ECNL vs. DA turf war has created a 'toxic environment'

[Ellejustus]

Now some Toxic stuff from the coaching side. Buyer beware of the coach who thinks he's the pathway to the DM at college. Very dangerous and not good for 8th graders or soon to be 9th graders. God forbid your dd tells one of them your not so sure you want to go to college. With the new rules your job just got a lot less important in regards to being the "middle man" to set up the phone calls. Focus on teaching them to be better people and better players, students and so on. That takes time and patience and most 14 year old girls need some time IMHO I would love to see the day that an actual college coach calls your dd in 11th grade and invites her for a visit. Maybe take 3 visits like all the guys do. This is a big investment and commitment for both parties. A club coach should help you be the best player you can be, period, end of story. Then the player can decide how best to go after soccer after HS. According to the DA the club coach is training you to be a world cup player or pro, no HS or college. In fact, if your Elite, Elite, Elite, you need not go to school. We will pay YOU and YOU only some $$$$. All the rest can go to college and fight it out at Stanford or UCLA. Your reward is a very nice degree

 

[Ellejustus]

US Soccer Federation is toxic as well. Everyone who pays taxes and has had kids playing at an elite club level should ALL have EQUAL access to the YNT selection process. My dd has a dream as does thousands of other girls around this find country of ours. America is the land of the free, home of the brave Because she and others decided to play for their HS they are forbidden (punished, kicked out, not allowed entrance, and so on) to participate in a league that is partly funded by this great county of ours, the USA!!!! Please someone, tell me another US Sports Federation Team that forbids their players from playing that sport in HS? Anyone?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

 

[Soccer43]

Have you seen the U16 YNT list? Anyone from ECNL on it from SoCal? How about from other parts of the country?

Your assumption is wrong. A YNT call up does not necessarily mean the "best. They probably get it right many times but there are some they got wrong in those call ups (thus all the players they invite once and never again). There are talented elite players that have not gotten call ups. While I don't think Top Drawer Soccer rankings are the best they do rank the players on more than if they get a call up. They look at other accomplishments and players that have proven themselves in many arenas.

So I looked at the numbers for 2020's and 2023. As I suspected, the 2020 year had more representation of ECNL in the top 50 of the IMG 150. The younger age has more in the DA. That is not necessarily because DA is better but due to the culture and the messaging that DA is best for those families that never had experience with ECNL
2020 grad year: 26 players in ECNL/ 23 players in DA / 1 player from Hawaii so neither one (5 are from So Cal: 4 play in ECNL and 1 in DA)
2023 grad year: 17 players in ECNL/ 33 players in DA (9 are from So Cal: 3 play in ECNL and 6 in DA)

 

[Ellejustus]

Your assumption is wrong. A YNT call up does not necessarily mean the "best."

I never said the best. Its a hell of a accomplishment and it puts your kids name in front of every college coach in America. It's also nice to put on your soccer resume. It should be the goal of every kid playing in the DA right? US Soccer is only looking for those types of players.

 

[Fact]

US Soccer Federation is toxic as well. Everyone who pays taxes and has had kids playing at an elite club level should ALL have EQUAL access to the YNT selection process. My dd has a dream as does thousands of other girls around this find country of ours. America is the land of the free, home of the brave Because she and others decided to play for their HS they are forbidden (punished, kicked out, not allowed entrance, and so on) to participate in a league that is partly funded by this great county of ours, the USA!!!! Please someone, tell me another US Sports Federation Team that forbids their players from playing that sport in HS? Anyone?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

"Everyone who pays taxes and has had kids playing at an elite club level should ALL have EQUAL access to the YNT" ????? What about the kiddo that does not live within driving distance to an "Elite Club," cannot afford an elite club or just simply decides to play for a local club with a great coach? Over the years, I have seen many talented kiddos that don't even get looked at by ODP because their coach is not connected.

You're the classic I want my cake and eat it too. You as much admit that you moved your DD to Surf to create a super team to compete for the National Championship. I believe this is the age group of Jeremy's and Bryan's DD and while one was rightfully on the team, this team was manufactured around a certain player. That meant purposely taking away from the other power teams in Socal including Blues. That's were your DD and her teammates that moved to Surf became important; drain the talent at Blues to get past the Socal competition. And you went there for the dream, not the coach like should be the focus.

You must have wondered why certain players make the A team at Surf or why some kiddos get more playing time when skill level does not seem to mesh. Were you ever offered privates in exchange for making sure your player never came off the field? I am not sure what age group won the National Championship but that behavior was quiet prevalent at the younger age groups of Surf.

Unfortunately life is not fair and everyone has to decide what is best for them. Yes it sucks that Surf DA players that go to private schools like Francis Parker and Bishops play on the high school team. If I were friends with any such families, I would start to question my friendship with these less than scrupulous people. Maybe spend your time exposing these injustices or maybe in the grand scheme of things you can at least be proud of your DD for standing up for what she believes in and enjoy watching her play. The time goes by fast.

 

[Ellejustus]

"Everyone who pays taxes and has had kids playing at an elite club level should ALL have EQUAL access to the YNT" ????? What about the kiddo that does not live within driving distance to an "Elite Club," cannot afford an elite club or just simply decides to play for a local club with a great coach? Over the years, I have seen many talented kiddos that don't even get looked at by ODP because their coach is not connected.

You're the classic I want my cake and eat it too. You as much admit that you moved your DD to Surf to create a super team to compete for the National Championship. I believe this is the age group of Jeremy's and Bryan's DD and while one was rightfully on the team, this team was manufactured around a certain player. That meant purposely taking away from the other power teams in Socal including Blues. That's were your DD and her teammates that moved to Surf became important; drain the talent at Blues to get past the Socal competition. And you went there for the dream, not the coach like should be the focus.

You must have wondered why certain players make the A team at Surf or why some kiddos get more playing time when skill level does not seem to mesh. Were you ever offered privates in exchange for making sure your player never came off the field? I am not sure what age group won the National Championship but that behavior was quiet prevalent at the younger age groups of Surf.

Unfortunately life is not fair and everyone has to decide what is best for them. Yes it sucks that Surf DA players that go to private schools like Francis Parker and Bishops play on the high school team. If I were friends with any such families, I would start to question my friendship with these less than scrupulous people. Maybe spend your time exposing these injustices or maybe in the grand scheme of things you can at least be proud of your DD for standing up for what she believes in and enjoy watching her play. The time goes by fast.

Thank you for chiming in Facts. As we all know, the age changed. Her coach Tad decided to take the 03s. Simone Jackson ring a bell? My dd choice was Dido as were the other 04s. That there my friend lies the first problem. Wrong coach. My dd loved how Surf played and wanted to try a different approach. We lived in Temecula and the drive was shorter. She went first with no looking back. I never once called a Blues parent to beg them to please come too. That's a fact, Fact. They followed one at time because just maybe, they didn't want to play for the coach at Blues. The old Blues team always scrimmaged Dido and he would make more little girls cry then I could count. I think he's more suited for older girls, just saying. My kid said, no thanks then and she's saying no thanks now. Super team my ass!!!!

 

[Ellejustus]

Thank you for chiming in Facts. As we all know, the age changed. Her coach Tad decided to take the 03s. Simone Jackson ring a bell? My dd choice was Dido as were the other 04s. That there my friend lies the first problem. Wrong coach. My dd loved how Surf played and wanted to try a different approach. We lived in Temecula and the drive was shorter. She went first with no looking back. I never once called a Blues parent to beg them to please come too. That's a fact, Fact. They followed one at time because just maybe, they didn't want to play for the coach at Blues. The old Blues team always scrimmaged Dido and he would make more little girls cry then I could count. I think he's more suited for older girls, just saying. My kid said, no thanks then and she's saying no thanks now. Super team my ass!!!!

Plus she went for the coach too. I promise, I'm not lying. Also because she had a dream Fact and Surf was in charge of a new TC program that Blues had not promoted. That too is a fact, Fact. I have more facts, Fact, but I'm not hear to name names. Let's be respectful toward naming people if you can.

 

[Fact]

Plus she went for the coach too. I promise, I'm not lying. Also because she had a dream Fact and Surf was in charge of a new TC program that Blues had not promoted. That too is a fact, Fact. I have more facts, Fact, but I'm not hear to name names. Let's be respectful toward naming people if you can.

Your words from the other thread “She was the first one to bolt to Surf from Blues. A few teammates followed and low and behold, 11th National Championship.” You cannot tell me that at the time Surf set their roster, you knew exactly what was going to happen at Blues with coaching assignments? Surf sets their roster many months ahead of tryouts and I am sure that they were actively recruiting to Bkues top players. They use to do the same to West Coast.

So I looked up the coaching at Surf for that team. Do you really think that he was a much more respectable coach than Dido? Same type of abusive language and yelling plus a recovering addict.

What names did I mention where I am not being respectful? They are Board members out in the public while you name coaches. What’s the difference? Nothing other than maybe you don’t want to name them because your kiddo is still friends and want to not entirely close the door at Surf knowing that they are in charge of that team roster? Too late, they are the 2 people in charge of Surf and all the policies you are complaining about.

 

[Ellejustus]

Your words from the other thread “She was the first one to bolt to Surf from Blues. A few teammates followed and low and behold, 11th National Championship.” You cannot tell me that at the time Surf set their roster, you knew exactly what was going to happen at Blues with coaching assignments? Surf sets their roster many months ahead of tryouts and I am sure that they were actively recruiting to Bkues top players. They use to do the same to West Coast.

So I looked up the coaching at Surf for that team. Do you really think that he was a much more respectable coach than Dido? Same type of abusive language and yelling plus a recovering addict.

What names did I mention where I am not being respectful? They are Board members out in the public while you name coaches. What’s the difference? Nothing other than maybe you don’t want to name them because your kiddo is still friends and want to not entirely close the door at Surf knowing that they are in charge of that team roster? Too late, they are the 2 people in charge of Surf and all the policies you are complaining about.

Your perceptions are wrong Fact. I think its safe to name coaches but I will go back to initials. I used the wrong word, "Bolt." I actually spent months deciding. Players don't normally leave Blues and or TB. I took my time on this one, trust me. My dd went to Blues for one reason, TB the coach. If I could go back in time, I would have had her fight it out and try and make his new 03 team. I was talking to TB all the time. The fact is Fact, I'm a very open person and I always talk to the DM. TB had a long standing policy that you had to wait until the season was over before he informed your dd if she made his team for next year. I didn't like, especially with the age change coming. I complained to the DM. It was a hard time for the older 04s. Tough decisions had to be made unlike any other time regarding birth year. Should she play up? Should she play in her age group? Let's keep that in perspective. I also had long talks on the phone with him about this new US Soccer Training Center stuff all the other kids parents from other clubs were raving about. He didn't promote that and I didn't like that either. I got a call from Surf and you know what I was sold Fact from MS? TC, TC, TC and a chance at the golden ticket. The others came at different times and I'm sure for similar reasons. That's a fact, Fact! My dd wanted an opportunity to make a future YNT brah. It was never about a National Championship. I'm sure Surf wanted #11 and the club did what they did to get it. Dido was the 04/05 coach and it was said directly to me that he was going to be the 04' coach. OM the Pro was on that team too. Regarding the coach at Surf, he came with name recognition. No way she plays for him knowing what I know now. Life isn't like that though. However, he did put her at the 11 on a 4 4 2. It kept her further from the net but she learned how to use her left He taught her some cool possession soccer that is not played except with De Anza/Earthquakes. We beat them which is still one of my dd favorite games and the best she has played in one game

 

[Ellejustus]

I don't disagree but I think if their only intent was to bury ECNL they would just have kept all non-DA players out of all camps. I think if their intent was to bury ECNL they would have gradually phased out high school participation. I don't know their thinking so maybe they just didn't think of those things.

But yeah I think most DA teams take off 1-2 weeks in summer and 3 or so in winter. That's all my DD team had...she is also practicing like 6-7x/week post DA Showcase. My only point is that if you take the same player and make them practice significantly more...they will be better than if they didn't. Practice matters.

Great Q to the Great Pep,
What about younger players, can they play too much competitive football at an early age?

“At that age they have to play and play as much as possible. Play in the street – in my day we could and now maybe it’s not possible – but play and play and play and that’s all and let them play day and night and let them make mistakes,” added Guardiola.
He's not saying, Practice practice practice practice is he? The true competitor wants to battle and play games to win, like warriors. Some kids who want to win are going to look elsewhere. Sorry but winning is fun for some kids. They want to PLAY TO WIN!!!!!!!

 

[outside!]

Slammers and Arsenal. Who was the third because nobody else cared (that includes Strikers my daughter played for them most of her career)?

Surf

 

[Ellejustus]

Your words from the other thread “She was the first one to bolt to Surf from Blues. A few teammates followed and low and behold, 11th National Championship.” You cannot tell me that at the time Surf set their roster, you knew exactly what was going to happen at Blues with coaching assignments? Surf sets their roster many months ahead of tryouts and I am sure that they were actively recruiting to Bkues top players. They use to do the same to West Coast.

So I looked up the coaching at Surf for that team. Do you really think that he was a much more respectable coach than Dido? Same type of abusive language and yelling plus a recovering addict.

What names did I mention where I am not being respectful? They are Board members out in the public while you name coaches. What’s the difference? Nothing other than maybe you don’t want to name them because your kiddo is still friends and want to not entirely close the door at Surf knowing that they are in charge of that team roster? Too late, they are the 2 people in charge of Surf and all the policies you are complaining about.

The toxic part for my dd was after the National Championship. DA left us all in the dark. First DA said 04/03. Then they said 04 by itself. Then they say latter, "We decided no playoffs for 04s." My kid was pissed. You can't expect a competitor like my kid to shut that off for one year. She played two meaningful games that matter most that year to her, against Legends, who had 3 picks for U14 YNT and Earthquakes who had a few too.........that's what gets my kid going.

 

[Ellejustus]

Your words from the other thread “She was the first one to bolt to Surf from Blues. A few teammates followed and low and behold, 11th National Championship.” You cannot tell me that at the time Surf set their roster, you knew exactly what was going to happen at Blues with coaching assignments? Surf sets their roster many months ahead of tryouts and I am sure that they were actively recruiting to Bkues top players. They use to do the same to West Coast.

So I looked up the coaching at Surf for that team. Do you really think that he was a much more respectable coach than Dido? Same type of abusive language and yelling plus a recovering addict.

What names did I mention where I am not being respectful? They are Board members out in the public while you name coaches. What’s the difference? Nothing other than maybe you don’t want to name them because your kiddo is still friends and want to not entirely close the door at Surf knowing that they are in charge of that team roster? Too late, they are the 2 people in charge of Surf and all the policies you are complaining about.

One more thing about the coach I'm pissed about. I wish he would have helped my dd prepare for the arrival of the head coach from UCLA who did a surprise visit to our practice. She had her list and needed to cross some out. Instead we were told at the last minute that someone from UCLA was coming tomorrow. I don't know all the ends of out with college recruiting but my dd didn't get the feed back that she was looking for after practice. All they got from coach was that some of you lost your chance at UCLA.....lol. Sometimes you miss that one chance. It wasn't meant to be. Oh well, 8th grader wasn't ready and AC was forced to make decisions quickly. North Carolina already got OM as a very young 7th grader. Thank God NCAA changed the rules. That is the Light that has replaced the darkness in girls recruiting.

 

[BigSoccer]

Great Q to the Great Pep,
What about younger players, can they play too much competitive football at an early age?

“At that age they have to play and play as much as possible. Play in the street – in my day we could and now maybe it’s not possible – but play and play and play and that’s all and let them play day and night and let them make mistakes,” added Guardiola.
He's not saying, Practice practice practice practice is he? The true competitor wants to battle and play games to win, like warriors. Some kids who want to win are going to look elsewhere. Sorry but winning is fun for some kids. They want to PLAY TO WIN!!!!!!!

Good Point. My daughter has friends who made Girls DA teams and passed it up because she was told she was coming in as a backup. One coach told a player she was making a mistake and she should want to fight for a spot on the starting roster. The player told my daughter she just wants to play and have a shot a college and did not not want to sit on the bench all year.
I get the battle for position mentality but some players are not looking for YNT as they know where they stand in the pecking order at 14, 15, 16 and up. My daughter is the least skilled out of all her friends and no longer plays on the same team as them. But when the play against each other at practice she plays to win and it is good to see.

 

[Kicker4Life]

One more thing about the coach I'm pissed about. I wish he would have helped my dd prepare for the arrival of the head coach from UCLA who did a surprise visit to our practice. She had her list and needed to cross some out. Instead we were told at the last minute that someone from UCLA was coming tomorrow. I don't know all the ends of out with college recruiting but my dd didn't get the feed back that she was looking for after practice. All they got from coach was that some of you lost your chance at UCLA.....lol. Sometimes you miss that one chance. It wasn't meant to be. Oh well, 8th grader wasn't ready and AC was forced to make decisions quickly. North Carolina already got OM as a very young 7th grader. Thank God NCAA changed the rules. That is the Light that has replaced the darkness in girls recruiting.

We have had colleges at a couple of our practices and the coaches don’t say a word to anyone about it. Then again, why would they?

By the way, I wouldn’t set yourself up for the expectation that a College Coach is going to give your DD feedback after watching a team practice, unless they’ve communicated on some level prior to the practice. Even then, it’s not likely to happen.

With the new rules...you won’t hear anything. Yes, I whole heartedly support the new rules and so does my DD. She was already feeling pressure from certain schools and was not ready to make any decisions, hell she doesn’t even know what her academic focus will be so how can you make a proper decision?

 

[Fact]

Here’s the last thing I’ll say on the subject. This all took place when your dd was like 12? You act like her life depended upon it. The one thing positive I can say about MAP is he let things naturally evolve for his kiddo at this age. There was no buy in to hype.

You on the other hand were sold a bill of goods by Surf. I am not sure if you are more mad at yourself for being fooled, mad at Surf or mad at DA. My suggestion is that if your dd is a good player she will eventually get her shot.

But don’t think DA coaches, players and parents are the only ones with a superiority complex. Your references to everyone on “elite teams” deserve a shot at YNT is demeaning to all the other players that play locally or don’t play club at all due to finances.

 

[MakeAPlay]

We have had colleges at a couple of our practices and the coaches don’t say a word to anyone about it. Then again, why would they?

By the way, I wouldn’t set yourself up for the expectation that a College Coach is going to give your DD feedback after watching a team practice, unless they’ve communicated on some level prior to the practice. Even then, it’s not likely to happen.

With the new rules...you won’t hear anything. Yes, I wholeheartedly support the new rules and so does my DD. She was already feeling pressure from certain schools and was not ready to make any decisions, hell she doesn’t even know what her academic focus will be so how can you make a proper decision?

They used to give feedback to the coaches about what they saw and what they thought needed to be worked on. They also were pretty clear about who they were there to see and whether they were looking at the player for a scholarship or just a roster spot.

I also agree that the new rules are good. The more information for both parties the better. It will be good for late bloomers and for those that are early bloomers as they will likely be at a more appropriate school and less likely to spend 5 years on the bench.

 

[Ellejustus]

We have had colleges at a couple of our practices and the coaches don’t say a word to anyone about it. Then again, why would they?

By the way, I wouldn’t set yourself up for the expectation that a College Coach is going to give your DD feedback after watching a team practice, unless they’ve communicated on some level prior to the practice. Even then, it’s not likely to happen.

With the new rules...you won’t hear anything. Yes, I whole heartedly support the new rules and so does my DD. She was already feeling pressure from certain schools and was not ready to make any decisions, hell she doesn’t even know what her academic focus will be so how can you make a proper decision?

This was all new to me. My kid wasn't even sure she wanted to go college at that time. It's a lot of pressure and I'm not so sure that was the best situation... I know AC is looking for the best and I'm sure she picked well again for the class of 2022.

 

[Ellejustus]

Here’s the last thing I’ll say on the subject. This all took place when your dd was like 12? You act like her life depended upon it. The one thing positive I can say about MAP is he let things naturally evolve for his kiddo at this age. There was no buy in to hype.

You on the other hand were sold a bill of goods by Surf. I am not sure if you are more mad at yourself for being fooled, mad at Surf or mad at DA. My suggestion is that if your dd is a good player she will eventually get her shot.

But don’t think DA coaches, players and parents are the only ones with a superiority complex. Your references to everyone on “elite teams” deserve a shot at YNT is demeaning to all the other players that play locally or don’t play club at all due to finances.

I never said Elite Teams. I said Elite Players.......I'm not a good writer and I write with emotion. I'm toxic brah. Yes on all the above. That's why I'm here venting. I'm whining and being a big baby and I know it.

 

[MakeAPlay]

This was all new to me. My kid wasn't even sure she wanted to go college at that time. It's a lot of pressure and I'm not so sure that was the best situation... I know AC is looking for the best and I'm sure she picked well again for the class of 2022.

I don't know much about their committed players beyond 2020. The 2019 class is the last class that my player will play with. I do know that the staff hits a lot more than they miss when it comes to players and if you create a competitive cauldron the cream will rise to the top.

 

[Fact]

I never said Elite Teams. I said Elite Players.......I'm not a good writer and I write with emotion. I'm toxic brah. Yes on all the above. That's why I'm here venting. I'm whining and being a big baby and I know it.

Your exact words from the other thread
"Everyone who pays taxes and has had kids playing at an elite club level should ALL have EQUAL access to the YNT"