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.
How’s the 2023-24 season going?
- Thread starter CharlieMurfee
- Start date
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.
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!
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.
Last edited:
Thanks Carlsbad. The thing is she has 3 more years before she can drive, so her journey is my journey until she pays and drives herself. People always try to say "Well, they have to do the work. Your daughter has to be responsible and talk to the coach. You have to let go.", but here is the thing.
I'm paying for this. I"m giving up weekends and evenings to drive her everywhere. There is no way this is not "our journey" until she can drive and pay for her own club soccer. She is just lucky as hell she is as athletically gifted as she is!
I await the day it's her journey though!! Thing is if I'm paying for that journey, it must be a productive journey! America has gotten so lost that people who don't even own homes are paying for club soccer and I'm not knocking anyone who doesn't own a home. I'm just pointing out that our priorities are crazy!! I can't help, but think that I could be saving this money for my daughter to one day put down on a house instead of club soccer as well! We've lost our damn minds I think!
On a scale vs gymnastics and other sports though, soccer is probably cheaper. It's just it could be a lot cheaper and more accessible. I think many like it this way for their own advantages, because we all want to make teams and keep our girls together.
Fieldsofgold
SILVER
Soccer Instagram accounts are wild for this age, especially when they are run by parents . #letkidslive
Soccer_Scout_USA
BRONZE
Hello Everyone,
I'm looking to hear what the public thinks are the top players in the 2010 age group. I know that a big portion of the girls 2010 talent is concentrated in Socal. Looking for public opinion on the Top 5 Forwards, Top 5 Midfileders, and Top 8 Defenders in the age group. Please do not provide player names just looking for club team and jersey number. Top 3 over all players as well. Thanks
I'm looking to hear what the public thinks are the top players in the 2010 age group. I know that a big portion of the girls 2010 talent is concentrated in Socal. Looking for public opinion on the Top 5 Forwards, Top 5 Midfileders, and Top 8 Defenders in the age group. Please do not provide player names just looking for club team and jersey number. Top 3 over all players as well. Thanks
@Soccer_Scout_USA Is this a Joke? lol Look at SD Surf, Slammers Koge, Blues and MVLA and you will probably have 70% of them. The other 30% could be playing in other leagues, playing up or maybe in other ECNL teams scattered across the nation.
Top 2010 GA clubs are Tophat, Lonestar, Ukrainian Nationals, Nationals, Cincinnati United, CitySC, FRAM
RedDevil24
SILVER
Am I the only one reading this as "Hey guys do you mind doing some recruiting grunt-work for me? I'm not into watching games myself"
Soccer_Scout_USA
BRONZE
It's not at all like that. We have been looking at this age group and we have a list of potential players but it would be interesting to see what the public thinks so we can compare. You guys know the age group better than anyone else, especially the ones with kids in this age group.
RedDevil24
SILVER
Curious....who is "We"?
Soccer_Scout_USA
BRONZE
We know the lists from 2010 PDP, ODP and the players invited to the US Soccer ID camp.
I cannot disclose any specific scout names but we are associated with US Soccer and ID2. We have a good idea on who is the top talent in this age group and we are looking to see if we have missed any solid players that we have not seen yet. That's why I was asking for club and player numbers. Then we can compare and see if they are on our main lists.
I cannot disclose any specific scout names but we are associated with US Soccer and ID2. We have a good idea on who is the top talent in this age group and we are looking to see if we have missed any solid players that we have not seen yet. That's why I was asking for club and player numbers. Then we can compare and see if they are on our main lists.
I would suggest looking beyond the 2010 PDP, and ODP lists + start attending ECNL + GA showcases / games. There is a lot of talent being overlooked.
Even ECRL, DPL, NPL, etc all have showcase type equivalents you could attend.
I would also recommend reaching out to top club DOCs to get their feedback on players to watch. They're intimately involved with making teams win + know who has the ability to play next level.
Soccer_Scout_USA
BRONZE
I'm asking the public especially parents with kids in this age group. We have all the club coach recommendations and we are looking into other leagues as well. In the past club coach recommendations have come with some bias and favoritism. I'm just doing this to make sure we don't miss any key player that has been overlooked by club coaches. If you don't feel comfortable posting in public, please make sure to send me a private message.
You think asking a bunch of parents who the best G2010 players are won't be 100% bias and favoritism?
Soccer_Scout_USA
BRONZE
That's possible if a parent is recommending their own kid. All I'm trying to see if any new names arise aside from the known names in the master database we have compiled. Of course we would do our own due diligence. For example, we recently discovered a key prospect that was not in any of the lists. She was not part of the last USA ID center camp and was not associated with PDP or ODP. She may be one of the top players in this age group from what I've seen so far and I can't believe she was overlooked by club directors.
Doesn't surprise me.
The way things are setup right now is that clubs recommend the top players from each team in their geographical league to go to Talent IDs, ODP, or whatever. Basically, the most aggressive or impactful players get sent up from each team in the local league.
What should be happening is that ALL starting players on the top teams in each league should go on the next level. (not one or two from each team in the league) If a team is last in the league why are you even looking at their players? It doesn't make sense.
Look at the USWNT this year vs Spain. USWNT looked like a bunch of highly skilled individuals. Spain looked like a team that played together very well + used this to win it all.