94/95 Girls

[cintisoccer]

So what teams have changed much from the spring season? CUP Gold picked up 7 new players, KSA Roberts picked up 7 new players, WC Blue fended off another club recruitment although their 2nd team was recruited away, CSA lost a few, not sure about Classics, Westside and TFA combined. What's changed with the Kentucky teams (LFC, Javanon)?

[Spader]

Good question. I'll add to this out of ignorance. What is the exact story with the KSA. They play out of both Ohio-South and Kentucky? Do the teams play in both states or are they exclusive to one or the other?

[cintisoccer]

KSA, the club we're with was formed by a merger of the Cardinals (Ohio South) and NK United (Kentucky). Their primary facility is in Northern Kentucky. Each team plays State Cup in the state where the majority of their players are from so each team can only play in 1 State Cup.

[Sideline]

Classics Hammer lost some and seem to be getting mostly KSA players, nothing more. OE academy picked up one difference maker. CSA gained, CUP added players, but probably did not gain

[TABKVB]

The Kentucky landscape

Javanon Black (Formally White) - Picked up 7 new players including 5 from the State Champ LFC team

LFC - Picked up 6 or 7 new players, mostly from the classic team

Javanon Red - Lost 2 players to the Black team and had several players move to United

Commonwealth - Picked up two former LFC players and a couple from the u16 Bluegrass team

United - To econd level team picked up several the the three time semi finalist Javanon Red Team

O'Borro - Last year made semi finals, I think have lost a couple players, not sure if they picked anyone up.

KSA - If their 'A' team ever plays in Kentucky they would challenge for State Cup. think they play in OS or KY based on where the majority of the players are from.

[TABKVB]

Javanon Black Picked up 7 new players, 5 from LFC

LFC picked up 5-6 new players, mostly from their classic team.

Owensboro I believe lost a couple of girls

Javanon Red lost a bunch of players two to the black team and quite a few to United

These were the final four teams from last year.

As for Kings here is what I heard. If the majority of their players live in Ohio then they have to play in Ohio South. If the majority live in Kentucky then they play in Kentucky. In this age group there 'A' team has played OS and there 'B' and 'C' teams have played in KY.

A sleeper team in KY cold be Commonwealth Gold. They have put together a solid team. They have there base group and have pick up several LFC players over the last 3 years including three more this year.

[cintisoccer]

Sideline must be talking about a different age group. The last time Classics Hammer picked up top team players from KSA/Cardinals was after the U11 season. CUP picked up some very good players, time will tell if they jell. I haven't heard of any standouts that CSA picked up but I guess it's possible.

[turfslide]

Anybody have any thoughts on the spring MRL season? My conclusions based off of recent tournament results:

Carmel - look very strong at this point. Not a great showing at CASL, but won third place game at Disney. Finally have a healthy roster. Beat the Hawks (fall MRL champs) 1-0 in a friendly in December. Have the potential to be the dominant team they used to be a couple years ago.

OP Green - results have been very sub par lately. Went 0-2-1 in Dallas, with 2 GF and 6 GA. Tough competition, but not results up to OP standards. Not sure if the merger with the Eagles had as big of an impact on this age group as it did with others.

Warren County - won a strong division at CASL (included several strong teams - NASA, Blast, HBC, Cleveland). Have lost some talent over the years, but still return their strong core of players. Always been well coached (UD head coach is the assistant coach). Should be stronger than many would expect this spring.

CUP - nice results for a team with the number of new players they have. Reached semi finals at CASL, finals at Disney, before losing to a strong Eclipse South team. I'd keep this team under the radar, as they have the potential to be a very strong team in the spring.

Javanon - similar to CUP, good results for a team that picked up many new players. Also reached semi finals at CASL, went 1-2 at Disney. Results haven't been spectacular, but like CUP, I'd also keep this team under the radar as they might need more time to gel to become a dominant team.

Cleveland - CASL results were very sub par. Lost to WC 5-1, also lost to CASL's second team. Have a couple of real strong players (including one on the national team), but have never gotten the results that some of the more elite teams in the state have gotten thus far. However, with the talent they have, it would be safe to say that they are a team to never be taken lightly.

Dynamo - results at CASL were not very impressive. Went 0-3, including a 6-0 loss to Michigan Rush. Went 0-0-3 at Disney against some quality teams (Brandon FC, Greensboro), but only found the net once between both tournaments. It could be a long spring if this team doesn't figure out a way to score.

Metro FC - went 1-2 at CASL in one of the tournament's lower divisions. They lost one of their strongest players to CUP, but have always been a scrappy defensive team (two of the games at CASL were 1-0 losses). Without a doubt, the second best team from the 937, behind the Galaxies (who should be in the Premier division). I'd look for this team to play many of the better teams to close games this season.

Burnsville - don't know a whole lot about this team, but they did beat a strong MN Thunder team to win the Minnesota state championship. Went 0-2-1 in Sioux Falls in one of the tougher groups. Don't really know enough to make a prediction on how this team will compete in the MRL in the spring.

Would be interesting to see how the top 5 teams in this MRL division would compete against the top 5 from last fall's premier division (Eclipse, Hawks, Sockers, Michigan FC, FC Milwaukee).

[Spurs1960]

Thought I would put my two cents in with the Indiana teams.
Carmel Elite and Dynamo swapped some players from last year. Carmel let two forwards go, and picked up at least one player from their blue team as a forward. Good solid player that can hold the ball well. They also picked up a solid defender from Dynamo. Carmel does now have everyone fit and have a new coach which should help them play at a higher level than last year.
Dynamo picked up the two players from Carmels Elite team and two defenders from the blue team and their goalie, which should help. Dynamo did not have a solid full time goalie before. To Dynamo's credit this winter and spring they have not had their best midfielder as she is recovering from ACL surgery from last falls high school season. Not sure when she will be back. They also have a new coach (Jacklin) who should whip them into shape. Dynamo will be a very difficult team to break down defensively.
By the way, five Indiana teams are playing at the PUMA region III championships this coming weekend. Carmel Elite seem to have a pretty light schedule for the spring as far as tourneys.
Dynamo (MRL P)
Carmel Blue (MRL 1)
Fort Wayne sport (MRL 1)
Fort Wayne Fever (MRL 1)
Zionsville
The top four will all be playing MRL this spring. I can't make it so any feedback if any of you get to see any of them play would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Spurs1960]

Thought I would add my two cents for the Indiana teams.
Carmel Elite and Dynamo swapped some players since last season.
Carmel Elite picked up a Solid defender from Dynamo, and moved at least one forward up from the Blue team (Holds the ball well and has good skills). They have everyone fit and a new coach. They should be a better, more consistent team than last season.
Dynamo got two forwards from Carmel Elite, and picked up two defenders and a goalie from Carmel Blue. They have not had a solid full time goalie so this should help them. They also have a new coach. Their strongest midfielder has been recovering from ACL surgery from last fall so did not play over the winter. Not sure when or if she'll be ready for the spring season, but I suspect she will return towards the end of spring. Dynamo will be an even tougher team to break down defensively
Five Indiana teams are playing in the Puma Region III Championship this next weekend.
Dynamo
Carmel Blue
Fort Wayne Sport
Fort Wayne Fever
Zionsville
The first four are all playing MRL (the middle three in 1st div.). I will not be there so if anyone gets to see any of them play would you give a report. Thanks.
Also, I noticed Javanons 2nd team is ranked regionally. Is that valid.