2009 boys thread

See how easy it is to get all those teams mixed up?

 

They are already adding RSL - Central based out of ASU west. Think that will be the base for west side.



https://www.rsl-az.com/news_article/show/1220344

 

Final MLS standing:
RSL 7th
Del Sol 11th
Rising 16th

the MLS southwest division is moving to 21 teams next season. If everything stays the same the division would play at total of 40 MLS games! Maybe there will be some division mix-up next season. A possible split perhaps?

You would expect RSL to have two high quality MLS teams based on how well their EA team performed in season and Academy team performance at the Dallas Cup.

Rising brought a new looking team to the last game of the year vs RSL and got beat easily 4-1. Maybe this does not mean much for next season but then again maybe there are deeper troubles brewing at Rising.

Del Sol had some interest from a few top players. Probably a result of their strong second half of the season . No doubt Andy Ward is a top u13-u14 coach in my mind. It’s been a bit since I’ve seen a team make up this type of ground over a single season. I wouldn’t expect any drop off going into next season.

I wonder if any of the Arsenal players made their way over to RSL East valley MLS? Seeing as thought they had arguably the 2nd or 3rd best team in the state I wouldn’t be surprised if one or two Arsenal players pop up on RSL next season . Seems as though most parents get blinded by the RSL promise of a direct pro pathway instead of focusing on the true objective…college.

 

Great write up, RLS is going to get better next season, their new coach is the real deal. SC del Sol did improve a ton and I agree Andy is one of the best coaches in the age group. What really helped SC del Sol was when they brought the 09s that played 08 back to 09. They have a few special players, especially their forward.

 

RSL got a new coach for the 09s? Do you know who’s coaching Team A and Team B?
Andy should get an award for what he accomplished with his roster. Yes, the forward is an impact player but you also have to see the scores from the past 15 games. Andy was able to really develop them to defend as a team.

 

I'm not sure who will coach the B team but Juan Fresquez is coaching the A team. He came to RLS from LAFC. I also agree that Andy was the best MLS Next coach in AZ last season.

 

I'm not sure this is the case with Rising at all. Andy hasn't coached much of the 09 group since December and I would argue the team actually went backwards vs. forward throughout the year. They play a very direct, high press, and rely on counter and speed/physicality approach (same as the 1st team)... Problem is, they don't have much speed or physicality. They have added some players, but not enough to make a large jump until they change their style of play. I think with Ross taking over this group next year you will see a more possession based offense vs the kick and run.

I see RSL rostering 2 strong teams, but have heard rumblings of folks who were on the "1st" MLS team being sent to the "2nd" MLS team unhappy and looking into rising and del sol though haven't seen any official moves yet. Time will tell.

As far as Rising rostering a different team vs RSL, it was the exact same group outside of a goalkeeper and 1 ecnl boy who has been moved to the MLS roster for next year. The game looked very similar to the first though the score was tied in the first and 1-4 in the second. Both games RSL handled business IMO. Score doesn't always tell the whole story, unfortunately; though it's all we have to go by if you weren't at the games.

Next years rankings:
RSL #1
Del Sol #2
RSL Mesa #3
Rising #4

 

Juan is a great pickup for RSL as Kraus will be a hard one to replace. He's doing an amazing job and easily did the best job with that group meshing 2 high level teams plus a few other additions.

Kraus and Ward can compete with who was the best with Del Sol having the BEST turnaround losing to Rising 0-5 in the first game of the year and beating them 2-0 in the second. They brought down their 2 kids, but that just doesn't justify a 7 goal swing. They moved the ball well and even kids who were visibly not athletic and had room to improve on first touch etc, knew where to go with the ball before it got to their feet. Well done Del Sol making the most out of the talent they had.

Rising had a better roster IMO than del sol, but faired much worse in record, ranking, and heads up play....

Not sure where the argument comes from Andy being the best coach in MLS... He's yet to prove himself IMO. Only time will tell.

 

I think in the original post they were referring to what Andy Ward accomplished in the 2nd half from Del Sol and not Andy Chapman from Rising.

 

I was talking about Andy Ward. I think he did a great job.

 

Agreed.

 

Although you analysis of 2009 MLS Rising and how they fit into Andy Chapman's coaching strategy was pretty astute.

They play a very direct, high press, and rely on counter and speed/physicality approach (same as the 1st team)... Problem is, they don't have much speed or physicality. They have added some players, but not enough to make a large jump until they change their style of play. I think with Ross taking over this group next year you will see a more possession based offense vs the kick and run.​