ODP Western Region Championship this weekend
- Thread starter Emperador
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This event isn’t as prestigious to today’s parents/players.
In SoCal there are other routes for fame and recruiting now. Other states still have ODP as the only primary route with a possible path upward.
Desert Hound
DA
Actually most of the other states that participated this year have other routes. Only the very smallest do not, and they did not make semis/finals.
Generally speaking the states that made the semis or won in the finals are precisely those states that have DA/ECNL or both as a path. Hawaii without DA or ECNL did make 2 finals (boys and girls) and that is it as far as a state without another path.
On the boys side only one state made semis/finals that did not have DA or ECNL and that was the youngest age group and was Hawaii.
On the girls side the only state that made a final that did not have DA or ECNL was Hawii. They did have 2 other age groups that made semis.
So as you look at semis and finals for boys and girls you see the only states that got that far did indeed have DA and or ECNL.
Girls Side
AZ - 2 DA and 2 ECNL
NM - ....
CO - 2 DA and 2 ECNL
UT - 1 DA and 1 ECNL
NV - ECNL
WA - 2 DA and 4 ECNL
AK -
HI -
ID - 1 ECNL
Boys Side
AZ - 1 DA and 4 ECNL
NM - 2 ECNL
NV - 1 ECNL
CO - 2 DA and 4 ECNL
UT - 1 DA
OR - 1 DA
WA - 2 DA and another in Vancouver
AK -
ID -
HI -
Cal South won 8 out of 10 titles last year. I'm not sure I would read too much into winning 5 out of 12 this year yet, especially since Cal South didn't send any 2007 teams, so they couldn't have won those groups. It's certainly possible that it could be the start of a trend, but it might just be a one year blip. Plus, all of the state associations that won this year except Arizona have plenty of DAs that should draw away competition and Arizona hosts, so that makes it easier for them. It's not like Southern Nevada won anything, despite having a reasonably large city (Las Vegas) with plenty of soccer and no DA competition (except if you drive quite far away and across state borders).
Population density is very important. For example, Assuming you get 30 to 40 good athletic kids (that can be molded into elite soccer players) in an age group from a population of 1M, then you have to look at how many of those kids are within 30 to 45 minutes of each other (or within about 40 miles). The more spread out the kids, the less likely development will occur because teams will be made up of lower quality players, the competition will be lower and development stunted.
Desert Hound
DA
Certainly not reading too much into it. So Cal should win most due to a larger population base as MWN said immediately above.
Very hard for smaller states to consistently compete against So Cal. LA and SD have what 23 million or more in population? AZ has 7 million. NM just over 2 million. Hell within states you see the difference. Tucson teams have a tough time vs Phx area teams. We just have a larger base to pull from...much like So Cal has a vast pool to pull from vs every other state.
My point above is that a majority of the states in region IV do have pathways other than ODP.
No disagreement with any of that. I was responding to the same comment as you, as well as the general tenor of the other comments about this meaning something is different.
Not_that_Serious
GOLD
As mentioned. Wouldnt read much into it. Population density plays a factor. In these states DA is going to take up the top kids. Then you get the probably 2nd/3rd tier of kids. That pool is much deeper in So Cal - so you will have some kids who might peak closer to some of the DA kids. Shock to some, but some parents are competitive and often think they know more than some of these coaches - so they will float in-and-out of DA teams and ODP. More options for them in So Cal. Watching a couple of games where Cal South dominated but got the L, it happens.
Rumor (yes those damn things) has it this will be changing some time next year with the planned changes at DA level. A lot of clubs selling the DA dream are going to scramble to figure out next way to hard sell parents.
oh canada
GOLD
My kickball team played better kickball than your kickball team. So there!
Not_that_Serious
GOLD
didnt see kickball in games i watched. must have missed those gamesMy kickball team played better kickball than your kickball team. So there!
What is the rumor?
Desert Hound
DA
One of the rumors is that DA is going single band. FC Virginia is posting tryouts and they have indicated that is what the DA is going to do. Kind of surprising there is not more talk about it here on these boards. It certainly changes things from U16 and up.
Not_that_Serious
GOLD
Cant say more than it has to do with MLS and DA Structure.
Spoke to someone this weekend about academy structure in AZ and its going to change next year. Person who told me was directly involved in making changes. I was glad to hear some of the issues involving DA doesnt go on deaf ears, but some of the changes I think happen due to MLS control/influence - since they will benefit most of the change. There will be a big wave of kids moving due to this. Most wont be sympathetic to affected clubs (but will definitely limit market choices), most of the clubs will be getting a dose of what they have been doing to neighboring clubs.
Desert Hound
DA
You speculating that kids will move FROM or TO DA clubs?
I assume you mean to DA. Obviously with single band at the older ages that opens up spots in each age group.
Not_that_Serious
GOLD
Changes have nothing to do with age bands. Has to do with control of talent and getting more out that talent. This isnt speculation, going to happen. We will get less people on the boards being proud "DA" parents who were DA only because they were paying to be on teams with said title.
Agree. I watched the 02 and 04 girls play some solid possession soccer. Good overlap runs, seemed like the girls had been playing together for months. How many practices do they get together once the final team is chosen?
Sounds like you are saying there will be less teams in each geography for DA next season?
And it will truly be only the “elite” players on DA teams?
Some kind of consolidation? Underground trainings in Area 51? Why not just say.
Anyways does it affect the girls? Can't imagine MLS cares about that.