Soccer Gypsy

Yes. Sorry I didn't update. 3-0 Hardin Valley. All goals were world class and happened in the first 10 minutes after the delay. The first was about 8 seconds after the delay. The game was very even up to that point. Both teams had great scoring opportunities, with keepers coming up big. After the delay JV had a throw in at mid field. One defensive header, attacking header, full volley, and side net. Really don't think the keeper had a food chance of saving that one. Second goal came about 4 minutes later off a very powerful free kick. Again side netting. Keeper took one step the wrong way and the ball bent with a lot of pace back the other way. Last goal was a break down the left side and again, ball was ripped into the side of the net. DB finally regained some composure and was able to have a couple of legitimate chances, but could not find the net. Both teams had a similar style of play. Keeping possession at times and stretching the back lines with some longer balls. It was a fun game to watch and worth every penny.

Hardin Valley 0 DB 0 Lightening delay. 30 minutes remaining.

Just from the few Freshman that I know on CAK, they are age and grade appropriate on the competitive side. They have also been in that situation before as u-13s, losing the state final in pks two years ago. Still never caught the name of the 7th shooter for CAK, so I cannot be sure of that player. I did like the creative argument though. After all the years of hearing the public/private discussion, this was the first time I heard that one. Good luck to both teams this week. It's great Freshman are getting that kind of opportunity and should speak volumes about both programs moving forward.

I guess it depends on what club you would be involved with Big G. Even if teams do not qualify 1 or 2 in premier league I would expect those clubs to still push this agenda. The state really does its best to work around school soccer at both the HS and middle school level.

I was able to watch Houston, Collierville, and Germantown last weekend. The Houston/Brarden game was end to end and both teams had opportunities to win the game. I was very impressed by the skill level of the Houston players in the midfield and up top. I did not check the schedule, but it would be worth the drive to watch CBHS v. Houston if they play. Collierville was fun to watch and moved the ball around well. Germantown seemed to struggle the most over the weekend, but has some very talented players also. It will be interesting to see who comes out of the west in AAA.

Although the weather was cold and dry, the action on the field was hot and wet. Sloppy conditions made for some interesting soccer. The first game with Oak Ridge and Gallatin showed trouble with the field as most of the small ball movement thru the middle part of the field was stopped more by puddles than defensive pressure. Passes were hard to connect and possession seemed more dangerous than just putting it in the other teams attacking third. Credit to both teams for trying to play small. I missed the first goal, but Oak Ridge scored off a nice cross and a pretty thru ball to go up 3-0. Gallatin showed a little more pressure towards the end of the game. The second game was fun to watch. Although small in size, CAK showed up big against Hendersonville. Hendersonville had the upper hand for most of the game, but gave up two goals on pretty free kicks at the end. The game finished 3-2 in favor of Hendersonville. I do not know how they normally play, but it was obvious that Hendersonville was putting the ball up top a lot. They didn't play around with it in the middle and were constantly attacking the goal. CAK tried to move the ball around a little more, but could not threaten the goal nearly as much. It really was a David and Goliath picture. Some of the boys from CAK were lucky to reach the elbows of the Hendersonville players. Both teams have talent, but size and speed were a factor. Hendersonville's two players up top were fun to watch and they have a strong back line. The two free kicks were gorgeous for CAK, but the third goal for Hendersonville was spectacular. A long cross just over the midfield stripe, finished with a nice header. The big guy up top for Hendersonville will have some goals this year.

Do we know when the roster will be updated for the Force?

1. Athleticism 2. Skill 3. Desire The third one can be said in many different ways, but the first two are pretty much needed these days.

Mishu is a junior. Alex Hutchins from Webb should be fun to watch.

You and your multiplication table. /rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" /> Even though I know where this is going, AA (Football) or AA (Basketball, baseball, and softball)?

You are only as good as those that surround you. If he has good assistants to train the team that just puts him higher on the list. Remember the job of a head coach is not just to train the team.

Since this will be my first game of the year I will drop an opinion. I know both teams will be filling some holes on the defensive side because of cards so I am expecting some great offensive opportunities on goal. Could be as good as the state final last year between Bearden and Farragut and as high scoring. Games like these are not won because of talent so that is a wash for me trying to compare talent. Most of these young men have been in a state final at some level so the pressure shouldn't be an issue. Going out on a limb, it will be a scrappy play in the box off a throw in that decides this game. I am a Farragut man, but I am going with Patrick Maloney finishing off a deflection to win in overtime. West will get it's first trip to the big dance in AAA and the big two from ET will be confused on how to spend Memorial Day weekend. Bizzaro soccer in K-town this year. Good luck to both squads and make sure to leave it all on the field. There's my post for the season KM.

So who played in the goal for Catholic this weekend?

Just to keep this thread going in hopes of a humerous response. I have seen all four of these teams play and yes Jackson has a couple of talented players. Now of course the other three have talented players sitting on the bench to replace the talented players on the field. yes some D-2 teams can compete with some D-1 teams and maybe even win a game here and there, but again the three mentioned above are not just your average D-1 Tennessee team. There is a wide margin between them and the other D-1 teams in the state. If Jackson is lucky enough to find themselves across the field from any of those three here is some advise: 1. Bring a good game plan and execute, 2. Pack a lunch, and 3. Buy some real eastate in your half of the field because that is where the action will be. All in good fun and best wishes to Jackson in the state tournament. I do believe you all can make it to the finals and win this year. /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" />

Slide tackles are just another skill that is beautiful to watch when done properly. I know it doesn't show the same flare as a well executed cut move, but is just as vital to the the game. As a coach I do teach the proper technique and purpose of a slide tackle and emphasize the goal is to win the ball and not to knock down or injure another player. I also understand if it is done with malice or ignorance it can break the leg of another player, but so can many other parts of the game besides a slide tackle. I know in high school soccer there is a wide level of talent which is usually the reason for some of these discussions. I believe the intent of the action is really what should be discussed and are we teaching proper sportsmanship along with everything else? As far as injuries go, I have had both my knees rebuilt, both ankles sprained and broken, and one arm during the course of my soccer career and only one was due to contact with another player and never because of a slide tackle. I have seen keepers break players legs by diving thru the ball on breakaways, arms broken because of a shoulder charges that knocked a player down, and of course concussions from head to head contact for balls in the air. Anytime you have people running around at full speed looking for a ball in limited space you will have injuries. It is a physical and dangerous sport, but to outlaw any thing that can cause an injury would just leave us with halftime. Although my coach usually smoked during his halftime talks with us so those were kind of dangerous too.