Spent all day at Starfire on Sunday. We arrived shortly after 8:00 AM fueled by a Sausage McMuffin & Egg sandwich and OJ. Got home shortly after 8:00 PM. I would have written it then, but bed was a much more appealing option. (BTW, who was eliminated from Amazing Race?)
We saw hard-fought and well-played soccer throughout the day. As Dragon would say teams played with Heart and Fire. We also saw some things that were not as appealing.
In all we saw games involving teams from U11-U13, both boys and girls. I especially liked a couple of take charge referees who were not afraid to put overzealous coaches in their place.
Here’s some of the sights and sounds of our day on the banks of the Green River:
Most Intense Game: GU13 FW Reign vs. Crossfire/Porter. 0-0 regulation tie. Xfire had a goal called back on an offside call late in regulation. Their fans didn’t see the call and were yelling and screaming in delight. The FW fans saw it and felt relief, but then realized that the Center did not see the AR’s flag up. They were quite vocal in getting his attention and the goal was ultimately waved off. The range of emotions over those few seconds was amazing.
What I Would Have Liked to Seen: A GU12 final between ECFC Green and Eastside Red where both teams aren’t dead tired from already playing two games. Make no mistake ECFC was the better team in this one controlling the midfield and capitalizing when they had the opportunity. But having watched Eastside twice earlier, I could tell they were both mentally and physically tired. Combine that with the stellar play of ECFC and game didn’t live up to my expectation. Plaudits to ECFC. Your win was well-deserved and I look forward to more games between your teams throughout the year.
Best Dressed Coach: Whoever coached the GU13 Eagles (sorry I didn’t get your name). Your team may have struggled, but your dress slacks, dress shirt, and tie added a touch of class to the proceedings.
Best Save: Eastside goalie Cory, with her face, against Les Bois Mollay (a U13 playing down). I know this was on Saturday, but it was too good not to mention. It was point blank and I’m glad you’re OK. You are one tough player.
Best Weapon: Eastside’s #29. Her free kicks are a great weapon. Scored 2 vs. Crossfire-Schmetzer, one from the run of play from outside the 18 and another just before half on a free kick.
Best Goal: A rocket from outside the 18 to the upper left corner by Les Bois Mollay vs. Eastside on Saturday. Sorry I can’t remember her number (kinda like not getting the license number of the truck that just ran you over). Impressive, especially since you could see it developing. 2nd: Eastside GU11's 1st vs. NWN.
Most Fun to Watch: #13 NWN GU11. Little read-headed forward worked hard all game.
Best Center Refs: A three-way tie between the gentlemen who refereed the GU13 FCA Gold/Lake Oswego; GU12 Finale; and GU11 finale (see below). Combined solid decisions with decisive action and an ability to explain and communicate.
Sorest Loser: Sorry I had to include this category, but it was so egregious that it had to be mentioned. Northwest Nationals GU11 Red coach and fans. Yes, you were playing in your first final (no matter the Starfire website says it was Westsound vs. Eastside in the final) and had lost a 1-0 lead, but to blame the CR sets a bad example for your players. For the coach to stand with his foot on the ball preventing his team a throw-in to yell at the referee was classless. The CR was should have tossed you then, but his very public rebuke put you in your place. (editor’s note: I’m not mentioning names here because I do not know if this was their regular coach as some teams did not have their coaches and I do not want to assume). And to refuse to shake the referees hands after the game is completely childish. I hope your CD gets the referee’s report and has a serious sit down with you before your next tournament. You set the example for your players and parents and you failed miserably.
And to the NWN fans, not all, but some, who followed the referees to the fence and yelled at them. You know better or at least you should.
And lastly to Starfire:
How can you have teams playing in the wrong brackets? I know it’s been covered, but who’s rules are we following? Oregon’s, Idaho’s, Washington’s? It cheapens the competition and makes you look amateurish. You need to do a better job screening applicants to place them in their right age groups.
How can you justify playing U12 games on a U11 field – some in pool, but more importantly the GU12 semifinals. Plus 3 games in one day for teams making the finals is too much to expect top notch soccer in a finale.
It seems to me that you wanted to register as many teams as you could so you could make as much money as you can, and to heck with the integrity of the competition. Our team, for one, will not be back, a sentiment I heard from other teams as well.
Also – charging $5 for parking when the car arrives after 5:00 PM on Sunday to watch one game seems a little over the top. Prespective, please!
After re-reading this post, I apologize if it seems that the negative outweighs the positive. It was a fun day. We saw hard hard-fought and well-played soccer; fans that were into it; grandparents that were in midseason form; and I didn’t see any spectator/bicyclist accidents along the trail. Players competed hard and kept you on the edge of your chair or blanket with their skill and dedication. The ebb and flow of the games was constantly changing. I presented some of the less than stellar events hopefully to get people’s attention so we can become better players, coaches, fans, and tournament directors.
Thanks for reading and I guess we see each other in Snohomish.
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Topic: My Day at Starfire (Read 2607 times)