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Post by greenmonkey on May 23, 2018 21:33:39 GMT -5
I appreciate the post, but unfortunately the link didn't work for me. Maybe they sold out? Tickets are still available it is just that it is a one transaction limit per link - so that means you can't copy and paste the link to share. The link won't work. Check your email. Georgia Soccer sent the email blast yesterday for the "exclusive offer" for Georgia Soccer Members "only".
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Post by greenmonkey on May 23, 2018 18:35:11 GMT -5
Second worst promoted event in soccer LOL
The WORST promoted would have to be the SIX NWSL teams playing tonight streaming on the go90 app.
LOL
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Post by greenmonkey on May 23, 2018 10:36:22 GMT -5
Pre-tryout camps or combines are a must if trying to "break into a new club". ESPECIALLY if you are at what I call the bridging age. Teams that go from 7v7 to 9v9 and 9v9 to 11v11.
I have heard it recommended by several
DAY ONE OF TRYOUTS at the CLUB THE PLAYER MOST WANTS TO ATTEND. IF A NEW PLAYER ASK THE COACH FOR FEEDBACK. They should say she is a good fit for the team or the club or they understand if you need or want to tryout someplace else tomorrow.
DAY TWO OF TRYOUTS at the SAFETY CLUB (the one they are currently at or that based on precamp and competition level the player should safely have a spot)
DAY THREE depends on how day 1 and 2 went.
Good Luck
It's a jungle out there :-)
GM
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Post by greenmonkey on May 23, 2018 10:14:50 GMT -5
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Post by greenmonkey on May 22, 2018 16:11:27 GMT -5
Your daughter is way behind the curve in trying to make an Athena team, even the better rec girls that joined our team by u12 were bench players the first few seasons. Your best chance is to find a team that needs a goalie, if your daughter is a decent goalie, as her field skills are likely significantly behind the Athena players. From a competitive standpoint you will need to find a team that is at best an Athena B team, likely Athena C as anything higher will be too difficult for her. Wow Soccermaxx I know he said he appreciated honest opinions but ... there is honest and then there is brutally honest. LOL
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Post by greenmonkey on May 22, 2018 16:08:20 GMT -5
So my daughter has played on a rec team at UFA her entire childhood. Early on she turned down overtures to move on. She has had the benefit of having a great coach and has enjoyed her teammates as most have stayed together. She is entertaining trying out for Select. First Welcome to the Forum. No matter what advice you receive stay true to what you and your family are looking for when you answer the question: Why is my daughter playing soccer?
Second, Why is she "entertaining trying out for select?" It is self reflection not for you to answer on the forum ...
The reasons why she is playing soccer and why she is considering Select will affect club and team choice. We live in South Forsyth but are not married to UFA. How far are you willing to drive? Why are you not considering UFA if she is already there?
My daughter is not going to be the next Mia Hamm and knows she will start at the bottom wherever she plays. She wants to play goalie or defense. Anyway my questions are: 1. With all the changes in the soccer landscape is UFA the best place for my daughter this late in making the change to Select? If UFA is not the best place for her to tryout (i.e. best chance for her to make a team) where is the best place for her to make a team? I would almost promise you that if you are willing to pay the fees for select soccer ... your daughter will make "a team". So "my opinion" is don't focus on making "a team" focus on finding the "right team" Alpharetta Ambush? Georgia Express? Somewhere else close by? You mention you live in South Forsyth are GA Rush, UFA Norcross clubs to consider as well?2. Would she have the best chance at making a team by stating she is a goalie or defender? Which does she "prefer" to play? Why try to make a team as goalie if she really wants to be a defender? Why play on the field if she really wants to play in goal?
And without outing anybody there seems to be a well respected member of the forum who seems VERY knowledgable about GOALKEEPERS and will hopefully join in the conversation.3. Should she or can she tryout at different clubs? I have heard of people hopping around in the past. Do your pre-tryout due diligence. Ask the parents why they like the club and the coaches. Find the "normal" parents. (You know the ones NOT standing closest to the fields pacing and watching like vultures)
Call the clubs. Do they answer the phone to even talk to you? Yup it's busy season but someone trying to return a phone call or taking time to answer a questions goes a long way in my opinion.
Are you willing to pay to have a private coaching session? Find someone who might give you an honest assessment and suggestions on where to play?
Any advice/honest opinions is appreciated. Be careful asking for opinions ... everyone has one :-)I enjoy lurking on the forum and learning about the alphabet leagues. Thanks! The alphabet is not soccer. The game is soccer :-)
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Post by greenmonkey on May 22, 2018 10:44:44 GMT -5
[ lots of Concorde fire at ufa last night How is that possible when UFA combines or pre camps are for current UFA players only? Just curious because I would like to attend any camps or combine if possible. If I understand the websites correctly... the Forsyth combine is for current players only and the Norcross combine is open for all interested
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Post by greenmonkey on May 22, 2018 10:44:32 GMT -5
[ lots of Concorde fire at ufa last night How is that possible when UFA combines or pre camps are for current UFA players only? Just curious because I would like to attend any camps or combine if possible. If I understand the websites correctly... the Forsyth combine is for current players only and the Norcross combine is open for all interested
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Post by greenmonkey on May 21, 2018 20:42:55 GMT -5
To hear my Michigan Hawks friends describe the GDA scene to me.
Michigan Hawks is the top destination in the area ie: TopHat Buckhead
Michigan Jaguars is much further out "way out to the NorthWest" LOL and where "everyone else will go to tryout".
Keep in mind the Michigan Hawks are THE TopHat of the North so it's like asking TopHat have they ever heard of UFA and their Girls DA program.
And their traffic sucks about as much as ours does.
However as a side note. She also said that the ECNL plays year round up there not just the fall season for what thats worth.
But she insists that the Hawks are the only GDA and ECNL club around.
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Post by greenmonkey on May 21, 2018 15:49:51 GMT -5
I wonder ... If you had a team of small, quick, agile players play a game against a team of same age taller, bigger players ... who would win?
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Post by greenmonkey on May 21, 2018 15:19:14 GMT -5
Location, Location, Location. And of course what works for your family.
Yet to be mentioned is that UFA Norcross is straight drive south down Buford.
I know plenty of other people who have driven from Buford, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Lawrencville areas for soccer. Some go down 85 to GSA some keep going down 85 all the way to Buckhead other have driven over McGinnis Ferry to Concorde or down Peachtree Industrial Blvd. to AFU or driven across 20 to UFA Forsyth in Cumming. I have yet to meet anyone with Academy Age Girls at All-In.
When you say looking to move. Is it moving from REC to ACADEMY or already in Academy and looking to change clubs.
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Post by greenmonkey on May 21, 2018 7:34:59 GMT -5
NPL = National Premier League
AFC Lightning (Ga.) CSA Elite North/H’ville (N.C.) CSA Elite South (N.C.) Discoveries SC (S.C.) Lake Norman SC (N.C.) Southern Soccer Academy (Ga.) Triangle United Soccer Association (N.C.) United Futbol Academy (Ga.) United Soccer Academy (S.C.) Wake FC (N.C.) SCCL = Southeastern Clubs Championship LeagueBirmingham United SA (Ala.) Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (S.C.) Concorde Fire (Ga.) Gwinnett Soccer Academy (Ga.) NASA TopHat (Ga.) Southern Soccer Academy (Ga.) United Futbol Academy (Ga.) Vestavia Hills SC (Ala.) Questions:
I have read the league pages but still do not understand a few questions. Can someone help me. At the U13 and U14 age groups are they playing year round soccer in both of these leagues? As in is it one long season from August to May Or is it two separate seasons like U8-12 Academy with a Fall and Spring season? Or are all the games in the fall with showcases and and regional/national playoffs in the spring? So if playing on an NPL team you only play 9 games? Each team once? And would you play more than one NC or SC team in a weekend? If playing SCCL do you only play 7 games? Each team once? And am I correct both Alabama games are "planned" to be the same weekend? I am not looking to debate which league is better. I just need to understand the travel and scheduling of the season in each league. Thank you. GM
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Post by greenmonkey on May 19, 2018 15:00:53 GMT -5
My two cents
Most of us agree that the USMNT and USWNT are vastly different. Salaries, playing conditions, success on the world stage etc.
MLS and NWSL are also completely different. Leagues, Numbet of franchises, salaries of players, practice facilities, fan base, even player accessibility. Go to any USWNT or NWSL game and those players stay and sign every single item and pose for every selfie.
Yes the NWSL teams seem more popular in cities with strong MLS presence. I blame Soccer Dads who have daughters LOL
What was broke? ECNL and NWSL College Soccer Drafts seemed to work. I love the idea of having elite training at NWSL clubs but it doesn’t have to be GDA nor does it need to be exclusive. My kid is not a DA level but she has learned a lot and had a blast at camps and clinics run by MWSL teams and players.
GDA can go or stay but I suspect that the NWSL Coaches and players, the college coaches and players, the elite high school players and the real coaches in it for the real reasons will still all figure out a way to train and teach the next generation.
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Post by greenmonkey on May 19, 2018 14:42:45 GMT -5
The pyramid is really a rhombus
Take for example 06 girls
U12s moving from 9v9 to 11v11
And moving from Academy to Select
And two clubs with DA “playups” 05/06
TH and UFA will have some 06s playup to the 05DA
TH will then have the next group of girls playing a full ECNL while UFA will have that next group playing a full NPL .
How does that even equate to anything on the pyramid?
But the following U14 year those 06s from TH and UFA that we’re the U13 ECNL or NPL “should” be the teams developed to move up to the DA (unless TH goes all-in)
Meanwhile back at AFU and GSA your top 06s are ECNL as U13 and most would expect to stay at that level (unless the change clubs)
So now your top 06 is DA at TH, UFA
Second ECNL is TH, CF, GSA, AFU
Third is NPL is UFA, SSA, AFC
Fourth is SCCL TH, CF, GSA (combine), SSA and UFA Norcross,
Then the Athena’s
Now I could care less about what level my player is and care even lesser who she plays against.
What I am disappointed in is the move to U13 plus the leagues and alphabet chasers and club and coach manipulations have succeeded in one thing. Very very few u12 teams are going to have the same teammates consistently over the next two years.
It’s all about player development until it’s not
It’s all about the coaching until it’s not
It’s all about team work and working together until it’s not
And yep its a pyramid until it’s not working for the 99%
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Post by greenmonkey on May 18, 2018 13:16:45 GMT -5
Now that we have NTH north of the perimeter I hope they have super secret plans to head EAST soon.
Like I mentioned in my long long post about multi-club success ...
IF NTH can pull together everything they have added North from Buckhead to Lanier and all the new Metro Quest, Milton, Lanier folks are happy and not second class after thought locations .... There is much to be learned for other clubs heading EAST from the 400/141 corridor.
Sure seems like Dave Smith might could teach a thing or two about multi-club vision and communication is anyone was interested in learning.
Fingers crossed that soon everyone who wants access to quality TopHat Training from their coaches and what appears to be well run club wide vision and leadership has access to it without the 1 1/2 hour commute for those of us outliers OTP on not along the 400/141 N/S route.
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Post by greenmonkey on May 18, 2018 10:11:44 GMT -5
THIS! THIS! THIS! THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS! I have been preaching from the sidelines for YEARS! There is a TEAM, A CLUB, A LEAGUE, A PLACE for EVERY SINGLE PLAYER AT EVERY SINGLE LEVEL OF PLAY!!! There are so many things the club does that will put you in a better place to achieve your ultimate goal if you invest your time in it. There isn't another opportunity on campus that can offer you the kind of environment that the club provides. If you want to surround yourself with driven, intelligent, focused young women who also happen to be really good at soccer, then this is the place for you. We also have an extensive alumnae network of accomplished women you can contact for career advice. If you have any questions about us, or college club soccer in general, please leave us your question. Hope to see you in Athens! Check us out at ugawomensclubsoccer.weebly.com
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Post by greenmonkey on May 18, 2018 10:07:42 GMT -5
College Club Soccer is the best kept secret in high school pay to play soccer right now :-) I have been following it for a few years as we feel like it will be the perfect fit for our Non DA/ECNL player who wants to play college soccer. If you are interested in soccer but also want to attend someplace like GaTech that doesn't have varsity soccer. and consider the "bigger more powerful" soccer teams like Clemson, UNC, Wake Forest that have varsity success coincidently have Club Success as well. www.region2soccer.org/past-rankings.htmlIt is exactly what soccerdad 76 describes: More travel and competition than intermurials complete with regional and national playoff tournaments. But it is not a university varsity sport.
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Post by greenmonkey on May 16, 2018 11:07:16 GMT -5
Futsal Gawdess
You MUST cease and desist the use of logic, reason, and common sense in youth soccer immediately.
LOL
GM
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Post by greenmonkey on May 15, 2018 15:48:29 GMT -5
It should be a Combine style tryout over the course of 5 days at Mercedes Benz. Have stations set up in a circuit then small sided scrimmage then full field scrimmage on the last day and allow all of the coaches for all of the clubs to sit in the stands and assess who they want and make offers from there. Charge $100 a piece if they want. If you want your child to play for an elite club then do like the NFL does. I swear I had the same idea during NFL draft and was talking to two coaches about it. They both agreed that would be ideal. LOL The only change we made to your suggestion in our perfect world was ... Some of us are crazy enough to drive 1 1/2 hours each way (traffic) for a 1 1/2 training 3-4 times a week. Others not so much so ... need some way to differentiate those areas you are actually interested and or willing to drive. Go ahead let the 6 clubs make offers on the first night to the top 125 players that DA/ECNL "qualified". Then we can all get along with the business of actually caring about the other 99.9% of players who need to be evaluated and placed. Ah yes welcome the day I rule the world. LOL
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Post by greenmonkey on May 14, 2018 19:02:31 GMT -5
SO now that enough cats have been released from the proverbial secret bags about the new leagues, coaches leaving, clubs merging, etc.
I want to have a serious and respectful debate about the pros and cons of multi-location “mega” big 5 etc. clubs versus single location clubs.
History seems to be repeating itself and I’m curious to hear from both sides of the 400/141 corridors.
Concorde North forum and sideline chatter indicate that the parents “feel” like a second priority next to Central. Now granted Concorde in general gets a bad rap about communication all around but for “years” this location has had players, parents and coaches CHOOSE to leave.
UFA Norcross forum and sideline chatter indicate that the parents “feel” like a second priority next to Fowler. Norcross has had players, and parents (maybe some coaches) choose to leave.
GSA merges with The Revolution and now has GSA North and GSA South. What do they plan to do so that players, parents and coaches don’t feel like a second priority. What would make them choose to STAY?
AFC doesn't merge and MOBA is created?
TopHat merges with NASA and aligns with LSA TopHat Sharks. Are there NASA parents, players or coaches that feel “less” important in the new NTH club?
SSA seems to have more locations than any of these previously mentioned clubs. I have yet to here on the forum or on the sidelines of any particular inter club rivalries or perceived slights.
Any other clubs you can think of that have similar multi-club locations and growing or imploding pains?
Is the problem leadership? I have to believe that Dave/NTH, Iggy/UFA, Gregg/CF and Simon?/SSA know each other and discuss these strengths and weaknesses in general on occasion?
Why such a discrepancy in the “style of play” or “types of coaching” from club to club?
I naively for the past seven years thought that Club Soccer operated like this:
USYS and US Club Soccer provided clubs and coaches with the curriculum, training, guidelines, leagues to run soccer clubs.
GA Soccer ran state leagues and schedules and provided additional local training opportunities for Clubs, coaches AND players.
Clubs provided trained professional coaches, training, and curriculum for parents and players. As well as providing fields, locations and a club home.
So …
Do NTH and SSA have it all figured out? What about these clubs branding, leadership, coaching or locations works for the multi-club model.
Why is Concorde “in a free-fall” and “getting ready to implode” and “coaches jumping ship” (forum and sideline quotes not mine)
Is UFA starting down the same path as Concorde was a few years ago?
What can GSA learn from these past mergers?
Why in a mega city this big? With this many successful players and coaches, with so many opportunities WHY is there so much division of forces and overlap of effort?
Why not play, coach, direct, and parent at the clubs closest, most convenient?
Look we all agree the DA/ECNL are the top elite players in town. They are the all-stars.
But after that I wish there was club loyalty, club consistency, “standards” for coaching and specific plans for player development, for the “rest” of the 99% who just love the game and want to get better and play.
Thanks for reading.
You are now free to discuss and educate in a respectful manner.
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Post by greenmonkey on May 14, 2018 18:09:33 GMT -5
Whoop There It Is ....
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Post by greenmonkey on May 13, 2018 17:32:59 GMT -5
Oooo that’s right I forgot the ECNL weekend
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Post by greenmonkey on May 13, 2018 16:32:44 GMT -5
Looking to the future can someone at the Norcross townhall meeting ask the hypothetical question.
Why location based and not team based? What if a Norcross SCCL is more successful than a Forsyth RPL team? Is there an open minded opportunity for team based Premier versus SCCL in the future or is the executive decision ultimately that of location, location, location ?
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Post by greenmonkey on May 13, 2018 16:11:20 GMT -5
Really? A forum that self identifies in a poll with a UFA majority and no one has any insight? LOL
Kidding aside on the girls side lots of Concorde players. Was it the Concorde DA announcement or the rumored changes at North?
Regardless I’ve heard at all three age groups the ID session was similar to an ODP session. Players quickly sorted by coaches size, shape, and resume preferences were sent the different fields and little to no movement after that initial screening.
Brief “intro to DA” meeting followed the camp.
Hopefully the visitors felt welcome and confident as many players from UFA attend as they were expected to do so.
Hopefully parents had a chance to ask around and get a feel from other parents for the coaching projections.
And certainly there was plenty of opportunity to share the lastest rumors, speculations, opinions and heresay.
Personally it was just another step in the May Madness.
Good Luck out there!
GM
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Post by greenmonkey on May 10, 2018 11:17:54 GMT -5
Okay I'll ask:
What is a super team?
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NPL ?
May 10, 2018 11:15:58 GMT -5
Post by greenmonkey on May 10, 2018 11:15:58 GMT -5
Question... everyone is talking about the cost of ECNL and DA, but does NPL cost the same as well? I mena, with all the travel I would assume so, but I don't want to assume... Yes and No: 1. DA you have no control of things like transportation and hotel costs. 2. ECNL you have more control of transportation and hotel but yes your travel to out of state matches would likely require a hotel night or two (unless you want to drive home from Florida after a match) and showcases may prevent car travel 3. In theory the matches for NPL are more local driving distance NC or SC so you may have a few less hotel stays.
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Post by greenmonkey on May 8, 2018 21:37:21 GMT -5
Have UFA considered combining teams from both locations to make a NL team and SCCL team? Have both teams alternate practice locations from Norcorss, Forsyth, and South Forsyth. THAT is a great idea ... sadly, Logic and Reason have no place in youth soccer!
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Post by greenmonkey on May 6, 2018 13:36:47 GMT -5
He is correct! The deal for AFU and AFC is only for 1 year. In a year they will have to make a decision to drop ECNL/NPL or can't compete in the Piedmont League. And what will you tell parents then? It would be suicide for AFU to give up ECNL. The deal is not a secret, but its just a temporary fix. Next year AFU will join SCCL. SoccerMom two questions for clarity By next year AFU/AFC will join SCCL do you mean the 2018-2019 season or the 2019-2020 season. And again for clarity If a club keeps US Club Soccer affiliation (ie: ECNL) they will not be able to keep US Youth Soccer affiliation (ie: Georgia Soccer/ODP/NL) and that is why they might wish to create a SCCL so that the "non" ECNL teams would still have a competitive league to play in? I think I now understand why the DA / ECNL choice could be "mandated" but then why would UFA which would presumably want to keep DA wish to severe ties with US Youth Soccer affiliation (ie: Georgia Soccer)?
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Post by greenmonkey on May 4, 2018 15:22:44 GMT -5
At NTH the Buckhead location is always the location for the top teams in each age group on the girls side DA and ECNL But just for the sake of talking big picture ... Yes I understand all the girls on all the DA and ECNL teams are playing out of the Buckhead location however; at some point I assume some girls from Metro North or LSA who are talented and interested enough will then tryout and play on the DA or ECNL team. Just as by reputation there are many girls from Concorde Central, Concorde North, UFA, UFA, GSA, SSA, etc. who are interested and talented enough to also tryout for (and make) the Buckhead DA and ECNL TopHat teams. But those same girls from Concorde Central and Concorde North who are interested or talented enough could also choose to tryout at Concorde Central for DA and ECNL since that is the location listed on their website for ECNL and DA. Likewise a Concorde North girl may be located closer to UFA and wish to try out for that GDA. Etc. etc. etc. So why wouldn't a GSA ECNL team draw from both the GSA North (Dacula) and GSA South (Lilburn) talent pools regardless of which location the ECNL team trains out of?
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Post by greenmonkey on May 4, 2018 14:57:47 GMT -5
YES! Especially at tournaments when they do the international player ref game ball walk out!!!
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