Great advice Canada. They tried to get me to send my kid up North to grooming academy and I laughed at them. The they tried to get me to have my dd send emails to top coaches (who happen to be at our practices) in 7th and 8th grade. I again laughed at them. It wasn't until they got mad at me and made fun of me that I came on here to ask the experts for advice. You know I took a beating and abuse from assholes. They lurk here in the dark. Where are they now?
Univ of Oregon womens coach abusive?
- Thread starter oh canada
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oh canada
GOLD
Nike holds blame in this too and the pro agents they're in bed with. They make an early $100-200K bet on a 14yr old kid with gullible and overzealous parents. If the kid doesn't pan out, they've lost nothing -- like you and I throwing away a quarter. I'm sorry, no 14 year old girl (or boy) has any idea who she is nor who she wants to become. Show me a professional anything at 14yrs in the USA and I will show you a crazy parent or two pushing from behind the scenes.
Especially sad if you have an intelligent kid -- i don't mean 4.0 gpa intelligent because every kid as a 4.0 now. I mean, really smart, like 31+ on ACT and a strong interest in learning/academics. Those kids, if you give them the freedom to choose their own paths, will be seeking medicine, engineering, law, and other professional careers instead of soccer at16-18yrs because they learn they can make a bigger impact on the world then kicking a ball.
What I think is especially pathetic is that a 13/14 year old girl is good enough to play professionally in the NWSL.
How bad must NWSL players be that a 13/14 year old can beat them out for a position on the field?
I have a suspicion that there are all kinds of youth players that could be playing in the NWSL. They just don't have the connections to get into the club.
oh canada
GOLD
ha! can't argue there! NWSL games are painful to watch. I stopped buying tickets after two nap-inspiring 0-0 draws and watching more missed passes than pitches at an MLB game.
so tough to watch. The ECNL finals this year 08 and above was the same quality as NWSL IMO. I would put any of those teams up against a NWSL team.
Is she really good enough or is it a marketing gimmick? As a country, we've always been enamored with this concept. Almost like we're trying to prove that we can develop, too.
outside!
DA
Naomi Girma plays for the Wave. I doubt there are any youth players that can take her spot. The NWSL is a step above D1. the league still has a ways to go, but there are world class players in the NWSL.
I wish the NWSL all the best but until they implement a homegrown rule and Acadamies I don't feel that they're putting the best talent possible on the field.
If there's not highest level talent possible on the field I won't bet on games. Until I can bet on games I don't take NWSL seriously.
Girma was already that great at Stanford while playing D1.
Stanford has a nice string of players (4) on the national team. Who will be next from there?
I'd say Evans and/or Aikey. Both, I believe, have been in the program for years. That's probably true for half his roster every year.
outside!
DA
I agree, but being one of the best teams, Stanford is not representative of D1 soccer. And even players from Stanford say that the transition to the speed of play in the NWSL took some time.
If I had to pick one, it would be Aikey. A great player, a great student and a better person. I hope to see her playing on the WNT someday and in the Pros.
I think Jasmine has matured. My kid played against her many years ago. She was definitely a woman amongst girls and physically imposing her will. Tons of athletic ability and I think Stanford uses her all over the field.
Here is the thing. Players that are 13-16 are like minor league players in baseball but not real investment needed. They are free to get(minimum salary and no need for a draft pick) and can sit on the bench for a few years. If they pan out, great, if not, you just grab some new players. Every NWSL team should have at least two. You look for impact players in FA, good players in the draft, and long shot prospects in the underage group.
It should be noted that the past 4 weeks has been a chance for NWSL teams to play their complete teams since the games meant nothing towards standings. With 56 players at the Olympics this has been a chance to see what you have, and get some experience for the younger players.
I completely disagree. I watch almost all the games on tv, with about 5 live games per year. With 56 players at the Olympics from the NWSL, almost half of them are in the finals between Brazil and USA, the NWSL us one of the most competitive leagues in the world with some of the best players.
It is a bit water downed this year with two expansion clubs, but you are seeing more foreign players showing up as the money keeps increasing and the talent should continue to improve. They average 2.65 goals per game with is hampered by the expansion Utah club only having 8 goals in 16 games. Players that score are still the most difficult to find.
Neeku Purcell left UCLA and turned pro just this week. Brooklyn of the USL
Meh, I'd rather see these type of players prove themselves in an Academy environment before "benching for a couple years" on a pro team.
There's all kinds of players that can sit on the bench and try to work their way to minutes. I'd rather see the ones that can actually play over the over the ones with connections.
Me too.