Girls Development Academy

[El Clasico]

We are going to clear up something - you don't know where I've been and what I've done so keep those opinions to yourself.

Also - this discussion saying we are behind the world - is strictly on the men's side as our Women have dominated world soccer for decades and we can continue to do so as the game grows if we don't sit on our laurels and truly develop these young girls instead of just throwing them out to win and not learn.

Thing is we have people wanting to instill the culture of these other places into the game HERE. It's not going to work. Nothing is wrong with these other cultures, so it isn't a slight and I understand wanting to take what is successful around the globe and implementing it here to get things going down the right path. Bringing the greatest coaches from around the world to set the baseline of technique and tactics is fine (my boys club does just that), but they can't bring the culture. If you really analyze what makes the game special in other places in the world, it's the culture of the game that each country has. The DNA for each and every country that sets them apart from it's neighbor and competitors.

If you have truly traveled the world you know one thing, Americans do things our way even if it is stupid and ass backwards. You also know that somehow we make that crap work for us because we are a strange bunch of people. What we need to do is create the AMERICAN identity of soccer. Take what everyone else does, keep what works for us and toss the rest. Just like the US Women did from day one. Until we make the game ours and mold our play to our ideals, designs, athletes, coaches, lifestyles and thinking processes we will remain a 2nd tier team because it will be unnatural. Stop trying to have us be European or South American. We're not them. We don't think the same. Embrace who we are and mold the game to us and we will flourish.

It's OK to be in the quarter finals of the World Cup or miss it once in a while. This is part of the growing pains. This is the journey to greatness and it's not going to happen right away. Like all the great coaches in soccer say, "We must suffer to win!".

Here is what I am pretty sure that I do know....You are an idiot, you haven't been anywhere, and likely haven't done anything. That is what comes through to me in your posts. Like I said pretty clear. You don't know what you don't know. If you were to go back and read my posts, you would see that I am one of the few that has said that one of the things that USSF is doing wrong is trying to copy someone else's identity, that if USSF just embraced who Americans are, and built a system around that culture, they would have better results. One of the glorious things about this country is it's culture. Coming from another culture, I like millions of others here appreciate the culture and see the benefits that it brings to not only soccer but to all their sports and athletes. Develop our own style!! But if you think that is what USSF is doing, and that the system is NOT broke, you have spent too much time sucking the DA pole.

In case there is any question as to your ignorance, just look at your quote "Just like the US Women did from day one." If you think for one second that the success of the women's team is due anything USSF and their system did for them or because the women had a system of "keeping what works for us and tossing the rest", you really don't understand soccer in general, or the history of women's soccer period. Title IX has done more for women's soccer in this country than USSF ever has done, or ever will do. To this day, there are still more countries without a women's team than the number that do. So yes, without taking anything away from the WNT, they have done very, very well for themselves (again, on their own and without much support from USSF) but they have also been playing with a loaded deck. Now that that other countries have increased their involvement and participation in women's soccer, you see the women struggling much more. So when you see, or hear poster's complain that they better get better at development and SELECTION, you now know what they are talking about. University's, High Schools and leagues like ECNL have done all the heavy lifting and as soon as the women reach their pinnacle, DA announces that they have to take over to make it great. Oh brother!! Try getting up off your knees for a minute and looking around you. It's a big, beautiful world with many paths to where you want to go. Yours is not the only one.

Oh, by the way....in this country, it's called Soccer.

 

[Pitch pop]

I don't agree with your comment that most girls regret not playing HS. Your kid is in college along with her peers. DA did not exist when they were in HS so playing HS was the norm. So unless you have another kid currently playing HS I think times have changed and you may not have the current perspective. From a parent perspective I loved HS. Friday night games with packed stands. Newspaper articles. It feeds a parent's ego. From my dd perspective she was extremely frustrated by the quality of play (even though we won league) and the quality of training. She won't be playing HS during here senior season and is looking forward to having a break since DA shuts down for about 5 weeks during December/January. I have asked my dd whether this has been discussed with her current DA players and she tells me that really no one misses HS. Personally I think its the parents that miss it more.

I would say the opinion of the girls my daughter has spoke with is different, some feel like they have missed out and some don’t. Many are considering returning to high school Soccer because they regret their decision. Some of the girls that do seem to show regret, elude to the fact that their parents were more of a factor in the decision making. Obviously that isn’t the case for everyone but I thought that was interesting. I also think which high school a kid goes to and how big the program is, plays a big factor.

 

[Simisoccerfan]

Thanks Pitch! It is good to hear different opinions and what everyone is hearing on this topic. I also appreciate that instead of bashing my opinion you shared yours!

 

[beachbum]

I would say the opinion of the girls my daughter has spoke with is different, some feel like they have missed out and some don’t. Many are considering returning to high school Soccer because they regret their decision. Some of the girls that do seem to show regret, elude to the fact that their parents were more of a factor in the decision making. Obviously that isn’t the case for everyone but I thought that was interesting. I also think which high school a kid goes to and how big the program is, plays a big factor.

I would agree with you that most girls on my daughters team feel like they would prefer to play high school but the pressure from the club/coach/DA was to much to overcome for many of them. They would like to play at the highest level when not in high school so they choose to stay with club and not enjoy soccer as much due to the above mentioned pressures. IMO the ECNL had it mostly right and currently the DA has it mostly wrong. The DA will have to adapt because their consumers are starting to go in another direction. Another club pulled themselves from the DA today. I think the total is 6 or 7 now and i'll bet more to follow. Interesting article for you viewing pleasure.
https://www.socceramerica.com/publi...er-blundered-badly-on-high-school-soccer.html

 

[C.A.M.]

Here is what I am pretty sure that I do know....You are an idiot, you haven't been anywhere, and likely haven't done anything. That is what comes through to me in your posts. Like I said pretty clear. You don't know what you don't know. If you were to go back and read my posts, you would see that I am one of the few that has said that one of the things that USSF is doing wrong is trying to copy someone else's identity, that if USSF just embraced who Americans are, and built a system around that culture, they would have better results. One of the glorious things about this country is it's culture. Coming from another culture, I like millions of others here appreciate the culture and see the benefits that it brings to not only soccer but to all their sports and athletes. Develop our own style!! But if you think that is what USSF is doing, and that the system is NOT broke, you have spent too much time sucking the DA pole.

In case there is any question as to your ignorance, just look at your quote "Just like the US Women did from day one." If you think for one second that the success of the women's team is due anything USSF and their system did for them or because the women had a system of "keeping what works for us and tossing the rest", you really don't understand soccer in general, or the history of women's soccer period. Title IX has done more for women's soccer in this country than USSF ever has done, or ever will do. To this day, there are still more countries without a women's team than the number that do. So yes, without taking anything away from the WNT, they have done very, very well for themselves (again, on their own and without much support from USSF) but they have also been playing with a loaded deck. Now that that other countries have increased their involvement and participation in women's soccer, you see the women struggling much more. So when you see, or hear poster's complain that they better get better at development and SELECTION, you now know what they are talking about. University's, High Schools and leagues like ECNL have done all the heavy lifting and as soon as the women reach their pinnacle, DA announces that they have to take over to make it great. Oh brother!! Try getting up off your knees for a minute and looking around you. It's a big, beautiful world with many paths to where you want to go. Yours is not the only one.

Oh, by the way....in this country, it's called Soccer.

Wow. Keyboard warrior.

 

[timbuck]

For any of those parents that have had their kids playing high level soccer in So Cal, I call bull. What's the difference with the 4th day when little Jane or Tommy were already doing an extra day of skills privates and athletic improvement? Nada.

I'll even counter and say if the 4th day is a true film day (which it isn't for a lot of clubs right now), it's an improvement because watching the game (you and the best in the world) is a vital part of learning the game.

I'd say the difference is that the 4th day is mandatory with DA. And the 4th day could be a bit of a drive.
If you are doing privates or athletic training on your own - You can somewhat control the schedule. You can cancel if the homework load is heavy. Or if your family is planning to go out for your little sisters birthday. Or if you are hurt, you can sit at home instead of driving 45 minutes each way to watch your team practice from the sidelines.

 

[C.A.M.]

I would say the opinion of the girls my daughter has spoke with is different, some feel like they have missed out and some don’t. Many are considering returning to high school Soccer because they regret their decision. Some of the girls that do seem to show regret, elude to the fact that their parents were more of a factor in the decision making. Obviously that isn’t the case for everyone but I thought that was interesting. I also think which high school a kid goes to and how big the program is, plays a big factor.

This is the sentiment we are seeing also. What I've noticed is the one's really focused on making it to college soccer aren't missing it because of the overall quality of play and coaching at the high school level.

A lot of it also depends on the conversation each parent had with their kids before coming into this venture. Many of the girls simply weren't ready for the mental or physical preparation it would take to be successful and neither were the parents.

Year one is rough. Plus this has wrecked the quality of high school soccer even further and happened in an instance. We shouldn't expect it to be a smooth ride.

 

[C.A.M.]

I'd say the difference is that the 4th day is mandatory with DA. And the 4th day could be a bit of a drive.
If you are doing privates or athletic training on your own - You can somewhat control the schedule. You can cancel if the homework load is heavy. Or if your family is planning to go out for your little sisters birthday. Or if you are hurt, you can sit at home instead of driving 45 minutes each way to watch your team practice from the sidelines.

I can see that point as we have a 45 minute drive each way and our girl has had to go to practice and watch while injured also. It just feels like a lack of preparation as the undertaking is more than what the parents and kids were ready for or desire to do. We had been on a time demanding team before so our level of adjustment was basically nil.

I believe the rules have been put into place to weed out most of the people who would participate if the rules didn't exist. They substituted the demand of ultra dedication (no outside comp, no high school, 4 days a week, etc...) for costs.

Funny, because as we all know - there are no guarantees even if you do everything asked.

 

[C.A.M.]

I would agree with you that most girls on my daughters team feel like they would prefer to play high school but the pressure from the club/coach/DA was to much to overcome for many of them. They would like to play at the highest level when not in high school so they choose to stay with club and not enjoy soccer as much due to the above mentioned pressures. IMO the ECNL had it mostly right and currently the DA has it mostly wrong. The DA will have to adapt because their consumers are starting to go in another direction. Another club pulled themselves from the DA today. I think the total is 6 or 7 now and i'll bet more to follow. Interesting article for you viewing pleasure.
https://www.socceramerica.com/publi...er-blundered-badly-on-high-school-soccer.html

Please detail the pressures you mentioned. I hadn't heard that point of view yet.

 

[Pitch pop]

What I've noticed is the one's really focused on making it to college soccer aren't missing it because of the overall quality of play and coaching at the high school level.

On our end we have experienced just the opposite. All of the girls but one my daughter referenced, have committed to D1 college programs. The one has decided to wait a couple of months due to the new recruiting guidelines.

 

[Gokicksomegrass]

We are going to clear up something - you don't know where I've been and what I've done so keep those opinions to yourself.

Also - this discussion saying we are behind the world - is strictly on the men's side as our Women have dominated world soccer for decades and we can continue to do so as the game grows if we don't sit on our laurels and truly develop these young girls instead of just throwing them out to win and not learn.

Thing is we have people wanting to instill the culture of these other places into the game HERE. It's not going to work. Nothing is wrong with these other cultures, so it isn't a slight and I understand wanting to take what is successful around the globe and implementing it here to get things going down the right path. Bringing the greatest coaches from around the world to set the baseline of technique and tactics is fine (my boys club does just that), but they can't bring the culture. If you really analyze what makes the game special in other places in the world, it's the culture of the game that each country has. The DNA for each and every country that sets them apart from it's neighbor and competitors.

If you have truly traveled the world you know one thing, Americans do things our way even if it is stupid and ass backwards. You also know that somehow we make that crap work for us because we are a strange bunch of people. What we need to do is create the AMERICAN identity of soccer. Take what everyone else does, keep what works for us and toss the rest. Just like the US Women did from day one. Until we make the game ours and mold our play to our ideals, designs, athletes, coaches, lifestyles and thinking processes we will remain a 2nd tier team because it will be unnatural. Stop trying to have us be European or South American. We're not them. We don't think the same. Embrace who we are and mold the game to us and we will flourish.

It's OK to be in the quarter finals of the World Cup or miss it once in a while. This is part of the growing pains. This is the journey to greatness and it's not going to happen right away. Like all the great coaches in soccer say, "We must suffer to win!".

Oh, I got it. You are an unpaid intern at US Soccer hyping up GDA.
I was wondering why you so cray cray. Hey, coffee ain't going to be brewing by itself. Go make some.

 

[beachbum]

Please detail the pressures you mentioned. I hadn't heard that point of view yet.

As you may or may not know the overall DA allows you to play high school if you are a freshman this year. Here is the U.S. Webinar that states this. https://ussoccer.app.box.com/s/pshiqv8vittgn5z5auffkhazp5ek9eeq
Some clubs went by this rule and some did not. The ones that honored this rule found that many of their girls were going to take a break and play high school. These clubs were surprised by this and felt they may not be able to field a competitive team during this time frame so they resorted to questionable tactics to keep the girls from going to high school. I've heard many things from you won't be allowed back on the team; to the guilt trip of, "I'm disappointed to hear that some of you are considering high school, i thought you were better that"; High school soccer is no good; HS coaches are no good; we will talk to your college coaches; etc...

 

[GoWest]

DA is not for everyone but does work well for those that don't want to play HS and are serious about soccer.

I do agree with you that it is nice to have options. I would add that, "ECNL is not for everyone but does work well for those that want to play HS and are serious about soccer."

This season my DD chose to stay ECNL but also trains at times during the week with the DA team. She also does private lessons to boot. She's pretty serious about soccer but also enjoys a bit more freedom playing under the ECNL banner....see HS. The P5 and high mid-major college coaches that have recruited her only seem to care about her continued enjoyment of the game along with her continuing efforts to improve her technical abilities and tactical understanding of the game. She is well-balanced and happy and most importantly is enjoying the beautiful game. This is her journey and I know everyone's is different so I'm just putting emphasis on the "options" portion of your comment which I wholeheartedly agree with but expanding your "serious about soccer" to include ECNL.

Best of everything to you and your player!

 

[Pitch pop]

I do agree with you that it is nice to have options. I would add that, "ECNL is not for everyone but does work well for those that want to play HS and are serious about soccer."

This season my DD chose to stay ECNL but also trains at times during the week with the DA team. She also does private lessons to boot. She's pretty serious about soccer but also enjoys a bit more freedom playing under the ECNL banner....see HS. The P5 and high mid-major college coaches that have recruited her only seem to care about her continued enjoyment of the game along with her continuing efforts to improve her technical abilities and tactical understanding of the game. She is well-balanced and happy and most importantly is enjoying the beautiful game. This is her journey and I know everyone's is different so I'm just putting emphasis on the "options" portion of your comment which I wholeheartedly agree with but expanding your "serious about soccer" to include ECNL.

Best of everything to you and your player!

Well said...

 

[C.A.M.]

Oh, I got it. You are an unpaid intern at US Soccer hyping up GDA.
I was wondering why you so cray cray. Hey, coffee ain't going to be brewing by itself. Go make some.

It's a big experiment. If the name was Jim Bob's Soccer Federation I wouldn't give a damn. I also understand that this isn't getting us to the top level of soccer/futbol in the world on the mens side.

Only having a true culture that is over the top crazy about the sport like the way we are with Football will do that. Why? It will bring the money to the game. That will bring the best athletes to the game. That will bring the best coaches. Our top athletes like to get paid, have nice cars, fine women and fame. That isn't what you get as a soccer player here. That's why half the parents of the top players in the game at D1 aren't encouraging their daughters to play the game. They don't see the need for the $ you get out of it. It's just not practical.

All these youth systems will be different in 10 years from now. I'm not married to them nor am I blissfully ignorant to the flaws. I have 3 years left for her and 6 years left for him and like Dre said, "Fuck Soccer you can have it back!". Real talk, my kids have brought a love for this game that will never die. I appreciate the game in a way I never thought was possible when I was a fresh 18 year old in the pubs of France wondering what the hell are you guys going nuts for. I get it now and me getting it comes with the understanding that most Americans don't get it like that and possibly never will. If my kids weren't good athletes and didn't get a chance to play at these high levels I wouldn't appreciate the hard work, dedication, technical ability and just plain desire to push through all the politics and bs to play a game you love for soccer. I understood it for football, baseball and basketball, but not soccer and now I do.

Just when it comes to people whining about high school soccer - that holds no merit for me. I don't find that level of the game instrumental in helping girls get to the top like it once did. The state of the Womens game allowed us the lee way to flourish through what goes on there in the past, but when you look at the focus, dedication and money other countries are putting into the game at the youth level that mimic what they have successfully done on the mens side - the gap has closed and we need to adjust.

Will the DA be the way? Not sure. It just seems more people are angry about the changes being forced than the actual system itself. Watch Beach FC DA girls play and it's hard not to be impressed and say that's some pretty stuff (no my kid doesn't play for them). There are other avenues to the path of success if you don't like the DA.

ECNL still exists for those that don't like the DA. All the other leagues are still there. If you aren't a fan, than speak with your money and have your kid play elsewhere. If enough people do that AND US Soccer deems it is a failed venture, the DA will disappear or be swallowed up and you can party to the lights go out. In the end, I'm going to do what's right for my kids. Do what's right for yours and stop acting as if there are no other paths.

The only thing personal here (beyond the attacks that you keyboard warriors enjoy lobbying at me and others who don't share your viewpoint), is assisting my kids in reaching their goals. I also enjoy watching and assisting other good people reach their goals. We all have different paths. Do you and I'll do me.

 

[C.A.M.]

As you may or may not know the overall DA allows you to play high school if you are a freshman this year. Here is the U.S. Webinar that states this. https://ussoccer.app.box.com/s/pshiqv8vittgn5z5auffkhazp5ek9eeq
Some clubs went by this rule and some did not. The ones that honored this rule found that many of their girls were going to take a break and play high school. These clubs were surprised by this and felt they may not be able to field a competitive team during this time frame so they resorted to questionable tactics to keep the girls from going to high school. I've heard many things from you won't be allowed back on the team; to the guilt trip of, "I'm disappointed to hear that some of you are considering high school, i thought you were better that"; High school soccer is no good; HS coaches are no good; we will talk to your college coaches; etc...

Yeah that's not cool at all. I did know about the waiver being allowed this season, but only know one kid that took advantage of it and am glad she had a great season. Thanks for expanding on that.

 

[C.A.M.]

I do agree with you that it is nice to have options. I would add that, "ECNL is not for everyone but does work well for those that want to play HS and are serious about soccer."

This season my DD chose to stay ECNL but also trains at times during the week with the DA team. She also does private lessons to boot. She's pretty serious about soccer but also enjoys a bit more freedom playing under the ECNL banner....see HS. The P5 and high mid-major college coaches that have recruited her only seem to care about her continued enjoyment of the game along with her continuing efforts to improve her technical abilities and tactical understanding of the game. She is well-balanced and happy and most importantly is enjoying the beautiful game. This is her journey and I know everyone's is different so I'm just putting emphasis on the "options" portion of your comment which I wholeheartedly agree with but expanding your "serious about soccer" to include ECNL.

Best of everything to you and your player!

Great post GoWest

 

[C.A.M.]

On our end we have experienced just the opposite. All of the girls but one my daughter referenced, have committed to D1 college programs. The one has decided to wait a couple of months due to the new recruiting guidelines.

Have to love that.

 

[Pitch pop]

It's a big experiment. If the name was Jim Bob's Soccer Federation I wouldn't give a damn. I also understand that this isn't getting us to the top level of soccer/futbol in the world on the mens side.

Only having a true culture that is over the top crazy about the sport like the way we are with Football will do that. Why? It will bring the money to the game. That will bring the best athletes to the game. That will bring the best coaches. Our top athletes like to get paid, have nice cars, fine women and fame. That isn't what you get as a soccer player here. That's why half the parents of the top players in the game at D1 aren't encouraging their daughters to play the game. They don't see the need for the $ you get out of it. It's just not practical.

All these youth systems will be different in 10 years from now. I'm not married to them nor am I blissfully ignorant to the flaws. I have 3 years left for her and 6 years left for him and like Dre said, "Fuck Soccer you can have it back!". Real talk, my kids have brought a love for this game that will never die. I appreciate the game in a way I never thought was possible when I was a fresh 18 year old in the pubs of France wondering what the hell are you guys going nuts for. I get it now and me getting it comes with the understanding that most Americans don't get it like that and possibly never will. If my kids weren't good athletes and didn't get a chance to play at these high levels I wouldn't appreciate the hard work, dedication, technical ability and just plain desire to push through all the politics and bs to play a game you love for soccer. I understood it for football, baseball and basketball, but not soccer and now I do.

Just when it comes to people whining about high school soccer - that holds no merit for me. I don't find that level of the game instrumental in helping girls get to the top like it once did. The state of the Womens game allowed us the lee way to flourish through what goes on there in the past, but when you look at the focus, dedication and money other countries are putting into the game at the youth level that mimic what they have successfully done on the mens side - the gap has closed and we need to adjust.

Will the DA be the way? Not sure. It just seems more people are angry about the changes being forced than the actual system itself. Watch Beach FC DA girls play and it's hard not to be impressed and say that's some pretty stuff (no my kid doesn't play for them). There are other avenues to the path of success if you don't like the DA.

ECNL still exists for those that don't like the DA. All the other leagues are still there. If you aren't a fan, than speak with your money and have your kid play elsewhere. If enough people do that AND US Soccer deems it is a failed venture, the DA will disappear or be swallowed up and you can party to the lights go out. In the end, I'm going to do what's right for my kids. Do what's right for yours and stop acting as if there are no other paths.

The only thing personal here (beyond the attacks that you keyboard warriors enjoy lobbying at me and others who don't share your viewpoint), is assisting my kids in reaching their goals. I also enjoy watching and assisting other good people reach their goals. We all have different paths. Do you and I'll do me.

It would appear not everyone shares your opinion on high school, including some of top college coaches in the country. With that said, everyone is entitled to their opinion and who am I to say whose is right.... Time will tell.

https://www.socceramerica.com/publi...er-blundered-badly-on-high-school-soccer.html

 

[C.A.M.]

I disagree. Soccer is not new in America and next to football is the highest youth participation sport. We are broke and it's has more to do with Capitalism and our economic/political culture than our sports culture.

Capitalism or the ability to change your status with your abilities honed to their maximum plays a part in all sports all over the world. Cubans and Dominicans play baseball because it gets them out of poverty. Most of the girls of the parents in this forum are playing to get scholarships at these universities so the education allows them to live better lives. There are some who can play the game at the highest level like yours did MAP and won't, but not many.

I realized the hard way that youth soccer is a business. A hard nose, ruthless, backstabbing, egotistical, take care of yourself first business. Whole club teams defect to go WIN and college coaches get fired for unsuccessful seasons. That's business.

On the girls side, we have the athletes to stay at the top of the game. A lot of these soccer players could and some do rock at softball, basketball, etc.... Thing is they really are playing for love of the game and friendship and a desire to be the best at what they do because the pro leagues of other sports aren't enticing them away. They don't make too much more playing any other sport, so you may as well play what you love the most and that gets you into college.

On the boys side, it's a whole different scenario. We are the 4th option for athletes at the pro level. More people watch pro soccer than hockey here, but hockey players make more money. There are no bad pro athletes in any of these leagues, but let's not pretend our status wouldn't be different if the money was in MLS and we could bring in guys like Kobe, LeBron, Paul George, etc..... We would be France. Look at what they put on the field. That is what soccer would look like if our best athletes played the game. Skilled, fast, strong, exciting and winners. A lot of people complaining about where we stand as a soccer country internationally would be left out.