WWC 2023

First touch is one thing that can be developed and improved with training. Like most basic skills in soccer, one needs to start early. Things like speed or coordination are innate, but I guess they can be somewhat improved with training. Things that require several skills, one of them innate, are extremely rare to see in players (think of superconduccion or natural dribbling). The main problem of the USWNT in this world cup, besides the obvious catching up of perennial soccer powers, was the low soccer IQ of many of the players (which actually were the best players available for the most part). I'm sure that the ugly system of VA was conditioned by the players available to him. Hopefully the soccer played in the NWSL improves with better coaching, because this league is the main source of players for the USWNT. The NWSL is almost unwatchable, simply by paying attention to these games and knowing that most players play regularly like this, one could predict that the USWNT was doomed in this world cup. Moving forward the USWNT will continue contending in international competitions because the IQ problem will be addressed, but the years of total international domination are gone and the USWNT will be just 1 of 4-5 excellent teams in any given tournament.
I always think post-game to myself “who won?” and not about the score at all. Do the parent$, club and coach ever make any changes. Nope. We’re all trapped in this “development” system that does not incentivize long term development. It’s all about winning customers to the club. So, the WWC players available naturally were the product of a system that is actually very primitive (like the primitive discussion early on in the thread distracted by the word “woke”). The biggest country in power and money, but we don’t play to realize our full potential.
 
The best USWNT players should go to Europe both for the pay and the play - if they are good enough. It is now mirroring the men's game from a platform and opportunity perspective.

The difference in the age profile and experience (i.e. academy development not youth soccer / college) is also starting to tell, e.g. the scorer for Spain yesterday is 23 - she passed the 100 appearances for Real Madrid last season; the bench impact player for Spain is 19.
100% and even those girls who aren't USWNT players should take a looksy at Europe to play futbol as option after High School or College. The good news for females around the world is that the doors of Pro Futbol are opening up for those who want to get paid to play the great game. We in the States are programmed to pay for play and kiss the right asses to get selected. It's a mess!

1692199120166.png
 
After DiCicco's U20 won the 2008 U20 WC he submitted a report to the USSF.
He wrote .5 page summary titled "What are the Positives of USA Girls’ and Women’s Soccer:"
He wrote 3.5 page summary titled "What are the areas of USA Girls’ and Women’s Soccer that need to improve:"
The message in the 1990s, 2000's, and today all seem the same. Technique and IQ.
I added a few clips from his report. This may be a final or almost final report.

There is a scouting comment he made I attached too.
Outside of the actual report, he was critical of the fact that the scouting network seemed scout where they lived, didn't have the right "eye" for the future of the game, comments of favoritism of clubs, etc. DOCs today say the same thing, which is expected.

1692199666324.png 1692197629339.png1692197739315.png1692198525222.png1692198588177.png
 
After DiCicco's U20 won the 2008 U20 WC he submitted a report to the USSF.
He wrote .5 page summary titled "What are the Positives of USA Girls’ and Women’s Soccer:"
He wrote 3.5 page summary titled "What are the areas of USA Girls’ and Women’s Soccer that need to improve:"
The message in the 1990s, 2000's, and today all seem the same. Technique and IQ.
I added a few clips from his report. This may be a final or almost final report.

There is a scouting comment he made I attached too.
Outside of the actual report, he was critical of the fact that the scouting network seemed scout where they lived, didn't have the right "eye" for the future of the game, comments of favoritism of clubs, etc. DOCs today say the same thing, which is expected.

View attachment 17824 View attachment 17819View attachment 17820View attachment 17821View attachment 17822
Great stuff. All of those comments could have been written yesterday. The last slide could have been written specifically about this years team. Their receiving of the ball was atrocious. The one that stands out in my mind was shortly after Rapinoe came in during ET in the Sweden game, she received a ball in stride, in the box, with space and completely misplayed the ball and it bounced off her body and then out of bounds. As a team, I saw way too many receptions with plenty of space and time that looked like they would lead to good assist or scoring opportunities, but instead were completely mishandled.
 
The best USWNT players should go to Europe both for the pay and the play - if they are good enough. It is now mirroring the men's game from a platform and opportunity perspective.

The difference in the age profile and experience (i.e. academy development not youth soccer / college) is also starting to tell, e.g. the scorer for Spain yesterday is 23 - she passed the 100 appearances for Real Madrid last season; the bench impact player for Spain is 19.
There is a player from my DD’s ECNL club and age group that passed on Stanford and is on Barcelona’s B team.
 
After DiCicco's U20 won the 2008 U20 WC he submitted a report to the USSF.
He wrote .5 page summary titled "What are the Positives of USA Girls’ and Women’s Soccer:"
He wrote 3.5 page summary titled "What are the areas of USA Girls’ and Women’s Soccer that need to improve:"
The message in the 1990s, 2000's, and today all seem the same. Technique and IQ.
I added a few clips from his report. This may be a final or almost final report.

There is a scouting comment he made I attached too.
Outside of the actual report, he was critical of the fact that the scouting network seemed scout where they lived, didn't have the right "eye" for the future of the game, comments of favoritism of clubs, etc. DOCs today say the same thing, which is expected.

View attachment 17824 View attachment 17819View attachment 17820View attachment 17821View attachment 17822
Does USSF use good referrals from college coaches as DiCiccio mentions? It’s a good short term answer to find players.
 
Sounds like she is following her dream, good for her. However, how many American families would make that same choice given the opportunity? I.e. this is an element of the cultural issue.
Good question. Depends on what an individual thinks the end result could be. It’s definitely a gamble especially if your passing on a Stanford education.
 
With the stodgy play of the USA out of the picture, we are seeing some entertaining imaginative games. The only complaint I have is the referees' apparent unwillingness to call fouls that break up good scoring chances. "I don't want to have a big effect on the game"? Not calling those fouls has a big effect on the game.

Spain 2-1 Sweden


England 3-1 Australia

 
After DiCicco's U20 won the 2008 U20 WC he submitted a report to the USSF.
He wrote .5 page summary titled "What are the Positives of USA Girls’ and Women’s Soccer:"
He wrote 3.5 page summary titled "What are the areas of USA Girls’ and Women’s Soccer that need to improve:"
The message in the 1990s, 2000's, and today all seem the same. Technique and IQ.
I added a few clips from his report. This may be a final or almost final report.

There is a scouting comment he made I attached too.
Outside of the actual report, he was critical of the fact that the scouting network seemed scout where they lived, didn't have the right "eye" for the future of the game, comments of favoritism of clubs, etc. DOCs today say the same thing, which is expected.

View attachment 17824 View attachment 17819View attachment 17820View attachment 17821View attachment 17822
Its amazing that everyone knows what the issues are even all the way back in 2008 but no real changes have been implemented.

What I see is that US Soccer is just corrupt + Pay to Play has clouded everyone's judgement to the point there they dont even understand ethics.

Take coaching recommendations for USWNT. How many of these do you think are sold to the highest bidder? What about coaches that wont make recommendations because they're worried about players meeting other talent + being recruited?
 
Its amazing that everyone knows what the issues are even all the way back in 2008 but no real changes have been implemented.

What I see is that US Soccer is just corrupt + Pay to Play has clouded everyone's judgement to the point there they dont even understand ethics.

Take coaching recommendations for USWNT. How many of these do you think are sold to the highest bidder? What about coaches that wont make recommendations because they're worried about players meeting other talent + being recruited?

It's never going to change unless the customer changes. Who is the customer? Parents looking to have Sally on a winning team & doing whatever it takes to get Sally into the desired college. Pay to Play clubs will do whatever it takes to please the customer. Equals poor development. Girls end up non tactical and non technical but get in their desired college.
 
I always think post-game to myself “who won?” and not about the score at all. Do the parent$, club and coach ever make any changes. Nope. We’re all trapped in this “development” system that does not incentivize long term development. It’s all about winning customers to the club. So, the WWC players available naturally were the product of a system that is actually very primitive (like the primitive discussion early on in the thread distracted by the word “woke”). The biggest country in power and money, but we don’t play to realize our full potential.

I sometimes wonder how much negative influence American parents have on development. Nagging coaches, whining during games, calling and emailing DOCs and just otherwise stirring up shit by moving to other clubs. The biggest offenders I've seen typically have the most talented kids.
 
A Stanford education would be a good value for free, debatable at full price.

I remember an advisor telling us that the typical Stanford cost, after averaging out aide, etc, was $12k per year.

I found that pretty hard to believe but that's what these folks do for a living.
 
It's never going to change unless the customer changes. Who is the customer? Parents looking to have Sally on a winning team & doing whatever it takes to get Sally into the desired college. Pay to Play clubs will do whatever it takes to please the customer. Equals poor development. Girls end up non tactical and non technical but get in their desired college.
I sometimes wonder how much negative influence American parents have on development. Nagging coaches, whining during games, calling and emailing DOCs and just otherwise stirring up shit by moving to other clubs. The biggest offenders I've seen typically have the most talented kids.
Soccer parents are the absolute worst when it comes the impact on development. It's where all the demands for the wins come from. But in fairness they are just reacting to incentives. The incentives make them vulnerable to the sales pitches and shiny new objects. The incentives come from the way colleges are structured in the US.

The real problem is we have a system that tries to be everything to everyone: a fun recreational activity, a place to win trophies like little league, a system to get college placements, a pathway to develop pros, and an employment system for adults. It's never going to do all those things well. The solution is to separate the development of the pros from everyone else, as has been done on the boys end to a limited extent so far.
 
I remember an advisor telling us that the typical Stanford cost, after averaging out aide, etc, was $12k per year.

I found that pretty hard to believe but that's what these folks do for a living.
Stanford disagrees --

"$46,777 is the average net price across all students. Your price may differ depending on your family income level."

.
 
Stanford disagrees --

"$46,777 is the average net price across all students. Your price may differ depending on your family income level."

.

Yeah... we definitely have to punish the people that have more money. I'm sure they didn't earn it.
 
Soccer parents are the absolute worst when it comes the impact on development. It's where all the demands for the wins come from. But in fairness they are just reacting to incentives. The incentives make them vulnerable to the sales pitches and shiny new objects. The incentives come from the way colleges are structured in the US.

The real problem is we have a system that tries to be everything to everyone: a fun recreational activity, a place to win trophies like little league, a system to get college placements, a pathway to develop pros, and an employment system for adults. It's never going to do all those things well. The solution is to separate the development of the pros from everyone else, as has been done on the boys end to a limited extent so far.
I few random thoughts. Club soccer is actually 90%-95% recreational. Cost is irrespective of value. Some, possibly many parents, are expecting a payoff (college, NT, pro) for all those club fees they have paid throughout the years. Clubs exploit, or at least do nothing to dissuade, that opinion. Parents feel that if they're paying for something they are entitled to voice their opinion to coach and/or club. Which I don't entirely disagree with, as long as, it's within reasonable limits and relates to their kid, not the other kids on the team. Coaches cater to the parents of the "best" players at every age level, yet are typically very poor at talent identification (its not that they can't identify the obviously talented kids, but that they exclude the kids that are not flashy, but are smart and effective). My son's first DA team was nearly completely controlled by one parent whose son was and still is an outstanding player. This parent had a big influence on both roster and lineup.

IMO if you want a payoff for your kid's soccer costs, have your kid play futsal until 12 and take all the money your saving, for not having to pay club dues, and put it in your 529 plan. Then when they're 13 shop them to the best teams and get scholarshipped because your kids touch and speed of play will amaze coaches. If soccer workers out, great. If it doesn't will have a bunch of extra money in the 529. (yes, I'm exaggerating to make a point)

If you don't expect a payoff, pay the club dues and enjoy the ride. And enjoy the fact that your kid is not in competitive dance or equestrian sports.
 
A Stanford education would be a good value for free, debatable at full price.

Any parent that's doing this for a college education with a scholarship is nutz. All the driving, the sacrifice of weekends, the money spent on club, tournament, traveling fees etc for a college scholarship is not worth it. Especially if your kid has the grades already. I was once one of those parents that demanded winning and put their kid on a top ECNL girls team. After experiencing the first year of ECNL and seeing how the older gilrs are playing the game, I came to my senses and pulled her out of ECNL. We as a family are not interested in a college scholarship. My DD wants to go pro at 18 and possibly play in Europe if things go as planned and that is the new goal. Good bye ECNL, UCLA and Stanford... The way women's soccer is growing I'm willing to roll that dice... College can wait.
 
Last edited:
I few random thoughts. Club soccer is actually 90%-95% recreational. Cost is irrespective of value. Some, possibly many parents, are expecting a payoff (college, NT, pro) for all those club fees they have paid throughout the years. Clubs exploit, or at least do nothing to dissuade, that opinion. Parents feel that if they're paying for something they are entitled to voice their opinion to coach and/or club. Which I don't entirely disagree with, as long as, it's within reasonable limits and relates to their kid, not the other kids on the team. Coaches cater to the parents of the "best" players at every age level, yet are typically very poor at talent identification (its not that they can't identify the obviously talented kids, but that they exclude the kids that are not flashy, but are smart and effective). My son's first DA team was nearly completely controlled by one parent whose son was and still is an outstanding player. This parent had a big influence on both roster and lineup.

IMO if you want a payoff for your kid's soccer costs, have your kid play futsal until 12 and take all the money your saving, for not having to pay club dues, and put it in your 529 plan. Then when they're 13 shop them to the best teams and get scholarshipped because your kids touch and speed of play will amaze coaches. If soccer workers out, great. If it doesn't will have a bunch of extra money in the 529. (yes, I'm exaggerating to make a point)

If you don't expect a payoff, pay the club dues and enjoy the ride. And enjoy the fact that your kid is not in competitive dance or equestrian sports.
Agree but I note this college craziness is true throughout various activities including school ones. You see it in the private school market in Los Angeles. You see it (or saw it) in the craziness surrounding the SATs (see the Loughlin scandal). Activities like film making, debate, academic decathalon, cheerleading, dance team and band aren't immune. Then there's all the fake charities and community service hours the kids do.
 
Agree but I note this college craziness is true throughout various activities including school ones. You see it in the private school market in Los Angeles. You see it (or saw it) in the craziness surrounding the SATs (see the Loughlin scandal). Activities like film making, debate, academic decathalon, cheerleading, dance team and band aren't immune. Then there's all the fake charities and community service hours the kids do.
It's out of control and a discussion probably better suited for a different thread.
 
Back
Top