chargerfan
GOLD
I "ignored" him, and everyone else should too. Just like a whiny toddler, or our current president, he is just desperate for attention. I'm not going to give it to him.
GIRLS DAII
- Thread starter Kicknit22
- Start date
I "ignored" him, and everyone else should too. Just like a whiny toddler, or our current president, he is just desperate for attention. I'm not going to give it to him.
Simon is on the Boys 03 boards.
Kicknit22
GOLD
How was the meeting of the minds today?
shales1002
GOLD
My earlier comment wasn't geared towards girls in that particular circumstance, aka current ECNL player. It's geared toward the player that was, is, and will be on a "B" team. Unfortunately, because of the changes those ECNL players got the short end of the stick.
soccermama213
SILVER ELITE
was talking to a friends daughter who made a DA2 team for another club and she was unaware there no DA2 league. I mentioned I had read here about it and to make sure to find out all the info before making her decision. She is deciding between that DA2 team and a flight1 team closer to her area. I think its sad that no one is telling them the truth
Desert Hound
DA
They have announced the league. It will be a sanctioned league in So Cal.
http://goalnation.com/new-girls-dpl-approved-cal-south/
GoWest
GOLD
Good choice. I am seeing a lot of support for the "wait and see" approach. Gotta do what's in the best interests of your DD.
shortBUTslow
BRONZE
The debate when the ECNL spun up was similar, but DA2 has a different flavor. There was a lot of jealousy around the ECNL - because of the sense of being left behind. The DA has so much overlap with ECNL club-wise, and is so demanding commitment-wise, that I don't think the reactions to it were quite as 'threatened' by those not in it.
The DA2 however with the marketing splash and some of the chest pounding doesn't change the fact that it is doing exactly what the ECNL did in terms of exclusivity - but doing it utilizing a seriously watered-down talent pool. Why it makes sense to take a subset of that pool and keep it in an insular new league, is a beyond me. Why not just add the teams in SCDSL Tier 1 or in CSL Premier? If the teams are all that - they'll end up playing each other anyway. Does anyone really need a new league? Will they play in CRL?
Will they play National Cup? Or will they stand apart like the ECNL teams often did and declare superiority - but not actually earn it on the field?
Once upon a time there was only CSL and Premier was the shiznit. Unless the total ratios of really talented girls to the larger pool of players has changed over the years - and maybe it has to some extent, all these leagues are fishing the same waters. A year ago, a club like RSC had 2 teams - one ECNL and one 'white' in EGSL. So the ECNL is now DA and the EGSL is now DA2? I don't get why that is attractive to anyone (the EGSL sure as shit wasn't) - and I certainly don't see why anyone would pound their chest about it.
I don't begrudge them either. Girls are chasing their dreams. More power to them. At the end of the day - I just wish there were opportunities for the best teams to be truly known via head to head play. That, and college recruitment opportunities are all that really matter to me. The former because it is fun and interesting... and the latter because it is really the only practical application of all this insanity.
The DA2 however with the marketing splash and some of the chest pounding doesn't change the fact that it is doing exactly what the ECNL did in terms of exclusivity - but doing it utilizing a seriously watered-down talent pool. Why it makes sense to take a subset of that pool and keep it in an insular new league, is a beyond me. Why not just add the teams in SCDSL Tier 1 or in CSL Premier? If the teams are all that - they'll end up playing each other anyway. Does anyone really need a new league? Will they play in CRL?
Will they play National Cup? Or will they stand apart like the ECNL teams often did and declare superiority - but not actually earn it on the field?
Once upon a time there was only CSL and Premier was the shiznit. Unless the total ratios of really talented girls to the larger pool of players has changed over the years - and maybe it has to some extent, all these leagues are fishing the same waters. A year ago, a club like RSC had 2 teams - one ECNL and one 'white' in EGSL. So the ECNL is now DA and the EGSL is now DA2? I don't get why that is attractive to anyone (the EGSL sure as shit wasn't) - and I certainly don't see why anyone would pound their chest about it.
I don't begrudge them either. Girls are chasing their dreams. More power to them. At the end of the day - I just wish there were opportunities for the best teams to be truly known via head to head play. That, and college recruitment opportunities are all that really matter to me. The former because it is fun and interesting... and the latter because it is really the only practical application of all this insanity.
El Clasico
GOLD
I'm confused by the confusion. From a "Club" perspective, it really does make a lot of sense to have all these insulated leagues. Very similar to a mattress store putting a tag with a different name on the same mattress as it's competitor, they have no desire to actually compete on substance when parents are perfectly content to pay for the smoke and mirrors that clubs are selling.
Unfortunately today, parents want and need a scapegoat to blame when something goes wrong with little Susie's life plan (that her parents have scripted on her behalf) and clubs are happy to step in and assume that liability as the complaints only get lodged once the customer has reached the end of their life cycle.
In other words, clubs have no interest in top teams playing each other and the parents don't need their bragging rights diminished by reality so we can all expect things to remain the same for the foreseeable future. Only in club soccer can you have so many "National Champions" and nobody question it.
Put in perspective, what would the parents dishing out $3,000 a year for their DD's DA 2 team think if they were to play, and lose to, a $300 a year Flight 2 team? Anyone who thinks those $300 a year teams don't exist or that a DA 2 team could never lose to a Flight 2 team has their head in the sand. Fortunately for those fragile parents, the Clubs are aware of this possibility and have insulated your delicate egos by making certain that your DA 2 team (and your egos) will be protected from barbarians at the gate.
Ask yourself one simple question. Is there really any reason that we can't have open leagues based on a promotion/relegation model that truly identifies the best of the best?
Unfortunately today, parents want and need a scapegoat to blame when something goes wrong with little Susie's life plan (that her parents have scripted on her behalf) and clubs are happy to step in and assume that liability as the complaints only get lodged once the customer has reached the end of their life cycle.
In other words, clubs have no interest in top teams playing each other and the parents don't need their bragging rights diminished by reality so we can all expect things to remain the same for the foreseeable future. Only in club soccer can you have so many "National Champions" and nobody question it.
Put in perspective, what would the parents dishing out $3,000 a year for their DD's DA 2 team think if they were to play, and lose to, a $300 a year Flight 2 team? Anyone who thinks those $300 a year teams don't exist or that a DA 2 team could never lose to a Flight 2 team has their head in the sand. Fortunately for those fragile parents, the Clubs are aware of this possibility and have insulated your delicate egos by making certain that your DA 2 team (and your egos) will be protected from barbarians at the gate.
Ask yourself one simple question. Is there really any reason that we can't have open leagues based on a promotion/relegation model that truly identifies the best of the best?
Dos Equis
GOLD
The answer you will be given is that the "win at all costs" behavior and mentality this league structure rewards does not promote proper player development, so it does not belong in youth soccer.
And yet, every league, even the DA, rewards winning. But closed leagues lack outside accountability (even the worst performers can claim they are better than the uninvited), and they do not impose a the harsh penalty for losing. For the participating coaches and clubs, its a win/win.
Okay, first of all, where is the $300 a year flight 2 team?? Are you talking AYSO because that is the only venue I know of that costs less than a grand. If there is a $300 flight 2 team let us know and we can all sign up.
Once again, it all boils down to: find your coach- find one who is committed to your child, and who you feel can develop them. Find your team- one who is in sync with your child.
Team promotion and relegation is completely contrary to any notion of individual player development on the youth level. Let's just take one position, Goalie, as the most glaring example: Your Keeper is just learning to play out of the back, and rolls the ball out to the opposing forward 3 times giving up crucial game-losing goals, hence you lose and are... what... relegated??? If so, the coach, who needs wins to keep his team in the "Gold" bracket, tells your keeper to stop trying to roll it out and just punt it. That keeper learns nothing, and is INDIVIDUALLY relegated to NO COLLEGE, because they never learned to play soccer. Take that all the way down the field, because that is what you are suggesting as a model.
DA2 benefit: A license coaching teaching the mandated US Soccer style. Ability to increase the practice load while going to high school. Being seen by DA coaches in the system they need players for.
The DA curriculum and play style is different than ECNL. Not all great players at ECNL or any other league are an automatic fits for this system. The girls whose personalities fit the demands of the system are different.
The DA curriculum and play style is different than ECNL. Not all great players at ECNL or any other league are an automatic fits for this system. The girls whose personalities fit the demands of the system are different.
Dos Equis
GOLD
Following your anecdote, while it depends on the age group, one might argue that a goalie should be learning how to play out of the back in practices (now 4 times a week under the DA model) and during scrimmages, not during games that matter, which are there to teach other skills including how to problem solve, play under pressure, and even win. The overall way a team plays depends very little on the league, and a lot on the coach, in my experience.
But I understand there are different points of view on what role league games should play, and in that way we likely differ. However, taking this back to the DA2 discussion, one of the things a promotion/relegation system produces is more competitive balance in games. Now, I accept that another way to re-create that balance is through scarcity, meaning create a top league that will attract the best players, limit the number of participants, and with luck the best will end up playing against each other.
Unfortunately, that arguement falls apart when it comes to the DA2/DPL (as the EGSL showed). Trying to create competitive balance will be a challenge, and these teams are likely going to have to find that elsewhere, as some clubs are able to produce true "reserve" teams, while others struggle to compete.
MakeAPlay
DA
I love this perspective @C.A.M. but I have to be honest you when I ask what is US Soccer's style of play? My player has been to many YNT camps and has also competed against YNT teams and for the life of me I haven't seen a lot of consistency in anything other than fitness testing at the beginning of camp.
The Driver
PREMIER
Church
US Soccer has given the DAs documented instructions on the formations to use, ways they want the positions to perform, areas of the field they expect to see certain play style in (Keepers passing out the back, etc...). They have objectives for play style and execution to go along with the 4 day practice and limited game schedule.
My girl is at a DA with great ambition to make this work and has transparency so we have been working on these things for 2-3 months as our team is forming and solidifying. The club sent us exactly what they were given to work and expect the players to be aware of the way positions are named, what is expected of each position and how to execute play style. It is not mandatory this is followed but "highly suggested".
The reason is they want to be able to call up any player in the DA system and have them immediately integrate into what the national teams will be doing going forward.
I know you and Driver have seen the issues. I just know they are very serious about this project and are not taking it lightly. I would also throw out, they didn't just make up their mind to make the DA. The tried to get ECNL on board since it has been the top dog and when they refused they didn't hesitate to do it without them. If that isn't serious, I don't know what is.
NoGoal
DA
Boys Soccer = US Soccer DA = MLS teams = shit soccer
My buddy who has 02 son playing Boys DA... told me, the vast majority of boys DA teams play direct over the top.
US style of play will NEVER be possession like Spain/Barca or a Japan womens team.
MakeAPlay
DA
You had me until the last paragraph @C.A.M. I know for a fact that they did not consult the ECNL and actually tried to go around them (the ECNL had a meeting with them trying to collaborate and were shut out). The prior paragraph was interesting too. When you are talking about integrating into what the YNT is doing again my player has been to many, many camps and has competed internationally and I have yet to see a consistent "style of play." I am optimistic that your player's club is trying to strictly adhere to what is being taught. We will definitely see. Again I am a parent of an older player so pardon my skepticism. Good luck to you and your player.
MakeAPlay
DA
I am somewhat skeptical about "style of play" as well...
Especially after watching the U17 and U20 WWC, the U23's play the NWSL teams and the full WNT against pretty much any opponent in the top 12 in the world (the "real" competition).
Not what I see being taught to the youngers or the girls.