Hello, McFly, is anyone in there? It is a youth sport and it is all about $. Then the good one's move onto college where it is again about money, your tuition payments. Reputations come and go, go ahead and listen to a U11 parent right now and try to explain to them the facts of what will happen to their journey in the future. They will not believe you.
I would tell them that if their son is a talented,serious player, move to another country where player development is taken seriously because they're not going to find it here.
and why do you think that? Why do you have a problem with people having a different opinion from you? Many people agree that the US does not develop kids, they just want to play the big kids that will give them wins' late bloomers are overlooked. Many talented players want to train overseas,
I am with 8:51, what does many mean or now numerous? I can only think of two that did it. One it worked out for the other could not make a top teams youth roster. If there are many or numerous more I would be interested to hear your input.
Marlton with the big win, this could be their year. Most teams decided not to play in this years state cup and even some of the teams that did enter are suspect at best but a state championship is a state championship. I know my sons coach wanted no part or regionals and really no part of nationals in Texas. The question now is when and where will they play to keep sharp for college? Scrimmages? Summer leagues? What do teams do? Those not playing in college will have no dedication and how do you even field a team.
No one cares about the U19 state cup Boomer. Not needed and the players have already checked out and are busy picking out their college teams gear. Their biggest goal between now and August is to not get hurt.
I wouldn't say no one cares but TBH very few do. Maybe the coaches who are trying to build their resumes so they can bump up their hourly training rate care. If it were up to me I would take the group of players that will be playing in college in a designated area and mix up the players and create a summer league. Put 22 on a team, split time evenly and make 4 teams. Just need someone to have a field or two. Everyone will play, stay in shape, and very little travel as you can combine North and Central Jersey or Central and South Jersey or something like that.
I know it will not happen, not enough money is involved.
MF will win handily, 3-1. Ironbound and their group of in college players will work hard but these are not the same level players. Ironbound coach will wish he had the players with him that played all year. I am not wishing them bad luck but that is what they will get. IB coach will be carded at least one time.
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Yeah. The Ironbound coach is a psychopath. Really shouldn't be coaching. Makes every game about him. Seems like his players are a mixture of unquestionably loyal and terrified. I wouldn't ever count his team out though because it seems like he turns every challenging match into a whistle fest and initimidates the refs. Things get so chaotic that anything can happen. MF would be wise to try to be up 2 by half and then maybe the IB coach will resign himself to defeat. Certainly not a good coach tactically. Just wages psychologica warfare in multiple directions and hopes that his team will emerge from the chaos on top. A sad and disgraceful individual on the sideline, but I'm sure he is deeply appreciated by those close to him-and I don't doubt that he would do anything for those loyal to him.
One guy has an issue with a coach and now that is the topic. Too bad for that coach because we all know that every coach has their detractors. His style might not be the style you would choose to use but he is putting himself out there, are you?
Haha. One person has a problem with this joker? Are you friggin kidding me? And don't try to defend someone with that weak attempt "are you?" question. Maybe, but that's not the point. I don't alsonhave to be a coach to observe a coach using really questionable tactics. That was a really weak reply post. Really weak. Juvenile.
Can people stop getting so worked up on this forum? The original post about the coach was certainly critical, maybe a bit harsh. I don't know the coach so I can't weigh in. It doesn't seem weird for coaches to be harshly criticized in sports though. So I'm not buying the reply that tried to defend the coach by asking the poster if they coached. I think there are serious issues to discuss about the styles and tactics and approaches that youth coaches use--especially at these advanced ages as players are preparing for college. I wonder if there are nj club coaches who have particularly good records of preparing and sending players to good college programs where the players go on to succeed.
Question of coaching style/approach is a good one. I have seen the IB coach and don't like his approach at all, but I haven't had a kid play for him and know a couple who think he is great. Seems like the most important coaching factor at this age is how well players are being prepped for college play. Not sure how clearly this can be evaluated but it would be interesting to know what levels of success can be attributed to different coaches in terms of sending players to good college programs where they do well.
I can see 90% of MF players and 60% of Marlboro/Stronghold/SDFC players and 30% of some of the other quality clubs players going to play in College, but to say that every club in here is sending tons of player to play in college I would disagree with that.
At the end of the day, all these coaches want to do is win at all costs.
I hear you but isn't that kinda strange? You'd think that at this age the measure of success would be based on sending players to next level, not gotsoccer points or league standings.
Also, I'm not sure about the percentages you put out there-and I'm not criticizing you at all. Just thinking that they might be higher overall, but then one would have to sift through the level of college programs that players are moving on to. Which brings up another question--how much better is D1 than D3? In this area, I feel like many players who I see as stronger, may go on to a local D3 because of academics and/or financial concerns because a place like Rutgers Newark or Bloomfield College is affordable and less of a hassle to get into. Is it accurate to say that a lot of the difference between D1 and D3 is about access to more elite levels of higher education? I mean there aren't not lots of D1 soccer players getting significant $ and rising up from the tough streets of Newark. It's largely suburban white kids. Just seems like collegiate sports in general and soccer in particular opens up a can of demographic worms.
You really cant have this conversation about this 2017 class just yet. A lot of the D1 commits will realize that they are in over their head and either transfer, quit or just sit. D2 commits will realize that they only chose D2 because no D1 program wanted them and then wonder why they are at this school whose degree will do little for them. D3 players will realize they just wanted to say they were playing in college and a lot drop out by sophomore year. There will be some success stories of course but the ones who will make out the best are the players that chose their school and their level of play smartly. A kid that would be on the bottom of the roster of a D1 team but chose a great D3 school will be the true winner if they play it right. Will play minutes right away and if they take advantage of the school they will get a great education AND D3 schools have the availability to give out the most money of all of them. I have been through this, you will see.
Great post. Thanks. I agree with your observations, and it is true that D3 schools have $-just not called athletic scholarship, even though it basically is. What about the comparison between D1 and D3 level of play? I feel like the big difference may be in physicality/speed of play. Or is it as straightforward as D1 soccer is simply better soccer than D3? I guess there is also a good deal of variation within each division. Maybe a weak D1gets beaten in a hypothetical head to head with a strong D3 . . .
By definition D1 is better then D3. That doesnt mean a D3 player cant play with D1 players. But more D1 players would be able to play D3 then D3 players playing D1
There are definitely some D3 schools that are better than some D1 schools. For instance Amherst would beat Fairleigh Dickinson 6 or 7 times out of 10. Tufts would beat LaSalle more often than not. There are some very good soccer players who also want very good academics and D3 is the perfect fit.
I have always heard that D2 and D3 schools can compete with some D1 schools but I have no experience seeing either play. Why do you think Amherst or Tufts would beat FDU or LaSalle? Have you seen these teams play? If so, what did you see that would lead you to your opinion? Just trying to figure all of this out.
Looked at the standings for the 2016-2017 college season and La salle finished #3 in the Atlantic 10 while Farleigh Dickinson finished 3-11 and seton hall finished 4-11. Just the records but still, don't compare those teams
FDU recruited NJ heavily this past year, they seem more geared towards keeping local players in NJ then they are in getting the best players. Maybe it is because they have a tough time recruiting, I don't know. Seton Hall should be much better then they actually are, they play in the Big East and have a name school that should attract players. So I dont know what the problem is there, again they should be much better. For the poster above, D3 teams can absolutely compete with FDU, there is a reason there is so much turmoil with their roster.
To return to earlier discussion about coaching, I have seen the IB coach on several occasion and while I accept that coaches have their different styles and players/parents are always free to take them or leave them, this coach presents some bad problems. The main issue is that he seems bent on turning games into free for alls that become less about soccer than they are about his performance as a real inflammatory instigator type. I guess he sees this as a way to give his team the best chance to win by distracting the opponent and the refs. He seems to have decent players though, so he should just let them play while his mouth stays shut. The biggest problem about the situations he creates is that one of these occasions could easily result in physical violence. From another coach (I've seen him dance crazily in another coaches face to taint him when his team scores), a ref, an opposing parent or player. I hope not, but the way he unnecessarily elevates the stakes, it seems like an unfortunate result that could happen. Really too bad that basic on the field coaching standards can't be imposed and upheld by one of these youth soccer organizations.
I understand why you may feel that way but from the inside looking out, he motivates but just a bit differently. Crazy, yes he has been called that before. Does he care? No way. He lives on the fact that you care about him, that you think about him. He will tell you to your face that you should not worry or care one bit about what others think about you. If you waste your time judging others he will have no time for you. No standards as stated above will change him. He is who he is. He will take this same approach vs MF and he will look to take a victory out of it.
Thanks for the reasoned reply. Good to disagree but to still honor different perspectives on issues. I would just say that to me, it's disingenuous to to seek victory by sowing negativity. But the biggest concern is that someone, likely him, may get hurt one of these times. I certainly don't wish it on anyone, but athletic competition, testosterone, and taunting is a combustible and potentially violent mix. Especially in this day and age.
You stated that FDU recruited heavily in NJ this year. Is that a change for them? What makes you think they did not recruit the best players, did I read that correctly?
College coaches make the assumption that academy players are better players . We all know that's not always true but that's the way it is. Even though MF isn't academy anymore, they still have that rep.
Assumption?! Although I agree that not all academy players are better than club players. It is hard not to argue taking any level academy player over a club player. The fact is that academy players are far more college ready than club players. Academy players train at least twice as much as club players and for the most part at a much higher intensity. Not to mention their level of dedication is off the charts. Plain and simple academy players are a much safer bet to recruit than the club player regardless of how good they are.
I guess I can understand why SSC would put together a team, extra $ for the club and the trainer. But why would parents agree to pay? I guess is the question. Especially after last year's performance. Fool me once...
MF will win, Marlton will win (Marlton has and still will play no one good until the finals). MF will win it all but are they really winners? Hard enough to get willing players at this point and now they will have to go to regionals. Good luck with that.
After watching many colleges, Academy and club games I find the difference between D1 vs D3 and Academy vs Club is the pace and technical aspects of the game. The D1/Academy game just has a much better flow and that is because, for the most part, the players are more technical. Watched a D3 college game between 2 NJ schools last fall and it was like watching 2 overgrown high school teams play. I also watched 2 NJ Academy teams play and the game was so much better and much more exciting.
My son has played both academy and top level EDP. The difference between the two is depth. That is it. EDP teams have some very talented players but they also carry flawed players, where as the academy teams can eliminate those with flaws and much more readily. It is a team sport but all have been evaluated on an individual basis. Academy players have a much easier path to a college team, coaches look for them and feel that they are getting a good player without having to put much effort into the search process. EDP/Club players have a much harder hill to climb and have to prove their worth to the college coaches rather then come with the assumed worth.
In terms of academy/college issue, the clearer pathway from academy to D1 seems quite real. What also seems real is that there is an unfortunate closed loop in upper age level US soccer youth development, as from what I've seen (on a limited scale) both the academies and D1 programs emphasize a very physical and technical but generally bland style that lacks creativity. Very patterned and direct but without much imagination. Not a huge issue, but one that does seem to reflect the gap between the US and the top tier of international soccer.
That is soccer is the US, no need to limit it to D1, all college soccer is for the most part is an extension of what you are seeing now. Take the players from the top EDP and Academy teams, sprinkle in a few from the mid level teams and add in the foreign transfer students and you have a college team. Coaches change all the time, players rarely play 4 years so you are in constant turmoil with any type of real flow. Consistency is not what they are after because wins is what gets them new jobs.
Every game is back up the bus soccer. Coaches just teach how to win. No creativity . It's equivalent to teachers teaching to the test. But like another poster pointed out, that's soccer in the US.
No one backs up the bus like Marlton. They used to play all 10 field players 18 and in. They have moved away from that mess but don't think the same coaches who built that system wont do it again.
Marlton and MF will play in the finals MF will roll on. Marlton had difficulty with an average at best Hudson team. MF toyed with ironbound. IB had no bench and really only 4 players that showed any real ability IB goalie was good if he wasn't it could have. Wen 11-0. Marlton a only chance is to go at the MF defense and in particular the center defense as they seemed to be unorganized in many instances Expect a lot of goals tomorrow with MF winning. Offensively MF will run circles around marlton while marlton will play the long ball with their counter attack
How ignorant can you be? You don't mean the same town team that beat you less then a month ago do you. There is no such thing as a town team at this age.
State Cup Championships in this age group have been won by MatchFit, Marlboro, and Stronghold. Not sure if anyone else has won one since they were teenagers. Am I missing someone?
Although my sons team was not able to win a state cup, they sure did get close a few times. It was a great ride watching him grow up alongside his teammates and see the growth that they had. Some got much better, some did not but they all played their hardest. Playing the top teams in NJ and the region for what seems like forever will be something that we all will remember and soon miss more than we all might think. I had the chance to speak to some opposing teams parents over time and it seems like MF and Marlboro will have almost their entire teams playing in college. I was wondering what the other teams out there have in terms of numbers of players moving on to play in college. We have a great amount also, about 65% playing but again these are the top teams.
Enough of the SSC obsession. Game scheduled, game played. Had more players then Marlboro did so if you call that "putting a team together", so be it. No one in this age group had a better run in the past 5 years (MF and Marlboro just as good) including State and national championships.
Only distinction is MF has been competing for state cups for 3 years and have won each year. Anybody else have a 3-peat in the history of NJ State Cup? Just asking...
Who said they are the best? One of the best yes. Didn't Holmdel win 3 State Cups? Didn't Marlboro win 4 State Cups in the past 4 years? Typical MF, impossible to win with class.
quick disclaimer, I do believe MF is the best team in NJ but there are some other items to look at. 11 losses in the past year, lost to SJEB, Marlboro 2x and to Marlton. Deeper look has Marlboro #1 and MF #2 in the state at this time. I know these gotsoccer rankings dont tell the entire story but Marlboro won the USclub State cup and MF won the NJYS state cup. It would be easy to say they are 1 and 2 as they both have championships this year. Deeper look, MF has played Marlboro 2x in the past year and Marlboro won both. Am I surprised by looking at that, yes, but facts are facts and MF should be proud of their 3peat but also be aware that the post bragging about it will bring out the facts.
Figured I'd stir things up one last time. After all, this blog gets pretty boring when everybody gets along. Best of luck to all the kids on all the teams. Good luck to Marlboro in nationals! Peace out, folks.
There's no other team in NJ that can move the ball around the field as beautifully as MF. You will never see them play the long ball or park the bus. Their superior skills were rewarded with 18 D1 commits. Tiki Taka!
Anyone can see that some of the D1 commits from MF got their offer because of reputation and not ability. We all know who these players are and i think they even know it
Not surprised to see that someone else sees what I see. Let's put it this way, I see almost all MF games and I too am surprised at some of the looks they got. Some less then they deserved and some more then they deserved. If being in the academy system was the reason then glad to have been there
Look many and I could could go as far as 99% of the MF kids were going to college regardless of soccer. Most come from affluent families whose kids are attending private schools which most have 90% acceptance rates. Those kids who don't need financial assistance and daddy says, "we're just looking for a roster spot" are a bonus to a coach and will get on a D1 roster. Now I'll finish by saying they are a top team, I'm just bringing another perspective into the conversation.
Does a college team have a certain number of roster spots to fill or does this vary with the coach? It seems that youth rosters get bigger every year so maybe it's the same with college rosters.
I love the way you guys think D1 coaches frivolously throw out roster spots to anyone who shows an interest. It really doesn't work that way. MF plays a style of soccer that is very attractive to college coaches. No long balling or backing up the bus. If you have younger kids you should make sure that are playing on a team that allows them To show their talents. Midfielders don't get to show their ability if the ball is constantly being kicked over their heads. Having defenders who only kick the ball out or "send it" doesn't show college coaches anything. Having strikers who are just trying to beat defenders in a foot race shows nothing to college coaches. Every kid on MF was seen by their college coaches numerous times before offers were extended. They don't just take kids who can't play because they can't help the team develop and they eventually will just have an unhappy kid that they have to deal with. They are not looking to bring in headaches.
10:53 makes a lot of very good points. However there are many instances where players have said that they will be playing at X and the coaches have not done anything but offer a roster spot. They have already been told that they should not come if they plan on playing a lot if at all. Issue is that the parents and the players are not hearing that part because "he doesnt mean me" is there thought process. GPA factors into it very much also. This is not something that only happens with the D1 programs, just speak to a D2 or D3 coach and they will tell you the same thing. Playing soccer in college shouldnt be a job but it turns into one and that is why the dropout rate is so high. Take a look at the # of freshmen vs the # of Seniors on any given team.
MF uses the same starters every game and they play most of the game. So how could a college coach see ant significant play from roster #s 14-22? I think college coaches are making judgement calls based on the teams name, not the individual names, and also the MF coach's recommendations. I'm not trying to criticize anyone but let's be honest.
It is absolutely not true. They do not start the same players every game. There might be 4 guys that start pretty much every game. 2 of them are the CBs. The midfield and forwards are interchangeable. Level of play does not drop when subs come in.
Stop the MF jealousy. Being part of a great team does get you opportunities that others will not. I am sure Marlboro, Holmdel, STA, SSC and a few others have had great success getting players into a good college.
MatchFit, if you are so talented (18 D! recruits) and so deep ("no drop off in talent") then why are you 2-2 in EDP this year? How did your stellar defenders give up 4 goals to Marlton.
Point being, you are never as good as you think and there are MANY players that are as good or even better. Count your blessings that is worked out for you and now your players will need to prove it all over again at the next level. Their college coach will not care about anything other then what he sees from now on.
Just so I have it straight, MF lost to Marlboro and Marlton in EDP play. Are you telling me that the players went onto the field when it was #1 vs #2 and they have the ability to not try? 18 year old boys trying to capture the title of #1 and having come off a loss in their last match vs Marlboro collectively said no worries this is just an EDP game. Is that what you are saying? Marlton loss, well I would have to say MF got the revenge they needed and in a very big way.
Well 4:33 try to keep up. The CBs were 2 of the few who started every game. Remember I said that? Of the 11 goals we scored last weekend I think were scored by 8 different players. Our 18yr olds don't care about EDP games. Can't tell you how Marlboro feels. By the way I think it is 19 players in D1. Team was mixed up constantly. So when the subs came in at the 20 minute mark there were different combinations. That's why there is no drop off and so much success. That is also why all of our kids were able to showcase themselves in front of college coaches. You know nothing about how MF manages its personnel.
Congrats to MF on their college acceptances. Are there other club teams that have done well with this also? My sons team has 2 moving on to play in college and 2 that say they will walk on and try, but I do not really remember heavy recruiting going on.
Match fit. Shmatch fit. That's great that so many MF players are going on to play in college. But I certainly wouldn't gloat like this means something real in the long run. There are a small handful of players from nj who aren't academy players and are going to actually play in D1. When it's all said and done there may be 3-4 players from this class that will have significant playing time and will get through all 4 years on the team. The success of the MF club is wonderful but not very relevant from here on out.
Maybe they were just using soccer to get into a school that they wouldnt have been able too. Maybe you are wrong on your numbers. Maybe you are right, so tell them not to dream?
Are all the boys going on to play in college on summer teams? There seems to be a huge increase in the number of summer teams around but I think kids need to rest before their demanding college season starts in August, they've been playing a HS season, indoor winter. then spring. A few months rest is important.
Good question. MF and Marlboro still have regionals to play. They have the advantage of practicing because they have too without worrying about a schedule to deal with
Stronghold parent. We would like to wish good luck to our boys as they approach their next steps in life. Thanks to all the parents and boys to their commitment to the team. Thanks to their trainer, coaches and managers. It truly has been lots of fun and made some lifelong friendships Both parents and players.. we would also like to thank our opponents over the years for some great games.. good luck to this age group. We will miss the fun times...
NYSCm great work at the NPL nationals. Double OT loss is nothing to worry about, effort and attitude was great. Still have 2 National Championships under your belt.
Hearing Marlboro and their big mouth coach got into yet another fight and the final was stopped. What a discrace. Great way to play your last game as a team. Typical of the 2 Marlboro Coaches.
Bethesda results were mixed for NJ teams. No real dominating or overly positive results but these teams have not practiced right? At this point do the scores even matter?
MatchFit, again you jump the gun. Marlboro has not yet been awarded the US Club Nationals points. Either finalist or champion, whichever it is. When those points are awarded Marlboro will end as the #1 team in NJ. My opinion is that Matchfit is the best team but points and head to head Matchfit vs Marlboro show Marlboro as the better team.
There may not be any points awarded to either Lake Gtove or Marlboro for the poor exhibit of sportsmanship. Rumblings are both teams to be disqualified.
9:56 please stop. Do not listen to rumors. I am a coach and I too heard some "rumblings". I spoke directly to the LGN coach and he was very clear on what happened. LGN scored in the last 3 minutes to take a 2-1 lead over NJCSA Marlboro and when the match ended a player, and coach made it very clear that it was only one player, punched a Marlboro player. A referee saw it and intervened and while he did the LGN player then punched the referee. The referee's called the police and charges filed. There was no team fight, no coaches fighting, it was one player who made a couple of real stupid mistakes. The tournament does not want to reward LGN and I do not know what has since happened with any of that.
The game was not over because the teams were still on the field. Would a fight that took place on school grounds after hours be any less significant? And I'm sure the Marlboro player did not go down quietly.
Ok so say the game wasnt over, the score was still 2-1, so now what? ONE red card was given out (to the LGN player). NO other cards were handed out at the end of the game. Please dont say you are sure what someone did when you are in fact making up your opinion.
I'm sure there was a fight if the ref had to break it up. That's just logic. I don't care what the final decision is but bad sportsmanship in youth sports should not be acceptable or rationalized.
U guys are funny. No fight. I repeat no fight. One jerkoff from lake grove ran around punching a player and a ref. No one was happy with the kid from either team. It really was that simple
My wife and I are taking our son to college tomorrow. It's long enough of a drive that I should have gone to bed hours ago. But I'm feeling rather nostalgic and unable to sleep.
My son played at the high end of the EDP level and was able to attract a decent amount of attention from college coaches from all three NCAA levels. In the end, he made his own decision and I was pretty happy with it. My son's a rather frugal kid and the school that both met his academic credentials and made his education least expensive for him was the one that got his signature. It's a school where he should definitely get playing time by his sophomore year and may even be able to earn a fair share of minutes as a freshman. He's going to study business and I think he's started his education with a good business decision. Assuming he stays the course for 4 years, he'll graduate without any debt which was always my goal for him.
As I keep rather ridiculous records, I recently spent a couple of hours estimating what we paid for him to play club soccer over the years. The detail of the data I was able to compile was extremely complete (down to miles driven to and from training). I left out hotel costs for our family as I see these more as the vacation money we never spent because we were too busy going to Bethesda (or the like) instead of the Bahamas. The final number was just over $47K! I never looked at club soccer costs as an investment as I wanted to give my son the opportunity to compete at an appropriate level for his ability. And, unless you can land on an Academy roster, club soccer certainly has its' costs. But in the end, he's ended up with a LOT more than $47K's worth of education offered to him so I guess it turned out to be a good investment anyway.
College will offer a whole new experience not only for him, but for me as well. Just about all his school's matches will be streamed so I'll be able to watch on my computer. But that hardly sounds like as much fun as going to see matches live. I'll get to a few (at least) I'm sure. But my son's youth is ending. Of course, this is a good thing! So why am I so sad tonight?
Sorry for the ramble. This was more for me than the readers here.
Yes, all will be leaving today/tomorrow or at some point over the next week. Statistically speaking 28% will not play soccer for their college this time next year. Hope they break that trend. Choosing the correct school is so important yet we all get caught up with the sport of choice. These are top players going to good programs and some can not handle the mental aspect of not playing. It is a grind both fall and spring semester and many feel it just is not worth it.
Going to be interesting to follow the players we know and the new teams they now play on. I hope they all find success on the field and in the classroom.
Congrats, I am happy to hear that your kid will be one of the fortunate ones.
Also, sometimes we just want to mention out loud how happy we are with our kid's accomplishments and that is fine. It is not easy managing practice 3 to 4 times a week, games on the weekend, homework in the car and etc...
Getting used to life with him elsewhere. Trying to leave him alone as there were no cell phones to stalk me with when I went away to school back in the last millennium.
The house certainly is quieter.
But I can't wait for that first live stream! I'm going to hook my computer up to the TV and invite the neighborhood over!
What's special about Rutger's freshman class? RU struggles against other big ten teams. The others are stacked with international players. Good luck to RU but I'd be surprised to see many wins.
Have you not looked at Rutgers recruiting class? Maybe you have not seen them play but if you had you would know this is a great job of recruiting by the RU staff.
OK proud papa of a former MF player. They have a recruit from Uraguay who is probably excellent. Other than that, about 80% of the roster consists of NJ players. We'll see how the team does but past results have not been too positive.
Oh so because he is from Uruguay he is excellent? This is the issue with college recruiting. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. BTW no way that is a MF parent writing that, I know them both and I am positive they both feel lucky to be there and do not feel they are the top recruits. Rutgers coach is a nice guy but a poor recruiter and does not get results. Should not be leading the program at Rutgers.
Scrimmages in full swing, season to start very soon. Players will now begin to love or question their decision to go where they did and school has not yet started. Add in the school work and that will really make some question what they really want to do. Good luck to all.
Hate to be a braggart, but my son scored his first collegiate goal last night. A preseason friendly so no big deal for most...except me!
But what's far more important is the massively increased level of maturity I've seen from him over the past month! Wasn't convinced my boy would grow up and behave like a man so quickly and am really impressed with how wrong I was about this!
My son has now played 3 friendlies at the D1 level and I don't think any one of these matches exhibited the same quality of soccer as I'd seen at the "elite" youth club level. Quite frankly, I think my son's U18 club team could have at least competed with (if not beaten) any of the three schools I've seen so far.
Just hoping college soccer isn't a step backwards?
Congrats on the goal, hope there is more to come. I have watched one college game scrimmage so far and it was ok. You could see some flashes of brilliance and some rough play. I thought the speed of play would be much faster but tbh I do not think it is.
In my opinion, college soccer is like the physical style of play that you see in HS. I don't see the quick possession style of passing that was enjoyable to watch in club. College coaches seem to put a big emphasis on fitness and player size over skill.
My son and I had been to some matches at a local DI, DII and DII schools in the year before he graduated and I thought they all looked oddly similar. The DIII schools is a very good one so I suppose that contributed to the similarity.
But as I watched one of my son's recent friendlies live and got video of the other 2, I was also surprised by the speed of play, or lack of it rather. Not nearly as fast as so many people led me to believe it would be. And these are not bottom of the barrel DI programs (although definitely not the ACC either).
The more I think about it, the more confident I am that my son's U18 club team would be a real surprise for these schools...assuming the referee made sure to protect the youngsters.
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Mixed thoughts tonight (or this morning now that I think of it.)
My son's college team played their first regular season match today. My freshman son started and played at least 70 of the 90 minutes. The result for his team was disappointing as they got a draw despite being the much better team.
The quality of the soccer was ugly at best. I'm trying hard to be optimistic but can't ignore my disappointment,
My son's ability as a soccer player has given him an opportunity to play at a very good school where he can get a very good education at a very discounted rate. So I should be very happy, right? And for the most part, I am. But it would feel better if the brand of soccer didn't suck!
I should add that my son's school is clearly in a "rebuilding" year as most of last year's first team have graduated. So expectations are appropriately tempered. But still, for God's sake, please don't ask me to watch a match where the keepers punt the ball back and forth to each other repeatedly as it's an incredible bore.
My son's U 18 team would beat his DI college team easily. An well!
...and that's despite the international element of his college team. With all due respect to the Europeans and South Americans who are playing with my boy, there are a BUNCH of Jersey kids that are much better than you! GO JESREY!
Funny you should mention the foreign players as that along with the academy kids get the first look. We will see if performance = playtime or does the coach need to save face by playing the touted players. Foreign = good to most people. Academy = the best to most people.
A little surprised you are so upset about the quality of college soccer. I often told my son last year that he is probably playing the highest quality soccer that he will play in his life. Many of the college coaches are products of the way soccer was played 25 years ago here in the US. They still put a premium on big kids who kick it high, far and wide. It's going to take some time and turnover to get college soccer played at a high level. Sounds like you have a very good result from your son's soccer career, good school and partial scholarship. Enjoy it, these 4 years are going to fly by too!
I have talked to a player who played in the UK and was recruited to play college D1 in the US. He doesn't think the quality of coaching in college is as good as he got in the UK and the US coach won't let him play like he always did, for example, no pass backs. so maybe mixing foreign and US players don't have a great result.
"A little surprised you are so upset about the quality of college soccer..."
I wasn't expecting great soccer at the outset. As I'd mentioned previously, my son an I had watched a number of matches at all three NCAA levels in the past year so I was reasonably prepared. I think the fist match of his season just happened to be a particularly ugly example of the "beautiful" game.
Saw his second match today and it was much easier on the eyes.
But you're definitely right about the big picture here. A good education at a nicely discounted rate is a very good thing...and it will be over in what will feel like a flash!
This great play in college is showing with the MNT. Wow we are unstoppable! Did you see that incredible draw last night and the last loss. I guess we will be watching Russia from home...
That team is an embarrassment. They couldn't string more than three passes together. They were very lucky to get a draw and maybe qualify for the World Cup. Relying on an 18 yr kid old to be their play maker is sad and that kid has lived and played in Germany since he was 15.
The goal was scored by a player who went to live and play in Germany as a young teenager as well. I don't have too much confidence in US colleges turning out quality players.
Last night was embarrassing but I do attribute some of it to the use of players at the end of the cycle. Beasley should be in a rocking chair by now and morris and Pulisic were the only ones with a decent work rate (Bradley is always running but seems to have lost his focus). There is hardly any communication on the field and the back line is USL level at best. I think US soccer needs to rely a bit more on the College game as US Basketball and American football use it as a training ground for their professionals. Take the DA concept one step better and focus on DA colleges where the US can influence training and selection of players. I also believe the FIFA conspiracy that has held a throttle on the US ever gaining ground in the men's game. We really should replace the head of US soccer as his tenure at the helm has not produced any stellar results. Repeal Sunil!!
I'm a fan of Pulisic's but he didn't complete his passes last night. I think expectations for that kid are too high. He's young and he should be protected. If you saw the foul against him, he really got slammed. He goes out on the field and he's targeted.
Agree, that was the one non-annoying comment the commentators made last night. Pulisic is young and good but has no respect from International players and no protection from his own US team. He is well protected @ Dortmund. There was another kid from the Philly area that was a home grown Union player and drafted at 16, went over seas and was never heard from in the soccer world again.
At what point do college coaches move away from the "lets play the upper classmen" mentality and move onto the players that will be there for 4 years and are just as good if not better? Is there a norm?
"At what point do college coaches move away from the "lets play the upper classmen" mentality..."
I'll give my son's coach some credit in this regard. The first 11 for their first match of the season included 5 freshmen. I should add that 3 of them were internationals who are a bit older so maybe that spoils the point. But the other two were American players who just started college and apparently earned their spots.
So there's definitely no "Johnny's a SR so he's going to play based on his seniority" mentality going on. College coaches need to win.
All coaches need to win. The idea that "player development" will ever be seen as a success without winning is a pipe dream. Fact is, development equates to winning.
Bottom line is that, at this point, NCAA soccer isn't what we all hope it could be. But patience is a virtue and it will better and better over time. The game has come a long way in my li, etcfetime in this country and I've quit predicting when and where we'll collectively progress to by any particular time.
But at some future point, this country will produce some of the best soccer players in the world (along with most of the best baseball, basketball American footballers, golfers, tennis players, etc)
It can sometimes be men vs boys. As far as freshmen playing over upperclassmen I can only speak for my sons team. They started Freshmen game one and after 4 games the Freshmen are taking over the playtime. I am sure all teams are different but different because of the ability or inability of the upperclassmen. I will say this, if you are a freshman and not traveling or not getting a minute of playtime you are in for a long road. Next years class and transfers will get a look before those sitting the bench now will.
793 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 401 – 600 of 793 Newer› Newest»Hello, McFly, is anyone in there? It is a youth sport and it is all about $. Then the good one's move onto college where it is again about money, your tuition payments. Reputations come and go, go ahead and listen to a U11 parent right now and try to explain to them the facts of what will happen to their journey in the future. They will not believe you.
I would tell them that if their son is a talented,serious player, move to another country where player development is taken seriously because they're not going to find it here.
And u would know that when they are 5 or 6
What are you talking about? Who said 5 or 6?
So if not at a young age you would propose going overseas at what age? It is a ridiculous argument either way.
and why do you think that? Why do you have a problem with people having a different opinion from you? Many people agree that the US does not develop kids, they just want to play the big kids that will give them wins' late bloomers are overlooked. Many talented players want to train overseas,
Define many.
Are you serious? Many means a large number or numerous. If you want exact. look up US youth players playing abroad.
I am with 8:51, what does many mean or now numerous? I can only think of two that did it. One it worked out for the other could not make a top teams youth roster. If there are many or numerous more I would be interested to hear your input.
You're obviously not interested in any other opinion but yours so discussion over.
So to be clear, you have no facts to back up your statement. Too bad, I was looking forward to it.
Ironbound wins!!!!! Great coaching
Great coaching? That mean they backed up the bus better than Marlboro did?
Marlton with the big win, this could be their year. Most teams decided not to play in this years state cup and even some of the teams that did enter are suspect at best but a state championship is a state championship. I know my sons coach wanted no part or regionals and really no part of nationals in Texas. The question now is when and where will they play to keep sharp for college? Scrimmages? Summer leagues? What do teams do? Those not playing in college will have no dedication and how do you even field a team.
No one cares about the U19 state cup Boomer. Not needed and the players have already checked out and are busy picking out their college teams gear. Their biggest goal between now and August is to not get hurt.
I wouldn't say no one cares but TBH very few do. Maybe the coaches who are trying to build their resumes so they can bump up their hourly training rate care. If it were up to me I would take the group of players that will be playing in college in a designated area and mix up the players and create a summer league. Put 22 on a team, split time evenly and make 4 teams. Just need someone to have a field or two. Everyone will play, stay in shape, and very little travel as you can combine North and Central Jersey or Central and South Jersey or something like that.
I know it will not happen, not enough money is involved.
MF vs Ironbound
other semi final not set yet
MF will win handily, 3-1. Ironbound and their group of in college players will work hard but these are not the same level players. Ironbound coach will wish he had the players with him that played all year. I am not wishing them bad luck but that is what they will get. IB coach will be carded at least one time.
Should have registered for the NJ Statecup this year. Could have won a no expense paid trip to regionals.
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Yeah. The Ironbound coach is a psychopath. Really shouldn't be coaching. Makes every game about him. Seems like his players are a mixture of unquestionably loyal and terrified. I wouldn't ever count his team out though because it seems like he turns every challenging match into a whistle fest and initimidates the refs. Things get so chaotic that anything can happen. MF would be wise to try to be up 2 by half and then maybe the IB coach will resign himself to defeat. Certainly not a good coach tactically. Just wages psychologica warfare in multiple
directions and hopes that his team will emerge from the chaos on top. A sad and disgraceful individual on the sideline, but I'm sure he is deeply appreciated by those close to him-and I don't doubt that he would do anything for those loyal to him.
One guy has an issue with a coach and now that is the topic. Too bad for that coach because we all know that every coach has their detractors. His style might not be the style you would choose to use but he is putting himself out there, are you?
Haha. One person has a problem with this joker? Are you friggin kidding me? And don't try to defend someone with that weak attempt "are you?" question. Maybe, but that's not the point. I don't alsonhave to be a coach to observe a coach using really questionable tactics. That was a really weak reply post. Really weak. Juvenile.
As defined on this board, weak = comment that does not agree with your opinion.
Can people stop getting so worked up on this forum? The original post about the coach was certainly critical, maybe a bit harsh. I don't know the coach so I can't weigh in. It doesn't seem weird for coaches to be harshly criticized in sports though. So I'm not buying the reply that tried to defend the coach by asking the poster if they coached. I think there are serious issues to discuss about the styles and tactics and approaches that youth coaches use--especially at these advanced ages as players are preparing for college. I wonder if there are nj club coaches who have particularly good records of preparing and sending players to good college programs where the players go on to succeed.
Question of coaching style/approach is a good one. I have seen the IB coach and don't like his approach at all, but I haven't had a kid play for him and know a couple who think he is great. Seems like the most important coaching factor at this age is how well players are being prepped for college play. Not sure how clearly this can be evaluated but it would be interesting to know what levels of success can be attributed to different coaches in terms of sending players to good college programs where they do well.
I can see 90% of MF players and 60% of Marlboro/Stronghold/SDFC players and 30% of some of the other quality clubs players going to play in College, but to say that every club in here is sending tons of player to play in college I would disagree with that.
At the end of the day, all these coaches want to do is win at all costs.
I hear you but isn't that kinda strange? You'd think that at this age the measure of success would be based on sending players to next level, not gotsoccer points or league standings.
Also, I'm not sure about the percentages you put out there-and I'm not criticizing you at all. Just thinking that they might be higher overall, but then one would have to sift through the level of college programs that players are moving on to. Which brings up another question--how much better is D1 than D3? In this area, I feel like many players who I see as stronger, may go on to a local D3 because of academics and/or financial concerns because a place like Rutgers Newark or Bloomfield College is affordable and less of a hassle to get into. Is it accurate to say that a lot of the difference between D1 and D3 is about access to more elite levels of higher education? I mean there aren't not lots of D1 soccer players getting significant $ and rising up from the tough streets of Newark. It's largely suburban white kids. Just seems like collegiate sports in general and soccer in particular opens up a can of demographic worms.
You really cant have this conversation about this 2017 class just yet. A lot of the D1 commits will realize that they are in over their head and either transfer, quit or just sit. D2 commits will realize that they only chose D2 because no D1 program wanted them and then wonder why they are at this school whose degree will do little for them. D3 players will realize they just wanted to say they were playing in college and a lot drop out by sophomore year. There will be some success stories of course but the ones who will make out the best are the players that chose their school and their level of play smartly. A kid that would be on the bottom of the roster of a D1 team but chose a great D3 school will be the true winner if they play it right. Will play minutes right away and if they take advantage of the school they will get a great education AND D3 schools have the availability to give out the most money of all of them. I have been through this, you will see.
Great post. Thanks. I agree with your observations, and it is true that D3 schools have $-just not called athletic scholarship, even though it basically is. What about the comparison between D1 and D3 level of play? I feel like the big difference may be in physicality/speed of play. Or is it as straightforward as D1 soccer is simply better soccer than D3? I guess there is also a good deal of variation within each division. Maybe a weak D1gets beaten in a hypothetical head to head with a strong D3 . . .
Rowan beat Delaware 6-0 this spring. What does that mean? IDK, but it still was the result.
By definition D1 is better then D3. That doesnt mean a D3 player cant play with D1 players. But more D1 players would be able to play D3 then D3 players playing D1
There are definitely some D3 schools that are better than some D1 schools. For instance Amherst would beat Fairleigh Dickinson 6 or 7 times out of 10. Tufts would beat LaSalle more often than not. There are some very good soccer players who also want very good academics and D3 is the perfect fit.
I have always heard that D2 and D3 schools can compete with some D1 schools but I have no experience seeing either play. Why do you think Amherst or Tufts would beat FDU or LaSalle? Have you seen these teams play? If so, what did you see that would lead you to your opinion? Just trying to figure all of this out.
Looked at the standings for the 2016-2017 college season and La salle finished #3 in the Atlantic 10 while Farleigh Dickinson finished 3-11 and seton hall finished 4-11. Just the records but still, don't compare those teams
FDU recruited NJ heavily this past year, they seem more geared towards keeping local players in NJ then they are in getting the best players. Maybe it is because they have a tough time recruiting, I don't know. Seton Hall should be much better then they actually are, they play in the Big East and have a name school that should attract players. So I dont know what the problem is there, again they should be much better. For the poster above, D3 teams can absolutely compete with FDU, there is a reason there is so much turmoil with their roster.
To return to earlier discussion about coaching, I have seen the IB coach on several occasion and while I accept that coaches have their different styles and players/parents are always free to take them or leave them, this coach presents some bad problems. The main issue is that he seems bent on turning games into free for alls that become less about soccer than they are about his performance as a real inflammatory instigator type. I guess he sees this as a way to give his team the best chance to win by distracting the opponent and the refs. He seems to have decent players though, so he should just let them play while his mouth stays shut. The biggest problem about the situations he creates is that one of these occasions could easily result in physical violence. From another coach (I've seen him dance crazily in another coaches face to taint him when his team scores), a ref, an opposing parent or player. I hope not, but the way he unnecessarily elevates the stakes, it seems like an unfortunate result that could happen. Really too bad that basic on the field coaching standards can't be imposed and upheld by one of these youth soccer organizations.
I understand why you may feel that way but from the inside looking out, he motivates but just a bit differently. Crazy, yes he has been called that before. Does he care? No way. He lives on the fact that you care about him, that you think about him. He will tell you to your face that you should not worry or care one bit about what others think about you. If you waste your time judging others he will have no time for you. No standards as stated above will change him. He is who he is. He will take this same approach vs MF and he will look to take a victory out of it.
Thanks for the reasoned reply. Good to disagree but to still honor different perspectives on issues. I would just say that to me, it's disingenuous to to seek victory by sowing negativity. But the biggest concern is that someone, likely him, may get hurt one of these times. I certainly don't wish it on anyone, but athletic competition, testosterone, and taunting is a combustible and potentially violent mix. Especially in this day and age.
You stated that FDU recruited heavily in NJ this year. Is that a change for them? What makes you think they did not recruit the best players, did I read that correctly?
Rutgers also seemed to get a good number of NJ recruits plus some international and maybe 1-2 from out of state.
Yes Rutgers did but they recruited reputation over talent
College coaches make the assumption that academy players are better players . We all know that's not always true but that's the way it is. Even though MF isn't academy anymore, they still have that rep.
Assumption?! Although I agree that not all academy players are better than club players. It is hard not to argue taking any level academy player over a club player. The fact is that academy players are far more college ready than club players. Academy players train at least twice as much as club players and for the most part at a much higher intensity. Not to mention their level of dedication is off the charts. Plain and simple academy players are a much safer bet to recruit than the club player regardless of how good they are.
Exactly! A safer bet but not a sure thing. I call that an assumption that you're getting a better player.
In terms of 5/26 @ 5:38 comment, how exactly is Rutgers choosing reputation over talent in their incoming recruiting class?
Are you saying Rutgers got the best player from your team?
Huh???
Clearly the best players on MF did not go to Rutgers, so what is your question.
After the loss vs Coppa pretty much looks like SSC is a repeat of last year and going to forfeit the remainder of thier games. What a way to end it.
Hard to imagine why they joined the league in first place.
They lost a game, why would they forfeit their remaining? Why do you think this?
Well they've only played 2 games the entire Spring. Why do you think they won't forfeit their games just like that did last year?
Looking at the schedule they aren't the only one
I guess I can understand why SSC would put together a team, extra $ for the club and the trainer. But why would parents agree to pay? I guess is the question. Especially after last year's performance. Fool me once...
How would the coach/trainer make $ by not playing? They get paid to be at the games! STA dropped out of the league but no backlash there.
State cup this weekend, any predictions?
Marlton will win
MF will win, Marlton will win (Marlton has and still will play no one good until the finals). MF will win it all but are they really winners? Hard enough to get willing players at this point and now they will have to go to regionals. Good luck with that.
After watching many colleges, Academy and club games I find the difference between D1 vs D3 and Academy vs Club is the pace and technical aspects of the game. The D1/Academy game just has a much better flow and that is because, for the most part, the players are more technical.
Watched a D3 college game between 2 NJ schools last fall and it was like watching 2 overgrown high school teams play.
I also watched 2 NJ Academy teams play and the game was so much better and much more exciting.
My son has played both academy and top level EDP. The difference between the two is depth. That is it. EDP teams have some very talented players but they also carry flawed players, where as the academy teams can eliminate those with flaws and much more readily. It is a team sport but all have been evaluated on an individual basis. Academy players have a much easier path to a college team, coaches look for them and feel that they are getting a good player without having to put much effort into the search process. EDP/Club players have a much harder hill to climb and have to prove their worth to the college coaches rather then come with the assumed worth.
In terms of academy/college issue, the clearer pathway from academy to D1 seems quite real. What also seems real is that there is an unfortunate closed loop in upper age level US soccer youth development, as from what I've seen (on a limited scale) both the academies and D1 programs emphasize a very physical and technical but generally bland style that lacks creativity. Very patterned and direct but without much imagination. Not a huge issue, but one that does seem to reflect the gap between the US and the top tier of international soccer.
That is soccer is the US, no need to limit it to D1, all college soccer is for the most part is an extension of what you are seeing now. Take the players from the top EDP and Academy teams, sprinkle in a few from the mid level teams and add in the foreign transfer students and you have a college team. Coaches change all the time, players rarely play 4 years so you are in constant turmoil with any type of real flow. Consistency is not what they are after because wins is what gets them new jobs.
MF vs IB = MF winner 3-0
Marlton vs Hudson = winner Marlton 2-1
or
Wild card: Burst everyone's bubble.
Final: IB vs Hudson
Gonna be back up the bus soccer. Small field, probably hasn't been mowed in a week. Anybody can win.
Small field? You out there measuring?
Every game is back up the bus soccer. Coaches just teach how to win. No creativity . It's equivalent to teachers teaching to the test. But like another poster pointed out, that's soccer in the US.
No one backs up the bus like Marlton. They used to play all 10 field players 18 and in. They have moved away from that mess but don't think the same coaches who built that system wont do it again.
Marlton back up the bus? Did you lose to them, I'm sorry.
Your strategy of backing up the bus works sometimes but not all the time so good for you!
Stop whining if you lost.
Marlton and MF will play in the finals MF will roll on. Marlton had difficulty with an average at best Hudson team. MF toyed with ironbound. IB had no bench and really only 4 players that showed any real ability IB goalie was good if he wasn't it could have. Wen 11-0. Marlton a only chance is to go at the MF defense and in particular the center defense as they seemed to be unorganized in many instances Expect a lot of goals tomorrow with MF winning. Offensively MF will run circles around marlton while marlton will play the long ball with their counter attack
Town team
How ignorant can you be? You don't mean the same town team that beat you less then a month ago do you. There is no such thing as a town team at this age.
SSC didn't back up the bus, they got on it and left town.
Why do you say that? Did they forfeit a game this weekend?
State Cup Championships in this age group have been won by
MatchFit, Marlboro, and Stronghold. Not sure if anyone else has won one since they were teenagers. Am I missing someone?
Although my sons team was not able to win a state cup, they sure did get close a few times. It was a great ride watching him grow up alongside his teammates and see the growth that they had. Some got much better, some did not but they all played their hardest. Playing the top teams in NJ and the region for what seems like forever will be something that we all will remember and soon miss more than we all might think. I had the chance to speak to some opposing teams parents over time and it seems like MF and Marlboro will have almost their entire teams playing in college. I was wondering what the other teams out there have in terms of numbers of players moving on to play in college. We have a great amount also, about 65% playing but again these are the top teams.
Those are good numbers. My son is on a top 20 NJ team and we will have 2 playing in college.
As per EDP standings, Stronghold has played a game. For those wondering where the bus was, I guess it was on the field or they rented it to Europa.
Looks like they put a team together for a home game. I bet EDP is cracking down on the club.
Enough of the SSC obsession. Game scheduled, game played. Had more players then Marlboro did so if you call that "putting a team together", so be it. No one in this age group had a better run in the past 5 years (MF and Marlboro just as good) including State and national championships.
7:40 made some valid points. May also want to add that SSC is not the only team not to have played their matches.
May also want to add that SSC's coach has more cards than hallmark.
Only distinction is MF has been competing for state cups for 3 years and have won each year. Anybody else have a 3-peat in the history of NJ State Cup? Just asking...
Any other team here that used to play in academy league but dropped down a level where they can now be the best among the club teams?
Who said they are the best? One of the best yes. Didn't Holmdel win 3 State Cups? Didn't Marlboro win 4 State Cups in the past 4 years? Typical MF, impossible to win with class.
quick disclaimer, I do believe MF is the best team in NJ but there are some other items to look at. 11 losses in the past year, lost to SJEB, Marlboro 2x and to Marlton. Deeper look has Marlboro #1 and MF #2 in the state at this time. I know these gotsoccer rankings dont tell the entire story but Marlboro won the USclub State cup and MF won the NJYS state cup. It would be easy to say they are 1 and 2 as they both have championships this year. Deeper look, MF has played Marlboro 2x in the past year and Marlboro won both. Am I surprised by looking at that, yes, but facts are facts and MF should be proud of their 3peat but also be aware that the post bragging about it will bring out the facts.
Figured I'd stir things up one last time. After all, this blog gets pretty boring when everybody gets along. Best of luck to all the kids on all the teams. Good luck to Marlboro in nationals! Peace out, folks.
That is of course if Marlboro goes to Nationals. Do U19 teams really go? Same to MF at Regionals.
There's no other team in NJ that can move the ball around the field as beautifully as MF. You will never see them play the long ball or park the bus. Their superior skills were rewarded with 18 D1 commits. Tiki Taka!
NJYS State cup for U19 had to post a performance bond to ensure they show up to regionals.
Anyone can see that some of the D1 commits from MF got their offer because of reputation and not ability. We all know who these players are and i think they even know it
Not surprised to see that someone else sees what I see. Let's put it this way, I see almost all MF games and I too am surprised at some of the looks they got. Some less then they deserved and some more then they deserved. If being in the academy system was the reason then glad to have been there
Look many and I could could go as far as 99% of the MF kids were going to college regardless of soccer. Most come from affluent families whose kids are attending private schools which most have 90% acceptance rates. Those kids who don't need financial assistance and daddy says, "we're just looking for a roster spot" are a bonus to a coach and will get on a D1 roster. Now I'll finish by saying they are a top team, I'm just bringing another perspective into the conversation.
Does a college team have a certain number of roster spots to fill or does this vary with the coach? It seems that youth rosters get bigger every year so maybe it's the same with college rosters.
I love the way you guys think D1 coaches frivolously throw out roster spots to anyone who shows an interest. It really doesn't work that way. MF plays a style of soccer that is very attractive to college coaches. No long balling or backing up the bus. If you have younger kids you should make sure that are playing on a team that allows them
To show their talents. Midfielders don't get to show their ability if the ball is constantly being kicked over their heads. Having defenders who only kick the ball out or "send it" doesn't show college coaches anything. Having strikers who are just trying to beat defenders in a foot race shows nothing to college coaches.
Every kid on MF was seen by their college coaches numerous times before offers were extended. They don't just take kids who can't play because they can't help the team develop and they eventually will just have an unhappy kid that they have to deal with. They are not looking to bring in headaches.
10:53 makes a lot of very good points. However there are many instances where players have said that they will be playing at X and the coaches have not done anything but offer a roster spot. They have already been told that they should not come if they plan on playing a lot if at all. Issue is that the parents and the players are not hearing that part because "he doesnt mean me" is there thought process. GPA factors into it very much also. This is not something that only happens with the D1 programs, just speak to a D2 or D3 coach and they will tell you the same thing. Playing soccer in college shouldnt be a job but it turns into one and that is why the dropout rate is so high. Take a look at the # of freshmen vs the # of Seniors on any given team.
MF uses the same starters every game and they play most of the game. So how could a college coach see ant significant play from roster #s 14-22? I think college coaches are making judgement calls based on the teams name, not the individual names, and also the MF coach's recommendations. I'm not trying to criticize anyone but let's be honest.
So your son plays on MF? How else would you know this?
Isn't it true that you use the same starters for every game?
It is absolutely not true. They do not start the same players every game. There might be 4 guys that start pretty much every game. 2 of them are the CBs. The midfield and forwards are interchangeable. Level of play does not drop when subs come in.
Always different starters, not so much because they want to get everyone starting time but more because the players are not always there.
Stop the MF jealousy. Being part of a great team does get you opportunities that others will not. I am sure Marlboro, Holmdel, STA, SSC and a few others have had great success getting players into a good college.
MatchFit, if you are so talented (18 D! recruits) and so deep ("no drop off in talent") then why are you 2-2 in EDP this year? How did your stellar defenders give up 4 goals to Marlton.
Point being, you are never as good as you think and there are MANY players that are as good or even better. Count your blessings that is worked out for you and now your players will need to prove it all over again at the next level. Their college coach will not care about anything other then what he sees from now on.
Somebody seems a bit angry.
Who cares about EDP league games? Neither of the starting CBs were at that Marlton game. When the game mattered we took care of business....
Well I didn't say this, but MF did "Level of play does not drop when subs come in". Now the only reason they lost was because they were not there.
Just so I have it straight, MF lost to Marlboro and Marlton in EDP play. Are you telling me that the players went onto the field when it was #1 vs #2 and they have the ability to not try? 18 year old boys trying to capture the title of #1 and having come off a loss in their last match vs Marlboro collectively said no worries this is just an EDP game. Is that what you are saying? Marlton loss, well I would have to say MF got the revenge they needed and in a very big way.
Well 4:33 try to keep up. The CBs were 2 of the few who started every game. Remember I said that? Of the 11 goals we scored last weekend I think were scored by 8 different players. Our 18yr olds don't care about EDP games. Can't tell you how Marlboro feels. By the way I think it is 19 players in D1. Team was mixed up constantly. So when the subs came in at the 20 minute mark there were different combinations. That's why there is no drop off and so much success. That is also why all of our kids were able to showcase themselves in front of college coaches. You know nothing about how MF manages its personnel.
So top athletes pick and choose which games they want to perform in? Bad recruiting if you ask me
Congrats to MF on their college acceptances. Are there other club teams that have done well with this also? My sons team has 2 moving on to play in college and 2 that say they will walk on and try, but I do not really remember heavy recruiting going on.
It was not Penn State or Virginia but we had at least one college coach at every one of our regular slate of games. Tournaments many more of course.
U get recruited, sign NLI, coach who recruited you leaves, U cant leave or change your mind. Not right.
Match fit. Shmatch fit. That's great that so many MF players are going on to play in college. But I certainly wouldn't gloat like this means something real in the long run. There are a small handful of players from nj who aren't academy players and are going to actually play in D1. When it's all said and done there may be 3-4 players from this class that will have significant playing time and will get through all 4 years on the team. The success of the MF club is wonderful but not very relevant from here on out.
Maybe they were just using soccer to get into a school that they wouldnt have been able too. Maybe you are wrong on your numbers. Maybe you are right, so tell them not to dream?
Well, it is all over. As stated, Stronghold did not finish their season, and Europa screwed us all. Well done boys.
It is not over yet, still have mid atlantic regional championships.
Are all the boys going on to play in college on summer teams? There seems to be a huge increase in the number of summer teams around but I think kids need to rest before their demanding college season starts in August, they've been playing a HS season, indoor winter. then spring. A few months rest is important.
Good question. MF and Marlboro still have regionals to play. They have the advantage of practicing because they have too without worrying about a schedule to deal with
regionals begin today. Mostly 99's
LOL PDA playing in the B flight AND not going to win their division.
Ok ass, PDA 8 goals today.
Good effort MF. Great work and great watching you Best of luck in college
So is that it? No tournaments, no games, this age group has completed to the end? It was fun, good luck to all that are moving on.
Stronghold parent. We would like to wish good luck to our boys as they approach their next steps in life. Thanks to all the parents and boys to their commitment to the team. Thanks to their trainer, coaches and managers. It truly has been lots of fun and made some lifelong friendships Both parents and players.. we would also like to thank our opponents over the years for some great games.. good luck to this age group. We will miss the fun times...
You could have written this last year; bunch of quitters...
NYSCm great work at the NPL nationals. Double OT loss is nothing to worry about, effort and attitude was great. Still have 2 National Championships under your belt.
https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/high-school-soccer-article/hs-boys:-teamsnap-fall-state-stars_aid42092
NYSC, that close to a 3peat. Moving up and moving on.
Good team i am surprised they lost.
How come the score of the marlboro national final is not posted? Game was played this morning and all other games are posted.
Marlboro was in the National Finals again? Where was it played? I dont see a link to it anywhere.
It was the US CLub National Cup. Same and only National they won last year.
http://clubsoccer.us/TTSchedules.aspx?tid=USCLUBI&year=2017&stid=USCLUBI&syear=2017&div=U19M01
That is impressive. Now onto college.
Hearing Marlboro and their big mouth coach got into yet another fight and the final was stopped. What a discrace. Great way to play your last game as a team. Typical of the 2 Marlboro Coaches.
Bethesda results were mixed for NJ teams. No real dominating or overly positive results but these teams have not practiced right? At this point do the scores even matter?
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Where did you hear that? What is your source?
MF final ranking #1 !!!!!!!
MatchFit, again you jump the gun. Marlboro has not yet been awarded the US Club Nationals points. Either finalist or champion, whichever it is. When those points are awarded Marlboro will end as the #1 team in NJ. My opinion is that Matchfit is the best team but points and head to head Matchfit vs Marlboro show Marlboro as the better team.
There may not be any points awarded to either Lake Gtove or Marlboro for the poor exhibit of sportsmanship. Rumblings are both teams to be disqualified.
9:56 please stop. Do not listen to rumors. I am a coach and I too heard some "rumblings". I spoke directly to the LGN coach and he was very clear on what happened. LGN scored in the last 3 minutes to take a 2-1 lead over NJCSA Marlboro and when the match ended a player, and coach made it very clear that it was only one player, punched a Marlboro player. A referee saw it and intervened and while he did the LGN player then punched the referee. The referee's called the police and charges filed. There was no team fight, no coaches fighting, it was one player who made a couple of real stupid mistakes. The tournament does not want to reward LGN and I do not know what has since happened with any of that.
It's not a rumor. What went on was bad sportsmanship. There should be zero tolerance!
If the above is true then why would Marlboro be disqualified? For that matter why would Lake Grove be disqualified, the game was over.
The game was not over because the teams were still on the field. Would a fight that took place on school grounds after hours be any less significant? And I'm sure the Marlboro player did not go down quietly.
Ok so say the game wasnt over, the score was still 2-1, so now what? ONE red card was given out (to the LGN player). NO other cards were handed out at the end of the game. Please dont say you are sure what someone did when you are in fact making up your opinion.
I'm sure there was a fight if the ref had to break it up. That's just logic. I don't care what the final decision is but bad sportsmanship in youth sports should not be acceptable or rationalized.
U guys are funny. No fight. I repeat no fight. One jerkoff from lake grove ran around punching a player and a ref. No one was happy with the kid from either team. It really was that simple
My wife and I are taking our son to college tomorrow. It's long enough of a drive that I should have gone to bed hours ago. But I'm feeling rather nostalgic and unable to sleep.
My son played at the high end of the EDP level and was able to attract a decent amount of attention from college coaches from all three NCAA levels. In the end, he made his own decision and I was pretty happy with it. My son's a rather frugal kid and the school that both met his academic credentials and made his education least expensive for him was the one that got his signature. It's a school where he should definitely get playing time by his sophomore year and may even be able to earn a fair share of minutes as a freshman. He's going to study business and I think he's started his education with a good business decision. Assuming he stays the course for 4 years, he'll graduate without any debt which was always my goal for him.
As I keep rather ridiculous records, I recently spent a couple of hours estimating what we paid for him to play club soccer over the years. The detail of the data I was able to compile was extremely complete (down to miles driven to and from training). I left out hotel costs for our family as I see these more as the vacation money we never spent because we were too busy going to Bethesda (or the like) instead of the Bahamas. The final number was just over $47K! I never looked at club soccer costs as an investment as I wanted to give my son the opportunity to compete at an appropriate level for his ability. And, unless you can land on an Academy roster, club soccer certainly has its' costs. But in the end, he's ended up with a LOT more than $47K's worth of education offered to him so I guess it turned out to be a good investment anyway.
College will offer a whole new experience not only for him, but for me as well. Just about all his school's matches will be streamed so I'll be able to watch on my computer. But that hardly sounds like as much fun as going to see matches live. I'll get to a few (at least) I'm sure. But my son's youth is ending. Of course, this is a good thing! So why am I so sad tonight?
Sorry for the ramble. This was more for me than the readers here.
Fall's coming! Can't wait!
Yes, all will be leaving today/tomorrow or at some point over the next week. Statistically speaking 28% will not play soccer for their college this time next year. Hope they break that trend. Choosing the correct school is so important yet we all get caught up with the sport of choice. These are top players going to good programs and some can not handle the mental aspect of not playing. It is a grind both fall and spring semester and many feel it just is not worth it.
Going to be interesting to follow the players we know and the new teams they now play on. I hope they all find success on the field and in the classroom.
August 7, 2:26
Congrats, I am happy to hear that your kid will be one of the fortunate ones.
Also, sometimes we just want to mention out loud how happy we are with our kid's accomplishments and that is fine. It is not easy managing practice 3 to 4 times a week, games on the weekend, homework in the car and etc...
Good luck this fall.
Thanks August 10, 12:14.
Getting used to life with him elsewhere. Trying to leave him alone as there were no cell phones to stalk me with when I went away to school back in the last millennium.
The house certainly is quieter.
But I can't wait for that first live stream! I'm going to hook my computer up to the TV and invite the neighborhood over!
Livestream college games are tough to watch, camera work not that good.
Rutgers Freshmen class is a special one, good recruiting job done and a bright future ahead.
Rowan brought in a bunch this year, not all will will be on the team. Just too many players.
What's special about Rutger's freshman class? RU struggles against other big ten teams. The others are stacked with international players. Good luck to RU but I'd be surprised to see many wins.
Have you not looked at Rutgers recruiting class? Maybe you have not seen them play but if you had you would know this is a great job of recruiting by the RU staff.
OK proud papa of a former MF player. They have a recruit from Uraguay who is probably excellent. Other than that, about 80% of the roster consists of NJ players. We'll see how the team does but past results have not been too positive.
Oh so because he is from Uruguay he is excellent? This is the issue with college recruiting. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. BTW no way that is a MF parent writing that, I know them both and I am positive they both feel lucky to be there and do not feel they are the top recruits. Rutgers coach is a nice guy but a poor recruiter and does not get results. Should not be leading the program at Rutgers.
Do you realize that 2 years ago coach of Rutgers was voted Big 10 Coach of the year? I realize you guys have axes to grind but c'mon...
There are no axes to grind. Prior results can't be argued. Good luck to RU in the future but there's not much diversity in that roster.
10 games under .500 over 7 years is not a good record no matter how you cut it. Lucky to have the job.
Think they just extended his contract too!
And are now predicted to come in last this season. Oh now that is good recruiting
Granted it was just an exhibition but RU did just beat UCONN. Hope they have a good season.
Scrimmages in full swing, season to start very soon. Players will now begin to love or question their decision to go where they did and school has not yet started. Add in the school work and that will really make some question what they really want to do. Good luck to all.
What a way to get the season started! RU plays 2 top 5 teams Wake Forest and North Carolina. Good luck!!
Well that didn't go well. Can you say overmatched. Freshmen playing but not well
Hate to be a braggart, but my son scored his first collegiate goal last night. A preseason friendly so no big deal for most...except me!
But what's far more important is the massively increased level of maturity I've seen from him over the past month! Wasn't convinced my boy would grow up and behave like a man so quickly and am really impressed with how wrong I was about this!
One other thought about collegiate soccer.
My son has now played 3 friendlies at the D1 level and I don't think any one of these matches exhibited the same quality of soccer as I'd seen at the "elite" youth club level. Quite frankly, I think my son's U18 club team could have at least competed with (if not beaten) any of the three schools I've seen so far.
Just hoping college soccer isn't a step backwards?
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Congrats on the goal, hope there is more to come. I have watched one college game scrimmage so far and it was ok. You could see some flashes of brilliance and some rough play. I thought the speed of play would be much faster but tbh I do not think it is.
In my opinion, college soccer is like the physical style of play that you see in HS. I don't see the quick possession style of passing that was enjoyable to watch in club. College coaches seem to put a big emphasis on fitness and player size over skill.
My son and I had been to some matches at a local DI, DII and DII schools in the year before he graduated and I thought they all looked oddly similar. The DIII schools is a very good one so I suppose that contributed to the similarity.
But as I watched one of my son's recent friendlies live and got video of the other 2, I was also surprised by the speed of play, or lack of it rather. Not nearly as fast as so many people led me to believe it would be. And these are not bottom of the barrel DI programs (although definitely not the ACC either).
The more I think about it, the more confident I am that my son's U18 club team would be a real surprise for these schools...assuming the referee made sure to protect the youngsters.
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Mixed thoughts tonight (or this morning now that I think of it.)
My son's college team played their first regular season match today. My freshman son started and played at least 70 of the 90 minutes. The result for his team was disappointing as they got a draw despite being the much better team.
The quality of the soccer was ugly at best. I'm trying hard to be optimistic but can't ignore my disappointment,
My son's ability as a soccer player has given him an opportunity to play at a very good school where he can get a very good education at a very discounted rate. So I should be very happy, right? And for the most part, I am. But it would feel better if the brand of soccer didn't suck!
I should add that my son's school is clearly in a "rebuilding" year as most of last year's first team have graduated. So expectations are appropriately tempered. But still, for God's sake, please don't ask me to watch a match where the keepers punt the ball back and forth to each other repeatedly as it's an incredible bore.
My son's U 18 team would beat his DI college team easily. An well!
...and that's despite the international element of his college team. With all due respect to the Europeans and South Americans who are playing with my boy, there are a BUNCH of Jersey kids that are much better than you!
GO JESREY!
Funny you should mention the foreign players as that along with the academy kids get the first look. We will see if performance = playtime or does the coach need to save face by playing the touted players. Foreign = good to most people. Academy = the best to most people.
A little surprised you are so upset about the quality of college soccer. I often told my son last year that he is probably playing the highest quality soccer that he will play in his life. Many of the college coaches are products of the way soccer was played 25 years ago here in the US. They still put a premium on big kids who kick it high, far and wide. It's going to take some time and turnover to get college soccer played at a high level. Sounds like you have a very good result from your son's soccer career, good school and partial scholarship. Enjoy it, these 4 years are going to fly by too!
I have talked to a player who played in the UK and was recruited to play college D1 in the US. He doesn't think the quality of coaching in college is as good as he got in the UK and the US coach won't let him play like he always did, for example, no pass backs. so maybe mixing foreign and US players don't have a great result.
"A little surprised you are so upset about the quality of college soccer..."
I wasn't expecting great soccer at the outset. As I'd mentioned previously, my son an I had watched a number of matches at all three NCAA levels in the past year so I was reasonably prepared. I think the fist match of his season just happened to be a particularly ugly example of the "beautiful" game.
Saw his second match today and it was much easier on the eyes.
But you're definitely right about the big picture here. A good education at a nicely discounted rate is a very good thing...and it will be over in what will feel like a flash!
"...no pass backs..."
Good grief, that's a disturbing report! Please tell me you were kidding!!!
Looking at playtime allotted, some have made very poor choices if getting on the pitch was their plan.
This great play in college is showing with the MNT. Wow we are unstoppable! Did you see that incredible draw last night and the last loss. I guess we will be watching Russia from home...
Keep up the good work boys!!!
That team is an embarrassment. They couldn't string more than three passes together. They were very lucky to get a draw and maybe qualify for the World Cup. Relying on an 18 yr kid old to be their play maker is sad and that kid has lived and played in Germany since he was 15.
The goal was scored by a player who went to live and play in Germany as a young teenager as well. I don't have too much confidence in US colleges turning out quality players.
Last night was embarrassing but I do attribute some of it to the use of players at the end of the cycle. Beasley should be in a rocking chair by now and morris and Pulisic were the only ones with a decent work rate (Bradley is always running but seems to have lost his focus). There is hardly any communication on the field and the back line is USL level at best. I think US soccer needs to rely a bit more on the College game as US Basketball and American football use it as a training ground for their professionals. Take the DA concept one step better and focus on DA colleges where the US can influence training and selection of players. I also believe the FIFA conspiracy that has held a throttle on the US ever gaining ground in the men's game. We really should replace the head of US soccer as his tenure at the helm has not produced any stellar results. Repeal Sunil!!
I'm a fan of Pulisic's but he didn't complete his passes last night. I think expectations for that kid are too high. He's young and he should be protected. If you saw the foul against him, he really got slammed. He goes out on the field and he's targeted.
11:16am
Agree, that was the one non-annoying comment the commentators made last night. Pulisic is young and good but has no respect from International players and no protection from his own US team. He is well protected @ Dortmund. There was another kid from the Philly area that was a home grown Union player and drafted at 16, went over seas and was never heard from in the soccer world again.
https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/post/2010/12/22/union-sign-pfeffer-first-home-grown-player
At what point do college coaches move away from the "lets play the upper classmen" mentality and move onto the players that will be there for 4 years and are just as good if not better? Is there a norm?
"At what point do college coaches move away from the "lets play the upper classmen" mentality..."
I'll give my son's coach some credit in this regard. The first 11 for their first match of the season included 5 freshmen. I should add that 3 of them were internationals who are a bit older so maybe that spoils the point. But the other two were American players who just started college and apparently earned their spots.
So there's definitely no "Johnny's a SR so he's going to play based on his seniority" mentality going on. College coaches need to win.
All coaches need to win. The idea that "player development" will ever be seen as a success without winning is a pipe dream. Fact is, development equates to winning.
Bottom line is that, at this point, NCAA soccer isn't what we all hope it could be. But patience is a virtue and it will better and better over time. The game has come a long way in my li, etcfetime in this country and I've quit predicting when and where we'll collectively progress to by any particular time.
But at some future point, this country will produce some of the best soccer players in the world (along with most of the best baseball, basketball American footballers, golfers, tennis players, etc)
We'll probably always suck at darts though.
Darts and cricket. We suck at cricket too!
Interesting point about the international players. Some are much older, like 10 years older! No rules being broken but it is a weird dynamic.
It can sometimes be men vs boys. As far as freshmen playing over upperclassmen I can only speak for my sons team. They started Freshmen game one and after 4 games the Freshmen are taking over the playtime. I am sure all teams are different but different because of the ability or inability of the upperclassmen. I will say this, if you are a freshman and not traveling or not getting a minute of playtime you are in for a long road. Next years class and transfers will get a look before those sitting the bench now will.
Rutgers not able to win again. Difference now is that the local products dont get to see the field. Keeper is real good.
How can you say that, Rutgers has a ton of GotSoccer points!
Time to get a life guys.
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