U16 Bobby Rhine

Prediction;

Group A; FCD 01 Academy
Group B; FCD 01 Central (Spiars)
Group C; Sporting United

Finalists; FCD 01 Academy vs. Sporting United

This is SUs last opportunity to qualify for the Dallas Cup. They'll be inspired to give FCD 01 Academy a tough match.

http://events.gotsport.com/events/results.aspx?EventID=51457&GroupID=515147&Gender=Boys&Age=16

PG-Boy - Your prediction has become reality for Group A and C and the Finals match up.   Solar Chelsea 01B left everything they had on the pitch in the Semi's Vs the FCD 01 Academy team drawing them 1-1 but losing on PKs.  GREAT game to watch.   Unfortunate for Solar that they did not get an opp avenge a loss vs Sporting from bracket play.

Wouldn't it be something if Classic League teams win both the DT Fall Festival and the Bobby Rhine?

Based on your summary, Sporting United may actually accomplish a massive upset over FCDs 2001 Crown Jewel.

Often the academy programs overlook players in their own club pool, choosing to look for out-of-state or out-of-NTX players when they have exactly the type of players they need ALREADY in their own back yard.

The Final should be really entertaining.

Recap of Final
FCD Pre-Academy vs. Sporting United 01 (Videla)
66 degrees, overcast, some sprinkles with the wind at 14 mph, northerly.

Oh, my, what a whipsaw the FCD boys encountered this evening.

Sporting United played a dynamic, fast-paced and assertive game. FCD was ploddingly slow as molasses and thoroughly confused. The SU midfield controlled the field, and hence, was able to dominate possession. FCD appeared lost. Consistently turning over the ball without pressure.

FCD barely survived the semi-final, tying fourth place, Classic League team, Solar Chelsea (Stricker), 1-1 before winning in PKs. Against fifth place, Classic League team, Sporting United, the FCD PA looked like a recreational team. It was SU doing the schooling.

The game began with FCD scoring a quick strike in the first minute of the match on a long precise pass to a forward that was able to direct the ball into the net. By the twelfth minute, SU was leading 3-1. Their midfield was able to run through FCDs confused midfield with ease. Then send balls on the ground to their forwards. The SU forwards had the FCD defenders pirouetting.

Stunned at being down, 3-1, FCD adjusted their defense. Replacing the players that were getting scorched. The FCD right defender was completely dusted on the first three goals. His replacement stopped the bleeding. The center backs were adjusted, this helped, too. But it was too late. The game was over by minute 12.

The score was 4-1 at halftime. FCD got one back in the second half on a free-kick play. SU responded to make it 5-2.

The Dallas Texans PA last week playing FCD Premier looked much crisper and swifter than FCD PA looked today against SU.

The last two weekends highlight how the academy programs have become too comfortable (and perhaps too political in their roster selections). Meanwhile, Classic League players are battle tested week after week. The teams that also play in the regional league and in tournaments have had about 30 games since July 1st. The pre-academy teams may have had 10 games. The Classic League players seem stouter and more aggressive, regardless of size. I do realize academy is about more practice and less games.

Solar, FCD and Texan pre-academy were all thoroughly schooled by Classic League teams the past two weekends.

As the father of a son who has been in the PA/DA system for a number of years and another who has gone the top tier D1 Classic route, I'd say relax on the david vs. goliath type references between Classic and PA teams in the Fall Festival and BR Tournaments.  Its really just a choice.  Some want to go the DA/PA route other do not.  Having watched them both, I'd easily argue that the FCD Premier team is comprised of equal or better players than the PA team, just players who for choice (many), club affiliation preference, politics (and politics runs deep in Classic too) or otherwise are not in the DA system.  Sporting has also always been tough regardless of the opponent.

I would also relax on the "schooled" perspective.  These are 15 year olds who played 5-6 games in a weekend.  A PK win/loss is just that, a narrow but hard fought and earned victory. Plus, Classic teams are much more game prepared at this point.  The PA teams have played what 4-5 league games since August?

Any way, great wins by FCD Premier and by Sporting (guest players or not).  It will be interesting to see how this 01 age group performs in DC this year and good luck to both.

PG-Boy wrote:Recap of Final
FCD Pre-Academy vs. Sporting United 01 (Videla)
66 degrees, overcast, some sprinkles with the wind at 14 mph, northerly.

Oh, my, what a whipsaw the FCD boys encountered this evening.

Sporting United played a dynamic, fast-paced and assertive game. FCD was ploddingly slow as molasses and thoroughly confused. The SU midfield controlled the field, and hence, was able to dominate possession. FCD appeared lost. Consistently turning over the ball without pressure.

FCD barely survived the semi-final, tying fourth place, Classic League team, Solar Chelsea (Stricker), 1-1 before winning in PKs. Against fifth place, Classic League team, Sporting United, the FCD PA looked like a recreational team. It was SU doing the schooling.

The game began with FCD scoring a quick strike in the first minute of the match on a long precise pass to a forward that was able to direct the ball into the net. By the twelfth minute, SU was leading 3-1. Their midfield was able to run through FCDs confused midfield with ease. Then send balls on the ground to their forwards. The SU forwards had the FCD defenders pirouetting.

Stunned at being down, 3-1, FCD adjusted their defense. Replacing the players that were getting scorched. The FCD right defender was completely dusted on the first three goals. His replacement stopped the bleeding. The center backs were adjusted, this helped, too. But it was too late. The game was over by minute 12.

The score was 4-1 at halftime. FCD got one back in the second half on a free-kick play. SU responded to make it 5-2.

The Dallas Texans PA last week playing FCD Premier looked much crisper and swifter than FCD PA looked today against SU.

The last two weekends highlight how the academy programs have become too comfortable (and perhaps too political in their roster selections). Meanwhile, Classic League players are battle tested week after week. The teams that also play in the regional league and in tournaments have had about 30 games since July 1st. The pre-academy teams may have had 10 games. The Classic League players seem stouter and more aggressive, regardless of size. I do realize academy is about more practice and less games.

Solar, FCD and Texan pre-academy were all thoroughly schooled by Classic League teams the past two weekends.