Girls Development Academy

MakeAPlay said:
My friend's daughter really loves her new team and situation. She has improved a bunch and seems to get more excited every time I see her. What I like the most is in the last 5 years her game has evolved. My friend says that she always wants to work on something soccer related which is a very good sign. She watched my player go through the process, commit to her school and now she goes to her games and watches her on TV and that according to my friend has put the biggest carrot out their for her daughter. She knows it's real because she has seen the process and she understands that it is linked to the work that you put in.

I am excited that Albion has a coach for a younger team that can motivate a tween girl. Go Albion!
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That's a great situation for your friends daughter. She has a role model she knows. My youngest daughters team has played MW teams a few times and I like what he is teaching them and how he addresses them over the course of the game. We have a friend whose daughter plays for him and can't say enough about him.
 
In my research I am finding over and over again - even with Jen lalor in a recent news article- that players are defining their "aha moments" between 17-20 and often times playing "up" in various leagueS.
I did some basic research and can only find that WPSL and you have to be 18.
I know one of my most favorite talents to watch Surf ECNL 18 group all played recreationally in leagues. Does anyone know where or how that occurred? I am curious
 
Jen has always run the training center so I can't see the problems with identification going away. I was actually hopeful when I saw it was all new blood- her hire Friday actually made me sad because it's same old same old here I bet. Nothing personal it's just like what you say- their "identification" has been pretty bad and ruled by DOC and coaches. Can we actually believe that this person who has been a part of this system for so long under the old guard is suddenly going to employ new scouting techniques and allow for RAE and other factors that have never come into play?
Doubt it
For the record great coach and great person. I just feel that he system needs an overhaul and she was the one In charge of the training center debacle
 
Striker17 said:
Jen has always run the training center so I can't see the problems with identification going away. I was actually hopeful when I saw it was all new blood- her hire Friday actually made me sad because it's same old same old here I bet. Nothing personal it's just like what you say- their "identification" has been pretty bad and ruled by DOC and coaches. Can we actually believe that this person who has been a part of this system for so long under the old guard is suddenly going to employ new scouting techniques and allow for RAE and other factors that have never come into play?
Doubt it
For the record great coach and great person. I just feel that he system needs an overhaul and she was the one In charge of the training center debacle
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I have been trying to tell you that nothing is going to change. It's sort of like when you buy a house and then paint the exterior and add some plants. It's still the same house just more curb appeal for the person that you are selling it to. I am sorry to say it but you will come around to my thinking eventually. Everyone either does or they stop posting when they realize that I was speaking the truth the whole time.

Good luck to you and your daughter.
 
MakeAPlay said:
I have been trying to tell you that nothing is going to change. It's sort of like when you buy a house and then paint the exterior and add some plants. It's still the same house just more curb appeal for the person that you are selling it to. I am sorry to say it but you will come around to my thinking eventually. Everyone either does or they stop posting when they realize that I was speaking the truth the whole time.

Good luck to you and your daughter.
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I agreed with you all along, but it was your humility that really won me over.

The harder you work, the luckier you get. I expect you know that as well.
 
Not wanting to hijack their recruiting thread within this forum, but it seems clear that the south bay only needed one DA club (if DA was intended to aggregate and develop elite talent). US Soccer could not help themselves when the MLS club showed up late to the party and offered full funding.

In my ideal world, US Soccer would limit the number of DA programs to half the current horde, promote/support areas having both a DA and ECNL option, allow the DA clubs/teams to play friendlies with local/regional competition outside of their DA tournaments (like the YNTs do when they train), and the adults would have gotten along. Create a situation that might reward creativity and innovaton.
 
Dos Equis said:
Not wanting to hijack their recruiting thread within this forum, but it seems clear that the south bay only needed one DA club (if DA was intended to aggregate and develop elite talent). US Soccer could not help themselves when the MLS club showed up late to the party and offered full funding.

In my ideal world, US Soccer would limit the number of DA programs to half the current horde, promote/support areas having both a DA and ECNL option, allow the DA clubs/teams to play friendlies with local/regional competition outside of their DA tournaments (like the YNTs do when they train), and the adults would have gotten along. Create a situation that might reward creativity and innovaton.
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Well, that would make a lot of sense and be in the best interest of the players and families. We can't have that going on...
 
Dos Equis said:
Not wanting to hijack their recruiting thread within this forum, but it seems clear that the south bay only needed one DA club (if DA was intended to aggregate and develop elite talent). US Soccer could not help themselves when the MLS club showed up late to the party and offered full funding.
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I recognize that you think half the DA teams/clubs should be cut, but why are you so specific on the South Bay? Legitimately curious.
 
Justafan said:
I recognize that you think half the DA teams/clubs should be cut, but why are you so specific on the South Bay? Legitimately curious.
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The thread I was referring to was an inquiry by the LA Galaxy, a new South Bay DA club, seeking additional players. Hence my focus on that market,

However, I base my opinon on twelve years of watching girls youth soccer in the South Bay. In a very good year, in any given age group, 3-5 elite players can be found on a SBF/Exiles (now SB Galaxy) roster, perhaps 4-6 at Beach (not always on the same team), and maybe 1-3 at Fram. Add another 4-6 who commute to OC clubs (historically Blues or Slammers), and a few random others, and you have the makings of one very good DA team full of mostly South Bay players. That is just the way it is -- we could get into a long discusson on why there is not more talent, but that is for another thread. If the DA is trying to produce YNT players, that is the pool they should work with.

So you know, I would argue OC only needs 2 DA clubs using the same analysis, San Diego 2 as well, the Inland Empire one, the Pasadena/LA Market market one, and Thousand Oaks/Camarillo one. You end up with a Socal DA bracket of 8. If the DA clubs focused solely on that program (and the related DPL/DA2 teams) and did not have dual DA/ECNL programs, you could also have around 8 solid ECNL only clubs covering those same markets, offering a very good soccer alternative. One ECNL club would be in the Suuth Bay.
 
Dos Equis said:
The thread I was referring to was an inquiry by the LA Galaxy, a new South Bay DA club, seeking additional players. Hence my focus on that market,

However, I base my opinon on twelve years of watching girls youth soccer in the South Bay. In a very good year, in any given age group, 3-5 elite players can be found on a SBF/Exiles (now SB Galaxy) roster, perhaps 4-6 at Beach (not always on the same team), and maybe 1-3 at Fram. Add another 4-6 who commute to OC clubs (historically Blues or Slammers), and a few random others, and you have the makings of one very good DA team full of mostly South Bay players. That is just the way it is -- we could get into a long discusson on why there is not more talent, but that is for another thread. If the DA is trying to produce YNT players, that is the pool they should work with.

So you know, I would argue OC only needs 2 DA clubs using the same analysis, San Diego 2 as well, the Inland Empire one, the Pasadena/LA Market market one, and Thousand Oaks/Camarillo one. You end up with a Socal DA bracket of 8. If the DA clubs focused solely on that program (and the related DPL/DA2 teams) and did not have dual DA/ECNL programs, you could also have around 8 solid ECNL only clubs covering those same markets, offering a very good soccer alternative. One ECNL club would be in the Suuth Bay.
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Stop putting it so eloquently....
 
Dos Equis said:
The thread I was referring to was an inquiry by the LA Galaxy, a new South Bay DA club, seeking additional players. Hence my focus on that market,

However, I base my opinon on twelve years of watching girls youth soccer in the South Bay. In a very good year, in any given age group, 3-5 elite players can be found on a SBF/Exiles (now SB Galaxy) roster, perhaps 4-6 at Beach (not always on the same team), and maybe 1-3 at Fram. Add another 4-6 who commute to OC clubs (historically Blues or Slammers), and a few random others, and you have the makings of one very good DA team full of mostly South Bay players. That is just the way it is -- we could get into a long discusson on why there is not more talent, but that is for another thread. If the DA is trying to produce YNT players, that is the pool they should work with.

So you know, I would argue OC only needs 2 DA clubs using the same analysis, San Diego 2 as well, the Inland Empire one, the Pasadena/LA Market market one, and Thousand Oaks/Camarillo one. You end up with a Socal DA bracket of 8. If the DA clubs focused solely on that program (and the related DPL/DA2 teams) and did not have dual DA/ECNL programs, you could also have around 8 solid ECNL only clubs covering those same markets, offering a very good soccer alternative. One ECNL club would be in the Suuth Bay.
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That sounds all well and good but the reality is that would involve a lot of driving for practice and games. You could say the same for all high school sports, pick the elite players from each high school for whatever sport you choose, combine them into one or two local schools and voila, you have an elite team. The elite players in all sports will be the ones to move on to the college level and/or pro level no need to stress over who is elite or who isn't, which team will win the big one, who will win CIF, ECNL, be the top DA team, win Nationals, etc. etc. etc. etc.
 
Lambchop said:
That sounds all well and good but the reality is that would involve a lot of driving for practice and games. You could say the same for all high school sports, pick the elite players from each high school for whatever sport you choose, combine them into one or two local schools and voila, you have an elite team. The elite players in all sports will be the ones to move on to the college level and/or pro level no need to stress over who is elite or who isn't, which team will win the big one, who will win CIF, ECNL, be the top DA team, win Nationals, etc. etc. etc. etc.
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Participating in sports at an elite level (and the DA is supposed to be elite) has always involved a lot of driving/commuting, and sometimes even family or child re-location. We are more fortunate than most here in Socal. It is unrealistic and perhaps even oxymoronic to think you can create an elite development system that is convenient for everyone, without also diluting the talent and creating a system less effective at achieving your goals. If US Soccer worked with other leagues and sanctioning organizations (and vice versa), they could help insure there are great youth soccer options, including ECNL and other leagues, in areas with more difficult/limited access to DA clubs.

I am not talking about all-star teams. If it serves some greater purpose to subject an ever increasing number of youth players to a system that prohibits HS play, limits games for all and playing time for non-starters through the substitution rules, and is closed to outside competition, all for a primary purpose of producing 3-4 future national team players per age group, that greater purpose is lost on me. I think such a system should be for a very limited group of clubs/players at the top of a more inclusive and coordinated pyramid, one that provides options, allows for more creativity, and expands its reach and player base through cooperation, not control.
 
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