Region III Championship Tournament

Good luck to the 3 teams representing North Texas...Dallas Texans South, Odyssey & Solar Stricker.  Today is day 2 so those of you who are there please keep us posted.

Day 1 recap:
Dallas Texans South lost 0-1 to Louisiana #1 Baton Rouge SC.  From what I'm told DTS is missing 2 of their starters.  Sounds like an opportunity for 2 new players to step up into the fire.  For most of these kids this is the 1st time they've been to Regionals & seen teams like this but they'll be fine.  Today they face Tennessee #1 Tennessee SC who lost 0-2 to Georgia #2 Smyrna SC.  This is a do or die game for both teams if they hope to advance to round 2.  Good luck boys!
Odyssey lost 0-2 to South Texas #3 ID Club.  Didn't hear much about this game other than Odyseey didn't look like the Odyssey we're used to seeing.  I take that to mean they weren't moving the ball around in their Barcelona like style.  This is a new experience for most of these boys as well but they'll calm down & work it out.  Luckily for them this  bracket has 2 teams they played in RPL...ID Club & Oklahoma FC both of which they beat back in Sept & Nov.  Today they face Louisiana #3 Mandeville Lakers Elite who lost yesterday 0-2 to Oklahoma FC.  So this is a must win for both teams if they hope to get to the quarterfinals on Monday. Good luck boys!
Solar Stricker won 4-0 over South Carolina #1 MP Premier.  In a game that could easily have been 8-0 Solar dominated on both sides of the ball.  Solar's left forward scored the 1st goal on a shot that was intended to be a cross but instead found the upper 90 back post.  He later scored a nicely placed PK & 2 other goals.  With 4 goals yesterday he is the leading scorer in the tournament so far.  Solar dominated in the midfield, keeping the pressure on the South Carolina team for 80 mins.  On the rare occasion when SC attacked they were turned away by a stingy Solar defense.  Early on an SC forward charging into the box was leveled by the Solar keeper.  SC then took most of their shots from outside the box.  Today Solar faces Tennessee #2 Chattanooga FA who lost yesterday to South Carolina #2 SCUFC 2-4.  So a must win for the Tennessee squad.  For Solar a win today could just about count on moving to round 2 provided they don't lay an egg in game 3 on Sunday.  Good luck boys!

I just heard that Odyssey won 1-0.  Outstanding, nice job boys.  Way to bounce back!  This puts ODY in the thick of things.  A win tomorrow against bracket leader OKFC, then if winless Mandeville can beat or tie ID Clib, ODY moves on to the quarterfinals.   Just heard Dallas Texans South lost 1-2 to Tennessee SC.  Unfortunately that means DTS can't advance but they can play for pride tomorrow & try to notch at least 1 win before coming home.  Solar is up 1-0 with a few minutes left in the 1st half.

Ody lost 2-1 to OFC today. Out.

They took 13 kids. First game Fri was on the lowest elevation field after pouring rain and was covered in standing water. Not very well suited to dribbling or playing ball on ground. Just a mess.

Second game weather was fine and was much better soccer.

By third game was only slim chance of advancing. OFC scored on two corners. And that was that. They relied on speed and some long balls. Was on the same low field and was again very swampy after Sat rains.

8am games good for heat with few kids. Not great for fields being dried out. All 3 of ours could have gone either way.

Been a good run. Best of luck to Stricker.

Congrats to Solar Stricker 02 for winning the quarterfinal game this morning.  They beat the current #2 Nationally ranked team out of Florida, Ives Estates Thunder Elite 1-0.  Florida came out with the game plan of beating up SR & frustrating SR's left forward #7 & leading scorer in the tournament.  SR gave as well as they received, picking up 2 yellow cards for physical play while Florida received 1 that IMO should have been several more & possibly a red.  The refs definitely must have been told not to make calls that would decide the game.  The SR goal was scored in the 1st half by midfielder #8 (I think I can give numbers, correct?).  Solar had several great strikes that were saved by the Florida keeper who played extremely well.  SR missed a few other opportunities that they usually don't which would have ended this 1 early.  It probably should have been 5 or 6-0 but at this stage, a win is a win.  On to the semifinals Wednesday 11AM against cross border rivals #2 ranked Oklahoma FC who beat the #1 Tennessee team 2-1.  SR & OKFC met back in September in RPL.  SR came out with the 4-0 victory but this is like a new season.  If SR can pull it out & ID Club out of South Texas can knock off CASL Red North in the other semifinal, it will be an all Texas championship.  With SR already having it's ticket to the National Championship tournament, that may put ID Club in the National Championship tournament as well, regardless of the outcome.

Great run by Odyssey!  It's tough to keep the horses running with 2 subs.  You're right, wet/muddy fields don't go well with your style of play.  I wish the conditions were better because I think you guys would have taken the bracket.  Few teams have the patience to chase you guys around for 80 mins & not get frustrated.  Well good luck going forward my friend.  It's been great.  Keeper parents for life

Good luck in the semi.

Where are these games taking place?

The Region III games are at BB&T Soccer Complex at Bryan Park and Burlington Soccer Complex in Greensboro, N.C.

Congrats to Solar Stricker 02 for winning their semifinal game over Oklahoma FC 3-0. OKFC chose to double & sometimes triple team tournament leading scorer SR #7 but with so many scorers..no bueno. SR #11 found The back of the net 2x & SR #33 came off the bench to score a goal of his own. With Solar's stifling defense having given up only 1 goal in the entire tournament that was all they needed. Kiddos to the Solar keeper for the most amazing back to back to back saves..impressive! Solar faces ID Club out of Houston for the region III championship today at 8:15cst. Good luck boys. Bring it home.

Gator Chick wrote:Congrats to Solar Stricker 02 for winning their semifinal game over Oklahoma FC 3-0.  OKFC chose to double & sometimes triple team tournament leading scorer SR #7 but with so many scorers..no bueno.  SR #11 found  The back of the net 2x & SR #33 came off the bench to score a goal of his own.  With Solar's stifling defense  having given up only 1 goal in the entire tournament that was all they needed.  Kiddos to the Solar keeper for the most amazing back to back to back saves..impressive!   Solar faces ID Club out of Houston for the region III championship today at 8:15cst.  Good luck boys.  Bring it home.

Great Job Coach Stricker. Predicting a National Championship for this team and Chris.

Yeah good luck, you are on a roll.