M&D did not look the same because they are not the same. Missing several key players (one of whom is on the U19 National Team) and have several injuries as well.
So, I think this is what happens. You have a team full of players that have made committments to college, they are missing multiple key players, and frankly, their motivation to succeed in this particular format is mixed at best.
They are playing out the string so to speak. Real club ball for the top teams ends in 8th or 9th grade. After that, it does kind of degenerate as the players and their parents have their eyes on different prizes.
This is why if you look at the scores of these tournaments you will see lots of head scratches. However, upon closer inspection, it really isn't that hard to figure out. Teams that have been getting beat for years by the top teams are highly motivated to get some payback.
And all that makes for some interesting results.
Yellow Jackets and M&D were the dominant teams in this age group from the beginning through last year. They both had great runs. Unfortunately, neither of those teams really exist anymore.
On the other hand, you will be able to watch virtually all of those girls playing at the next level in about 15 months from now. | 
