Which u12 DA team in the Los Angeles region has the most talented players ?

Hello everyone. First there are a lot of USSDA teams playing in Cerritos this weekend in the 2006 group.

Arsenal
FC Golden State
LAUFA
LA Galaxy
Patadores
West Coast
LAFC - 2 teams.
Albion
Strikers FC


Manchester has two Surf teams, two SDSA Navy teams and TFA I believe.

A lot of top tier competition at Cerritos and I commend all the clubs who are coming in to fight and play hard.

LAFC is athletic, but the style isn't kickball. That ball stays on the ground, every player touches it and the keepers are involved, barely punting. It's good Futbol.

One team did get beat by Golden State (another US Academy) in the quarter finals. That little keeper was standing on his head man, stopping break away after break away and they did a fantastic job in the game. Well deserved win.

Don't hate on the talent if they are playing the right way. Looks like it's game on for the 06 division.
 
My last paragraph should read:

Don't hate on the talent if they are playing the right way. And let's not act like Slammers FC, Pumas and some other squads are not really good teams. Slammers and Pumas both lost in the quarter finals. Looks like it's game on for the 06 division.
 
C.A.M. said:
Hello everyone. First there are a lot of USSDA teams playing in Cerritos this weekend in the 2006 group.

Arsenal
FC Golden State
LAUFA
LA Galaxy
Patadores
West Coast
LAFC - 2 teams.
Albion
Strikers FC


Manchester has two Surf teams, two SDSA Navy teams and TFA I believe.

A lot of top tier competition at Cerritos and I commend all the clubs who are coming in to fight and play hard.

LAFC is athletic, but the style isn't kickball. That ball stays on the ground, every player touches it and the keepers are involved, barely punting. It's good Futbol.

One team did get beat by Golden State (another US Academy) in the quarter finals. That little keeper was standing on his head man, stopping break away after break away and they did a fantastic job in the game. Well deserved win.

Don't hate on the talent if they are playing the right way. Looks like it's game on for the 06 division.
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I don't think anyone is hating on LAFC or any other team. As you said, it turns out that there were other DA teams. LAFC was different though. The other DA teams were generally pre-existing teams entered with their old names (e.g., FC Golden State PDA or Arsenal Pre-Academy), with I think only one (West Coast FC) putting DA in their names. Some of those were not really the DA teams either (e.g., LA Galaxy SB Pre-Academy I was definitely not the USSDA squad, although it had some players who will be on that DA squad). Most of the DA teams may have had different players, but they generally had a core of players who played with that team all year or who played with that club on some team last year. Moreover, by entering under their former name, it is a reminder that DA, which doesn't permit DA teams to compete in open divisions against non-DA teams in multiple games per day tournaments leading to trophies, doesn't actually start until August and therefore this is no different than a normal season where an old team can recruit some new players for the spring tournaments. LAFC, by contrast, is a brand-new all star DA team. The players came from all over and there was no core that played together as a team last year. Thus, there was no pretense that it is just the continuation of a non-DA team playing in a normal tournament. It is a pure DA team and therefore entering it into an open tournament felt like an attempt to get around the USSDA philosophy barring such competitions. Moreover, LAFC was clearly better funded than any other team at the tournament and it made no attempt to hide that fact. They brought four coaches, including their full-time GK coach who warmed up the goalkeepers before each game, and had all four coaches on the bench for each team's games. There was definitely an attempt to fly the LAFC flag, with gear everywhere. There was a Man City feel to it -- even if the other DA teams are fully or partially funded for the players it seemed clear that LAFC was spending more on its players than any other club there. In these circumstances, it's not surprising that LAFC would attract a bit more scrutiny than the other DA teams.
 
C.A.M. said:
My last paragraph should read:

Don't hate on the talent if they are playing the right way. And let's not act like Slammers FC, Pumas and some other squads are not really good teams. Slammers and Pumas both lost in the quarter finals. Looks like it's game on for the 06 division.
Click to expand...

I should have added to the above post that I agree that the LAFC teams seemed to be playing the right way. LAFC got a lot of breakaways using their speed, but they were playing through balls on the ground to the wingers, not over the top hopeful balls. It is also true that LAFC picked some big and fast boys -- both teams had central defenders who towered over everyone else and were fast/strong and both had very fast and athletic players all over -- but in some cases those advantages were neutralized, not highlighted, by the way the team was playing the ball.
 
Dargle said:
I don't think anyone is hating on LAFC or any other team. As you said, it turns out that there were other DA teams. LAFC was different though. The other DA teams were generally pre-existing teams entered with their old names (e.g., FC Golden State PDA or Arsenal Pre-Academy), with I think only one (West Coast FC) putting DA in their names. Some of those were not really the DA teams either (e.g., LA Galaxy SB Pre-Academy I was definitely not the USSDA squad, although it had some players who will be on that DA squad). Most of the DA teams may have had different players, but they generally had a core of players who played with that team all year or who played with that club on some team last year. Moreover, by entering under their former name, it is a reminder that DA, which doesn't permit DA teams to compete in open divisions against non-DA teams in multiple games per day tournaments leading to trophies, doesn't actually start until August and therefore this is no different than a normal season where an old team can recruit some new players for the spring tournaments. LAFC, by contrast, is a brand-new all star DA team. The players came from all over and there was no core that played together as a team last year. Thus, there was no pretense that it is just the continuation of a non-DA team playing in a normal tournament. It is a pure DA team and therefore entering it into an open tournament felt like an attempt to get around the USSDA philosophy barring such competitions. Moreover, LAFC was clearly better funded than any other team at the tournament and it made no attempt to hide that fact. They brought four coaches, including their full-time GK coach who warmed up the goalkeepers before each game, and had all four coaches on the bench for each team's games. There was definitely an attempt to fly the LAFC flag, with gear everywhere. There was a Man City feel to it -- even if the other DA teams are fully or partially funded for the players it seemed clear that LAFC was spending more on its players than any other club there. In these circumstances, it's not surprising that LAFC would attract a bit more scrutiny than the other DA teams.
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Great post and completely agree.

One side note, the LAGSB PA1 team does not have any DA players, that is the team that will play in the SCDSL in the fall.
 
Good morning Dargle,

I don't get the reason for scrutiny though. Golden State had 3 coaches on their bench and yes they are fully funded. We all know LAFC has more money just like LA Galaxy has more money and has spent $30k for one training session for their girls/boys to be with professionals.

WHAT WE ALL ALSO KNOW IS LAFC only had 04 and 05 for this current DA season and are unable to field an 06 team that had a core. With this being the case, how are they trying to get around the rules? They aren't. This is why I mentioned don't hate if the kids are playing the right way. I would also like to add they act the right way and show great sportsmanship. The team that lost to Golden State consoled the OC Premier team that lost in pks to Slammers right before them.

Plus clubs like LAFC and LA Galaxy represent the highest level of the game for our country. Being an example for what we want the environment to be for our children is their responsibility if as a country we want the boys/men's game to have the international success we have on the girl's /women's side. We have a long road to haul to get there and we can only get there as a soccer community. You have to support my kid and I have to support your kid even when we are different teams.
 
C.A.M. said:
Good morning Dargle,

I don't get the reason for scrutiny though.
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Really?

I think about the time you set up custom tents arranged as a de facto players lounge, have parents in branded gear who don't seem to understand the poor nature of the competition, and then play an exceedingly effective if maybe not entirely sustainable youth soccer style, you're probably going to get some scrutiny. It could even be said you've earned it at that point.

And just to be clear about the style: the kids play fine. It's not like they're just launching it and winning knock-downs. Any criticism probably stems from the fact that you are correct in saying this is the highest level in the country, and it's reasonable to expect some sophistication in approach.
 
C.A.M. said:
Good morning Dargle,

I don't get the reason for scrutiny though. Golden State had 3 coaches on their bench and yes they are fully funded. We all know LAFC has more money just like LA Galaxy has more money and has spent $30k for one training session for their girls/boys to be with professionals.

WHAT WE ALL ALSO KNOW IS LAFC only had 04 and 05 for this current DA season and are unable to field an 06 team that had a core. With this being the case, how are they trying to get around the rules? They aren't. This is why I mentioned don't hate if the kids are playing the right way. I would also like to add they act the right way and show great sportsmanship. The team that lost to Golden State consoled the OC Premier team that lost in pks to Slammers right before them.

Plus clubs like LAFC and LA Galaxy represent the highest level of the game for our country. Being an example for what we want the environment to be for our children is their responsibility if as a country we want the boys/men's game to have the international success we have on the girl's /women's side. We have a long road to haul to get there and we can only get there as a soccer community. You have to support my kid and I have to support your kid even when we are different teams.
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?
Wouldn't it be great if all our kids could have professional trainers and great coaches ? Our kids would be grateful and humble too, especially if their club paid for them to play!
 
Okay how do I say this without being divisive or smug? We do all have professional coaches at this level. Most of us are paying our clubs for our coaches who are full time coaches at the club and some school level.

Sometimes the coaching is great and sometimes it isn't. What remains is consistent - these are all kids. Kids at different levels of development, abilities, desire to play this game and blessed with parents dedicating themselves to whatever future the kids have.

While many are focusing on the amount of coaches, branding, etc... it detracts from this:

Those kids are working hard, playing fair, playing a great brand of soccer and enjoying themselves. They support each other whether winning or losing and the coaches aren't screaming at them; they are coaching them. The atmosphere is positive and challenging.

The other LAFC team lost to Pats in a game they were up 2-0 in the Finals game. They did their best and came up short. The coaches let them go through it and gave them love at the end. Parents and kids from the other LAFC team showed up to support. Nothing is perfect, but the atmosphere for the kids is pretty damn good.

Both my kids have been in very bad and very good atmospheres. I just got the bad news that the only coach who could get my daughter to play after being with a coach who destroyed that joy just left us all. Please do me a favor and support all these kids and don't let the "other stuff" take away what is important.

I'm out.
 
Just saw - TFA won Man City again, there were several upcoming Academies teams - 2 surf, 2 TFA, SDSC NAvy, DeAnza Force,2 out of state teams, couple nor cal teams.
 
C.A.M. said:
WHAT WE ALL ALSO KNOW IS LAFC only had 04 and 05 for this current DA season and are unable to field an 06 team that had a core. With this being the case, how are they trying to get around the rules? They aren't. This is why I mentioned don't hate if the kids are playing the right way. I would also like to add they act the right way and show great sportsmanship. The team that lost to Golden State consoled the OC Premier team that lost in pks to Slammers right before them.

Plus clubs like LAFC and LA Galaxy represent the highest level of the game for our country. Being an example for what we want the environment to be for our children is their responsibility if as a country we want the boys/men's game to have the international success we have on the girl's /women's side. We have a long road to haul to get there and we can only get there as a soccer community. You have to support my kid and I have to support your kid even when we are different teams.
Click to expand...

I don't want to perpetuate this thread topic unnecessarily, especially since I really don't hate LAFC and I didn't see anything improper about the behavior of the kids this weekend or even the parents. I thought the whole operation was pretty impressive and I applaud LAFC's financial commitment to the Academy Program. I just wanted to clarify something.

When I said that LAFC was evading the USSDA rules, what I meant is the rules that prohibit DA teams from playing tournaments against non-DA teams. DA teams aren't even supposed to play tournaments at all at this age group, just like they don't keep standings for DA league games at this age group. The whole philosophy is that the emphasis on winning has interfered with the US being able to develop top players and a top national team. There are definitely 04/05 kids and parents who complained about this aspect of DA after a year of doing it. Without tournaments, league championships etc to play for, it felt more like a job for some people. Still, that's what they signed up for and that's what all the kids/parents in 06 are signing up for in DA.

LAFC was able to get around this rule because, technically, DA doesn't start until August. So, this was not a DA team, but just a group of kids. What I was pointing out was that with the other new DA teams, they at least had some argument that this was really just part of the last hurrah of Spring/Summer tournament season for the kids remaining from the old pre-DA team plus a few new kids, not the first new tournament of a DA team. LAFC couldn't make that claim. You are correct that this holds LAFC to a higher standard than clubs that had 2006 teams in 2016-2017. It would probably be better if USSDA just stepped in and clarified that once a DA team is formed, they should adhere to DA standards. Still, it's notable that LA Galaxy's DA did not field a team in a tournament using the pre-DA loophole.

All of this is a long way of saying it was one more reason (although not the only, or even primary, reason) that it would be natural for teams to notice LAFC more than other Academy teams and to scrutinize what they were doing.
 
Dargle said:
I don't want to perpetuate this thread topic unnecessarily, especially since I really don't hate LAFC and I didn't see anything improper about the behavior of the kids this weekend or even the parents. I thought the whole operation was pretty impressive and I applaud LAFC's financial commitment to the Academy Program. I just wanted to clarify something.

When I said that LAFC was evading the USSDA rules, what I meant is the rules that prohibit DA teams from playing tournaments against non-DA teams. DA teams aren't even supposed to play tournaments at all at this age group, just like they don't keep standings for DA league games at this age group. The whole philosophy is that the emphasis on winning has interfered with the US being able to develop top players and a top national team. There are definitely 04/05 kids and parents who complained about this aspect of DA after a year of doing it. Without tournaments, league championships etc to play for, it felt more like a job for some people. Still, that's what they signed up for and that's what all the kids/parents in 06 are signing up for in DA.

LAFC was able to get around this rule because, technically, DA doesn't start until August. So, this was not a DA team, but just a group of kids. What I was pointing out was that with the other new DA teams, they at least had some argument that this was really just part of the last hurrah of Spring/Summer tournament season for the kids remaining from the old pre-DA team plus a few new kids, not the first new tournament of a DA team. LAFC couldn't make that claim. You are correct that this holds LAFC to a higher standard than clubs that had 2006 teams in 2016-2017. It would probably be better if USSDA just stepped in and clarified that once a DA team is formed, they should adhere to DA standards. Still, it's notable that LA Galaxy's DA did not field a team in a tournament using the pre-DA loophole.

All of this is a long way of saying it was one more reason (although not the only, or even primary, reason) that it would be natural for teams to notice LAFC more than other Academy teams and to scrutinize what they were doing.
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Understood. This year it's the 2006s. Next year it will be the 2007s, etc.... It's the one and only tourney our boys will play unless we do Surf Academy Division. Same for my daughter who is a 2003 Academy player doing Legends College Showcase next weekend them LAPFC College Showcase the weekend after.

To be honest after 7 years of this, I will be happy to have my kids play one game a day only. The quality of play will hopefully be much higher along with the officiating crew. From what I have seen, that is the case.

I appreciate you clarifying your thoughts. Best of luck with you and yours.
 
This 5 minutes to edit a post thing is frustrating me .

I want to say all the DAs that were represented this weekend will be doing the same. You can only scrimmage so much. As I said earlier they are still kids and enjoy playing. And believe me, DA is a serious committment (3 days a week plus games for this age group plus games). Older age groups is 4 days Plus games -u daughter is on that schedule.

Question - was is not a good thing for the other teams to see great athletes play great soccer and have fun? Was it bad for a squad like Santa Monica to battle the LAFC squad and realize that if they bring that type of energy and focus in their league they can be great?

I specifically mention them because that team went down 2-0 in the first two minutes and fought hard while playing a great brand of soccer. They eventually fell 5-0, but they should extremely proud.
 
Hmmm CAM you say thats the only tourney besides surf lafc could play, well most of the 06 DA teams will play in galaxy cup! Also we all played some and will play some more friendlies during the summer with other DA teams, so there is really no urgent need to play in other tournaments...
 
C.A.M. said:
was is not a good thing for the other teams to see great athletes play great soccer and have fun? Was it bad for a squad like Santa Monica to battle the LAFC squad and realize that if they bring that type of energy and focus in their league they can be great?
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SMU lost 6 players this spring to DA clubs. A 7th kid they're losing started on the bench.

I can confirm that they are always appreciative of the chance to play against the best teams, even as they rebuild.
 
Zvezdas said:
Hmmm CAM you say thats the only tourney besides surf lafc could play, well most of the 06 DA teams will play in galaxy cup! Also we all played some and will play some more friendlies during the summer with other DA teams, so there is really no urgent need to play in other tournaments...
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I'm not aware if LAFC will be playing Galaxy. We have been playing tons of friendlies. If we go, cool. If not, I'm good. My family personally has two DA kids and the tourney format is draining on my wife and I. Not asking for people feel bad for us, just saying. Cerritos, Legends College Showcase and LA Premier College Showcase in 4 weeks.

Galaxy Cup isn't for a bit. October 6-8, 2017
 
Apparently, this is an All Hail the LAFC thread, them being the new up and coming super team out there in the division. I have not been able to see them play as of yet so therefore I have no opinion on the team(s) but, what I do know is that they could have sent 1 team to Cerritos while sending the other one to Man City but, chose to only represent in the LA area. I did however witness that in the boys divisions at Man City Cup, 5 out of the 10 divisions in the younger brackets were represented by TFA in the finals and 4 out of the 5 collected top honors with the 06 repeating for back to back trophies. 03's came up short. 09's 08's 07's and 06's were crowned. That being said and TFA being denied extension squads sure does make a bunch of MLS and full DA club's mouth water as they will pull a majority of these extremely talented youngsters later down the line and claim that they were the ones who developed them and give no credit to the Club (TFA) who basically set the proper foundation for their progression later down the line. Keep in mind that all things are great in the early stages but, if you've been around awhile, growing pains are still around the corner. Coach vs player personality conflicts, parent(s) believing their kid should play here rather than there or my kid doesn't start are just the cream of the crop type of problems that continually loom over the competitive/developmental soccer community. Let's see how things pan out over the next few years and then analyze how the division compares. Personally I believe there are way too many clubs in this division thus spreading the talent very thin. The question for me is, how will the clubs like Legends and Murrieta Surf be? Will they be able to gather enough 06's? From what I understand, most clubs are pulling 07's to fill rosters. The pay to play DA clubs will certainly be at a huge disadvantage. I completely understand that this age is for development but, what kid wants to wake up on the weekend knowing that they're gonna get smeared on the pitch. I know from personal experience that , that is a recipe for a youngster to lose his/her interest and desire to play the beautiful game. Just praying that all the teams will be competitive but, that might be wishful thinking.
 
I believe that having choices, options and different perspectives available for the kids matter. We have experience with many "successful" clubs. My kids have been thrown out with the bath water instead of being developed in the name of winning. Still we persevered and focused on getting them good at what they do and they are both in the DA programs that fit them.

LAFC impressed on the pitch this weekend. They made some people not like how they do things and some people really like it, but that was all the "other stuff". I heard both sides at the fields. All I can say is atmosphere and overall club direction matter just as much as winning medals in our household and yes my kids have won a lot. We all have to choose what's best for us.

Since it hasn't been said I guess ALL HAIL TFA because they smashed.
 
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