Teams face increased competition for the top players, (who are increasingly attending college showcases).
More teams consolidate and the best teams--academy soccer, club soccer and high school teams--battle to attract and retain the right player mix.
Stay tuned. This is bound to be good.
2,858 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 2601 – 2800 of 2858 Newer› Newest»7:16 No, because if the D1 school's endowments come into play also. I'm told most soccer scholarships are 50% could be less for some players if they also get Need/Merit with the difference going to another player who doesn't get as much Need/Merit. At the end of the day a good D1 school can give a good soccer player a free ride with Athletic/Need/Merit money, who doesn't want that for their kid? Unless you have money to front - using soccer to come out of 4 years with $0 loans is huge is all I'm saying. D3 school's can't do that. So I'm saying isa good soccer player shows upon their doorstep they are taking the player since they have nothing to lose. Of course that goes for any team Youth/D1/D2 or D3.
7:10 they have a weekly signing page? Like Soccerwire
8:10 I agree if all is equal then you go with the best Academic School hands down!
8:11 I'm confused as to who you are responding to...
Are you telling 8:10 his factual experience is not true or are you talking to 7:15?
Just a general comment.
My daughter is committed to a D3 program, the team is consistently in the top 10 and has been to the tournament consistently over the past 8 years. Her story in unique in that she did not move to the ECNL until fall of sophomore year (Power 5 and top 25 D1 programs have most of their recruits verbally committed as sophomores). She received interest from Local D1 and D2 programs as well as a few in the Midwest. Her evaluation of the various opportunities was D1 was soccer first than school, D2 schools were lacking in her educational checklist so she settled on the D3 schools. She also had a geography stipulation of no more than a 2 hour radius from home. This may be something for the haters to respond to but the recruiting was within NCAA rules but very aggressive across the 5 coaches that showed real interest. The outcome was a better than good offer into the program she wanted. A few of her friends who are going the same path indicated a similar experience. D3 is no joke in the PA/Northeast. D2 is more likely where a walk-on can take spots 26-20 as the coaches seemed more aloof and like they were doing the recruits a favor. The D3 schools all touted how difficult it was to gain admittance and the focus that was on education that included tutors for athletes, mandatory study “Practices” and other support, where D2 did not seem to offer any, and D1 was about on par with D3. As someone said, very few of our daughters will ever see the pitch after college (NT, NWSL, International). If they want to stay with Soccer as a profession it may be as a coach or in a support role. D1=Serious Sport/Mostly Serious Education, D2=Recreational Sport/Recreation Education and D3= Serious Sport/Serious education, and of course there are exceptions across the board for both School, soccer, and student/athlete.
Very cool! Many similar stories in our soccer circle...
Best wishes to your daughter!
https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2018/2/1/16956492/ussf-candidate-hope-solo-files-complaint-olympic-committee
Good for her to break this open. Read somewhere that someone high up in the USSF food chain testified under oath that they are about the guys, MLS succeeding, only. Jerks. Would love to see heads roll for this.
The comments are great! #whistleblower
http://hopesolo.com/2018/01/30/a-call-to-the-usoc/
complaint is embedded in her website where referenced Stevens' Act. Anyone with girls in this game must read this. Outrageous! Plus they are bragging about a 150 million dollar surplus. A not for profit has a 150 million dollar surplus. Ring, ring, hello IRS, can you perform an audit, please.
1:19: sorry but your opinion of D2 soccer is off base, at least from our experience. Many D2 programs rival some of even the more competitive D1 programs and certainly many D3 programs that we have researched. I also wouldn't refer to all D2 programs as recreational education, some D2s are highly sought out for many programs. In fact, quite honestly, it's probably insulting to many. In addition, there are study sessions and tutors for athletes at D2s.
I think it's great your athlete found a place at a quality D3 program, but your post sounds like your justification for choosing that program. Putting down others to make yourself feel better is extremely immature.
9:19 AM
OP here, my intent was not to put down any programs. Or to sustantiate my daughters decision to an annonymous board. I have seen over the years a lot of mis-information regarding the recruiting process where people are touting their child’s “commitment” as a freshman/sophomore to a D1 as the end all and be all of Soccer parenting achievment. My post was to talk a few parents down who have bought into the hype and feel like a D3 opportunitiy is settling. My comments about the D2 programs were specific to the schools my daughter engaged with. And until there are legit crossover matches between the divisions (I know there are some scrimmages/pre-season games) we can only assume how a match-up would go. To me it comes down to, Education at the best cost while actually seeing significant playing time in a 4 year progression. Per capita the philly area and surroundig suburbs do not see a high per capita average of high recruits are girls lasting through U20 and above on NT rosters. Just look at College rosters in the area to see where girls are coming from.
10:05 it's sad that you see the early commitments as a freshman/sophomore to a D1 school as people touting instead of people being SUPER proud of their kids accomplishment! and it is an accomplishment those kids had schools want them and were offered money to play the game they love at the highest level before turning pro. So what if they tweet, use facebook or what ever social media app. That's a great thing! Playing D2 and D3 also rocks but D1 is the top of the pyramid. A good school is a good school based on the major needed and that is in the eye of the beholder.
I said and I stand by my original post that any GOOD soccer player accepted to the D3 school of their choice can walk onto the field and be offered a spot. Remove the top 20 programs from D1, D2 & D3 and tell me I'm wrong. Not saying it doesn't happen at D1 but much easier at D3. Some coaches are just happy to get good players because recruiting is hard for them. This is no knock on D3 soccer, just how it is. People settle for D3.
If there was a D1 program that offered the same academic opportunity for your child the same amount of distance from home. Do you really believe your kid would turn down an offer to the D1 school to pick the same school?
Playing D1 soccer is a major accomplishment simple. Most if not all these schools also have good academics. Playing D2 or D3 are also good accomplishments but there is a difference is all I am saying.
Such a shame you don't comprehend that every top level player may not wish to play D1 soccer. Some just prefer to play for a high level D3 school that allows them to experience the full college experience. Maybe more free time, time to socialize, more time to address academics without the pressure to live up to a athletic scholarship. Athletic scholarships come with a lot additional requirements that must be met to maintain the scholarship. We have 18 committed players, 9 D1, 2 D2 and 7 D3 players, I would challenge you to pick which ines are playing which college division. You'd be very surprised. Ultimately came down to individual choices not just ability.
1051 agree
Know specific examples of kids cut from ECNL who are freshmen starters on one of the "top" mentioned above D3 schools. Another cut from the ECNL team and ends up at a "top D3" I know for a fact that those kids were hoping for D1 but had to, yes indeed, settle for D3. I am sure they are now touting that their kid is so much smarter and insightful for having put "education" ahead of soccer. Yeah.... riiiiight is the reply from all of those who watched them and others like them through the recruiting process.
Here's how it goes:
9th grade u14/15 Writing to all the P5s coming to a showcase about their terrific little superstar. Includes their Philadelphia Union Juniors and state ODP "accolades" in their bio. Gets a few camp invitations to some lower D1s and maybe even mid tier. Attends top ACC ID camps and gets a t-shirt.
10th grade u15/16 Still, though more quietly, writing to all power 5s listed as "attending" a showcase and few hopeful last minute attendees, but excluding top 25. Now starting to say well the midmajors x,y,z are now offering top programs in her area of interest so refocusing the search. Goes to the ID camps for these mid majors and gets a t-shirt and maybe a we will come and watch you communication. Just enough to keep the dream alive.
11th grade u16/17. Gets invited to a visit or two at the midmajors and maybe even an Ivy. No offer extended. Says we like you, but are still watching. They go to a couple midmajor ID camps, but now start the D3 circuit as reality begins to sink in. Family says, well the high "academic" schools are waiting for 11th grade grades and meanwhile they are hitting the SAT tutor services hard.
12th grade
Kid commits to a D3 and the family comes on the blogs to confirm their child's superior foresight and decision making over those whose kids made the less intelligent decision to accept significant dollars at D1 programs.
Happens every year. The families now coming to terms that their kids weren't good enough soccer players for D1 come on a SOCCER blog to tell everyone that their kid is smarter than the "jocks"
D3 is the consolation prize.
D2 I mean it's great if the kid can go to a cheap school even cheaper and play soccer, but there are only a very few D2 schools with anything approaching a lofty reputation.
Mr 11:54...you...are the official arrogant ahole for the day!
Cheers!
11:54 The parent that everyone avoids at matches. Most likely an expert at politics, religion and every other topic that has ever been discussed in daily conversation. Coach cringes when he comes to practice to observe. Chances are he is the one who has never bought a round while at the 50 tournaments and showcases you have attended.
10:51 AM/11:54 AM
Just curious, are you willing to indicate schools that your future USWNT stars will be playing at? Or have they by-passed College for international stardom? Or 25K part time jobs with the NWSL. Sounds like one of you is speaking from experience on the process landing your daughter at a cushy D2 Drinking program.
11:43 That is their choice if they turned down a D1 offer to play D3. That still doesn't change the fact that D1 is the top level regardless where kids are going to enroll. D1 athletics is top level there is nothing to comprehend. Where kids choose to play is their choice for whatever the reason.
11:54 I'm with you. I believe in my kid and bring her everywhere she wants to go because there are a lot of variables to making a D1 school. This is a soccer board with many kids playing since U9 (10 years) and they all want the pie in sky. Sometimes hard choices need to be made by the kid,still doesn't change the fact.
12:27 I disagree - I didn't read anything arrogant in the post. You don't play 10 years of soccer at 2k per year drive up and down the east coast or even fly if D3 was the ultimate goal. There is nothing wrong with D3 - Playing soccer in college is great regardless of the level. But D1 is still the top level and a parent being happy for their kids is not evil or they are not throwing it in anyones face or being arrogant they are just happy.
12:40 Interesting never had that problem and I always got into the limelight also. I remember people putting down that club also because they were never picked to party. Oh yeah, I was a big tipper also - 1st tip was always big to see if there was a buy back the next time, if not moved onto the next barteneder. Always worked and never called out the bartender who didn't buy back.
1:30 Response as expected. You backed up ALL the previous comments. Bravo.
1:21 my kid has not been given an offer to play D1 and she will not be given one to her top schools (Just how it is), club soccer is an option if she is accepted or a local D3 school is always in the cards. I never once said my kid was great. If you look at my original post I asked about when do D1 finalize their class year. There is no doubt that my kid will play soccer in college, where that's up in the air. I get that my D3 comment got you the wrong way.
I even said
"Educate me guys am I missing something am I misinformed?"
I said a GOOD soccer player can walk onto any D3 school's team not in the top 20. Is this wrong? I didn't say any soccer player I said a GOOD one
I just posted 1:30 and I am also 10:51.
1:45,
Altogether a bunch of odd posts. I was the U13 parent that thought my daughter was better than where she played and I was the coach. I took a step back and she moved to a new team, same level with who I thought was a good coach (he is now coaching some very low level college program). @ U15 she tried out for and made an ECNL team. This is where we got our first taste of parents like you. All ego, no substance, a lot of "My kid's getting looks for all of these D1 schools, she will be bringing a lot of coaches so it will be a benefit for the team. One parent @U16 convinced the club and coaches that this was true. With this the coach took the BS over fact and made some decisions based on who he was drinking with and not what best players to put on the field, the team went from top 5 to bottom 5. Along comes ECNL and Composite, the trouble maker moves to composite, winds up going to her supposed 3rd choice and so far (freshman season) is behind 3 other players on the bench.
145 you are a reasonable person. The sleeping tiger you innocently kicked is as follows:
There are a whole bunch of posters on this blog who feel obligated to defend their child's inability to generate a real D1 offer despite all the time and money she/they put into her soccer. They are deeply disappointed that the D1 soccer community did not appreciate her soccer quality. So they rationalize this situation by declaring proudly that she made a "choice" to put academics "ahead" of soccer. That she made the lofty, intelligent, and more mature decision and chose the D3 "offer" (beyond application support there is no advantage to athletes in the financial aid process) Simultaneously they are declaring that their children are smarter and have a more secure future than those of us paying deeply discounted fees or nothing for our children's educations.
2:11 Like me? Because I say when it comes to soccer D1 is top of the pyramid just like GDA is at the youth level? and D1 Schools also have good academics.
Because i say if my kid can get 50% athletic combined with need/merit she gets a full ride with no loans after 4 years going to graduate school if she chooses is a good thing.
Because I say any Good Soccer Player can play for a D3 program since the only prerequisite is acceptance to the school?
Because I say it's okay for a parent to be happy for their kid if they get an offer as a Freshman/Sophomore
Yup I'm a tool - I can live with it.
3:21
There are a whole bunch of posters on this blog who feel obligated to defend their child's inability to generate a real D1 offer despite all the time and money she/they put into her soccer.
**** D1, Like GDA is a mythological entity created by those that support it’s over marketed message.
They are deeply disappointed that the D1 soccer community did not appreciate her soccer quality. So they rationalize this situation by declaring proudly that she made a "choice" to put academics "ahead" of soccer.
****D1 did come calling, just not chosen.
That she made the lofty, intelligent, and more mature decision and chose the D3 "offer" (beyond application support there is no advantage to athletes in the financial aid process) .
****First off BS on your parenthetical statement. And Darn right on your first point, Intelligence over ego
Simultaneously they are declaring that their children are smarter and have a more secure future than those of us paying deeply discounted fees or nothing for our children's educations.
****Please provide your daughter’s full ride offer and school selection.
3:24
2:11 Like me? Because I say when it comes to soccer D1 is top of the pyramid just like GDA is at the youth level?
****D1 Schools also have good academics.
Because i say if my kid can get 50% athletic combined with need/merit she gets a full ride with no loans after 4 years going to graduate school if she chooses is a good thing.
****Based on your earlier post I believe your daughter is still looking for the unicorn and rainbow promises of educational $$
Because I say any Good Soccer Player can play for a D3 program since the only prerequisite is acceptance to the school?
****Same can be said for D1, walk-ons and late commits happen all the time. But you listed this originally as a negative to D3.
Because I say it's okay for a parent to be happy for their kid if they get an offer as a Freshman/Sophomore –
**** A lot of those “Deals” were verbals from the parent to other parents. Just because a D1 coach says hi to your daughter at a clinic does not indicate a verbal commitment from the school.
I let my daughter do her own research and thinking while I did mine. I asked questions from Players who already went through the process and talked to their parents. That provided some truths that people don’t want to hear. Like the abnormally high transfer rates due to D1 coaches stockpiling and forgetting promises. Extending BA BSN and additional degrees past gaurenteed$$ due to taking lighter class loads to stay on the team. There is a lot of great information from the players side that does not often get factored into the decision when NC, Duke or Penn State come calling. I do not begrudge anyone who can sign the lucrative deal but there are is a lot of off the app stuff that can make a decision at 15 a sentence at 19.
Sorry no ECNL or DA player "chooses" D3 over a decent D1 offer. The bottom of the rosters often have to settle. Sure NYU over a 10% Qunnipiac offer may makes sense. But Not NYU over 50% Lehigh. For example. D1 "came calling"... which schools and what does that mean? She got a camp invitation with her name in the title? What was the offer, how was it structured, when was it made. Did she go on any visits? You have no credibility on this. High level teams have all have watched the process by now at our clubs.
The best are committed at ninth grade for big money at top schools. The next tier are committed soph year for either big money at second tier or lesser money at top tier. The next tier are committed junior year for decent money to books at the mid majors. The bottom commit to D3s or take a roster spot on a weak D1. Seen it for the last 6 years. That's how it goes.
Kid not good enough for a decent D1 offer should have played club soccer instead of spending a mint on ECNL/DA. Yeah I know a Messiah starter who was cut from ECNL too. Dream on that the level is the same. Where are the results that support such a supposition? Yes the top D3s have a kid or two who could come off the bench after garnering a 20% offer at a mid level D1 but bigtime drop offs after that.
February 4, 2018 at 12:33 PM
Trying to decipher your post. I am not going to go back and try to list what posts are mine, suffice it to say I am 4:10 and some others. ECNL for 2 years, saw the crap and moved on. Based on Commitments and NCAA D1 ranking in the top 100 local commits is 15 out of 54 going to 15 different schools in the top 100 4 in the top 10. Walked away from a mainline school. Also know of about 5 ECNL players that are going to PA state schools at D2, some really good players, not sure what their decision making process was but surprising choices.
For the life of me, I can't understand why people are so surprised that some very good players choose to attend D2 and D3 schools. Not every very good player wants to play D1. Many gifted players have God given talent but not the desire to play D1. People seem surprised by this. Some kids play purely for the fun of it.
its a bit pointless talking about "the best" . very few on here have a kid in that bracket. The only anecdotal stuff that may be relevant is for the average player (GDA/ECNL/Other) given thats what the majority are.
for the average player, its going to be a series of choices that revolve around many things, one of which is soccer ability. For this reason, its foolish to measure a kids soccer ability based on the school she commits to, so i dont do it.
Unless you are lucky enough to have the choice of top ACC/ Pac-12 schools , then your soccer is probably just part of the process. To me, top 100 in D1 is far too big a list. Once you move outside the top 25 ( and by that I mean consistently in the top 25, not schools who catch lightening in a bottle a few times) you are not talking about huge differences to the rest. The current level of soccer difference between Villanova or Seton Hall and a decent D2 or D3 is probably marginal. The only difference would be that a D1 like that has the resources to improve greatly IF they can attract the right coaches and players.
Out another way the difference in soccer between say Duke and school say ranked 100. is probably greater than 100 to a top D2 or D3. I am ignoring the academics completely in this discussion as this is a soccer board.
Too many folks jumble in a whole bunch of things and then say a commit here makes this player better than that one - i disagree. We have a handful of elite players from Northern NJ down thru PA . we all know who they are. For the rest, College is a very stressful decision and it does none of us any good to belittle or insult others choices.
936 if they thing D2/3 are "purely for the fun of it" , they are in for a shock. Its is almost identical to D1 WITHOUT much of the athletic support system that most D1 schools have. Its very hard and in some cases, I would argue harder.
The one benefit of D3 is no soccer money, but dont be fooled. Quitting my impact yr on yr "awards"
its a myth, that D2/3 are "easy" relative to D1, especially at D3s with high academic reps.
10:00 I was not in anyway downplaying D3, my point was really meant to explain that some players choose D3 even though they very capable of playing D1.
Could you all agree that the D1, D2, D3 convo has been exhausted?
1. Generically, statistically and popularly held opinion is that D1 is top of pyramid and D3 is bottom athletically. Right or wrong, it is what it is, opinions don't matter.
2. Posters each have their own story regarding their daughter. Let's read, and cheer on!
3. And finally some posters are just debating and passing judgment without knowing a damn thing about each situation, all good, happens daily in real life!
PS...for the all knowing person...some majors absolutely do not work for a D1 athlete, pure fact! If your daughter wants the major 1st, she may need to forego D1...
1035 always a bit suspicious of people who tell other to end a discussion. Having said that, please tell me one major that precludes a kid from D1? may be harder, granted.
1027 sure, but you implied that D3 is for the fun of it. I also posted @ 956. Soccer quality outside the top 25 D1 is very variable. Far too variable to generalize as to what is "better'
Only major we were told at some schools that doesn't work is nursing. All others including pre medicine and engineering do work.
956 you are delusional. Villanova would destroy Williams much less Swarthmore . And no my kid sin't going to Villanova. D3 <<< less than D1 except bottom 50 maybe because i haven't really seen any of them play. Yes I know I have watched many top tier D3 soccer games.
I hold my position, if you "walked" away from a real concrete offer of real money from Villanova, to accept an offer of a roster spot and application push (that's as much as is possible at D3) I would be more than surprised.
1035 you do realize this is a forum for discussion? Do you just want to stop hearing that your kid's D3 decision isn't as lofty as you would like it to be?
956 No one said all ECNL/DA level players are top quality D1 prospects. Some are for sure roster fillers. But being CUT from one of them and playing serious minutes at a "top" D3 tells me the level is very low.
Making statement about teams usually in the top 25 encompasses about 7 teams. UCLA, Stanford (not even USC they struggled before McAlpine) UNC, Duke, UVA, Florida, Penn state. There is much more parity now among the top leagues so any of them may be a great soccer situation in any given recruiting year. Look at South Carolina. Mckaskill recruited as a centerback and carries the team to the college cup. For that matter SEC had the highest power ranking. AAC also showing some promise. The USSF isn't doing a great job with sticking with the same kids over and over. The colleges are getting smarter and you are seeing better internationals impacting rosters and more mckaskills are out there. ACC showing some major cracks in the armor and becoming more on par with the other P5s. Stanford will always be great and hard to knock of the platform. The parity makes the games more interesting for sure.
1108 thats exactly my point. There is a tiny elite core, then a group of other schools who may snag an elite player or class who will shine for a while. The key is can they leverage that to vault into the elite class. I would add that an elite player does not make a program great over the long haul. It may.
I dont think there is parity in the top leagues per se. I think a single elimination event will throw up shock results, but if you put SC or any of the AAC schools in a league with the school you mentioned. They are not going to finish above them consistently. Every kids recruiting situation is unique. thats not my point. My point is that many of the examples given here assume a class of player who most of us just do not have.
The ACC shows no cracks to me. You just put 3 of them in the truly elite class and you left out FSU. Show me another conference that has 4 schools of that caliber soccer wise ?
1055 Seton Hall rpi 290 Villanova rpi 193 I think your are basing your comments off the name recognition. They may improve under new coaching and I said that in my OP. But Neither school sis currently very good. I dont see them destroying a top D3 school.
I don't read anyone saying to stop discussion. It said "discussion seems exhausted".
Why is a decision a girl makes to go D3 considered lofty? How about it's her decision and just accept it? Why do you all need to bash others decisions.
You wonder you're called arrogant?
1134 yep they aren't very good at all. But they are much better than the D3s. that's the point. The d3 crowd is delusional about the amount of overlap in the level they believe exists.
1151 the gap from Villanova to Duke is a lot bigger than Villanova to Williams. and yet people say D1 like it covers them all. In my experience, its the lower level D1 crowd who cling to D1 and insist that they could smash the top D3 schools.Soccer is not that type of game.
Don't disagree with that. But there is still a significant gap between Villanova and Williams that is the point. Nice redirect though.
I recognize a number of the Villanova incoming for next year, it's a huge group. All nice players but nothing that will move them up in the rankings. Plenty of players going D3 that would match up or be a better option for Nova.
A 6"2 GK, tophat starting midfielder and 5 kids from an excellent sunrise team along with transfers from top 25 teams granted not starters but for the big east they will make a difference. You really think they won't bring them up? basically replacing most of the team. They will go up in the big east. Nationally relevant? maybe in a few years. McLain is also an excellent coach. No I have no tie to them.
1236 . Exactly what I said no ?
The current level of soccer difference between Villanova or Seton Hall and a decent D2 or D3 is probably marginal. The only difference would be that a D1 like that has the resources to improve greatly IF they can attract the right coaches and players.
So lets see. looks like the roster is going to be 40+ Clearly they are attempting to turn it around and get a team that is worthy of the school. I anticipate some very disappointed recruits.
No I don't agree that the difference between Villanova and any D3 is marginal. I believe this after seeing several D3 games in the last year and many D1 Villanova level games.
I agree with the latter that there will be unhappy recruits, but have to believe that the left overs from the previous coach are most at risk.
Agree that the D1s have more resources which is much of why they are higher level with the exception of the very bottom of which Villanova was not.
420 not what was said. he comparison was top end d2/3 vs Villanova/Seton hall. Its all semantics based on how you define marginal., but no one said hat the difference between Villanova and ANY D3 is marginal.
Signing day is tomorrow. Congrats to ALL the scholar athletes where ever you are playing. Juggling sports and school especially in college where the professors don't care that you are an athlete is commendable not anything to devalue no matter what division they choose.
And because youth soccer has gotten a lot better, expect the gaps between a lot of the schools in a lot of the conferences and divisions to close even more.
What exactly does a D3 "commit" sign? They don't have LOIs if I am correct.
NCAA convention Division III voted to permit prospects to sign “a standard, non-binding athletics celebratory signing form, which would be crafted by the NCAA and distributed to Division III schools so they can affix it to school letterhead and provide it to the student-athletes.”
My kid has chosen to skip the ceremony and take a picture with her club coach. HS coach was a miserable experience that she prefers avoid.
Tell Slick to wear his new black jumpsuit
Thanks but doesn't play for Slick.
Still bitter?! Move on
1:09
No props to the school that educated your child?
Sad, no matter what you think of the coach.
exactly. sometimes in life you have to just do what you need to do and hold your nose while doing it. teaches character and humility which you need in life well past youth soccer.
1:30. So we should give props to a school that denies one player from official signing because she played GDA senior year? Or a coach who found no place for seniors on any All Star teams even though 5 are playing in college next year? How about a school that tells D3 players that their official D3 NCAA form will not be used since in really means nothing? How about a coach who nominates all underclassmen for post season honors with the hope that they don't leave for GDA next year? How about a coach that schedules practices on Saturday and Sunday nights so she can coach her U11 team during the day? Get the picture?
hope you realize there are some HS that wont let kids sign there who dont play HS soccer.
Yes, I get that part, 3:15. I was assuming this player had played bioth HS and club.
I get it now. There was a snub. Those are never fun.
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2018/2/8/16973944/soccer-united-marketing-sum-us-soccer-presidential-election-kathy-carter
what a sh@t show. where's the oversight?
Top DA clubs let girls play HS this year
Private school kids only got a waiver. Non private didn't. Heard many stories from private and non-private school kids how some coaches handled decisions. Sadly, only a few were really good and supportive. Some were real jackarses. One told player to not even come to games to support friends on team. Seriously??? Newsflash, coach, this is their school. Banning a kid from games because they didn't play? what kind of power do you think you have over children? Clear definition of bully.
Heard IHA coach got the boot. Chased off many a good player from HS soccer.
What is IHA?
So coach's heart wasn't immaculate?/
Apparently rules were only meant for players, IHA set policies that created to many issues for many players. Parents finally got tired of the nonsense.
Sounds like democracy worked then...
Nothing ashes on your forehead tomorrow can't solve...
Best of luck to girls playing showcases this weekend!!
Oh and remember that many coaches attend but are not listed on websites...
If your daughter has interest, reach out to school and ask them to attend.
311 Really? thats your take? What rules? What policies? Parents have lived with those rules for a long time and won. even managed a 22-0 season and a National title according to one poll. .
My take is parents got tired of losing and instead of walking away quietly, decided to raise a bunch of issues that may or may not have been relevant. And before anyone says they were not losing, only 2 events really matter at IHA . First, and
by a mile, the County title. A distant second, the state title. Go look at how they did in the BC tourney.
If IHA put its best XI on the field this year, they would certainly have been a BC finalist, probably won it. Would certainly be in the top 3 in NJ, probably at the top. I think that fact really chapped some parents.
8:03. Not sure what your really getting at. Some of the best at IHA didn't even play on the team this year. Coach was toxic and had his own agenda for sure, school policies also made the situation worse. The downfall happened over a few years. BC tourney is definitely the toughest in state but to assume IHA had enough quality to win easily is a real stretch. So I agree with some of your points but not all.
it's fricking high school and its over. move on. some kids are still trying to get committed for college in august/september.
1031 If IHA put its best XI on the field this year, they would certainly have been a BC finalist, probably won it. Where does it say IHA had enough quality to win easily ? . A top GK, 2 starting Midfielders and a dominant striker did not play. Calling is a downfall is a stretch. When you lose your best player, its hard to replace that, but lets be real. Club soccer has hurt IHA. As recruiting moves to a Club agenda, the schools policies on attendance are always going to impact some players. Remember this same coach went 22-0, playing a brutally hard schedule.
I dont think he changed much, I think the quality of players he had, did. If he is toxic now, he was toxic them as well. The only difference is/was winning. Parents will accept a lot more when the titles are rolling in and Mia is being nominated for All - Everything.
you realize just like IHA had missing players so did other teams where kids did DA? many of the teams were not what they would have been in all the areas. there are kids on most teams that don't even play soccer outside of school.
enjoy the journey. a lot more soccer to be played and not high school.
128 and you realize that one player does not necessarily equal another right?
A bunch of spoiled brats....if they play like a team maybe top 10
Not sure if this helps or not. My daughter is in her Senior year and committed to play in college on a D3 team. The path to get here was not straight. Initially she played soccer because I was involved in soccer as a kid, played through High School (did not go to college). I wound up playing through my 40’s. I was her first coach, up through U12. I found out I was a decent trainer but emotions would get to me on game days. I was able to behave most of the time but certain things (like most people) would get me emotional. I was never thrown out of a game, oh, BTW I also reffed (I would have thrown me out of a few games 😊). At U13 (ECNL not a thing yet) my daughter moved to a top 5 GSR team (elicit jeers here). But it was a good team and the coaching was ……horrible. Moved to ECNL at U15, coaching and training was great, U16 new DOC, New coaches, New players from rival ECNL Team (cuts). Coaching was ….horrible. At U15 top 5 team, at U16 bottom 5 team. Realized D1 was not the goal, went to a top 5 ranked GSR team (elicit more jeers). Great coaching, great teammates, great experience for the past 3 years. The reason for posting this is to give some perspective on the climate and realizing how little most parents and players can control. My daughters goal at U12 was the WNT and one of the top D1 programs or UCLA 😊. We followed the path that we thought would guarantee that (naïve and un-prepared). What I realize now is that there are so many other factors that come into the equation that are beyond control that the dream of WNT and top 5 D1 are lottery odds. The difficult thing along the way is looking at the compass and seeing what direction it's pointing and adjusting your course. The factors I am referencing are, Location (Not Many high recruits or NT players come from this area), Connections both personal, club and coach, including school coaches. And then everything else that can happen. If your daughter makes it to the point where a college coach is interested, and the school offers her any compensation to attend, and she sees time on the field she has basically won the lottery.
Speaks much about development of each player.
U12-13, I also thought my daughter was better than she actually was and had visions of grandeur. She is good but not top D1 material and not WNT.
When reality set in, helped by honest coach, that we trust, then she started concentrating on a school with a true fit.
She is going D1 but mostly bc the school seems perfect for her, although lower mid.
We parents are often the cause of much of this confusion.
8:48 AM
Agreed, we keep funding the product. The problem is that the machine continues to fuel itself with mis-information from the top down. There really is no desire of US Soccer to change a model that put 150M in the bank, and they aren't looking to improve grass roots soccer by investing in inner city growth, reduced fees for coaching education, or any additional profit sharing outside of MLS. Plus there are a lot of 501c's that are already cultivating whatever interest there is for "under-served" youth. US Soccer is a suburban dream maker. I am also tired of hearing that we don't have our best athletes playing soccer, it's more like we don't have the best plan with the athletes we have. There are twice as many soccer players in the US than any other sport, makes it hard to understand some of the metrics people are spouting regarding why we are behind (and losing ground on the women's side).
agreed. only way to stop the 150mil bank by not for profit is called IRS audit.
Dude it's simple.
1. You have to pay quality coaches (inner city or not).
2. Quality Coaches need to accept salary to be away from family.
3. Solution Clubs charge over 2k in tuition fees and increase roster size.
4. Problem some clubs don't have the quality but charge 2k
5. To many HS Coaches that are club coaches don't know the game.
6. We need to improve the quality of college soccer Fall/Spring season
7. My idea more for the men than the Women but can apply to both,is to adapt the Transfer system. Youth clubs will train the proper way because they will get a % of any transfer fee as the player moves up the ranks. This is the reason we are behind. Overseas the academies get paid when they develop talent because of transfer fees here in the states the parents pay the academies. But we love our trades and our College drafts works great for some sports but not soccer since no one does that besides us.
I'm okay with the 150M it should be higher.
you are okay with 150 mil in bank for a NOT for profit and getting out of taxes and other items most other for profit corporations have to pay? they need to refile as a FOR profit organization like they are.
continuing...this is why more money should be going to the nasl, women's, girls and more instead of just MLS and men's. they should be spending it instead of banking it as a not for profit.
Anyone at the vda or pf tourney?
Ecnl teams did well vs gda teams at vda tourney and pf tourney. Continental won vs wash spirit va 2-0 but lost to. Fc va 0-4 at pf tourney. Showing leagues still all over the place.
Most obvious thing to me was the evidence of which teams have had decent training through the winter months. I saw alot of "rusty" players.
Saw this on another blog re the VDA tourney. Didn't see on the VDA tourney site. Can anyone verify?
"Richmond United U16 ECNL 6 - VDA ‘02s 0
Richmond United U16 ECNL 0 - VDA ‘01s 0
McLean U15 ECNL 1 - FC Virginia DA ‘03’s 1
McLean U15 ECNL 3 - Wash Spirit DA - 1
Richmond United U15 ECNL 2 - VDA ‘03s 1
Richmond United U15 ECNL 5 - PA Classics U15 DA 0
Richmond United U14 ECNL 1 - VDA ‘04s 0
Not a good showing this weekend by region 1 development academies against region 1 ECNL teams
February 18, 2018"
9:19 - "rusty" players this age group or younger or overall? it was a showcase and for those that are committed, didn't mean much other than a training in weird weather. maybe that is what you saw.
was surprised about the lack of NJ teams that attended PF like Coppa, etc. or MD teams. it was a good get the rust off tourney.
Probably playing futsal
or enjoying a weekend doing something other than soccer. we'll be back at it soon enough until mid summer.
There is a consistent observation to be made. Clubs with a strong ECNL team that now are part of the DA are still strong in the DA. "Start up" DA programs with no decent history of premier girls programs like VDA, Wash Spirit, PAC and Oakwood are not there yet. Those will be the programs to watch going forward. If kids leave Bethesda, MU and McLean for Wash spirit and CFC, FSU for Oakwood, and MF for Cedar stars that will herald the end of the ECNL except in areas like Richmond with no local option.
Did the PA Strikers disappear? That model is done for. It's unfortunate that a great coach can't gather talent in a little known club and present a great team for a potential true national championship. Gone are the good old days when competition for the top kids was fierce and everyone knew who the best team in the are was.
same with ODP and other leagues that had top level kids. Strikers and other similar USYS teams are part of the ghost of soccer past. there are too many "true national championships" anymore. GDA, ECNL, USYS, NPL, EDP, US Club, Super Y, and so on. thankful heading out the door. what a mess.
5:22 Why are you thank full?
USDA has theirs for the teams in their closed league.
ECNL has theirs for the teams in their closed league.
SYL has theirs for the teams in their closed league.
NPL has their for their closed member leagues.
USYS has their NCS for their members if they want to apply.
USYS has their President's cup for teams to play teams at their level if they want to apply.
USC has their National Cup for their members if they want to apply.
Sorry but EDP doesn't have a national title.
Why do people hate this? Four of the titles are League titles, what the leagues can't have a postseason? Do you have a problem with the "World Series" that it's for only 30 or so teams in 1 country plus a few from Canada is that a real "World Series or just another league title?
I hope they continue having options for kids to play and enjoy the game at what ever level they can play at.
problem is that some teams can have toes in several ponds for Nat'l championships. so if this one doesn't work out, then default to the other. that is what makes some Nat'l championships in the process a joke. GDA and ECNL have only one path and are not eligible to compete in anything else. not saying compete in those leagues only, but using as an example. you can't compete in ECNL and compete in state cups, etc.
As an example, NPL can compete in it's own closed league; state cups; nat'l leagues, etc. Many ways to try to get a Nat'l championship. how is that a true indicator of a national championship? so not really helping out other teams and kids in various levels.
Honestly...who cares?
haha true, but some posters seem to think it's relevant for a discussion. someone referenced forming a new striker's like team and going after a "true nat'l championship" and someone else said there really isn't any one "true nat'l championship."
i found it at least informative as i didn't realize there were so many roads to a trophy out there.
who cares? 8;53 think's it's unfair.
USDA and ECNL have their own for their clubs/teams - where the coaches will be right? 1 & 2 in the pyramid?
Well when you get to NPL and below on the US CLub side where are the coaches going to be? NPL Finals not even close to the draw of the USDA or ECNL so these teams can play in State Cups if they win the go to the National Cup for a shot in front of coaches again. There are always people that care.
USClub dropped the ball if national title is your cup of tea.
USYS did not. Their NCS is important and if you want to play for a national title you need to play in your state's NCS to advance to Regionals. They take their 4 regional champs and their 4 division winners from their top league and play for a national title. So for USYS members it is a true national Title
ERL Team
Can win State NCS to advance to Regionals
Can win ERL title to advance to Regionals as wildcard
Can qualify for National League if they make the Final 4
Non ERL team
Can win State NCS to advance to Regionals
So there is a true national title for USYS members - USClub more like the wildwest. USDA is top of the pyramid they have their own league title.
USDA level 1
USYS or US Club level 2
USDA >>> GDA, BDA
USYS >>> ERL >>> National league >>> national championships
USYS >>> NCS >>> Regionals >>> national championships
USClub >>> ECNL
USCLub >>> NPL
USClub >>> State Cups >>> national cup
USClub >>> Regionals >>> national cup
USDA - 1 National title
USYS - 1 National title
US Club - 3 National titles
The more roads that exist to a trophy, the easier the sales pitch. Ive been around the youth soccer scene for the last 10 years. watched my kids play from Rec thru HS to youth national teams. I can honestly say that the number of truly memorable players I have seen is tiny. Can also say that the number of times I have seen a team play really attractive soccer is small as well.
This youth business is all about making $$, less about making players.
@1048 unfair to whom ?
10:51 - agreed. a very lucrative business. the many roads to the trophy do feed into the money monster for sure. making sure all roads are covered.
would you ever have imagined that back in the day that club sports would have been so sought after?
11:02 No idea - I think it's fair.
11:15 I disagree about the National trophies, the money is in the Showcase events and these other tournaments that don't have a national trophy.
For example: Most top tournaments get about 1,200 per team x 500 teams give or take a few = a coll $600,000. If a club has one of these tournaments and they are still charging their players $2,000 per year - well that's the problem with youth soccer. Not the national trophies those are for fun and playing for something with a little meaning regardless of the level.
that's a valid point.
but the multiple ways to get a national trophy (one of several roads to get it) only potentially adds to the cost of travel, etc. for instance, hey, we have to do this to become eligible for this. hey, we did this, but now we have to do this to cover the same road. and of course, we have to do the state cups and then, here we are. also, we have to do these tourneys too and league items (which are costly as far as travel, lodging, etc.). and the add'l GSP points garnered only add to the advertising by the club, hey we are ranked this (GSP ranked). to which people flock to get their kids a spot even on the bench.
no team chases a trophy without also going to showcases. many teams do at least 4-5 in addition to league events.
these add'l points allow the teams to qualify for the nat'l trophies (outside of the closed events). All to get a look by a coach. Come on. It need not be this insane and expensive. WE are allowing it to happen by not saying no. stop spending my money.
11:58 i agree. the money raised for a tournament is astounding. now money is spent too for officials, food tents for the coaches and space for participant food, maybe field rentals, port-a-potties and maintenance re them, etc. if you bring multiple teams, do you get a discount? i'm wondering. and most tourneys have girls and guys on separate days. some have multiple weekends for all the different levels.
big bank for sure. And this isn't limited to soccer. it's all the sports.
going back to a prior poster who discussed the PA strikers business model. where would a one-off team play today? knowing what is going on in the soccer landscape, would you send your kid to a USYS team as a little mite? Or, would you jump into closed leagues as noted above?
someone spoke about rusty players this past weekend at the tourneys. i was surprised that most weren't. did you think otherwise?
I found that it was obvious which clubs have had regular training through the winter months. Touches on the ball and overall play were rusty in the teams that have had minimal time together.
My daughter was one of the rusty ones but still managed to get contact from 3 coaches, which shocked the hell of both of us!!!
that's great.
Great schools I bet?
9:06
1 D2 and 2 D3
Was still surprised to see coaches still looking at seniors.
My daughter's had her choice made for 2 years.
You do know that 9:06 was being sarcastic right?
keyboard surfers can't always spot sarcasm. haha Btw my kid had reach outs too. Already signed NLI. Mailing lists not updated it seems.
I decided to rise above and just answer the sarcastic question.
The point of my post was just informative since my daughter is already set.
He just asked for the name of the schools?maybe his daughter didn't sign a NLI and wants to reach out to them?yea your daughter pick her top choice 2 years ago,but you still troll this page.....get a life....
what are you talking about? who said she picked her top pick two years ago? she had been playing in a different league and received interest recently. just noted that they don't update the mailing lists with that info. wonder when you get taken off, that's all.
oh sorry see the 6:56 am post. so the 6:00 pm post is referencing it. got it.
I think some of you posters come onto this blog, either with your defenses up or with the only intent of trashing someone else's experiences or acting like you have all the answers.
Long gone are the days of maturity on here....
655 so like the sidelines then .
haha pretty much!!
long gone are the days of maturity on this blog?? really? I think it's improved considerably over the bashing and trashing that occurred the past several years. while there is trash talking still, there is also good information buried between the various posts.
I hate to do this but....exhibit A...
what?? not too long ago, people were just ripping up teams, clubs, kids, YNT's and more. none of that happening now. maybe everyone is taking a break or maybe some have just moved on. it's a pretty tame blog in comparison to what it was even as soon as last season. you can make this your exhibit b, your Honor.
NYCFC/PF friendly today. Calm parents on both sides. Coaches on the sidelines. Three refs and no injuries. Even a pause in the deluge. Youth soccer nirvana.
Hey - at this point you have earned it.
"I am just surprised they are still looking at seniors."
Why? Look at Top Drawer soccer - there are 2018 commits every week - even to some pretty good D1s.
7:30 was there as well. first time i didn't get stuck in NJ traffic on way down. heard a parent after yell a congratulations to both teams for a good game. yes, soccer nirvana.
You all get a pat on the back for being adults. NJ traffic? Not sure what route you drive but never have had traffic issues in NJ.
not sure what route you drive, but i always have issues. gardenstate parking lot. and don't understand the cheerleading. it was the same final result as the summer scrimmage. only difference we had more kids and i think the other team did as well. we were all adults then too. i recall.
PF didn't have its national player who is in Spain. Congrats to her.
yes, congrats. according to the scoreboards, she didn't play in alot of league games. heard they didn't have their other YNT either who is at UNC. it was a waste of tolls. we could have had good friendlies against our inter club squads. probably both clubs.
So we have run out of topics i guess? Scrimmages get discussed? Really?
RD is no longer a Club player. as usual it reads like parents who actually cared about the score. Personally dont think the kid in Spain is any better than her teammate, but thats my opinion. Good luck to ALL of the kids. College is around the corner for many. Hope they all do well.
care about the scores especially in scrimmages?? i don't understand why someone posted that a scrimmage was even occurring. who the f cares? it's just bizarre what some people think it's even relevant. i'll bet a game will be played differently. it's a practice for both teams to work out some things, get some kids in new positions, get off some rust. it's nothing more.
probably started by a troll. checked in to see anything good re the Jeff Cup? any good matchups?
Troll parents in every league, DA, ECNL, NPL. You can pick em out at every game. Lots of covered mouth conversations, hidden in the corner, everything BUT support for the whole team.
653 What is support for the whole team? everyone is there because its good for them first and foremost. I hope all the kids on our team get what they want out of it, but support is a big word. Root against, def not. Happy when they do well. yes. But if your kid is doing badly, and not getting what she wants out of it, that "support" is tested.
Lets keep it real. Been on teams where the rich parent bought stuff etc. Is that support? Or is it a means to an end.? I prefer to be upfront. Im there for my kid and I hope the other families get what they want out of it.
We know. I was referring to you.
7:36 thought a troll was an anonymous internet posting that was harassing or critical? how is that on the sidelines? do your parents post stuff as game going on?
as far as support, i'm in this for my kid. if she was doing something else, i would be there. not many are showing up at games just because. they are supporting their own kids.
and who doesn't feel badly for the kid who is playing above their level and struggling. is that a troll to question what the parent is thinking keeping a kid at a level that isn't working? because most times, it is the parents making it happen. not the kid.
also do tell re the rich kids giving out things? like what?
Great weekend! Once the rain stopped, we were able to have a kick around in the afternoon. We split different color pinnies and the college coaches lined the field...it was awesome!!!
Red team won once and yellow won once, can't wait for the recruiting emails pouring in in the next few days!!
903 ..Cool story !. The game I watched , most of the players were recruited already. Some YNT players even. Some pretty exciting players out there. For them. recruiting long in the rear view, just out there on a Saturday trying to get better, hoping to make an impact in College.
I can't wait until the next level. no soft spots on the field. not trying to get kids looks and playing time. kids earning it not parents earning it for them and only the best on the field.
Good stories. still interested in what 2-25/7:36 noted that rich parents give out.
9:16 & 9:26 exactly. this is all about the prep for the next level. keep putting in the work.
Feel badly about wasting tolls? the level was that poor that you would have had better from your younger or B team?
1003 its all relative. its a big issue with these parent funded teams. the risk reward is very different for everyone. if, for arguments sake. every GDA team was $500 akll in and the Clubs/USSF picked up the rest, they would be very judicious in selection. Right now, I can understand why some would not want a 4hr round trip either.
PF did go to NYCFC last year so this was part 2 of a scrimmage agreement.
not the o.p. or there, but knowing both teams/clubs mentioned above, both clubs have very good younger teams. and one team in particular only has 1 player to cover and then the wheels fall off. how's that a challenge?
954 the GDA should be full of players who have soccer ambitions beyond sitting on the bench AND the talent to make that reality. Unfortunately on many teams, its not .
237 she isn't better than probably 50 or more kids in the US including some of her teammates, but who knows what the USSF is thinking these days.
926 with the league dilution there are huge swings in quality in every roster.
1033 It must be a challenge for that player and those covering !!
1033 The NYCFC 99/00 team faced a challenge in Downingtown no?
1036 I think her teammate has skills that are far harder to replicate. I also think the NYCFC has a level of athleticism that is very rare. Both are, to my eyes, pretty rare talents. Dont think either fit the cookie cutter though. The PF kid needs to be in the right situation in College. If she is, then I think she will come to the fore. She reminds me a bit of Fleming.
10:32 agreed. maybe USSF could provide a stipend for travel, gas, tolls and food for each kid in these instances. They have the $$$.
1040 well yes, its a challenge when you have a 2021 at CM who has already played a game !! Especially when CM /CAM is a strength of your opponent.
1045 I was proposing a hypothetical. My point being if someone else was paying, there is no way you would have the number of teams we have because they would ONLY pay based on talent and the perception that they would get a benefit from it.
I mena look at the YNTs now? I get that the GDA is new, but given the supposed value of additional training and better scouting are we seeing any real changes in the composition of the rosters u16 on up ?
10:39 maybe we are thinking about different teams having only 1 kid to cover.
10:46 - what are you saying? kids played in two games? How did USSF let that happen?
10:50 I agree. and since it's still parent funded, parents think they have a say about playing time. that's not what this is and they knew it when they signed on. problem is that some think their kid isn't 16 or after.
1056 its a scrimmage, They dont care. Nor should they. where does it say a kid cant play a total of say 100 minutes in 2 scrimmages in a day ?
1050 i not making any comment on any team. just a general observation.
NYFC 10/21 vs. FC VA (0-4);
NYFC 10/22 vs. V DA (0-0).
these are the only common teams both have played.
PF 9/16 vs. FC VA (3-2)
PF 10/7 vs. FC VA (3-0)
PF 2/17 vs. FC VA (3-0)
PF 9/2 vs. VDA (10-0)
PF 10/28 vs. VDA (5-0)
surprised it was a game at all.
1043 The NYCFC kid's athleticism is off the charts. I would think the USSF, questionable as they are, would be able to appreciate that. Yet she hasn't been invited recently. I have no clue why except that she seems to have been replaced by the Internationals nepotistic choice.
What do you think the right situation for a "Flemming-like" kid is? That kid was given at least one shot and didn't stick. Not sure they will give her a chance unless she scores like 15 goals in her debut year. She didn't apparently get top level interest so I think will disappear.
1119 im not sure what you define as top level interest, but she would excel in a passing/possession type team. Not many of them out there given we dont tend to value it. Over the years, her decision making has improved. Used to be too many empty skills. As she matures I think she is one to watch. Clearly loves the game and has put in work. She is a playmaker.
On the YNT stuff, you just have to keep working on your game and forget them. Coaches are always going to give opportunities to kids they know/like especially when there is no real pressure to perform. The recent poor performances may have led to some tinkering at the margin, but the starting players are pretty much the same.
On the Internationals kids. the thing i find alarming is that they must believe that one of them is one of the 3/4 best forwards AND 3/4 best outside backs. That is hard to do.
1119 not sticking does not make her any less of a player in my eyes.
Well it makes one less of a player in the USSF's eyes for sure. Whatever that is worth and based on the YNT performances of late, I would say not too much. However if their opinions are carried forward to the full team then that is of significant import. It looks like the PF is going to Tennessee although I thought she was a 2019?? now looks like posted with the 2018s -very confusing.
Tennessee ranked 25 now on the coaches poll, but don't know their style. The SEC isn't really known a possession conference. Not sure if UVA, Stanford or UCLA was interested (most likely not), but I think of them as Possession top level teams. The NYCFC kid is going to UVA, would have liked to have seen them together. They would be complementary I think.
11:19 not trying to be mean, but off the charts? i disagree. really fast doesn't make you athletic. it makes you fast. she's very good. not trying to undervalue at all. but not off the charts athletic. she'll thrive when she is surrounded by other better players.
1149 What makes a kid athletic. Im going to guess you have only seen her play soccer.
Yes I maintain off the charts. I bet she could be an all state sprinter if she tried. More importantly, she is developing the rest of her game as well and I see both of those kids mentioned showing a steep improvement curve. I sincerely hope they both succeed in college.
1144 Does it? im not so sure. to all intents and purposes , the USSF becomes the opinion of one coach and how strident they want to be. there is no GM and the TD is terrible. There is no one overseeing these camps across all levels and doing quality control. I think you have to have a thick skin and ignore the daily,weekly monthly noise. In the end, if she keeps improving, she will be get there.
1201 I don't understand your post. Strident? I think most coaches take into account their assistant's opinions and that of other trusted advisors. isn't Heinrichs (TD( supposed to be overseeing the camps? What specifically about the job she is doing do you think is terrible? They obviously have been watching PF and NYCFC since they have a regulars and one who is now in Spain. Obviously the scouts and coaches don't think as much of the other kids on the teams. Hard for kids to have thick skins. Both of those kids have been there and they both although one had a substantial tenure and one did not seem to have been discarded. Does the clock reset with college performance?
I dont think it works that way. The HC pics the player he/she wants. an assistant may have license to pick a few of the players they want. If a coach is insistent on a certain payer, then they will probably get their way. No one is sitting there saying, well Jane has been to the last x camps, should we not look at Sue ( especially if Sue has no sponsors in the room)
Where do you want me to begin with AH?
1. set the agenda for technical development - we are falling way behind and when our YNTs play, technique is a clear weakness
2. Increase the scouting network by making it include as many avenues as possible - GDA not doing that
3. build consensus amonget all the soccer folks. Opposite. Has basically ruined many key relationships and to the detriment of youth soccer.
4. Be open to new ideas and inputs - has surrounded herself with cronies - I believe the U20 coach is her ex partner
5. Be accountable - when was the last time a coach paid for poor performance ? French and Snow certainly did not.
There are many more things I could highlight.
Cant really answer the rest of your questions, but I dont think they are watching either team. When the kid in Spain was not getting selected, what suddenly prompted them to select her?
I dont know if there is a clock or if it resets, but I know this. A player can improve and get better and if more eyes , like the top College coaches, are positive on a player it cant hurt. One has to wonder if the USSF listens to them though. I doubt it somehow.
I think they both have thick skins purely based on the fact that they continue to improve in spite of whatever signals the USSF may be sending. its not like the NYCFC kid is playing on a team loaded with talent. they are an ok team with some decent players, but I m sure teams focus attention on stopping her every week. got to be tough to handle that. The PF kid has a better surrounding cast, but she continues to battle.
I would take both of them any day on my team. 2 of the better and more unique players in the region.
11:59 so would my kid as she is very fast and has qualified for states but has missed due to soccer. But speed doesnt make you off the charts athletic. It is only part of it.
Continuing yes both will be great in college. Will be fun to watch
103 what does make a kid athletic. Please...tell us .
1239 Wow on Heinrichs. French and Snow being promoted after especially Snow's absolutely mess is truly ridiculous.
Good question on the kid in Spain. If I remember right she was added to YNT this summer with the other PF kid who is at UNC. The third one was left behind. I think the UNC kid was active on and off with the 99 age group. She is probably the best of the three and will do well I am sure in college.
Not that I put great store in TDS, but they picked the other PF 00 as the top player on the fields in Chicago. I did see some of one games in Chicago The kid who was picked for YNT camp, I can only assume from the performances in Chicago, was not the notable player on the field the other was. I am not sure if we saw the game that was reported on TDS or not. My daughter expressed surprise over the YNT selection and said from her social media info the other kid had scored all the goals on the weekend. She even showed me a video posted of one of them and it was pretty good. Not that goals are everything, but in the game I saw the other kid was playing d-mid and didn't even have many chances. She was battling defensively though and what I noticed was that she really has grown a lot. I remember when she was tiny. Can anyone say growth hormone???
Well anyway I don't think the kid in Spain would have any different advocates in the room to get selected since they are from the same club so my opinion is when the coaches were watching they saw something good in the kid they picked and they wanted to see more. She is really good too so not surprised! I bet the other kid is probably black balled. I think its the same coach who went from u16 to u18 so she's probably out unless she tears it up in college.
Of the other YNT kids in the area, I think the 2 Duke kids in the region are special and wish them well also. The FC stars Kids are interesting they fell off the YNT roster when good old JD dropped off. One switched her commitment from PSU to USC. there is a story there. The Bethesda and McLean kids are getting love I think because the chief scout is from the area no?
The NYCFC kid is suffering because she get's no service. It's hard to be stranded as a striker on an Island with a mess happening behind you. She is super fast and has skills to boot.
It will be fun watching all these kids we know and more on TV this fall.
not the op but I agree. this is in response to the "off the charts" athleticism. speed is only part of it. there is an reason they call the decathletes and heptathletes the greatest athletes. they aren't just fast. that is "off the charts" athletic. no comparison.
129 funny you say that based on only seeing the kid play soccer. what other athletic traits have you had a chance to see her display? for me its speed, bit acceleration and top end. Body control. Power/Explosion/Jumping. Events like shot put and javelin are irrelevant really. Pole vault is speed and technique.
The decathlon has 3 running events and 2 jumping events.
Being an all around athlete is a different discussion to calling a kid very athletic.
From a soccer perspective, i would love to see the kids you think are off the charts.
1:28 it's still political. can't do much about it.
128 Suffering? interesting choice of words. Do you think she would be better playing on say PDA? Pros and cons of both. Bottom line is, form what i see, she is still improving so it depends what you want out of it.
a decathalon is 10 events. hepthahlete is 8 I think. not op. prefixes.
Yes I think she would be challenged more in training going against better defenders. However maybe Kaz is getting her some time with the boys or something else to keep her developing. I think she would be more productive and get more looks at goal on PDA and maybe have a better chance to get back in YNT events with the stats. I mean why don't they report assists as well as goals? Seems very narrow minded.
150 Got there without it. looks like going to UVA without it. seems to be doing fine to me.
145 yes , but 50pct are running and/or jumping. 3 sprints. 100, 400 , 110 hurdles.
Question was could be better. I agree the answer is possibly she could be better if she isn't given opportunity in at least training against better defenders and with better service. Kaz is an excellent coach so maybe she is getting the enrichment activities. Nobody said she isn't highly successful. Quite the contrary in fact. Remember what the question was...
I think playing with boys is a huge advantage and if she gets that she should be set to go and then some. If she keps playing slow ball and beating her defense all day long then she might need more of an adjustment at the next level
NYCFC GDA training is mixed. Usually men and older girls play in the games. all of us could be better so i interpret as more is where she is hindering development. based on what I see, probably not. Is it a disadvantage for YNT camps. Doubt it. NYCFC has at least 5 kids in camps recently. I do think once you move to U18 its harder becasue you miss the U-17 WC cycle. I also think its really not indicative of the players quality. there are quite a few kids in the region who I think are fine players who or some reason have been limited when it comes to YNTs . PDA have one for sure. Breakers kid was another. I think this region actually suffered from the JD effect. Other regions seem to have more pull now. It will all shake out over time
You may be right. I think PDA have a few kids that should have been included in camps if the USSF were running the program to its best advantage. I think about 100-150 kids should be rotated into camps every year with the possible exception of the year before a WC in that age. I think a couple PDA kids were invited to camps. One kid was a regular at the younger ages I personally think she deserves to be included more often and is very similar to the PF kid that's there now. A couple others got spot invitations if I remember correctly. The GK is in Spain. The breakers kid has been to a couple camps, but no doubt if she played for JD would have been to many more. No one can dispute her production. That kid may be the next Savannah McKaskill.
All the clubs should facilitate the top players training with boys. They can't play up anymore so that's the only challenge left. I know the Spirit top kids get to train with the pro teams. Are the PDA kids afforded the same opportunity? No more breakers unfortunately.
217 there are good player in this region who have gotten less exposure than kids from other parts of the US. Thats just how it goes. I agree there si nowhere near enough rotation. All the $$ are spent on a tiny number of kids becasue coaches become invested in proving themselves - look who i discovered.
If the perception is because of JD, the USSF has already seen the best players in this region then it explains why we are not better represented. You are now relying on a new local Technical Assistant to gain enough credibility to challenge the status quo. That will not happen anytime soon.
I think we could make a team for the NE that would do well vs ANY region in the USA. I truly believe that. yet we are lucky to get 2 representatives at camps. I do wonder why that is. Duke and UVA are top schools with consistently excellent teams. If they think theses kids are top level, then I tend to put a lot of stock in that vs the USSF
233 agree but to some extent those kids are going to those schools because of the YNT invitations they received. In this case its clear which came first... the YNT invitation came and the college committment followed. No I don't think these kids go to Duke and UVA without the YNT
1:56 not just those...plus a mile or 800 & 200, lj, hj,pole vault, shot, jav, discus. You have to master all not just some.
238 I know for a fact that is not true in the case of one of them ;) I think people really over estimate the impact of camps. The coaches at school s that contend year in year out do it by evaluating players themselves. The fact that many of them have YNT caps is secondary. they are not saying ohh that kid got a camp invite. let me take a look.
I think most of the kids we have been discussing would 100 pct get that chance with our without NT camp. Without camps, thy are among the best players in the region. Coaches see that.
156 no one disputes that decathletes are among the most rounded athletes, but that does not mean you have to be a decathlete to be athletic. That statement does not follow.
2:38 agreed. So what about the kid who came into this mess late. The politics is what has caused all of this. Look at the kids not invited to ecnl pdp nat'ls because their clubs went gda. How is that allowing eligible kids to get invites?
I absolutely disagree. The UVA kid maybe outside of the NTL stuff but the Duke kids were seen at a YNT camp.
Not just late to the mess behind the game, but also the late bloomers. The kid who was mentioned earlier as one of the top players in the area is going to a second rate program. When the top programs were using up their money signing 9th graders ...Duke and UVA classes full by the time a late bloomer kid hits puberty.
Of course athletic. The statement was off the charts athletic. And that is reserved for off the charts.
Are you discussing if the girls who have been to camp are deserving, or girls who you think should be on YNT rosters and are not were somehow slighted? Then there is the chicken and the egg theory. A u15 camp invite that turns into a roster spot on a YNT translate to the players Q rating going up which triggers top college interest. I think USSF and NCAA will never admit that the other is right in their development and scouting yet they both leverage each others decisions when making their own, more so the NCAA leveraging USNT scouting. A player who attended camps from U14 through U17 and falls off has already locked up her college commitment. The reason she fell off could be the next shiny object, a nepotism/coach relationship, or a new coach and she doesn’t fit the new style. I think the YNT system suffers from too many options and we as parents can actually sometimes see that the small if any difference between player A and Player B is not about athleticism, ability, or heart. So the decision is based on where are they from and who can vouch for them (and the parents). The top striker, defender and CM from DA team A, or ECNL team B may all be deserving of a YNT roster spot, but there is no way USSF will make that call, #1 is that there are other top players on teams in the Southwest, Northeast, or some other region. So the scouts play rock/paper/scissors to take a player from Team A. Most often those decisions do not follow logic, it’s luck of the draw
304 i can only speak to what i know. Second rate program ? bit harsh. They may have been seen at camp. but why do you think they would not have been seen otherwise? They would. Those programs are not relying on the USSF folks for info. I guess what in saying is how they got a look is one thing, but those programs due a lot more DD over time.
Im anti early recruiting but why does it go on? I guess becasue the number of misses for the better programs is small relative to the number of hits. UNC seem more scatter gun that some of the other programs. they seem to recruit earlier as well.
And how many dont pan out from early invites and early commits.
The issue really is that there are many kids who are very similar. They are excellent soccer players for sure. However some of them get ID'd very early and those are the ones getting the top tier interest. Second rate might be harsh but second tier is accurate. In some of these kids case it was ODP national camp at U13. Anyone remember that RI event? The u14 YNT coach was there at that camp and a bunch of those kids then show up at U14 GNT- totally related. The u14 GNT have a big event in Cali and the Duke coach is there when those U13 phenoms were there and they get signed. Duke then moves to the 2019 class and boom a PF kid and A HBC kid are signed again from an early YNT camp. Ok yes they get watched during their club games after that but make no mistake that early YNT camp was the difference in their offer.
The UVA/DUke/UNC/USC/UCLA/Stanford coaches don't have unlimited time and resources, they go where the "money" is. That way they get a bunch of excellent players for sure. Sometimes they even get one of the best kids in the country. But they may not get the very best or all of the very best because those kids didn't play for the "right" club team or ODP or hit puberty at 15 and weren't on their list of kids to watch. The sad part is some are lost and we will never know about them.
314 can you say Summer Greene? And the USSF is still trying to prove they weren't wrong with her. On the latest u23 roster ...because...??
331 the NYCFC was never at those things. never invited. if you mean April Kater, then yes, I think her early impressions carry far too much weight for NTs down the line, but I dont thin the Colleges you mention are following the USSF. I think they recruit kids they see and like. Its possible that YNT stuff gives some coaches an early look or tip off, but I dont think its a s bug as you imply. All good discussion tho
Sooooo the UVA kid was extended her offer before she went to YNT camps? If she was so, then she held it a long time. Since her dad is a big UVA supporter, I find that hard to believe. But hey I don't know so I will go with it.
3:32 PM
Probably because they saw something in her and wanted to give her an opportunity once she was back healthy.
350 you make it sound like they go to one camp and boom theres an offer. i think its more of a process. that may start there for some of the kids mentioned. also given they are English im sure the UVA support came after the offer not the other way around.
wow. look what a scrimmage started as far a discussion. hahaha wait until the games begin. good stuff people.
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