soccerdevil

Nice article in today's paper Knox News

We always try to provide 3 officials at our home games. At least in the spring every game that we had at home had three. I'm sure that cost goes into the minds of some of the coaches. I can pay $120 for a dual or $160 for three. Times 8 homes games that $320 in savings that could go toward a bus, insurance, etc. My issue is that some of the referees that we have should feel guilty for taking the money. The ones that can't keep up with the last defender, yet still call offsides being out of position need to really rethink why they are doing this. It isn't fair to my program monetarily or my team in regards to flow of the game for these guys who should have retired YEARS ago to still come out. I understand that my program will not get the top officials as compared to the Bearden v Farragut game, but we should have some way of rating these guys who are basically stealing money from the high school soccer teams. And before anyone asks, yes ... I would prefer to have club linesman than throwing away $50 on an AR who can't get it right. At least the club linesman isn't costing me precious soccer funds missing calls. Sorry, couldn't help but to type that out, been bugging me since having two home games in a row with dinosaur AR's.

Time to get back on the band wagon! 2-0 over Spain! Of course I wouldn't think we were the better team today. Luck smiled on our team today. I agree with many of your posts, and my main complaint for years is that we are a team of individuals. I still think our defense was suspect and our first touch is still not even close to many other nations. I don't have the answer, but I do hope that our team manages to find itself.

I guess the thing to consider is that college coaches don't have the time or resources to go to every local high school game. There are just too many games across the country. UT and other big time programs can't send a scout to see Farragut or Hendersonville play 3 times each, plus you have to consider even if they did, there is a chance the best player has a bad game one or two times and then even an athlete that could play D1 ball would be overlooked for bad timing. The reason Florida, Texas, and the other states get more recruits at the D1 level could be multiple, but the big reason is obviously speed which isn't a huge asset we see here in Tennessee compared to Florida. Plus just because a TN Stud kills everyone that may just mean he is killing less stellar athletes than the same stud is doing in Texas. If you aren't playing the best, how can you think you are the best? If you want to be completely honest, besides a few, how many kids that were REALLY players, didn't get to play at the next level? Just because a kid is great at Station Camp, won't make him great at even UK or SC. To think that TN kids are not given a chance is somewhat paranoid. The best play. The best will always get their chance, that is why they are the best. I'm sure some kids do get the shaft, but seriously, I would venture a guess that most of the build up and buzz around a player has more to do with parents and community than with true knowledge of what it takes to play D1. Does it make sense that any college coach WOULDN'T take the best? Of course not. They see the best and know what they need to be successful. This isn't just a topic for football ... this is all sports.

Why is Gibbs getting a new coach? Where is Coach Dave going?

Definitely straight red. From where I was sitting you could see that foul coming. From behind, studs up. Some of the West fans were screaming that he got the ball. Which he did, after getting the guys feet, ankles, and legs. Dumb foul. He almost got a soft red for shoving the keeper earlier for no real reason, he is lucky Compton just spoke to him rather than going for the cards. Disappointing to see that. West had Bearden on their heels early, but the only offense seemed to come from Tanner's throws. I certainly hoped to see West win this one but they let Bearden stay in it and the Bulldogs poise and determination helped them win it. Great game for both teams.

I would say Maryville by 2. Fox is a nice attacker, but Sevier County spends a little too much time playing physical and not enough time playing soccer.

I thought the keeper's last name was Wilson. Your predictions were better than mine, especially with my guess that West would be able to score multiples. I also just think your asessments of area soccer are better than mine. I think you might have been around the game a little longer than me. I enjoy your posts. Thanks for keeping it interesting. SD

I now defer all of my predictions to Dins (Who I think I have a guess who that is now). I completely underestimated Wilson. Plus I was going off early season Oak Ridge. I haven't seen them in a while. Going to go finish off my crow for breakfast. SD

He is a big boy, and the sweeper is smart and in control for Oak Ridge. I just think that if West is clicking they can score on anyone, and in bunches. I didn't mean to be disrespectful to Oak Ridge, my apologies.

I would agree with 3-1 West. Maybe different at Oak Ridge's field, I still would give West the nod. However if the West "stars" start yapping with each other, the refs, etc. then Oak Ridge could upset them. If West plays fast and confident I wouldn't put it past them putting 4 or 5 in on OR. Interesting note that if Oak Ridge doesn't win this one it looks like they could come in 3rd in their district. SD

The suspense is killing me! And it looks like West played Halls, not Oak Ridge. Anyone know when that game is going to happen?

Very interesting stuff. To take it a step further has anyone missed them ALL or been at a very low percentage?

Just curious, how many of you have an idea of your hit / miss / stopped ratio on Penalty Kicks? Anyone 100% so far this season? Or any season for that matter.

Just a guy who likes soccer. I've coached a couple of high schools, but not a name you would recognize. I kind of like being anonymous so I can post predictions on games without retaliation later. Ha! Sorry to be eating up the Thursday show down thread. All 9 of these programs lead the way for the state. They have set the bar high and it is a pleasure to watch them play. So I still want to see more people predict on these games. I am surprised at the number of people picking Oak Ridge over West. West is explosive, nothing against Oak Ridge at all, but when West is clicking on all cylinders they are tough. If they stay in the game mentally and don't start yapping at each other and the refs, I think West will do quite well. Nothing against Bearden or Farragut, but we all try to be like them and it is nice to see others starting to catch up. (Or hoping to catch up)