How’s the 2023-24 season going?

Watching the USWNT vs Columbia game + it's ridiculous.

The USWNT players are all 6-10 inches taller than the Columbians + they're all individual vs team players. Columbia is playing as a team + keeping the USWNT from scoring.

It's obvious that something is wrong with either the players being chosen for the USWNT or how players in the US are being developed.
 
Carlsbad7 said:
Watching the USWNT vs Columbia game + it's ridiculous.

The USWNT players are all 6-10 inches taller than the Columbians + they're all individual vs team players. Columbia is playing as a team + keeping the USWNT from scoring.

It's obvious that something is wrong with either the players being chosen for the USWNT or how players in the US are being developed.
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Watching the USA vs. Colombia match, it was clear the USA team struggled with basic passes and touch. This isn't just a US Soccer issue, but a reflection of the pay-to-play system in youth soccer. Colombia looked like they'd played together for years, while the USA seemed disjointed, as if they'd just met. This highlights the need to reevaluate our development model.
 
What bothers me about the USWNT is that they're a reflection of everything wrong with how girls are taught to play soccer in America.

Size and power are emphasized over team play. This is why Spain won the world cup and Columbia tied with the USWNT last night. Just to be clear I'm not saying that size and power are bad things. If you had size and power in a team player it would be ideal.

Unfortunately things are going to get worse before they get better for the USWNT. In the past we could just bully the ball into other teams goals. Now other countries are getting better + that type of soccer no longer works.

Problems start at the youth level where players are trained for college style play. (Because this is what parents want) Colleges don't have time to play posession so they go direct + this favors the big fast aggressive types that aren't team players.
 
crush said:
I knew this was going to happen but it's happening quicker than I could imagine. My dd is a team first player and it hurt her chances big time 7 years ago with the first ever U14 National Team. The top 05s an 04s and their parents all thought their little one was the next Mia. My dd was all in at this age and gave up 18 months of her life to try and make the U14 GNT. It was billed as a can't miss list to make because if your kid made that U14 team, that List went to every major college coach in our country. Full ride city if you make that team. There lies another problem. 99% of our young players are told by their parents to play in college because Pro is dumb and no money unless your top 1%, which is kind of true. The top players in these other countries and third world ones, all will and want to go Pro. A few might see the value in a Standford or UCLA degree, but 99% of the top players are going Pro outside of the USA. I can still see my baby girls first ODP tryout and all the ball hogs that wanted to showcase their tricks for the scouts to see. I told everyone it felt like a circus that day, or some type of individual talent show to see who could go coast to coast without passing and then scoring at the end. My dd loves to pass but would also like a pass back from time to time as well. I also remember her first and only invite to The United States US Soccer Training Center in San Diego and how it really was just a recruiting center and a place to get Mom's phone number to steal other goats from other clubs. My kid was offered 5 candy bars to get a recruits mom's number. That girl made the YNT a few times and the head director wanted that player on my kids team, because he was also the Doc. Too many chefs in the kitchen. These Docs also got to pick the players for U14 team. Something is very wrong, MOO! Then you have the rich, rich parents who have great dd player (nice to have your own full court soccer field in your back yard to train by yourself). The demand these parents make to the Docs, "My dd plays the 10 and nowhere else and plays up or we will look elsewhere." I hate to say it but we are getting what other parents were willing to pay for and this is the product. This will not produce a winning team either. This is 100% PAY-FOR-PLAY system like Luis says and it benefits the rich.
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I see all of this and its sad
 
Carlsbad7 said:
Problems start at the youth level where players are trained for college style play. (Because this is what parents want) Colleges don't have time to play posession so they go direct + this favors the big fast aggressive types that aren't team players.
Click to expand...

My nephew started playing college this year and it's a shock to the system how old school and direct the play is. My 11-year old's club team are whupped every week right now, but they're more tactically sophisticated than my nephew's college team, frankly.
 
MyKidsDriver said:
@Luis Andres @Lewis Andres
View attachment 18633
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That is very funny and original of you. NOT.

You are clearly an instigator and not someone who is wasteful with their time. You have nothing better to do than to harass and mock other people on the internet. Maybe you should focus on your own kids and their driver instead of meddling in other people’s lives. I am not here to entertain you or your memes. I am here to look for the best soccer experience for my daughter.
 
Karlton Athletic said:
My nephew started playing college this year and it's a shock to the system how old school and direct the play is. My 11-year old's club team are whupped every week right now, but they're more tactically sophisticated than my nephew's college team, frankly.
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Wow, you must be so proud of your nephew for playing college soccer. It’s not easy to make it to that level, especially when you have to run around like a headless chicken and hoof the ball up the field. I’m sure he’s learning a lot from his coach, who probably thinks soccer tactics are something you use to fix your shoes. Maybe one day he’ll be able to play like your 11-year old’s club team, who are more tactically sophisticated than most professional teams, frankly. They must have watched a lot of Tiki-Taka videos on YouTube, unlike your nephew who probably only watches WWE.
 
Carlsbad7 said:
What bothers me about the USWNT is that they're a reflection of everything wrong with how girls are taught to play soccer in America.

Size and power are emphasized over team play. This is why Spain won the world cup and Columbia tied with the USWNT last night. Just to be clear I'm not saying that size and power are bad things. If you had size and power in a team player it would be ideal.

Unfortunately things are going to get worse before they get better for the USWNT. In the past we could just bully the ball into other teams goals. Now other countries are getting better + that type of soccer no longer works.

Problems start at the youth level where players are trained for college style play. (Because this is what parents want) Colleges don't have time to play posession so they go direct + this favors the big fast aggressive types that aren't team players.
Click to expand...
:)
 
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Carlsbad7 said:
What bothers me about the USWNT is that they're a reflection of everything wrong with how girls are taught to play soccer in America.

Size and power are emphasized over team play. This is why Spain won the world cup and Columbia tied with the USWNT last night. Just to be clear I'm not saying that size and power are bad things. If you had size and power in a team player it would be ideal.

Unfortunately things are going to get worse before they get better for the USWNT. In the past we could just bully the ball into other teams goals. Now other countries are getting better + that type of soccer no longer works.

Problems start at the youth level where players are trained for college style play. (Because this is what parents want) Colleges don't have time to play posession so they go direct + this favors the big fast aggressive types that aren't team players.
Click to expand...
crush said:
You need to have mix of tall, fast, big and dominant and skilled. Not all players have it all and I would say out of the Blues 4 areas of a top player, no player has all 4. You might be tall and can jump 40 inches and head the ball and play tough defense and that right there can get you a call up, even if you're slow. However, if all the players are the same, then you got problems. Mix and match. Luis and the other Lewis have been sharing as well. We even now have a scout on here to get the parents side of the players they watch 24/7. Also, how rich dad is, will also play a roll in the selection process. Poor dad kids should have as much chance as the rich dads and I might just say that the poorer the player, the hungrier she is to make a living playing the game. 99% of our players are told college is the best and only option. The 2005s have had many go pro so we shall see. How many 2006s have gone pro? Our players are groomed to go to college and Pro is stupid. Trust me, I lived it for years. I was the dumb dad who blew my dd chances at Big U.
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I agree with both of you to some extent, but I also think that the problems are not as bad as you make them out to be. Sure, there is a lot of room for improvement in how girls are taught to play soccer in America, but there is also a lot of talent and potential that can be nurtured and developed with the right coaches and the right opportunities. I don’t think that size and power are everything, nor do I think that they are irrelevant. My dd lacks size but has everything else and is the maestro on the field when she plays. I think that a balanced approach is needed, where players are encouraged to develop their technical, tactical, physical and mental skills, as well as their team spirit and passion for the game. I also don’t think that college soccer is the end of the road for players who want to go pro. College soccer can provide a solid foundation for players who want to pursue their dreams, as long as they are willing to work hard and seek out better competition from around the world. There are many examples of players who have gone from college soccer to pro soccer, both in the US and abroad, and have made a name for themselves. Some of them are even on the USWNT right now. So I don’t think that pro soccer is stupid, nor do I think that it is impossible. I think that it is a realistic and achievable goal for players who have the talent, the drive and the support they need. And I don’t think that money or status should be a factor in selecting players for the national team. I think that merit and performance should be the only criteria, and that players from all backgrounds and walks of life should have an equal chance to represent their country. That’s what makes soccer such a beautiful and universal game.
 
Karlton Athletic said:
My nephew started playing college this year and it's a shock to the system how old school and direct the play is. My 11-year old's club team are whupped every week right now, but they're more tactically sophisticated than my nephew's college team, frankly.
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I happened to catch a College Womens game Vanderbilt vs Mississippi State game last week. (Both are Division 1 teams)

- They were playing direct but neither team had enough speed to make that style of play work.
- Both teams didn't have footskills + kept losing possession of the ball. Mississippi State was noticeably worse.
- Both teams couldn't complete 3-4 consecutive passes. Mississippi State was noticeably worse.
- Players resorted to being overly aggressive to compensate for lacking other attributes.
- Announcers kept saying that this game was the first time in 50 years that Mississippi State has a chance to win 5 games in a row. (like that's an accomplishment)

Watching this game showed me that College Soccer isn't real competition. It's something Colleges do but it's not done to specifically win at or be successful in.
 
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.
 
Lmsa said:
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.
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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.
 
Lmsa said:
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.
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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.
 
Lewis Andres said:
That is very funny and original of you. NOT.

You are clearly an instigator and not someone who is wasteful with their time. You have nothing better to do than to harass and mock other people on the internet. Maybe you should focus on your own kids and their driver instead of meddling in other people’s lives. I am not here to entertain you or your memes. I am here to look for the best soccer experience for my daughter.
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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.
 
Carlsbad7 said:
I happened to catch a College Womens game Vanderbilt vs Mississippi State game last week. (Both are Division 1 teams)

- They were playing direct but neither team had enough speed to make that style of play work.
- Both teams didn't have footskills + kept losing possession of the ball. Mississippi State was noticeably worse.
- Both teams couldn't complete 3-4 consecutive passes. Mississippi State was noticeably worse.
- Players resorted to being overly aggressive to compensate for lacking other attributes.
- Announcers kept saying that this game was the first time in 50 years that Mississippi State has a chance to win 5 games in a row. (like that's an accomplishment)

Watching this game showed me that College Soccer isn't real competition. It's something Colleges do but it's not done to specifically win at or be successful in.
Click to expand...

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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