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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 9, 2018 14:42:06 GMT -5
I can’t imagine any of those clubs telling the girls they can’t train with them during the summer. My daughter has trained in other states several times ... I would start with calling TopHat and tell them what your looking for. There are some good private trainers as well but not sure how far you want to drive LOL
luckily from SoCal this ATL traffic won’t impact you much
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 9, 2018 14:11:58 GMT -5
Well welcome let’s see if we can get some help for the girls.
First by “be here this summer” do you mean moving to Atlanta or simply visiting?
Tryouts are “officially” over most places. But I assure you that if the girls are relocating from ECNL and wish to play. One of the 4 or 5 ECNL teams per age group will be more than happy to see them over the summer.
Depending on where you live and the ECNL playing level of the girls your choices are:
TopHat - NasaTopHat soccer in Buckhead area. will be considered by most as the top level of play in town unless you talk to someone at Concorde Fire
Concorde Fire - Central Location Dunwoody Area will be considered by most as the next top level of play in town unless you talk to someone at TopHat
SSA - Cobb County location will field ECNL teams under the new strategic alliance with Concorde Fire
GSA - Gwinnett Soccer (Lilburn, Dacula Area)
AFU - Atlanta Fire United (Also located in Gwinnett County but in Duluth farther in from 85)
If you are looking for training or camps and not relocating I would still look by location but make the effort to get to TopHat it would be worth it for camp training experience.
Ask more questions ... you will get answers
Good Luck
GM
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UFA SCCL
Jun 9, 2018 13:57:38 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by greenmonkey on Jun 9, 2018 13:57:38 GMT -5
For those kids that may have been given false promises Or for drooped 2 levels down, em today UFA. There may be an opportunity for you kid to be seen and offeeed Spot if you act quickly TODAY Boys or Girls? Age group?
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 8, 2018 10:06:50 GMT -5
It’s my responsibility as a parent to know the difference between asking for an evaluation and asking for a gripe session. Ironically the coaches who have given honest feedback and communicated strengths and weaknesses and plans for individual and team development I have never had a gripe with. The coaches who treat us like eyeroll crazy soccer parent fools for wanting feedback twice a year are also the coaches who need a good gripe session scheduled.
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 7, 2018 10:53:37 GMT -5
]I think the root cause of so many players leaving was not the Concorde ECNL coach, but that the two locations (North and Central) didnt seem to get along. Clubs with multiple locations must find a way to foster togetherness amongst all the locations. This has to be intentional. If not one location will feel slighted and then division will form.... [/quote][
UFA, NTH, Concorde, GSA hint hint hint
Why do “we” never hear of SSA interclub drama?
Are they doing it “better” or just nicer about keeping their conflicts quiet?
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 7, 2018 7:21:23 GMT -5
I don’t know if it’s the weather or the age group but everyone seems happier at 05 than 06. LOL
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 7, 2018 7:07:52 GMT -5
I have only heard of two at TopHat and three at UFA who are playing up with 05s on DA. There are so many quality players from 04-06.
More importantly my personal philosophy on soccer is that there is A TEAM for every player at every ability and that is part of why soccer is a beautiful thing. I love that anyone who wants to play can find a team. To me in theory the leagues just help “organize” the levels of play. No one likes to win every game without effort and no one like to lose every game with a pants kicking.
Personally I am glad SSA is being awarded an ECNL spot. With TH and CF ECNL just a few miles apart and AFU and GSA likewise in Gwinnett. It’s nice to see an “option” further north and west.
As an aside with all the new leagues and team movement sometimes “we” forget it’s all the same players and coaches ... the only thing that really changes is what uniform they wear and who they play against.
Hopefully next May all the changes “were worth it”
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 6, 2018 19:34:43 GMT -5
Buy merchandise. Buy tickets. Go to matches. Compulsively click advertisements on NWSL webpage. Increase traffic to team and player social media outlets. All about the Benjamins. I wish soccer clubs made more effort around match opportunities. Would love group tix for teams playing in tournaments near a pro team. My girls love going to matches and the players ARE ALWAYS generous with their time post game autographs and selfies. Frankly the biggest drawback my players have had was when they talk about a game or player with a male coach they are often belittled for not watching “A REAL SOCCER MATCH”
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 6, 2018 19:24:53 GMT -5
Quick Rundown of the NWSL Georgia Soccer Girls that I know of: Houston Dash Jane Campbell - Kennesaw Morgan Brian - St. Simon's Island Portland Thorns Emily Sonnett - Marrietta North Carolina Courage Merritt Mathias - Birmingham Utah Royals Kelly O'Hara - Peachtree City Alexa Newfield - Decatur Missing Anyone? Read more: gasoccerforum.com/thread/3180/national-tier-league#ixzz5Hh7jmn4e
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 6, 2018 13:18:33 GMT -5
Quick Rundown of the NWSL Georgia Soccer Girls that I know of:
Houston Dash Jane Campbell - Kennesaw Morgan Brian - St. Simon's Island
Portland Thorns Emily Sonnett - Marrietta
North Carolina Courage Merritt Mathias - Birmingham
Utah Royals Kelly O'Hara - Peachtree City Alexa Newfield - Decatur
Missing Anyone?
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 6, 2018 12:19:28 GMT -5
Updated 2018 NWSL Game of the Week Schedule SAT June 16 – Chicago Red Stars (H) vs. Portland Thorns FC (A) ESPNEWS | Pregame 8 p.m. ET | Kickoff 8:08 p.m. ET SAT June 23 – Washington Spirit (H) vs. Orlando Pride (A) ESPNEWS | Pregame 7 p.m. ET | Kickoff 7:08 p.m. ET SAT June 30 – Orlando Pride (H) vs. North Carolina Courage (A) Lifetime | Pregame 3:30 p.m. ET | Kickoff 3:50 p.m. ET SAT July 7 – Orlando Pride (H) vs. Washington Spirit (A) ESPNEWS | Pregame 7:30 p.m. ET | Kickoff 7:38 p.m. ET SAT July 14 – Utah Royals FC (H) vs. Orlando Pride (A) ESPNEWS | Pregame 7 p.m. ET | Kickoff 7:08 p.m. ET SAT July 21 – Orlando Pride (H) vs. Seattle Reign FC (A) Lifetime | Pregame 3:30 p.m. ET | Kickoff 3:50 p.m. ET SAT August 11 – Utah Royals FC (H) vs. Seattle Reign FC (A) Lifetime | Pregame 3:30 p.m. ET | Kickoff 3:50 p.m. ET SAT August 18 – Portland Thorns FC (H) vs. Chicago Red Stars (A) ESPNEWS | Pregame 10:30 p.m. | Kickoff 10:38 p.m. ET SAT August 25 – Washington Spirit (H) vs. Portland Thorns FC (A) at Audi Field ESPNEWS | Pregame 7:30 p.m. ET | Kickoff 7:38 p.m. ET FRI September 7 – Portland Thorns FC (H) vs. Seattle Reign FC (A) Lifetime | Pregame 10 p.m. ET | Kickoff 10:04 p.m. ET NSWL link
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 5, 2018 16:18:23 GMT -5
So who are some favorite coaches and why?
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 5, 2018 14:12:39 GMT -5
I would like to see more discussion about this. Last year my player accepted a position on a team regardless of level that the coach was clearly not going to be a good fit. But unfortunately we were naive and it was the only club she tried out at. Went under "the advice of council" and only tried out at one club looking to play for that one coach. Got a different offer same club different coach. Wish we had thought to say no thank you and waited around until fall or even winter break. Worse case player could have had a trainer all year and missed a year of coaching that was mismatched. Best case. Maybe a different coach or team or club needed a player by August, September, Etc.
There is no answer is there?
Just a lot of parents trying to do "what's best for the kid"
Good Luck Out There.
The only thing worse than U12 to U13 is U13 to U14.
Unless of course you have a kid in each age group.
Oye!
GM
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 5, 2018 7:42:25 GMT -5
SCCL cuts down on the travel for season league games. But yes I would still expect out of town tournaments.
And I agree ultimately it was formed due to disorganized chaos in the scheduling/actual match play.
More than one example of two local teams driving out of town to play each other and end up cancelled.
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 1, 2018 19:07:25 GMT -5
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 1, 2018 18:48:39 GMT -5
Everything you said is true but irrelevant to the particularly question at hand, which is that specific offers were made to specific girls- “congratulations. You made team xxx. Glad to have you”. Phone calls were made the following day backing out of those offers. Offers were again made to those same girls last night- “congratulations. You are on team xxx.” Let’s have a team meeting, take a team picture, see everyone next week... then today some got phone calls saying” whoops - sorry- you aren’t on this team anymore”. And girls were left to fend for themselves in finding another team the day after tryouts are over and most teams are full.That is inexcusable and unjustifiable. NTH is a great club. They have many wonderful coaches and obviously attract elite level talent from all over. Having girls from other places come in and fill up the top teams only strengthens every other team below them. But this specific situation was very unfair and SO unnecessary. YES we do agree that that specific situation was unfair and probably unnecessary and especially with that age girl. And I know one of those girls affected personally. But I was just reminding the forum in general that it happened to other girls at other clubs as well this year. AND Trust me yes just as hurtful and just as sad. The UFA 06's have their own war wounds this year as well. Some coaches are definitely more humane and better in tune with pre-teen girls than others. I am a bit of a pollyanna and like to think that short of an actual psychopath. Most people genuinely TRY to do the right thing. They might make bad decisions but they "usually" aren't bad people. We were SO LUCKY that the coach at the club she tried out at did NOT fill all roster spots on the second night. He made a few verbal offers on night one, a few more verbal offers on night two, and a few more verbal offers on night three. He then told everyone else to expect a phone call today. It was almost like he knew he might have that last group of walk-on's show up half way though tryouts the last night. You sound personally involved in part of this scenario and I suspect we would either know each other or of each other on the sidelines so please know that I do hope it all works out somehow for those girls. It's been a tough one for sure.
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 1, 2018 18:24:18 GMT -5
Everyone losses in one way or another. None of the clubs will be able to keep the continuity of the same good teams together. The girls will have their teams broken up and some girls will be moved to lower teams. Just my 2 cents I don't like it but YEP ... U12 to U13 and U13 to U14 are by far the WORST TWO YEARS for tryouts in this town for Girls. THE END.
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 1, 2018 18:16:20 GMT -5
Okay people take a step back for a second.
Remember waaaaaay back (3 weeks ago) on the forum when we were talking about Concorde North exploding or merging or closing or whatever-ing.
So if Mike G and Mike C left Concorde North and they were well liked and respected by their teams and they went to TopHat to coach ... Why would "we" on the forum not expect a LOT of Concorde North players to end up at TopHat. TopHat does not "steal" players. They build an INCREDIBLE academy program with DEPTH. So much so that at U12-U13 the top of the top girls in Atlanta (or their parents) want to GO to TopHat. TopHat is allowed to select the "best" players available to them at tryouts and place them on the DA, ECNL, SCCL, Athena A and so on. Why hate on them for having a program that many consider "worth" driving to and playing for.
Yes the system is broken. But its not TopHats fault. Tryouts suck. Pre-teen age emotions are complicated. Adding leagues and merging clubs and age changes make it very difficult for something that is supposed to be "fun". But there are LOTS of GREAT opportunities for soccer players at ALL LEVELS ALL OVER THIS TOWN.
Big difference between getting "cut" and getting bumped down a team by someone "new to the club."
The butterfly effect, Trickle Down economics, whatever you want to call it. Someone showed up they were good enough and you know what flows downhill.
Also just for reference its not just happening at TopHat. I know of players at Concorde, AFU, LSA, GSA and UFA that have ALL had their share of 06 girls shuffled all around this week too.
And like I posted somewhere else on this forum. Wait until this age group adds GDA next year at TopHat at UFA. I guarantee what we all just went through this week is just a taste of what it will be next year.
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 1, 2018 12:31:42 GMT -5
It’s been a chaotic week for many 06 girls to say the least. and of course at this age group the landscape flips upside down completely once again in 12 months when GDA will opens up for that age group.
Crazy to think that the SCCL might be the league that comes out on top in this age group.
Second Team at TH to ECNL Second Team at Concorde Central to ECNL Second Team at GSA to ECNL First Team at UFA Norcross Second Team at SSA to Premier League
That is theoretically a LOT of girls in SCCL who could move up to ECNL when all those ECNL girls move up to DA.
Some of these 06 teams had played together for years.
Yes congrats to all.
These are 11 and 12 year old girls 5th and 6th graders who had some tough decisions handed to them.
Hopefully those same young ladies can survive the “infamous” Concorde / TopHat parents/forum rivalry of the past and enjoy their time together as teammates.
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Post by greenmonkey on May 31, 2018 12:40:34 GMT -5
In our house:
Parents Kids 1 4 5 5 6 3 2 1 3 2 4 6
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Post by greenmonkey on May 31, 2018 11:32:02 GMT -5
This is BS, you better believe if Alex Morgan showed up for one night on the last day of tryouts any coach would take her in a NY minute. No coach would say. well you didn't the attend the first two nights, sorry we can't take you. Its just a ploy to hold kids hostage and not allow them to explore their options. Just STOP you. Trying to use logic and reason in youth sports! LOL I didn't say I believed it ... I'm just reporting it. LOL And I agree ... This is Academy age plus the rising U13's. This is a pretty literal age group especially girls. LOL I think it's outrageous to say that to an age group 8-12.
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Post by greenmonkey on May 31, 2018 10:50:39 GMT -5
Feedback For What It's Worth
One club's director is clearly not interested in club shoppers and announced to parents and players on day one that to be considered for a team they must tryout ALL THREE NIGHTS.
Meanwhile a different club we attended for a pre-tryout camp sent us an email today saying they missed seeing the players at tryouts and reminding us that we only have one night left and hope to see them there tonight.
And lastly at tryouts last night club coaches were making some verbal team offers and looking for commitments. Don't you love it when an 11 year old climbs in the car after tryouts and says. "I verbally committed yes to my offer for the team tonight".
I was like "Did you negotiate good contract terms?" or at least "tell them you have to talk to your manager?"
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Post by greenmonkey on May 30, 2018 15:01:16 GMT -5
I’ve seen it all the ODP shirts were at the ECNL and DA pre camps but last night the red Concorde shirts stood out against all the grey at AFU and UFA. And my girls wore neon because “it’s not like I ever get to wear it any other time”.
I like the few times we were told to wear all black or black shorts and white tops.
One year the coach told my players team to wear their practice uniform and they just ran regular training practice and occasionally a new player was sent over from the other tryout fields.
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Post by greenmonkey on May 29, 2018 18:05:09 GMT -5
They are neck and neck when you talk about the elite of the elite but it appears to me that Tophat has a deeper pool of talent from the top teams to the bottom teams. I would agree with you there. TH recruiting is second to none! Ask UFA.... OffTopic a bit but I just have to chime in ... People always talk about clubs “recruiting” and “poaching players” and it’s a pet peeve of mine. TopHatw reputation stands alone and players and their parents will CHOOSE to drive there not because they are recruited or poached but because they CHOOSE to play there. Just my two cents.
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Post by greenmonkey on May 29, 2018 11:09:44 GMT -5
And now let's talk about the weather. LOL
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Post by greenmonkey on May 25, 2018 9:34:04 GMT -5
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Post by greenmonkey on May 25, 2018 8:36:52 GMT -5
Did Sharron and the powers that be happen to notice the weather forecast in the Metro Atlanta Area for this weekend is thunderstorms?
I mean I guess 90% of thunderstorms is a better chance of playing games than 100% chance of tropical storm.
LOL
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Post by greenmonkey on May 25, 2018 8:30:30 GMT -5
Great question about what level will the DP play at when not rostered or practicing with the DA.
Because TPDL.
Even though there is a player development pyramid. Not all clubs have all levels of the pyramid or have all levels at the same location. And the way I understand it there is also no guarantee that a DP will actually play any games.
Sometimes the DP's are rostered so they can be developed and sometimes it might be possible that the DP's are simply there to round out numbers during trainings.
And some coaches make arrangements for players to be DA practice players. They will not be rostered as FT or DP but will be pulled over to DA practice 1 or 2 times a week.
Good Luck in the transition from Academy to Select. Its a tough transition regardless and this year even more so with the recent league and club changes.
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Post by greenmonkey on May 24, 2018 14:35:04 GMT -5
Looks like Concorde wants to try to encourage players to be placed into playing level for SCCL and not necessarily by location. Or they can't make up their mind and want to wait until after tryouts to declare which team will be SCCL? Anyone have more insight? www.concordefire.com/tryoutsFrom the Concorde WebPages Concorde Central SCCL When registering for SCCL, select Central as your tryout location Concorde Fire North Program (06/07 boys and girls will ALSO be assessed for SCCL level at this location) Concorde WEST Location 06 Boys and Girls listed SCCL
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Post by greenmonkey on May 23, 2018 21:46:53 GMT -5
In thinking about things, it makes sense that UFA run SCCL out of Norcross. If you don't make DA or don't want to travel as much with NPL(costs, travel, etc) then your next option is SCCL. If you don't want to travel from Fowler down to Norcross then you had better make the DA/NPL team or be relegated to Classic 1/Athena A at best, with no hope of promotion. So let's play the hypothetical game the other direction. Pick an age group any age group :-) And just use the UFA location example since thats the thread What if the Norcross SCCL team is "extremely successful" in their season and the same age group Fowler NPL is "less" successful in their season. Does the CLUB have the "option" to "relegate" the Fowler team to SCCL the following year and "promote" the SCCL to NPL? Each of the clubs involved in this SCCL league has multi-locations that could encounter this scenario on any given age group or season. It sounds all nice to market the "development" and upward mobility options for players but the reality is logistically I think you are right and it will be up to the parents to drive the an individual player to the other club location if the player gets promoted. Which makes one question what the "real" benefit of multi-location clubs with multi-leagues really is?
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