Preseason DA Rankings 04

Would you disagree that DA and ECNL took the bulk of the top talent? I agree there are many very talented kids playing outside of these 2 leagues but I would have to say the “bulk” would be found in either DA or ECNL at this age and above.

I would definitely disagree with respect to the 04 age group. Did DA take a bulk of talent? Yes, but ECNL, not even close, at least for the 04 age group. Haven't seen Slammers or Arsenal, but based on the standings, it looks like Arsenal lost most of their talent. I have seen all of the rest and all but Strikers, I would classify as in the very good range and on par with the better flight 1, CSL, and DPL teams. Strikers would be an underdog against the better teams from these other leagues.

This is how I saw the 04 age group prior to DA. You had about 6 elite teams, followed by about 7 or 8 excellent teams, then anywhere from 20-30 very good teams. The difference within each group is slight. The breakdown is probably similar this year. It looks like 5 DA teams have elite talent. Then there are the next level teams (6 from DA), followed by plenty of evenly matched very good teams. Maybe the top team in SCDSL, CSL, ECNL, & DPL is close to "excellent," but most of the top teams in these leagues would fall in the "very good" category for me. The difference between these "very good" teams from different leagues is not much. That's why I would not agree that ECNL has more of the "bulk" of talent than these other leagues.
 
I would definitely disagree with respect to the 04 age group. Did DA take a bulk of talent? Yes, but ECNL, not even close, at least for the 04 age group. Haven't seen Slammers or Arsenal, but based on the standings, it looks like Arsenal lost most of their talent. I have seen all of the rest and all but Strikers, I would classify as in the very good range and on par with the better flight 1, CSL, and DPL teams. Strikers would be an underdog against the better teams from these other leagues.

This is how I saw the 04 age group prior to DA. You had about 6 elite teams, followed by about 7 or 8 excellent teams, then anywhere from 20-30 very good teams. The difference within each group is slight. The breakdown is probably similar this year. It looks like 5 DA teams have elite talent. Then there are the next level teams (6 from DA), followed by plenty of evenly matched very good teams. Maybe the top team in SCDSL, CSL, ECNL, & DPL is close to "excellent," but most of the top teams in these leagues would fall in the "very good" category for me. The difference between these "very good" teams from different leagues is not much. That's why I would not agree that ECNL has more of the "bulk" of talent than these other leagues.
I believe we agree, you are just digging one level deeper.
 
I can't speak for any of the other '04 DA teams but can certainly tell you that we have had plenty of involvement from the DPL players. We have consistently had them practicing with the DA team for the past month or so. We have had "4" attend and get to play in games that were very meaningful and each of the players saw minutes. We have also had DPL player's start in a few games. At no time this year have we had a player that didn't start not enter the game.
In that respect the DPL league has certainly made a difference for these girls who are getting their shot. All that have been called up ,can, and do contribute. The spirit of this development program seems to be working out well in our system IMO.
 
I can't speak for any of the other '04 DA teams but can certainly tell you that we have had plenty of involvement from the DPL players. We have consistently had them practicing with the DA team for the past month or so. We have had "4" attend and get to play in games that were very meaningful and each of the players saw minutes. We have also had DPL player's start in a few games. At no time this year have we had a player that didn't start not enter the game.
In that respect the DPL league has certainly made a difference for these girls who are getting their shot. All that have been called up ,can, and do contribute. The spirit of this development program seems to be working out well in our system IMO.

This is all well and good. But two points. 1) Your statement that no reserve player has not gotten in is conflicted by game reports. 2) It looks like your team has a policy of not suiting regularly rostered players in favor of DPs - I wonder how well that sits with the parents who are asked not to dress. Or the parents of the girl who got 2 minutes last game. DA is a pretty big commitment for 2 minutes of game time.

Don't get me wrong, I support the idea. But there's a give and take with roster positions and player movement.
 
This is all well and good. But two points. 1) Your statement that no reserve player has not gotten in is conflicted by game reports. 2) It looks like your team has a policy of not suiting regularly rostered players in favor of DPs - I wonder how well that sits with the parents who are asked not to dress. Or the parents of the girl who got 2 minutes last game. DA is a pretty big commitment for 2 minutes of game time.

Don't get me wrong, I support the idea. But there's a give and take with roster positions and player movement.

Totally incorrect. There is no such policy. If a player is injured they don't play or suit up. We have had this occur with a few kids so far this season. They are still listed on the reports.
The report is also wrong. The player who had the least amount of mins was a DPL player and not a rostered DA player. It was closer to 10 mins played. That's a fact.
 
Great points and great dialogue. There are some teams that are completely devoted to development. It’s a hard thing to grasp and swallow but rosters, positioning and game time are all part of that package.
Some points to rebuttal:
1. Just because a player isn’t rostered doesn’t mean they were not asked to. A lot of people are missing games which I find interesting. I can imagine as we go up in age that will increase
2. Game minute analysis doesn’t mean anything unless you know what the coach is doing or wanted. Believe it or not there are some rule following purists who believe in equal time and development, encouraging DP etc. I know in our soccer culture that seems strange but it’s true.
For the record I have no opinion either way. Just pointing out that just as people are seeing stark difference in style of play their are stark differences in coaching philosophies and understanding of their role in the DA
 
Totally incorrect. There is no such policy. If a player is injured they don't play or suit up. We have had this occur with a few kids so far this season. They are still listed on the reports.
The report is also wrong. The player who had the least amount of mins was a DPL player and not a rostered DA player. It was closer to 10 mins played. That's a fact.

DA play time is based on monthly minutes , not per game. It’s a big picture mentality. You can’t sweat the small stuff in this league.
Yes, I would imagine it stinks but again we don’t know what the goal was, the lineup, the reasons, and we aren’t on the team so we have to let some things go.
 
Totally incorrect. There is no such policy. If a player is injured they don't play or suit up. We have had this occur with a few kids so far this season. They are still listed on the reports.
The report is also wrong. The player who had the least amount of mins was a DPL player and not a rostered DA player. It was closer to 10 mins played. That's a fact.
The DA reports are wrong more often then they are right. Player time, when goals were scored, and who scored the goals are entered wrong for multiple teams at all age groups. I don’t know who puts in the info, probably refs, but you can’t trust the reports. Pretty sad considering scouts look at the reports. You’d think US Soccer would strive to have 100% accuracy. I guess it’s too difficult to put stats in correctly.
 
Ok, even ignoring the multiple girls getting less than 10 minutes according the the game reports, unless the team has had 4 injured players, the 2nd team players getting "called up" are taking away minutes from rostered players. There are 880 minutes to distribute every game among 11 players with 7 subs with no re-entry. Since DPL teams are not US Soccer and not bound by any of those rules, those girls are getting a pretty sweet deal - starting on their normal team and getting minutes on the DA team. If I was a sub on the DA team, I wouldn't be happy.
 
Ok, even ignoring the multiple girls getting less than 10 minutes according the the game reports, unless the team has had 4 injured players, the 2nd team players getting "called up" are taking away minutes from rostered players. There are 880 minutes to distribute every game among 11 players with 7 subs with no re-entry. Since DPL teams are not US Soccer and not bound by any of those rules, those girls are getting a pretty sweet deal - starting on their normal team and getting minutes on the DA team. If I was a sub on the DA team, I wouldn't be happy.
first year learning curve. hopefully the coaches will adjust rosters (smaller) so that every player gets their playing time. Cant develop on the bench
 
first year learning curve. hopefully the coaches will adjust rosters (smaller) so that every player gets their playing time. Cant develop on the bench
Yeah because most coaches care tons about players 15-18 on their bench and if their development is in track. After the check clears I mean.
 
Ok, even ignoring the multiple girls getting less than 10 minutes according the the game reports, unless the team has had 4 injured players, the 2nd team players getting "called up" are taking away minutes from rostered players. There are 880 minutes to distribute every game among 11 players with 7 subs with no re-entry. Since DPL teams are not US Soccer and not bound by any of those rules, those girls are getting a pretty sweet deal - starting on their normal team and getting minutes on the DA team. If I was a sub on the DA team, I wouldn't be happy.

Is the dpl player better than the sub?
At this level, you gotta earn your playing time.
 
Again some coaches believe in equal playing time, equal development. Some coaches believe in equal opportunities.
You can’t have a broad based discussion because each of these coaches is very different in their approach.
 
Again some coaches believe in equal playing time, equal development. Some coaches believe in equal opportunities.
You can’t have a broad based discussion because each of these coaches is very different in their approach.

Fortunately, for families considering DA next year, they can look on the DA Website and see which coaches are trying to give equal playing time, and which coaches consistently playing their top 11, with 2 or 3 getting 10 or less. I am surprised coaches are still pulling the same win at all costs stunt when this info is now public.
 
Fortunately, for families considering DA next year, they can look on the DA Website and see which coaches are trying to give equal playing time, and which coaches consistently playing their top 11, with 2 or 3 getting 10 or less. I am surprised coaches are still pulling the same win at all costs stunt when this info is now public.

What is the purpose of the DA?
 
Fortunately, for families considering DA next year, they can look on the DA Website and see which coaches are trying to give equal playing time, and which coaches consistently playing their top 11, with 2 or 3 getting 10 or less. I am surprised coaches are still pulling the same win at all costs stunt when this info is now public.

It’s a valid point to bring up. 05 families should be watching closely.
So many times people care about a “team”. Start thinking about your daughter, her position, who she would share it with. Smart parents recognize this early and place their dd in the right spot.
 
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