Get ready, the big tournaments of the year are right around the corner.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
U13B - Are you ready for some football?
Get ready, the big tournaments of the year are right around the corner.
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«Oldest ‹Older 401 – 600 of 639 Newer› Newest»So licensed referee...you weighed in as an expert witness to something you are not even a witness to. So much for being an expert!
Just to summarize. We have the unreliable account of a jealous parent whose team lost and the opinion of an expert witness who was not even there. That expert also saw no cheating behavior in the game he did observe a little while back. The referee was notified of the supposed "cheating" behavior and yet chose, for some unknown reason (at least to the parents), not to do anything about it. Oh and by the way, nobody even suggested anything that happened ON the field by the kids playing was untoward...no 15yr olds posing as younger players or no horrible penalty calls etc....nothing. Just an asst. coach on the wrong side of the field and even that sounds like total BS. Yeah...C'mon man!
My guess is this is a Millburn parent trying to turn sentiment from decidedly against their rich, spoiled brats to against the upstart kids from Newark. Good luck with that one. Hope ironbound kicks you in the teeth!
Really? Because someone is from Millburn they are spoiled and a brat? Kind of a big leap, wouldnt you agree? Because you are from Newark you are an upstart? If you are going generalize the kids from Millburn how would you generalize the kids from Newark? Well, you didnt did you, showing where you really are from. You are disgusting.
Disgusting and busted!!!!!
"So licensed referee...you weighed in as an expert witness to something you are not even a witness to. So much for being an expert!"
No I did not. I weighed in as an expert regarding an the inane and inaccurate claim you made regarding the Laws of the Game.
Seems there's been a retreat going on here. The first claim of coaching from the spectator side was defended with an "it's okay if the ref allows it" defense." But now that this clearly won't fly, you've reverted to the "it never happened in the first place" approach.
No, I wasn't there so I didn't make any calls on this. But from where I'm sitting, it's not too hard to figure out what happened.
Agreed. The refs failed so it is ok doesnt fly with this guy. Millburn will beat them anyway.
It seems to me that for some of these parents this game is not about soccer but rather competition between different classes. After all, this is just a soccer game where kids want to have fun while playing the sport that they love. All of these "rich" or "upstart" comments are completely irrelevant. In the end, the team that wins isn't the more or less wealthy team but the one who is a better soccer team.
I remember when soccer was the topic here. You people need help!
I agree with the last 2 comments, let the games be played, it is funny how the kids can battle so hard in the field, be enemies for 80 minutes and after the game is over, they are back to being just a bunch of kids having an awesome time, and parents, oh boy, parents should learn from your own kids and be more tolerant with each other, yes, some teams will take advantage of a situation, and yes, some refs are really bad, and yes, sometimes results do not reflect the true character of a team, but that will always happen, @ U 13 or @ professional level, that is the beauty of this game, lets just enjoy the ride, for now....
Good luck to all teams playing for the State Cup this weekend!!
IB does not cheat. We are aloud to yell from the sidelines as much as we want. We are aloud to do it, so back off.
Grammar lesson #1, allowed not aloud.
" We are aloud to yell from the sidelines as much as we want."
In Youth Soccer, spectators are allowed to yell words of encouragement to the players, but nothing more. They are not allowed to complain about the referees. They are not allowed to make negative comments about the players (on either team). They are not allowed to give tactical instructions to players.
Of course, spectators do all of these things regularly so there is an often hazy line between what is acceptable and what is not.
Spectator shouts like "Get goal side of him Johnny" are almost always ignored as are things like "That wasn't a foul!" But shouts like "Hey ref, you $uck are clearly on the other side of that line. Similarly, having a credentialed coach provide tactical instruction from the spectators side of the field is clearly beyond that line as well.
So, no, you're not "aloud" to yell as much as you want from the spectators side of the field. And what Ironbound is alleged to have done in this case would be well on the other side of that hazy line and a very clear violation of the rules.
If this alleged coach/parent on the parent sideline directing the defense went to the coaches sideline at halftime and coached the players, what side of the hazy line would that be on?
I thought I made that clear in the post above yours.
"And what Ironbound is alleged to have done in this case would be well on the other side of that hazy line and a very clear violation of the rules."
I should add that, even if these allegations are true, nothing can be done about it at this point.
But I also suspect that, if true in the Marlboro case, the chances of it happening again against Millburn are very small.
Stories like these tend to have legs.
I am sure Millburn will be checking in with that information.
Let Millburn check anything they want. You heard it here first, this wont even be a close match. IB by 3.
Licensed referee...you are too smart to suggest I backtracked on my position. I simply returned to the foundation of this argument which has not been established. What are the facts related to this accusation? Repeat...accusation. I think there are serious holes in the account given.
I also stated and will repeat once more I think this is not a claim worthy of labeling another team as "cheaters" especially when the rule in question is merely a guideline and the accusation is not even directed at the players (kids I remind you). It is a ruse designed to get people to look the other way. To deflect attention away from the fact that $800/yr fees can compete with the rich towns and overpriced academies that dominate youth soccer. The accusations do strike a chord because it is this "pay to play" mentality that drives too much in youth soccer in NJ and in the country. This sport is for everyone not just those who can pay thousands to say their kid plays on a top team in NJ. Millburn may well win. Ironbound are surely the underdogs, but shame on you for sitting in your mansion in Millburn or Short Hills or Summit or wherever and calling the kids from Newark cheaters. They offer more hope for the future of U.S. Soccer than your town.
Mansions. You are funny. No one said the kids cheated The adults need to act like adults.
Clueless and bitter at it again. But now you show your limitations are not just confined to soccer...
"Licensed referee...you are too smart to suggest I backtracked on my position."
Misguided Augmentative one, were you to go back and read the initial posts about this issue (from April 26th and 27th when it first came up here), you'll see that the first response to this accusation was a defense from an Ironbound supporter claiming that coaching from the spectators' side was okay as long as the referee allowed it. I have been assuming that was you. But even if it was not you, it was clearly the first line of defense from those on the Ironbound side of this argument with whom you've clearly aligned yourself.
Once I pointed out that it was undoubtedly not "okay," the defense then changed to a claim that it never happened in the first place. So if you are only responsible for the second of these weak defenses, then please forgive me for confusing you with the other poster.
Regardless, your effort to now turn this issue into some misguided argument about class struggle could have been easily anticipated as those who have weak arguments frequently try to chance the topic.
Good luck to your son in the game against Millburn. After all of this, I am confident that whomever is assigned the match will be prepared to deal with this concern fairly and truly allow the players to determine the outcome within the confines of the Laws of the Game.
This Ironbound parent is using reverse discrimination to pump up his so called discriminated against team. Nice.
Any interesting tryout shockers? Kids going to other teams on the sly?
Yes. Every marlboro kid and their mother trying out somewhere else. Few at pda. Few at njsa. Bye bye marlboro. Monroe doesnt seem so bad huh?
Monroe? you must be joking. MOSA soccer for them from here on in.
Licensed Referee, you embody your own name Misguided Argumentative one. You were not even there. Furthermore, you twist my original claim and have not answered any of the questions raised except to bloviate on about it. My initial claim was that something is not right with the account clearly provided by a jealous Marlboro parent. The referee was made aware of their position and chose to do nothing. Why do you think that is? Isn't that more revealing than the parent's complaints on this blog? Perhaps the real licensed referee at the match determined there was no violation. Perhaps they decided it was a minor violation that had no impact on the match. Perhaps they differed even on the underlying facts presented by the commenter. Why would you assume their version of events is actually even what the referee at the game witnessed? Perhaps because everything on this blog is true and reliable of course!
My second point boils down to "who cares" about this weak claim? Just common sense.... No violation occurred on the field by the kids. You fail to respond to that point. I never changed my argument (although you seem to be the one arguing). Do you really advocate calling a team and the kids "cheaters" even if an asst. coach was on the wrong side of the field? I think that is wrong. Even if you assume it occurred and you clearly don't advocate it, do you really think that changed the outcome of the match? Cheater is a nasty word that I would reserve only for wrongdoing by the kids that changed the outcome of the match. You were the one who brought the rules (pg. 56 FIFA Laws of the Game) into the argument as if you were trying to justify your point with a technicality. That is the sign of a weak position. As a supposed referee, that backfired on you because the page you highlighted clearly states that the notes are "general guidelines" only. Not hard and fast rules of the game. Again you did not address that issue, but you tried instead to pervert the very real doubt in the rules to a logical extreme on the size of the technical area to justify it as undoubtedly not "okay". The subject matter of that page are guidelines only and subject to doubt and referee latitude regardless of the scenario. That's a good thing too. Why? As a referee, you know the reality is that one or more of the notes outlined on Pg 56 are violated by almost every coach almost every match. That was my last point. How can you punish skirting one guideline and not the many others too especially when the violations are so common? My answer is simple. Common sense and the referee at the match probably used it to weigh many factors to make judgements about the match. At no point did I say I personally advocate coaching from the opposite sideline (as a hypothetical). I tend to follow guidelines even when they are not hard and fast rules. Perhaps if there was a guy coaching on the wrong side the ref could have said something, but it is pretty clear to me that is not why Marlboro lost and it is equally clear Ironbound kids did not cheat. If you reply then please start with those points. Please explain how Marlboro lost because of this and not because Ironbound was the better team on the field. Then explain to me how it is remotely okay to call the kids from IB "cheaters".
Wow! This IB fool really doesn't know when to give up.
Put any spin you want on it. The coach cheated! End of story. The arguement is being made that because the coach cheated it gave the players an advance to win. Hence why people cheat, to win. Just because a ref doesn't catch the cheating doesn't make it NOT cheating. If you drive 45 in a 25 zone but a police office doesn't catch you, that means you didn't speed?
You cheated and you won. Good luck against Millburn.
You state that the ref chose to do nothing. So? Just because the ref was wrong doesn't make what you did right.
Still to this point, I don't believe anyone has called the kids cheaters, but it is clear that your coach did cheat and the adults on IB knew he was cheating (gaining an unfair advantage, if that makes you feel better) by directing the defense every step of the way. The kids did listen as they gave this coach the thumbs up after every instruction he gave.
Did it change the outcome of the game? No one will ever really know that.
From what I have read on this site, IB has employed this tactic at other games also.
"...I don't believe anyone has called the kids cheaters..."
No, they haven't. But the facts will never get in the way of the IB fool's moronic rants.
I say we all ignore the fool going forward and get back to bashing Millburn. I mean, Ironbound sure isn't going to do that so someone else is going to need to take care of this task...
BOOT IT!!!
My understanding is that Millburn has placed a special coaches box on the parents sideline to accommodate IB. Who said there was only anger?
Millburn are the cheaters. In a recent state cup match the Millburn coach's brother could be seen coaching and cheerleading from the sidelines and talking to individual players by name throughout the match. Rumor is they are going to give him some blue and white pom-poms and a coach's clipboard for this next game!
"In a recent state cup match the Millburn coach's brother could be seen coaching and cheerleading from the sidelines and talking to individual players by name throughout the match."
Can you let us know which match you are referring to? "Recent" sounds a bit vague to me.
It was a joke. However, lets say it is true for a second. Is this person a ooach? Did this person go to the halftime meeting with the other coaches and players?
"It was a joke."
Okay, good. Sorry for being a dummy.
Oh is that the pro Millburn licensed referee chiming in again? Now you are questioning the details? Hmmm. It seems the Ironbound accuser was vague and never mentioned what game they were talking about either. Curious why you are asking questions now and just throwing around moronic guilty verdicts earlier. Could it be you are pro Millburn? I have no idea if the above claim has any veracity, but your double standard is a joke.
Any truth to the rumor that Millburn and Ironbound are merging?
Marlboro is folding?
Gunners and Stallions are moving?
Monroe has a new coach?
East Brunswick is over rated but will still be in Cup final??
PDA Ronney is now playing U17?
All other teams are terrible and not worth a single post???
Settle down IB, you have proven yourself to be well, a joke.
I thought it was funny.
To answer your question, yes, when we played IB that is what happened. Before the game, the guy (wearing an IB coaches shirt) was with them during warm ups and went to the parent side 15 minutes before game started. At halftime, he joined the team huddle. then for the second half went to the opposite parents side for the second half.
Kids didn't cheat, coaches cheated. They played the offside trap. They did it very well when the cheating coach was helping from the sideline. Not so well when he was forced away.
IB's response.
If we lived in a mansion and our kids went to expensive private schools, and relaxed at our country clubs no one would think this was wrong. You only accuse us of these things because we are from the inner city.
Sorry no joke. It is true. Millburn did do it. The only joke is you buddy. You are quick to judge IB kid s when you weren't even there. All your clever new posts don't change that. I'll keep it short because you can't seem to comprehend long words or sentences. Ironbound is coming and we plan to test how soft your big, suburban goons are.
The IB fool has got to be a hoax. No one with access to a computer is that dumb.
I think its time I add my part into all this..
For the past two years coming on this blog, I can honestly say that this Ironbound/Millburn thing is the biggest joke of all the crazy blogs that have been posted over the years.
The past week of this blog has to be written only be two ppl going back and forth as I don't think anyone else cares to hear about this crap.
Marlboro- your a good team who works hard but only have two kids worth watching play the game. Everyone else just runs hard.
Ironbound- you play a horrible style of soccer and the fact that white american kids are playing better soccer says it all. I'm praying that Millburn smashes you! You won ONE state cup game in four years and look how you act. Your team is completely average.
Millburn- yes you win and yes you have some good players, but please in your right mind don't think that your better than all the teams in the state. Agree that the rankings have you high in the country but EB PDA Gunners Westfield Marlboro Parsipanny can easily beat you. Yes you may beat them more than they beat you but the point is, they can beat you!!! Other than a NJ state cup, you have won NOTHING! Never even made it out of group stage in a top level tournament. Again, your a good team, but your not far beyond the other NJ teams who are below you in the "rankings"
Please move on to something worth talking about..
Redbulls 99 PDA 99 NJSA 99 and Matchfit 99 would beat the hell out of Millburn and everyone else. Pathetic town teams you all are.
Academy teams preaching to town teams? How can the poor town teams compete with the rich academy teams. Oh, sorry I got confused with the IB argument.
"I think its time I add my part into all this.."
I guess you didn't want to be outdone in the Dumb Department by the IB fool.
What...Millburn cheat? No never. Not Millburn.
When is this Millburn/IB game?
Red Bulls Academy is free. And do not be surprised if some of the town team parents are spending just as much as some of the academies to train. I can guarantee some of us are paying just as much after all the registration, uniform, year-round camp fees and private training. Most decent town teams would not be able to keep up with the NEPAL teams. It's where the talent logically flows at this age. It's really not about the money.
As per the NJ Cup site, the Millburn/Ironbound game is on Saturday at 6:00 at Millburn HS.
But I've seen wrong information there in the past so take this at your own risk.
There are 3 other NJ cup matches this weekend. Just in case anybody was interested. Predictions?
3-0 Millburn. Does anybody think Ironbound will really win let alone score a goal?
2-1 Princeton Orange. Maybe the closest match of the weekend.
3-1 EBSC. The Elite Barons will have to pray for help at Heavenly Farms.
4-2 Westfield. Free beer and nachos afterward at Houlihan's Field.
Were I to nitpick, I'd say the prediction of 6 goals in the Westfield/TSF game is too many.
But otherwise, I think the poster above shows a very good understanding of this age group.
Were I to nitpick, I'd say the prediction of 6 goals in the Westfield/TSF game is too many.
But otherwise, I think the poster above shows a very good understanding of this age group.
South Jersey Elite Barons 1-0 over East Brunswick
There was nothing elite about South Jersey, but they pulled off the upset with six defenders. Unfortunately, domination and possession doesn't win the game. EB was the dominant team, but just couldn't get it in the net. Kudos to SJEB for fighting hard though.
2-1 Princeton Orange
Didn't see the EB/SJEB game. Did SJEB score or was it PKs?
So Princeton Orange win the right to get smoked by Millburn? Oh, wait, Ironbound still have that privilege first.
3-1 Millburn. Much closer than the score sounds as the last 2 goals came in the second period of extra time.
This was a VERY good youth soccer game!
Go home IB
sounds like 3 great games so far. Great to see. Haters go away.
Millburn-Ironbound was one of the most exciting games of the season! 1-1 at the end of regulation and after the 1st OT. Millburn scored a nice goal in the 2nd OT for the win. Ironbound and the goalie pressed desperately upfield in the last minute and lost a dribbler behind the goalie for a Millburn insurance goal that wasn't needed. 3-1 finish, but obviously much closer than the scoreline suggests. Hard fought on both sides and surprisingly equally matched between both teams. Ironbound had chances and missed a heartbreaker just wide left before Millburn scored the game winner. Congrats to Millburn on the win! ...and Ironbound no reason to hang your heads low either.
Was that Parsippany a parent saying "Go Home" again? No need for that negative nonsense. Just a well played. great match by both teams. Good to see the boys put together a positive performance on both sides of the field.
SJ Barons scored off a free kick in the second half. Well played game by both teams. Both keepers made some great saves during the game.
Thanks for all the details on the various games. Sounds like a great weekend and a surprising one as well.
Millburn over Westfield in the final.
If Westfield can get by TSF first.
To all the marlboro haters, marlboro is 4 wins 0 losses in edp. they have beaten tsf, westfield, monroe, and the gunners earlier today. only loss this spring is ot loss to ironbound which has proven it is among elite teams in nj. heard team is staying together and plans on picking up a few good players to round off a solid squad for next fall.
Funny one Marlboro..
I needed that laugh.
If you had any knowledge of the game you would keep quite about your game today bs Gunners. Obviously a marlboro parent chirping about your win vs Gunners today which was 2-1. But please I beg you to stay away from this game. Your team got cometely hammered vs Gunners today and it was a joke how different the two teams were. Such night and day. Scoreboard will read 2-1. You and this blog will read that Marlboro beat gunners. But in reality, your team got trampled by gunners and you know it. Sad to think you come on this blog straight after your win and remind ppl how good your team is. You got embarrassed by gunners in every aset of the game. Around 80% possession given to gunners, a 17 shot to 3 Shots in Gunners favor. Oh, and to make it clear, I filmed the game so if you want me to prove this, I will be uploading the game on YouTube and you can watch it for yourself.
This is a low blow by Marlboro parent as if you had any real sight of today's game, you walked from the field to the parking lot telling your son that they magically pulled off a win vs a lot better team than yours. But no, your lack of knowledge probably still reward Jonny with ice cream if his team wins. Your team barely touched the ba you clown.
But you lost. Go home gunners
Live through this blog Marlboro.. As you post, watch the video I post on YouTube. It shocks me that there are actually parents like you out there. Gunners beat the complete crap out of you.. Enjoy your blog.
Ok post the video then and include a link
TSF v Westfield??
Gunner idiot. You sound so bitter. All ok at home? Boy do you have some issues. The only thing said was that you lost, WHICH YOU DID, and you rant about total domination and 80% possession. You didnt score in game play for 80 minutes. Chalk it up to your team completely inept offensively or Marlboro stellar defense. Maybe if you watch your film enough times you will start to believe the bull shit you are regergitating on this site. All i can do is feel sorry for you, and even more for your son. Get a grip fool.
TSF wins 3-1 over Westfield. Nothing for Marlboro to brag about here with 2 out of the 4 wins they mention. This one looked like one of the weaker brackets. TSF went up 1-0 and a man after the Westfield goalie (last defender) got red carded by taking out the TSF player about to score a clear 2nd goal. From then on you would have thought TSF was a man down. TSF was less than impressive, but managed a couple late counters to seal the deal before the final whistle. Westfield looked the better skilled and more energetic team for sure, but they are unfortunately also the smallest U13 I have seen. It will be hard for them to break into the top 10 even with some talent on the team. That's a shame.
NJ Cup is as good as done. Millburn-South Jersey finals seems likely, but most importantly there isn't a team that can even give Millburn a run for their money at this point.
not sure what is worse: Marlboro parent running home to write they won by a goal in league's bottom flight or the ridiculousness rants of the gunner parent.
TSF Parent here.
I was impressed with Westfield all around. The boys had good first touchs and the style/speed of play was great. The coach was composed on the sideline and the Westfield Parents were first rate before, during and after the game. Keep it up you guys are doing it right.
League's bottom flight?
Where's the link?
Yes.....Millburn is most definitely the winner again. The only team that could have given Millburn some competition was East Brunswick. Would have been a great final!
That link you promised????
Will be posted shortly..
You can choke on your comments shortly.. But just be a man about it after you watch your team get embarrassed. No excuses.
excellent video. You did prove your point and good luck the rest of the year.
Can't seem to find the video. Link please?
Total different state cup final four huh.
Millburn
Marlboro
East Brunswick
Gunners
Westfield
Ironbound
PDA Rooney
Match Fit PRE Academy
South Jersey Barons
TSF
All have good teams. Those are top ten in state in Amy order.
I'll give credit to where credit is due, congrats on final four teams. But in my book, below is top 5 in state of NJ no matter what this weekend looks like.
1- Millburn (They know how to win. They are not better than any other top 5 teams on the list but they have the knack to win)
2- East Brunswick (3 best players around, roster size is too weak. They have 6 excellent players than 4 duds)
3- Gunners (A team know one likes on this blog and a team that loses most of their games played but a def top 5 team in my eyes with a lot of special talent)
4- Matlboro (Say what you want but Marlboro just like the Titans, they pull off winning games even if that means no soccer being played. Kick n Run)
5- South Jersey Barons (prove they can hang, defend well as a team but have no real weapons)
Westfield
TSF
Ironbound
Rooney
Matchfit
Those all follow..
My two cents only. Obviously many will disagree...
Good luck to all final four teams..
"Excellent video. You proved your point."
Seriously? That is bogus. There is no video link, no such video, and no real response.
Exactly no link is being posted...
Hey delusional Westfield parent...nice try with your top 10 list. You can pull Westfield off that list. You are barely top 20 and would not beat several of the teams from 11-20. TSF also did not look like a top 10 team either last night, but they have a better starting rank. South Jersey may be on the cusp of top 10, but top 5 no way. All three teams above are in the lower half of their EDP 2nd divisions. Elite barons cannot beat MonU and lost to NJSA04 and the Black Dawgs recently. You have an easy breezy walk to the slaughter house against Millburn at state cup. Don't confuse that with actually being better than just good. Oh...and before Westfield and Elite Barons say we beat the Gunners or EB or Marlboro...note that is a 50/50 proposition nowadays (GS Spring... EB won 3 lost 3, Marlboro won 4 lost 3, Gunners haven't won much of anything). Put the Black Dawgs back on the list and stop being silly.
Interesting idea though because TODAY's top 10 is more different than gotsoccer than I can ever recall. I would include 5 teams from 11-20 in the top 10 and pull ~5 top 10 teams out. This will get a lot of people to scream (5 teams for sure), but wake up. This is not U12 anymore. This IS the current balance of power in U13 Boys NJ.
1. Millburn
2. PDA Rooney
3. Ironbound
4. Parsippany
5. Match Fit
6. Marlboro
7. East Brunswick
8. BSM Gottschee
9. Stallions 99/00
10. Haddonfield
Interesting idea though because TODAY's top 10 is more different than gotsoccer than I can ever recall. I would include 5 teams from 11-20 in the top 10 and pull ~5 top 10 teams out. This will get a lot of people to scream (5 teams for sure), but wake up. This is not U12 anymore. This IS the current balance of power in U13 Boys NJ.
1. Millburn
2. PDA Rooney
3. Ironbound
4. Parsippany
5. Match Fit
6. Marlboro
7. East Brunswick
8. BSM Gottschee
9. Stallions 99/00
10. Haddonfield
8. BSM Gottschee
9. Stallions 99/00
Thats laughable. Don't ask the parents watching from the sideline. Ask the kids who play the games. They would much rather play BSM and Stallions 99/00 then Westfield.
The Monroe vs East Brunswick game was FANTASTIC soccer this past weekend. Both teams played the game the way it should be played. I love to see East Brunswick play soccer. If Monroe players go elsewhere they are fools, the team is strong. Winning is not the basis of a team that plays well.
"Winning is not the basis of a team that plays well"!
This is the best slogan for any loser's team.
To you it may be the loser slogan, the teams who do not come off with a consistent win are just not as "good" as their opposition. To others it is tactical refinement that matters most...I wont bother to explain as it is way over your head. Congrats to your son and your many wins. May you continue to WIN! See you at U-16...sorry won't be able to turn the clock back to fine tune but you will have great videos of your son's U-13 win. I will gladly pass the slogan on to you then as you will need it.
EB took Monroe lightly since Monroe lost 4-1 two weeks ago to EB "b" team.
I am not from Monroe so posting the team stats is irrelevant. Again, what i said about the value of wins was way over your head. Press rewind on thheyour home video.
Sure you are not. We played with you in Marlboro so we know how you operate. Sell your crazy someplace else.
"That's laughable. Don't ask the parents watching from the sideline."
Don't worry I won't ask the parents from Westfield. Listening to you only 5min into the last NJ Cup game (the one you lost to TSF) was laughable enough for me. "We were dominating, but...um we are down a goal." You have a good team. 3-4 really skilled players and a high work rate. Congrats. BUT...reality check. You parents are also wearing the rosiest colored glasses in U13. You are undersized for a U12 team. You will not penetrate the top 10 anytime in the near future if ever. Gottschee has more speed and skill and Stallions have too much size for you to handle. You are ranked below both and you're probably not even on their radar. Just to round out the list of teams ranked 11-20 that will beat you add Match fit, South Jersey, and Parsippany.
"The Monroe vs East Brunswick game was FANTASTIC"
..and the girls U12 NJ Crush match was AMAZING.
Seriously? Who cares? The girls probably played better football.
...and winning is not the basis of a team that plays well? Tell that to Barcelona or Bayern Munich. Or is your tactical refinement over their head as well?
Don't look now, but it appears the "MAPS Elite or Pre-EDP" division is superior to both EDP 2nd divisions. Perhaps they should relegate EDP 2nd to EDP 3rd.
Top 4 MAPS Elite:
Gottschee Blue (for those out of the know...they will win the division)
FC Europa
Ironbound
Gottschee Roma
Top 4 EDP 2nd South:
Well there are no NJ teams in the top 4 here to discuss. They all sit in 5th-10th place with a combined record of 3 wins and 9 losses, but we can see that two MAPS Elite teams, Ironbound and Gottschee Roma blanked top 4 MonU by a combined 5-0 score. Also Gottschee Blue last beat Patriot Black sitting in 1st place in EDP 2nd South. On the other side, there is no recent example of a top 4 EDP 2nd South team beating a top 4 MAPS Elite team. Even 3rd team crossover games favor MAPS Elite. Gottschee Roma beat Philly Coppa with a clean sheet and by two more goals than 2nd place Danubia. Let's move on to EDP North 2nd where there are some NJ teams in the top 4....
Top 4 EDP 2nd North:
Marlboro
DUSC
World Class B Team (really likely 3rd as Marlboro and DUSC both 1pt back and played 2 less games)
Toms River (but like Blue above we know it will really be Westfield, Gunners, or TSF who just have played less games so far)
Now the discussion really begins especially since 3 of the 4 MAPS Elite top 4 are North teams. Here are the match-ups 1st vs 1st, 2nd vs 2nd etc.
MATCHES:
1. Gottschee Blue vs. Marlboro
2. FC Europa vs. DUSC
3. Ironbound vs. World Class B
4. Gottschee Roma vs. TSF
RESULTS:
1. This is the easy one even though there is no direct game history to compare. Blue crushes Marlboro. Blue should fairly be EDP 1st and has beaten the 1st place WC team in EDP 1st (not on GS) and at Annandale only lost to the best team of the tournament Toronto FC Academy.
2. The game history suggests FC Europa going away. FC Europa recently blanked Marlboro 4-0. I think it is a lot closer than that and maybe dead even so I will give EDP 2nd a draw here despite evidence suggesting they should lose this one.
3. Ironbound lost 2-1 to WC B team last fall at MAPS, but they were missing their best defender then and are a better team now evidenced by their NJ Cup win over Marlboro and close match with Millburn. I think Ironbound wins this easily.
4. I chose TSF because Westfield beat Gunners and TSF beat Westfield. Maybe that is not fair because Gottschee has TSF's number. They have beaten them in recent months more than once and TSF has only tied at best. I won't give MAPS Elite the win here yet because I should probably use Westfield or Gunners which is open more to debate. Let's just pen this one as a draw for now.
CONCLUSION:
2 wins and 2 draws in favor of MAPS Elite over EDP 2nd North. The real divisional rankings should go EDP 1st, MAPS Elite, EDP 2nd.
Conclusion, you have too much time on your hands.
BWG Roma suck.. Who keeps posting about them? I've seen that team play many times and they are nothing special to watch . 2 good players out of a roster of 15-16? Pathetic if you ask me
Please watch the link...
Millburn this is for you. I thought it would be funny to watch BWG "ROMA" play with you at an indoor state tournament at TSF. They not only smashed you the first game, but they smashed you in the final.
Yes, ladies and gents our 3 time STATE CUP CHAMPS are nothing more than you RUN HARD, BOOT IT LONG, WHOSE BIGGER american team. Roma, who is an average team, makes the NJ 3 time state champions look like a average soccer team. Why you ask? Well its 6v6 and actually soccer ability is needed to play indoor. You get free kicks against you if you BOOT IT!
Please just watched the link.. Millburn, enhoy your US CLUB Medal. But your not fooling anyone, you will not have ONE player go off to college for this sport. Its a shame but thats what happens when your coach just cares about winning and nothing else..
enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PueafDsyJFU
The best parts of that video is when the vests change colors. Where can I get those?
"Millburn this is for you."
Gottschee Roma parent here. My son can be seen in the video link you posted. And I think you're an idiot.
No point in trying to explain why Millburn is a great team to those who refuse to hear it. Did you see the match against Ironbound last weekend?
Teams like Gottschee Roma and Ironbound are getting a lot of discussion here this spring because they are moving up the state rankings. Teams like Morris Utd. and Boca Jrs are not being talked about because they are going the other way.
If Gottschee Roma keeps moving up, the posts about them will continue. If they don't, you won't see their name here. Pretty simple actually.
BWG Roma suck.
If you had any talent you would go to their other 6 teams they have. Roma is a team that plays soccer to have fun with their friends. 3 good players and the rest don't know how to tie their shoes.
Sorry.
"If you had any talent you would go to their other 6 teams they have."
In Queens? Forget the drive...how much is the toll on the GWB again? And it's not quite 6, teams, but I think your overestimation shows at least a marginal understanding of the strength and history of this club.
I love the folks who come on here and post crap they have no clue about. Gottschee Roma are not one of the best teams in the State at this point. But they have been improving steadily for a while now and a group if new players have already boosted their strength this spring. And after some very productive tryouts recently, additional new players will be on board soon to provide further improvement. I guess the Gottschee name carries an attraction with it.
The boys got smoked by Match Fit in the NJ Cup. But aside from that they have played pretty darn well this spring. And I suspect any honest parent from Ironbound will express a good deal of respect for Gottschee as they spent a lot less time trailing Millburn last week than they did when they played Gottschee earlier this spring.
"BWG Roma suck."
Care to identify who your unfortunate son plays for?
"3 good players and the rest don't know how to tie their shoes."
I love this part though. For a while now I've been reading posts here claiming Gottschee Roma has only 2 good players, so it looks like the improvement is becoming evident even to the ignorant!
That's funny. I was at that game and was surprised to see that Millburn is anything, but a lower skilled kick and run team. I have seen them outdoors this spring a few times as well. Sure they have size. They also have some excellent skill on their team and are very well organized (a sign of an excellent coach). Sorry losers, but when it becomes 3 state cups in a row the only fool who believes that kick n' run nonsense anymore is you.
Back to your mansion with you.
"Back to your mansion with you. "
Don't I wish! But unfortunately, my driver is late. Now I have to call the butler so he can let the cook know that my 7 course dinner should be served 30 minutes later than planned.
Oh, wait, I see the Bentley coming now...
Keep playing Millburn, let the others be jealous. I know I am.
To the millburn parent and millburn fan club (obviously only millburns parents) I hope you win state cup 8 times in a row. I know it takes a lot of hard work to get to a state cup final and you winning it 3 times is something to smile about, but if you really only have your NJ State competition to brag about, isnt that pretty sad? Your ranked in the top 7 in the country yet you have not placed in a top flighted tournament, EVER! It just shows you what NJ soccer teams are all about. The fact that MIllburn is on their way to win 3 back to back to back state titles yet the team that represents NJ as their number one, cant make it to any finals of a tournament outside NJ.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Go home jersey.
Wait til MAPS CUP when Millburn gets smashed. Just like last year. Win US CLUB STATE CUP but then get hammered when you play teams outside NJ.
JOKE
"Wait til MAPS CUP when Millburn gets smashed."
Not a Millburn parent, but definitely a fan of the team.
Last MAPS Cup, this past November, Millburn won their group and lost to Hockessin in the final on PKs.
I think we've all figured out just who it is that's "smashed" around here.
Busy, busy day on the board today. I have a hunch the comments above are from another jealous parent in NJ. It is getting boring talking about Millburn. Who really even questions they are good anymore? While you've been complaining they have become the benchmark for U13 in NJ.
I think the other topics are more interesting.
- MAPS Elite>EDP 2nd
- 3 of the top 5 on GS NJ may not even belong in the top 10 anymore. It will just take them longer than a team like Monroe to fall off.
I absolutely agree!! who do you think your kidding? Who will remember how many medals my kid won @ U13?? I DO CARE about him learning real foot skills, learning how to play REAL SOCCER, you know, the one that teaches how to pass in between 2 defenders, look for the open space, how to open the field, how to do one touch passes, how to know where to pass the ball one second before he receives it!!! the PRETTY SOCCER, to me, there is nothing pretty in BOOTING IT or watching a team and not knowing what the heck they are playing, that bothers me, not results, results are only a matter of the moment, and I am looking forward to the future!!!!!
I too think the EDP 2ND / MAPS Elite comparison is interesting.
A while back I was told that there was a strong push on the EDP side to avoid becoming watered down like the original MAPS did and that they would relegate teams and promote others into EDP.
As I heard it, this MAPS Elite league is the beginning of that with the teams that are successful there being invited into EDP next fall. But that the 30 (or so) total they currently have in EDP would not change.
Has anyone else heard this story? I can't claim I know my source too well so the validity of this is definitely questionable.
But if it's true, I wonder how many of the current MAPS Elite teams will be promoted and which of the current EDP teams will fond themselves in the fall MAPS Elite.
I absolutely agree!! who do you think your kidding? Who will remember how many medals my kid won @ U13??
Agree too! You can stack the wins but the player himself who commands the ball will be victorious in years to come. When these "winner" boys try out for academy teams in future years....will their wins get them in or their skill.
Agree too!!! I watched Monroe/EB this past weekend, and it was a beauty, EB players are very talented, they got a very solid team but they have six players that are the best I have seen in years.
Seems like there was a lot of "agreement" around here today.
Were they giving out a prize for the dumbest series of posts today? Did I miss that?
If so, I think we can all "agree" on a winner!
Ah, but winning means nothing and the "enlightened" are far more focused on developing their dumbness for later in life.
Do everyone "agree?"
Interesting to see Monroe discussed here again.
While I didn't see a report of their score with EB this past weekend, I'm assuming EB came out on top. right?
I guess I'm not surprised that at least one poster had no interest in posting their spring "stats" here as their results on gotsoccer right now show a draw and 7 losses (EB would make it 8).
But they must have won a game or two somewhere this spring, right?
Monroe is irrelevant. Just think of it as switching places with the Elite Barons because by season end Monroe will be where So Jersey is now and the Elite Barons will be in the top 10.
This idjit forgot that teams who develop well and play beautiful soccer also have a tendency to win.
Did I miss the link showing how Marlboro got demolished?
I'm starting to think there's a market out there for a whole new web concept...gotbeautifulsoccer.com.
The site will award points to teams based on a purely subjective "Beautiful Soccer" index that visitor votes determine. It will also provide additional bonus points for games in which "beautiful" teams have scored high on the index while losing by 2 goals or more on the scoreboard. Of course, teams will have points deducted for any meaningless victories they post, regardless of their beauty rating. So the highest ranked teams on the site will be those who consistently lose beautifully.
Based on what I read around here, I'd say the site will get plenty of traffic.
Brilliant, eh? Any interested investors?
EB has 6 great players best you have seen in years? You must be kidding? A couple of technical kids with little heart. Being shut out by SJ Barons contradicts your nonsensical comment. Or, on the flip side, their daddy coach can't handle all this talent.
Hey! Why the knock on EB? They have a good team and a very good coach. The original comment mentioned EB, but the comment was clearly a silly struggle from Monroe seeking its new identity. No team...not Millburn and probably not even RB Academy have 6 of the best players ever seen on their starting 11. Leave a good team like EB out of the nonsense.
Marlboro, will you have a team next year? Will you lose a major core of your current team? My son's team plays yours, I enjoy the battles and I am looking forward to playing you next year if you are around.
My kid enjoys playing against Marlboro and I enjoy watching them, It will a shame if you guys do not play next season, a good team like yours needs to be around to shut some of the nonsense parents up!
Gottschee parent here wishing the one who posted above me was not quite so abrasive.
I think the idea should be to make friends and not enemies.
To the ignorant Gottschee parent that does not know how to carry a comment without an insult I say, I have seen them play and yes, there are very talented players, congratulations on the accomplishments, but get off your high horse, that attitude only brings your club down.
Ignorant maybe, abrasive probably, and confident for sure! I'm not a club official. I don't get paid to make friends and this isn't the forum for that anyway. I only tell it like I see it.
I was on this board "last" year telling you the Stallions at 55+ rank would break onto the 1st page. They are 15 now. I'm the guy who laughs at the kick n' run Millburn haters who are in denial of the obvious...Millburn are the best team in the state. When others were not even paying attention, I was the first to post that Ironbound was not just good, but they are top 10 tough and here to stay which has become generally accepted now. I have and will still point out that Parsippany is the most under-ranked team in NJ at 20 and if you don't believe me then go play them.
You may not like the way I talk, but I am more confident than the earlier comment by a Gottschee parent that they are not a top NJ team yet. I think that parent knows the team is still developing and has a ways to go. That is true, but Millburn and academies aside I cannot think of 5 teams in NJ that will consistently beat them now. I may be wrong, but so far I've been spot on. We'll see in the coming months. Either way, I know the inevitable trend is toward Development Academy soccer. In the next year or two, if your son is really good, you will have to go academy. If you are not from down south where Match Fit and PDA are the best options you will be knocking on Gottschee's (and WC's) door. Those teams will just get better.
Wrong again. Youth sports, like everything else is always looking for the next best thing. Once everyone realizes that the academy system doesn't really do much for you people will begin to look for a lower cost local alternative. You will see.
Marlboro will probably still have a team next year but based on the kids trying out at PDA and elswhere it looks like thier talent is going to take a hit.
"If you are not from down south where Match Fit and PDA are the best options you will be knocking on Gottschee's (and WC's) door. Those teams will just get better."
While they field very strong teams in a variety of age groups (and genders), I didn't think World Class has attained USSF Development Academy status. So I checked and was unable to find them.
The Academies either in or within reasonable distance from NJ include:
Match Fit / NJ
Met Oval / NJ
NJSA / NJ
PDA / NJ
Red Bulls / NJ
Gottschee / NY/NJ
Albertson / NY
FC Westchester / NY
Oakwood / CT
SCP / CT
FC Delco / PA
Sorry for my error above. Met Oval is in NY.
I have an idea. Instead of proffessing how bad each of the top teams in the state are because they ply kick and run, have horrible parents, coach that curses, etc..
Lets post something positive about the team your sons plays for or a team that you have actually seen play? If you don't have anything nice to say about your team, I'm sorry.
I'll go first:
EB- great forst touch and pass the pass nicely. Looks like those kids play soccer every day!
Next!
Nice idea...I'll play!
Gottschee: Spoke to the opposing team's coach after a recent match and complimented him on how hard his boys played.
He replied that he'd have preferred they'd managed to control the ball as well as Gottschee had done which requires a lot less work than they'd had to do chasing after it all game.
I am a big fan of the Ironbound coaching staff.
"I am a big fan of the Ironbound coaching staff."
I tried not to laugh at this but was instructed to do so from the parents' side and complied.
Ironbound coaching staff? Its comments like these that end up getting everyone upset.
Ironbound coaches are nothing but fathers who want to win. They have no idea of the way the game is mean to be played.
In all clubs in NJ, Ironbound may have the highest percentage of players who leave after one year of being with them. All about politics, all about favoritism, all about winning and all about winning without any skill.
There is a reason why coaches are VOLUNTEER coaches and why the club cost $20 for the year.
Ironbound is a joke of a club and team
My son doesn't play in that team but I am a big fan of Marlboro, aways liked them regardless results!
Say what you will, but IB is doing something right at this age group and they deserve to be congratulated for it. I'm sure a lot of teams would like to duplicate their recent success.
"Wrong Again"
You're right. I'm not sure the DA system is the answer. Will it produce a better top 18 players for the national team? Perhaps. Will 99% of kids end up paying more in pursuit of that and really get nothing for the extra cost? Probably. But it is the trend or the next best thing. It is where most good players must go now to get recruited to college or pros and that will not change anytime soon.
FYI WorldClass will have U13/14 USSF DA League team next season.
"Wrong again. Youth sports, like everything else is always looking for the next best thing. Once everyone realizes that the academy system doesn't really do much for you people will begin to look for a lower cost local alternative. You will see."
"You're right...It is where most good players must go now to get recruited to college or pros and that will not change anytime soon. "
You're confusing me anoynymouslynj. If you're saying "Wrong Again" is right and the DA system is just a phase, then why won't it lose it's status as the main recruiting path anytime soon?
If this won't change anytime soon, then it's hardly a passing fancy, right?
It may or may not be a passing fancy. Probably not. Too many competitive academies are developing out of professional clubs. I think the end result will be a better USA national team in the 2020s. Even if it is a phase, it is still in an early stage and will take another decade to see real results let alone pass along for some alternative. If you have a good soccer playing kid now then he will likely go academy.
I am saying, and this is different, it is funny that the trend is to the most expensive option with limited availability....a lot more HS's and clubs than DAs. Many of these academies are driven more by their pay to play business model than they are by quality of development. Of course there are exceptions like NYRB (free) and Chivas USA which just hired the best youth coach in the country (quality). Groups like that could be enough to give us a much better starting national team. It is just the 99% of kids paying 5K/yr at mid to lower level academies that do not benefit.
One day before state cup and no mention of the matches. Is it that much of a fait accompli? No takers suggesting they have at least a fighting chance against Millburn? I guess I agree...reluctantly. I personally thought Ironbound-Millburn was the state cup final.
The NY State Cup semi-final slate for tomorrow looks a lot more interesting. The 2 1st place teams from EDP North (essentially) are on opposite sides of the bracket. NYSC and WC A Team. WC A team plays Jigs Academy who beat the WC B team to get this far. We just beat Jigs with 10 men and I am certain we are not close to WC A Team level so I expect WC A Team to have an easy advance to the finals. New York SC plays Gottschee Blue to advance to the finals. I have said here before Gottschee Blue is not a MAPS Elite team. They are really EDP 1st and the top half of EDP 1st at that and this is just another example. Note they blanked HBC Flames to get here. I suspect they will give NY SC a run for their money tomorrow, but I am not sure. They are up against the gotsoccer #1 this time. Should be a fun one to watch and either way it will make for an exciting NY state cup finals.
It is just the 99% of kids paying 5K/yr at mid to lower level academies that do not benefit.
This estimate is probably about twice the average an academy charges.
And I do not understand the 'benefit' the players are not receiving. Training with and playing against better players always benefits an individual player who may have outgrown their non-academy team. If the benefit you speak of is eventually gaining entrance into college you are correct. But if that's the reason parents have their children involved in the sport in the first place then they're missing the point of organized sports and have their children try acheive their potential.
Scary part about staying with a club team vs moving to an academy is that club players at this age are always leaving searching for something more. The new upcoming U-13 aademy in the fall will change things. Why leave if your club team is strong? Once strong players shift then club teams have to regain strong players. Hard to do and second string players will then be recruited. Could one say that the club is stronger than the academy for the upcoming fall? I am not putting either down. Opinions are welcome on club vs academy.
I agree to a certain extent. If a club team is strong and the training is pushing the player than there may be no reason to leave. But top club players probably would benefit more from training and competing against other more accomplished teams/players. I guess it depends on what you are trying to achieve at a given level. If there is satisfaction at being the best team in MAPS or EDP than maybe that's the best place to be. Not knocking the quality of training or competition but some players need more to excel. If a player wants to strive for the next level and perhaps make a run at college or pros then maybe an academy may be the place for individual development where, on the whole, individual and team talent is much higher than that of MAPS and EDP. Ibelieve the more interesting debate is the academy vs high school war raging right now. Any opinions on this?
"Twice the average academy"
Not in NJ. Some "clubs" even charge more than half of 5K. Last time I checked MF and PDA, the all-in figure is not off especially with uniforms and related expenses included. Whatever the figure, the point is academies are more expensive than the typical club.
"Benefit the players are not receiving"
You assume just because it is academy then the training is better. Why? It should be if you are paying much more, but I disagree that it is. For some yes. For most only marginally better. For many no. Nearly ALL will have to "pay up to play" however especially if you want to get scouted for college and beyond. The topic is too long to engage here, but there is a wealth of info out there to begin to get educated on the topic of "pay to play". It is not enough to just attract good players. The national team attracts arguably the best, but they are not world class after many decades. You need better teachers not just better players. If you don't get that then the added price tag of the DA system just amounts to a big tax on the soccer parents. On the other hand, I did mention that the best youth coach in the country just took over the DA program at Chivas USA. Maybe it is a field of dreams and now that we built it the best teachers will come. I hope so.
As for the DA vs. HS debate...there is no debate. Not really. I'm sure someone will wax on about HS here, but it is video killing the radio star. Radio will never go away and many will always profess an undying love for radio, but the writing is on the wall. If your kid is D1 or even pro focused he is overwhelmingly more likely to end up at an academy and that will cost you more money so I hope your kid makes it!
I never said the training is better but maybe I wasn't very clear. The overall competition is certainly better and those players training with you are better. It is only logical that playing in that type of environment will challenge other players to excel past what they have received at the Club level. Good and bad trainers exist at both levels but the day to day practices and matches against equally or higher level players is what pushes players to the next level after the trainer has done his part. A trainer can only teach, the player is the one who has to go the field to play.
And as far as the money, RB is free, Delco, NJSA, Westchester hovers around 2.5k. But that's not point. If a player is excelling, being pushed to his limits by the greater challenge, enjoying the sport, learning teamwork and forming bonds its a drop in the bucket in the big picture. Most of us probably spend that much in coffee and lunch a year. And as you say, some 'clubs' charge just as much. Does pay to play exist? Sure it does but what can you do if your child is excelling and requires an even greater challenge? With that type of thinking we may as well put all of our kids back in Rec since paying for training won't benefit them anyway. No? Why even play Travel? Most parents realistically understand their sons won't go pro or even make a D1 school with the sport but as no one can predict the future why bash academy parents for at least giving their kids the OPPORTUNITY to see what happens. Giving up too easily to save a few bucks is like telling your kid ' why try, you'll never make it anyway'. I do hope the overall program does change if the US ever does really want to make a commitment to the sport. The talent pool is vast between club, da and hs. They all need to get on the same page for the good of the kids and the sport.
My apologies for taking up everyone's time with da soccer but sometimes the criticism is unfair.
Whoa! You are clearly passionate about it and that is good, but you went off on a lot of tangents. It is amazing how many questions get raised and opinions get formed around a couple facts.
I'll repeat the facts (or "circumstances" since many are too much in denial to call them facts yet) about the world today that are different for kids now than for kids only a few years ago.
1. DAs are a way of life now if you want to punch a ticket to the next level. (I commented here because for all these top U13B club players Miilburns, Marlboros, EBs etc. that move to MF, PDA, Gottschee etc. is likely just around the corner.)
2. DAs are on average more expensive.
Great to see interesting conversation here. Thanks!
Also, as I can't make it to the matches today, and quick postings of the scores here will be truly appreciated. Thanks again!
Happy Mothers Day to all!
I'll repeat the facts
I agreee wholeheartedly with these facts. No argument here!
My main objection was to the comment that players do not receive any benefit from academy play.
Thanks for the time!
Princeton beating millburn 2-0
Sjb tsf 0-0
2-1 halftime nsutomesNew
Scores????
TSF 1 SJEB 0
Milburn 3 PSA 2
Millburn beats Princeton by 1 goal???
YEP!!
Many of the fields were unplayable from the rain the night before at Mercer County Park. I am surprised they actually used some of the fields. I am sure they did not have another plan, but they were actually dangerous.
PSA was up 2-0 in the game
I never said the training is better but maybe I wasn't very clear
Thank you for your words on DA. It was a good read and makes sense.
Final score for Millburn/TSF?
Millburn 3
TSF 0
3-0 Millburn. That was the score...not just their record in the last 3 state cups. It wasn't as close as the score would indicate. They shut it down in the 2nd half.
The field in front of the concession stands where PSA-Millburn played was bad on one side. Overall, the fields looked better than expected given the downpour the night before. Winds were a constant 25mph+ all afternoon and a bigger factor. I cannot say I saw a team win a single half all afternoon going into the headwind. Even PSA's early 2-0 lead was with a gale force at their back that gifted them their 2nd goal on an otherwise unlikely long range free kick. When Millburn got one into the wind before half it seemed they might have an edge even down a goal. I'm sure many PSA parents and coaches think they hold on for a win 8 out of 10 times in the same situation, but that is just not true. Despite two giants on the PSA team, Millburn outclassed them. I would say Millburn-Ironbound was more evenly matched.
So what now? Millburn increases its lead on the top of NJ. TSF moves up toward the top 5 and last year's finalist Gunners/Galacticos drop behind them. SJ Elite Barons and PSA move up to the edge of the top 10 while Monroe slides out of the top 10 into the teens in NJ.
Under the radar, Mount Olive sporting their own giant has made it 2 state cups in a row in the premier group and will break into the top 20. Before you pooh pooh it too quickly recall Hudson United at U14 has ridden a couple premier group state cups to #7 in the state. Of course, they win other tourneys too and there isn't any question they should be a super group team.
The top two EDP teams...and yes I mean the top 2 teams in ALL of EDP...note even Millburn is just a middle of the pack EDP 1st team...go at each other next weekend in the U13 NY State Cup finals. NYSC just edged by Gottschee Blue 1-0 in a close semi-final battle. They will take on the defending state cup champ World Class A Team that defeated Jigs Academy 3-0.
"So what now? Millburn increases its lead on the top of NJ. "
Oddly enough, Millburn won't get as many GS points for this NJ Cup as they did last spring. So with the 12 month old total due to expire, they will actually end up a bit closer to the pack than before this weekend.
Not that that matters too much as there's really no doubt as to who is #1 in this world.
Congrats to Millburn! You guys are very deserving champs!
With consideration of the NJ Cup results and assuming Ironbound will have won a MAPS Elite game over the weekend, here's my guess on NJ's top 15 after the weekend's results are tabulated.
1 / MILLBURN SC TITANS
2 / EAST BRUNSWICK UNITED FC
3 / MARLBORO SA GALAXY BLUE
4 / PDA ROONEY
5 / TSF ACADEMY
6 / NJ STALLIONS ACADEMY GUNNERS
7 / NJSA04/HIGHLAND DRAGONS
8 / IRONBOUND SC NAVIGATORS
9 / HADDONFIELD SC BLACK DAWGS
10 / SOUTH JERSEY ELITE BARONS '99
11 / MATCH FIT CHELSEA 2000
12 / MORRIS UNITED STA CELTIC
13 / MONROE TOWNSHIP SC HEAT
14 / BSM GOTTSCHEE ROMA '99
15 / PRINCETON SA PREMIER 99/00 ORANGE
PDA Rooney just won Region 1 Premier league by beating FC Blazers from MA in the finals 2-1.
So, NJ will be represented by 2 teams in regional championship in June with another one being 3-time State champs Millburn Titans.
Good luck to both!
PDA Rooney won the "what" league? Congratulations on finding yet another league few even know about and then winning. You didn't even win your group stage over the whole season. How lame. At least Millburn won the state cup to get to Regionals.
What is with youth soccer? There are too many different leagues and competitions and they all claim to be "national" and/or "premier". It seems like there are just enough to assure every high priced academy or club can say they won something each year! If there aren't enough then they will create some more. Pay to play baby! No wonder USA soccer sucks. We all think we are winners until we have to compete with the rest of the world. Here is a revolutionary idea. Everyone play one really big league that stands the test of time. Wait. That sort of kind of is the idea of the much bigger NPL where PDA competes in EDP 1st and NE Pre-Academy. PDA is about a 0.500 team in the middle of the table in both at this age group. Thanks for showing up to pat yourself on the back though. We still know PDA has dropped off a step at U13.
I would say PSA had Millburn in shock for a short while. They looked like a strong team with good fight and a couple players who gave Millburn some trouble. IF they were outclassed then it is ONLY relative the 3 time state cup champ. Nothing to be ashamed of. I bet they would have defeated TSF on the day and they have recently defeated some of the teams ahead of them in the NJ rankings. It's a shame they only move up one spot.
Seems odd to me that Princeton made such a strong showing.
Sorry to be jerky, but it leaves me wondering about the Guest Player rules in the NJ Cup.
"It's a shame they only move up one spot."
The rankings posted above were just my best guess on what we'll see once the weekend is considered. So please don't take them as a certainty.
But I'll be interested to see how close I came.
Congrats to Millburn on winning NJ Cup adnd Princeton for getting there!
For the poster that Princeton got there...you have issues.
For the poster that is mad because they don't know what league PDA plays in..you are silly. To think they have fallen off...really silly.
Silly = uneducated!
You couldn't kick and run your way to a victory on those fields, the ball would stop. Yet they won.
"Sorry to be jerky, but it leaves me wondering about the Guest Player rules in the NJ Cup"
To the poster of above comments. Yes you are being a Jerk by suggesting PSA had guest players. Give the credit where credit is due. They played a strong game and gave a good fight to Milburn. In the end better team won.
Well said!
Hey I've already apologized for being jerky.
Credit where it is due for sure! A pretty impressive (and rather surprising) showing for a team that has won 2 of their 7 2nd Division EDP matches this spring.
But I'm still curious as to what the rules are on guest players in the NJ Cup?
A while back I lambasted the NJ Cup for the seeding in the U13 Super Group and I think my complaints have proven to be right on target.
Despite an unexpectedly tight match with an EDP 2nd Division also ran, I'd say the 3 top teams in this tournament were Millburn, Ironbound and Marlboro. And they were all in the same bracket.
Here's hoping US Club pays a bit more attention to this next year.
US Club should also get rid of the two bracket nonsense. Apply, play who they tell you too and move on if you win. Have a true champ, and some interesting upsets along the way.
It's always easy to be an expert on soccer things without even ever having to read the rules. The guest player comment is good example.
"The guest player comment is good example."
It wasn't a comment. It was a question as I couldn't find the rules on the NJ Cup site.
Thanks for your "expertise." But I'd still be interested if anyone has an answer.
With US Club technically they are not guest players (although they may not be on their regular NJYS roster). It is a loophole in the US Club carding system that allows players to play for multiple teams at one time and is easily done through a click of a mouse. It isn't cheating but that is why most people view the NJYS State Cup the "real" state cup.
So might an EDP team include players on NJ Cup roster that are not on their EDP roster?
Both require US Club cards, right?
Certainly they could.
That's what I thought but wasn't sure. So thanks for the clarification.
The above poster is correct. "guests" are not allowed, but the spirit of that rule can be easily circumvented in NJ Cup play with no more than a click of a button. e.g. There is great flexibility to pull players from other teams within a club and there is no roster freeze date to do that I believe. This benefits big clubs. MF does it all the time. It technically isn't cheating because it is within the rules.
At the risk of sounding like a "jerk" too, I am curious by the above comment. I cannot imagine the same kids that took the field against Millburn have such a poor record for the spring. I don't mean to insinuate cheating because I am sure no rules have been violated. I look at it from the positive side. Those kids played great. Much better than a 2 win team. Are there new kids on the team? Or were they just playing their best game of the season?
you guys cant have it both ways. You cant constantly bash Millburn for being a one trick pony and when they play a close game say the other team used other players. Maybe it was just a close game. Millburn isn't Man City.
PSA spring EDP record has been so patchy due to lot of injuries to their key players. They are also a very inconsistent team. We have played against them and on good day they can beat any team, but can also loose to a bad team. They definitely are not a 2 win team as they were tied for first place on points in fall EDP second division north.
"you guys cant have it both ways. You cant constantly bash Millburn for being a one trick pony and when they play a close game say the other team used other players."
I don't believe I'm trying to have it both ways. I have never bashed Millburn here as I think they are a very strong and well coached team. I think it's odd that a team like Princeton Orange can be in the midst of a less than stellar spring season and then suddenly test a team like Millburn with the exact same group of players. And that doesn't mean I think they broke any rules, as I don't.
PSA did not have any guest players. The same team with no new members. They played hard. better team won. Its over.
Injuries to their key players and some inconsistencies. That answers that. Thanks.
"It isn't cheating because it is within the rules."
Is that really fair? It seems to me the rules should be changed.
"...here's my guess on NJ's top 15 after the weekend's results are tabulated."
Well, not quite on the money but not too bad either.
I had Ironbound and NJSA flip-flopped at #s 7 and 8 and had Princeton Orange at #15 instead of #13 (as I slightly underestimated the flight value of the NJ Cup).
Not too bad all in all so I'll give myself a B+.
Ill tell you what, you were right. But your a sad sack. I wish I could of had you on the same sideline on my sons team at U7. Thumbs up guy!?? You ranked the boys so good! Your son must not get a lot of playing time. Listening to your comments here make me not want to come on this website..
"Your son must not get a lot of playing time. Listening to your comments here make me not want to come on this website.."
Oh please don't go! You add so much to the discussion and would be so badly missed!
Hey Ranking guy, I have no idea how that other poster took your info and figured that your son doesn't get play time. Keep ranking, at least it is something fun to read.
I went on a rant here a while back about PDA's U13 bracket for their Spring Kickoff tourney. And my suspicions turned out to be off the mark.
Jinky did end up earning finalist points there for losing to Rooney in the final as I'd suspected would be the case. But PDA had them play NJ Force Arsenal (from the other group) in a semi-final first in order to get there.
So my apologies to PDA.
In my defense, I'm pretty sure I saw the schedule for this before I vented here and that this cross group semifinal wasn't on it at that point.
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