Anytime we say the curriculum doesn't matter on if the player is going to do well, we are lying to ourselves. Watch the NBA Finals and it is apparent what it takes to be an NBA star now compared to 5-6 years ago has changed dramatically. What once was valued to be successful in the game has changed. This isn't just the usual, high school is coming, boys are coming, burnout is coming change because they are trying to change the fundamental way our kids are playing and thinking the game.
Basically a change in the culture. That what the person who is well known in this scene and I were speaking about. Like many people here, this person expressed doubts, but for different reasons. The discussion was based around the cultural change that comes with the DA rules and how the parents and girls will accept/adjust to these changes. It was really profound and interesting to get the perspective of someone so deep into it on the club level.
We agreed that that it will not be for everyone, no matter how good they are. The other factors besides ability (mentally/physically) will be a deterrent for many girls. The perspective this person hadn't been privy too much was my the one expressed by my family and the other families at our DA. Our kids love the structure, coaching approach, separation of parental influence and no high school. At the end I think while US Soccer wants to get rid of ECNL, there will always be a home for it.
We had some really big team, big baller guest players this weekend and their parents were really impressed by how our team operates on the field. Basically a different mind state and culture. These girls adjusted wonderfully and performed wonderfully. It was impressive.
I don't see what the US 20 men did at this World Cup as a failure. Went out the same level as Germany did and actually gave a better overall performance. We aren't top dogs on that side, the game is ultra competitive world wide and we are a team that every opponent has to grind deep to beat. Would I have liked that Semi-Final berth, of course. This is our 4th or 5th most popular sport (soccer/hockey toss up) and we are gaining ground. This is the 1st or 2nd most popular sport for our competition and they have 60-100 years on us to work out the kinks.
Our mens DA is 10 years old. Lionel Messi is going on 30 and has been at Barcelona since he was at 12. Yeah we are babies learning.