Honestly, lots of NL and RL teams played very minimal tournaments this summer in particular. I’m guessing it has to do with being olders, costs, roster changes, and having playoffs in July.
I didn't mean anything negative saying that there's nothing to gain playing in local tournaments. Once players hit u14 the likelihood of injuries goes up year after year. If scouts aren't attending tournaments but they are attending ECNL events it doesn't make much sense to participate in tournaments. There's only so much $$$ parents can spend.
I think 2 tournaments a year is more than enough now. I say if you want more you do another showcase as it might benefit the girls with college scouts. That's for sure not going to happen at a Blues Cup for example.
They could/should have made 3-4 flights out of this. I guess they didn't want to spend a few more $$ on trophies.
They prob dont want 11NL and 10NL in the final. This way they can win Lime and Blue.
I agree with 11NL vs 10NL statement. With lower-level teams, players (and parents) like to play the top-level teams to see where they stand, and they see this as an opportunity to "show-up" and hope to get recognized.
Depending on how the semi's are seeded there's a real possibility that their NPL team plays the 11s in the final in the lower flight.
yeah I looked back too. I'm definitely wrong. Looks like they always try to keep it at 2 levels. I guess it is then hard for that 4th, 5th and 6th level blues team in age group to ever win a blues cup though!
Just a suggestion, but don't use the words "watered down competition" until after you win Blues Cup.
Winning it all or not, an observer can look at the Lime brackets and see the level of the teams, as a whole, is not the same as say Surf Cup.
No, using terms like "watered down competition" implies that your team is superior in some form or fashion, and that's OK if you can guarantee a win.
Interesting. The idiom "water down" usually just implies diluted or weaker than in the past... But I guess in "socal soccer forum" talk it must mean my team has to be able to beat everyone in order to use the term
Well maybe you should watch what you say unless you feel comfortable backing it up. Go ahead declare your kids team the winner of a "watered dowm" Blues Cup.Interesting. The idiom "water down" usually just implies diluted or weaker than in the past... But I guess in "socal soccer forum" talk it must mean my team has to be able to beat everyone in order to use the term
Agree, and it is not respectful to the teams in the tournament. The blues don’t have control of who enters their tournament. I agree, Surf Cup this year was very very popular and had more teams applying to play than the last few years. I think the blues tournament is a victim of its time on the calendar as well as the continuing evolution of youth soccer leagues and league playoffs. Every game played by a soccer team can be beneficial, against good competition and lesser competition. Just takes a coach to understand that and adapt his game plan to get the most out of the circumstance they find themselves in.
My bad. Struck a nerve. Wrong choice of words...like I said, I'm a newbie.
Interesting. Did your child not do well with Blues? Historically, Slammers does not enter Blues cup. Seems like bad blood there with Blues?
