Most that post here I guess their DDs are playing ECNL and I'm sure the pow wow to watch the training happens at every practice. Since my player isn't there yet what are these coaches doing that some of the the lower leagues coaches are not. I was told they are constantly doing inner squad scrimmage after a few warm up drills. If they don't have the foot skills they won't last on the team. So sounds like coaches are at the mercy of the players level that come to them or they recruit. So those big clubs will always be a draw from the smaller clubs. While talking to a ECNL parent she once told me if we are not winning with the players we have we just go recruit better players. No guarantees your daughter plays travel a far still no guarantee she plays. Also 20 plus on rosters.
How’s the 2023-24 season going?
- Thread starter CharlieMurfee
- Start date
It seems you've touched on one of the inherent challenges within elite youth soccer programs, especially within structures like the ECNL. Indeed, at the higher echelons of youth soccer, there's an expectation that players already possess a certain level of technical skill and soccer IQ. Thus, many ECNL coaches can, and often do, focus more on tactics, team dynamics, and game situations, which might explain the predilection for inner-squad scrimmages after warm-ups.
However, it's a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation. Do these clubs produce better players because of superior coaching, or do they attract already skilled players due to their reputation? As you rightly pointed out, there's a strong element of recruitment. Top clubs have the allure of promising greater exposure to college scouts and potential pathways to professional careers, making them a magnet for top talent.
Yet, there's a cautionary tale here for parents and players alike. Big rosters can indeed mean less playing time, and traveling far doesn't guarantee minutes on the pitch. It's essential to find a balance between seeking high-level competition and ensuring a player's development, both technically and mentally. As in all things, it's crucial to remember that every player's journey is unique, and what works for one might not work for another.
All in all, while elite leagues and top clubs have their advantages, it's about finding the unique fit for your player's development approach, both on and off the pitch, that truly matters in the long run.
Some of what you're saying is true some is "not as true".
It's 100% true that all high level u13 teams expect players to have a certain level of footskills. Usually this comes from playing for a while, pickup games / Mexican league, futsal, private training, etc. At the u13 and above levels coaches might run a couple individual skills type drills but because teams are now playing 11v11 they need to start teaching team tactics if you want to win. Saying "If they don't have the foot skills they won't last on the team" is kind of a prick way to word it but what they're saying is correct.
ECNL teams do recruit a lot. If you're a player on a high level u13 and up team it's accepted that your kid delivers on the field or they're likely to be replaced. Usually, coaches don't just drop one player for another. They bring on another kid that's better and slowly over time they get all the minutes, and your kid rides the bench. This is one of the reasons for 20+ rosters.
Will ECNL teams continue to be able to recruit from smaller clubs. Probably, but leagues like GA are starting to gain some momentum which slows things down. Something also to remember that it's not just a club being ECNL that allows teams to recruit. For girls many clubs that traditionally tend to win a lot happen to be in ECNL. This makes it seem like ECNL is the draw when it's really the well managed and coached clubs that currently participate in ECNL.
Every few months a new troll shows up and starts instigating with very familiar tactics. Almost certainly its the same person using new names. Not sure what he gets out of it, but if you're tired of it, just click on his name and click the button that says "Ignore" People like this go away if they are ignored. If for some reason you like this type of trolling, I recommend you go over to the message boards at "talking-soccer.com" It is a real cesspool.
Unfortunately this is also the case for D1 mens teams outside of the top-25ish. I've seen many D2 teams play better.
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On the subject of new ECNL players on new teams, Legends beat Blues 4-1 this weekend
Yes, Blues 2010 is not the team they were last year, or prior years for that matter. Sharks beat them last week as well.
MyKidsDriver
SILVER
And Heat tied Surf 1-1, unpredictable season so far, probably a good thing
RandomSoccerFan
GOLD
Yep - So Cal Blues 2010G are going to have a hard time this season and next. 2nd hardest schedule nationally over past year (out of ~3,650 2010G teams), and their rating will continue to drop gradually as their results continue to be less than prior years.
Southwest ECNL G2010 has been wild since July. Lots of movement + teams that were dominate suddenly aren't and teams that were terrible are now showing up.
Regarding Blues I know many parents aren't (or weren't) happy with Abner in one way or another. I've spoken with the guy several times + he is surprisingly soft spoken. But, overall seemed like a nice guy. When we were chatting he overplayed his hand regarding the players he had at the time. (Many left at the end of the season)
Regarding Blues I know many parents aren't (or weren't) happy with Abner in one way or another. I've spoken with the guy several times + he is surprisingly soft spoken. But, overall seemed like a nice guy. When we were chatting he overplayed his hand regarding the players he had at the time. (Many left at the end of the season)
We were in talks before the beginning of the current season as well but we decided to stay with our current ecnl club. A Soft spoken nice guy is how he came across to me as well. I changed my mind when I noticed they lost their 2 best playmakers.
Very nice win for Legends.
A couple of those blues players are on that Legends team now. But that’s anecdotally what happens with Blues, they dominate in the Youngers but as the olders age up, players leave and they’re not as dominant as they were in the years leading up to 11v11.
AR and TB are two of the pioneers in girls' soccer in OC. He ran Laguna Hills Eclipse and personally developed Amy Rodriquez to the player she is today. Amy came to Blues college night to share her story about how Blues cut her, and she was sad but found the great Abner to make her the player she is. AR also developed the great Marta to become the player she is today. I got to see his practices up close for half a season and his practices were professional and very solid.
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Oh really? In the old days no one ever left the Blues unless they quit, got cut or moved. It's amazing to see how things have changed in 2023. I will say the top, top clubs like Surf, LAFC, Slammers and Legends do offer the full rides and free gear and travel and that is very hard to compete with. I've heard from the grapevine that Blues might be offering a few rides to select few, but I can't confirm, and I heard it just from one dad.
We'll see how it goes.
As I said Abner seemed very nice. But im not sure his style holds up in the game the way its played today. The fact that he was blindsided by players leaving his team says a lot to me.
Stats don’t lie. They went from being one of
the top teams in the nation to an inconsistent average team in a spiraling downfall in just a matter of months.
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