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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 25, 2023 17:19:14 GMT -5
Wanted to add my appreciation for this forum. I played Classic soccer before the days of ECNL, ECNL-RL, and SCCL. This forum has helped me understand all the changes to soccer in Georgia since that time. Without it, I’d be another confused Academy parent trying to make sense of all of the “elite” leagues and teams. Hear, hear! Same. It allowed me to be WAY more informed and make better decisions for my kid(s). I was on this around the same time the old forum was going away, and I can say without a doubt, this is SOOOOO much better than the old forum. Trying to find info in the old forum was like looking for a needle in the haystack.... 50 pages of insults, repeated gibberish or insult lines that took up 10 pages just to annoy other posters, then a page that had one good insight, followed by more of the same nonsense. Ugh. Then this came along, bless you. As for the progressive vs conservative slants on here, I trend more conservative, but I like that both sides are allowed to speak freely. I also like that it still takes ALOT to get a thread locked or removed. It great that all voices are allowed to be heard. In fact there have been times where I've seen post and been like "oh, that's getting this thread locked!" only to be proven wrong. Anyway, congratulations and thanks from this poster!!!
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 25, 2023 17:02:59 GMT -5
Well long story short. Dropped xfinity internet so lost peacock. Did it also around the time when they dropped peacock as a free service. Then today I found this college student discount of &1.99 a month. Can’t beat that. having trouble cut n pasting link from my phone Google - peacock student discount You're a college student?!?. Good on ya!
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 25, 2023 15:46:35 GMT -5
It's been a few years, but having been a TM in the past I know they, along with the coaches, are obligated to take a LONG on-line class, with a Q&A session at the end of each section (you have to pass) going over proper protocols for behavior around kids, etc. It takes more than a few hours to even finish the courses because it is so thorough. Unfortunately, I can't remember all of the consequences and the steps that will be taken if those guides are possibly broken. The point is, I know they have procedures that will be followed. It is laid out in detail, so I know ECNL has that stuff covered for employment (along with a background check you have to pay for). Any TM's out there with a better memory than mine might be able to shine more light on it. No Team manager involved. They all follow under the uscenterforsafesport.org/ safe sport guidelines. Safe sport and local law enforcement is the procedure. Not the club, not the team manager. That wasn't my point at all. I was never stating the TM was involved, or should be involved, other that to report it with the "see something, say something" motto. I was simply stating that incidents like this ARE a high priority and that they make coaches and TM's take a lengthy course and background check to try and eliminate as many potential chances as possible for this to occur. As someone else said when quoting my original post, that doesn't mean it will change an individual's deranged views who is intent on committing such actions. However, it's also not for a lack of caring by the club or organization, that these things might wind up happening, even with all of the precautions. And you are right, it will be handled by law enforcement when reported. As for why he would be allowed to continue with two other teams, while being removed from just one, is a bit baffling to me. As someone else mentioned, if it's possibly harmful to one team, I don't see why it wouldn't be for the others. I'm guessing lawyers for the club have been contacted and not much more is being officially stated (due to possible legal ramifications) until they are allowed. But it sure allows for rumor and innuendo to run rampant.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 25, 2023 12:39:05 GMT -5
Didn't the same thing happen with Chris Hall, who is actually a decent guy? On one hand it sounds like parents not getting their way and throwing coaches under the bus. On the other hand, James does not have a good reputation (a few google searches and you can find it all) so that's believable. I'd think if there is any doubt at all, it calls for immediate firing - not releasing him from one team leaving the other two teams subjected to his supposed indiscretions. The issue there is firing people off of accusations— because there may be legal repercussions. He has a contract, and I’m sure he pulled it out. I also have heard the rumblings of scenarios you mention. While I disagree with letting him stay while under investigation, no one really knows the actual accusations, what is on paper (we know rumors) and no one knows the SOP for the club and what happens when an accusation like this occurs. If we were asking the right questions, it would be- “what is UFA/ECNL, etc PROTOCOL when an accusation of abuse happens” Whether we like it or not, whatever that procedure is— they have to follow it. And we likely agreed to it when we sign docs. It’s our job as parents to determine if we continue to allow our children in that scenario and whether we choose to stay while they implement the procedure. It’s also our job as parents to say hey enough when people play in our face about our kids and a service we pay for. It's been a few years, but having been a TM in the past I know they, along with the coaches, are obligated to take a LONG on-line class, with a Q&A session at the end of each section (you have to pass) going over proper protocols for behavior around kids, etc. It takes more than a few hours to even finish the courses because it is so thorough. Unfortunately, I can't remember all of the consequences and the steps that will be taken if those guides are possibly broken. The point is, I know they have procedures that will be followed. It is laid out in detail, so I know ECNL has that stuff covered for employment (along with a background check you have to pay for). Any TM's out there with a better memory than mine might be able to shine more light on it.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 24, 2023 20:22:35 GMT -5
|me tink y u so mad bro| |me tink u need c sombodi bout u anga|
|me tink i never manage funds ever in odp| |me tink u tink u no me| |me tink u wong again|
all jokes aside - If you are having a mental health crisis, you can call one of these free helplines: Teen Line: 800-852-8336
NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Georgia Crisis & Access Line: 1-800-715-4225 Crisis Support Services national helpline: 800-273-8255 SAMHSA's National Helpline: 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357)
You’re supposedly a grown ass woman. Please don’t resort to using sarcastic suggestions or comments about someone else’s mental health. There are a lot of things more important or bigger than doing your absolute best impression of an illiterate youth soccer mole. Maybe it’s time to retire this silly ass persona and actually contribute as a serious (or at the very least productive?) member of this community Very well said!
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 24, 2023 17:00:27 GMT -5
Thanks misssoccergurl for getting the info out. Anyone know what will happen now with those teams. Heard James was coaching 3 ECNL teams? And "me tinks", you have too much free time. It’s actually me tink. I said it incorrectly as me tinks. Doesn't matter, it's annoying either way.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 24, 2023 11:41:32 GMT -5
Me tinks spill the freaking beans! Fiona isn’t capable of being honest. Passive aggression is her go to Although I'm not a fan of the 'me tinks' lady, she's on to some 'tink' here. I don't know what went down, but heard something happened and it ain't good.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 24, 2023 10:46:55 GMT -5
Although I am quoting BubbleDad, others have mentioned the same or similar about the cost of youth soccer. However, this isn't necessarily just a soccer issue. Have you seen or know of the other youth travel sports out there? Heck, some might say soccer is a bargain by comparison. I wonder if the other sports message boards are having the same arguments? Gymnastics, Volleyball, and Hockey are through the roof prices! Basketball, Softball, and Baseball are right there with soccer. Someone has to pay for the kids to play, in America it falls to the parents, in other countries it seems to have fallen to sponsors or governments mostly. The money has to come from somewhere, should American citizens be asked to carry the cost of youth sports? Countries like Spain are actually starting to make the parents pay more recently (not anywhere near here in the USA) but it is costly to play competitive youth sports. Excerpt from sportsbusinessjournal.com:
Cost Of Participation In Youth Sports In Spain Up Around 20% Since '08
The "regulation of personnel in youth sports -- in addition to other measures like eliminating tax exemptions -- could cause what clubs spend to increase by 20% annually," according to Alberto Martínez of AS. Some clubs and autonomous communities have "raised complaints" with Spain's Superior Sports Council (CSD) over concerns "that accounts are not adding up and that they could be close to raising the cost for athletes." One example is Barcelona's Molins de Rei Club de Futbol, with 25 youth teams from ages 4-19, two amateur teams and one for veterans. The amount that parents of youth players paid last season ranged from €365-€395. That figure that has increased "nearly 30%" since '08 due to a "reduction in the public contribution -- from €12,000-€8,000 -- and the loss of sponsors due to the country's economic crisis: this contribution has fallen from €28,000-€7,000" (AS, 4/21). Just sayin' Well ... of course someone has to pay ... we are paying for what? An elite youth sports system that the world is catching up with b/c they invest in the youth and the USA doesn't if you can't pay. Tophat offers scholarships to pay for club fees which is awesome, but travel and kit costs can break the bank. Not to mention personal training that ranges from $40-85 per hour. Pros who come from Europe to the US complain about the price of soccer and they are millionaires. Sorry if it seemed I was attacking you... I was not. I was simply borrowing your general thought that it was too expensive... which I agree with. I just don't know the answer either. If we did ask the government to help pay, who would they pay? There's too many clubs, big and small. And the government doesn't have the best track record of spending money wisely, along with a strong possibility of even more corruption. Also, they would have to spend on a multitude of sports... and which ones would get preferential payouts? Although we are all here because of our love for soccer, there is a large swath of America that don't see it our way (some even calling it a "communist" sport, ugh). I've even seen it locally, where our county was set to provide us brand new soccer fields only to have them be re-designated for football and baseball, at the last minute. It's the same reason many soccer fields are relegated to flood plains and undesirable locations. Signed - Devil's advocate
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 24, 2023 10:27:13 GMT -5
Film is a must, allows for a rest day as well. That is the beauty of rainouts!! Watch film as a team. Here is the problem that still remains, you could be the next Mia Hamm or Ashley Sanchez (sorry had to), but if your at small club or live outside a major city, you have very little chance these days. Back in the day, these kids could be identified through ODP and regional teams, obviously that is no more. I'll just repeat it, at the end of the day, Vlatko was in over his head. Hence why I'd throw all the money in the world at the UCLA coach or Krikorian. Both teams, moved the ball around, spread the field, and then attack with pace down the flanks. Keep the ball when you need to, but then be direct when Its open. I still think with the proper starting 11, this team walks over all three teams in our group and we avoid sweden and Japan. The top of the bracket was wide open, and I think Spain would have had a tough time against us because of how careless they can be with the ball. And when they beat us in Oct, the starting 11 was lacking quality at left and right back. Their is no question this team and most of the players, can't play in tight spaces or have never been taught how. They don't understand the importance of quick 1 and 2 touches, and then the defenders are off balance and your exploit it. I'm super harsh, Dunn would come off the bench for me, her first touch is absolutely horrendous. Been saying it for years, I don't get how it's even possible. I'm not a Sullivan fan at all, very careless with the ball, then she commits a foul after turning the ball over. Obviously Rapinoe is washed up, and as I mentioned above even in the last world cup with all her goals, they were gifts. When I'm in charge, I'm bringing in 2 full rosters to camp, 3-4 deep at every position. I'd have them show up to the training field decked out in USWNT warmup gear like normal. I'd bring new plain training gear with no branding, other than a nike swoosh. Tell them all to go to the locker rooms and change, and then outfit them with new plain gear for the rest of the week. No USWNT gear can be worn until they earn their spots at the end of the week. Boom done. I'd encourage creativity, but we would be possession driven with mad pace on the wings.
when can I start?IF I had the power, I'd hire you today!! Excellent suggestions and I'm in total agreement with your observations of the current team.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 23, 2023 19:10:41 GMT -5
Has anyone mentioned that soccer in the USA on the elite level is just too damn expensive!!!!! You price out the kids you can teach to combine IQ, athleticism and skill on the pitch. Look at France ... the diversity is crazy ... they are providing training to those with potential. You are right about size on the academy to college level. This U19 cycle of tryouts favored the bigger girls on the ECNL side. Japan proved you can be good without size. Also, kids in America only play soccer when it's organized most times instead of in the streets and random fields. The clubs are gobbling up the fields that non-academy kids can play on. Whew ... we probably won't ever catch up with Europe ... more money and the relentless pursuit to train anyone for free to minimal money to breed the assassins of tomorrow. Although I am quoting BubbleDad, others have mentioned the same or similar about the cost of youth soccer. However, this isn't necessarily just a soccer issue. Have you seen or know of the other youth travel sports out there? Heck, some might say soccer is a bargain by comparison. I wonder if the other sports message boards are having the same arguments? Gymnastics, Volleyball, and Hockey are through the roof prices! Basketball, Softball, and Baseball are right there with soccer. Someone has to pay for the kids to play, in America it falls to the parents, in other countries it seems to have fallen to sponsors or governments mostly. The money has to come from somewhere, should American citizens be asked to carry the cost of youth sports? Countries like Spain are actually starting to make the parents pay more recently (not anywhere near here in the USA) but it is costly to play competitive youth sports. Excerpt from sportsbusinessjournal.com:
Cost Of Participation In Youth Sports In Spain Up Around 20% Since '08
The "regulation of personnel in youth sports -- in addition to other measures like eliminating tax exemptions -- could cause what clubs spend to increase by 20% annually," according to Alberto Martínez of AS. Some clubs and autonomous communities have "raised complaints" with Spain's Superior Sports Council (CSD) over concerns "that accounts are not adding up and that they could be close to raising the cost for athletes." One example is Barcelona's Molins de Rei Club de Futbol, with 25 youth teams from ages 4-19, two amateur teams and one for veterans. The amount that parents of youth players paid last season ranged from €365-€395. That figure that has increased "nearly 30%" since '08 due to a "reduction in the public contribution -- from €12,000-€8,000 -- and the loss of sponsors due to the country's economic crisis: this contribution has fallen from €28,000-€7,000" (AS, 4/21). Just sayin'
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 18, 2023 12:02:41 GMT -5
I'll kick off by saying Rankings Do Not Matter!!! Rankings don't get your player into better colleges, on to YNTs, or even on a pro contract. Focus on working with a skilled coach, fostering exceptional development, and creating an environment that challenges the player to grow and be better. Remember, each of these sources may have its own biases, limitations, data collection methods, or, at times, conflicts since, for some, if you pay, you get promoted. Given the landscape of numerous alphabet soup leagues, each with its own claims of being more elite than the next, it's important to know that determining a single, definitive resource for accurate state-wide records and rankings for club teams can be challenging. I personally am of the belief that, for girls, ECNL and, for boys, MLS-Next Pro (MLS) are the top teams. With that said, a GAL, ECNL boys, or cohesive ECRL team can beat any of those top teams at any time or place. You see, not all the top players, play for the top teams in the top leagues. Some families don't want to travel; others can't justify the costs; and others have other interests that keep them from committing to the top teams. Good-Luck... The original post/question was light hearted . . . I don't care if my kid gets on a college team (pro?, YNT?, how funny!). All I want is for them to be fit and to have the confidence to compete in any situation. If my kid plays through HS, I'll be ecstatic. They are smart enough to be successful with their brain (if they choose to do so) . . . I just hope to provide a pathway to earn physical confidence / development for the rest of their life. Isn't that why we're here? I got what you were saying in the OP. I used to look around for those sites that rank teams too. Mostly for fun and to see if I could determine how tough the opponent might be for a tournament against a team we have never played or to see where our team might stack up against a team we just played against. It was never about necessarily about seeing if we were THE top-ranked team. Unfortunately, as others have stated, there isn't an accurate site out there like others have mentioned because it can be manipulated by the data being input (or not input), the team rosters change year to year, etc. I wound up to just using the sites mentioned as a "ballpark" to compare teams and mostly wound up trusting the coaches knowledge as they tend to get much more information about the teams by comparing notes with each other. That would probably be your best source of info.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 17, 2023 12:37:30 GMT -5
You mean like Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, Alyssa Thompson, Naomi Girma, Lynn Williams, Crystal Dunn, Sofia Huerta, Ashley Sanchez, and Alana Cook. Did you forget about them or they just don't fit the narrative that you are trying to push? That is 9 out of 23 players on the USWNT World Cup roster that are races other than white. The percentages of white and non-white players pretty well mirrors the US population. But again, don't let the facts get in the way of the narrative that you are trying to push. Are you really trying to say those players do not have a white parent? Are you serious? Crystal Dunn obviously does not have a white parent but then she doesn’t get much love on the team if she has the audacity to want to play in midfield not at fullback. I think it’s hilarious people jump on me whenever race is brought up but that’s typical behavior from a lot of people. You can bring up gender ALL day on this forum but the minute you bring up race people throw their arms up and oh you want to play the race card. Well I get sick of people playing the gender card all the time on this forum. Fact of the matter is the US women’s team is not a representation of the country. The men do a far better job at diversity on the team even though I’m still looking for some Asians also. Maybe that’s because the men’s team is not come good ole girls network to get paid. I find it hilarious the women are so concerned about getting paid from the national team but you never hear dudes talking about how much they make playing on the national team. Wow. Talk about gaslighting, yeesh. but I'll bite... Quote: "...the US women's team is not a representation of the country". Response: You actually said this??? Do we have non-citizens on this team? No, We are all Americans. When the USA Basketball teams play on the international stage, I don't look at how many people of color are on the team, I just cheer them on because they are American. If you wanted to truly have accurate representation by race on this team you would have: 3 - black 4 - Hispanic 2 - Asian/Polynesian 1 - Native American 16 - Caucasian Are you seriously suggesting that this is how the team should be constructed? If that is the case, it looks like the US Men's team is gonna have to do some serious cuts from the black quota, as they made up roughly 50% of the team in the 2022 World Cup. Now... do I care that the ratios for that team are "out-of-whack" according to your diversity statement?... NO! Absolutely not! And you know why... they are American, that's all I care about. I think this ^^ is the reason people "jump" on you whenever race is brought up.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 10, 2023 16:53:54 GMT -5
Maybe. Because we want to focus on the teams or because we want to see which coach we will go after? Who is the best soccer coach in the world? So that the focus on the game/sport is on the teams still playing and not the USA's coaching issues. If/when we fire our coach, it will be big news that will, fair or not, take a lot of the current focus off of the teams still in the WWC. That's just a guess on my part, assuming we've already made a decision to fire him. OTOH, it could be that we haven't made a decision yet. Maybe our future coach is still currently coaching in the world cup and they need to wait until their current team is knocked out? Seen it happen in the NFL before... just a thought. I don't put much stock in the USSF caring about the Women's World Cup so much that they put off making their own team better for the sake of the tourney.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 9, 2023 14:22:47 GMT -5
Too many people- especially in the media, academia, and at big corporations- think Twitter actually speaks for the majority of people. News flash- it doesn't! About 5% of the population is truly active on Twitter, and it is heavily over-indexed with those on the far left & far right of the political spectrum. The vast, vast majority falls into the huge middle that doesn't really care and has better things to do with their life. I think I represent the feelings of a big chunk of America as far as the USWNT goes- I was pulling hard for them to win AS A TEAM, and for our country, even though I don't agree with most of the individual politics that have almost overtaken the team over the past several years. I truly think most people can and do separate that- if they pay attention to the political side of it at all- but Twitter, the media, etc. don't want us to believe that. That's too nuanced of a view for them to handle. Everything has to be more divisive and explosive- you are either 100% on board with this team, politics and all, or you're a woman-hating neocon neanderthal who pulls against their own country to prove a political point. So many say they wish we could put politics together and unite as a country. The sad thing is, most of the people that say that really mean they want you to start agreeing with them and seeing things their way- that's the only way they will accept us all "uniting". Yet another well made point. I'm in that huge middle myself.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 9, 2023 14:15:40 GMT -5
The USWNT team played the “boom ball” that club soccer people deride. Despite having loads of talent, they were coached to play garbage ball. Let’s turn the page and find a new manager and get some more of the young players overseas where competition is mandatory. Having a team comprised of players whose #1 priority is to play for the name on the front would be fine as well. Well said! And I think it's kid of amazing (and at the same time sad) that EVERY single person I have talked to that has been around the girls club soccer from coaches to players to parents) have all stated basically everything you said about style of play (garbage ball/boom ball). I can't believe that at our highest level, they can't practice what they have preached about in youth soccer for years!!!
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 7, 2023 17:00:14 GMT -5
Thoughts??
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 5, 2023 13:40:15 GMT -5
Will be extremely interesting, similar to the Portugal game, not sure if the USWNT has ever been in this situation, with their backs against the wall. Obviously it's a new tournament now and your goal is to advance out of group play. Does it make them play tight or loose? Sophia Smith clearly couldn't adjust last game. Really wish Ashley Sanchez had gotten some minutes, love her energy and what she brings to the central part of the field -- she can play. She seems to be much more active in finding herself holes in the defense and playing balls to feet. What changes does coach make? like others said, do you move Ertz back to her national position? tactically we have to do something different, if Sweden plays with a 4 person diamond in the midfield, we could be in trouble again. There fortunate that England and France are on the other side of the bracket. Stupid question, but why are US and Netherlands on the same side of the bracket -- I thought they would alternate group winners and 2nd place on both sides to avoid rematches? granted its not until the semis' but is the mens the same way? Agree on Sanchez. Much rather her than Demelo even though I like her. She doesn’t have the chemistry having never been with the team and boy are we lacking some chemistry! Maybe put Mewis in as a sub. She has something to prove. She had a tough early 20’s in pro soccer and had to fight hard to stay in the game. She is there and her sister is not and she would play for two people. Also she seems to just find spots that I don’t see the other a find. Please yes on Ertz!!! Agree the World Cup is different this time. Heavy hitters going down and minnows advancing. Love that Jamaica is in. Great story and representing Concacaf well. Who would have thought that Germany, Brazil and defending Olympic champs Canada would not advance to the knock out rounds?!?! Anyone here think Morocco would be in and Germany out especially after Germany trounced them 6-0?!?! This is very good for women’s soccer. Liga MX women’s league is good for women’s soccer. As much as we are worried about them as individuals Chloe Ricketts, Riley Jackson, Alyssa Thompson, Olivia Moultrie, Melanie Barcenas, and so on is good for women’s soccer. I am not caught up on the whole forum from a busy last few days, but if no one posted this article please read this analysis from the Athletic. Vlatko is our problem. Tactically not making the right calls. theathletic.com/4747722/2023/08/03/uswnt-portugal-analyis-world-cup/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983It's behind a pay wall, but if you want to copy and paste it or just sections of it, I would read it.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 3, 2023 21:26:34 GMT -5
First off, let me stipulate that I no nothing about the legal profession, antitrust measure, and the like. Nothing, nada ... but I'm bored so I thought I'd play along. So you can also ignore this if you'd like. If I wanted to open a Chic-Fil-a, had the money and the means, but then specifically requested that I wanted to open one within a few miles of 5 other Chic-Fil-a's and was told "no" by the Chic-Fil-a corporation because they didn't think it would benefit them or the other franchises, would I have a lawsuit? nope. Because CFA vets franchisees and assigns them where CFA wants to open a new store, NOT where you want to open one. Grab your family and go… somewhere. Yep, I actually do know this... it was a hypothetical. The question is, if a corporation/business feels it already has enough locations and the market is saturated, why would you as a corporation/business be obligated to add yet another location in the area and take away from your current franchisees market share. Let's make it a Chipotle instead, lol.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 3, 2023 16:22:42 GMT -5
Not antitrust lawyer, but two or more groups acting to restrict competition or boycott a competitor within top tier market for their own benefit by excluding the potential competitor might be a theory. Given the market, we all know you can charge more so potential negative impact on consumers as well as on the boycotted victim. There can be reasonable justifications for exclusions-not adequate training etc-but unlikely to be supported here. Would require commercial activity as judicially defined. Bet there are lots of smoking gun texts/emails around the time based on this article if discovered too. Group boycotts are a per se antitrust violation if elements proven. As i said, not my circus…so no more from me…but i thought it was interesting First off, let me stipulate that I no nothing about the legal profession, antitrust measure, and the like. Nothing, nada ... but I'm bored so I thought I'd play along. So you can also ignore this if you'd like. If I wanted to open a Chic-Fil-a, had the money and the means, but then specifically requested that I wanted to open one within a few miles of 5 other Chic-Fil-a's and was told "no" by the Chic-Fil-a corporation because they didn't think it would benefit them or the other franchises, would I have a lawsuit?
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 3, 2023 14:28:10 GMT -5
Carli Lloyd has been saying a whole lot! I know she is in television now, but she sure has no filter when it comes to her former team, but I heard she is backtracking on what she said. The US has so much talent, so I hope they can work it out before Sweden, but not having Lavelle is critical. Well done to Brazilian player Marta for an outstanding career, but congrats to Jamaica for making history. Japan is playing amazing soccer and didn’t expect Canada, Brazil and Germany to get eliminated. So many upsets, the world has caught up. The Round of 16 will be very interesting to watch. Don’t think she’s backtracking, I think she’s just clarifying her initial postgame comments. Yep, if you watch the video Soccerhouse posted, Press and Tobin say flat out... "that's just who Carli Lloyd is!!!" They totally get what she is saying and expect comments like that from her. (not in a bad way).
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 3, 2023 10:04:40 GMT -5
Ha, I found this on my own and came to post it, but you beat me to the punch. I did like the Tobin and Press discussion toward the beginning and they basically stated what bolo, rifle, keeper and others have been saying on here. It's not the players and the talent on this team that's the problem... it's has everything to do with what the coach can (or should) be observing, controlling and adjusting. Player groupings, using the depth of the bench, working as a team, playing people out of position, etc. Here's another good breakdown of the game against Portugal that makes similar points: Attacking Third: Soccer Highlights and Commentary on youtube as well. Lots of the comments on this video are absolute fire. Worth reading. Agreed. I wish I knew how to post the video like Soccerhouse did, instead of posting a link. One thing I liked that they said and I have been saying since the first game, is put Julie Ertz back in her number 6 position. She would help the midfield immensely and control the tempo of the game for the USA. ETA: Unrelated but interesting... I saw an article a week or so ago that stated approx. 20% of all the players in the World Cup either played or are currently playing college soccer in the United States. That's 1 out of every 5 players have extended their soccer career here in our country. That's alot!
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 2, 2023 19:58:37 GMT -5
The daily discussion is a good listen: Ha, I found this on my own and came to post it, but you beat me to the punch. I did like the Tobin and Press discussion toward the beginning and they basically stated what bolo, rifle, keeper and others have been saying on here. It's not the players and the talent on this team that's the problem... it's has everything to do with what the coach can (or should) be observing, controlling and adjusting. Player groupings, using the depth of the bench, working as a team, playing people out of position, etc. Here's another good breakdown of the game against Portugal that makes similar points: Attacking Third: Soccer Highlights and Commentary on youtube as well.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 2, 2023 12:33:49 GMT -5
These USA games have looked too much like college soccer. Running running running. The players definitely have skills + athleticism but they don’t seem to have the brains to see and solve. Too much “kick it past them and try to run around them”. Certainly many goals in soccer are scored from crosses but to have no other idea… is going to be our downfall. I don't know if I can generalize it to ALL of college soccer, because I have seen some quality college teams that don't take that approach and have been very successful... but... the rest of what you said I agree with. I am seeing the same thing, along with alot of individual efforts and trying to take on 1, 2, even 3 players at a time. As you said, they have skill and athleticism but don't seem to realize that isn't enough nowadays. The other teams have caught up on defending and it will take ball movement and tactics to take those attributes and put them to good use. Unfortunately, that is where coaching comes in, and this Vlatko seems to be relying on the old school philosophy that our American girls are simply bigger, faster, stronger. My kids' own club coach would be screaming at his players for attempting some of what our USWNT team are doing. Add on to that, no player adjustments, seemingly no tactical changes, formations, etc. Of course this is all JMHO, but the USA won't be going much farther if some soul-searching and introspection don't take place about what is causing the lack of production.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 1, 2023 21:37:27 GMT -5
Anyone now the $$$ amount she will be getting?? Is it worth the cost of admission at Duke and then some?
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 1, 2023 12:24:57 GMT -5
We're going home soon. The coach is terrible and the team isn't a team. Time to blow it up, retire anyone over 28, and start over. That's the "gut" feeling I have too. How did we wind up with this coach again?? Don't know anything about him, but just having watched from the time he took over, he hasn't shown me anything that says he should have been given this opportunity. I was told, by some people that follow the USWNT closer, that he was recommended by a couple of the more influential players currently on the team. Is that true?
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Post by soccerlegacy on Jul 27, 2023 15:48:23 GMT -5
Now Suarez? How are they staying within the MLS salary rules? At this rate, they will dominate for years. I don't see this being good for the league in the long run as other clubs and fans will be turned off with the inability of their team to compete and win versus a "super" club. Love watching the new Inter players but just not in a league they really are too good to play in. They aren't. And that's the thing about all of this... they have kept a salary cap, a DP cap, and all these other funky rules in MLS to keep parity in the MLS. Now, I don't have a problem with this being their goal (though I'm not a fan either) and understand they have been trying to build something sustainable, taking a longer path to creating an entertaining league... but they are just throwing away all credibility they had by allowing one team to usurp these rules. Either uphold the rules you have in place with all teams, or finally rip the constraints off the rest of the teams and allow them to pursue quality players that can compete fairly with the obvious hypocrisy that is the Inter Miami team.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Jul 26, 2023 22:07:25 GMT -5
So that is/was a dude?
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Post by soccerlegacy on Jul 26, 2023 10:34:47 GMT -5
I think people’s problem with Kap was he was black & didn’t shut up and just play the game. Meanwhile, the white woman gets to speak her mind/complain but she is just outspoken. Plus the fact that she’s gay allows her bulletproofness as you will be labeled a gay hater if you criticize. Kap isn't actually black but mulatto. Birth parents were white mom and black dad. Personally couldn't care about his race. He lost me with the pig / cop socks. Also couldn't care that Rapinoe is gay. Many great women players are gay and no one cares. My favorite was Tobin Heath - hard working grinder with great skill. Abby Wambach was all out on the field (and off) and all anyone cared about was her great play - for the team. Rapinoe is an attention seeking ball of negative energy that creates a toxic environment everywhere she goes. Agreed on all of this. Case in point for Rapinoe being "an attention seeking ball of negative energy", she announced her retirement right BEFORE the World Cup so that she could get this "going away" party and make this CUP (as much of this as she can) about her. She could have gone the Carly Lloyd route and waited until after, so as not to distract the attention away from the team... but it looks like she doesn't get the old saying "There is no "I" in "team".
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Post by soccerlegacy on Jul 26, 2023 10:12:18 GMT -5
That was an utter embarrassment! I said after the 2nd goal that Pineda should have yanked at least 3-4 players right then and there before the next kickoff and send a message that the lack of effort defending (leaving multiple players unmarked) and the inability to understand the situational awareness would not be tolerated.
Messi and Sergio Busquets? are still incredibly talented in the older age, so it doesn't take much to make them look other-worldly when you match them up against a team that has a midfield worse than my local high school to play against (minus Almada). Arthur Blank should be embarrassed, the new CEO Lagerway should be embarrassed, and Carlos Bocenagra? should have a pink slip under his door because of it. He has been the single worst part of the destruction that has left this ATL UTD side in the condition it is in.
The good thing is, all we need to fix this is to get a mega-star to come play for Atlanta so we can get the privileges than no other MLS team is afforded, the MLS to apply the rules unevenly to give us an advantage over the all the other clubs, and we should be able to climb back to the top from wince Bocenagra knocked us down from.
How'd I do?
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Post by soccerlegacy on Jul 20, 2023 16:13:11 GMT -5
It’s definitely crazy to know that until about ten years ago we had fairly legit P/R (local/state/regional/national) in a single pyramid - then US Club Soccer stormed the castle and it’s been a broken mess ever since. Edit: Remember when state cup was something? Yea, the states completely dropped the ball. I remember watching a US Soccer meeting and all the states stood up congratulating Sunil Gulati etc. They needed to all come together and take a stand, the age mandate is and always will be sticking point for me. The idiots at US soccer couldn't' even tell us what age group a kid born in 2004 was. It was embarrassing. State organizations used to have meaning and power, now they are a complete after thought. I don't even understand how they are still in business. The feds take a lot of responsibility, but the states should have come together and taken a stand Yep... "the age mandate is and always will be a sticking point for me" is exactly where I am as well.
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