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Post by greenmonkey on Mar 7, 2016 16:46:29 GMT -5
I just finished reading the April Heinrichs interview that SoccerMom had posted on another thread and I found this very interesting quote ...
"– let’s be clear, Mallory Pugh and Lindsey Horan are exceptions rather than the norm. Ten years ago our best Under-20 graduates would leave our Under-20 program and would fight the first year or two of college to be one of the better players on their [NCAA] team. Now, most of our Under-20 players leave the Under-20 program and go into their college program and they’re one of the better players at the start."
I should hope that "most" of the players leaving the U20 program would end up "one of the better players" on their college team.
Is it because my daughter is still academy age not Athena or because we live in Atlanta (with so many strong clubs to choose from) or that when we travel we see strong teams from NC, TN, TX, and FL that I am somehow naive to this apparent lack of enough talented female soccer players in the US?
I am not fighting the birth year change or the ECNL vs. DA or any other recent US Soccer initiatives ...
I guess what I'm saying is that its a great thing that no matter what "level" of soccer your daughter wants to play at or is capable of playing at ... It appears there is a place for them somewhere ... But I had no idea someone had to go Grenada to find a team environment that would challenge and develop them?
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Post by greenmonkey on Mar 7, 2016 16:28:00 GMT -5
Thank you the link to an interesting read.
I have a few "quotes" that I think provide a basis for some interesting conversation ... At least I would enjoy hearing what others have to say on the topic.
1. "I understand all the points of how early specialization might also not be great for a player ... But the fact that our sport has shifted to an early-specialization sport over the last 10 to 15 years, the good part of it is that players … are touching the ball more often, they’re developing both feet, they’re developing their technical ability not just with their feet, but all the other surfaces that you use… and along with that, their tactical understanding is a little bit more evolved than it was 10 years ago, I’d say. So the early specialization piece has served us well, and it’s the direction we need to go, evolutionarily."
---- So because the girls are a little bit more evolved than a few years ago early specialization has served us well and it's the direction we need to go???!!!!! Could it also possibly be more girls playing sports? Or more girls having access to organized coaching? Or earlier puberty? Bovine Growth Hormones in our milk? Or pick any other variable available to justify "early specialization" ... (Yes that is some sarcasm seeping into my argument)
Also if few if any of our current women's national team superstars did not specialize then why the need now? I'm curious can anyone find out if Pugh or Doran "specialized". Also by specialized are we talking sport or player position? Wasn't Hope Solo a top ranked forward for her high school team?
Looking forward to some healthy debate on this.
GM
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Post by greenmonkey on Nov 10, 2015 19:02:44 GMT -5
"Commissioner, Sarah Kate Noftsinger will be leaving the League to pursue a new role with MLS club Atlanta United FC effective November 30."
Okay I'll bite ... anyone want to speculate or confirm what "new role"?
GM
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Post by greenmonkey on Nov 10, 2015 18:57:46 GMT -5
Yes I will admit I watched a great deal of conference championship games this past weekend and I look forward to 3 more weekends of soccer to come ... wish we could go watch the championship weekend in NC in a few weeks but I think the girls will be busy playing in local tournrys here ...
One statistic I heard this weekend was the ACC is sending something like 8 teams ... Overwhelmingly seemed to be the "strongest" conference in the opinion of the analysts I heard.
Would be interested in opinions?
As for my house ... The girls are FSU fans and routing for a repeat!
GM
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Post by greenmonkey on Aug 27, 2015 16:25:03 GMT -5
In light of all the "bad" news in the world ...
I picked up a book to read during the soccer practice "wait"
It's really a great TRUE story ... Outcasts United by Warren St John about a young Jordanian woman named Luma Mufleh who was a U14 girls select soccer coach at Decatur-DeKalb YMCA about 10 years ago before she moved to Clarkson Georgia to coach 3 teams of boys made up entirely of immigrant refugees ...
I'm only half way through and I know I'm late to the party since this was mid-late 2000s but this seemed like a great book and story to share .... Especially if you have any soccer crazed kids who need a book report or biography to read!
GM
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Post by greenmonkey on Jul 29, 2015 11:41:56 GMT -5
So do I understand this to read that they are actually adding another player to the current U9-U10 6v6 players to make it 7 total?
I do like the "barrier line" idea to promote non pressure play from the back ... Tough on the refs tho who are already trying to introduce enforcing offsides
I know the calendar year versus school year versus ODP year vs soccer club year is a discussion many have opinions on ...
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Post by greenmonkey on Jul 29, 2015 11:33:00 GMT -5
Presale to Supports Club Members start tomorrow.
GM
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Post by greenmonkey on Jul 19, 2015 18:21:17 GMT -5
Sydney Leroux ankle surgery out for 3-4 months. and Alex Morgan knee surgery out for 3-4 weeks. what do you think forum is it World Cup Turf Tragedy or just coincidence happens to a couple pro players after any major tournament like a World Cup? www.nwslsoccer.com/home/886676.html
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 29, 2015 14:43:00 GMT -5
Regardless of what "they" name it I'm more curious about how exactly "it" will affect youth soccer in Atlanta? I "thought" it was no different than how a Major League Baseball team and little league or NFL and say PopWarner football but I guess it's much different in that a MLS team will have a youth training academy? Can someone outline the basics of what or how it may or may not help or hinder youth soccer?
Thanks GM
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 23, 2015 13:15:00 GMT -5
I think it is worse than USWNT has been caught. I think the development of this team may have been put back by a generation of players. Meaning that the old guard being able to [apparently] dictate terms of their own departures, new [and very promising] players being left out of the fold [look at U23s that deserve a chance], and questionable talent identification by the current regime, has created a gap that may linger for a while. I hope not, but I am not optimistic based on what I see [although I am by no means a soccer expert like others on the board, just a casual observer]. Anyway, this article is interesting and summarizes some points we have all been making. Not sure I agree that some of those players would instantly make the team better, but I get the author's main point: USWNT Player SelectionsTHIS Zizou is EXACTLY what I have been trying to articulate these past few weeks. The soccer I have been watching "this" generation (my young academy players) play from the sidelines as a parent for the past few years is very very very different than the professional soccer our girls in the uswnt have been playing. I have heard it reiterated over and over and over again for years from the sidelines of her academy games ... "we teach possession soccer, play from the back, distribute the ball (i.e. unselfish play versus ball hog), crisp clean passes, individual foot skills and creativity, willingness and ability to go 1v1 and 2v1 and win the ball" So um ... if the young academy players "get it" ... how is it not being played that way profesionally?I think YES you are right and its because there is that "generation gap" ... Without drifting too far off topic ... I wonder if the lack of opportunities for women to play professional soccer are partly to blame? (isn't NWSL the 3rd attempt at a professional women league in the past decade?) Then again don't most of the "younger generation" always arise with a we know better, can do it better, etc. mentality anyway :-) I hear or read over and over that the "younger" players on our current wswnt team and news teams say its for the love of the game and FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS that they play professional soccer (clearly not the money unless its endorsements) and that "they" know they are "entrusted" with creating, maintaining, providing, uplifting, inspiring "the next generation" of women soccer players. I have not watched the prettiest soccer these past few games from the uswnt but you can't deny the passion, fire, fight, desire, and dreams that its inspiring in my daughter. So at least they are getting that aspect of their job right :-) I think we all agree we are still fans of the players and of the team and yep I agree that there is PLENTY of opportunity for some better soccer to be played from the uswnt and hopefully we get to see some of it ... soon.
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 5, 2015 10:25:37 GMT -5
lots of parks simulcast sporting events all the time would love if a soccer club in town could do the same for a USWNT game after all the spring "chaos" at all the clubs this would be a great way to celebrate soccer together ps don't forget to invite me GM
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 4, 2015 12:45:25 GMT -5
r][/quote]CF did their ECNL tryouts in the morning unlike the other 3 Im hearing tho...that the ECNL teams may not be able to field an RPL team as well after all...I have heard this about 2 of the 4 clubs. I guess we wait and see what happens RPL includes FL, TN , AL, SC & NC[/quote] Bravo Zulu to CF for morning tryouts ... Yes for the working parent that must have been a nightmare but 3 clubs per day after work can't be a thrill either ... Also thanks StrikerMom .... I Found the link to RPL qualifiers www.georgiasoccer.org/region_3_premier_league_georgia_qualifiers/
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 4, 2015 10:42:53 GMT -5
Aha so now I understand
So it seems to me the real issue comes back to the craziness of how tryouts are scheduled ...
Because yes if my daughter wanted to try for ECNL then yes I would drive to the "destination" club
but if she isn't ECNL or RPL team ... I would then prefer to try out closer to home ...
But with tryouts all the same 3-4 days mostly all at the same times that starts to funnel your decision into it makes more "sense" to try out a one club and have the "guarantee" of at least having a spot on a team
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 4, 2015 10:31:40 GMT -5
Zeal without knowledge is fire without light ... Thomas Fuller
or as my college coach said
Enthusiasm without knowledge is like running around in the dark.
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 4, 2015 9:58:12 GMT -5
I'm not in this fray yet so my question is basic ... My understanding is only 4 clubs can "compete" in the ECNL league ... TH, CF, AFU and GSA? Which clubs can "compete" at RPL? Is it the same four clubs or are there more clubs as well. And is my understanding that RPL is by "invite" only year to year based on the prior years team "earning" the RPL spot by finishing well enough? So in "theory" (are we tired of my air quotes yet) If a LARGE club (UFA, CF, etc) has an ECNL team and a RPL team then wouldn't they also still have as many Athena teams as they still have players to play? Help me understand how adding more teams is bad? Ultimately isn't the "goal" for every girl that wants to play to have a team available at her level of play? Or maybe I'm drinking too much of the glass half full kool-aid. I'm sure someone can add some vinegar to my sweetness GM
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 3, 2015 14:15:37 GMT -5
My two cents (and that's the reason forums exist isn't it really for us to share our two cents) ...
I have decided this ....
The amazing thing about Atlanta (where I suspect a majority of us reside) is that ...
There IS a club for every single soccer player who wants to play ...
Really doesn't it all comes down to WHERE not IF your player will play soccer.
The decisions on where to tryout really are ours not "the clubs". (or the leagues the clubs play in)
Do you want a big club or little club? Is your player a big fish little pond or big pond lots of fish? Neighboorhood club with school friends? Closest club not meeting your players needs? Favorite coach? Are family "vacations" to tournament destinations your thing? Don't care for ECNL/DA/ODP or alphabet soup there's still lots of club choices for you. Etc Etc Etc
I know my player I know their strengths AND their weakness(es) and I know enough information about the clubs to form an option on what "should" "work" for our family and which ones might not ...
Am I just sunshine, roses and optimism?
Good Luck and may all of our players find teams and coaches and teammates at clubs that create many many opportunities for all those great soccer moments and memories we all wish for our players.
GM
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Post by greenmonkey on Jun 2, 2015 5:59:33 GMT -5
FOX reran the 1999 WWC last night .... My daughter is reading the Mia Hamm story and can't wait to see the game ... Shhhhhh don't tell us how it ends
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Post by greenmonkey on May 31, 2015 13:59:32 GMT -5
soccerhouse ... I've heard of severs and wonder if it's that or if it's more "muscular" from perhaps not stretching enough or properly ... Any sever advice ? Podiatrist? Her regular pediatrician? Inserts? KT Tape? Stretched? we've tried the nxtmile soccer inserts and they are great in her turf shoes but the "firm ground" or cleats as I call them in my ignorance are the ones that she has a tough time getting comfortable in ... Shes just been training and playing in the turf shoe ... She would live in those predators turfs all day everyday I am looking forward to exiting youth sizes too ... Price (within reason) is not the issue finding the right depth that allows a heel cup or insert or better yet finding a shoe she feels good in outside without replacing inserts Llyods hasn't been all the knowledgeable when we've been in ... They ask us what size and color and when she tries to get better info they just well this one or that one is what they sell the most of. We can't figure out if she likes the conical or the triangle or the "blade" shaped "cleats" on the bottom ... The old Nike tiempo rio was in her words comfortable on the bottom but she didn't like the "feel" on the ball I really hope the Addidas launch next month of the Control Ace is the answer Cinderella had it easy
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Post by greenmonkey on May 30, 2015 22:52:18 GMT -5
Help? i know everyone's busy with tryouts and state cup but ... Growth spurt = new cleats Addidas Redesign = discontinued "favorite" cleat Player shoe size = still in youth sizes AND she waivers between heel pain and sometimes prefers using a gel insert or heelcup so most of the Nikes usually run too narrow. Turf Shoes seem to make her feet "happier" than a "cleat" but with the wet rainy fields they seem to play on more than not the turf shoes don't give her the traction. would love to hear what "the kids" are wearing and what the parents are buying thanks GM
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Post by greenmonkey on May 27, 2015 20:32:58 GMT -5
"Former President Bill Clinton served as the honorary chairman of the U.S. committee that worked unsuccessfully to win the right to host the 2022 World Cup. The surprise winner that year was Qatar--and it turns out that the Qatari committee now planning the massive event has been a major donor to Clinton's charitable foundation. The soccer-related donations to the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation came into focus Wednesday as U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch alleged deep rooted corruption at FIFA, the world's soccer governing organization. Also Wednesday, the Swiss announced a criminal investigation into Qatar's 2022 bid. The Clinton Foundation has no involvement with the investigations." www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/05/27/clinton-foundation-donors-included-fifa-qatar-host-committee/So um ... If the Clinton Foundation has no involvement with the investigations why even mention them in the first place? And I really hope the "timing" of this does not negatively impact the Women's World Cup (don't get me wrong corrupt is corrupt and should be dealt with) 10 DAYS!!!!
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Post by greenmonkey on May 27, 2015 20:23:27 GMT -5
Congratulations Georgia Soccer Forum!
It is not easy being the mom of the new kid in town.
But thanks to this forum I was able to confidently navigate the soccer landscape of the greater Atlanta Area! It's the end of day one of soccer evaluations and it has been an enjoyable, stress-free, well-prepared, and informative journey.
At the end of the day I came home with one very happy soccer player and who could ask for anything more.
I truly could not have done it without the many fine contributors to this forum who have selflessly offered their countless years of been-there experience and knowledge AND took the time to share it all along the way.
THANK YOU not just for answering my few posted questions but also to all the others who were brave enough to post it out there figuring if they had questions maybe someone else did to ... I benefited from so many already asked and answered threads posted.
Now if we could all just figure out how to have the same impact on Georgia weather as you have had on Georgia Soccer.
Good Luck State Cup Participants and Happy Evaluation Season!
See you on the sidelines!
GM
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Post by greenmonkey on May 26, 2015 15:26:15 GMT -5
rain rain go away ... My kid has some soccer to play
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Post by greenmonkey on May 20, 2015 8:19:27 GMT -5
Oh my goodness like we haven't had ENOUGH with the wet washout rain rescheduling in Georgia this spring. I assume clubs must have some sort of contingency plan? You mentioned GA soccer sets the earliest date clubs can start tryouts .... so what exactly are all the dates that are "regulated" by GA soccer. And does anyone have any "historical" perspective ... "I remember x club did this when it rained cats and dogs back in the day"
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Post by greenmonkey on May 18, 2015 12:03:52 GMT -5
AT&T just ran new cable thru my neighborhood and is offering amazing deals to sign up now ... I have informed those who live in my happy home that should they wish to remain happy and in my home they will not under any circumstances deviate from our current charter cable and Internet system that has given us access to every women's soccer game thus far
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Post by greenmonkey on Apr 23, 2015 12:19:25 GMT -5
AND .... In addition to less RAIN in Seattle ... They also have the ... wait for it ... Seattle REIGN !!!!
So I'll take THEIR REIGN over OUR RAIN anyday ...
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Post by greenmonkey on Apr 14, 2015 14:19:08 GMT -5
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Post by greenmonkey on Apr 14, 2015 13:55:00 GMT -5
If you had it to do all over again (or are currently in the middle of it all) ...
Please discuss the pros and cons of the various clubs for the academy age U9-U12 GIRLS in NE Atlanta Area
Especially interested in AFU vs. Concorde Central vs. Concorde North vs. UFA vs. TopHat and any others in that "geographical" area that I may not be aware of.
How are individual players trained and how are teams developed.
Level of competition/Reputation through the state
Depth of Players in the age groups.
Preparedness of girls to move on to Select Soccer.
Coaches who "get" that age girls.
I would prefer to pick 1 club for the next 4 years not try 4 clubs over the next four years :-)
Thanks for your wise wisdom and sage advice.
GreenMonkey Mom
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Post by greenmonkey on Apr 14, 2015 13:31:49 GMT -5
Looking for U14B Concorde Fire Central coaches for the Fall Concorde does not post a list of coaches, either before or after try-outs. Oh I'm soo confused ... All the advice I hear points towards "coaching" making the biggest difference in player development at the academy ages versus which club ... But if Concorde doesn't post coaches then how do you figure out if the coach and player are a good fit for each other? Also at the risk of highjacking the post the follow-up question is this: Other advice I hear is hire a good personal coach for a few sessions. Where does one find a "good personal coach"? Rhetorical Question: Should it really be "this difficult" to sign my kid up to play soccer "competitively" :-)
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Post by greenmonkey on Apr 2, 2015 15:30:01 GMT -5
Thank you this is a question I was looking to get answered that was posted "on other forum" and quickly got steamrolled.
My follow-up question is this:
You all mention the difference "coaching" can make for the player.
Just like the comparison to quality education and teachers ...
If I pick the right club (school) how do I make sure I have the "right" coach (teacher) for my player (student)
Some schools have a parent preference form that asks what type of learning environment is right for your student and what is your students learning style
Not that I am asking for that to happen in soccer ... hmmm although :-)
Seriously though ...
How do you evaluate all those great criteria you mentioned and figure out how that applies to your player.
You don't know who exactly is coaching which team at which club until after players are evaluated in the spring? The evaluation registration language makes it sound like you need to attend all 3 eval days? Let's face it there are many great clubs and many great coaches all within reasonable driving distances ... And all the great coaches might not be the "best coach" for any particular player.
Soccerdad44 gave a great checklist so now ... WHO do I ask or HOW do I found out the answers?
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Post by greenmonkey on Apr 2, 2015 14:53:59 GMT -5
First Thank you to whomever typed in the name of THIS forum on the "other" forum or who knows how long it would have taken to discover you on my own.
Second Thank you for your open respectful diverse range of topics and opinions
I have been "registered" on the forum for all of 30 minutes and have already learned more here than I have sitting 3 years on the "competitive" soccer sidelines.
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