Monday, January 14, 2019

U18 Girls Youth Soccer

This page is focused on Under 18 girls youth soccer, primarily in Region 1 and everyone is invited to post.

Teams face increased competition for the top players, (who are increasingly attending college showcases).

More teams consolidate and the best teams--academy soccer, club soccer and high school teams--battle to attract and retain the right player mix.

Stay tuned. This is bound to be good.

2,858 comments:

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Anonymous said...

I'm not the one questioning her or your level. It's whatever she or you want out of it. All of this is. If it wasn't important to her, then it wasn't. Some think good academics in a college pick is important; some don't. It's whatever you/your kid wants out of it.

Anonymous said...

This is from ECNL website, too: "Players are selected for the ECNL PDPs based on their performance in ECNL competitions..." So, it's not just random selection. It's based on performance in competition.

Oh, and yes, there is input from others:
ECNL scouts are assigned to observe and analyze ECNL games at each ECNL National Showcase Event. A standardized evaluation program has been established by the ECNL for these scouts whereby identified players will be evaluated on a variety of technical, tactical, physical, and psychological characteristics based upon their performances. ECNL scouts include coaches from member clubs of the ECNL, independent coaches, coaches with experience with US Soccer Youth National Teams, and coaches from top Division I, II, and III colleges.

Anonymous said...

157 ..Firstly, I know several kids who declined. Scondly i responded to 129 who said

Lol you don't understand high level club soccer at all. No way your kid is of the level.

Fairly clear no ?

Anonymous said...

215 If you believe that becasue it written , then I cant help you.

Anonymous said...

2:41 - didn't realize a blog wasn't open for discussion. So, I was responding to you. Some things not important to you or your kid that are to others. That's it. And that is pretty clear, right?

Anonymous said...

157 go read 129 again . OP it basically saying that no elite player should decline a Pdp invite. I say why not? I believe that there are many ways to approach things and most are valid. 129s view is not close to reality.

Anonymous said...

2:42 - I don't think it's gospel, no. But, I do think that guidelines are used.

Anonymous said...

of course you can respond. Why not say that to 129. He seems to think everyone has to do it his way and value the PDP like he does. Your opening remark about questioning levels seems irrelevant in that that it was not addressed to you . Only one person here thinks there is only one route and that attending Pdp is of vital importance to a soccer player. Not me.

Anonymous said...

I do as well. Some kids may be rewarded for showing up and playing and some kids aren't. And, maybe that is what other coaches have seen as well with some of the list. You step onto the field, you play. You take off plays, it gets noticed.

Anonymous said...

Because you put it out there that she was invited and declined. And you noted that her level may not be that high. It doesn't matter. What matters is that she was invited and decided it wasn't important. Sorry to point out the obvious.

Btw - A blog is not person specific. It's an open forum. And, what if I happen to agree with that person? I know. Mindblowing huh?

Anonymous said...

My kid's DOC/coaches would be very angry if a kid declined PDP participation for anything other than injury or National camp. They want the club well represented. They also want the top kids recognized for potential advancement. Your kid (and probably you) would have to answer to him if your kid decided to take the day off to do something she would rather do because she was not a "soccer junkie". You could also forget another ID event invitation. You can say well that's ridiculous we would leave the club then. he would say only serious soccer players belong in the top tier.

Anonymous said...

305 .. you obviously missed the point. Op keeps stating that a. the kid is not serious player and cannot be good. I merely pointed out that she was invited so the standard cannot be that high. I guess the sarcasm was lost on you.

yes its open, but usually responding directly to someone is just that, Its a response. If you read all of it, HE called my child abilty in to question.simply becasue she had other soccer real;ted activities she considered more pressing. His assumptions are just that. I quite happy and supportive of her decision,.

318 .. if you think going to a pdp or not defines a serious player, then fair enough. We pay the club, they dont pay us. If they want to pay us for representing the club, then they can dictate what people do or dont attend. ID invitations will not define a player. Ability and work rate will. If she never gets invited again, so be it. A serious soccer player is not defined by pdps and id events.she will be defined by what she does on the field and in practice with her teammates

What would you say if a kid had 3 big tests at school a decided she could not spare the time ? is that ok ?

Anonymous said...

Because your kid is the only one that had several tests that attended, right? Of course that is important, too.

I'm not the OP, but my kid had a thesis paper and studying for her several AP class tests as well. Still attended, still got in her paper and still took her tests. All of this is important to her and me.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, because she had several tests and decided not to attend. Just pointing out that other kids have the same stresses and juggling and happened to fit in all of it.

Anonymous said...

I think this subject has been beaten enough. Some kids/parents value things like PDP and some don't. Some kids are better at juggling all of their commitments and some aren't. Different views that's all. And, guess what? The world will still turn.

Anonymous said...

That's what the GDA is for. Group the top soccer junkie kids together. Unfortunately they made it too big. It won't be selective enough to provide clearly the top competition. Although it may be better than it was in some areas. I am hearing most of the top players where there are both da and ecnl going da but much of the "depth" deciding like the above guy that it isn't worth the time and sacrifice. By the way I personally don't believe the guy who says his kid turned down the pdp invitation because she had something better to do.

Anonymous said...

It was fine as far as grouping. There were 45 kids, total for 4 teams. Most teams had 11 kids and 1 had 12. Unlike the prior years, they intentionally didn't have bigger numbers like 60.

Anonymous said...

While I agree that this is what GDA is about, I don't understand some of your post.
What do you mean some are both da and ecnl? You know DA teams have not been picked yet, right?
And, if these, many of these, are the kids that will be invited to participate in the GDA, which I agree, then how was the depth missing? Were there a few bubble kids? Sure. But, overall, the top kids there deserved it and showed it.

Anonymous said...

6:52, i think 6:01 was referring to the GDA being too large overall as far as club inclusion. The rest of that post, I am lost. But, I don't think he/she meant PDP was too large. But maybe he/she did.

Anonymous said...

1) Girls Da too many clubs aka "too big" not selective enough
2) DA intended for soccer junkie types willing to sacrifice time and other activities including social for soccer at the highest level and greatest advancement opportunities
3) in clubs with both da and ecnl like pda the top kids are choosing the da but the kids on the current ecnl rosters the "depth" players like 9-15 are worried about the sacrifice and maybe not experiencing the advantages because they aren't playing much. On the fence. Similarly might be some flight from da clubs of these depth players to ecnl where they can play school ball, have a social life and still play at a good level in the exnl. Match fit Bethesda and continental for example might pick up some solid but not top tier players to add to their depth.

Anonymous said...

What is the "database" that some spoke about? And, who has access to it? Is it something club DOC's can see or just college coaches or just USSF? Thank you!

Anonymous said...

432 i dont get your point at all. Its not relevant whether she ws the only one or not is it. The only point is that she thinks that was more relevant to HER than a PDP. The fact that your didn't is great. I think the real point is, she does not see a PDP as being important to her soccer development. Every player is different and all im telling you is that feeling is not isolated.

Anonymous said...

930

1. they cant be selective and fill the teams. There are not enough high level players. PDP is a great example. you have 45 kids form the entire conference across how many teams ? 6 ? Ans there are players there who from a talent level, do not belong. And yet we a re goingg to supposrt what 4 DA teams?

2. What advancement? A real soccer junkie is already doing that. All the GDA is doing is making their job of scouting easier and getting parents to pay for it as usual. Its effectively the ECNL for the USSF. the same way that the ECNL is the scouting network for the NCAA . the only material difference between ECNL and GDA will be the players and where they choose to play. Thats why the ECNL media blitz and Club acquisition has become so aggressive.

Colleges are still going to recruit the best players no matter where they play and in spite of the way its run, the USSF is not a Club or College. It does not give you a 4 yr commitment. Its not particularly well run and poor performance is not met with change. they dont really care much about the individual. The carrot of perhaps being on the NT Youth radar is prett weak imo. IF a player has the talent , then by the time they get to College, no one care if they played for YNTs or not. If the player is performing at a high level, they stand the same chance of seelction. GDA or no GDA

3. there is an assumption here that the best players will do GDA. maybe. but here is a hypothetical. what happens if THE best player on a club decides to do ECNL? That wuill ahve a big impact.

Reality is the GDA is a long term investment in players, but to me its too late. the GDA should be aimed at the younger ages as well. 14 is getting too late to make a real difference.

Anonymous said...

PLEASE STOP WITH THE PDP DISCUSSION!!!!!
We get it...there is more than one opinion about it!!!!

Anonymous said...

Exactly!!!
My daughter had an invite but couldn't go. She had a bday party to attend.

Anonymous said...

916 then add to the board and suggest a topic.

828
1 The best 45 kids were not there and not because some decided to go to a birthday part. Many teams had kids who failed to earn an invitation that are better than those that did. Not because of politics but because apparently they strive to balance the invitations among the teams. In this age group for example: lets say for the sake of argument that there were 12 00s invited to PDP (I honestly don't know how many there were). They would have had a much stronger group of 00s if they had simply invited the top 6 PDA kids, top 3 WC kids and top 2 PF and MF kids. Maybe would have had a stronger group if all 12 were PDA kids! The PDA team is a collection of talent and will make a very strong GDA at Sky Blue. No idea whats up with Cedar stars. WC will be great with a terrific base, great coach and in combination with top players filtering in from other clubs. Albertson don't know. Penn Fusion will be respectable if they just stay the same and maybe really good if the top players from Strikers and CFC come out. Probably unlikely except maybe a few juniors.
2 Advancement opportunities we the golden ring is an invitation to YNT camps and possible caps. Second top level D1 school with real money. Both of those will have the nod to GDA. A real soccer junkie may get similar training playing with boys, but they will need to have the credibility and eyes on them. The USSF is in a war with the ECNL maybe that a kid has a better chance playing USYSA and ODP to be seen for camps if the USSF digs in. My kid has specifically been told by two top 25 coaches that they cannot adequately evaluate players unless they are playing against top competition.

If the ECNL doesn't remain strong it may not provide the competition that the top coaches seek. That said it will always be ok for the next tier and downward. It is not true that the coaches will find the "best" players no matter where they play and against whom. Point of fact is they can't know this kid scoring goals all over the place against low level competition will do the same against ACC or Big 10 defenses. They say that themselves. How often do you see an all state player with tons of goals remain silent in the ECNL? I can name several.

Witness the boys side. While the DA may not immediately tip the scales, it definitely will over time. I have an older boy and saw it all happen.

3) Yes for the next couple of years mid major girls will have a tough time choosing choosing DA over high school and many will not. However, the top girls on the rosters who have been to camps and aspire to remain in the running or to return playing DA is a no brainer. Similarly the top college coaches are encouraging their commits to play at the highest level so as to be best ready to hit the ground running. Yup next year may not be clear what the highest level is, but in the future no confusion will exist. For some of us with younger kids or who are involved in coaching etc, the future is relevant.

Anonymous said...

Curioous how many GDA clubs will allow seniors to play high school ball and join team after 2 months...
This article kept the door open for this to happen...
http://www.soccerwire.com/news/clubs/youth-girls/about-face-heinrichs-says-girls-development-academy-will-allow-high-school-play/

Any valid answers appreciated...not rumors

Anonymous said...

1153

1.and 2 there is now way we have enough YNT level talent in the NE to fill the number of teams. I dont think even PDA does. use PDA 00s as an example. You have 4 or 5 kids on that team with YNT experience ? Most recent being a GK. The rest have not been in camps for a little while. It a safe assumption to say they have the talent, so basically in last 2 years of PDA training, why are they not back in YNTs on a consistent basis? And is changing the label to GDA going to change that.?

I dont know what the reason is, could be many many things, but you get the point. I dont see GDA making any real difference to anyone at PDA or any other big well run ECNL club. These clubs already offer a path to any school out hter if good enough.
Soccer is a small world so I sand by my comment. If good enough , the Club and the coaches provide that credibility. IF DoC is vouching for said players talent, then no issue.

This competition theory .let me ask you a question. If player A plays for a loaded team in a weak conference. Is that good competition? is it easier to play for PDA or Stars ? Should I be discounting those player performances and elevating others basdfd on your theory? Your analog is bad. We could have a entire section devoted to HS soccer and things like All state and what it may or may not mean. All these kids are on teams and the relative strengths are very different. Boys DA is a bad comparison because there was no boys ECNL.

Its a coaches job to project talent. he gets paid to do that. Equally they dont know if the kid scoring vs ECNL teams will do the same in ACC or Big10. see above.. Eg Striker 2 on a team that had a dominant ST1 who is the focus of the other team. ST 2 gets a bunch of goals , doe sthat translat if asked to be ST1 on a loweer level ACC or Big !) team who are worse than most of the teams in conference ? Point is we dont know and nor do they.

3. I dont know what a mid major girl is. there is no real correlation between soccer ability and choice of college. Again, if said kids have gotten to that level without the GDA, then why do they suddenly need it? I dont dispute that is relevant to younger kids, but my comments are based on a 16/17 blog.

Anonymous said...

1246 its case by case. It depends on the roster when HS ends. I think it will be a very tough one, because you have to consider the impact on the kids who gave it up. Like everything in these Clubs, im sure it will come down to the ability of the player in question.

Anonymous said...

Sorry fact: highest level college coaches are determining which competition they deem valid for analysis and attend events and games accordingly. You can say baloney or whatever, but some may appreciate the information so I reiterate. If your child aspires to play at the highest level in college she must play in events frequented by these colleges and against competition stiff enough to provide them an adequate barometer of her play.
I was indeed speaking more globally and long term. I am involved in coaching and have younger kids. Some others may too, on this blog and may find the comments useful. There is no generic soccer landscape category so I am posting here. Skip onward if you don't wish to consider what I say.

College coaches do indeed have some relationships with certain club coaches and in fact some are themselves club coaches. But their livelyhood is on the line and they make scholarship decisions based on their own eyes against adequate competition. Again you can argue all you want, but just ask a top 25 school coach and you will hear the same. They certainly have a higher chance of carrying forward their scoring to the ACC, SEC or the big 10 if they are doing so in the ECNL rather than EDP/NPL/Region1 league and the coaches are well aware of that.

Top Players are going to power 5s next tiers mid majors, with a few exceptions as there are with any rule.
Top Players this age group:
Virginia, Duke, South Carolina, Rutgers, Northwestern, Miami, Georgia, Virginia Tech, Syracuse (and others I am sure I forget) with the exception being Ivy's and Georgetown for obvious reasons they are in a desirable category of their own.

Also sometimes exception is someone who wants all of college paid for. Full scholarships are well know for top players in less successful P5s, but are much more common for top players and maybe slightly lesser players at most midmajors. Top Players go to top schools in top conferences. Is what it is. Not intuitive to you?

The GDA in this age group will be variable. The top players going to the above schools will certainly play in it. The next tier down will be variable in their decisions partially based on their perception of their likely playtime in the no re entry environment.

Anonymous said...

Im bnot sure I understand your point at all.. I think the majority of kids i know use soccer to go to the best academic opportunity that can that fits them and not the school that plays the best soccer.


is that a list of the schools the players you consider to be top are attending? if so I dont see the relevance. They did all that without the GDA right? So my point is that good enough competition was created in an environment with HS soccer, a team per age group and 2/3 practices a week.

if you argument is that competition will be watered down, I agree. it will be watered down in BOTH GDA and ECNL.

When you say stiff enough, I believe that the ECNL will certainly be that for a while. its better to say they want to see players play above a certain level. It does not have to be the highest level. I think that the best COllege coaches reach out to DoCs and respected coaches to ask about players they are about to make big commitments to. They ask questions.

GDA annexing essentially the ECNL landscape , re branding it and calling it something different is a bit disingenuous. Essentially they are competing for exactly the same players.


Anonymous said...

Is the 2000 group the best we have seen in a long time. 3 kids in Full NT camps in the space of 2 months. Incredible.

Anonymous said...

Who said anything about needing the GDA to accomplish college soccer scholarships at top schools? The fact is that it will be here next year and change the landscape blogs like this provide an avenue for discussion.
Dont disagree that ECNL will stay relevant especially in areas without GDA. I also think it will slowly decline to reach a new status quo. SO we are in agreement on the short term. I am trying to spark discussion on the long term landscape. I believe the GDA should have been half as big as they put forward and really tried to consolidate talent in a more meaningful way.

Anonymous said...

11:53 - you are clueless. Do you even have a kid that plays or do you just creep the soccer blogs pretending to be all knowing? Here's a tip if you are good, pick the winners at Vegas.

Anonymous said...

3:30 - sounds like you are fishing. 1999's have been pretty well represented for a bit, too and 1998's. As far as 2000's based on what I saw at PDP, some may return and others may join and/replace them.

Anonymous said...

2:41 - college coaches also ask current players and those already recruited that they consider a top get for intel as well.

Anonymous said...

843 what did you see at PDP?

Anonymous said...

330

Still - just as often you will see a WNT player come from the collegiate ranks after a fine career - rather than up through the youth system

There will be a nice mix of early and late bloomers moving forward.

Wouldnt you agree?

Anonymous said...

Name WNT players who were not involved in the youth system. Alex Morgan was on the u20s

Anonymous said...

I think they are saying the younger ages (U14-U19). A Morgan was called up in college as have some others have been.

Anonymous said...

It's over.
http://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/19048282/women-final-four-mississippi-state-bulldogs-stand-connecticut-huskies-epic-upset

Anonymous said...

Curious but which others have gotten contracts with the full team who were not in the youth programs before u20?

Anonymous said...

Parents.
To clarify :
PDP recommendations are up to the clubs DOC. They get a preadsheet and send back the names.
The ecnl director then picks who and how many from that particular club.
AND YES some, many kids decline due : to rest, already committed,injury, no need to attend bla bla bla

Anonymous said...

8:42 - any reason why you are continuing with this subject? It has been put to sleep already. Nite nite....get it.

Anonymous said...

Hahaha...yep. Empty barrels make the most noise.

Anonymous said...

1128/1129 Topic that provoked discussion and you close it down. What is th point of a forum then? Why dont you list the things we are allowed to talk about to save us all time.

Thanks

Anonymous said...

It provoked a topic,but has been over done. Most moved on or maybe you didn't read that far. Topic now is try-outs from what I am reading.

Anonymous said...

Not trying to sound glib, but let's move past the PDP. Now, what to do? What are kids doing at this age? Had a clear path, but not sure. Parental influence taking over it seems and it's not good.

Anonymous said...

958 I read some twitter talk on Pulisic. all sorts of people debating who gets credit for him. A commentator i respect said, his parents. I agree. parent influence is a good thing. The clear path has never changed. The path to improvement has always been the same. ECNL.GDA etc have never changed it. You work hard, you surround yourself with good people.

Too many people look outside for the answer. For some magic dust. Does not exist.

Anonymous said...

Maybe you are not understanding. Parental influence taking over team as far as who gets to play and what positions. Never good. That's not magic dust. That's plain old dirt.

Anonymous said...

Agree with OP, can't surround yourself with good people if they are the ones considering moving as a result. Perfume on a turd is still a turd.

Anonymous said...

Lol this a forum and any topic that provokes discussion is good. 928 in answer to your question: I saw one kid just tear it up. Guess which club?

Anonymous said...

just sounds like they are not good people. Move.

Anonymous said...

135 then just say that. Dont know your club, but if your coaching staff allow parents to dictate terms, then you made a mistake.

Anonymous said...

The higher level your kid plays the less parental influence you will encounter. Regarding Pulisic. I also heard that interview with Jim Curtain. I also know why he said what he said.

Both Christians parents are soccer players. Arguably his mother was the better player. His father went on the play in the professional indoor league when it was the top level in the USA. Then coached at the collegiate level (Lebanon valley college) professionally with I think the Michigan indoor team and then back to Pa Ckassics. At classics he always coached Christians teams as Klein coaches his son and others have always done. There is some controversy over whether that is a smart thing, but for Christian it definitely was. As a late bloomer he needed a style that fit his game to maximally develop. He wasn't going to win 50-50s launched forward by a direct team. He wasn't going to win 50-50 balls played to him through errant passes. He needed a technical team around him to shine maximally and frankly to keep him healthy. His dads teams were always very technically focused. They tended to be smaller than average too. They played a beautiful brand of soccer.

Then when he outgrew them and the best the USA had to offer, they knew when to put his development into the hands of others best able to guide his development. Because his grandfather was Croatian he was granted a European passport which allowed him to circumvent the FIFA rules on child professional contracts and went to Dortmaund. His father and mother made what I am sure was a clear but difficult decision to split the family and he went to Germany with Christian while his mother and sister stayed in the USA.

They also trained Christian themselves for many hours even as a tiny little boy. They probably put countless hours into him. Teaching him skills, the game and the joy of soccer. They didn't interfere in his youth soccer developmental experience, they piloted it. As a result we have our first real American #10

Anonymous said...

648

What is so hard to understand is how a country this large can produce so little. I talk about kids enjoying the game, and parents surrounding them with good people all the time. People laugh at that. The stock response is, your kid must be bad, i guess your team loses , blah blah. In the USA we associate good people with those that win. We rarely let the kids enjoy the game. its l showcases, tournaments, organized leagues and yelling from the sidelines.

So I guess its really not that surprising.

Anonymous said...

Only one measure is ever used....results, results, results.
Same reason the forwards and strikers always get nod...

Anonymous said...

My daughter's last team crashed an burned based on Parental influence. 3 girls came in from the same club, unfourtunately they brought their parents with them. It was a disastouros season for everyone else and even with the parental influence the end game they were hoping for did not pan out. My perspective. They came in claiming that their daughters were being scouted by quality college coaches and they would bring those looks for the other players. At the end of the day when the commitments came out none of the 3 commited to their top schools, actually players from their old team grabbed the coveted spots,the team itself dropped in standings and performance from the previous year, and this year for the three resulting teams (U17, U18 and composite) it has been a rough start.

Anonymous said...

815 dont understand how your comment is related to the 648 post

Anonymous said...

945 the parental ifluence is only a problem when a team/club has weak leadership
So what's up with this composite stuff. Has it turned into the ECNL B team? has it been worthwhile? Seems to me that the 00 kids from last year's 99/00 teams are benefitting from the restructure with extra looks coming from coaches drawn to the younger 2019 00s while the older 99s were screwed. The older 00s benefit from training/playing "up" every day. The 2019 00s seem to be impacting rosters significantly.

Anonymous said...

1127 I dont understand this whole "looks" thing. A good player will get attention. Relying on other player being good is to miss the pint. I cant help but feel that so much of girls soccer in the US is driven by the scholarship opportunities and not the game itself. Its another reason for the parent involvement. Parents struggle to exert influence when ability makes things clear, but so little real time is focused on getting better that so many kids are equivalent.

This whole game seems to be about finding ways to differentiate average players form each other as opposed to developing great ones.

Anonymous said...

11:27 - not on our team. We have a couple great 00's and then a few good ones, but not enough. The soccer iq is just not there. Some wonder why they are even on the team as they should be on the next level down.

These kids have no idea how to play their positions, but due to parental influence as discussed above, they get playing time. Some get a lot over much better and talented kids. So, when the coach doesn't send out the correct line up or continuously changes it so they can get NO chemistry, what can you do? The better kids are frustrated with the constant changes.

It's like watching the She Believes Cup. Some good players on the bench instead of on the field and/or in crazy positions. What a train wreck.

And believe it or not we are still a decent team because the better players bail out the coach. Just think how good they would be if their own coach didn't coach against them and actually tried to help them. Oh wait, isn't that what MOST clubs do? Guess ours didn't get that memo.

Anonymous said...

A couple of great younger/2019 00's and then a few good ones, but not enough - is what was omitted from above.

Anonymous said...

1256 do the results matter to you?

Anonymous said...

Saw your post. We have the same issue. I wonder if it is because of the birth year thing. Most of the younger 00's don't seem to have a grasp on what is expected of them. Somebody should scream to them, nutmegging at U15 works. At this level, you will most likely loose possession if that is your go to. Learn to dribble or actually pass the ball around the girl; create a lane. And, our coach is blind to this too. Although we do have same line ups so they have consistency. We took care of this in practice or early on not game time.

Anonymous said...

1:06 - Of course results matter. I don't care about wins/losses if the product is good. But, when the product isn't good. That is a problem. And, surely you get that the results matter to club and the kids.

Anonymous said...

111 So how do you make the product good? everyone pays the same fees. You need say 17 on a team. You dont have access to every player, so how do you make the product good and respect everyone on a Club?

Its actually pretty hard to do.

Results probably matter to the Club, Im not sure they matter to that many kids judging by the effort level in many games I see. Sure, kids want to win, but I dont see that many act that way consistently from game to game.

Anonymous said...

108 What is expected of them? is there any real value in the system we have created to being a team player? most games are a series of individual auditions in a team concept. Playing the game in a simple efficient manner is not celebrated. Doing a few flashy things is.

Ultimately you will produce what you incentivize

Anonymous said...

I think results matter to the competitive kids. They are the ones that play the whole game and I don't mean don't get a break (as some don't), but I mean every second they are in the game; they are IN the game. They are connected. They are breaking it down and intently playing not taking off plays. For those kids, yes results matter. Good games matter. Good play; good team play matters. And, good coaching decisions do as well.

Anonymous said...

I have also seen "legacy Players" along with the Parental influence paradigm. Coaches that come to a new team or moved up with the age change seem to favor their players over DOC choices. One team at our club took mostly the younger '00 players for the top team and sent the older players down. The coach moved up with the players. The older ones that stayed around are now dealing with a lower level of play and less numbers and quality all around. For some it is good as now the girls are on teams with only 16 players, but the quality from top to bottom is not what it once was. I can almost see the DOC stepping in and moving NPL players up to the ECNL squad. This actually happened last year when tryout results came out before the end of the season and some of the older players just left when the rosters were released.

Anonymous said...

I hear ya. I actually think some of the lack of consistency in line ups has cost some of our girls good looks and opportunities. They are covering for lesser talent. So maybe they are out of position or doing more at times because they are playing two positions.

Anonymous said...

1:30 good players celebrate the other good solid players. I think Tobin Heath is flashy and she is my favorite player. But, I also think she knows when she can be flashy and when she needs to just be solid. A few flicks not bad and keeps other team guessing. But, too many, then they figure it out. Solid play is what the good players and coaches celebrate.

Anonymous said...

How about when it becomes quite obvious that the coach only cares about the offense?

Anonymous said...

1:32 - wow. that sounds like a hot mess. Hope it all works out.

Anonymous said...

1:50 - oh you may be on my kid's team. :)

Anonymous said...

point is you dont hand pick the kids. you dont pick kids that complement each other. you are not really trying to build a team. All the stuff that is being brought up here would be fine if this was pro sports, but its not. Some kids care, some dont. Some are talented, some less so.

These teams are as much products of circumstance as anything else. You play as well as you can when in the game and thats that.

I lot of what i read here sounds like parents who want to be more involved.

Anonymous said...

130 but they dont have any real control over the other kids. What is a good coaching decision ? benching kids, playing others the whole game? Hiding a weaker kid for 20mins? man marking the oppositions best player? Seriously, what is the coaches responsibility on game day and to whom? remember on most clubs, everyone is paying the same.

Anonymous said...

2:07 Yes, and when some kids don't care, you show them the bench. Or, you pull up other kids from the younger team that would looove to show their stuff or learn and have an opportunity.
Do I want to be involved? No. I have done my time in a coaching capacity; without pay.
Maybe you are one of the boosters that gets input as to where you kid plays and how much. Maybe you are one of the ones I am calling out.

Anonymous said...

2:12 - not sure where your kids play, but we were told that playing time would be earned. From what i see, it's not.

Anonymous said...

How about hiding weaker players in the top of the game if you are giving them playing time? Gives the rest of the team a chance to react to their poor decisions.

Anonymous said...

2:12 Right on bro!
My daughter's coaches have been saying this since U14...BS

Anonymous said...

2:12 - a coaches' responsibility on game day is to his/her team and the club. And that means competitive product. And that means sitting kids that don't want to be part of that.

Anonymous said...

2:12 - you are talking about hiding kids; I am talking about kids on the field hiding themselves. Intentionally, not being available for the ball. Not wanting to be part of the play and ducking behind kids. How does that player benefit the team? They would benefit the team more by being on the bench.

Anonymous said...

Agreed. If at this age, you don't want the ball, you are in the wrong sport. Might want to try stage crew.

Anonymous said...

2:07 - what do you mean you don't hand pick kids??? What exactly are try-outs? The are choices by those in the know that these kids will be successful. Right? By putting them in the best position to be successful, individually and as a team.

Anonymous said...

24e How many clubs do you think get 30 kids coming to tryouts who ALL have the desire and ability to play at the l,evel? Do you think very team has the luxury of a game day squad of players who ALL want to be there? Do you think some of these kids are there because parents wnat them to be? or becasue friends are there?

Do you also realize that on every team there is probably a stand out player? How do you think she feels about playing with some of the weaker ones? Does she encourage them and accept that they may not be at her level? Is that ok ? Should she berate them and tell the coach to bench them?

None of this is easy. Almost all of it involves a compromise and not pleasing everyone. All families pay the same so maybe you should go tot he parents of the kids concerned and tell them that they should quit for the good of the team. Everything you describe is a product of the way the sport is treated in the USA. its diluted, full of average players who dont really want to be there and clubs making money. Talent is in very short supply and if you see it, its beyond obvious.

Your premise that

The are choices by those in the know that these kids will be successful. Right? By putting them in the best position to be successful, individually and as a team.


is naive. Many of the choices are financial or political.

the GDA is going to be no different. the complaining i read now about differing levels of talent and commitment are only going to get louder when you are force to start weaker players and give them games under the GDA umbrella.

Everything most of you are describing is the reality of youth soccer on the girls side. You really dont have to be dedicated OR particularly good to play on teams in the so called elite level of the sport. Your parents just have to want to keep paying.

Anonymous said...

3:00 Kids, even the stand outs, have bad games. I'm not talking about a bad game or two. I'm talking about kids dialing it in a lot. I am talking about coaches allowing it. I have benched my own kid when I saw she was dialing it in. So, I expect the same accountability as does she.

And, being encouraging is part of being a good teammate, but when you are just continuing to say the same thing to the same kids, it's becomes discouraging. And, yes, I know that is how the coach feels. But the player, unlike the coach, doesn't pick the line ups. The coach can make a kid sit out a game or a half and think about it. How many times have injured kids come back with more fire than before? Because they saw the sport they loved almost taken from them. Riding the pine can have the same effect.

Anonymous said...

321 im trying to fully understand the impact this has on your child? to me its a life lesson. Going to face many situations where you feel the effort is not equal. Also situations where you carry more or less of the load. We all know its not fair out there.

i would just use this as teaching material.

Anonymous said...

It's expensive learning material for both of us. And, if the lesson is hey, you don't have to work hard and still get the benefits of those that do, then I don't want her to learn that lesson at all.

Anonymous said...

6:48 - nice story about PAC kid. Name one high level player that doesn't prefer good, technical, intelligent players around him/her.

Anonymous said...

337 I dont get your point at all. The kids that you say are not playing hard are not getting the benefit are they. They are just wasting their parents money.

With respect, it sound like you resent these kids being on the team at all. There are always going to b better and worse players. More committed and less. You cannot allow them to be a distraction to your improvement.

Anonymous said...

Not the OP but yes, I am not happy when kids with less talent were picked over other kids. And, those lesser talented kids are not improving.
And, agree, if the results don't happen, then the coach will be to blame or will need to lower his/her overall expectations because he/she didn't develop the talent. Hopefully, the club will hold him/her accountable. I am sure the parents will.

Anonymous said...

Now not sure how it works. Say you have high level kids on field & in net, do the scouts see that the higher level kids are playing with lesser talent or do they just assume that certain clubs/teams would not pick kids with lesser talent or soccer iq?

Then I can see how this would negatively impact the high level kids/solid players/work horses, if part of their game plan has to always be looking to cover several spots for lesser talented or knowledgable teammates. It's like they are playing down players already or worse that their teammates play benefits the other team.

Anonymous said...

I resent kids being given roster spots/playing time they don't deserve over kids that do. Is all of soccer like this? Is that what you are saying?

Anonymous said...

Yep, expensive it is. Just think about the nice cars we could have paid for, in cash, but for club soccer.

Anonymous said...

1:32 - that is what is crazy about try-outs? They take place and results come out before end of season play. Don't many kids leave if not on the rosters?
Is this unique to soccer? I don't know any other sport that does this while the critical parts of the sport are still being played out. Seems silly.

Anonymous said...

3:27 - why would you ask how does that affect that poster's kid? Have you played team sports? A team relies on each other; trusts each other; has the same goals; pulls for each other; helps not harms each other.

When kids stop playing and still see the field, it's no longer a team. Once teammates stop trusting each other and being accountable to each other, the team falls apart on and off the field.

Anonymous said...

Crack me up
All you guys (maybe even moms) thinking you are talent identifiers. Especially because you are talking about your kids not showing as well because they are tied down by all these lesser kids on the filed. Too funny. Translation to me: Your kid isn't very good so you conclude that their failure to be recognized as the superior players they are must be these other sucky kids on the field and the lousy coach who can't put out the right line up to best showcase my superstar. If the kids and coach were better then all the coaches on the sidelines would appreciate her superior qualities and she would be inundated with top 20 offers... LOL

My guess is the other kids are better than yours.

The best player on my kids 00 team is a 2019
next several 2018 . bottom 2 2018. Oh and there are a couple 2001 who would be in the top 5 of the 2000

Anonymous said...

Not at all. Btw - my kid has had top 20 offers and is verbally committed. So, not worried about her at all but those on her team that are really really good, but getting lost in the lack of others play having to cover their spots.

Anonymous said...

Oh sorry, top 30. My bad.

Anonymous said...

I hear ya. I have been next to coaches when they just set up their chair and see a kid who is really really good, but just got burned because the entire time before that, she was covering two positions. And, I have watched him/her shake her head; pick up their chair and move on. So, yeah, that's a problem, if that is where the kid wants to go and I realize they don't just come to one game. However, if this is what they see when they do come because she is constantly covering for others, well how is that fair to her...several hers.

Anonymous said...

6:42 - I agree that good kids show no matter what.
However, you don't think that kids that are taking spots should be playing and I don't mean just being on the field. I mean actually connected to the game?
And, that the coach should be holding them accountable if they don't? These are U16+. I think they can handle being called out for not showing up. I can't imagine a college coach letting that slide. Why not correct it now?

Anonymous said...

642. Is it normal that to ask a question, you have to attempt to insult the poster? The reality is very few of these Club teams are run like teams. Yes, its great to live in a world where you bench the weaker players and the strong ones go 90 mins, but that is not todays reality. Mummy and Daddy pay to make sure that Jane is allowed to play whether Jane puts in 100 pct effort or not. If that offends you, then you ave not been paying attention to todays society.

In todays reality, kids are out there playing for themselves just as often a kids are out there not trying as hard as they could. This me first, my commit, Im the star mentality is just as corrosive, but the genie cannot be put back in the bottle.

So give your kid the best took you can to deal with the situation or leave, but it is pointless whining about it. Its todays reality. Watered down teams, and pay to play leads to exactly what you are complaining about.

By the way, calling out other kids is hardly the way for YOU the parent to go. Surely its better to have your child lead that effort, not you. Especially as we discuss parent involvement

Anonymous said...

645/647 Really? so now we are comparing offers? Lol. And playing the white knight who cares about the other kids? Genuine or not, its part of how its done. The days of the team and singing kumbaya ended around u12/u13.

Its mostly everyman for himself no matter what they say to your face. Look at it this way, if the kids are that bad, then its less competition for those coveted College spots.

If your kid plays her tail off and does what she can, I really dont see the issue unless winning the games is whats important to you. If it is, go play for PDA or some other big club

Anonymous said...

8:21 - Not one kid identified. I am saying the kids are old enough to be accountable to their team. Obviously you didn't play high level sports. Yep, the tapes don't lie and you get called out. Makes you remember that you don't play for yourself; you play for your team and your club.

And, 8:38 - not comparing offers at all. You questioned. And yes, there are white knight's out there still. And my kid happens to be one as well. We go to bat for others. That is what we do; that is how I was taught and so then was she. Sadly, this should be the norm and not the exception.

Anonymous said...

8:21 - agreed re no accountability; very few want to play for others; look at me mentality prevails, but the parental part that was being discussed it seems is parental interference or influence re playing time or position. That's not cool. Let the coach make those decisions based on what he or she sees.

Anonymous said...

4/1 @5:41 - Saw your post and thought there were others. Immediately thought of Christen Press and confirmed. Christen Press didn't get a call up to YNT's in HS according to her USWNT info.

https://www.ussoccer.com/players/2014/03/15/02/36/christen-press#tab-1

Point is that it happens. Rare but does happen.

Anonymous said...

4/3 @ 9:45 - rough story. Just wondering, are those girls and their influential parents still with your team or did you or they move? Seems like most of us have had a taste of this one way or another.
Hopefully that is one thing that will stop with new changes in leagues.

Anonymous said...

April 4, 2017 at 12:41 AM

With the age change the girls were split between 4 teams so the problem went away somewhat but the damage was done. Even to themselves. The funny thing was the College teams that they thought were going to make offers never did and the influential parents wound up doing a bit of back peddaling and damage control. It's funny also because the players are nice kids but they were not the top players on the team.

Anonymous said...

having weak players on a kids team only affects the stronger kid's college quest by lessening the draw to coaches to a less successful team. If they are there watching they are watching your kid if she invited them and are not so stupid as to miss her quality because of those around her. First touch moves to evade pressure moves to beat a defender, passing vision and technique, tacvkle timing and positioning are alll independent of other players. If she is working hard as a 10 to cover for a weak 8 and ending up deep in the midfield often to win 50-50 and start an attack, her work rate and team centeredness will be noted. The only time this can be a problem is when a striker is on an island with no service. before we moved my kid into the big leagues, she was on a team like that. I just told her pressure the crap out of the defenders and come back into the midfield to play defense. She then won the ball and looked like a superstar when she went on longer dribbling runs. All good. Don't blame the other kids or coaches for your choices and abilities. yes the comments on not the "right lineup" put forward by the coaches in the all knowing estimation of the brilliant parents makes me howl.

Anonymous said...

902 some good points, but your opening line is something parents buy into that fans the flames of this very argument. parents want to talk about the great commitments their kids have made , but then buy into a myth that College coaches cannot evaluate a player unless they are playing on a loaded team that

- accentuates their plus points
- draws in loads of high level coaches
- wins

I just dont buy it. Coaches can evaluate players in circumstances that to parents may be less than ideal. Coaches want to see

- How a kid deals with adversity.
- interacts with teammates
- work rate
- will to win

and many other things that winning on a team that is clearly better than the opposition does not always highlight.

There are positives to be gained from playing on strong teams and weak ones. Its the players that get this and make the most of it that succeed.

Parents that make excuses about line ups and tactics risk giving their children the example that its ok to do so.

Anonymous said...

No the facts are the top college coaches don't go to local tournaments or pull teams of the 12th bracket sorry. Mid majors yes. Top no. I think that's where the confusion lies. By top I mean schools consistently in and possibly on occasion out of the top 25 coaches poll.

Anonymous said...

930 I dont get your point. What are you referring to ?

Anonymous said...

4/3 @ 6:42 pm - saw your post. So you think that team play is basically a dying art? That kids only play for themselves so why bother?
Call me old fashioned, then. I still believe kids can play as a team.

Anonymous said...

4/3 @ 6:42 pm - saw your post. So are you saying that you think that team play is basically a dying art? And, that kids only play for themselves anymore?

Anonymous said...

4/3 @ 6:42 pm - saw your post. So are you saying that you think that team play is basically a dying art? And, that kids only play for themselves?

Anonymous said...

Sorry for multiple posts; keys sticking; coffee spill this morning.

Anonymous said...

208 Im saying that it is not the aim at this age anymore. the aim is to "be seen". Very few parents are encouraging their kids to be quietly effective. Go to tryouts and watch the meaningless Maradonnas and selfish play. Look at the low percentage shots as other kids are wide open for better chances.

Im not trying to open a can of worms here, but look at PDA u-16 last year. I believe they won a title without any real outstanding individual players becasue the coach insisted they play as a team. They also had enough bench strength to sit kids down who did not buy in. Thats rare.

Im not saying that its a lost art in College or at younger ages, but in the recruiting years, its clear that team play suffers.

PS please lets not turn it into a referendum on how good individual players are. Im simply illustrating a general point. PDA have some very good players.

Anonymous said...

250 - I agree. But I also saw you note that if the players didn't buy in, the coach pulled them. That is what is being discussed as well. Coaches not pulling kids that aren't dialed in. So, the college coach was coaching his team like a college team. Hmmm. Like it.
And, also agree. PDA has some very good players in all their age groups.

Anonymous said...

304 you are missing part of it. They can pull players becasue they have a deep roster. Many clubs cannot afford to lose a player, no matter ho much commitment they seem to lack. Also, the coach in question is not a college coach and he put more into coaching a team at this level than I have ever seen. Some may say too much. he is not coaching this year.

Anonymous said...

I think i saw their top personnel at several practices and games. I don't think the other guy was coaching alone. He was getting some good tips.

Anonymous said...

3:09 - so why not pull? You are talking about switching out apples for apples. And I agree, most teams not as lucky to have. But, what is the harm to replace with another kid who just might make the most of their moment to send the message? I'm not saying take off the kid who is messing up as she needs encouragement and opportunity to right the ship, but the kid who isn't playing.
It's really no loss is it if you pull a checked out kid? Unless you have more checked out kids than replacements. Then, you have a more serious problem and just need to buckle in for a very long, frustrating season.

Anonymous said...

4:52 - what about also pulling the kid that keeps messing up after given ample opportunities to fix. Sometimes sitting next to the coach and getting some tips while watching someone else execute is exactly what the kid needs too. These are definitely teachable moments.

Anonymous said...

because most parents are playing for PT as well as practice. Pulling kids has consequences on most teams because, believe it or not, most teams are not coached to win. They are coached and managed to make money. If you are PDA or Stars or an big destination Club , you can lose families and replace easily. Not so at many Clubs. So you put up with it and move on unless its chronic.

If teams were really coached to win games, there would be a lot of unhappy parents

Anonymous said...

All these posts are the reason why there's only one or 2 coaches!! Can you imagine all the parents on the team having a say in the play...oh my word!!!

Anonymous said...

Problem is some do. It should be coaches only. That is my complaint. I pay for coaches to coach, not parents.

Anonymous said...

758 i hear you, but a lot of parents dont seem to understand that running a viable Club involves making "business decisions". These extend to the playing field. Its a myth that when the whistle blows, every coach maximizes the use of his personnel to win. That would leave a core of a few kids happy and a whole host of unhappy customers.

Not good for business

I look at these years as a chance for my kid to get better., learn some life lessons about teams, teamwork and coaching. Work on her game and move to the next level. I dont get caught up anymore in what other kids do in practice or in games and I am not invested in the result. I tell her to be supportive, try her best and to focus on making the right plays.

We will see how it all turns out.

Anonymous said...

So in order to support your daughter you have to pull away from the rest of it. Kind of sad don't you think. Maybe that explains the lack of support re the professional levels. Not apathy; burn out.
Good luck to you and your daughter.

Anonymous said...

825 Sad? not really. depends what you call "the rest of it"

Anonymous said...

8:25 - if you have pulled away basically, which is what I am getting from your post; how do you enjoy the game? How do you get excited for her about her choice of sport? How do you enjoy her friends/teammates and their successes or feel for them when they miss? Or, maybe you don't or can't.

Anonymous said...

I am reading that the business part of the sport has gutted you.

Anonymous said...

After 20 years of youth soccer and two kids through all but the final year before college I can see how pulling away is an option. 20 years ago I was a soccer graduate, played youth HS and College in an era before it was monetized like it is today. Most of my coaches were college kids who were gving back to the community and to a sport they loved, the only pay was watching kids pla, hopefully get better, and winning. Fast forward to the rise of the US women's team as well as the saturation of sports programming on TV and you have where we are today. British accents cashing in on teaching the US the great game of futbol. Parents investing in their childs future, and Clubs and Leagues providing jobs. A lot of this is good stuff but there is the competition between winning on the field and winning in the club house. Youth soccer is more of a product than a sport for many. For some it is a tool, and for some a profession. THere are those who have been rewarded with loyalty when skill does not match up, others who are looking for the best fit for their daughter because that is the focus, and others who think they will one day wear the crest at the highest level or compete for the NCAA Championship. Of the +Millions of female soccer players a very small percentage will realize the last 2 goals, but those that sell soccer as a product are counting on the Million+ thinking they have a chance. It is hard to look at the big picture and know where you will need to set your sites, but the sooner you realize the battle you need to fight the better you can plan. Let your daughters guide the path at this age, let them enjoy the opportunities to play, make friends, and stay healthy. There is no answer only speculation, determination, luck, and knowing the right people.

Anonymous said...

925 Spot on. Part of the reason I have a hard time with my PoV on this forum here is because there is a vast difference between a kid who is/can wear the crest and a kid battling for minutes on a team.
I can only speak form my kids perspective and try to appreciate it from other peoples.

Your post is a very accurate assessment on the different layers in the game and the varying agendas.

842/846 Far from it. I enjoy watching her deal with the challenges she faces. I enjoy the games. I enjoy her teammates. Im not the one complaining about other kids and effort. It seems that the other folks are the ones not enjoying it. I accept it for what it is.

My kid plays with players from all over. Older, younger. trains with boys and men. Its all good. Im just trying to explain how I deal with it. I dont focus on the result of a game. I focus on her process of getting better becasue that is what she says she wants.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you guys need a break. Try golf.

I have to comment, though, about the lack of parents insisting on accountability.

It astounds me that people think it's okay for kids to not give effort, including their own. I hope I never become that checked out as a parent. No need to strive for good grades; c's when you are capable of a's; all good. No need to strive to get work in on time; it's all good. No need to show up for work today; someone else will cover. No need to make sure your friend is safe walking home; that's her issue. Hey don't worry about paying your bills; you can live with me.

No, this is more than just soccer we are teaching and watching play out. This is life and from what I am seeing and reading, we are in deep sh+t. No one cares about the big picture.

Anonymous said...

1250 Who said that? im not OK with it. I just accept that aside from my kid setting and example, its down to each family to follow their own path. Big difference. This is a referendum on parenting. Ask yourself why parents pay thousands of dollars a year for kids to get 15 mins per game in a sport they clearly do not excel in or enjoy? Are they doing it for the kids or themselves? If its painfully obvious to others that a kid has checked out, is it not obvious to the parent?

There are far too many marginal players playing so called Elite soccer in the USA.

I dont blame the kids, I blame the adults.

Anonymous said...

Hear hear. I blame the adults too.
However, I am saddened that the kids get a pass on accountability. Maybe their effort would change. Kids are molded. They have a chance. Otherwise, they will become the same adults that make excuses, are okay with marginal this and that. And, the circle of marginal lives will continue.

Anonymous said...

remember women's soccer is a middle class and up game. Money BUYS a lot of things in the US. Including passes on MANY things for many who have it. Trsut me, if this was a viable career path for women, the make up of teams would be totally different as would the cost. Its a bubble. I wont get any deeper than that. If there wa no Tite IX the numbers actually playing would be minimal.

Anonymous said...

http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2017/04/05/14/00/20170405-news-wnt-us-soccer-and-womens-national-team-players-association-joint-statement-on-cba

Finally, an agreement. Details anyone?

Anonymous said...

I am surprised at the amount of banter about a subject over which one has absolutely no control: the perceived effort put forward by other people's children. I teach my children to focus on what they can control: their preparation for the game in the food they eat and the sleep they get, their mentality on the field, and their own effort. If they control those things they succeed. I specifically tell them that part of the winning mentality is to ignore that which they cannot control: what position or play time the coach gives them, the refs calls, and yes the other player's failures. Might do your own mental status good to take that advice too.

Judgement on other players is distasteful to me. If your child is unhappy because she can't focus on her own success and finds other players too distracting for her to enjoy and succeed in the game. Find another team or learn to focus differently.

Anonymous said...

well, judgment on other children is distasteful to you. Wow. Isn't that what your diatribe entailed? Perfect. Another empty barrel just making noise. Love that saying. Thank you poster for it.

Anonymous said...

Let's get back to the agreement reached. Anyone have any details? Super secret.

Anonymous said...

127 The agreement seems to be more of the same with better spin. The US WNT is a club and its members seem to be the only female soccer players the US care about. the pay disparity between NT and NWSL has increased even more. Playing for your country is big business in WoSo

Anonymous said...

9:59

Are you teaching your daughter anything at all about leadership?

Don't we want our top players also affecting teammates' play?

Yes - teammate effort (perceived? ok - your word) is an important aspect of your daughter's GROUP'S overall success.

Anonymous said...

8:20

Stay tuned for more griping about the WNT personnel decisions. Money goes up - it becomes more important to the ladies to be (what they feel is) rightfully included.

Anonymous said...

"griping news"
pardon the pun right :)

Anonymous said...

829 US WNT is a club of entitled veterans and kids. Very little in between. NWSL only exists to pacify FIFA.

Anonymous said...

That sucks if the pay scales didn't get better for ALL of the professional women soccer players in the US. Equal pay is for all players not just for some. Don't the veterans get this as well? Disappointing. Those that have a voice have a duty to use it to affect all. That's part of the leadership we are discussing on the board.

Anonymous said...

That's an ass backward way of thinking.

There is no other professional sport that immediately comes to mind except for sailing that the US guys or gals get a significantly higher pay than the other professional players in that particular sport. And, even there, the scales are pretty close, my understanding.

Other teams have US teams (and women) as well, baseball/softball, basketball, hockey, ice hockey, tennis, swimming/diving, crew, track & field, volleyball, beach volleyball, darts, and so on.

What is the USWNT's motivation then to play NWSL, if at all? I thought they wanted to boost NWSL?

Anonymous said...

8:29 - are you saying more hiring from within, including past players? The smartest person re player personnel and team success in baseball has been Theo Epstein who never played past high school. His genius guided the Red Sox and Cubs to World Series' wins. It took each club over 100 yrs to reach those pinnacles.

Sometimes going outside the comfort zone and getting new ideas is exactly what a sport/team needs.

Anonymous said...

142 unless it suits them, they dont play. And the form they show in the NWSL has zero impact on selection. The USWNT have found a way to get well paid . To monetize your nationalism. The same players draws bupkus in the NWSL. No one cares.

Gulati bought their silence/loyalty because he needs them for the WC and better to throw $$ at it than actually change the system . Changing the system would require the NWSL owners actually paying players That would require people to actually care about the games. Very few do.

US soccer is a bubble. It has been since Title IX . Ability and performance does not correlate well with pay. The US has some of the highest paid players in the women's game and yet, if we were honest they do not have a single player who would be an automatic start in and World X1

Anonymous said...

https://www.fifpro.org/en/?option=com_content&view=article&catid=27&id=6768

In case people don't know which list you are referencing.

Anonymous said...

https://www.fifpro.org/news/women-s-football-finest-the-world-xi/en/

Sorry prior one was the entire list. This is the final selection. I like Krieger and Lloyd and hopefully A Morgan gets her timing down playing overseas. Also, maybe Hope comes back. She would be a starter, still. And, whether US soccer wants to admit it or not, she sells tickets, even in NWSL.

Anonymous said...

Re solo, she relocated to NC according to her last interview. Think she makes a run at NC Courage during the season after she has been cleared to play? sabrina d (current NC courage/flash top gk) is on ca nat'l team so solo would not have the conflicts of other team responsibilities. would be great for tv, too.

Anonymous said...

1:51 - if you know, what are the pays in the international teams/academies like? Do they pay their NWSL player equals fairly or at least livable wage scales? Maybe international soccer is a little more equitable with players and pays.

Anonymous said...

FIFPRO is a popularity contest. Im not referring to that at all. Does anyone actually think Carli Lloyd is the best player in the world ?

No Fishlock? No Kim Little? French players? No Lucy Bronze?

Anonymous said...

So what are you referencing? This wasn't an agreement as to the final selection. I was putting it out there thinking that is what you were referencing. Btw - french are listed - LeSommer and Renard. Sure, not all inclusive. I like Henry & Abily, Kerr, Houghton and Sauerbraunn, too. And agree. Kim Little is amazing.

Anonymous said...

Yes, and Fishlock and Popp.

Anonymous said...

What is the purpose of stripping Real CO from S Smith and J Howell, again during an ECNL event? Is this another message that ECNL doesn't matter from US Soccer?

Anonymous said...

"The form they show in NWSL has zero impact on selection"

Untrue.

Anonymous said...

Popp over Lloyd

Heh

Funny one

Anonymous said...

Popp's a forward - shouldnt compare her to Lloyd.

The players are voting, right? What system do you like better than that? Soccer writers?

Too much bias with that

Anonymous said...

Who was picking Popp over Lloyd? I was throwing her in the mix as one of the top in the game. I am still rooting for Lloyd.

Anonymous said...

Nice boost for NWSL if Marta comes over. Would love to see her tuff it up in NWSL.

Anonymous said...

So, decreasing the amount of subsidized players in NWSL decreased from 24 to 22 with further decreasing numbers in the future. Does federation think time is coming for NWSL owners to step up and take over these salaries all together? Hmmm.

Anonymous said...

4:34 - maybe. Why wouldn't the game take place somewhere around Phoenix with the ECNL national event going on there?
Or earlier in the week in Dallas so the kids on those ECNL clubs could have attended. If they want numbers, then have to plan accordingly.

And going back to the formation that works for US this time, 4 in the back.

Anonymous said...

827 new concept to you, lead by example?
Your kid shouting at the other kids and blaming them for her failures isn't leadership.
Your whining about the other kids perceived inadequacies is pathetic.

Anonymous said...

Okay welcome to crazytown. Who said any of that was going on? Take a pill. It's probably well past your bedtime.

Anonymous said...

THis seems to be the same 9:30ish poster who is filled with anger. Go troll another blog.

Anonymous said...

As much as I like the idea of the 3 back, I'm glad to see the ladies brought the 4 formation last night. It was a decent game although the competition wasn't there.
I was impressed by Lavelle but she's got to use her right foot!!! Surprised to see this at this level, wonder if her coaches never reprimanded her for this.
Pugh did well but showed signs of selfish play.
Should've been a 8-0 blowout.
Mewis....what can I say...outstanding!!
Lloyd should retire...just saying

Anonymous said...

434 Really? So now the USSF is calling kids in to full camps to keep them away from ECNL games that are pretty meaningless to these kids ? Cmon man. A conspiracy theory too far. Do you not think these kids have played a lot of high stress soccer recently and just maybe there are other kids on the team who can see the minutes?

If the purpose of a shocase is to be seen, then these kids no longer need that.

Anonymous said...

4:34 I hope you're joking or drinking!!!
What a awesome opportunity for her to be called up!!!
Pretty sure that will do more for her future than playing for her ecnl team this weekend!
You probably also think the russians interfered with our election right?

Anonymous said...

9:40

Nobody shouts on my daughter's team. Of course its not about shouting. Have you played at all?

Anonymous said...

"Lloyd should retire - just saying"

- you likely want to spark a debate.

Cant really help you, pal.

Anonymous said...

Ok I'll play
Remind me how she impacted the game last night?

Anonymous said...

7:09 - Lloyd?? How about Allie Long? Watched her turn over the ball again and again. Her only goals are headers. Her feet are her worst weapon. Shame the sport is soccer where using your feet is pretty critical.

Anonymous said...

I thought Lloyd had a good game. As someone noted, the opposition was not very strong so tough to give this game any real weight. But, it was nice to see better work throughout.

And very happy that Ellis went back to the 4-4-2. The US bread and butter.

As Ally Wagner said, it is tough to judge any of it because of all of the coaching inconsistency that has occurred as far as formations, personnel, formations with certain personnel, talent of opponent. Too many variables to figure out what works and what doesn't. And, because nothing is consistent; operating in a vacuum.

So, consistency; matters. consistency in formation; matters. Consistency in personnel; matters. Consistency in formation with certain personnel; matters.
I hope the coach is listening.

Anonymous said...

9:33 - I think soccer blog people interferred with election
I mean this is a blog of those all knowing so why not. :)

Anonymous said...

1:43 - sounds like my kid's team. Hope her coach was watching and listening.

Anonymous said...

http://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/19103065/us-women-soccer-team-face-sweden-1st-time-2016-olympics-stunner

Now, this should be a good barometer.

Anonymous said...

Anyone going to EDP this weekend?
Our first time, curious about it...

Anonymous said...

It's a spectacle - so many games/fields. Food is a nice bonus - plenty of options.

Arrive early as parking is slow - and take alternate entrance - (take right AFTER the right where all the cars are going and go AROUND)

I am sure somebody will post soon about the "lack of big time college coaches attending"

heh - so what?

Goalkeeper and striker showcase recommended.

Enjoy.

Anonymous said...

Yeah bc everyone's daughter is supposed to be picked for top 5 D1!!!
Many parents need a little dose of realism. Perhaps coaches should be more honest about the player's prospects

Anonymous said...

Go Wildcats...........

Anonymous said...

Yea copa will pick up some more GS points and be #1 real soon

Anonymous said...

So how did that work oout?

Anonymous said...

So, Pugh goes pro and waves bye bye to UCLA. We are discussing high school vs. GDA. Next it will be college vs. pro for some. Interesting times in the women's soccer game.

Anonymous said...

Good for her!!

Anonymous said...

Some players just arent intersted in being students - and if they stand to make enough $$ without college - you are right - good for them.

Of course attending school part time is an option - as is going back later on

Does the college game suffer?

No.

As it didnt minus Horan

Anonymous said...

I think it's a great option. On-line learning options from most universities are much better now. And, if playing overseas, I think some clubs include as part of their "package." That may be what Pugh is looking at, getting her degree from UCLA, still, but on line.

Anonymous said...

http://mlsmultiplex.com/2017/04/19/nwsl-uswnts-mallory-pugh-turning-pro-gets/

Part of it is a sweet deal from Nike, apparently. Cha ching!!

Anonymous said...

It's good to see the girls getting a piece of the pie. LaValle just inked a deal with New Balance.
Would be nice to see some of the coinage trickle down to the NWSL/WPSL (NCAA allowable amounts) teams, too.

Anonymous said...

LaVelle likely headed to Liverpool Ladies.....with her New Balance deal

She's growing on me a bit.

Anonymous said...

GDA try outs coming up, right? Anyone think there will be movement from ECNL clubs without to clubs that have emblem? Just wondering what is the temperature out there.

Anonymous said...

103 without knowing what area you are referring to. impossible to say. NYE will be diff , to NJ a, CT and Boston area

Anonymous said...

1:03- At this age level? I just really don't see the benefit? Why would a senior in high school make the switch to GDA from ECNL? Is there really going to be THAT much of a benefit to warrant a change for one year? Unless they are unhappy with the training at their current ECNL club, I cannot see any good reason why they would bother making the change.

I know there could be several factors: training, cost, exposure and level of play. I think there that for one year....there would have to be a big differential in one of these to make the switch....and I think a good argument can be made that the differences for the first year of GDA will be marginal or would weigh in the ECNL favor.

At younger ages, then I think there will be a lot more switching over.

Anonymous said...

210 gives you one PoV. I very much disagree, but each to their own. This no criticism of 210, i totally get it, BUT its why a GDA will not really work. In a country that values HS soccer equal to high level training you will struggle to sell a GDA. Forget exposure and cost ( will be less or equivalent), there has to be a majority of high level kids who are good but also driven to get better.. I just dont see enough of them to make a large number of GDAs viable in the NE.

I dont think you can make a good case that the differences will be marginal , but even if you can , for a top player who thirsts to get better, its ALL ABOUT the marginal improvement. Thats the edge. thats what you are training the extra day to get on your competition.

Girls soccer in the USA for even the very good player, tends to stop at College commitment.Its the point where necessity meets effort. Once committed, many think job done. Very few are driven to keep working to improve the odds of starting or excelling in College and even fewer are driven to go further .

210 i stress, its not a criticism of you. I totally get it and to a large extent agree. Im just stating why i think a GDA may be to much for too few.

Anonymous said...

http://widenerpride.com/news/2017/4/25/todd-wawrousek-steps-down-as-head-womens-soccer-coach-at-widener.aspx

Rumor has it he's the new girls DOC at Classics and GDA coach

Anonymous said...

Makes sense, he lives in that area. Best of luck to him.

Anonymous said...

3:07 - i agree.

I can't tell you the amount of conversations I have with people who have kids that are "going" to GDA or are trying out that always, always talk about high school soccer. Well, in high school they do this. And, in high school, she had this many goals. In high school, her coach taught her to do this. And, then I see it translate to bad habits on the field. Ugh! Hopefully, those kids that really want to be high school stars stay there.

And, I agree with you too, I get it. You are only a teenager a short time. You are an adult (or supposed to be) forever after. Part of this stage in life is doing these things; taking advantage of being a teenager. There is much value in high school as far as this stage of your life. Certainly not as far as developmental soccer, but it's not always about that to some.

But, as you note, some of getting better in your craft is making the sacrifice to forego this and hoping that the better option was exactly as it was sold to be. Crap shoot at this point somewhat.

Even I was sold 100% on GDA, but am not so much sold because I don't want it to be an extension of the same old same old and neither does my kid.

Anonymous said...

1:18 - agree with you that all areas will be different. But, what are all the areas thinking re ECNL vs. GDA and movement between clubs re some kids.

And, what do you think about some NWSL teams aligning with only certain clubs? Do you think that now it's up to those clubs to support them as they have alienated others? My friend and I had this discussion recently. Because, while they are having open try-outs; are they really open?

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