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...

420 ..307 again The thing you HAVE to be sold on is the quality of YOUR coach. not the GDA or the USSF or anything else. If YOUR COACH is good then its worth going to the GDA. even for one year - if your aim it to play your best soccer beyond your HS years.

Anonymous said...

427 tbh, I have never really cared about that or understood why others do. I have always steered my kid towards individual development so what others are doing has never entered the equation.

Anonymous said...

4:41 - i hear you re that, but don't you want the better players to be around your child, too. The over achievers will always push themselves but they also need others to make a decent team. Otherwise, it's just high school where several stand out and run circles around the rest. And, then measure themselves and how they are doing by that standard.

And, agree with you, the coach. But what if it's the coach that concerns me?

Anonymous said...

Or one not being named yet. :)

Anonymous said...

Exactly.

Anonymous said...

Who's not named yet?

Anonymous said...

3:07 no offense taken, although I think you misinterpreted my opinion to mean that a player wishes to not get stronger once they commit. On the contrary...I think that should always be the case, or the player will find themselves sitting on the bench in college. I just don't necessarily think that moving to the GDA for that one year will give them that significant increase in training. I just don't agree. Personally my player will be increasing their training their senior year in order to enter college soccer at their best.

Anonymous said...

3:07 and I also wanted to quick add, no where did I mention high school soccer as being a reason to not switch, so I am a little confused as to where that comes into what I had written.

Anonymous said...

937/941 I dont believe I said you did. I said

In a country that values HS soccer equal to high level training you will struggle to sell a GDA.

The value of HS soccer is eroding over time so the sell gets easier ans fewer kids see it as a rite of passage. However the most talked about difference in the 2 offerings is the HS soccer piece. So you could say it a trade off between HS Soccer and an extra days training.

I personally believe that all the social and leadership benefits of HS are available in Club soccer. Those are things you learn form being part of a team, not just a HS team.

I did stress that was one PoV and a valid one - im jut giving another. Im not singling out you or your kid, Im saying the majority of girls I see feel that they have scaled the wall once they commit. Look at the attendance rates for seniors on ECNL teams post commit and first year drop out rates. they are very high .

Girls use soccer to get to College, they dont necessarily see themselves playing 4 years at a high level. its a massive commitment.

I can only speak for the Clubs I know and in those, the GDA will be a much better training environment.

Anonymous said...

I think GDA training environment will be much better too, but which environment works best I guess is my concern.

Anonymous said...

216 confused. Work best ?

Anonymous said...

Which team or club maybe would be my guess.

Anonymous said...

confused with the confusion

Anonymous said...

@ 2:16 here. Invites to several GDA try-outs. Not sure which will provide best training environment. Each have different strengths and weaknesses. What is everyone looking for since it's only for a year? And, what are we to expect, since it's only for a year?

Anonymous said...

1005 i would eliminate the "its only one year" thoughts from your head. one year is a lot of time in your kids soccer journey. I expect high level tactical and technical training. i expect a great facility with a positive atmosphere focused on hard work and fun. I expect my daughter to emerge a better player. Better prepared to hit the ground running in College.


Anonymous said...

here here

Anonymous said...

i expect as well. Fingers crossed that is how it plays out.

Anonymous said...

1229 honestly my fingers are not crossed for a few reasons

- the coach is excellent
- the GDA is now not aligned with the ECNL Club in any way
- the new GDA owner is deep pocketed and has a reputation to uphold so is going to do the right thing

its all upside really. Full disclosure, I have always thought the ECNL tournament formats and game heavy programming was not great for the players and that HS soccer has very little to do with improving a players game.

Anonymous said...

Agree with you re the ECNL format; too much. If women in the game (college and pro) need at least a day recovery, why is it different for young ladies when they are most vulnerable as far as growth plate/s, etc.

Congrats on your MAC GDA daddy with the deep pockets. Hopefully, he doesn't have alligator arms as well.

Anonymous said...

Not defending HS soccer here - but it does have its place in development

It allows the player who may not be a leader on her club team to do so on the "lesser" talented school team - to GROW in this respect - and also to almost be forced to carry play - leading to increased technical confidence level when she does return to club play.

YES. I have witnessed players improving between June of their respective 8th/9th grade years and late fall 9th/10th - with no club play in September-early November - look like a more confident, skilled talent just 4-5 months later.

Not here to credit/discredit the coaching in high schools - just pointing out that the makeup of high school teams allows players freedom to DARE TO improve - to make movesdecisions that affect games.

The psychological hurdle of doing so - of breaking out of the shell a bit - needs to be noted. A parent can be helpful in this respect - while at the same time allowing - good or bad - the HS coach to coach.

Anonymous said...

10:48

Is the team you are joining/staying with (Cedar?) having ID sessions - or is it complete?

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

830 all good. I see training as a huge part of development. I have yet to see a HS team that practices in a consistent and high level manner. Yes, a kid can go out there and try things if they so choose, but I have not see a HS environment that will consistently improve top level players. After all, the HS discussion is in the context of so called elite players - ECNL / GDA type players;)

Anonymous said...

835 .. No.

Anonymous said...

8:30 - confident yes. "skilled talent" is the gray area. "skilled" for hs doesn't necessarily translate to "skilled" for club depending on which level the child plays. Everyone fits in the HS pseudo soccer environment.
Look, if the GDA didn't happen, most kids opting out would still be playing. But, it did happen, so here we are.

Anonymous said...

8:38 I see HS ball as free play -so instead of going to the park for a pickup game they can use HS to try somethings they wouldn't try with their club and of course play with friends and have friends at the games supporting them like we did back in the day at junpier valley park or at the oval. This is needed for development also.

Anonymous said...

I don't think US Soccer is devaluing all the attributes of hs soccer, the creative play, the social, kids that don't necessarily play the sport outside of school coming together.
It's about the amount of soccer (sometimes too many games after a full day of school scheduled in such a small window); the amount of training/sometimes over training; lack of any recovery/down time; facilities all over the place as far as condition; mostly questionable refs; lack of licensing requirements for coaches, and so on.
But as one poster said, here we are.

Anonymous said...

941 it comes down to what your HS season alternatives are. I dont see ti as "free" at all. there is a physical toll to be paid if you play. Refs are not good, fields can be bad and the variation in not only talent, but understanding of the rules and danger presented by some tackles can lead to kids diving in recklessly and causing damage.

HS soccer is rapidly declining even further in quality.

Anonymous said...

950 the USSF are interested in the high level player.. The social aspects of HS are cool, but replaceable.

Anonymous said...

9:56 not sure where you are from, but when we played we played with no refs which is just like having bad refs and physical - there were always guys dancing becasue of a hard tackle. My point is that the kids don't have pick up games today as much as we did or like they do in europe - HS soccer can fill that void, that's all i'm saying - not that it's good or that it's safe everything has a risk.

10:04 I agree - so where do we get our pick up games from? My kid can't walk or take a bike to the park she needs a car. I wasn't talking social aspect - I'm saying trying some crazy move with no pressure.

Anonymous said...

It's OK - 9:23

My daughter wont be taking your kid's position.

Thanks for the chuckle.

Anonymous said...

1201 I actually misread your comment. I though you were asking if the team was Cedar Stars> Apologies. its not about taking anyones spot is it. Either you are good enough or you are not, we are in NJ .

Anonymous said...

1153 HS is a structured environment. It is further form a pick up game than Club small sided scrimmages are.

Anonymous said...

I agree - but it is time with a ball 5 days a week and no harm can come from that.

Anonymous said...

131 you make is sound like its that or nothing. many HS practices are not time with a ball. You could get more ball work in the driveway in 15 mins on your own.

Anonymous said...

2:02 - I agree with you.

I think the GDA should not allow HS soccer and they should train at least 4 times per week plus games.

For everyone else that loves the game, I think they should play HS and use that time to try some crazy moves over and over again and who know's maybe they improve, make a D1 roster and actually play - they could use that avenue to make an NT. Remember all those D1 game are on demand and NT coaches can pull as many as they like to validate those stats worthy of NT inclusion.

Just my 2 cents

Anonymous said...

Aren't some GDA sessions today?

Anonymous said...

Yes, classics yesterday
PF today...but roster already set

Anonymous said...

wrong, there is tremendous uncertainty. Surprising number of players making contact with PF, but with the tryout this early, attendance questionable. Should consider a second July tryout to fill roster spots 18-22. that would be interesting.

Anonymous said...

Tino is that you?
If daughter didn't go to clinics over winter or if she's not top player worth recruiting/stealing, she's not on list

Anonymous said...

Lol this is either a bubble player's parent trying to deflect kids away from the imminent tryout or its a parent of a player who knows she has no chance.

Of course he's only interested in "top player worth recruiting/stealing (lol use of the word stealing to again suggest impropriety and implies the kid is transferring affiliation against her or or parent's will..) At this age group what is pretty much is what is. He isn't taking on projects for one or two years. You state the obvious as if its some type of travesty.

This is the way of the world achieve- elevate- achieve greater- elevate- achieve greater yet...
Why do you suggest its improper for a doc of what the ussf has decreed is the top of the pyramid, to identify and recruit worthy players to participate and potentially gain from the experience? In fact he's probably been directed by the USSF to do so. Academy docs- you are sooo bad...how dare you offer kids the opportunity to play at the highest level.

Anonymous said...

You're correct
Some of us like clubs that actually develop players though.
How would you like to have your daughter in a club that is only looking to replace her at the drop of a hat?

Anonymous said...

Ok, presuming we are not talking about a little local program, but one at the top of the pyramid: If she was replaced with a better player or one perceived to have a higher ceiling then I would consider the club as doing its job and help to find my kid a spot on a team, either within the club or outside, that was appropriate for her level

Anonymous said...

1001 the dilution of the sport that has occurred makes this a bigger issue. The majority of teams have a pretty big gap between top of roster and bottom.

Anonymous said...

7:27 - get off your high horse - had the 3 players I have under my control attended the PF session they'd be ON the team.

Anonymous said...

Cocky much? You have 3 daughters?

Anonymous said...

Question

is it fair for ECNL board to disallow Kaz Tambi from coaching ECNL teams now, simply becasue he is going to be the DA for NYCFC?

Anonymous said...

On what grounds?

Anonymous said...

1109 it's stupid to exclude such a gem as KT from developing players at any level. Fair?-No predictable-yes as he is caught in the war between the ECNL and USSF

Regarding 1035. Interesting that you believe all your kids are DA level and would be included. Especially since many are espousing the belief that rosters are already closed.

The rosters are not already closed and I am sure that the PF coaches are hoping a previously unknown YNT level player shows up at any of the DA tryouts

Anonymous said...

105 so we can assume from this that the ECNL dont care much about the impact on the kids. Innocently impacted by losing their coach on game day.

Anonymous said...

10:35 - i think 10:46 may be a coach or weirdo holding some against their will. Actually, may be a little of both. lol

Anonymous said...

8:04 - you are either a classics' parent or your kid didn't get an invite. Ahhh...hurt butt. Spots r available.

Anonymous said...

10:01 - spot on. We are talking about U19. If the kid hasn't gotten it yet, need to realize they have hit plateau.

Anonymous said...

I would appreciate input. My daughter was offered a spot after a visit with a college this past weekend. D3 but a good school and the place she would like to go. Should the offer be more formal then a conversation and should it spell out any "academic" money or as this is D3 is he confirming her acceptance to the school as well as a spot on the team? Thanks.

Anonymous said...

@7:37
Exact same situation with my daughter.
We are following up with another visit to specifically get more details, meet head of her academic major, admissions etc...
The roster spot is in essence a "verbal" agreement, as D3 goes. You should be able to get more details if admissions/scholarships are a caveat.
I would highly recommend not signing any "early acceptance" docs.
Also...is their a rolling admission system or other?

Anonymous said...

I would find out what a commitment means from their side. If she's on the bubble for admissions does that mean her application is "supported" and they are confident that she will gain admission? Did you show them her grades and scores and did they run them through admissions? Do they even offer merit scholarships? How does their financial aid work? If she qualifies for aid, then how much is grant and how much loan? Does her soccer affect the relative proportion?

Good luck

Anonymous said...

staying in the d3 world...how about if daughter has 2 offers? Other than coach's help with admissions, what is there in our "arsenal"? All other things being close to equal...ie tuition, room and board, scholarship etc...is there special $$ that can help coach sweeten the offer without being called athletic?

Anonymous said...

1115 not trying to be rude, but is your decision purely based on money ?

Anonymous said...

Not rude of you, honest question...Not about money, that's why I said all things being mostly equal...
She's top of her class, etc...should be easy admission

Anonymous said...

Can be a big discriminator for many people so possibly would be the answer in most people's mind. I don't think we are talking about decisions that are obvious based on other factors such as academic quality.

Yes at some schools there are other types of scholarships and or grants that they frequently target toward athletes. Not all d3s have these. Some are only awarded if the student has a demonstrated financial need. For example: they can be endowed schoalrships with a benefactor's name attached or simply a "presidential" scholarship who's distribution is at the privilege of the college president.

Anonymous said...

then surely these factors can only be assessed properly by someone in possession of all the facts - you and your family.

Anonymous said...

What are you talking about. Poster asked for information on d3 merit schiolarships. I answered them. Most decisions have a financial component. You are a little..off...

Anonymous said...

i think perhaps you are the one a little off. You seem to be disputing my point. We can all offer general advice, but the OP is the only person in possession of all the facts.

Anonymous said...

Did you add any information to the board? other than in a very condescending manner stating the obvious that an individual family has all the information in their possession regarding their child's college choice. Uh yeah sooo helpful. I answered a question regarding the availability of merit money and you added... ?? Yeah nothing. You are one of those superior than thou forum posters- get help and you might be able to garner your happiness from your real life.

Anonymous said...

Flies off handle then implies others are not happy. Hmm OK.

Anonymous said...

Where do some of you find the time to do all this back and forth? Is one of you the blog administrator? Let the person post his/her info. It's a starting point.

Anonymous said...

OP Here on the D3 commit Question,
Hopefully I can douse the flames. The coach came back with a legit offer tied to tuition/scholarship money. The school was my daughter's top pick between 3 D3 2 d2 and 1 D1 schools. Good reputation for her major was first criteria, size of school was second and soccer was third. Weighing in on the soccer side made it her #1 choice based on coach, ability for playing time freshman year and personality of the team. All my questions to this point were answered by the coach through my daughter. She lead and I waited for updates. Next step is to call the coach and say yes.

Anonymous said...

220 Congratulations and good luck .

Anonymous said...

Well done 220.

Its actually good for the D2s and D3s that they can get a jump on the D1s due to different contact rules.

You likely dont want to mention the school for good reason. Best of luck - sounds like a very solid decision.

Anonymous said...

Okay to deter from try-outs, here's a fun fact I just on Women's Soccer Weekly. They provided a graph of the amount of successfully connected passes per NWSL team for the past 3 weeks. Ranged from 64.3% (lowest) - wk 1 to 81.70% (highest) - wk 3. Finding has been that "the team with the higher passing accuracy in a match loses more often than they win!" Huh.
Now, that wasn't the case in She Believes Cup, but thought it was an interesting notation about a pretty important stat.

Anonymous said...

1148PM My daughter's team is like that...possess, possess, possess and dominate the match, but then lose because they don't convert their scoring chances while the other team gets a goal or two. It's frustrating to play so well and not get the result.

Anonymous said...

The forward pass completion rate is a useful stat that many colleges are using now. Circulating it around the back endlessly can result in bigtime pass completion rates and possession percentages, but means only that the opposition's line of confrontation isn't very high.

Anonymous said...

possession without purpose is pointless. keeping possession =/= playing well. As Barcelona/Spain rose to the top of the game playing a passing possession , patient style, that became the new gold standard. Problem is you need that level of player to make it work.

So many people think dominating = holding the ball.There are many successful teams now who have realized that its better to play on the counter with pace and purpose. Chelsea, LCFC ( last year) . Athletico Madrid have all had success doing it.

Given the overall technical and IQ level of players in the US womens game, I would expect a direct pacy style to dominate possession based teams.

Anonymous said...

So did anyone tryout at a new team at this age in the PA area, if not how were #'s for your clubs, any new faces. I believe 2 clubs had their tryouts at the same fields on the same days also looks like CFC switched up the coaches again. When do the offers go out?

Anonymous said...

7:59 Dude why would anyone leave when they are Juniors and Seniors to play for a coach that doesn't know them? If they are not set on a school why put that in jeopardy by switching to a big unknown (minutes) unless of course you are not getting them?

Anonymous said...

One reason that I know for sure exists is the coach of the current team telling a player that she must drop down a level within the program if she wants to stay at the club. Some kids chose to switch teams to try and stay playing at the highest level possible.

Anonymous said...

So kids are just shopping for teams that will allow them to play where they (the kids) want even if they shouldn't? Why don't parent's just let them play where they will best succeed?

And, "highest level" is subjective as well. It's the highest level that the player can handle, along with all school obligations such as academics, etc. Some kids juggle all of this better than others, too. They are only teenagers once. Let them enjoy it.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the parenting advice, I am sure everyone appreciated it.

With the 00 age group teams now combining with rising senior 99s, some top level kids (no matter which league) are finding themselves on the outside of the top 18. Even though there may have only been a few months in age difference there was a year and a level difference with the former u15 00s skipping up to u17s. Some of them are finding out they have to make a team change to keep playing.

Dropping down to another team in the same club is indeed a change. Is it much different to switch clubs and play on their A team instead of the original club's B team? If they want to keep playing they will need to switch teams. The color of the uniform staying the same doesn't make it easier. Staying at the top level smooths the transition for some.

How exactly does your parenting advice apply?

Anonymous said...

you must define top level different to me. I agree that some kids have been displaced, but a top player should find readyalternatives, travel not withstanding.

Anonymous said...

Exactly what I said if displaced she will find another spot remember the question was:

7:59 Dude why would anyone leave when they are Juniors and Seniors to play for a coach that doesn't know them?

I answered because she didn't make a new combined age group team at her club.

Anonymous said...

Not making it original team means maybe she didn't progress. I'm not trying to be saucy. It's a very sensitive situation, especially with teenage girls.

So, as the prior poster noted and someone belittled the sound parenting advice, go to where she will best succeed. Apparently, she wasn't putting forth or wasn't getting the best from her other team. If you/she enjoy the club and the playing style, stay with the perceived lesser team. Just work hard to get bumped up, if that is what she wants.

Tough situation. Good luck.

Anonymous said...

Dude not asking for advice. Merely answering the question of why a kid would leave a team at this point in their youth soccer journey. The question was not why did my kid move because my kid has been with the same club for 5 years. Further, FYI, A kid at the bottom or even middle of the roster in an 00 team may progress as well or even better than some of her teammates, but when 9 or 10 99s are now competing for 18 roster spots against a roster of former u17 00s on an 00/99 team, should it surprise you that some 00 kids get bumped down and will be looking at options? BTW, not that it matters, but my kid is top of the roster, now and also will be on the new team, but there were several kids bumped for this reason.

Anonymous said...

Regarding the level. For example current u17 ECNL kids who don't make the u18/19 ECNL or DA team may tryout at a perceived less successful ECNL team or DA team. Example: Kid doesn't make PDA 99/00 ECNL goes to FC Bucks 99/00 ECNL. Kid Doesn't make Breakers 99/00 DA goes to FC Boston 99/00 ECNL.

Anonymous said...

Well thank you for YOUR advice. But it sounds so much better coming from you.

Anonymous said...

2;43 - So, you asked the question YOU answered yourself. Good one.

Anonymous said...

Now I see why people move out of PA......Get a life.....NJ soccer much stronger....

Anonymous said...

Who is in PA? I'm from NJ.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the comic relief

Anonymous said...

I think any player that accepts a roster spot on a top of the pyramid club should be club tied after their sophomore year.

It's not fair to player #16-#18 on good teams not in the top of the pyramid.
How is that fair to them?

Anonymous said...

Can you explain what you mean by club tied? No high school? Or should be in the club system already? txs

And, on another note, I have a younger child and heard that Sky Blue just aligned with NYSC, too, for a GDA. Is this true if anyone knows?

Anonymous said...

246 what do you mean by top of pyramid. And since when have we put restrictions on the basis of what is "fair" ? Many of the clubs you think are top , became that way by NOT being fair.

Anonymous said...

The current top of the pyramid league is the ECNL and it's member clubs have multiple teams per age.

I think when player accept a roster spot on one of these clubs they play in event and have access to coaches that others do not at the league's events/id identification is also closed to my understanding. So what I am saying if players are using this platform to get into a school they should be 'club tied"after their sophomore year. I don't think they should leave the club if they have been demoted and take a roster spot from a player who is bottom of the roster of a good team not in the ECNL. The ECNL clubs have a reputation of placing many of their B/C team players.

We should have always put restrictions on what is "fair". Look the a club will not turn away a player if makes their team better i get that, not should they. That's why I say there should be a club tied clause. A player not accepting a roster spot on the B team in their junior/senior year and taking a roster spot away from a bottom of the roster player on a non-ecnl team is"bush league". If the ECNL club was good enough for them prior to being displaced and since these clubs place B/C team players them leaving because they are not on the "A" team at this age is "bush" in my opinion.
I get it if the club doesn't have a B team but when they do that's just flat out wrong and not fair to do this to another player this late in the game they wouldn't like it if it was them.

Anonymous said...

New king of the hill, great win,congrats copa

Anonymous said...

337 you are off base. There are Clubs that are loyal to the kids who have been there. Who dont actively reach out to poach. Who do give PT to kids as part of development. No one likes those Clubs. They call them bad and worship the ones that win. No matter how they do it

Winning is defined very narrowly in youth sports. There are many winners on losing teams.

Clubs like PDA would never accept your solution because it would impact them most. The destination Clubs that suck up kids others have developed. And its Clubs like that who have the power because they win.

Developing players is not something we choose to measure.

Anonymous said...

7:51 no one said actively searching or poaching?

Player gets demoted they are seeking the club not the other way. No team will turn away a player that makes them better.Yeah I know they give PT to bottom of the roster players, that's my point. These players are happy and have no intentions seeking the top of the pyramid clubs. But they are the ones who get hurt when a top of the pyramid player doesn't except their b team demotion and decide to leave.

Why wouldn't PDA accept my solution it would actually benefit them They keep their players making their 2nd teams better while taking on new players. Remember I said club tied to the top of the pyramid clubs to protect other players this late in a game.

Develop players for what? NT? College? Individually? there are different levels and each one is right.

Anonymous said...

After witnessing tryout season, it has become 100% fact that there are no clubs left that have player development as their priority. "Poaching" is a good term used in this blog, or the chase for the new toy.
All about results, numbers, notoriety and embellishing the coach's resume.

Anonymous said...

737 Develop players for what? NT? College? Individually? there are different levels and each one is right.

Not really. Thats the myth that has been sold to justify all the varying levels. Development is development. You dont develop kids for the NT. A talented player who get good coaching, works hard and develops becomes good enough to get consideration. The levels you list are simply reflective of different levels of ability and desire. Not who has been developed less or more.



Anonymous said...

You just said...absolutely nothing!
Are you a politician or soccer coach by chance?

Anonymous said...

I think you have the club tied mentality a bit wrong. Maybe your player was displaced because an ECNL player was demoted and came to your team, this is not the fault of the player or parents it is at the club level. Very few players have the power, there are probably a handful of players across each age group that can easily move between teams/clubs at the top tier without hurting their playing time, commitment chance and overall soccer resume. For the most part the Clubs and coaches are always looking for someone who they think is better then your kid. The loyalty should not exclusively be player to club, it should be club to player, especially at the sophomore level. Although at our club last year I saw a coach be a bit loyal to his players with bad results. I believe the club wanted to demote a coach and did not have a replacement in mind so they moved up the younger age coach, he took most of his players with him but has not done well this season playing against older teams. It is a delicate balance.

Anonymous said...

For the person wanting kids to be club tied, isn't there a place for the kids bumped on your club so they would be club tied as well? Don't they have a B/C team for these kids?

Anonymous said...

Most clubs do but at this age it's all about showcase right?
Most b/c teams do not play the "top" tournaments bc they must qualify by individual results....

Anonymous said...

142 is it? By this age 2000 birth year I would assume that most kids on top teams have interest from schools OR have been seen. Surely showcasing is only important to kids who have not committed OR are still undecided.

So why dont Clubs have SHOWCASE team that attends these events?

becasue its not about that is it . Its almost always about winning .

Anonymous said...

1:58 I agree with a few things you said.
I however find it a bit pompous or elitist to think that most 2000s do not need showcasing...I think the percentage is lower than you think for those who have committed or picked a school. Most posters on here lie about their daughters' accomplishments.
Yes it's all about winning, sadly....

Anonymous said...

For ECNL I believe the composite teams were "The next level down" but after last years re-alignment I believe players/parents are snake bit as girls relegated to the B team as a 99/00/01 realized that other A teams may pick them up. As a parent of a daughter who was relegated I can attest to not sticking with the club that evaluated and dropped her a level. Plus there were other extenuating circumstances. I will say that my daughter has a place to play in college and it was one of her top 3. But I know of girls who want to play in college that were relegated and stayed with the club that do not know their future. 2 specific players were told they could try to walk on (2017 grad) and there are quite a few 2018 grads that are still hustling with ID camps.

Anonymous said...

2:22 - i am not other poster and don't consider myself elitist as I always pass along info learned about various colleges and spots that may be open. I'm not one of those that hoards that kind of info. My kid can only play at one school.

You are right. I guess many parents hype their kids as far as where they are going. I guess I just figured most kids were just waiting for final grades, sat/act scores, etc. to finalize spots.

What is the percentage of those still waiting for spots do you think? That is a good discussion, any ideas how to help these gals who may be lost in the system.

Anonymous said...

3:18 PM
Not the original poster but I like your idea about helping other players. My daughter is committed verbally. Our experience was unique as I think everyone's is to an extent. And the work is not done as she is a 2018. We had 2 coaches indicate that they would be making offers at the official visit. the process with these coaches started in the fall of her freshman year. These are not D1 powerhouses but relatively local schools with the major she wanted and good soccer programs. She (we) did a lot of the work, her club coach was little to no help (ECNL), I think the reason for this is she was choosing soccer based on a school and not school based on soccer. Her decision would not pad his resume based on her commit. So the work was on her to know the teams, know which players would be graduating the year she is coming in as well as her sophomore year. She contacted coaches, visited campus during open houses and asked to meet with the coaches (Sophomore year), the coaches met with her, were courteous but made no indications of interest. She then emailed and thanked the coaches along with her soccer resume and game schedule. We received Clinic/Camp invites and attended, both coaches showed up to a few games, she emailed and thanked them. Each coach invited her to visit and meet the team and watch training (we also attended a few games). Final meeting with the one coach resulted in the "We like you and will be putting together an offer" , the other coach continued to send camp invites. Both attended a tournament this year, both sent her glowing emails about how well she played, neither made an offer. A school that she just started talking with in the fall of sophomore year followed the same path, made her an offer and we are looking forward to 4 more years of soccer after high school. We found out that the one school was expecting a transferred red shirt, and the other coach indicated that he had drug his feet and missed out as he was intending to prepare an offer.

At this point for 2017’s most spots are walk-on, D2 still has limited spots, and D3 will start looking at 2018’s through the fall. – This is from coaches we talked to and how their recruiting cycle goes. Look for schools that are graduating a lot of players the spring your daughter is going in, be versatile as a coach may not have a spot at center mid, but may see your daughter as coachable and able to fill a need.

Anonymous said...

222 not what I said.

By this age 2000 birth year I would assume that most kids on top teams have interest from schools OR have been seen.

Read it again .

Anonymous said...

349 i and the OP who mentioned Showcase teams.

thats how you help them. You devote resources in the Club to help those who need it most. Instead of chasing Ws in league play and ignoring the kids at the end of the bench. Instead of adding another YNT prospect to your team , you work with #11 on your roster and take as much pleasure in her commit /improvement as you do the top kids on your roster.

This is one reason a REAL DA would be good. One based solely on merit. It would carve out the kids who dont need as much help with recruiting. the ones who just need help refining their games and picking which school. Thats not what we are headed towards at present.

Unfortunately, its big business and the audience (parents) are willing marks (largely due to a lack of real knowledge in the sport)

The current diversion is ECNL vs GDA , but thats a sideshow. Improving your game to a point wher its a real resume enhancer and gets you to a school that was maybe a stretch should be the real goalfor the vast majority

The ECNL is not really doing that. Sure, they are giving you exposure and a platform, but delegating all the power to a select few and to the Clubs = massive variation in basic standards and no enforcement. Colleges are a captive audience and have to take X number of players , so its natural they will take the best available.

GDA is flawed too because only a few kids are really passionate about the game. You dont need to force the 95pct to do something simply to satisfy the 5 pct.

Im glad my kid has one year left .


Anonymous said...

Amen. This stuff gets more and more crazy each year.

Anonymous said...

Kind of relevant as per above posts:
http://www.soccerparenting.com/tiffeny-milbrett-stop-youth-soccer-recruiting/

Anonymous said...

not sure i get her point.

Anonymous said...

Summing it up with her ideas, she has good points:
Transfer Periods that only happen in select time periods
Fees paid to the club from the other club taking the player
No releases until those Transfer Periods – unless clubs agree
Outright Rules and Regulations against tampering and recruiting
Actual accountability, enforcement and penalties to the rules

I don't see solution. Free market and choices.

Anonymous said...

On the Tiffany Milbrett article, I can see the point at the boys DA level where MLS sponsored teams cover the cost for the players. There is an investment in training players that they hope will eventually sign a pro contract. In girls soccer there is a different environment which is paid for by the parents. Moving teams or hearing offers is just good consumer practice. I think it's an ego builder when someone from another team asks me if my daughter is interested in moving teams for next season, but I would not recommend she moves if she is happy, getting the best training, and seeing meaningful minutes. I think Tiffany is hurt by the fact that she "A USWNT Legend" can't keep players. If a player is leaving her team to play somewhere else she needs to look at why they left and determine if it was due to something she needs to change or the player is looking for something Tiffany does not provide. It's a free market system and if I am paying (a lot) for my daughter to play I will be very discretionary on where I invest my $$

Anonymous said...

1:58 I think you my be missing one point. College coaches do like to see their commits competing at Showcases during their Junior/Senior seasons. Coaches want to see the condition and progression even after a commitment has been made. Few coaches want to see a player sit back prior to entering college. Just ask any college coach.

Anonymous said...

Great to see Ms Milbrett get involved. We need ore of this from legendary players of days past.

Anonymous said...

1105 we do? becasue people like Heinrichs are doing a great job?

Anonymous said...

1001 there is nothing stopping them from doing so. There could be specific Unsigned Showcase events within the ECNL Unfortunately the league is really all about the Clubs and the Coaches- not the players.

What is the point of committed players flying all over the USA to play heavy minutes in showcase events ? If a School wnats to check on a committed Jnr/Snr - better to send an assistant to a league game on the first day ( ie the Sat game in the ECNL). Probably get a much better eval that way. Also a real indicator of interest as well.

Some of the onus has to be put back on the Colleges to actually make time to see players they are interested in. The Supermarket approach may increase the number of random unsolicited I guess. but I think its better for everyone if schools actually have to do a bit more work / spend a bit more money travel.

Anonymous said...

11:26 I can see thru your comments. I believe you feel since your child is now committed you should no longer be expected to shoulder the costs of traveling to additional showcases. This is a rather selfish and puts the uncommitted players in a difficult position. Players need a full team to allow them to perform at there best. Maybe by mid Junior year there are 9 of the 18 players who are committed, someone needs to play with them for the remaining showcases. They helped your child, they deserve the same courtesy. Staying home may help your wallet but does nothing for the other players. When you commit each year the commitment is not just to the club but also to her teammates.

Anonymous said...

I don't mind helping out the uncommitted kids after my kid verbally committed. What do you do when you have showcases that many of the uncommitted kids dial it in and don't show well to help themselves get committed? Under these circumstances, when is it enough?

And, as this is the new birth year thing so the newbies didn't help with the older already committed kids.

Just throwing this nugget out there to mix it up a bit.

Anonymous said...

3:46 - Just jumping in the Fray...
It is attitudes like yours that need to be adjusted when it comes to youth soccer. A verbal commitment is great but based on the college's coaches knowledge of the current team and where they will be playing they will still "check-in" with you daughter. I am sure they will not think well if your daughter folds her hands and says her job is done with her club team. Part of the process is seeing the commitment to the team and being a player that the coach will count on. I realize jet setting to the west coast a few more times is costly now that my daughter has her school, but I also realize the importance of finishing strong and maintaining her level of play. Maybe the ones who are still looking have resigned themselves to walking on somewhere or are done because they didn't get their pick. Or they are still in the process and are having a bad game. If you don't want to finish the year that is selfish, if you want to pull back for next year than find a lower level team - but explain that to the college coach...

Anonymous said...

3:46
Your words:

"I don't mind helping out the uncommitted kids after my kid verbally committed."

That's what's wrong...it's not about you dad!!!

Anonymous said...

some folks way off base. Im trying to understand how giving more minutes to uncommitted player hurts their showcase opportunities. All this finishing strong nonsense makes it sound like the only tool for improvement is 50 mins of game time 3 days in a row. Or that the only way a coach can see a recruits progress is in a showcase.

Here is the the thing - the PROCESS is becoming a better player, not flying all over the USA to in your words - assist other kids. Showing the coaches that they can play is on them, not the better kids. Perhaps more time training and less flying would make the difference.

Its not that there should be no showcases, there should be a lot fewer.. The only reason there are more is to pander to coaches and to market a league. To convince parents of what they are paying for.

Anonymous said...

7:59

Let me see if I understand your math. Your daughter is 17, a Jr in HS and committed to play in college. Her club team is scheduled to play in a few more league games, a showcase and some type of playoff in the mid west. You should be considerate of the players not committed and decide to not attend any events that are considered showcase? And for next year play only league games? You originally bought into the model, now that it has provided your desired outcome, a college commitment, you are going to bail out on the team. I guess this is what has been established by College FB players sitting out of bowl games. Well good luck to you and your daughter. I guess she won't be playing HS games in the fall either??

Anonymous said...

813 the MODEL does not GIVE the kids the success they achieve. They do via hard work, dedication and commitment to getting better. You guys dont seem too understand that you PAY for a service. Most kids would be better off, training, working on individual thngs they need to clean up and playing fewer games, than travelling to the WC 2x , to Fla 2x et etc. Its overkill

Its another way Clubs use parent $$ to further their own marketing ends.

Its really an indication of the brainwashing that has gone on that practicing in a hard and committed manner, going to league games and playing heavy minutes but suggesting cutting down on the Showcase schedule is considered bailing on a team.

Do you think an unincomiited player would prefer a better player to go to a showcase and take half her minute or that she plays a lot more and gets a chance to show what she can do? I think there are a meaningful number of people who would rather pay the money and hope that by being attached to a successful team their kid gets some offers even though she plays limited minutes.

Crazy.

Anonymous said...

8:30am

You are looking at changing the model. ECNL teams practice 3 times a week and play 2 games most weekends. If you daughter is ECNL and has been you know that is the model and will not change. If you don't like the model as an individual you can choose to not participate next year. You signed up for a season, you knew what was involved and you took a spot that could be available for someone else. So if your daughter is 17 and has a year remaining, move on to a league/program that does not have the same model. It's like buying a car that you customized and then taking it back asking for fewer options. You cannot take the car back and strip it down, but you can buy a new one. If it's the money that you are concerned about, you knew that going in as well. Additionally the rate of development once committed is on an even plane. Most college teams bring freshman in because they see potential, work rate and skills, but the new coach needs to fit them to the team. Your theory about individual skills and additional touches is on your daughter, once committed it is her job to maintain her fitness and skills and the showcases provide an opportunity to play and stay fit. Now it occurs to me that you might be on the other side of this and your daughter is not committed and you are huffy about the better/committed players getting minutes at showcases over your daughter. Well, you may need to re-evaluate your options and start looking at different schools for your daughter.

Anonymous said...

terrible analogy. I BOUGHT the product., I can choose NOT to use it.

Anonymous said...

851 Please save all the phony analysis. You have not answered any of the questions posed in the OP.

1. Why would a uncommitted player NOT benefit form more time on the field in a Showcase event
2. What is the purpose of the AMOUNT of travel once committed ?
3. Why are uncommitted players relying on others to "help" them getting committed by taking their minutes?

And your last comment is just laughable really. Truly. My kids statsus ( or lack of it) is irrelevant to the questions.

Anonymous said...

9:11


1. Why would a uncommitted player NOT benefit form more time on the field in a Showcase event - If they have not been recognized to this point additional minutes will not help their cause if they are not playing in front of the right coaches.

2. What is the purpose of the AMOUNT of travel once committed ? Loyalty to your team mates, honoring a contract, the right thing to do.

3. Why are uncommitted players relying on others to "help" them getting committed by taking their minutes? Not relying but leveraging, good players need support as much as great players.

And your last comment is just laughable really. Truly. My kids status ( or lack of it) is irrelevant to the questions. Not really, as a phantom poster you could be downplaying the need to have committed players attend showcases to free up playing time.

A little bit of advice from the coach at my daughters committed college. Right now I have my 2018 class picked, the depth chart has 2-3 players that I am looking at for a few spots but for the most part I know who will be coming in for 2018, I have my depth chart set for 2019 and will be looking at those players this spring. So at this age a good number of college coaches have their schedule full of players to watch. So for this year and next years showcases at U17/U18 your theory would apply for all players, what is the purpose.

Anonymous said...

929

And your last comment is just laughable really. Truly. My kids status ( or lack of it) is irrelevant to the questions. Not really, as a phantom poster you could be downplaying the need to have committed players attend showcases to free up playing time.

Cmon. You really need to think thru your comment. the theory you propose above is ludicrous.

Anonymous said...

Here's my daughter's take...
She's committed and wants to play as good a game and level as possible next year as a senior to prepare for her college play.
She also reveres her teammates and understands the team concept where everyone can benefit by the actions/play of the other.
She has personally told coach already that she wants to give up some of her starting time to others who can benefit.
Just another opinion...and it's the first time I ever post on the matter btw

Anonymous said...

9:47

I just realized that you really do not have a concept of what being a part of a team entails. Best of luck to your daughter hopefully she understands what a commitment means as you do not.

Anonymous said...

1006 its a very honorable and valid opinion. I guess my point is why should it be universally shared when everyone has different circumstances? its another flaw it the pay for play model and if Im honest another way of attempting excluding less affluent talent.

Anonymous said...

quite often the game level is significantly worse than available locally.

Anonymous said...

@10:19
10:06 here
Agreed. That's why it's just one opinion and my daughter's choice. I won't be like many other posters and act like my daughter's choice is only possibility.
Money is definitely a factor as many other ones

Anonymous said...

Not sure how other teams do it but my daughter's team re-arranges the line-up at Showcases and the coach asks the girls if they have specific requests for which half they want to play. Not that it is perfect but if you know a college coach will be at the 2nd game for the 1st half you can ask the coach for that slot. I have rarely seen our coach not comply. Also, at 17 a player should not be hoping to get discovered by accident. They should know if a coach is coming and have communicated with them to know which game they would be attending. I think it is interesting to see some parents scramble after a showcase to contact coaches after the fact.

And as far as games being better locally, with the ECNL they are standard across the board meaning for the past 3 seasons the level of play has almost never been more than a 1 or 2 goal swing either way, a good number of ties and 1 goal games.

Anonymous said...

7:42 - disagree. When you are footing the bill, it is about the parents too. Never said my kid was unwilling. She is always willing to help her teammates. But, when it's nothing but spend, spend, spend and some parents are just about chasing GSP's, I say pick the best ones and go to those. We can scrimmage locally if it's about touches.

Anonymous said...

http://www.excellesports.com/news/fc-barcelona-nwsl-team-women/

Anonymous said...

LOVE IT!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hoping others will join as well. They still have to start filling the seats though. I wonder if the NWSL aligning with certain clubs has hurt them.

Anonymous said...

Dont get the excitement personally , sure its a brand name, but the US soccer system is a closed non - merit based shop. No real incentive to be great.

Anonymous said...

To the Princeton coach at Rowan verbally attacking the teams on the field during your warmup... You are a low life why don't you figure out how to get your players scouted and into college which you have failed to do...Give me call I have plenty of feedback for you and your kick and run soccer style..... You call the game lower level hmmmmm what would you call playing EDP next season after loosing your NPL status.... Now that's Lower level...stop the BS and do your girls a favor let them go somewhere that is truly developmental... Don't forget to call me would love to catch up on the BS you told my daughter why she was playing... By the way all those involved will properly notified about your conduct and poor judgement on the field towards a 16 year old girl

Anonymous said...

Can you explain further about the incident with the Princeton coach at Rowan today? It's not clear at all.

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to throw it out there. I already reached out t to the proper authorities. Had to vent because he has hit a new low and deserves what is coming his way.

Anonymous said...

You must be really confused . The team warmup was so far away from any field so really you are confused . I was at the game , didn't see anything as such. You are not clear at all

Anonymous said...

7:48 First off, if you want the Princeton coach to give you a call, then you will need to start by not posting as anonymous, Secondly, he said nothing to any other team or player. If you left Princeton and things are not going as you had expected, then that is unfortunate, but don't attack them. Be a grown up and make the best of your new situation or move on from there. No problem with scouting, leagues or the style of play. at Princeton. It's too bad there are not people to "properly notify" and consequences for posting complete BULLSHIT.

Anonymous said...

You realize the poster was talking about the Princeton NPL club team (don't remember the formal name presently) not the college.

Anonymous said...

so is everybody happy with their spot on next year Da or ecnl team ?Was process fair at your club? some kids on the current u-17 team will be displace by some of the older composite team players that were displaced last year and are now back to being age appropriate. is this fair ?

Anonymous said...

There will be a big fall out in my opinion with players that didn't make DA . Lots of Movements in the next couple of months

Anonymous said...

First of all we did move on and are happy. PSA director has not. If he kept his flagelance to himself and allowed the player to move on then the post would not have been made. He knows who he attacked and therefore he knows exactly who I am. If you want to defend the fact that he is antagonizing a player on the field and getting away it shame on you. Have fun playing EDP.

Anonymous said...

1:15am
My daughter didn't get the spot she wanted.
Fairness is only a socialist concept...as much as she's disappointed, we cannot use that word but "shady" better describes it.

Anonymous said...

Ok PSA coach it looks like you need to call Hilda. Please do and let us all go back to discussing general issues.I thought you were " attacking teams" which sounded like it would be punishable by some kind of imprisonment. It has been a pleasure discussing general issues on here. Find someplace else to air your bitterness please

Anonymous said...

7:50 - agree. but, wait, then these unnamed posters will actually have to engage in lost social behavior; quite possibly the dreaded face to face convo. Say it isn't so! lol

Anonymous said...

7:55 you are right ! lol especially if they start using words never heard of before like Flagelance. Lol just go away , nobody cares

Anonymous said...

7:48 lots of us are in the same situation, the DA is taking talents away and spreading even more. It is a concern in general

Anonymous said...

I still think that for recruiting purposes ECNL is better than DA. More talent overall. DA might be more dedicated to National team selections of players.

Anonymous said...

Not so fast. Many of the college coaches I have spoken with all say they are starting at DA, first. ECNL will still be an option but I guess it will depend on the tier of college as to where they spend most time for their recruitment/search process.

Anonymous said...

Here's a PSA,public service announcement, for the PSA discussion:
Unless it's valid, move on....

Anonymous said...

Good point. I guess we really need to see how this first season goes and the evaluate. It is good in general to have additional options
.
I also think that ecnl should have two divisions ( you start in second division and if you win you go up ). Npl and al the other leagues around are just a waste of time . No value, top teams hate play in it , some still try to use it as a marketing point but really they are all bad . Waste

Anonymous said...

Npl has been a disaster this season for us . Would love the idea of a qualifying division that will consider Merits only. But I understand it is a big business behind

Anonymous said...

8:21 - i guess the ECNL divisions are when the post-season play kicks in. Then it's divided into 4 - Championship; North American Cup; Showcase and take the rest of the season off. lol

To divide during league play would be a scheduling nightmare as far as securing fields and other logistics. And, then it may not be club vs. club, but team vs. team scheduling.

Anonymous said...

821 I think there are many ways to win that have nothing to do with player development. ECNL is a numbers game and not a talent development game. If you want to see the clubs who win year in year out, just plot a graph of how large the recruiting area is.

2 divisions is not going to solve that. The destination clubs are more successful becasue they have players travelling excess miles to be the number 10 player on a team.They remain destination clubs becasue they win. It a vicious circle.

In order to maintain the competition platform,, the ECNL founder members need fodder. They need other teams to beat up on so I dont see it changing.

Anonymous said...

8:09- I agree actually. Three different college coaches all said, for a senior, they said their committed players could just stay with their current teams and not bother jumping to DA. They said they didn't feel they needed to.

Anonymous said...

Re: PSA coach -

If he acted like a sc--bag he needs to be called on it

Isnt the first time.

What PSA does about this is another story, as likely it does nothing at all.

As for being dropped from NPL - I dont see this occurring.

Cheers. Sorry for your ordeal, mom/dad of offended player.

Anonymous said...

8:23

"NPL has been a disaster this season for us"

How so?

Is this Northeast NPL?

Anonymous said...

10:11 AM
Not original poster
Our daughter's experience based on 2016-2017 tryouts and season:
Tryouts prior to end of 2016 spring season resulted in a mass re-alignment of players between 4 teams, approximately 200 girls showed up to tryouts 100 given offers for the 4 teams. Some players were waitlisted within the 100 to see which offers were accepted. My daughter was ECNL starter and played most minutes in all games previous year. New coach for her level brought in his own players and displaced half of previous years team, my daughter dropped to NPL. We left, NPL team started with 25 players and currently has a roster around 14. We moved on, realized colleges will find players who contact them. Yes ECNL is a great vanity license plate but better to save the $$ as only girls in the top 1% are getting the top D1 looks and there are no full rides for 2-11 on any team. Unless they are already attending the upper level prep schools. Trace players for ECNL who are in preps and where they wind up. There is a definitive sub-network where outsiders are not welcome.

Anonymous said...

I heard nothing out of the PSA coach. Only to his own team. If he did something truly offensive then yes agree call him on it. However this appears to be yet another disgruntled parent of a player who was cut or not begged to stay. Its easy to attack someone's character anonimously with a complete fabrication that no one else seems to have overheard. Thats what is aggravating about this blog. 10:07 don't perpetuate this. As for NPL lets be real. does anyone get dropped? If in fact PSA is not playing NPL I would assume that is a choice. Again any intelligent person can see right through that post. Original poster: be a grown up and call him directly if he said something offensive to your daughter. Lets not make this blog this way again

Anonymous said...

@ 10:00 and I heard some college coaches of committed kids that weren't doing DA steering them away from certain clubs/teams; that they don't play good soccer. So, there's that....

Anonymous said...

10:37 - you seem bitter. Why didn't you look into "the preps" then? You become an insider when you stop being an outsider.

Anonymous said...

11:22 AM

Let's just say I can't fly in that rarefied air. I know my place and hob knobbing with that lot ain't what I'm looking for. Merit and ability only go so far in girls soccer, yes there are a few outliers but it is mostly those with the dough go to the show.

Anonymous said...

Sad to see a player have to go the changes described here at this age/stage of the game!
Best wishes to all!

Anonymous said...

12:20 - merit and ability are what get you into the preps, too.

Anonymous said...

PSA coach is very unfair to his players. Playing ever tournament, 2 State Cups, NPL games U16- U17 teams constantly playing 2 games with same rosters. Kids are burnt. U17 team makes State Cup final but can barely win game in NPL. Wins games by manipulating U16-U17 roster whenever possible.

Anonymous said...

12:20

Below are the tuitions for the PA preps that feed PF and CFC. Merit and Ability may get this cut a bit but if you can pay this for High School do you really need soccer to get you to the next level? There is an exclusive club on the main line and it funnels the white gloves through the process. Even if Music, sports or grades gets you in the door it doesn’t always get you a seat at the table. Saying your daughter is on the top ECNL team in the state is another bauble on your Pandora bracelet along with the Mercedes/Land Rover emblem. Money to the club/coach on the team gets you the playing time so you can add a college crest in a few years.
GA - $34,480
EA - $34,095
SCH - $29000
Shipley - $37,200

Anonymous said...

PSA parent here. Worry about your own daughter. Mine is fine happy continuing to develop and loves her coach

Anonymous said...

I hear PSA got booted from NPL as they tired of game changes and game dumping to play Region 1 and US Youth state cup. Also heard Stallions under review for same reason. Playing so much is very unhealthy for the girls. Does any team really need to play 40-50 games in 3 months.

Anonymous said...

Ok now lets drag stallions in. Lets be real would the npl look to drop either?. Doubtful. Regardless both play in NL. Don't waste a post on this

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

2:05 - Not sure you are aware, but soccer is a grind sport. You realize that swimming, tennis, golf, lacrosse, squash and field hockey are more privilege "preps" sports. #clueless

Btw - the sour grapes, never get better with age. Hard work not excuses is what gets it done in the classroom, on the pitch and in life. Smarten up!

Anonymous said...

FYI-PSA was already dropped from NYCSL NPL for next year.

Anonymous said...

Shock horror!

Anonymous said...

If only ECNL maintained the same expectations from their clubs we would be in good shape.

Anonymous said...

Why were they dropped from NPL? Weren't they part of that league for a long time?

Anonymous said...

Were they dropped? Maybe they opted out. But really WHO GIVES A SHIT? With all the realignments what does it even mean?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

In no way can you compare those two. Ever.

Anonymous said...

7:50 - i agree. Nobody gives a hoot.

New topic. Did anyone see that the non-allocated players in NWSL formed a union? Love it.

Anonymous said...

10:52 This is a U17 youth soccer blog, do you really think the majority are interested in the NWSL? The PSA and Stallions topic are local and relevant, prefer to discuss it. Is it possible these teams bother you because they are not ECNL? Or maybe they beat your club at some point? The subject may not be to your liking but most people have an imterest.

Anonymous said...

Discussions about their performance sure . But the mud slinging that doesnt seem to be fact based is a waste of time.

Anonymous said...

Have an interest in what? A crazy woman insulting and accusing with a big fat lie a coach? To call a coach asshole and associate him with another coach without even knowing him? And by doing that create bad image to a team that is still doing very well.
" they play too much, they have been dropped by npl because of things that do not exist and blah blah blah.
Never anything positive . So YOU have an interest in trashing the team and it's coach for your own miserable agenda . You have nothing in your sad life ,you enjoy some bad gossip in a blog behind anonymous status. You and another couple of disgruntled parents .
No we do not give a shit about this. We care about positive constructive informations that can help our daughters in their last year of their club soccer and their future in college. All of this is just trash , just like you are. Trash.

Anonymous said...

That is right we do not care for that . Blog has been good until these individuals came back.hope they go away with their negativity . We do not care

Anonymous said...

Leave the blog !let's go back to good topics . No need to waste time with these idiots.

Anonymous said...

Looks like PA Classics might not have as much trouble with the DA as people have predicted. Their 00, 01, 02 are all state cup finalists. Can't be that bad.

Anonymous said...

Agreed . They are actually very good teams

Anonymous said...


02, 01, 00 teams at PAC would get crushed in the ECNL....and clubs like PF are not at the level of Breakers, Stars, PDA (Sky Blue) and with NYSC & Cedar Stars pushing towards funding their DA's I think this is going to be a wake up call for PAC.

The path to the finals for the PAC teams in the state cup were vs. B/C level teams. Massive difference between ECNL and USYS.

Anonymous said...

Everyone gets it....your daughter's team is better than everyone else's

Anonymous said...

Really? Wow the arrogance. Plenty of weak teams in the ECNL. Plenty of weak teams in USYS too. I hope your kid is not as easily sold as you are.

Anonymous said...

do people talk about the strength of teams becasue they feel some attachment to them? Personally, my kids likes most of her teammates, but to think that some GM is assembling the best talent around them is a bit fanciful. The team is the team. You have no real control over that. I focus on my daughter and her play, no matter who is around her and whether they win lose or draw.


When she gets to College, I will think different.

As far as the Stallions coach goes, Im amazed people allow him to disrespect and verbally abuse their kids in the name of coaching. It just shows how some parents dont value things the same. I dont care how many games he"wins" he loses in my book every time he opens his mouth to abuse another kid.

Anonymous said...

5:39 - "most people have an interest." seriously?? Someone was trying to change the subject because it was getting nasty. And for kids who are looking to play beyond college or instead of (like Pugh) it has relevance.

Anonymous said...

8:36
I know this will get the typical rebuttals but isn't there something to be said for a club like classics that is developing their own players and not constantly recruiting from the outside?
Their '04 team is also going to NCS finals

Anonymous said...

8:36 - i think it will be pretty tight when the GDA's roll out re the clubs you referenced. It's tightening up already in some of the age groups/standings. Looks like PF is up there with all of those other clubs you referenced. Should be some great finishes for the race to the championship league. Good to see.

Anonymous said...

9:13 - of course there is something to keeping kids and developing them. Congrats. You can't live in a bubble though and think that most of the talent in the USYS/NPL is very good. At one time, absolutely. But now, in particular in the higher age groups, it just isn't there overall.

I'm not trying to undermine your point about PAC and their retention/development, but what is the real measuring stick being used?

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