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Post by Scott Crawford on Feb 26, 2011 7:21:31 GMT -6
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Post by pOkLE on Feb 26, 2011 8:00:20 GMT -6
Timaeus is like Kobayashi to me ("The Usual Suspects" fans will get my drift) - he's there somewhere pulling the strings, I just don't know who ;D Looking forward to pics. Timaeus is more like Keyser Söze, if you really know what I mean! You are right.
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Post by thehulk on Feb 26, 2011 10:37:32 GMT -6
that first picture is a really good quality picture and perfect timing, nice...
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Post by talariajones on Feb 26, 2011 10:42:21 GMT -6
The photo of the foul entirely depends on who had control of the ball. At least, in the professional level - I do not know what the Louisiana high school rule is on that. Having your arms extended while in possession is standard. That said, I cannot make that call. Could be either, depending on if that touch was last taken by #11 or #9.
Anywho, I thought there were spots of decent stuff in this game, but with that out of the way, I was very disappointed in the overall effort of both teams to really play football.
Northlake had a few attempts to playing - I think Boomer mentioned one (though this play included some tragic tackling from the right-sided BF players). Same for BF, with few attempts, and they were nothing like their typical game. This one was decided on 3 set pieces. Aside from one or two chances on each end, there was never going to be a goal from either side in the run of play, which kind of made me sad as a spectator of the game.
Credit to Northlake for taking those set pieces, especially the second. I am not sure what was going on with the official - I thought I saw a gesture toward the wall by one player, the official speak to the wall, then a second player hit the shot. Both, the referee and the lineswoman seemed to have a bit of indecision, but they apparently did not think there was anything to overturn..and who really knows. Now, the reason I say credit to Northlake is because that was a nothing-to-lose situation, which they took a stab and came out with the big end of the wishbone. Had the goal been taken back, it would have only been a re-kick, so why not see what happens? Referee mistake or not, heads up play results in crucial goal.
What I saw was one team come out with a B-line style, very bottom line. It was not going to directly get them a goal, but it put the ball where it needed to be to keep them out of trouble, I suppose. The other team, as in their last game, seemingly came out lite - with nerves, maybe? No clue, but it has taken an awakener to start Ben Franklin in their last 3 games. After the one in this final, they never put the ball on the ground...and that second goal had to rattle them a bit.
Franklin: Their play had much less direction that I have seen, especially in the two other recent play-off matches. Possession with no direction = nothing. Where they typically get the ball from one side to the other and move down the flanks with a bit more purpose, it seemed like there was hesitation for some reason. Numerous times, #7 had acres of space behind, and it was as if he wanted more defenders. He just waited. In the other games, whenever he expressly got behind, they had a goalscoring chance after chance. He simply did not seem to want to run straight last night - just wanted to dance - and he paid in cramps for all the cutting. The difference in his game was simply put, weird. Why stop what got you there?
Ironically, I thought one of the most impressive players for BF was the little left back on the very same side. That kid was smooth and so composed. He did an incredible job getting the ball around the back corner, taking it forward and in positions for the #7 to make himself dangerous...and when it was not on to do, he either calmly popped the ball over to another player on his team or was able to play tight possession and make a space for himself. I was really impressed by this kid.
Being has how there was (offensively) really nothing-doing in the run of play - I thought the defenses did a pretty good job, however...
Northlake: The difference in this game was in the Northlake back line. I do not know who was formally given (or if there even was) a man of the match award, but it should have to go to someone in the Northlake back line...and I never really saw if all the players in the back had much quality or not. One or two of them did - that was apparent from some of the cleanly contacted clearances from unorthodox body positions. However, from some of the others' approaches to the ball, I was iffy as to the quality of those players...but it did not matter however, because they were going to die before they let a ball and a player pass by them. They simply wanted it more than the BF players and were willing to stretch out for 80 minutes to try to clear or disrupt the ball, at minimum.
In the end, this game came down to:
BF: Came out soft...nerves? + Did not do what got them there.
Northlake: Willingness to take a chance + Desire.
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Post by ShreveDad on Feb 26, 2011 11:04:10 GMT -6
but it did not matter however, because they were going to die before they let a ball and a player pass by them. They simply wanted it more than the BF players and were willing to stretch out for 80 minutes to try to clear or disrupt the ball, at minimum. Well said. That is what it takes to become a champion!
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Post by newosoccerfan on Feb 26, 2011 11:50:54 GMT -6
Wonder if that photo changes the mind of those who said it wasn't a foul I can't speak for Ronaldinho, but that picture in no way changes anything I saw or wrote about the foul. The NCS player moved left to right, from the point of view of that photo, and came from slightly behind the BF player. The NCS player initiated contact with the BF player by going through him to try to play the ball and knocking the BF player out of position, which is a foul. This photograph clearly was taken after that contact as the BF player tried to re-establish the position he initially had before the NCS player's contact and the ball is still on the opposite side of the BF player from the the NCS player. The millisecond this high speed photo captures in no way tells the story of the entire play. But why the focus on the foul? (I don't hear the BF fans harping on Vanya going down in the box without a foul being called.) I say again, as a neutral observer: "NCS was clearly and convincingly the better team last night". BF had no quality shots on goal. NCS had all of the quality shots on goal, and was more athletic in terms of both speed and power. It's hard to see any scenario where BF wins last night. Congratulations NCS on a great victory and championship. NewO
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Post by coachm90 on Feb 26, 2011 17:22:48 GMT -6
Wonder if that photo changes the mind of those who said it wasn't a foul I can't speak for Ronaldinho, but that picture in no way changes anything I saw or wrote about the foul. The NCS player moved left to right, from the point of view of that photo, and came from slightly behind the BF player. The NCS player initiated contact with the BF player by going through him to try to play the ball and knocking the BF player out of position, which is a foul. This photograph clearly was taken after that contact as the BF player tried to re-establish the position he initially had before the NCS player's contact and the ball is still on the opposite side of the BF player from the the NCS player. The millisecond this high speed photo captures in no way tells the story of the entire play. But why the focus on the foul? (I don't hear the BF fans harping on Vanya going down in the box without a foul being called.) I say again, as a neutral observer: "NCS was clearly and convincingly the better team last night". BF had no quality shots on goal. NCS had all of the quality shots on goal, and was more athletic in terms of both speed and power. It's hard to see any scenario where BF wins last night. Congratulations NCS on a great victory and championship. NewO Channel 4 caught the foul on tape and replayed it at 10 last night. I have it recorded on the dvr and i have watched a couple times. NCS player had the ball BF player initiated contact with NCS player. Not the other way around.
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therealist
Bench Warmer
Jos? Keeps It Real
Posts: 13
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Post by therealist on Feb 26, 2011 18:07:26 GMT -6
Fraklin's defeat is the story of their season: not playing physically enough and not playing that extra inch for the 50/50 ball.
Cases in point: This loss Losses to Newman twice Narrow win over Haynes (who were unlucky to not come out with something more).
Congrats to NLC, but I've got to think that BF will be very very hard pressed to challenge for the Championship next year in D-II.
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Post by Boomer on Feb 26, 2011 18:18:53 GMT -6
I wouldn't count them out of Div-II. They have just about everyone back and possibly a couple of players who will become eligible.
Franklin can be pretty physical, within limits of size and strength, and they move the ball. I think they lack only one or two things to challange in Div-II. A front-line "finisher," someone who can change the game, and perhaps a change in philosphy to quicker, more oportunistic penetrations and quicker shots. Mark Holman was that player last year.
Take what is there, don't look for the perfect set-up. it seemed to me BF worked the ball with good movement, into position several times against NLC but instead of driving straight in, looked for another perfect pass.
I wouldn't be surprised if a slight change in play philosophy produces dramatic resuts. I know what i would try with that team... but the team itself, not necessarily the coach... might consider a group discussion of strengths and weaknesses. That good ball movement must be converted into threats.
I'll go on the record now that you will see BF in the semis of Div-II next year.
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Post by Clobberin' Time on Feb 26, 2011 18:54:22 GMT -6
I'll go on the record now that you will see BF in the semis of Div-II next year. Ehhh i dont know about that boomer. They were a good team this year but did not create enough scoring oppurtunities and against d2 defenders this lack in scoring is just going to show that much more. I say quarterfinals if theyre lucky!
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Post by backline on Feb 26, 2011 21:20:57 GMT -6
I believe D2 as a whole is overrated. I know St. Louis is great and they have great teams, but Beau Chene, who I have nothing against, they are just a good example for me to use so sorry now if I offended anyone, was ranked top 5 for most of the season, and while they will be good next year with much of their talent returning, I question how great they really were. They beat us 2-0, but we largely dominated for the greater majority of the second half. We were a good team, but we had much room for improvement (CHNI). Westminster beat the 2-1 and a friend on that team was the one who originally pointed out to me that D2 as a whole was overrated.
With that being said, if BF is returning majority of their starters, I don't think that they will have any problem getting to at least the semis. There are good teams in DII, but overall I question it.
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Post by toejobber on Feb 26, 2011 21:30:04 GMT -6
Well, son, if you don't also question D3 over the last two years you're not watching it. D2 has always been thin but with good quality at the top. D3 the last two years has been very average at the top but better in the middle.
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Post by Boomer on Feb 26, 2011 22:00:14 GMT -6
Well, depth v top teams may be a true statement. But I don't usually make a prediction without some basis in fact. It seems to me that the top teams in Div-III, Newman, Northlake, Episcopal, Westminster, etc., did pretty well against the top teams in Div-II this year. That is easily checked from the records.
Check the records and we might see that teams such as Country Day, even St. Fredericks, and several others would have been tough competition in Div-II.
Ben Franklin is losing no key players, and gaining a couple. They will be senior oriented team next year, and senior are 10 percent stronger than juniors. From my observation, which might be totally off the mark, the BF offensive can be substantially upgraded with relatively simple adjustments, as can the defense. I think they will be very tough in Div-II next year.
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Post by soccerrules1 on Feb 27, 2011 6:11:25 GMT -6
I think that you need to let the Championship teams have the spotlight right now and leave next years teams to later. Let these guys have the stage right now. We all know that your team didn't make it this year and you are ready for next year to be here already. Too Soon Boomer. Let the dust settle first then maybe (doubt it) your time will come next year or the year after that.
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Post by flat3 on Feb 27, 2011 8:49:58 GMT -6
Well, son, if you don't also question D3 over the last two years you're not watching it. D2 has always been thin but with good quality at the top. D3 the last two years has been very average at the top but better in the middle. Woops, you said it, didn't you? I am not so sure about the last year, but this year.... One thing for sure is that this year was very interesting one to watch. Congratulations Northlake on the undisputed championship and Ben Franklin on the great run at the end of the season when it counted.
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Post by backline on Feb 27, 2011 10:06:44 GMT -6
It seems to me that the top teams in Div-III, Newman, Northlake, Episcopal, Westminster, etc., What about Haynes?!?!??
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Post by soccerboy1234 on Feb 27, 2011 11:45:26 GMT -6
I would have liked to see how the game would have gone if the first two goals weren't off bad calls. the first one wasnt a corner and the next one was a dive (surprising cause they never do that ). NLC would have most likely won either way but not the way i wanted to see the game go.
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Post by soccerrules1 on Feb 27, 2011 15:48:16 GMT -6
Soccerboy, were you even at this game? You do not even know what you are talking about. Read the earlier posts and you will get educated. Also, read the newspaper articles and watch the fouls as they happen on the news. You are right about one thing, NLC would have won any way. Ben Franklin just had a bad day. Everyone is allowed a bad day.
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Post by thejester on Feb 27, 2011 16:58:34 GMT -6
Props to the short kid at center mid who shut down that tall kid from Ben Franklin
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Post by soccerboy1234 on Feb 27, 2011 19:02:53 GMT -6
Soccerboy, were you even at this game? You do not even know what you are talking about. Read the earlier posts and you will get educated. Also, read the newspaper articles and watch the fouls as they happen on the news. You are right about one thing, NLC would have won any way. Ben Franklin just had a bad day. Everyone is allowed a bad day. I was. I am educated and thats funny cause articles more times then not have horrible summaries of games. I didn't say they werent allowed one but it would have been a different game if those two calls were different
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