G2010 - How’s the 2022 season going?

[Surfer_dad]

I drink the SoCal kool-Aid right along with you. One of the most surprising things to me of the elite eight results in this age group is the complete absence of any representation from Texas. That said, I wouldn’t sleep on the non-California teams that did make it through, Del Mar was a gauntlet and it doesn’t seem like there were many easy routes to the Elite 8, that’s all I’m saying. Disagree?

The fact that half of the teams are from California suggests that the best girls soccer is on the West Coast. And, look at the other ages. Surf and Koge each have 4/5 teams going. No other region comes close.

To the observer about Surf 10’s only getting 6 points, if you knew that essentially having 6 points already and a huge goal differential and that the third game agains Texans essentially meant nothing, would that make a difference? They then went on to win 5-2 against a top Florida team.

No SoCal bias here. Maybe an observational bias? Observations in the boys game is quite different.

 

[crush]

The fact that half of the teams are from California suggests that the best girls soccer is on the West Coast. And, look at the other ages. Surf and Koge each have 4/5 teams going. No other region comes close.

To the observer about Surf 10’s only getting 6 points, if you knew that essentially having 6 points already and a huge goal differential and that the third game agains Texans essentially meant nothing, would that make a difference? They then went on to win 5-2 against a top Florida team.

No SoCal bias here. Maybe an observational bias? Observations in the boys game is quite different.

Before the GDA caused division in Socal, we won everything, all the time. The best teams from TX and other parts of our country would come to sunny socal to try their best at Surf Cup and would get demolished. I remember when Texas brought their top U11 team to Surf Cup. I don't remember their exact name but it started with Lone or Long and they were red. They come on these message boards and talk smack and it was pure fun. They brought this huge red flag and their pride. Well, they lost every game in group play and wagged their tails in between their legs and ate crow and humble pie on the way back home. No joke. GDA and the age change set us back but it looks like Socal is back. NoCal has some talent but nothing like socal. It's just the truth. Plus, when ODP was everything regarding the best of the best from each region of our country & Region IV won all the time. Go Socal!!!

 

[TopesWin]

I drink the SoCal kool-Aid right along with you. One of the most surprising things to me of the elite eight results in this age group is the complete absence of any representation from Texas. That said, I wouldn’t sleep on the non-California teams that did make it through, Del Mar was a gauntlet and it doesn’t seem like there were many easy routes to the Elite 8, that’s all I’m saying. Disagree?

We had a chance to watch a few of the games, and the talent level of the SoCal teams is extraordinary. That's not taking away anything from the others - just noting something that is very obvious while watching the games - doesn't take a bias to see it.

 

[CharlieMurfee]

The fact that half of the teams are from California suggests that the best girls soccer is on the West Coast. And, look at the other ages. Surf and Koge each have 4/5 teams going. No other region comes close.

To the observer about Surf 10’s only getting 6 points, if you knew that essentially having 6 points already and a huge goal differential and that the third game agains Texans essentially meant nothing, would that make a difference? They then went on to win 5-2 against a top Florida team.

No SoCal bias here. Maybe an observational bias? Observations in the boys game is quite different.

Are you suggesting that Surf rested it starters because they ‘knew’ they locked up their group? If so, that’s dangerous for a team to do… but yet hearing this is very entertaining..LOL

 

[CharlieMurfee]

We had a chance to watch a few of the games, and the talent level of the SoCal teams is extraordinary. That's not taking away anything from the others - just noting something that is very obvious while watching the games - doesn't take a bias to see it.

A microcosm of this would be our team beating a tough DKSC team 2-0 in the Sweet 16… our player(s) was up for the challenge by winning… in other news, I can’t believe Beach gave MVLA all they could handle and Surf dismantling Florida Premier…

 

[Surfer_dad]

Are you suggesting that Surf rested it starters because they ‘knew’ they locked up their group? If so, that’s dangerous for a team to do… but yet hearing this is very entertaining..LOL

I didn’t say I agreed with it!

 

[Carlsbad7]

The fact that half of the teams are from California suggests that the best girls soccer is on the West Coast. And, look at the other ages. Surf and Koge each have 4/5 teams going. No other region comes close.

To the observer about Surf 10’s only getting 6 points, if you knew that essentially having 6 points already and a huge goal differential and that the third game agains Texans essentially meant nothing, would that make a difference? They then went on to win 5-2 against a top Florida team.

No SoCal bias here. Maybe an observational bias? Observations in the boys game is quite different.

Interesting game plan if true.

Also very risky.

I wasn't watching that closely but I remember Surf G2010 was in a 3 way tie at the group stage. Advancing came down to GA (not Points or GF)

 

[MyKidsDriver]

Are you suggesting that Surf rested it starters because they ‘knew’ they locked up their group? If so, that’s dangerous for a team to do… but yet hearing this is very entertaining..LOL

Interesting stuff, Surfer and Charlie. Surfer, that definitely does change the perspective, I didn’t realize their third game was not of consequence, thank you. Does playing a second string lineup in a game that doesn’t mathematically matter help or hurt morale? It definitely helps avoid material injury.

 

[SuperSoccerStar]

ECNL always announces changes in their playoff formats in advance, not during a tournament (weather is the exception).

The system is done similar to college playoff brackets, where there is always a chance of a cinderella winning it all.

The final 8 is set, rather than final 4 because it makes more sense for college scouts and because it's done over 2 events rather than more.

No one is placed at a disadvantage because teams 2,3,4 of the groups are done randomly and the southwest didn't have to play each other during group play, allowing many southwest teams to win their groups and qualify for the round of 16.

It is frustrating when you have to travel across the country and play someone in your backyard but when you're in the conference in the country, this might happen at playoffs and championship series.

Very proud of the performances by southwest teams in playoffs, even the ones that didn't make it to Virginia.

Aren't we all lucky that we get to play extremely great teams multiple times throughout league play? The challenging season better prepares the teams for playoffs.

I wouldn’t be surprised if I missed it but I haven’t seen anything official about how the elite 8 would be seeded or run. This is all that I could find. Odds are they do what they did last year but it would be nice to have a different format than last year where it’s one and done. Long way to go for one meaningful game.

 

[Orangeteam]

Attached is last years bracketing method. It is the same method used in 2021 for the U14-U17 ages. The U13s was an experiment that year and it was a different bracket method. This bracketing is a 2 game minimum with the 3rd game only for the finals and this is same process pointed out in the 22/23 season documentation.

This post appears to be using the prior bracketing methods using this age group teams.

G2010 - How’s the 2022 season going?

Who are the other 4 teams, the non-Cali teams, any upset potential there? Colorado Real, Indiana Fire, Bethesda SC, Eclipse Select SC

socalsoccer.com

 

[sockma]

I wouldn’t be surprised if I missed it but I haven’t seen anything official about how the elite 8 would be seeded or run. This is all that I could find. Odds are they do what they did last year but it would be nice to have a different format than last year where it’s one and done. Long way to go for one meaningful game.

Link for this year:

ECNL Girls - Elite Clubs National League

The official ECNL Girls page for Elite Clubs National League

www.ecnlgirls.com

Schedule: CLICK HERE

If you click on the schedule and scroll down to the play dates for Richmond, it is in knockout format just like last year.

EVERY GAME in RICHMOND will be a great game and meaningful for the following reasons: elite 8 teams are all great teams, there will be many college scouts, international scouts, and US scouts at the games.

Group play for playoffs has already occurred, there's no reason to repeat it. There is no major tournament that reseeds once elimination rounds have started, regardless of how the dominoes may fall.

 

[Surfer_dad]

Interesting stuff, Surfer and Charlie. Surfer, that definitely does change the perspective, I didn’t realize their third game was not of consequence, thank you. Does playing a second string lineup in a game that doesn’t mathematically matter help or hurt morale? It definitely helps avoid material injury.

My philosophy is that losing a game, even if it is a “throw away game” is always risky and potentially a negative. In sport, winning isn’t everything, but the desire to win and playing to win is essential. The danger is if the coach is seen as caring less about winning a particular game, it will be interpreted to mean that winning didn’t matter. These are kids and limited in their ability to interpret subtleties. I want my team to develop a warrior winning mindset, which every great team has and will need at some point in a competition.

That said, I find many coaches don’t have the ability to play chess. Many might lose at checkers. But I digress

 

[MyKidsDriver]

My philosophy is that losing a game, even if it is a “throw away game” is always risky and potentially a negative. In sport, winning isn’t everything, but the desire to win and playing to win is essential. The danger is if the coach is seen as caring less about winning a particular game, it will be interpreted to mean that winning didn’t matter. These are kids and limited in their ability to interpret subtleties. I want my team to develop a warrior winning mindset, which every great team has and will need at some point in a competition.

That said, I find many coaches don’t have the ability to play chess. Many might lose at checkers. But I digress

I can hear Herm Edwards in your reply, and I agree with you. I also think think its bad for team morale/chemistry when coach says we’re gonna play this group when we want to win, and this “lesser group” when we don’t care.

 

[Dodgerblue1884]

Back in CA and loving the information flow! Don’t mean to create controversy as my dd loves her GA team and we enjoyed our trip out East, but I will say that seeing the top GA teams at this age vs playing some of the ECNL teams in SoCal, there is no comparison. ECNL owns the overall talent. There are GA girls that can hold their own but at the team/conference/league level, the ECNL talent is real. From the posts above, the ECNL final eight will be fun, yet some will be disappointed as the two “best” teams may not end up in the finals. Same as GA. Best of luck to those traveling east!

 

[Carlsbad7]

Back in CA and loving the information flow! Don’t mean to create controversy as my dd loves her GA team and we enjoyed our trip out East, but I will say that seeing the top GA teams at this age vs playing some of the ECNL teams in SoCal, there is no comparison. ECNL owns the overall talent. There are GA girls that can hold their own but at the team/conference/league level, the ECNL talent is real. From the posts above, the ECNL final eight will be fun, yet some will be disappointed as the two “best” teams may not end up in the finals. Same as GA. Best of luck to those traveling east!

If you're back in CA from GA finals + posting in a 2010 thread that means either Fram or CitySC. With a name like Dodgerblue most likely Fram.

Both Fram and CitySC were eliminated at the GA group stage.

If I remember correctly Fram was spanked by Tophat gold 8-0 in their first game. Tophat gold ended up winning it all so not exactly a poor showing.

I find it humorous that you play on a GA team + don't make it past the first round in playoffs + say the quality of GA is less than ECNL.

Was it easier to lose in GA than it was to lose in ECNL?

 

[Carlsbad7]

BTW I'm not trying to be a jerk.

It's just that you can complain about the level of competition after you win / beat them.

If you complain about the level of competition after losing to them you just sound stupid.

 

[RandomSoccerFan]

BTW I'm not trying to be a jerk.

wonders what it would look like if you *were* trying....

Sounds like he's entitled to his opinion of what the competition looks like - regardless of what team he's supporting or what team he's rooting against. There can be tight games between two terrible teams, blowouts between two terrible teams, or blowouts between a superior team and a weaker team. This applies in the best league in the country, or the super rec club down the street. None of those outcomes prohibit any onlookers from making judgements about how any of the teams are looking. And anyone incessantly arguing about how great the top GA teams are compared to objectively stronger leagues may not be coming across as perceptive as they think they appear to be.

Was it easier to lose in GA than it was to lose in ECNL?

Again, this is *not* being a jerk?

 

[Veritas]

Back in CA and loving the information flow! Don’t mean to create controversy as my dd loves her GA team and we enjoyed our trip out East, but I will say that seeing the top GA teams at this age vs playing some of the ECNL teams in SoCal, there is no comparison. ECNL owns the overall talent. There are GA girls that can hold their own but at the team/conference/league level, the ECNL talent is real. From the posts above, the ECNL final eight will be fun, yet some will be disappointed as the two “best” teams may not end up in the finals. Same as GA. Best of luck to those traveling east!

2 best teams are you referring to mvla and Surf being ranked 1/2? It’s possible. I see Koge as a very strong competitor right now. May be the best team this current moment. Blues look pretty good as well. Coming from winning Man City and only giving up 1 goal in playoffs. I wouldn’t be surprised if Koge or Blues takes the National title.

 

[Carlsbad7]

wonders what it would look like if you *were* trying....

Sounds like he's entitled to his opinion of what the competition looks like - regardless of what team he's supporting or what team he's rooting against. There can be tight games between two terrible teams, blowouts between two terrible teams, or blowouts between a superior team and a weaker team. This applies in the best league in the country, or the super rec club down the street. None of those outcomes prohibit any onlookers from making judgements about how any of the teams are looking. And anyone incessantly arguing about how great the top GA teams are compared to objectively stronger leagues may not be coming across as perceptive as they think they appear to be.



Again, this is *not* being a jerk?

It is what it is.

I just think it's ridiculous to complain about competition level (implying that its not good enough) when you're losing to the teams that you're saying aren't that good.

 

[Dodgerblue1884]

If you're back in CA from GA finals + posting in a 2010 thread that means either Fram or CitySC. With a name like Dodgerblue most likely Fram.

Both Fram and CitySC were eliminated at the GA group stage.

If I remember correctly Fram was spanked by Tophat gold 8-0 in their first game. Tophat gold ended up winning it all so not exactly a poor showing.

I find it humorous that you play on a GA team + don't make it past the first round in playoffs + say the quality of GA is less than ECNL.

Was it easier to lose in GA than it was to lose in ECNL?

Thanks for your insight, and your geographical prowess. You are correct that my dd plays in SoCal DA and she loves it. Where you falter in your post is in the belief that parents cannot watch their kid lose, but still love the game and their teammates. You also fail to realize that there are people on this blog that speak the truth. I am honest with myself and my kid, ECNL at this age group is better as a whole. To help you interpret that statement, if you paired at random the 20 ECNL teams with the top 20 GA teams in the country, I believe ECNL would win >60% of those games. This does not mean that there are no GA girls/teams that can’t hang. It also doesn’t mean that GA teams will not compete in the future. What it does mean is that top talent around the country has gravitated to ECNL at an early age.

If you are one of those parents that are never wrong and think your kid is the best, I would ask you to look in the mirror and realize that these girls are 12-13 years old and they need to enjoy this time, because winning isn’t everything if you are having fun. My approach only, and just offering an honest opinion. Hope you are able to find a bit of this peace when your your team is on the losing end.