96 Predictions. ahhh the fun part of plano.

So with D1 looking like

96 Boys Solar Gold

CD Independiente White 96 Boys

DFW Tornados 96 Boys Blue

FC Dallas 96B Red

FC Dallas Youth 96B White

Genesis Elite FC 96B

Inter-Milan

Liverpool 96B

TFC Boys Blue

TX Stampede

How do you think the teams will do? I know its kinda early to call but this is one of the enjoyable parts of forums before a season starts. Some teams looked suprisingly strong... and weak in the qualifying tournaments.

NAD (NonAmericansDream),
Looks like we're the only ones that have something to say about Plano boys 96.
Here's my top 3...
TX Stampede - haven't seen these guys in a while. But from what
I've heard & read, the roster stayed together, which makes them a
legit contender.
Solar G - have a skilled forward and speedster forward, midfield is ok, weak in the back.
Inter - Not drinking the kool aid just yet. They have a talented midfield, no big time threat up top, one solid defender in the middle.
CDI - had to move their stud defender up to get some scoring punch. That will leave them vulernable against the better teams.
DFW Tor - They had a weak group so it's tough to evaluate these guys. Going by the CL qualifier, they needed an overhaul to be a real contender this yr.
FCD Red - I've heard a lot about the coach and how great he is... still his team finishes middle of the pack year after year. Too inconsistent to be a contender, maybe other FCD teams are taking his players.
Remaining field. Liverpool, FCD White, TFC, Genesis. These guys can finish in any order... but none will contend for 1st or 2nd.

In that I have not seen much of these teams lately, I will reserve the right to make official predictions after the LD tournaments. But going in, I think my early impressions pretty much follow those of soccermom040.

I fully expect the first four she lists to be there at the end fighting for the top 2 spots. Three of them I believe to be solid, talented teams that should contend, and I am taking a bit of a flyer with IM. We'll see.

I also would not be too surprised to find LP, DFW, FCDR, or even (wildcard) TFC in contention at the end either. But I'll need to see more of them before I list them as leading contenders. LP is definitely improved, but enough? DFW's style preys on the weak. But they'll have a tougher schedule this year and lost a key player. Can they still score goals at will? FCDR I don't know enough about yet. And TFC just seems to be in the thick of it every year.

sometimes some teams look weak before the season starts but at the end they can be the best examples dfw,fcd red, they got couple good players

Looks like we might get to see the top two teams (in my opinion) in the first game of the season. TX Stampede vs Solar.

Well, based on Labor Day results, I think I will make one switch. I think Liverpool will be one of the top contenders, and I think I'll move Inter-Milan down. They may still be a capable team, but din't show enough to tell me that they're a lock to be there at the end.

Liverpool had a fairly easy draw at the Bob Wiseman, but blew through it's competition outscoring them 16-0 before losing to FCD Blue (CL D2) in the final - but they played well. Although both the PPL QT and BW draws gave LP good matchups, they took care of business convincingly. Beating the teams that you should beat by a convincing margin is a sign of a good team.

Inter-Milan was one of three 96 PPL D1 teams at Plano Labor Day. Although the draws there were much harder - generally all against teams ranked much higher, Inter-Milan, together with FCD Red and CDI White were a combined 1-5-3. But there were some good games in that mix. Just not enough to change my opinion - yet. (Also in the Plano Labor Day, Andromeda White played like they belong in PPL D2, giving up 13 goals and scoring none.)

Meanwhile, Texas Stampede was in the Arlington Labor Day, and had a middle-of-road draw, and finished 1-1-1. But should have finished better. They'll need better play if they are to live up to expectations.

Anybody know if any of the other five teams played this weekend?

So my four "in it at the end" are Solar Gold, CDI White, Liverpool, and Texas Stampede.

Right now I'll put DFW Tornados and FCD Red next on my list as teams that are very, very close.

Even the remaining teams will be competitive. I think this will be a good year. Looking forward to Saturday.

I watched Tx. Stampede play parts of two games in the Arlington tourney. I would agree they were marginal. That second game against Extreme was just bad... But, thats what these tourneys are for just before league play. Figure out were the kinks in the armour are. Now fixing them.... thats the hard part.

Everyone take a lesson from Swindler, learn to evaluate your own team & be honest... your kid must be a starter!! JK
You have to be careful in evaluating teams in tourneys. Unless you're an out of town team, are you really showing all your cards right now? Teams that don't have anything to prove may be putting out different line ups. Or teams that have had roster turnover, example FCD Blue(from what I've heard of course) can be using line ups that you never see again. I also think tourney draws are important so with all this being said, my top 4 hasn't changed...
Solar, TXS, CDI, Inter. DFW TOR Blue will be in the mix.

soccermom040 wrote:Everyone take a lesson from Swindler, learn to evaluate your own team & be honest... your kid must be a starter!! JK
You have to be careful in evaluating teams in tourneys. Unless you're an out of town team, are you really showing all your cards right now? Teams that don't have anything to prove may be putting out different line ups. Or teams that have had roster turnover, example FCD Blue(from what I've heard of course) can be using line ups that you never see again. I also think tourney draws are important so with all this being said, my top 4 hasn't changed...
Solar, TXS, CDI, Inter. DFW TOR Blue will be in the mix.

Intersting theory except a team would surely put there best 11 on the field for qualifying. I can see a team "playing" with formations and moving players around for a normal tournament but not qualifying. I have to agree with swindler, Liverpool is improved and real and will certainly be one of the top for contention. I don't see an easy game or anything you can take for granted in this league. I think Plano did themselves right by spliting the league and putiing like ability teams with each other. You keep your game sharp and come to play every weekend and the team will do well.

... we were talking about Labor day tourneys, not qualifying tourneys. It's tough to know just how good LP is, they had such an easy Labor day draw... Sapitos, Inferno 97, and Metro (lost multiple starters). Then to play a FCD Blue, a team who lost a chunk of their players to Texans White. That creates a trickle down effect; Plano FCD players from 2008-09 made the jump to FCD Blue and even FCD Red West. Unfortuanately for Plano teams like TFC Blue and FCD, they will always have big bro's from CL taking your players.
So when LP plays these depleted teams(qualifier or Labor day tourney), does that necessarily mean LP has "improved"? Or is it a product of other teams losing quality players? I saw a number of teams play in the qualifier and LP looked the same, no worse or better.
But soccercap is right... stay sharp and you'll finish at the top. I've said this before; the most consistent teams will finish 1st & 2nd.

So were hearing all this talk about teams for first and second and third... What about teams being relegated? oooooh did i just start a new conversation?