They’re 06’s so most have played a handful some as many as 5-6 state/national cups. But my question was general for most age groups. That’s always been my big argument for teams that don’t play it. It’s more for an experience and the fact everyone else is playing.
If you want to do something similar do the US Club Soccer one in the Sacramento area. Feeds right into their National Championship and the games are easier than National Cup. We might do that this year (in addition to Nat Cup)
Our daughters G98 team made it to the semi finals in National Cup and along with another team had to forfeit as they couldn't field a team due to Prom. The one's that wanted to play and still attend their prom were pretty upset, we tried to get them to switch game times with the younger teams but, no go, after all that, it really set in...it didn't matter, it's just another game. So, we decided to end our G00's at Las Vegas Player's Showcase this year, it was a great experience, very emotional for everyone, player's & parents, we had a great team dinner, handed out some really cool things for the girls to remember their team and we were lucky enough to play some of the top competition in the age group. The wins/loses didn't matter, what mattered was lacing up their boots one more time together as some of these kids had been together since they were 6 years old. A few are going off to play in college and while both of mine are, it's just not the same, enjoy this time no matter where they play.
Two years ago DD's team played a National Cup game with 9 players because CalSouth routinely schedules olders games late in the day and it conflicted with prom. The coach asked if the team wanted to forfeit but the 9 players wanted to play one last game with the seniors. They dominated the game but ended up losing 3-2. I heard the opposing coach yell to his team "You know they only have 9 players and no keepers right?"
you would think Cal South would figure this out however, it looks like they just don't care since it's been going on so long.
We were surprised that they had entered when our club told us we would not be able to as there were too many conflicts to make it work. Maybe a tune up before the Vegas showcase?
smart move on their part if they have kids that want to play in college, very few college coaches attend the National Cup games until the finals and still much fewer in numbers than the number of coaches at the Las Vegas Player's Showcase, even at the older age groups aging out, you could see the number of coaches on the sidelines...
