'22-'23 SoCal and National Forecast and Updates

MARsSPEED said:
Real Colorado 3-1 over Legends today
SLSG Navy 1-0 over Blues today
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Watched Real vs Legends. Real CoLo Natty for “Real” as I said last week. Also chilled and watched SD vs Sting game. I’m not gonna comment because not my place but if SD roster stays in place in its current fashion they will be the outright favorite to run away with the ecnl title this season. Also caught a couple blips of the Bay Area Surf/Koge match. Both teams looked great imo and Surf won. Also watched Eagles game, they have no shot imo to make a Natty run. Just being real. Not sure what happened there with thier 09s but way too inconsistent at this current from what I’ve observed.
Blues losing as they have been lpeaking tells a story that the Midwest has some legit contenders. Will be fun to see unfold.
 
Carlsbad7 said:
Sharks girls are starting to revert back to what they always were. The problem with DMCV is it's an expensive place to live. This means it's hard for Sharks to put together a youngers Rec to olders Competitve funnel because theres not as many local kids. Also Surf + Albion + City + Force + others are all within driving distance. Youngers with talent quickly get recruited away.

When MW came to Sharks he booted all the existing players from competitve teams + replaced them with Albion + City + other teams in the area. Everyone was so excited to have an ECNL option (other than Surf) in North County that he was able to recruit like crazy.

Unfortunately for MW booting all the existing Sharks competitive players pissed off a lot of people + word got around. More recently MW is losing talent to Surf + also he doesnt seem to understand that players / parents arent going to switch to Sharks just to play ECNL you have to be personable.

The slow decline back to where Sharks were 2-3 years ago will happen again. Neither of the big GA clubs in SD (City and Albion) are going to let players go to Sharks without a fight.

From a players perspective because Surf is so dominate if you're in SD + you want to do ECNL it doesnt make sense to play for anyone other than Surf because you'll never win or be in contention for a national title. Might as well go to City or Albion + do GA where you'll have a chance at a national title + getting noticed if you're not going to play for Surf.
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Sharks Rec program has always been pretty big. Their inability to field highly competitive teams isn’t due to the size of the player pool. It’s been the club’s ability to develop players. Thought that changed when MW joined. Not only did he bring in players from everywhere else, but it seemed like he could make a difference in future development as well.

Their results for the younger ages seem to be on the up and up (just checking recent ECNL league and showcase results). What makes you think the’ll lose their momentum?
 
SDMama said:
Sharks Rec program has always been pretty big. Their inability to field highly competitive teams isn’t due to the size of the player pool. It’s been the club’s ability to develop players. Thought that changed when MW joined. Not only did he bring in players from everywhere else, but it seemed like he could make a difference in future development as well.

Their results for the younger ages seem to be on the up and up (just checking recent ECNL league and showcase results). What makes you think the’ll lose their momentum?
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Sharks is not losing momentum. They are actually on an upward movement. Initially, MW probably recruited some players and then couldn't give them playing time when better players drifted in bc Sharks needed to win, causing a lot of resentment. At the current level of Sharks, MW and staff is probably able to be more particular with the talent/players they recruit.

Surf is still the best place in town though and if a Sharks player thinks she will be able play for Surf ECNL, the player will probably move unless the player left Surf in the first place.
 
SDMama said:
Sharks Rec program has always been pretty big. Their inability to field highly competitive teams isn’t due to the size of the player pool. It’s been the club’s ability to develop players. Thought that changed when MW joined. Not only did he bring in players from everywhere else, but it seemed like he could make a difference in future development as well.

Their results for the younger ages seem to be on the up and up (just checking recent ECNL league and showcase results). What makes you think the’ll lose their momentum?
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When MW jumped from Albion to Sharks he took a lot of players from Albion with him. Also as I stated before everyone in SD was excited to have viable ECNL alternative to Surf. This allowed Sharks to pickup players from City, etc etc. (Ironic that some say GA isnt good but that's were MW picked up almost all his players. But that's a different topic)

Now the honeymoon is over and MW + Sharks are no longer the flavor of the month. Recruiting is going to become much more difficult. Albion + City (the big GA clubs in SD) arent going to let their players go that easily. Sharks are going to need to recruit players on the same level as everyone else.

Another red flag you can see at Sharks is that MW is coaching many of their top teams. This isnt nessasarally a bad thing but if he was sick or wasnt able to coach for whatever reason they'd be in trouble. Or say you're a parent or player that's frustrated with MWs actions well better learn to change your feelings because you're going to have him for a coach several years.
 
Carlsbad7 said:
When MW jumped from Albion to Sharks he took a lot of players from Albion with him. Also as I stated before everyone in SD was excited to have viable ECNL alternative to Surf. This allowed Sharks to pickup players from City, etc etc. (Ironic that some say GA isnt good but that's were MW picked up almost all his players. But that's a different topic)

Now the honeymoon is over and MW + Sharks are no longer the flavor of the month. Recruiting is going to become much more difficult. Albion + City (the big GA clubs in SD) arent going to let their players go that easily. Sharks are going to need to recruit players on the same level as everyone else.

Another red flag you can see at Sharks is that MW is coaching many of their top teams. This isnt nessasarally a bad thing but if he was sick or wasnt able to coach for whatever reason they'd be in trouble. Or say you're a parent or player that's frustrated with MWs actions well better learn to change your feelings because you're going to have him for a coach several years.
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There's not a lot of talent MW wants to recruit from Albion and City right now because he already has. There's a few left but not a lot. MW took some players at the beginning because they were better than the original Sharks ECNL team, but he quickly realized that most of those players were not enough of an improvement and he needed to recruit better players, which has led some families to be very angry with him. MW is honest about wanting to improve the Sharks teams and he is working hard to do that. He has stepped on toes along the way because his goal is to improve the Shark teams, not developing under performing players or giving them minutes regardless of their play level. He's currently brutally honest about it but whatever he's doing, it's working. Overall, the Sharks ECNL girls' side has really improved. He has brought in a few strong coaches but will need more.

It's not Surf but it's definitely a lot better option than the old Sharks ecnl teams. I think he's done enough to save their program and eventually can focus on building it to become a stronger program.

The honeymoon is over for players that initially came over because they thought they would be the stars at Sharks but were given limited minutes once they realized that jumping clubs doesn't automatically qualify you as a star.
 
sockma said:
There's not a lot of talent MW wants to recruit from Albion and City right now because he already has. There's a few left but not a lot. MW took some players at the beginning because they were better than the original Sharks ECNL team, but he quickly realized that most of those players were not enough of an improvement and he needed to recruit better players, which has led some families to be very angry with him. MW is honest about wanting to improve the Sharks teams and he is working hard to do that. He has stepped on toes along the way because his goal is to improve the Shark teams, not developing under performing players or giving them minutes regardless of their play level. He's currently brutally honest about it but whatever he's doing, it's working. Overall, the Sharks ECNL girls' side has really improved. He has brought in a few strong coaches but will need more.

It's not Surf but it's definitely a lot better option than the old Sharks ecnl teams. I think he's done enough to save their program and eventually can focus on building it to become a stronger program.

The honeymoon is over for players that initially came over because they thought they would be the stars at Sharks but were given limited minutes once they realized that jumping clubs doesn't automatically qualify you as a star.
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Give it time to play out. You cant be arrogant about who you recruit + everyone's second choice after Surf for ECNL in SD.

Also, just a suggestion. Never highlight how good you are about cutting players or not giving those thinking of jumping over minutes. It tends to turn off both players and parents.
 
eyeskiez said:
Spoke with a Blues parent, it sounded like they had few starters not playing.
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yes Blues and Legends missing some key players they are playing in London for ID2 national team

couple Legends 09 players helping the legends 08. legends 08 helping the 07’s team. 5 players from the legends 07 are called up 3 for US and 2 for Mexico national teams for Mondial Montaigu tournament in France
 
soccerbasketball said:
yes Blues and Legends missing some key players they are playing in London for ID2 national team

couple Legends 09 players helping the legends 08. legends 08 helping the 07’s team. 5 players from the legends 07 are called up 3 for US and 2 for Mexico national teams for Mondial Montaigu tournament in France
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2009s

2 players from Blues
2 players from Legends
2 players from Surf

A few other Clubs also had one player missing.

This segways into the age old debate of how deep teams are and if they are developing bench players or just giving them a couple minutes a game. If missing two players makes a difference of losing to lesser teams by more than a goal would indicate that. A big drop off as well as a team more worried about wins than developing. Being that it is spring break I am think many other teams also had some players missing not to mention injuries. It is teams with depth and a developed bench that will always the very best. Many other teams will also play bench players more than other teams. Not having two players combined with not knowing how many players of the opposing team due to injury, spring break or other functions sounds like an…

Give credit to where credit is due.
 
MARsSPEED said:
2009s

2 players from Blues
2 players from Legends
2 players from Surf

A few other Clubs also had one player missing.

This segways into the age old debate of how deep teams are and if they are developing bench players or just giving them a couple minutes a game. If missing two players makes a difference of losing to lesser teams by more than a goal would indicate that. A big drop off as well as a team more worried about wins than developing. Being that it is spring break I am think many other teams also had some players missing not to mention injuries. It is teams with depth and a developed bench that will always the very best. Many other teams will also play bench players more than other teams. Not having two players combined with not knowing how many players of the opposing team due to injury, spring break or other functions sounds like an…

Give credit to where credit is due.
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100%, well put and strongly agree Mars.
 
MARsSPEED said:
2009s

2 players from Blues
2 players from Legends
2 players from Surf

A few other Clubs also had one player missing.

This segways into the age old debate of how deep teams are and if they are developing bench players or just giving them a couple minutes a game. If missing two players makes a difference of losing to lesser teams by more than a goal would indicate that. A big drop off as well as a team more worried about wins than developing. Being that it is spring break I am think many other teams also had some players missing not to mention injuries. It is teams with depth and a developed bench that will always the very best. Many other teams will also play bench players more than other teams. Not having two players combined with not knowing how many players of the opposing team due to injury, spring break or other functions sounds like an…

Give credit to where credit is due.
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I have found that most So Cal teams dont give much care about showcases. Players play a variety of positions, open subs, and missing players. I wouldnt take much stock from showcase results...
 
LVB said:
Albion over Solar yesterday 2-1. Anyone know if that was reported correctly?
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Yes it is correct. From what I understand, it was a really off day for Solar. Missed several easy shots and had a couple of errors that they paid for.
 
Tllurking said:
Yes it is correct. From what I understand, it was a really off day for Solar. Missed several easy shots and had a couple of errors that they paid for.
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Thanks for confirming. Sounds like an off day for them and great day for Albion! DD squad played Albion at PHX Showcase. We were up 2-0 and ended up giving up 3 unanswered goals in last 8 minutes and loss 2-3. It was a showcase though so they probably had 5 players out and the coach didn’t care too much about winning since it was a showcase.
Also jumped on Crossfire Saturday early 1-0 in a conference match. Ended up losing late 2-3 in good match. They were probably missing 4-5 players on the trip I’m assuming or the coach didn’t care to much about winning. Oh scratch that, it was a conference game, probably just left all their starters at home so we had a chance.
Anyone can be beaten………
 
Some 09 news in Texas. The DKSC 09 coach will be switching clubs and is taking charge of the Solar 09s (as Deion might say...he's bringing luggage, and it's Louis).

Net result is Solar likely brings together the top players from both Solar and DKSC, two top 5 teams in the country. So the defending ECNL Champs will probably be the early overwhelming favorites for the 23/24 season.

In other Texas Conference news, it looks like most top players from Houston Dash, one of GAs top 09 teams, have splintered off and will be joining ECNL clubs (Albion and Challenge) next season.
 
young@heart said:
they did not play, game getting rescheduled. 09 arsenal coach daughter suffered cardiac arrest at field earlier in the week. she's awake now and has brain activity, things are looking better each day for her.
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Prayers to her 100% and to her family
 
young@heart said:
they did not play, game getting rescheduled. 09 arsenal coach daughter suffered cardiac arrest at field earlier in the week. she's awake now and has brain activity, things are looking better each day for her.
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Prayers and thoughts to everyone, I couldn’t even imagine. Hope everything is ok.
 
Carlsbad7 said:
Give it time to play out. You cant be arrogant about who you recruit + everyone's second choice after Surf for ECNL in SD.

Also, just a suggestion. Never highlight how good you are about cutting players or not giving those thinking of jumping over minutes. It tends to turn off both players and parents.
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If you're not arrogant about who you recruit, what does that say about your program? Anyone is good enough?

If your player is not good enough to compete for minutes or is afraid of being cut from Sharks, then I see why you would be turned off.
 
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