Is this in the future for the GDA?

"Buyer beware" should always be your motto when it comes to anything involved with youth soccer. I'm a born skeptic, but against my better judgement I fell victim (actually my son was the victim) to trusting a coach's representation that I knew had a propensity for dishonesty. He did us a favor because now my kid is with an amazing coach and some great kids.

Keep in mind that clubs and most coaches don't have your kids' best interests in mind. They have no incentive to do so when the primary focus is on $$$ and winning. They're great coaches out there, they're just hard to find. Clubs don't invest in kids, they will always take the "shiny new object" over the longer term committed player because the "grass is always greener" (not that parents don't chase this same concept). At the top levels this is highly competitive soccer, so it comes with the territory. It's not wrong per se, you just have to be aware of it despite what club or coach may tell you.

You have to be your child's best advocate, because club or coach likely will not be, but don't be over the top about it. Rely only on what a club or coach shows you, put zero reliance on what they tell you. Despite what you're told, don't expect your kid to be treated any differently than the other kids on the team. We're just pups in club soccer going into our sixth year (not counting the years I played club which is unrecognizable from today's club soccer), but I think its best to take one season at a time and not look past the current year (maybe its different for older kids that are hoping to play college soccer in the next few years).
 
My experiences with youth soccer clubs (or more to the point with youth soccer club coaches) are all over a decade ago, but from the content of the posts here these days not much has changed. The coaches and DOCs and other admins have been at it for a long time and most parents are ignorant of what is happening until it happens to them.

Most of the coaches we had were excellent and some of them we still in contact with as friends. Others were not so good, and some attempted coaches were just plain offensive unless you bought their story 100% from the start.
 
From SoccerAmerica to Landon: "No man of Latin American origin or descent is serving on any of the Working Groups."

“I'm not Latino,” said Donovan, “but I consider myself as Latino as one can be without actually being Latino -- because that's what I grew up around. I have a very good understanding of the Latin American player, mentality and lifestyle as it pertains to soccer. But I agree with you we should absolutely have representation from every piece of our country.”

There you go, we have a Latino as one could be in the 59 committee Youth Task Force to help rep that segment of the USA. All is good folks :)
 
“I'm not Latino,” said Donovan, “but I consider myself as Latino as one can be without actually being Latino -- because that's what I grew up around.

He didn't really say that did he? Oh Landon.... I can't imagine that will go over well in the community.
 
From SoccerAmerica to Landon: "No man of Latin American origin or descent is serving on any of the Working Groups."

“I'm not Latino,” said Donovan, “but I consider myself as Latino as one can be without actually being Latino -- because that's what I grew up around. I have a very good understanding of the Latin American player, mentality and lifestyle as it pertains to soccer. But I agree with you we should absolutely have representation from every piece of our country.”

There you go, we have a Latino as one could be in the 59 committee Youth Task Force to help rep that segment of the USA. All is good folks :)

That committee is as Latino as it coud be.
 
It's amazing that a 59 member task force doesn't have any Latino representation.
https://www.socceramerica.com/publi...sses-latino-exclusion-from-us.html?verified=1
There are a few more quotes that stood out to me from the above article:

"Last week we reported on the exclusion of Latinos from the U.S. Soccer Youth Task Force, which the federation launched nearly a year ago. It includes six Working Groups, which brings to 59 the number of people working on the Task Force. Each of the Working Groups includes one member of U.S. Soccer’s Athlete Council, which consists of 20 athletes who control 20 percent of the Federation vote and have three spots on U.S. Soccer’s Board of Directors. The Athlete Council members, whose eligibility is based on national team participation, are nominated and elected by their peers. Landon Donovan was elected to the Athlete’s Council in November of 2018."

6 working groups? Which include 20 athletes that control 20 of the Federation vote?

Landon's Group:

For the Youth Task Force, Donovan was assigned to the Standards & Certification Working Group. The others are: Lindsay Tarpley (Diversity & Inclusion), Nick Perera (Coaching), Lori Lindsey (Referee), Heather O’Reilly (Risk Management) and Stuart Holden (Member Growth).

Sounds like this Task Force isn't doing much:
"Donovan said he never saw a list of the members on the other five Working Groups. Two other Working Group members also said they weren’t aware of who was on the Working Groups beyond their own. And one said they wouldn’t be surprised if most members didn’t know who comprised the other groups.

“I'm not in any of these conversations,” Donovan said. “I haven't been part of any of the interviews. I'm not privy to all of it. But, yes, I do think it’s vital to have [Latino representation].” "

This task force was announced in October 2018. How often have they met? What have they talked about? What are their top initiatives? How many youth clubs/coaches have the spoken with? Are they only focused on the Youth National team type of players?
 
“I'm not Latino,” said Donovan, “but I consider myself as Latino as one can be without actually being Latino -- because that's what I grew up around.

He didn't really say that did he? Oh Landon.... I can't imagine that will go over well in the community.

I don’t have a problem with that at all. Latinos love Donovan.
 
I'll give you a hug at the next DA showcase in Florida. We can work out some issues. It's awesome to be a #1 fan/support for your dd but there's a point when a parent can become a distraction and your reaching that tipping point. There's choices we all have to make in life. We all have choices you know. We choose where we was to live. We choose to pay property taxes. We choose what school are kids go to. We also should to play DA, ECNL and High School. I've been lied to before. It was a valuable lesson learned.
Bushman, my friend will be there and I told her to give you a hug on my behalf. My dd wanted me to let you know good luck to your dd as well. She likes her and appreciates her efforts on the field :)
 
Not Ignorant for the most part. I’ve found it is more that they don’t give a crap because they think it won’t happen to Mia because their kiddo is extra special. You reap what you sow and his behavior on here will only make it worse for his dd.
@Fact- 100% one reap what one sows. For the record, my dd never thought or thinks or wants to be the next Mia. Only wants to play against those who talk that way and think that way. Just looking for fierce competition, that's it. What happen to my dd shouldn't happen to any girl, period!!! Laugh at me and mock me more, please. I know who you are Fact Checker
@Kicker- No comment
@espola- Lets meet up someday and share emails from Docs we both got when our dds were 11. I'm curious what deals your dd got back in the day. Then we can come back 10 years from now and look at the next dads offer for his 11 year old. My goal is we both find away to make that email better for the next guy and not BS. I don't get a kicker out of seeing other dads and their dds get screwed over from dudes like I had to deal with. Anyone ever care to see what he's up to these days.
 
@Fact- 100% one reap what one sows. For the record, my dd never thought or thinks or wants to be the next Mia. Only wants to play against those who talk that way and think that way. Just looking for fierce competition, that's it. What happen to my dd shouldn't happen to any girl, period!!! Laugh at me and mock me more, please. I know who you are Fact Checker
@Kicker- No comment
@espola- Lets meet up someday and share emails from Docs we both got when our dds were 11. I'm curious what deals your dd got back in the day. Then we can come back 10 years from now and look at the next dads offer for his 11 year old. My goal is we both find away to make that email better for the next guy and not BS. I don't get a kicker out of seeing other dads and their dds get screwed over from dudes like I had to deal with. Anyone ever care to see what he's up to these days.
I’m all ears..
 
Bushman, my friend will be there and I told her to give you a hug on my behalf. My dd wanted me to let you know good luck to your dd as well. She likes her and appreciates her efforts on the field :)
Hope you can find closure! Seems like that might take awhile. Not sure what else you can do. Wish your daughter the best where ever she lands and let’s hope she’s happy.
 
I went back and read because the Busman told me to. Thanks for the advice. New things pop up like this:
"You consistently cry foul and in doing so disrespect those who put their time in."
Again everyone, Were talkin about a time in Summer 2017, before the great new EURO Philosophy was shoved down ALL of our throats. It's like a foreign religion that we all must obey from euro tv evangelists (sorry if I offend anyone). I accepted the koolaide in my heart the day I heard it. I was moved deeply by this new Philosophy. I even went out of my way to promote it. Imagine if my kid made the choir list? This is how my kid and her teammates was training before the GR8T DA NATIONAL PHILOSOHY WAS RELESSED IN SEPT 2017

"They prepared better than everybody. Our team trained four days a week, we played teams older than us and we played boys," Dolinsky said. "Every challenge we thought of to throw at them, they responded. It feels surreal to be a National Champion. Being with these girls for the last 16 months and having it all conclude like this is indescribable."

That's how you train to win, minus the yelling. Dude knew how to coach soccer, just not good emotionally for most little girls. My dd and I actually think he's a good guy, just needs to get better training like all of us could use. When DA started, I had one training to compare it too and we NEVER came close to that level. The DA will never have more "better Competitive games." Charmin is why I say this philosophy is week.
 
Hope you can find closure! Seems like that might take awhile. Not sure what else you can do. Wish your daughter the best where ever she lands and let’s hope she’s happy.
I feel your warm sincerity about how much you care about my dd and her happiness. TY, I will pass it on to her and good luck this year :)
 
I have motto I've held forever. "Whatever you do, work hard and have fun." I told that to my dd the day she started playing soccer and still do today. I will never stop with that advice.
"The girls sacrificed summer of beach trips and constantly hanging out with friends."
"They prepared better than everybody. Our team trained four days a week, we played teams older than us and we played boys," Dolinsky said. "Every challenge we thought of to throw at them, they responded. It feels surreal to be a National Champion. Being with these girls for the last 16 months and having it all conclude like this is indescribable."
“I love my teammates,” she exclaimed. “Some of the girls have been playing together since they were 5 years old so the relationships run deep. We are very close and work hard for each other on and off the field.”
Q. Were the girls working hard? My answer: I don't think there were a group of girls working harder than anyone their age that summer. Just saying.....
Q. Were the girls having fun?

Two Question quiz for all of you if you dare try to get both right :)
 
I don’t have a problem with that at all. Latinos love Donovan.
He was responding to a question about why no "real" Latinos were on the "59 member Youth Task Force." A better comment would have been something like this: "WTF" "I had no clue. I was super busy trying to get MLS in SD or any pro team for that matter. I still have wheels and I want to play and coach. Now that I know no true blood brother of mine made the selection of 59, I'm going to make sure that happens because these Latinos pushed my ass when I was younger and made me the soccer player I am. In fact, without them, I would have been screwed. So hell yes, I will make sure that happens, Now!!!!!!" BTW, imagine Chris Mullen saying something like that with his brothas that made him better. Imagine the NBA keeping the blacks out of the game. What kind of game would we have today...…..
 
@Fact- 100% one reap what one sows. For the record, my dd never thought or thinks or wants to be the next Mia. Only wants to play against those who talk that way and think that way. Just looking for fierce competition, that's it. What happen to my dd shouldn't happen to any girl, period!!! Laugh at me and mock me more, please. I know who you are Fact Checker
@Kicker- No comment
@espola- Lets meet up someday and share emails from Docs we both got when our dds were 11. I'm curious what deals your dd got back in the day. Then we can come back 10 years from now and look at the next dads offer for his 11 year old. My goal is we both find away to make that email better for the next guy and not BS. I don't get a kicker out of seeing other dads and their dds get screwed over from dudes like I had to deal with. Anyone ever care to see what he's up to these days.

To be clear - in my case, it is sons not daughters. My daughter hated playing for a really good coach because some of his training methods made her feel bad since she performed below the level of the other players and he gave the whole team grades on their performance every week. She dropped out of the club's GU9 A team, then came back for a couple of happy years on the B team, then dropped soccer altogether for lacrosse which was a happy experience for her all the way through high school.

The bad experiences were from club and college coaches who were trying to woo my sons to their clubs/teams with false promises, obvious ignorance of their abilities, and offensive attitudes.
 
To be clear - in my case, it is sons not daughters. My daughter hated playing for a really good coach because some of his training methods made her feel bad since she performed below the level of the other players and he gave the whole team grades on their performance every week. She dropped out of the club's GU9 A team, then came back for a couple of happy years on the B team, then dropped soccer altogether for lacrosse which was a happy experience for her all the way through high school.

The bad experiences were from club and college coaches who were trying to woo my sons to their clubs/teams with false promises, obvious ignorance of their abilities, and offensive attitudes.
I stand corrected. Truly sorry to hear about the grade part at 9 years old for your dd. That sucks. My son's u8 mustangs pony league coach, "Coach Dave" helped my son say no to anything sports until his SR year of HS. Little Trevor allowed the ball to go through his legs in the playoffs and the winning run scored and we lost. Asshole yelled as loud as he could and told little Trevor he owes his teammates an apology for allowing the ball to go through his legs and cost all the championship. My son was on the bench. This "coach Dave" guy played minor league ball and he brought his way to the game. He took over the league too and formed his own travel ball team with his buddies so all his kids and his buddies could start and play all the games. Play SS, bat clean up, pitch whenever. I hear they had motor homes and traveled all over. My son wasn't even close to that level, They use Pony to recruit for their travel ball circus. His kid was ok if you know what I mean. But played the whole game, never came out and took playing time away from all the kids like my son. I played Little League it was awesome. Never saw a coach like that. However, where my son was living it was Pony League. I did give that guy a piece of mine later though at the grocery store. He's out of baseball now and his kids don't talk to him from what I hear. Sad story for all the kids out there but there is always a Dave out there unfortunately. Curious to know what offer your boys got from the clubs when they were 11? Care to share a little? Maybe that's too young for back then?
 
I stand corrected. Truly sorry to hear about the grade part at 9 years old for your dd. That sucks. My son's u8 mustangs pony league coach, "Coach Dave" helped my son say no to anything sports until his SR year of HS. Little Trevor allowed the ball to go through his legs in the playoffs and the winning run scored and we lost. Asshole yelled as loud as he could and told little Trevor he owes his teammates an apology for allowing the ball to go through his legs and cost all the championship. My son was on the bench. This "coach Dave" guy played minor league ball and he brought his way to the game. He took over the league too and formed his own travel ball team with his buddies so all his kids and his buddies could start and play all the games. Play SS, bat clean up, pitch whenever. I hear they had motor homes and traveled all over. My son wasn't even close to that level, They use Pony to recruit for their travel ball circus. His kid was ok if you know what I mean. But played the whole game, never came out and took playing time away from all the kids like my son. I played Little League it was awesome. Never saw a coach like that. However, where my son was living it was Pony League. I did give that guy a piece of mine later though at the grocery store. He's out of baseball now and his kids don't talk to him from what I hear. Sad story for all the kids out there but there is always a Dave out there unfortunately. Curious to know what offer your boys got from the clubs when they were 11? Care to share a little? Maybe that's too young for back then?

We were offered spots on other San Diego clubs or parents whose kids were on those clubs suggested out boys were good enough to be on "real teams". We politely turned those aside and I didn't complain when my older son decided he wanted to abandon his long-time teammates to play with his school buddies on a neighboring club's BU15 team, a level higher in the Presidio brackets and a year up for him. The nastiness didn't really start until high school years. Club coaches can say anything; college coaches are constrained by NCAA regulations but can still be offensive in other ways, such as pointing out how much more prestige there would be playing at their almost-Ivy college instead of one of those State schools.
 
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