Byrd vs. Magnet

[pmonsour]

They are both playing their first district game tomorrow against each other...who will win this one and what will the score be?

[stafalcon22]

why are they playing their district game so early??

[soccer2006]

alot of teams up north are already starting district play and most have played more than one already

[copakid14]

I'm going to say Magnet 5, Byrd 0. Magnet is just to strong for Byrd this year. Byrd has a strong 5-7 players and is filling in holes everywhere else. Both teams get up emotionally for this game and that may keep Byrd in it early but they can't stay with Magnet over the course of an entire game.

[mrdashriprock]

Last year nobody gave Byrd much of a chance against Magnet, but Byrd put three goals in their net in two district games tho lost both (first game by one goal and second one in pks.) Other than a Natchitoches goal, those three goals were the only ones given up in Magnet's 12 district games last year. I know Byrd lost a lot of offense to graduation, but this team has some talented young forwards in Jeff Penner and Daniel Poole and a coach who figures out a way to score (maybe a little long ball over the Magnet mids?). If these guys get enough chances I think Magnet's defense will have its hands full and it'll be another close game. But if Magnet's midfield controls this game like I think they can and will, I agree with Copa - 5 to 0.

[nlasoccer]

I think Byrd is a little under the radar. They can field good players at all positions.

Magnet will be missing three starters due to a school trip. This will also be Magnet's first game being they had no scrimmages. I still think Magnet will win the game but they can't afford to under estimate Byrd.

[f]

I'm one of the players on the school trip, so can anyone update the score during the game? Shrevedad?

[nlasoccer]

Will text messages work?

[chris156]

sorry to say but i think byrd will be taking this one home.
as ive heard magnet is missing quite a few quality players.
am i correct?

[mrdashriprock]

Game just ended. Magnet - 3 Byrd - 0. Both teams missed chances. Magnet scores came from Ethan Colbert in the 39th minute - a shot from about 30 yards out that appeared to catch the keeper by surprise, then Zach Kelly did basically the same type shot at the beginning of the second half from almost the same spot - this shot sneaking in just under the crossbar. Then Jordan Abdehou in the 51st minute took a nice pass from Jordan Mitchell at full pace and sent it in from the 6yd box. The rest of the game Magnet subbed a lot and game was fairly even with no additional scores.

[chris156]

way to go magnet!

[chris156]

looks like i was verrry wrong.

[mrdashriprock]

you were partly right - they were missing 3 or 4 key players but adjusted well. They're a little deeper this year than last.

[savonarola]

Just to add a few more details to Dash's Joe Friday-"Just the facts Maam" summary of the game:

No real surprises in any area of the match. Magnet's possession, spacing and passing were very polished and they completely controlled the first half. Since Magnet was unable to arrange a pre-season scrimmage with any of the teams in this part of the state, this was the team's first match length outing of any kind. Several good opportunities were wasted in the first half as finishing was predictably rusty. The defense was solid all night, winning balls and starting counterattacks with good outlet passes from the central defenders and good runs by the outside backs. Magnets first two goals were beautiful strikes by the two central mids, each from 30+ yards. The 3rd goal was a nice build up with passes in the 25 yard box from Steven Bush to Jordan Mitchell to Jordan Abdehou, who finished very nicely.

In the second half after Magnet went up 3-0, they substituted liberally, and this affected the precision of their passing and possession, and Byrd had a few chances, but Hilario stepped up and made a couple of good saves and some good anticipations to stop penetrations into the box. Magnet was missing 3 starters tonight, but the depth of this years team paid an early season dividend. If the absent starters spend too much more time frolicking in Spain, they may become the first 3 subs off the bench when they get back.

Byrd substituted en masse the whole match, several times making hockey line change style substitutions. Guess the Byrd coach is still trying to get a read on what he has. There was some encouraging play from several of their midfield players and forwards, but several times during the match they had as many as 8 players sagging back into their defensive 25 yard box when the action was at the other end of the field.

[mrdashriprock]

savonarola said:

Just to add a few more details to Dash's Joe Friday-"Just the facts Maam" summary of the game:

Now that's the 'Officer Bill Gannon' color commentary I was hoping for.

[nlasoccer]

Hard to follow Joe Friday......

I thought Magnet's defense and midfield played well tonight. The midfield controlled the game and the defense made runs while not allowing much to get through until late in the game after some substitutions. Magnet will need more help from its forwards in the future and I think that will come with time. Adam didn't play tonight and Alex B. now has a game under his belt as a starter.

The good news is coach Radi will have some options this year with a little more depth. I'm not sure they have the depth to survive three difficult games in a day if this happens at some point in a tournament (thinking of St. Paul's last year or even Sulphur this year if they end up playing four games on Saturday) but they do now have depth for any one or two big games in a day. The keeper, defense, and midfield should be solid and now they need to find that go to forward. Can't wait to get Nick, Jimmy, and Adam back and see how they fit in.

I think Byrd will be better in the future. Coach Mike needs a little time to figure out his best line-up with his players. He certainly has them playing hard, they never quit during the game tonight. They should be in for a good year!

[ShreveDad]

Impressive win for Magnet. Totally dominated in the midfield all night. Those first 2 goals were rockets. Had the perfect angle for Zack's goal and it was like a knuckball coming at 50 mph at the keeper, I don't think he even saw it coming. Pound for pound, he has one of the strongest shots around. Magnet is very skilled at all positions.

Byrd played a lot of young kids and will get better as the year goes on, but I think Shreve and Magnet should take the top 2 spots. Shreve is going to have to play a heck of a match to beat Magnet. Can't wait to see them play.

[Punkaro]

nlasoccer said:

Adam didn't play tonight and Alex B. now has a game under his belt as a starter.

I thought Coach Radi didn't have starters haha

[sideburnsteve]

thats a terribly stupid comment punkaro. you obviously don't know anything at all about soccer do you?

He not only knows about soccer but I think he is one
of the best players in the state.