Club Season

[StXSoccer16]

now that the high school season is over, who are the top 5 teams for both 17 and 18's this upcoming season? who has made the best pick ups?

[Statechamps02]

I think u-18 CUP red made some good pickups, or so I heard. I have no specifics about it. But I believe the team to beat is Ohio Elite?? Did they make any good pick ups? Anyone else have further info on either team?

[xbombersoccerx]

ohio elite u17 arent being considered part of ohio south this coming year?
as far as i knwo they are part of some brand new national supplemental league thing and arent competing in buckeye premier mrl or even state cup.

u17 is wide open but in cincinnati not counting elite cup red mtsc magic and fairfield all look really good

[FUTBOOOL]

u17 no cincy team will win state cup. probably going to be team ohio.

[Mason Owns]

U18 Cup Red will be decent, maybe they could finally get back to the championship in state cup, it's been 4 years. Team Dayton will be good after there merge with Warrior also.

It may be a little easier because rumor has is most the Eagles players from that team that has dominated that age group the last 4 years are joining the Crew Soccer Academy in the Academy Leagues

[Amo fútbol]

U 17 OE will be good. They will play for the USS Developmental Academy league. They are stacked. Rakoczy, Patterson, Lavigne, Dwyer, Finke, Hoop, and Morgan (GK) are just some of the players. 5 of them made all-state.
Watch out.

[tinman13]

cincy west u17 will be pretty good this year i think

[ff4l08]

fosc u17 will be very strong in the cincinnati area. Schulte, Poppolin, Cook, Hoban, and Rumpler are all just good solid hard working players and i think that team could beat any team in the city. As for OE being out of state cup no team from cinci can beat Team Ohio so state cup will be a cake walk for them.

[the og]

there will be a new state champion this year for the u17 age group. team ohio is also joining this new academy league and will not be competing in state cup either.

[MajorFan]

I don't know where you are getting your info, og, but you are incorrect about Team Ohio. Team Ohio is NOT part of the US Soccer Developmental Academies program. The list of 64 teams is here: http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_1966085.html

Play began Oct 6-8 in California so they are a month into the season.

Team Ohio will play in the State Cup and should repeat as champions again. Look for them to be the favorite at Regionals this year since the Chicago Magic and Michigan Wolves are both part of the DA.

[the og]

thats just what i was told by several players that they weren't doing state cup this year either. is that the final list of teams or are clubs still joining?

[MajorFan]

That's the final list for the inaugural season. If you read the US Soccer website, it looks like they will add additional teams as they deem necessary, but it is unclear if they will expand the # of teams or if they will swap out poorly performing teams and add new ones (like the EPL).

This DA thing will continue to send shockwaves through the soccer world. Because of the relationship between IMG Academy and Nike, the Nike Friendlies are now only open to DA teams. That leaves over two dozen Nike Premiere teams (Team Ohio is one of them) out in the cold. The question is "How are other tournaments that are sponsored by what are now DA teams going to work?" Examples are the Jefferson Cup (Richmond Strikers), the Blue Chip (Ohio Elite), and the Best of the Midwest (Chicago Magic).

[037542niner]

First, the Blue chip is sponsored by Cincinnati hammer. The teams to beat in U17 are Team Ohio, Ohio Elite, Metro United Rapids who added al Argeris from Team Ohio and Ben Dankelfson (Dayton Player of the Year), Ohio Galaxies Elite which added seven new players (Ryan Huber and Brad Baumer) from their state cup semi-final appearance. MTSC has always been strong out of cincy. Worthington United Blue will also be strong again from their semi-final state cup appearance. FOSC is not impressive, and who is cincy west? The top five teams in U17 are as follows.

Team Ohio
Ohio Elite
Ohio galaxies
Metro United
Worthington United

[MajorFan]

I stand corrected about the Blue Chip. Thanks.

Al Argyris is a beast. He played defense for Team Ohio Green (U-16) last year and did not get as much playing time as I thought he deserved. He plays for Centerville and has a very solid game.

Brad Baumer, another Elk, played for Team Ohio Black (U-16) last year and was one of the leaders on that team. Very quick for his size.

I would have liked to have seen both these guys on the U-17 Team Ohio team this year, but it was not to be.

I agree with the top 5 teams; however, it is important to remember that Ohio Elite will not play in the State Cup do to their status as a DA team.

[the og]

i would agree with team ohio, ohio elite, worthington and metro united being in the top 5. i saw galaxies play last year in state cup and i wasn't all that impressed though. for the fifth spot i would say it is a toss up between cup, galaxies or mtsc.

[CSA]

I have to agree here the DA will continue to send shock waves. Bottom line is if this truly runs as they think it will then this will be the best thing to happen to youth soccer perhaps ever. What is better then having the best teams play each other all the time. That is the only way that club soccer in this country will get better and consequently our National Team as well. No more playing in garbage leagues against bad competition in bad tournaments, where players are not pushed mentally and physically to get better. I personally am very excited about this new league. I hope they deliver on what is being promised.

[037542niner]

The league is not a bad idea. Let me ask you all this. As a former youth player, participating in some of the top tournaments in the country and then representing your state at regionals...How can a player involved in the DA program experience those types of highs? The Disney, Jefferson cup, Dallas Cup to name a few, as part of the DA you are not allowed to participate in these tournaments.

[cincysoccercoach]

I recommend you all read US Soccer's position paper on why they started the academy/league. They are trying to grow higher level players at a quicker pace than in the past. See link: http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/Player%20Development%202007-2014.pdf

The paper essentially says that US Soccer's previous program, residency at the Florida academy, has produced about 200 high quality professional players over the past 5 years and that is not enough. European national academies produce ten times that in the same time and that's because they have academies placed throughout the country with top quality coaches running the programs under the direction of the national team coach.

The idea is to partner with top clubs around the country and implement a developmental curriculum to those clubs that starts to put into place a national youth development program. Which means the emphasis is on development NOT games. Teams in the program have to commit to AT LEAST 3 days of practice and US Soccer would prefer more. They can only play one game a day which is the European model. My son went overseas and played in a tournament and they only play one game a day and the tournament started on Thursday.

They estimate that this new program will produce several thousand good players into the US National system. The keys for US Soccer is as always the implementation of the program, the quality of the coaching and training systems and the support from the players.

The big question for those two age groups that were counting on ODP and State Cup to get recruited is whether or not US Soccer can deliver the college coaches to those games and if they want them to go to college and play. Some think this program will build a bigger reserve program within the MLS league. Or lead to players being signed into youth academies or reserve teams in Europe and US Soccer getting any transfer/signing fees for those players.

The other question is where is the money coming from to support the program - US Soccer, Nike, MLS, etc.

[MajorFan]

Exactly. Which leads to the question "What do college coaches think about this?" They all have limited travel budgets, so which events do they go see? It will be impossible to see all the best soccer players at one tournament now because 1) DA teams can only play DA teams and 2) not all the best teams joined/were accepted into the DAs.

Check out the link that lists the 64 DA teams. Those are not the top 64 teams in the country.

My other question is this...what about the U-17 age players on the DA teams. The age groups that US Soccer set up are U-16 and U-18. From what I read, the U-17s fall under the U-18 teams. But these clubs had U-17 and U-18 teams already. IIRC, they said the teams had to have a MINIMUM of 20 players. What's the max?

I know that the goal of the DAs is development and training, but if they limit the number of games these kids can play, how will they ensure that they are seen by college coaches (if that's a goal) or the reserve teams in Europe like cincysoccercoach said.

Do we have any Ohio Elite players or parents that post here? If so, please tell us what your experience has been and what you've heard from your coaches. Thanks.

[cincysoccercoach]

To answer your question, niner, the league is very competitive. The quality of the member clubs will be great competition and a battle every game. Not like a tournament requiring your team to go through preliminary rounds against weaker opponents. It will be like an MRL league on steriods.

[cincysoccercoach]

Major Fan - you make all good points and we will have to wait and see if the college coaches will come out. As in most recruiting, coaches will go where the best players are and the players that have expressed a desire to attend their school.

The U16 & U18 teams are just categories or cut off ages to create two teams. None of the clubs have to have any only U18's but will have a combining of the best of those two age groups. At the U16 age category, it doesn't say those players are only U16. If there is a U14 player capable of playing at the U16 age level, he can play if the team wants him.

The reason the rosters are so big (minimum - 20) is so the kids can play full sided games between themselves. It also allows for the roster to change as the season progresses to account for injuries or players not up to the standard required. They are also moving to limited substitution rule to get the kids prepared to play the full 90 minutes. If I am correct, the subsitution will be like college - if you go out before the half you are done for that half but can come in at the beginning of the second half. The league requires that the starting lineup rotates so that everyone starts and plays in the game.

It is going to create problems for the everyone, but is in the best interest of taking US Soccer to the next level. Everywhere else in the world the youth soccer programs are within a professional club structure and a filtering process done by the national team to gleen the best players for their national teams. The US is a mish-mash of organizations working independently of each other for the same good. For the US to get better we need to integrate a European model into the American culture and mix it with college and professional. Right now we are struggling as a nation to create a Messi or Pirlo or Kaka. No one has the ability to create and hold onto the ball at the international level like those players.

[CUP91]

To answer your question, niner, the league is very competitive. The quality of the member clubs will be great competition and a battle every game. Not like a tournament requiring your team to go through preliminary rounds against weaker opponents. It will be like an MRL league on steriods.

While the DA will be very competitive, to suggest that it will be like the MRL on steroids isn't really accurate. Most would agree that the MRL already contains the very best teams in Region 2. And, same thing with Regions 1, 3 & 4. Crew Academy in Region 2 has been trying to form a team to participate. The OE U16s are very average.. Carmel United's U16s are above average but not even the best team in IN.. If it catches on, I'm sure the overall average level will improve but initially, it is not as good as the Premier Divisions of each MRL equivalent.

Also, most of the top tournaments (Disney, Vegas, Dallas Cup, Raleigh, etc.) have very good teams from multiple regions in groupings to make it very competitive.

It is too bad that it simply wasn't an offshoot of MRL/National League....

[cincysoccercoach]

I agree CUP91 at the Region 2 level, but if you have any national DA tournaments like they are planning it will be as good as a Disney or Dallas Cup. The other thing to remember is that each team is not confined to only U16 or U18 players. I'm sure the U17 OE team will be competing in the U18 bracket.

In the US Soccer defense, they tried to look at the overall club and not just the current age groups coming through. They are trying to create a high pedigree of clubs within the program and hopefully in a few years ALL the top clubs will be in the league or those current clubs will have attracted the best players to their team. IMO that would stink if OE was the team when they are clearly not the best club in Cincinnati. Right now they have one of the best teams in the city, U17, in any age group and would challenge the U18 CUP Red team. Probably not win but give them a good game.

The other thing to remember is that last year's MRL league had DA teams in it and they will be gone. That will dilute the strength of the MRL. I agree with you, CUP 91, the MRL was the best league in the country and really had quality especially in the Premier division. The goal is to recreate that within the DA league.

[SoOhSoc]

The OE U17's will be in the U18 division. Our first concern was whether or not college coaches would even come out to watch U18 teams play since most U18's are seniors. However, the majority of the teams in the DA are fielding a team of mostly U17's with some U18's. This is being done at the urging of the Academy.

The events will be similar to the top tier tournaments. The Nike Friendlies was the best event that we have attended. From the level of competition, facilities, refereeing and number of college coaches in attendance, it was top notch. The DA Showcases will be of the same quality.

A great number of MRL premier teams and 3 of 4 regional champs (including 3 time national champ, Real So Cal) from last spring's U16's are members. I'm not 100% familiar with the rest of the age groups, but would venture to guess that that the DA has most of the top clubs.

The clubs will have some teams struggle, but that will sort itself out over time. I believe that it is a positive step in the right direction for US Soccer.

[CSA]

I think the MRL on steroids is pretty accurate. Each division in the DA will have a US national team staff member assigned to it. Their function is to ensure curriculum is being taught, helping coaches, as well as scouting players.
As far as college coaches are concerned, they will be at these games. They are not going to come out and watch you at your state cup matches that pit together two teams that have diluted the talent in the State. That is truly the big problem with the current club system. Too many teams competing for the same players. It has been too long since an Ohio South team has done much of anything at the Regional let alone national level. Reseason being the best players truly are not playing together. In Cincinnati alone you have MTSC, Cup, OE, and then you throw in Dayton clubs in Columbus clubs. The goal of club soccer is to have the best players playing together. In Ohio right now under this format that is not happening. When I played Club (Club Ohio) way back in the day, we were the best players from Souther Ohio, Columbus, Dayton, and Cinci. This made us competative Nationally. I like what the Crew is trying to do. Creating a pool of the best players in Ohio. Just recently they created a partnership with PSA (Premier Soccer Academy) in Cleveland. If you haven't checked this out you should. You could place this concept anywhere in the world and it would be as top notch as a Chelsea youth system or Man U system. By combining their resources, I really think the Crew is on to something.

[goggles10]

I think the MRL on steroids is pretty accurate. Each division in the DA will have a US national team staff member assigned to it. Their function is to ensure curriculum is being taught, helping coaches, as well as scouting players.
As far as college coaches are concerned, they will be at these games. They are not going to come out and watch you at your state cup matches that pit together two teams that have diluted the talent in the State. That is truly the big problem with the current club system. Too many teams competing for the same players. It has been too long since an Ohio South team has done much of anything at the Regional let alone national level. Reseason being the best players truly are not playing together. In Cincinnati alone you have MTSC, Cup, OE, and then you throw in Dayton clubs in Columbus clubs. The goal of club soccer is to have the best players playing together. In Ohio right now under this format that is not happening. When I played Club (Club Ohio) way back in the day, we were the best players from Souther Ohio, Columbus, Dayton, and Cinci. This made us competative Nationally. I like what the Crew is trying to do. Creating a pool of the best players in Ohio. Just recently they created a partnership with PSA (Premier Soccer Academy) in Cleveland. If you haven't checked this out you should. You could place this concept anywhere in the world and it would be as top notch as a Chelsea youth system or Man U system. By combining their resources, I really think the Crew is on to something.

if i do remember correctly team ohio of the u17 age bracket has made regional finals for the past two yrs? I think thats making an impact in regionals and somewhat on a national level.

[BWilson]

Coming to the end of the 2008 recruting process now, and I can tell you every D1 coach knows about and plans on attending the DA games and tournaments. The first DA showcase is in Feb 2008. They are way ahead of the players on this and have pushed hard for the new DA system.

MRL will not survive, and the state cup for Ohio, which has actually been a joke in the past several years (at least in OYSNA), will likely be understood as the travel/premier team event that it is, and not representive of the best in Ohio.

I have to admit I was surprised that Cincinnati isn't represented in the DA, while Columbus and Cleveland have teams.

The two teams in Northern Ohio are forming now. I can tell you for the U18 (note that age is as of Jan 1, not Aug 1), the Internationals team is going to be very good. It has a core group of players from the U19 team that came in 2nd in U18 in Region 2 last year and is currently ranked #6 in the nation, as well as the best from the U17 team, and new players.

[SoOhSoc]

Ohio Elite Soccer Academy (OE) is the DA club from Cincinnati.

[CSA]

goggles

One team doing well from Ohio is great but it is no where near enough. Ohio produces good quality players but we never seem to do anything on the National Level. Two ohio teams have ever won Nationals Club Ohio, Team Dayton. The talent is here to make a larger impact but we are spread too thin.

[goggles10]

i would agree with team ohio, ohio elite, worthington and metro united being in the top 5. i saw galaxies play last year in state cup and i wasn't all that impressed though. for the fifth spot i would say it is a toss up between cup, galaxies or mtsc.

metro united just beat worthington 2-1. Good to see top teams club wise play again

[Statechamps02]

goggles

One team doing well from Ohio is great but it is no where near enough. Ohio produces good quality players but we never seem to do anything on the National Level. Two ohio teams have ever won Nationals Club Ohio, Team Dayton. The talent is here to make a larger impact but we are spread too thin.

Getting to the national stage is a great accomplishment. Just because two teams have only won doesn't mean we haven't made an impact. There have been a few ohio south teams that have made it to nationals and done well. Ohio thunder placed second a few years back. I do agree that we are spread too thin. But I can never see Ohio forming something like a chicago magic/dallas texans/scott gallagher...where clubs are good at every level year in and year out.

[CSA]

Statechamps,

I just think that we need to change our focus in Ohio. When I was playing Club Ohio was the one strong club like Chicago Magic and over the years becuase of poor management that system was lost. Its a shame really. The goal should be the best players playing together. Ohio has had a few players play at the National level and in the MLS which is wonderful but I don't think we are producing enough. Having the best play together will greatly enhance a players learning which I think is truly the goal of the DA. I think if things runs as planned in the DA you will see in the next few years more Ohio players having an impact on a larger scale. Atleast I sure hope so.

[envelope]

I think u-18 CUP red made some good pickups, or so I heard. I have no specifics about it. But I believe the team to beat is Ohio Elite?? Did they make any good pick ups? Anyone else have further info on either team?

I would not rule out Cup White U-18 in the top five. They have a solid team.

[FUTBOOOL]

what about the u16s

[MajorFan]

Either US Soccer has come off their demand that the DA teams only play other DA teams or I missed this when I first read the information about the league on their website:

Can Academy Teams participate in non-Academy Competitions?
Yes. Academy Teams are only permitted to participate in Academy Competitions (Conference Matches, Showcases and Finals) and elite non-Academy events held during the following windows:

• Winter Windows: Nike Friendlies & Christmas/New Year’s Week, Raleigh Shootout
• Spring Window: Easter Week (In 2008 - March 19 to March 26)
• Summer Window: End of Season (July) to September 1

Please note that elite non-Academy events may only have one game per day.

I checked out the brackets for the Disney Showcase today and there is a mix of DA and non-DA playing. Looks like they decided to eat the elephant one bite at a time.

[Statechamps02]

Statechamps,

I just think that we need to change our focus in Ohio. When I was playing Club Ohio was the one strong club like Chicago Magic and over the years becuase of poor management that system was lost. Its a shame really. The goal should be the best players playing together. Ohio has had a few players play at the National level and in the MLS which is wonderful but I don't think we are producing enough. Having the best play together will greatly enhance a players learning which I think is truly the goal of the DA. I think if things runs as planned in the DA you will see in the next few years more Ohio players having an impact on a larger scale. Atleast I sure hope so.

Don't get me wrong, I think the DA is the best idea US youth soccer has had yet. I wish the parents of the best talented players in cincinnati, and others from ohio, saw it this way. Some players don't like leaving their long time friends/teams and what not. I agree with you that if the best talented players formed one team/one club...ohio would be top 10 in the nation at the least. I just see this taking a long time for people to see it and believe that the money and the driving distance for practices would be worth it.

[goggles10]

Don't get me wrong, I think the DA is the best idea US youth soccer has had yet. I wish the parents of the best talented players in cincinnati, and others from ohio, saw it this way. Some players don't like leaving their long time friends/teams and what not. I agree with you that if the best talented players formed one team/one club...ohio would be top 10 in the nation at the least. I just see this taking a long time for people to see it and believe that the money and the driving distance for practices would be worth it.

team ohio is 12th in the nation. But they have lost a couple players to residency like horton, sarkodie, and barson. Also there keeper luthy, not to residency though

[Statechamps02]

Goggles, that's what I don't understand...why would someone leave a team that good? I used to travel 1 1/2 hours to practice just to play for the best team in ohio south. Other players that were no doubtedly better than I was didn't want to travel that far just for practice. I think it depends on individual motivation. No offense to the young one's out there, but it seems like each year they keep getting lazier. Maybe some of you can shed some light on that.

[MajorFan]

They left a good team to join a better one. Kofi has been in residence in Brandenton for at least 2 years now. Barson played with Team Ohio last year, but is in residence at Brandenton this year.

Horton is a year younger than these guys and the last I heard, will play with the U-16 Team Ohio team that his dad, the honorable Tim Horton, will coach.

Luthy is attending Brad Friedle's goalie program.

It'll be interesting to see how the kids that Team Ohio picked up to replace Barson and Luthy will work out. They killed the Galaxies Sunday night during a scrimmage at Wittenberg.

[Hellfirestriker08]

I would not rule out Cup White U-18 in the top five. They have a solid team.

CUP White U18 just won their bracket in the Bethesda Showcase.

Standings and scores of all the games: http://www.gotsport.com/events/results.aspx?EventID=1633&Sex=Boys&Age=19

Great exposure for everyone there.

[goggles10]

They left a good team to join a better one. Kofi has been in residence in Brandenton for at least 2 years now. Barson played with Team Ohio last year, but is in residence at Brandenton this year.

Horton is a year younger than these guys and the last I heard, will play with the U-16 Team Ohio team that his dad, the honorable Tim Horton, will coach.

Luthy is attending Brad Friedle's goalie program.

It'll be interesting to see how the kids that Team Ohio picked up to replace Barson and Luthy will work out. They killed the Galaxies Sunday night during a scrimmage at Wittenberg.

horton got called up to play in bradenton along with barson this year.

[MajorFan]

horton got called up to play in bradenton along with barson this year.

Thanks for the update. I hadn't heard that yet.

[the og]

who is the better keeper, luthy or austin morgan? weren't they both on the regional team?

[FUTBOOOL]

luthy.

[goggles10]

there both amazing keepers. Luthy went to a school somewhere for soccer. i forget what its called if someone could refresh my memory for me?
Morgan made the regional team why luthy did not, but they both have there strong and week points just like every other player

[floridafutboler08]

there both amazing keepers. Luthy went to a school somewhere for soccer. i forget what its called if someone could refresh my memory for me?
Morgan made the regional team why luthy did not, but they both have there strong and week points just like every other player

luthy's at friedle's school

[FUTBOOOL]

Psa

[Soccerfans]

At the Blast today in the U-17 group Metro FC Rapids defeated Team Ohio Green 5-1.

[goggles10]

5-1? wow. thats a lopsided score. can anyone give details on how the game was? was it a fluke or is metro that good?

[soccfan]

Is Team Ohio the same as Team Ohio Green?

[FUTBOOOL]

yeah team ohio green is A team ohio black is B.

[MajorFan]

No such thing as Team Ohio Black in U-17 this year. They all went somewhere else.

[msnsoccer05]

wow i cant believe that score

[soccerizdabest]

I don't think Team Ohio was the only team that got blindsided. Metro beat Worthington United for the second time this season and took the wind out of MTSC too. Maybe it was just their lucky weekend, or maybe...... Stay tuned for the rest of the season.

Worthington beat Team Ohio too.

[the og]

why were these games played? tournament? scrimmages?

[jackhammer19]

I believe the Blast tournament in Columbus was held this weekend.

[patriot_soccer]

16 - lets be serious, no one touches team ohio in this age. Sure they lost horton, there are plenty more to pour in goals, and their defense is well above anyone else in the state.

17 - I thought Team Ohio too, but with their recent losses (Metro 5-1, Worthington 3-0), it could get interesting.

18 - Warrior and Team Dayton combined. However, Team Dayton only had maybe 4 kids that could make an impact on that Warrior team. They will be good, Eagles is out as they are Crew Academy and the DA team now. Team Ohio made some good pickups and will be strong. CUP will also be good

[FUTBOOOL]

16 - lets be serious, no one touches team ohio in this age. Sure they lost horton, there are plenty more to pour in goals, and their defense is well above anyone else in the state.

17 - I thought Team Ohio too, but with their recent losses (Metro 5-1, Worthington 3-0), it could get interesting.

18 - Warrior and Team Dayton combined. However, Team Dayton only had maybe 4 kids that could make an impact on that Warrior team. They will be good, Eagles is out as they are Crew Academy and the DA team now. Team Ohio made some good pickups and will be strong. CUP will also be good

hmmm im assuming he's from Team Ohio.
16- So in the 16's youre saying no one touches Team Ohio when CUP lost to them in double overtime. They lost kellogg too, which is a big loss. They're attack really only will come from Jeff and Taylor, which will be effective, but no where close to last year with Aaron and Nick. And so you think your defense is "well above" anyone in state. I know keepers are pretty much even with CUP and name where else you think they dominate in the defensive line. Outside Mid's on CUP dominate Teamo Ohio. You guys barely beat our B team by 2 late goals making it 2-1, get ready for a wake up call. I think state cup will be between CUP and Team Ohio, maybe Eagles if they can start to finish. Team Ohio WILL NOT dominate the age group.

17- Ohio Elite :hello: i know they're a DA team but still, and Team Ohio lost their man playmakers in chad and luthy. I think Metro can really upset some teams in this age group excluding Ohio Elite. Im calling State Cup goes to Metro.

18- agree.

[goggles10]

hmmm im assuming he's from Team Ohio.
16- So in the 16's youre saying no one touches Team Ohio when CUP lost to them in double overtime. They lost kellogg too, which is a big loss. They're attack really only will come from Jeff and Taylor, which will be effective, but no where close to last year with Aaron and Nick. And so you think your defense is "well above" anyone in state. I know keepers are pretty much even with CUP and name where else you think they dominate in the defensive line. Outside Mid's on CUP dominate Teamo Ohio. You guys barely beat our B team by 2 late goals making it 2-1, get ready for a wake up call. I think state cup will be between CUP and Team Ohio, maybe Eagles if they can start to finish. Team Ohio WILL NOT dominate the age group.

17- Ohio Elite :hello: i know they're a DA team but still, and Team Ohio lost their man playmakers in chad and luthy. I think Metro can really upset some teams in this age group excluding Ohio Elite. Im calling State Cup goes to Metro.

18- agree.
metro and elite would be a good game. last yr elite won 2-1 in a close match. This yr would be another great game. but with the new DA thing there probly never gonna play each other

[patriot_soccer]

U-16
I do not play for them, I just feel as tho they are a strong team. Kellogg played rarely for them last year due to his commitments with AAU basketball. Team Ohio did not play to their potential that game, i was there and know what they are capable of. Horton may be back for some tournaments as well. May I remind you they only lost 1 game last year. The entire season.

U-17
Ohio Elite is great, yes, but they are not in it, they are in a completely separate league. They are not even members of Ohio South anymore. So therefore I leave them out. Chad and Luthy are not by any stretch playmakers. Chad leaves a void at the back but Ade Adedapo will be able to fill it very capably. Once they can figure out their back, they have plenty of attacking options. I think 4 all-state players on that team, more than any other U-17 team im guessing. They will figure it out and be strong as always.

[FUTBOOOL]

you said "no one touches them" in the age group. If no one touches them in OS they should blow out every team by 3 goals. Im still waiting on a reason that their defense is so much better then anyone elses in the state.

[floridafutboler08]

U-16
I do not play for them, I just feel as tho they are a strong team. Kellogg played rarely for them last year due to his commitments with AAU basketball. Team Ohio did not play to their potential that game, i was there and know what they are capable of. Horton may be back for some tournaments as well. May I remind you they only lost 1 game last year. The entire season.

U-17
Ohio Elite is great, yes, but they are not in it, they are in a completely separate league. They are not even members of Ohio South anymore. So therefore I leave them out. Chad and Luthy are not by any stretch playmakers. Chad leaves a void at the back but Ade Adedapo will be able to fill it very capably. Once they can figure out their back, they have plenty of attacking options. I think 4 all-state players on that team, more than any other U-17 team im guessing. They will figure it out and be strong as always.

OE has at least 4 that i can think of off the top of my head...but like you said they aren't in it anymore

[SoOhSoc]

OE has 5...Lavigne, Rakoczy, Dwyer, Hoop & Fink

[MajorFan]

The U-17 Team Ohio team has 6:

Pollock, Beavercreek, 1st team, Division 1
Adedapo. Gahanna Lincoln, 2nd team, Division 1
Blankenship, Hilliard Darby, 3rd team, Division 1
Bly,Bellbrook, 2nd team, Division 2
Gantos, Columbus Academy 1st team, Division 3
Stevenson, Worthington Christian, 2nd team, Division 3

[goggles10]

The U-17 Team Ohio team has 6:

Pollock, Beavercreek, 1st team, Division 1
Adedapo. Gahanna Lincoln, 2nd team, Division 1
Blankenship, Hilliard Darby, 3rd team, Division 1
Bly,Bellbrook, 2nd team, Division 2
Gantos, Columbus Academy 1st team, Division 3
Stevenson, Worthington Christian, 2nd team, Division 3

Metro has none and Worthington may have a couple idk, but the team that has 6 just got beat by by the teams that have few or none. not much to say

[xbombersoccerx]

mtsc 2 worthington 1
great game considering the nasty weather.

[pate23516]

U-18's...CUP Red pretty much has it, the only team who will be a threat is CUP White, they come out and compete against the Red every time
OE is overrated and will not make any kind of run for state (unless they are placed in the worthless bracket again this season)

[academysoccer]

U-18's...CUP Red pretty much has it, the only team who will be a threat is CUP White, they come out and compete against the Red every time
OE is overrated and will not make any kind of run for state (unless they are placed in the worthless bracket again this season)

??? where does this assertion come from?? has CUP RED ever beat Warrior...No, and warrior combined with team dayton so i'd say they are better than they were the last two times they beat CUP...yes no one has to deal with eagles anymore b/c alot of their players went to the crews DA team, but those that don't play for that DA team will strengthen other Columbus teams (ie blast), so, if they go to a good team, that already good teams will just get better...galaxies has also given CUP problems in the past...this is no to say CUP RED can't win state or that they aren't good, just that: "CUP RED pretty much has it..." is not the case


*side not...i definitely agree that OE is not very good this year

[kbot513]

academysoccer, i'm sorry but after state cup, CUP Red beat warrior 5-1 or 5-0? something like that. so your opening statement is wrong. and the statement about the galaxies, last year, weren't a threat at all. and team dayton had maybe three kids able to make warrior, all who are solid but not like picking up a top player in the state. sorry, but no. you are wrong abotu all that.

[academysoccer]

academysoccer, i'm sorry but after state cup, CUP Red beat warrior 5-1 or 5-0? something like that. so your opening statement is wrong. and the statement about the galaxies, last year, weren't a threat at all. and team dayton had maybe three kids able to make warrior, all who are solid but not like picking up a top player in the state. sorry, but no. you are wrong abotu all that.

my apologize, i forgot about the mrl game...but, CUP RED has never beat Warrior in state cup...i said galaxies have given CUP RED problems in the past, which is true, and they might again, i think CUP RED is better than galaxies, but anything can happen...by picking up the best players on team dayton, an already good warrior team got better....CUP RED has always underachieved in state cup, they have been capable of reaching the finals every year and haven't for whatever reason, maybe this year will be the year

[futbolconvert]

16 - lets be serious, no one touches team ohio in this age. Sure they lost horton, there are plenty more to pour in goals, and their defense is well above anyone else in the state.

17 - I thought Team Ohio too, but with their recent losses (Metro 5-1, Worthington 3-0), it could get interesting.

18 - Warrior and Team Dayton combined. However, Team Dayton only had maybe 4 kids that could make an impact on that Warrior team. They will be good, Eagles is out as they are Crew Academy and the DA team now. Team Ohio made some good pickups and will be strong. CUP will also be good

ok you need to get your facts straight. Both Team Ohio and CUP at the 16's age group went to florida for the disney showcase adn CUP won the tournament. CUP didnt lose a game and gave up no goals to anyone until the finals. While Team Ohio went 1-1-1 not even making it out of their group and giving up 4 goals. So whos defense is better?

[Mason Owns]

In U18's, its a consolation to whoever wins it because they won't do anything at regionals. The great Eagles team only got out of their group once to lose in pk's to the eventual national runner-ups. And that Eagles team was on a different level from every other team in their age group

It's sad that regional champions and semi-finalists are determined by a blind draw but the best teams don't even get out of their groups.

TO clear the air from what others said earlier, every single player on the Columbus Crew DA team is from that Eagles team, no Blast kids. The Blast is the same exact team. The Crew DA team added some very strong Cleveland players including the State POY Michael Green.

As for state cup, although Cup beat Warrior 5-0 or something like that, they haven't beat them when it counts and I will give the edge to Warrior to win states this year with the pickups they made from Team Dayton. D'amico is a great player, him and McCarthy up top will be VERY tough to deal with.

[soccerwatcher]

ok you need to get your facts straight. Both Team Ohio and CUP at the 16's age group went to florida for the disney showcase adn CUP won the tournament. CUP didnt lose a game and gave up no goals to anyone until the finals. While Team Ohio went 1-1-1 not even making it out of their group and giving up 4 goals. So whos defense is better?

All the above is true, Team Ohio went 1-1-1 at Disney. 1st game 1-2, 2nd game 1-1 and 3rd game 2-1. CUP Red won in PKs. I was told Team Ohio had 14 players, three that were plagued with injuries including their guest playing regional stud and last game had no substitues (at noon) but pulled out a victory. Also told they were missing 6 regular team members to basketball, injuries and new members who left CESA in December to join Team. Last year according to Team Ohio stat books, this team had 11 goals scored on them in 32 games - pretty good average for a defense - and it showed no more tha 2 goals against in any one game. I think there was a quote on this board during last year state cup stating GK made outstanding save to stop a goal. Anyway, though I agree that CUP Red is a very formidable team. If they stay healthy and Team Ohio doesn't get heathly - State Cup is CUP Red to lose in my opinion but wouldn't count out Eagles as they are very talented group as well. COSA is a sleeper.

[futbolconvert]

All the above is true, Team Ohio went 1-1-1 at Disney. 1st game 1-2, 2nd game 1-1 and 3rd game 2-1. CUP Red won in PKs. I was told Team Ohio had 14 players, three that were plagued with injuries including their guest playing regional stud and last game had no substitues (at noon) but pulled out a victory. Also told they were missing 6 regular team members to basketball, injuries and new members who left CESA in December to join Team. Last year according to Team Ohio stat books, this team had 11 goals scored on them in 32 games - pretty good average for a defense - and it showed no more tha 2 goals against in any one game. I think there was a quote on this board during last year state cup stating GK made outstanding save to stop a goal. Anyway, though I agree that CUP Red is a very formidable team. If they stay healthy and Team Ohio doesn't get heathly - State Cup is CUP Red to lose in my opinion but wouldn't count out Eagles as they are very talented group as well. COSA is a sleeper.

yea what you say could be true but currently this year CUP Red is 10-0-2 not losing a game yet and last year they were 26-5-7 and they have scored 109 goals and had 29 goals scored on them in 2 years. thats pretty dam good if you ask me. they have had 7 shutouts this year and had 19 last year. I dunno what all of Team Ohio's stats are but CUP's are pretty good. I do know that whenever the two teams match up its a really good game and it usually comes down to the final minutes or seconds considering the finals last year. I heard that Team Ohio only beat CUP White 2-1 in the final seconds. It might have only been close due to missing players or injured players but CUP White lost to Kolping last year. I don't know if it says much bout Team Ohioto you that they barely beat the B team in the final seconds if they beat the A team but that says a lot to me. I may be wrong let me know if I am

[ryanthedawg]

Please don't crown Cup Red U-16 the champs just yet.
Cup is a very good team but the Team Ohio U-16 team that beat Cup White and was 1-1-1 at Disney doesn't resemble their true team.

Missing in action

Addis 91 Regional ODP player
Reiger Leading scorer last year (More goals than Horton)
Stegner 91 ODP State player
2 Players picked up from CESA
2 or 3 other injured players

[futbolconvert]

Please don't crown Cup Red U-16 the champs just yet.
Cup is a very good team but the Team Ohio U-16 team that beat Cup White and was 1-1-1 at Disney doesn't resemble their true team.

Missing in action

Addis 91 Regional ODP player
Reiger Leading scorer last year (More goals than Horton)
Stegner 91 ODP State player
2 Players picked up from CESA
2 or 3 other injured players

Im not crowning them champs. im just tryin to prove that they aren't as bad as what he is saying they are. im not saying team ohio is bad but im just saying its not gonna be a cake walk for them at state cup like patriot soccer was saying

[ryanthedawg]

Cup Red is a very good team and it will be a dog fight for State Cup.

I'm sure that Metro Rapids, COSA, and Eagles will all be very competitive.

All I'm saying is that the Team Ohio team at Disney wasn't close to being at it's best. ( A matter of fact their only loss was to Freestate who was in the finals at Raleigh.)

[futbolconvert]

Cup Red is a very good team and it will be a dog fight for State Cup.

I'm sure that Metro Rapids, COSA, and Eagles will all be very competitive.

All I'm saying is that the Team Ohio team at Disney wasn't close to being at it's best. ( A matter of fact their only loss was to Freestate who was in the finals at Raleigh.)

i never said it wasn't gonna be a dog fight and i kno they weren't the same team considering i mentioned they barely beat CUP White. and its always a dog fight in state for this age

[shelto19]

i never said it wasn't gonna be a dog fight and i kno they weren't the same team considering i mentioned they barely beat CUP White. and its always a dog fight in state for this age

THEY DIDNT BEAT CUP WHITE...Cup white tied the game 2-2 within the last seconds of the game..if this is the game your reffering to during the blast showcase..the scores are still on the website and and then CUP white played them again in a Buckeye league game a few weeks after and destroyed them 4-2

[jackhammer19]

THEY DIDNT BEAT CUP WHITE...Cup white tied the game 2-2 within the last seconds of the game..if this is the game your reffering to during the blast showcase..the scores are still on the website and and then CUP white played them again in a Buckeye league game a few weeks after and destroyed them 4-2

bro, I think they're talking about a different age group (U-16).

I believe your referring to the U-18's & that last game at Turpin.

[FUTBOOOL]

-There should be no disrespect given to team ohio, but more respect given to cup after they won disney beating 4 state cup champs, Javanon (KY), CESA FC (SC), Boston Bolts (MA and ex- region 1 champs), and Tulsa (OK).

-cups defense is really playing well considering they didn't give up a goal in disney until the finals, and also that's the FIRST time they've given up more than 1 goal in a game this year. Throughout the first 4 games, they probably only were shot on like 1 shot per game.

-I'm not taking anything away from Team Ohio's strikers and attack, but the teams cup played down there had better strikers, and cup still shut them out.

[patriot_soccer]

If you re talking U18, the recent buckeye game was played in some of the worst conditions as Turpin's field is a wind tunnel. Team Ohio also only had 11 players.

The game at Blast was a good game, and I feel Team Ohio and CUP White are pretty evenly matched in the U18 age group.

[soccerwatcher]

All of you, I wouldn't rule out or undermine the Eagles SC - word is that Bucci took over coaching responsibilities and has deep pockets for more intense training with already quality kids - supposedly had 100% of his kids doing speed and strength training. They really want to beat Team Ohio and get a state championship and think they will work really hard to get it.

Also, Team Ohio might get back a very good forward so I hear

Cup Red has clearly proven itself so far this year -although won't be competing in top division of MRL like Eagles and Team Ohio.

Spring matchups will be very good - this would be age group where anything can happen.

[FUTBOOOL]

also cup tied fc pride at germantown 1-1 (good game cup scored early but with 10 minutes left kid nailed a free kick) who are probably favored to win regionals with wolves a DA team. just throwin that out there.

[Maxsoccer6]

If you re talking U18, the recent buckeye game was played in some of the worst conditions as Turpin's field is a wind tunnel. Team Ohio also only had 11 players.

The game at Blast was a good game, and I feel Team Ohio and CUP White are pretty evenly matched in the U18 age group.

The score in the CUP white vs Team Ohio game was like 4-0 at half with out our top scorer not there....

[soccerwatcher]

also cup tied fc pride at germantown 1-1 (good game cup scored early but with 10 minutes left kid nailed a free kick) who are probably favored to win regionals with wolves a DA team. just throwin that out there.

If you look at CUP Red's BPYSL Record, you conveniently say the good games and leave out tie with COSA (although a good team) and 1-0 win over NK United - both not ranked teams but wanted to bust Team Ohio for their competition at Disney which were all State Champ contenders in their respective states.

No disrespect to CUP Red but just goes both ways.

[patriot_soccer]

The score in the CUP white vs Team Ohio game was like 4-0 at half with out our top scorer not there....

CUP may have been missing one player, Team Ohio was missing 6!

May you also recollect the game at Blast Showcase played under much better conditions, where CUP pulled out a last second goal just to earn a draw. And i'm not sure with the way that game was played you can say even say earned.

Its a good matchup, i think most would agree.

[FUTBOOOL]

soccerwatcher. for those games cup had 5 injured players.

[FUTBOOOL]

and most of 3 or 4 of them were starters.

[envelope]

CUP may have been missing one player, Team Ohio was missing 6!

May you also recollect the game at Blast Showcase played under much better conditions, where CUP pulled out a last second goal just to earn a draw. And i'm not sure with the way that game was played you can say even say earned.

Its a good matchup, i think most would agree.

It is interesting to see you write "earned". Cup White earned their birth, are you a unhappy player, did you let that last goal slip through at the Blast, was it to cold for you at Turpin?. Cup White plays well in rain, snow..........fog, you name it. The thing is when Cup White is missing players..........other players step up and show what they are made of. Cup White has a team in which every boy could start, very solid. Some teams in the league consider cup White a "B" team, when they get on the field with them they soon find out Cup White is "A" team. If they only had 11 on a given day those 11 would fight to the finish and not cry about no subs.

[soccerwatcher]

soccerwatcher. for those games cup had 5 injured players.

So why did you discount Team Ohio's missing players (Addis, Rieger, Stegner, Schmidt, Asensio, Gruesen)and injured players who were on the field (Carrel, Freidman (although a guest), Green) that were playing at Disney?

I think everyone respects the ability of both of these teams. Like I said before though, if you undersetimate the Eagles, you could get burned.

[futbolconvert]

So why did you discount Team Ohio's missing players (Addis, Rieger, Stegner, Schmidt, Asensio, Gruesen)and injured players who were on the field (Carrel, Freidman (although a guest), Green) that were playing at Disney?

I think everyone respects the ability of both of these teams. Like I said before though, if you undersetimate the Eagles, you could get burned.

CUP has already played Eagles this year and beat them. They also beat Eagles last year and beat them 5-0. They already know all of Eagles strengths and weaknesses and will move around their lineup accordingly.

[FUTBOOOL]

if you actually read what i was saying soccerwatcher is that no disrespect should be given to team ohio, just respect for cup.

[Converse]

Heard Roby Stahl was heading up the merger between NKunited, Cardinals. can anyone confirm??

[XU 05]

What about Ohio Elite? How did they do in the trip down to IMG in Bradenton, FL?

[futbolconvert]

What about Ohio Elite? How did they do in the trip down to IMG in Bradenton, FL?

haha good one

[Soccer1010]

i agree with that list except for one thing. fosc is pretty good so i would put fosc in there also. they have a competitive team and they just added a few players. they have a very strong midfield with mack hoban patrick rumpler and drew sullivan. they also have a completely new defense. they picked up 3st. x players one of which (sam schulte) was first team all gcl. they also have a pretty solid goalkeeper. i would keep an eye on fosc if i were you