Girls Development Academy

[MakeAPlay]

I am totally confused you mean MP wasn't excited about the chance of a lifetime to play for the world class Spirit rather than attend A top rated institution and have a social life with her fun peers? Shocking!

She did not end up in the city that she thought that she would end up end that is for sure. She has scored one international goal in the last year. She could have won a national title on a full ride while only building her brand. She literally would have hundreds of kids lined up to get an autograph and often had to cut out early after signing a few dozen. Even one or two years of building her brand while STILL getting called up for caps with the WNT. Playing 4 years in college didn't hurt Mia Hamm, Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach, etc so I doubt that playing 2 would have done anything but help her.

It's water under the bridge though. I wish her much success. She is a sweet kid.

 

[espola]

Yeah dumba$$. Just watch her developmental arc over the next 3 years. Tell me outside of the money that it was the best decision for her. She sure spent a lot of time with the team during the run to the College Cup. In your silly little myopic world you probably think that money is everything. I'm sure that your wife would disagree.... You should focus on her needs. You don't even have a female soccer player so again you are just being a prick of a dilettante.

Pathetic little man.

Calm down big guy - you'll split your helmet. I was just amused at your use of the word "pressured".

My son turned down a couple of offers so he could finish school and keep his current job, but I wouldn't say he was "pressured".

 

[Dos Equis]

The 03 age group is talented so is the 02 age group. The 02 players on Surfs ECNL team aren't on the 2nd team they are on the 1st team for that age group as the 01/2 DA team is made up of all 01s. So all the 02 ECNL surf girls will compete for DA spots against the 03 DA Surf girls next year. My point is many of the 02s not playing DA this year is because clubs went with a majority of 01s. Next year if that trend holds the 02/03 combined age group will be made up with a majority of 02s.

A possible flaw in your assumption is that '02 girls stayed ECNL because they could not make DA (or that clubs made the decision for them). In the case of Surf and Blues, might it be that they stayed in ECNL because they saw no need to play DA in their age group (for college recruiting or competition), or preferred flexibility that ECNL provided? In the case of Arsenal and Strikers, perhaps they understood who they would be playing against in ECNL, and also did not see the need to switch to a DA club?

I do not want to turn this into an ECNL vs. DA thread, but the '02 and above players faced a far different landscape and decision than the '03 and below, and I am not sure what facts have changed that will cause them to change their decision next year.

As for DA2/Reserve '02 players who will now get the chance, all marketing aside, I really do not see that much DA level talent waiting on those teams, taking spots away from DA worthy '03 players.

The Socal '03 age group may get a far more even representation in DA than you expect.

 

[Mullet]

She did not end up in the city that she thought that she would end up end that is for sure. She has scored one international goal in the last year. She could have won a national title on a full ride while only building her brand. She literally would have hundreds of kids lined up to get an autograph and often had to cut out early after signing a few dozen. Even one or two years of building her brand while STILL getting called up for caps with the WNT. Playing 4 years in college didn't hurt Mia Hamm, Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach, etc so I doubt that playing 2 would have done anything but help her.

It's water under the bridge though. I wish her much success. She is a sweet kid.

The college game would not have helped her in the way that a professional environment would. "Build her brand"? You know that she could never cash in on "her brand" during those four years at college right? And she currently still gets kids lined up to get her autograph after games. I wasn't aware that 9 year olds girls follow the college game to line up for player autographs but ok.

 

[Nutmeg]

The college game would not have helped her in the way that a professional environment would. "Build her brand"? You know that she could never cash in on "her brand" during those four years at college right? And she currently still gets kids lined up to get her autograph after games. I wasn't aware that 9 year olds girls follow the college game to line up for player autographs but ok.

Gotta disagree. UCLA and being in L.A. while also being one of if not the most high profile young American soccer stars, while utilizing the resources and connections of UCLA would of done more to build and develop a brand. Cashing in on a brand is only part of the equation, and being in a small east Coast market playing mediocre “pro” Soccer will accomplish very little brand wise, not to mention having the resources to utilize for training, medical, conditioning, in off season etc. 9 year old girls are only a small fraction of brand designation, but yes they do line up for autographs and yes girls do follow Soccer, and yes girls know who Fleming, and Sanchez are, they matter, and they have a brand already. And in my opinion mater sometimes more than the senior national team players. More visible, accessible. That’s how you grow your market.

 

[Lambchop]

Currently the 01/02 split age group has 74% 01s, 25% 02s, and 1% 03s. This would give some insight on the breakdown of what the 02/03 combine age group would look like next year. The only factors that could swing this to 60/40 split instead of a 75/25 split in favor of the 02s would be if a large portion of the 02s currently playing with the 01s go up to the 00/01 age group next year. Either way a good portion of the 03s playing DA this year will move to ECNL or DA II squads depending on their club next year.

Exactly, US soccer doubled the number of 03 girls in DA this year by going to single age band, now after the girls have worked hard practicing four days a week, plus extra training, big expenses, US soccer decides to cut over half of them.

 

[Ghostwriter]

A possible flaw in your assumption is that '02 girls stayed ECNL because they could not make DA (or that clubs made the decision for them). In the case of Surf and Blues, might it be that they stayed in ECNL because they saw no need to play DA in their age group (for college recruiting or competition), or preferred flexibility that ECNL provided? In the case of Arsenal and Strikers, perhaps they understood who they would be playing against in ECNL, and also did not see the need to switch to a DA club?

I do not want to turn this into an ECNL vs. DA thread, but the '02 and above players faced a far different landscape and decision than the '03 and below, and I am not sure what facts have changed that will cause them to change their decision next year.

As for DA2/Reserve '02 players who will now get the chance, all marketing aside, I really do not see that much DA level talent waiting on those teams, taking spots away from DA worthy '03 players.

The Socal '03 age group may get a far more even representation in DA than you expect.

Blues 01 and 02 players stayed in ECNL because many wanted to play for JSerra and other HS team's and wanted to keep both those powerhouse team's together. They don't factor in the current 01/02 age group so even if none play DA next year they won't factor in the 02/03 ratio either. As far as Strikers and Arsenal both clubs loss players to DA this year from the 01, 02, and 03 age groups. Not sure if they will lose any next year but that won't factor in the ratio either. As far as DA ECNL team's besides Blues the 02s will make a big push onto those rosters next year, also even if only half or a 3rd of the DA II 02s make an Academy roster next year and combine those with 25% 02s already playing DA it will create a 60/40 ratio at the minimum.

The point isn t that the 03s aren't a tremendous age group the point is when you combine the 02/03 age groups next year you will have at the very least a 60/40 split in favor of the 02s and that is being generous from the current 01/02 age group with a current 75/25 split in favor of the 01s. Its just simple math the big factor that could change that is if the majority of 02s playing in the DA 01/02 age group play up next year or play with their own age group. If some play up you could have a 55/45 split in favor of the 02s.

 

[Nutmeg]

Exactly, US soccer doubled the number of 03 girls in DA this year by going to single age band, now after the girls have worked hard practicing four days a week, plus extra training, big expenses, US soccer decides to cut over half of them.

I only have a theory here. But I believe USSOCCER, did this at member clubs request in order to increase $ across multiple platforms and age groups at both olders and youngers.

 

[Dos Equis]

Exactly, US soccer doubled the number of 03 girls in DA this year by going to single age band, now after the girls have worked hard practicing four days a week, plus extra training, big expenses, US soccer decides to cut over half of them.

And they would cut 90% of them if the could viably create a competitive league with the rest. It is a funnel, and US Soccer ultimatley cares about roughly .05% of any age group -- the girls who may one day make the training pool or a national team.

 

[Mullet]

Gotta disagree. UCLA and being in L.A. while also being one of if not the most high profile young American soccer stars, while utilizing the resources and connections of UCLA would of done more to build and develop a brand. Cashing in on a brand is only part of the equation, and being in a small east Coast market playing mediocre “pro” Soccer will accomplish very little brand wise, not to mention having the resources to utilize for training, medical, conditioning, in off season etc. 9 year old girls are only a small fraction of brand designation, but yes they do line up for autographs and yes girls do follow Soccer, and yes girls know who Fleming, and Sanchez are, they matter, and they have a brand already. And in my opinion mater sometimes more than the senior national team players. More visible, accessible. That’s how you grow your market.

Pro soccer, as mediocre as you call it, it still far better than the college game. But I'm sure she is better off not playing against Rapinoe, Marta, Morgan and other National Team players every week. Dedicating completely to soccer instead of bookending her classes with practices would be better for her soccer too I suppose. You may not appreciate the pro game but watching Spirit subs essentially clean the floor with UNCs best in a scrimmage shows the separation between the college and the pro game.

For long term soccer development, Pugh absolutely made the right decision to go Pro.

And as a East Coaster, no her brand would absolutely not have been expanded by playing in college. Only being on the NT would have elevated her status. Outside of your bubble nobody cares.

 

[Nutmeg]

And they would cut 90% of them if the could viably create a competitive league with the rest. It is a funnel, and US Soccer ultimatley cares about roughly .05% of any age group -- the girls who may one day make the training pool or a national team.

More to the point they care about growing their market base and increasing money into their coffers. Soccer is secondary

 

[Lambchop]

Currently the 01/02 split age group has 74% 01s, 25% 02s, and 1% 03s. This would give some insight on the breakdown of what the 02/03 combine age group would look like next year. The only factors that could swing this to 60/40 split instead of a 75/25 split in favor of the 02s would be if a large portion of the 02s currently playing with the 01s go up to the 00/01 age group next year. Either way a good portion of the 03s playing DA this year will move to ECNL or DA II squads depending on their club next year.

And what will that do to all the current ECNL players?

And they would cut 90% of them if the could viably create a competitive league with the rest. It is a funnel, and US Soccer ultimatley cares about roughly .05% of any age group -- the girls who may one day make the training pool or a national team.

They should have never gone to single age band, that again, doubled the number of girls in this group. It is a funnel but they screwed a lot more girls for this next year.

 

[Fact]

Exactly, US soccer doubled the number of 03 girls in DA this year by going to single age band, now after the girls have worked hard practicing four days a week, plus extra training, big expenses, US soccer decides to cut over half of them.

So what I don't understand is that most people on this board have complained that too many DA teams have watered down the top teams. Now that only the cream of the crop will make the teams, the same people are complaining?

 

[Fact]

And what will that do to all the current ECNL players?

They should have never gone to single age band, that again, doubled the number of girls in this group. It is a funnel but they screwed a lot more girls for this next year.

Instead of saying they screwed a lot of girls why can't you say they gave these girls the opportunity to get a taste of DA. They had the opportunity to take advantage of their increased coaching and step up their game. If they did not make full use of this opportunity and or cannot step up their game to compete with girls in many cases just a few months older than them, too bad. You have a case of the trophy for all mentality.

 

[MakeAPlay]

The college game would not have helped her in the way that a professional environment would. "Build her brand"? You know that she could never cash in on "her brand" during those four years at college right? And she currently still gets kids lined up to get her autograph after games. I wasn't aware that 9 year olds girls follow the college game to line up for player autographs but ok.

You cash in on a brand once you have results to back it up. At this point outside of high school she has no results to point to. If you haven't seen little girls lined up to get autographs then you haven't been to a top college game. If you don't think that her game would improve playing at UCLA then you haven't watched them play and I will leave it at that. UCLA lost to the Seattle Reign 3-2 without Pugh, Sanchez or Fleming and they were leading 2-1 with 20 minutes left in the game. I get that you have your opinion but at least WATCH before you say anything. As the saying goes, "God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. We should do twice as much listening as talking." I will add that you should watch a team before you comment. If you did you would know that even with her she wasn't going to be the main player on the team and she was far from dominant in training.

 

[Nutmeg]

Pro soccer, as mediocre as you call it, it still far better than the college game. But I'm sure she is better off not playing against Rapinoe, Marta, Morgan and other National Team players every week. Dedicating completely to soccer instead of bookending her classes with practices would be better for her soccer too I suppose. You may not appreciate the pro game but watching Spirit subs essentially clean the floor with UNCs best in a scrimmage shows the separation between the college and the pro game.

For long term soccer development, Pugh absolutely made the right decision to go Pro.

And as a East Coaster, no her brand would absolutely not have been expanded by playing in college. Only being on the NT would have elevated her status. Outside of your bubble nobody cares.

Classic east coast mentality. Yeah your right nobody cares about Los Angeles, everybody always talks about the Soccer hotbed of Bethesda. Hey how’s that NWSL franchise is WEST NY. Oh wait they moved. UNC played there subs in that game, and I watched UCLA play the Reign and put in a clinic, all the while more people cared about the college team than the pro one. And your right....The American pro game is poor not mediocre. It’s poor in salary, facilities, structure, media, marketing, coaching, training, etc. The on field product is just mediocre, and serves no point other than providing a place for national team players to train for 5 months and play against other US Nationals. Should Pugh have gone Pro, maybe but it should have been in Paris or London, or Berlin, not small market Soccer purgatory.

 

[Ghostwriter]

And what will that do to all the current ECNL players?

I don't know. Obviously for every 02 player that leaves an ECNL spot for DA spot opens up an ECNL spot. For every 03 DA player that loses a DA spot to an 02 player than depending on where that 03 goes she could play ECNL, DA II, or tryout for another DA team taking a spot from another player. Eventually it will settle and those 03s that were displaced will be the top dog in the 2019 season when most are Juniors in HS regardless if DA does a single 03 age group or an 03/04 age group in two years.

 

[Mullet]

Classic east coast mentality. Yeah your right nobody cares about Los Angeles, everybody always talks about the Soccer hotbed of Bethesda. Hey how’s that NWSL franchise is WEST NY. Oh wait they moved. UNC played there subs in that game, and I watched UCLA play the Reign and put in a clinic, all the while more people cared about the college team than the pro one. And your right....The American pro game is poor not mediocre. It’s poor in salary, facilities, structure, media, marketing, coaching, training, etc. The on field product is just mediocre, and serves no point other than providing a place for national team players to train for 5 months and play against other US Nationals. Should Pugh have gone Pro, maybe but it should have been in Paris or London, or Berlin, not small market Soccer purgatory.

The point is nobody cares outside of their bubble period.

I understand how awesome sauce southern cal Soccer is but that doesn’t mean college is better for developing than the pro game is.

 

[Nutmeg]

In an

The point is nobody cares outside of their bubble period.

I understand how awesome sauce southern cal Soccer is but that doesn’t mean college is better for developing than the pro game is.

In an ideal soccer world yes the pro game would be better but for women that model has not proven out to be so yet.

 

[Dos Equis]

Blues 01 and 02 players stayed in ECNL because many wanted to play for JSerra and other HS team's and wanted to keep both those powerhouse team's together. They don't factor in the current 01/02 age group so even if none play DA next year they won't factor in the 02/03 ratio either. As far as Strikers and Arsenal both clubs loss players to DA this year from the 01, 02, and 03 age groups. Not sure if they will lose any next year but that won't factor in the ratio either. As far as DA ECNL team's besides Blues the 02s will make a big push onto those rosters next year, also even if only half or a 3rd of the DA II 02s make an Academy roster next year and combine those with 25% 02s already playing DA it will create a 60/40 ratio at the minimum.

The point isn t that the 03s aren't a tremendous age group the point is when you combine the 02/03 age groups next year you will have at the very least a 60/40 split in favor of the 02s and that is being generous from the current 01/02 age group with a current 75/25 split in favor of the 01s. Its just simple math the big factor that could change that is if the majority of 02s playing in the DA 01/02 age group play up next year or play with their own age group. If some play up you could have a 55/45 split in favor of the 02s.

Whatever the final 02/03 ratio, I expect any deserving '03 who wants to, will find a spot on a 02/03 DA team. If half of the current '03 DA players are not in DA next year, that is the goal of the DA system -- to be a funnel for US Soccer to develop and identify national team players.

 

[Striker17]

^a humbling truth that again is not shared or talked about but should be with parents across the age groups