn the right to have a choice not to play much.Carlsbad didn't need to win. So why did they collude to throw the match? It wasn't about preventing injuries. Courtney could have played subs. She could have told them to lay back defensively. She could have told them to take their time and slow the pace of the game down. All acceptable. They did none of those things. They chose not to compete at all. Did you watch the video?
The only reason USYS did not disqualify both teams (as they should have), is that both coaches stuck to their lie that they did not collude, despite the video proving their statements false.
How is there a "high" risk of injury? More than any other match? And yes, if I were in Courtney's place on that day, I would have played all my subs, told them to save their strength and not kill themselves, but I would have TOLD THEM TO PLAY. Not sit back for an entire game without a defensive challenge.
They didn't make a subpar effort, THEY MADE NO EFFORT. And by doing so they robbed that other team of the bargain they made when they entered the competition - that every team will compete. They did not compete that day.
You are confusing a team failing to play in a style that they would have preferred to NOT PLAYING AT ALL.
Frankly, you are what is wrong with youth sports today. Win at all costs. Who cares about ethics? Do what you need to advance, screw everyone else.
The parent that sent in the video was angry because their kid didn't make it to the next round, blaming others and expecting others to make decisions that will benefit their child. It's not rec soccer. Those parents cared so much about winning and making it to the next round, they tried to humiliate a bunch of soccer players/coaches and demean their choice. The players and coaches get to make the decision on how they play the game, not parents on other teams hoping for a windfall. Don't send a video out to the public to bully coaches and kids because your kids can't control their destiny. It's lame and ruins the game. What should have been a fun time for girls that have worked hard to get there, turned into a negative event because parents had to blame others for their team's shortcomings.
Soccer is not just physical, soccer IQ includes knowing when to save your energy and when to play your hardest. Some games sharpen your skills, some games sharpen your mind and some games allow you to rest your body for the elimination round.