How’s the 2023-24 season going?

[Keepitrealdad]

Didn’t they get better pieces after playoffs last year?

What I heard from one of the parents on that team is that they have 2 players out, one defender from last year and one attacker they just picked up.. he said that if the coach doesn’t like the player, he will not give them playing time and that they do not bring up players form the RL team either because the coach doesn’t want them or the RL coach won’t give them up and that the coach isn’t looking to add to the team either.

 

[SuperSoccerStar]

What I heard from one of the parents on that team is that they have 2 players out, one defender from last year and one attacker they just picked up.. he said that if the coach doesn’t like the player, he will not give them playing time and that they do not bring up players form the RL team either because the coach doesn’t want them or the RL coach won’t give them up and that the coach isn’t looking to add to the team either.

Sounds about right with every RL/NL team. The only way to get from RL to NL is to switch clubs.

 

[Carlsbad7]

Sounds about right with every RL/NL team. The only way to get from RL to NL is to switch clubs.

Technically ECNL and ECRL players are in the same pool of players that are eligible to play for an ECNL game. The only asterisk is that players can only play one game per day ECNL or ECRL. ECNL set things up this way with the intention that clubs move players between teams as needed.

Problems come in because coaches are judged/graded on the performance of their team/players. The club gives bonuses + defines salary based on wins/losses. What this means is that if a clubs ECNL team is floundering, but the ECRL team is winning left and right there's no incentive for the ECRL coach to give players to the ECNL team.

GA + DPL has the same issue.

If your kid is on the ECRL or DPL team your best bet is to consider all 1st teams a different club. Get to know all the 1st team coaches + be willing to jump ship if a better offer comes up.

 

[crush]

Technically ECNL and ECRL players are in the same pool of players that are eligible to play for an ECNL game. The only asterisk is that players can only play one game per day ECNL or ECRL. ECNL set things up this way with the intention that clubs move players between teams as needed.

Problems come in because coaches are judged/graded on the performance of their team/players. The club gives bonuses + defines salary based on wins/losses. What this means is that if a clubs ECNL team is floundering, but the ECRL team is winning left and right there's no incentive for the ECRL coach to give players to the ECNL team.

GA + DPL has the same issue.

If your kid is on the ECRL or DPL team your best bet is to consider all 1st teams a different club. Get to know all the 1st team coaches + be willing to jump ship if a better offer comes up.

 

[VanMan]

My buddy told me that his dd ECNL coach would use ECRL as punishment and manipulation on some of the players. "If you don't score some goals soon, I will bring up Susie from the ECRL team because she is scoring record goals." Their already stressed out about their grades, their looks, their SAT scores and all the Instagram photos they have to compete with. Now they have to deal with a coach and or Doc who allows this to go on. These girls just want to have fun and play on a team. No team when you throw 40 girls in a pool of players and then play head trips about which "team" they will play for on any given Sunday. One girl quit he said because the coach was a complete asshole and played so many head trips. It's truly sad, MOO!

If Susie is outperforming her peers and the competition, hasn't she earned the right for a look at the higher level?

I suppose it really depends on how it's being presented by the coach, but the reality is that this is what it is in all sports at the higher levels: if a player is not performing well enough or the coach feels like he can get more from someone else at that position, then he will start looking, whether that's from the bench, promotion from another roster or outside the club.

 

[crush]

If Susie is outperforming her peers and the competition, hasn't she earned the right for a look at the higher level?

I suppose it really depends on how it's being presented by the coach, but the reality is that this is what it is in all sports at the higher levels: if a player is not performing well enough or the coach feels like he can get more from someone else at that position, then he will start looking, whether that's from the bench, promotion from another roster or outside the club.

 

[socalkdg]

Beginning of last year daughter practiced with ECNL team. She knew some of the girls. Outplayed the other keepers(wasn't even close) and was offered ECRL spot, with a chance to play with ECNL. Was hearing noise that ECNL keepers parents were tight with coach, daughter wasn't completely thrilled with the offer, then she verbally committed to college so she stayed with her own club.

Really should be best players available, but as mentioned doesn't always work that way.

 

[crush]

Beginning of last year daughter practiced with ECNL team. She knew some of the girls. Outplayed the other keepers(wasn't even close) and was offered ECRL spot, with a chance to play with ECNL. Was hearing noise that ECNL keepers parents were tight with coach, daughter wasn't completely thrilled with the offer, then she verbally committed to college so she stayed with her own club.

Really should be best players available, but as mentioned doesn't always work that way.

 

[Carlsbad7]

"Tight with coach" is big problem in socal. "Tight" can mean many things. I remember when my dd........nevermind......

Don't worry your message has resonated with younger parents. ;-)

I don't want to say that things like "tight with coach" don't still occur but at least parents are better equipped on how to handle it.

 

[Lmsa]

Liverpool lost in DPL 2010. I think at this age it's consistency of good play.

 

[Avocados]

What I heard from one of the parents on that team is that they have 2 players out, one defender from last year and one attacker they just picked up.. he said that if the coach doesn’t like the player, he will not give them playing time and that they do not bring up players form the RL team either because the coach doesn’t want them or the RL coach won’t give them up and that the coach isn’t looking to add to the team either.

Which team are you talking about? Sorry, I am having trouble following and want to keep up.

 

[SoccerSpoiler]

Which team are you talking about? Sorry, I am having trouble following and want to keep up.

I think he was referring to Beach

 

[Avocados]

Hard to say. Coach is moving players around in a significant way, within the same game, so you can see some lack of quick play and confusion of what to do/where their teammates are. A lot of athleticism, but need to install and improve the overall club/team system of play. Very early in the season. Surf is clearly running on all cylinders right now and play a system of quick passes and established patterns that is very hard to beat and if you can’t stop it, they are a goal making machine.

Individually skilled top end athletes versus team tactical and positional awareness, this sounds like the issue with USWNT right now, right?

 

[Veritas]

Individually skilled top end athletes versus team tactical and positional awareness, this sounds like the issue with USWNT right now, right?

That’s a good point. We have 2 different clubs with 2 different approaches to playing the game. Question is what’s best for youth player development? Can we find the balance between solely playing & winning through athleticism versus playing with too much structure and players not knowing what to do later on when playing with another team that does not play with the same structure and set patterns. For me it’s all about finding that balance between both extremes.

 

[TeamDadJokes]

That’s a good point. We have 2 different clubs with 2 different approaches to playing the game. Question is what’s best for youth player development? Can we find the balance between solely playing & winning through athleticism versus playing with too much structure and players not knowing what to do later on when playing with another team that does not play with the same structure and set patterns. For me it’s all about finding that balance between both extremes.

I think that’s where it’s helpful to have exposure to a variety of coaching styles and systems of play to make more well rounded players.

 

[Veritas]

I think that’s where it’s helpful to have exposure to a variety of coaching styles and systems of play to make more well rounded players.

In my opinion, the best players in the future will be the ones that can adapt to any style of play. Not the ones that can only play in a strucutured possesion system nor the ones that only know how to play direct but the ones that have a good understanding on how to find space and exploit it for the team's advantage. This is what the best American players in the future will look like. A player that knows how to adapt to any style of play.

 

[way up]

In my opinion, the best players in the future will be the ones that can adapt to any style of play. Not the ones that can only play in a strucutured possesion system nor the ones that only know how to play direct but the ones that have a good understanding on how to find space and exploit it for the team's advantage. This is what the best American players in the future will look like. A player that knows how to adapt to any style of play.

A couple things here. I would say a coach needs to know how to adjust and use different styles as well. This is part of why I want to avoid putting my dd on a team that revolves around recruiting only dynamic attackers. The best coaches can utilize their players and their abilities the best way possible to counter and win against any team.

But of course, a coach needs to have players that have versatile skills and iq to adjust for best advantage. If I were king, our girls would play far more friendlies and small sided games for fun basically with lots of position movement so strikers learn to hold the ball and defenders learn to carry and shoot and midfielders learn to carry wide and they all learn how to properly defend without diving for every ball, etc. 500 games later with less pressure and more touches and creativity, I guarantee you they would be ballers and then be ready to boxed into a style and/or position. Almost like you need a full general education before you take your law classes. We're specializing at a very young age and it's counter productive, but we've got walls of trophies to look at I guess?

I'm not blaming coaches or clubs as the parents are the puppeteers much of the time. I just wish we had a better system to really build quality players. It's almost psychological with girls too. They play a position long enough and they can't imagine playing another until they absolutely have to.

 

[way up]

To me, the last part I wrote is key! Girls are different than boys and maybe even boys are similar with getting comfortable. The enemy of growth and ambition is comfort! I don't want my daughter to ever get comfortable and she is 100% comfortable at a certain position now. It robs her of growing skills and iq! Now, as a parent, we have to see this and adjust their training to ensure they are building all the skills they need to be a complete player and even soccer enthusiast. I've noticed a lack of specialized technique from coaches for several positions. I get coaches are big game coaches not specialized trainers, but it's a hell of an advantage if a coach has incredible knowledge of technique and skill training for several positions on top of formations and styles.

We've been fortunate to have good coaches, but we have to dominate our position to get the play time which can lead to using the specialized skills and position iq a player needs to dominate that position. There is a lot of strategy needed as a parent to develop and build a great athlete. Being a great athlete is not enough though. They need to work on their weaknesses. They need to master the basics (touch, passing, space awareness and proper skill application, timing, etc.).

This last women's world cup was not very impressive. The USWNT had terrible touch and control. We played like we should win based on athleticism alone imo and it failed.

The problem with women's soccer is they have to want to abuse their bodies for the pure passion of playing soccer unlike mens where the elite can make good money. Women can get a half a scholarship and have to work equally hard in academics to get to work a professional career. The very, very, very, very elite may make the USWNT and get paid decently I guess, but they have to work their tails off and give up a lot too. It's almost a curse to be blessed with the athleticism necessary as a woman.

Women's youth soccer is a big business and considering how small the rewards are, I can't help, but think what a fool I am for being so committed to pay and travel everywhere for it. While I love watching my daughter, I can't help, but think I don't need this damn stress. Watching parents drive hours for practice and training and paying small fortunes for the access to get competitive games and training is ridiculous especially in so cal.

So again, if I were king, there would be far more emphasis on youth development closer to homes with loads of fun games and great competition until they are 14 or 15. Then the incredibly gifted/athletic girls can buckle down into a set position/style that can yield success for an elite, pro or college team.

I can't believe how crazy we get for girls club soccer! I'm actually wasting time writing about it along with others, but this is my therapy for falling down the same rabbit hole as others in here! Imagine how much money we could be saving for college instead of paying for club soccer? I can't help, but laugh when I hear parents say "What if she burns out and stops playing???". Ohhhhh, how terrible. You can actually get a life again and find something else less demanding to do with your time!

 

[Carlsbad7]

To me, the last part I wrote is key! Girls are different than boys and maybe even boys are similar with getting comfortable. The enemy of growth and ambition is comfort! I don't want my daughter to ever get comfortable and she is 100% comfortable at a certain position now. It robs her of growing skills and iq! Now, as a parent, we have to see this and adjust their training to ensure they are building all the skills they need to be a complete player and even soccer enthusiast. I've noticed a lack of specialized technique from coaches for several positions. I get coaches are big game coaches not specialized trainers, but it's a hell of an advantage if a coach has incredible knowledge of technique and skill training for several positions on top of formations and styles.

We've been fortunate to have good coaches, but we have to dominate our position to get the play time which can lead to using the specialized skills and position iq a player needs to dominate that position. There is a lot of strategy needed as a parent to develop and build a great athlete. Being a great athlete is not enough though. They need to work on their weaknesses. They need to master the basics (touch, passing, space awareness and proper skill application, timing, etc.).

This last women's world cup was not very impressive. The USWNT had terrible touch and control. We played like we should win based on athleticism alone imo and it failed.

The problem with women's soccer is they have to want to abuse their bodies for the pure passion of playing soccer unlike mens where the elite can make good money. Women can get a half a scholarship and have to work equally hard in academics to get to work a professional career. The very, very, very, very elite may make the USWNT and get paid decently I guess, but they have to work their tails off and give up a lot too. It's almost a curse to be blessed with the athleticism necessary as a woman.

Women's youth soccer is a big business and considering how small the rewards are, I can't help, but think what a fool I am for being so committed to pay and travel everywhere for it. While I love watching my daughter, I can't help, but think I don't need this damn stress. Watching parents drive hours for practice and training and paying small fortunes for the access to get competitive games and training is ridiculous especially in so cal.

So again, if I were king, there would be far more emphasis on youth development closer to homes with loads of fun games and great competition until they are 14 or 15. Then the incredibly gifted/athletic girls can buckle down into a set position/style that can yield success for an elite, pro or college team.

I can't believe how crazy we get for girls club soccer! I'm actually wasting time writing about it along with others, but this is my therapy for falling down the same rabbit hole as others in here! Imagine how much money we could be saving for college instead of paying for club soccer? I can't help, but laugh when I hear parents say "What if she burns out and stops playing???". Ohhhhh, how terrible. You can actually get a life again and find something else less demanding to do with your time!

Soon you'll see that it's their journey to take not yours. (I don't mean that in a bad way) You can help them along the way + encourage them + try to assist with making the right decisions. But at some point you'll have to let go.

I've seen ridiculously gifted players quit for other sports and I've seen players that absolutely love soccer get cut from teams. What do you do? Life's not fair for some and much fairer for others.

BTW I agree with everything you wrote. I double agree that Socal players should just stay local and play. Spending crazy amounts of money to play teams that aren't very good doesn't make sense. Unless you like to travel + feel it's worth it to see new places with kids in tow.

 

[crush]

To me, the last part I wrote is key! Girls are different than boys and maybe even boys are similar with getting comfortable. The enemy of growth and ambition is comfort! I don't want my daughter to ever get comfortable and she is 100% comfortable at a certain position now. It robs her of growing skills and iq! Now, as a parent, we have to see this and adjust their training to ensure they are building all the skills they need to be a complete player and even soccer enthusiast. I've noticed a lack of specialized technique from coaches for several positions. I get coaches are big game coaches not specialized trainers, but it's a hell of an advantage if a coach has incredible knowledge of technique and skill training for several positions on top of formations and styles.

We've been fortunate to have good coaches, but we have to dominate our position to get the play time which can lead to using the specialized skills and position iq a player needs to dominate that position. There is a lot of strategy needed as a parent to develop and build a great athlete. Being a great athlete is not enough though. They need to work on their weaknesses. They need to master the basics (touch, passing, space awareness and proper skill application, timing, etc.).

This last women's world cup was not very impressive. The USWNT had terrible touch and control. We played like we should win based on athleticism alone imo and it failed.

The problem with women's soccer is they have to want to abuse their bodies for the pure passion of playing soccer unlike mens where the elite can make good money. Women can get a half a scholarship and have to work equally hard in academics to get to work a professional career. The very, very, very, very elite may make the USWNT and get paid decently I guess, but they have to work their tails off and give up a lot too. It's almost a curse to be blessed with the athleticism necessary as a woman.

Women's youth soccer is a big business and considering how small the rewards are, I can't help, but think what a fool I am for being so committed to pay and travel everywhere for it. While I love watching my daughter, I can't help, but think I don't need this damn stress. Watching parents drive hours for practice and training and paying small fortunes for the access to get competitive games and training is ridiculous especially in so cal.

So again, if I were king, there would be far more emphasis on youth development closer to homes with loads of fun games and great competition until they are 14 or 15. Then the incredibly gifted/athletic girls can buckle down into a set position/style that can yield success for an elite, pro or college team.

I can't believe how crazy we get for girls club soccer! I'm actually wasting time writing about it along with others, but this is my therapy for falling down the same rabbit hole as others in here! Imagine how much money we could be saving for college instead of paying for club soccer? I can't help, but laugh when I hear parents say "What if she burns out and stops playing???". Ohhhhh, how terrible. You can actually get a life again and find something else less demanding to do with your time!