ESPNANALYST
SILVER ELITE
A lot of parents here who have axes to grind. Their kid didn't make the top team and all of a sudden it's all about "winning" or "business".
I came into this area two years ago and I didn't listen to this parent or that parent because face it, everyone has their own opinion based on their expereiences. What I did, and what I encourage all parents to do, is use your eyes and look at how the kids in that club PLAY SOCCER. At 90% of the games it's the same thing, big, fast, and pushy soccer. Terrible fundamentals. Very little strategy or tactics.
I'm taking my kid to Surf tryouts because their teams, the teams I saw, actually try to play good soccer. As my kid isn't the early developing monster that can push her way through, her path to college is to learn to play quick, smart, technical soccer. And that's what Surf teams are, the ones I've seen. They seem to be teaching the soccer that gives players the skills to play at the next level. Is it a style of soccer that produces wins? Yes, if you have the skills to play that way. Take a team that bangs it over the top every time and ask them to play possession and it will be a disaster. There has to be an institutional commitment. And that's what I see with my eyes on the field.
Or you have top kids that are recruited and are exposed to tactics that are unsavory.
Potato or potatoe...you know to each his own. Let's not sugar coat it though that's what started this thread.
As respect to playing soccer many parents have neve played, don't know LOTG, and are a generally uneducated bunch. Sad but true so again depending on who you are speaking about at Surf you could be correct. As I previously stated there is a small contingent committed to education and the rest are sharks. I am sorry this upsets so many of you. It is like this at all the clubs.
So if you are the small minority of parent who knows the difference between rugby and soccer, defense and offense, and
For what it is worth never at one time did I not say that PD doesn't play a clean game. I believe the term is Cinderella soccer- beautiful.
As far as you assertion about direct ball I would suggest you watch a PAC 12 game or the National Championship last year. It's very eye opening.