TackerDad

MUS only loses one senior from their entire team.

Nolan is too much of a good sport to point out how wrong all you "prognosticators" are who claim so 'knowledgably" that his 88 Dragons are dead and 88 MFC is one of the teams to beat. I'm not. *lol* MFC's club tournament the MIT just finished this morning. Guess who didn't make the U15 semis? MFC 88. Guess who won the U15 bracket? 88 Dragons. They beat the MVP team from Chicago in the semis 2-1, the same team that beat MFC 4-1 earlier in the day. Dragons beat FC Dallas in the finals 2-1. They won both games without Nolan, who sustained an injury in the first half of the semis. MFC 88 is a good team (the only MFC team to make the D1 boys state semis OR finals last year) and the tables may well still turn. But like I said in an earlier post, don't underestimate defending state champions like the 88 Dragons. They have a great coach in Tony Whicker; they added a few new players, including Tony's son Nick; and they have most of the same players that have taken them to the state finals FOUR years in a row and the state championship last year. Plus, they appear now to have a found a steady and dependable goalkeeper; he only gave up 4 goals in 6 games this weekend. (Of course the Dragons awesome defense helps.) By the way, here's a quiz: what is the only soccer club in Tennessee to place FOUR boys teams in the D1 state semifinals last year and to win TWO D1 state boys titles? (Hint: they're based in Memphis.) GO DRAGONS!

I heard that "they" (TSSAA? Coaches?) decided to do away with all-tournament teams this year.

Great idea. Nashville really is the ideal choice geographically. All we need now is for Nashville to invest millions of dollars to build several new sports facilities (including a decent soccer complex) and then bid aggressively for the package 2 years from now. (Don't hold your breath.)

The soccer part of the Spring Fling in Memphis was simply awesome, just like the rest of Spring Fling in Memphis. I attended every soccer session. Let's start with the fact that, because Spring Fling was held in a real city with a world class soccer facility, TWICE as many teams got to PLAY in the State Tournament this year. (While that gives TWICE as many players the chance to play in the state tournament, that also gives us twice as many whiners to hear from.) I feel good that the worst criticism anyone can come up with is that the fields weren't perfect after so much rain and that the scoreboards don't work. What's the opposite of "amen"?

Irish is right about that rule, and for exactly the right reason. That kind of limit might work in Dallas or Atlanta or St. Louis but not in any Tennessee city. Memphis has trouble sustaining 3 Division 1 club teams in any one age group: 2 85's (MFC and WTFC); 2 86's (Fury and WTFC); 1 86/87 hybrid (MFC 86); 2 87's (Fury and WTFC); 2 1/2 88's (MFC, WTFC and Fury). And, to the original question, the best high school players in Memphis also play club ball and the club players pretty much all play high school. Club teams go "dormant" during high school.

Don't underestimate defending state champions.

ECS Goalkeeper Sean McCallen was red carded in the 55th minute of the CBHS game for taking down Michael Kraus in the penalty area. He is a good keeper. McCallen and ECS allowed only 2 goals in 190 minutes of soccer against MUS this season (2 complete games plus 30 minutes of OT), an average of less than 1 goal per game. (Of course, MUS allowed only 1 ECS goal over the same 190 minutes.) The only other times the Owls were held that low were in a 1-0 loss to CBHS and a 1-1 tie with Ridgeway. Good luck to all at State!

D2 West result was MUS 2, Briarcrest 0. Briarcrest played well. MUS advances to State to face the Middle winner next Wednesday at 11:00. CBHS is playing ECS now. Go Owls!

ECS and CBHS are already qualified for d2 state from the West. MUS and Briarcrest play Tuesday at 6:00 for the third slot.

AHA, an 86 Fury fan! *lol* Both are good players and both played very well. Sorry that I don't have more specific observations to share. GO DRAGONS!

Basically an accurate report from Manager. Great game (except for the outcome *lol*). ECS' Trey Adama scored VERY late in the second half, maybe about the 76th or 77th minute. MUS' Kane Alber scored with about 30 seconds left in stoppage time on a diving header. Teams went through two 10 minute regular OT's and 2 5 minute Sudden Death OT's still tied 1-1. PK's were tied 4-4 after 5. (Ironically, Trey Adams, ECS's top scorer who scored the only goal in regulation missed his PK). ECS won 7-6 in the 8th round of PK's. D2 takes 3 teams each from West and Middle, so MUS can advance still by winning consolation game at 6:00 pm next Tuesday vs. Briarcrest. ECS is a very scrappy, hard-playing group who are going to keep the score down on you. They lost only three games all season (CBHS by 1, MUS by 1, and Ridgeway, their only bad loss). They tied Houston. Go Owls!

Someone should let Kerr know that his "wall" may have a hole in it. Father Ryan is giving up over two goals a game on average: season-long, first half of the season, second half, anyway you slice it. Against the three best teams they played - CBHS, MUS and Brentwood - they gave up up 5, 4 and 4 goals, respectively. Those 13 goals in three games is more than CBHS, for example, has allowed all year (10) playing a much tougher schedule. Just trying to bring Kerr back to reality. Father Ryan is a very good team and Stevens a very good keeper, so maybe they will turn it around in the tournament and shut everyone down. Good luck to all!

I was told by one of the parents in the stands that the regular BA keeper was in Memphis for a Dave Matthews concert. His backup played well. The regular GK would have unlikely been able to stop any of MUS's goals. A little more info on the Owls for anyone who's interested. They have only ONE senior on their roster and played CBHS close (1-0) in a pre-season scrimmage. We look forward to seeing everyone in Memphis for Spring Fling.