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Post by atlsoccerfan on May 16, 2022 0:10:34 GMT -5
Not hearing that nor following the logic... Actually, I hear great things about many of the AFU coaches from parents inside and outside the club, particularly with the new lineup. As an outsider, AFU appears to be one of the most organized, well run clubs, with a great social media presence that really supports its players and helps get them to the next level. Additionally, while in a couple of boys age groups and one girls group they are at the bottom, in most ages groups, AFU has acceptable to solid teams with other clubs below them who are more likely to be scrutinized. In an era where ECNL continues to add clubs, it seems very unlikely to eliminate a club unless they are absolutely at the bottom in nearly every age group and not competitive in their matches. It would clearly make more sense to eliminate 2nd teams from clubs to consolidate a market. And removing from ECNL, would make them prime to join GA where they would be very competitive (as good as, or better than all but Tophat Gold) and that would make it a loss for ECNL.
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Post by dabe on May 16, 2022 3:41:23 GMT -5
Wish I didn't stumble across this at 430am...my kids really want to play ECNL there next year. Godsend for me since Mirza would have both of them. Few schedule conflicts. Any feedback on him? Seems personable and my kids liked him. Never had the chance to see his teams play, unfortunately.
AFU seems like it can become more competitive if recruiting goes well this year. GSA families seem to be moving over quickly at 08/07G level.
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Post by dadofthree on May 16, 2022 6:06:58 GMT -5
Wish I didn't stumble across this at 430am...my kids really want to play ECNL there next year. Godsend for me since Mirza would have both of them. Few schedule conflicts. Any feedback on him? Seems personable and my kids liked him. Never had the chance to see his teams play, unfortunately. AFU seems like it can become more competitive if recruiting goes well this year. GSA families seem to be moving over quickly at 08/07G level. I think MM is one of the good guys out there. Is tough but fair and tactically very good. Expects alot from the girls and not afraid to use playing time to get them to push to get better. |
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Post by dadofthree on May 16, 2022 6:15:57 GMT -5
Again this whole thread I believe is folks stirring stuff just like happens every year at this time. Just like when Tophat went GA a number of folks wrote their obituary on these pages. AFU when you look at them in totally is a well run club that is in the lower middle of the total pack with ECNL. If you look at the showcases and the nationals there would be 20 clubs that would be eliminated before AFU including a couple in the southeast. That isn't going to happen anytime soon. If for no other reason than ECNL doesn't want to give any ground to GA and as was previously said if AFU did leave ECNL I would bet money GA would swoop in. Just think of the social media announcements etc which rightfully or wrongly state AFU left for a "better" league.
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Post by rifle on May 16, 2022 6:48:45 GMT -5
Agree. This sounds like pot stirring.
Would the same thing happen if individual teams had to compete to qualify for a league/division - rather than clubs being placed in a league by decision?
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Post by bogan on May 16, 2022 6:57:26 GMT -5
Agree. This sounds like pot stirring. Would the same thing happen if individual teams had to compete to qualify for a league/division - rather than clubs being placed in a league by decision? That would be too much like right… |
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Post by funvsoccer on May 16, 2022 7:19:57 GMT -5
AFU North will actually have at least 1 Elite 64 Girls teams. The U16 third team will be an Elite 64 team that according to several parents that spoke directly with Mirza will be made up of players from the ECNL and ECNL-R teams. As far as if AFU will actually lose ECNL, maybe not, at least not yet, but Garth won’t be the reason AFU would maintain ECNL status…you’re giving one man a lot of credit to be able to have that much pull…especially when the teams he manages as assistant DOC at AFU have struggled with being competitive in ECNL since his involvement in those roles. Almost every single age group on both the girls and boys sides ended up in the bottom third of their brackets and were out scored by an average of 3 to 1. Unless AFU can start developing players(from the bottom team to the top team) and retain players and coaches, they won’t be able to improve their standings and ECNL will eventually remove AFU due to lack of competitiveness and development. Otherwise, it will be yet another example proving what we all have said at one point or another on this forum or on the sidelines….these organizations just want our money and don’t truly care about improving the player or the sport! is they keep ecnl would because of the numbers coming from afu south, there’s a risky situation going on for a couple of years and that they haven’t honor the contract with south all the way so it can be they can loose them if so it’s over for one or two programs they offer but they might have something under their sleeves maybe fire east or Atlanta 🤷🏼♂️ They’re in the limbo as for now a prestigious club that for years have so much to ga soccer youth and other than Lightning had more to offer but it seems that they pissed others around them that made big clubs or affiliated to big clubs and disgracefully ga soccer or us youth soccer association will not help and in one way should. |
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Post by funvsoccer on May 16, 2022 7:28:00 GMT -5
Ummm crazzzzzzy for soccer … That logic is absolutely crazy LOL and is exactly why youth soccer sucks. Logic = teams aren’t competitive or “elite” enough = not winning enough games Solution= create more leagues so more teams are more competitive = I mean so more teams win more games. Development does not equal winning games Competitive does not equal winning games I understand what people are trying to say is no one benefits from 10-0 games on either side of that score but without a deep dive on every age group boys and girls ..: is AFU losing every game 10-0 OK then Can a club move each player to each players own next level? If yes then THAT is player development? What goes on day to day on and off the training field matters more HOW players play the game matters more Trust me my kid has lost more games than won in 10 years of playing soccer so should they just quit playing because they are not “competitive enough” What’s that Babe Ruth statistic Ruth hit 714 home runs and struck out 1,330 times. Struck out twice as much as he hit home runs Stick him back in AAA Ball Rant over LOL *** flips the popcorn bowl off the table and storms away*** too many leagues they’re watering quality and player improvement with Travis new so called leagues is an excuse so parents stick around and not leave or demand more as you can see our state has more potential but our way of running youth soccer here sucks and you can see in elite competition we’re not really ever on top most of our teams in elite leagues are at bottom and we shouldn’t, by the way I will be new to mls next u13 parent and my plan is one season possibly two if not able to see his on radar then just go for npl/ecnl and concentrate in scholarships more then pro, he got the opportunity obviously not free but playing against top teams and elite players has to take him a few steps up and if is the opposite we’ll better to find out now then to make sacrifice for 7 more years and find out then. Any pointers are definitely welcome 🙏🏼 |
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Post by georgiatechalum on May 16, 2022 8:40:23 GMT -5
About 4 years a ago around tryout time I got a call from a big club director, recruiting my child. I told him we were looking at a couple of clubs - one being AFU. The director quickly went into how AFU was losing ECNL. I have no insight it whether they will lose it or not and you could certainly make the argument that maybe they should, only point is every year this rumor seems to come up and I would have said my source was reliable too. I would be curious if the original poster got their information from someone within AFU or outside AFU. Seems like a easy question to answer.
BTW - we did not go to AFU but it had nothing to do with the directors comments, what it did do was make me scratch the directors team off from consideration as it gave me a uneasy feeling about that director. IMO clubs would do themselves a favor if they talked up why their club is better vs disparaging others.
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Post by bogan on May 16, 2022 8:46:41 GMT -5
“ IMO clubs would do themselves a favor if they talked up why their club is the best vs disparaging others.”
Yep!
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Post by mightydawg on May 16, 2022 9:22:42 GMT -5
About 4 years a ago around tryout time I got a call from a big club director, recruiting my child. I told him we were looking at a couple of clubs - one being AFU. The director quickly went into how AFU was losing ECNL. I have no insight it whether they will lose it or not and you could certainly make the argument that maybe they should, only point is every year this rumor seems to come up and I would have said my source was reliable too. I would be curious if the original poster got their information from someone within AFU or outside AFU. Seems like a easy question to answer. BTW - we did not go to AFU but it had nothing to do with the directors comments, what it did do was make me scratch the directors team off from consideration as it gave me a uneasy feeling about that director. IMO clubs would do themselves a favor if they talked up why their club is better vs disparaging others. But negative recruiting plays into the fears of parents and players. Unfortunately, see negative recruiting at every level of recruiting. Not much different than political ads--gain more ground by trashing your opponent than by talking about your own ideas. |
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Post by DunwoodySoccerDad on May 16, 2022 9:37:54 GMT -5
We're finishing our 1st year at AFU. I'm the TM for my daughter's team - it's her 6th year playing club soccer and I've been the TM every year. She's played for Concorde and UFA Norcross. My impressions are that AFU is a well-organized club that values communication to its players and parents. If I had to rank the clubs we've played for so far, AFU would be tops, with UFA-N second and Concorde a distant 3rd. That's purely from an organizational/communication perspective.
We have a very good coach and had a good year in ECNL-R. I think a lot of AFU's issues are about lack of talent at some age groups - they just don't have the depth of talent that allows for them to create really good/great top teams. Great example: my youngest plays for Rush Union in Dunwoody (U12). Her team played against both the top U12 Concorde team and the 2nd Concorde team Friday night. We lost 6-1 and 8-1. Felt like a miracle to even score in either game but somehow we got 1 in each game. Next morning, we played AFU's top 2 teams. Our girls were wiped out and completely overwhelmed against AFU's top team - lost 11-0. Tactically I thought both of Concorde's teams were better but AFU had bigger, faster girls who just blew by us. Playing against AFU's 2nd team, we won 3-2 and frankly should've won 4-2 were it not for a questionable foul called late. So our girls were playing their 4th game in a 14-hour span (don't get me started) but somehow beat a team that is slated to play ECNL-R next year after we lost 11-0 to their ECNL team. That's a massive dropoff in talent from one team to the next and illustrated to me why AFU probably struggles so much at ECNL.
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Post by atlantasoccerdad2020 on May 16, 2022 9:57:01 GMT -5
Has anyone else heard that AFU is possibly losing ECNL if they can’t get their club competitive next season? I heard their 08 team might be competitive next year but would that be enough to save the club? Doubt 1 team would be enough? You sound like a very bitter person. Did your precious little child not get a spot on top team, at the worst club as you would say, so now you are scrambling for something? |
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Post by crazzzy4soccer on May 16, 2022 14:14:05 GMT -5
Has anyone else heard that AFU is possibly losing ECNL if they can’t get their club competitive next season? I heard their 08 team might be competitive next year but would that be enough to save the club? Doubt 1 team would be enough? You sound like a very bitter person. Did your precious little child not get a spot on top team, at the worst club as you would say, so now you are scrambling for something? This is so funny actually. My child is very happy on a top team. I was simply doing what is done on discussion forums. Discuss soccer and things we hear. I never said I knew it was true. I wasn’t ugly, hateful like some posts who blast coaches or clubs. I simply asked if anyone else had heard. As a matter of fact I didn’t even comment on AFU as a club since my kids don’t play there. Go kick rocks. Looks like YOUR panties are in a bunch and your projecting that on me. |
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Post by atlantasoccerdad2020 on May 16, 2022 15:06:00 GMT -5
You sound like a very bitter person. Did your precious little child not get a spot on top team, at the worst club as you would say, so now you are scrambling for something? This is so funny actually. My child is very happy on a top team. I was simply doing what is done on discussion forums. Discuss soccer and things we hear. I never said I knew it was true. I wasn’t ugly, hateful like some posts who blast coaches or clubs. I simply asked if anyone else had heard. As a matter of fact I didn’t even comment on AFU as a club since my kids don’t play there. Go kick rocks. Looks like YOUR panties are in a bunch and your projecting that on me. No panties in a bunch or any issues on my end. This thread is a good example of what is wrong with forums. Non fact based lies are easily spread. Look back at comments. One person now has a seed of doubt planted based on bs you heard from a high up source? President of ECNL? Maybe it was a coach or director at another club looking to make themselves better or a tainted parent that had a bad experience because they can’t look in the mirror. Others are calling for the release of name or at least initials of person spreading this nonsense. Actions should have consequences but unfortunately these will go unpunished with unfortunate consequences for some. For your sake you should hope they keep ECNL or else someone will coming gunning for a position at your club and your child could be the casualty. Forgive me for no additional follow up as I have rocks to go kick. |
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Post by dadofthree on May 16, 2022 15:26:41 GMT -5
Agree. This sounds like pot stirring. Would the same thing happen if individual teams had to compete to qualify for a league/division - rather than clubs being placed in a league by decision? Rifle that makes too much sense....how could the clubs make any money from their 2nd and 3rd teams if the top team wasn't in an alphabet league. In all seriousness it would hold them accountable to developing kids and pay a higher premium on coaches who actually knew the game. This would make the 2nd and 3rd team folks go to a team because of the training not the carrot (i.e. patch) being dangled that because this club is this and that club is that it makes them something special. It's as many on the forum have said over the years pro/rel would make alot of this nonsense go away something I wholeheartedly agree with. |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on May 17, 2022 4:44:37 GMT -5
IMO + Insider Info, this is just pure pot stirring by a once powerful disillusioned parent and their minions. Also, as an FYI, the DOC(not eDOC) is on the ECNL Board, so I'm sure his fellow board members would give him a heads-up if this were true. Finally, it must be after May 1st. This type of foolishness will be rampant till tryouts are over. Good luck everyone...
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Post by soccermaxx72 on May 17, 2022 11:05:47 GMT -5
AFU Current Standing, does this really look like an ECNL Club as these results are very similar to past seasons:
U17: 10th place with 3 wins, 11 losses, 8 ties
U16: 12th place with 3 wins, 18 losses, 1 tie
U15: 10th place with 4 wins, 14 losses, 4 ties
U14: 10th place with 3 wins, 8 losses, 9 ties.
That’s a total of 13 wins total combined for AFU. multiple gsa and ufa Ecnl teams have that many wins in 1 age group.
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Post by unitedwestand on May 17, 2022 11:34:07 GMT -5
AFU Current Standing, does this really look like an ECNL Club as these results are very similar to past seasons: U17: 10th place with 3 wins, 11 losses, 8 ties U16: 12th place with 3 wins, 18 losses, 1 tie U15: 10th place with 4 wins, 14 losses, 4 ties U14: 10th place with 3 wins, 8 losses, 9 ties. That’s a total of 13 wins total combined for AFU. multiple gsa and ufa Ecnl teams have that many wins in 1 age group. this doesn't even account for the similar results on the boys side. |
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Post by messindreams on May 17, 2022 11:35:04 GMT -5
AFU Current Standing, does this really look like an ECNL Club as these results are very similar to past seasons: U17: 10th place with 3 wins, 11 losses, 8 ties U16: 12th place with 3 wins, 18 losses, 1 tie U15: 10th place with 4 wins, 14 losses, 4 ties U14: 10th place with 3 wins, 8 losses, 9 ties. That’s a total of 13 wins total combined for AFU. multiple gsa and ufa Ecnl teams have that many wins in 1 age group. Lol! I admire your knack for stirring the pot. I don’t recall anyone debating AFU has the best record, most say they struggle for various reasons. Still a problem. Genuine question: can you also publish records of D1/2/3 or pro signups (boys and girls)? I want to understand how many from CF/NTH/UFA/GSA/AFU/SSA signed with same or similar colleges. I am also curious about smaller clubs like Santos and Ambush but that info might be tough to find. |
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Post by atlantasoccerdad2020 on May 17, 2022 11:46:37 GMT -5
AFU Current Standing, does this really look like an ECNL Club as these results are very similar to past seasons: U17: 10th place with 3 wins, 11 losses, 8 ties U16: 12th place with 3 wins, 18 losses, 1 tie U15: 10th place with 4 wins, 14 losses, 4 ties U14: 10th place with 3 wins, 8 losses, 9 ties. That’s a total of 13 wins total combined for AFU. multiple gsa and ufa Ecnl teams have that many wins in 1 age group. Pretty sure the patch’s on the uniforms and fees paid show they are an ECNL club. Not sure where in the ECNL handbook a clubs record appears for them keeping their status but if you are able to provide that it would be helpful. What it does show is that you’re able to copy and paste. Beyond that it doesn’t really show anything. Take the U14s or u17s. They had a lot of ties so that means one offensive or defensive mistake could have been the difference in the tie or win and out of the Ls how many were a goal or 2? U15/U16 we’re subject to coaching issues over past 2 seasons but those appear to be stabilized based on results of latest showcases. Many clubs across the nation are similar but record alone or at all plays a part in a clubs status. Facilities for training, coaches maintaining proper credentials and financial stability of club play much bigger roles. I really do not know why I continue to participate with a bunch of imbeciles like yourself on this forum. |
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Post by footballqueen on May 17, 2022 11:57:22 GMT -5
AFU Current Standing, does this really look like an ECNL Club as these results are very similar to past seasons: U17: 10th place with 3 wins, 11 losses, 8 ties U16: 12th place with 3 wins, 18 losses, 1 tie U15: 10th place with 4 wins, 14 losses, 4 ties U14: 10th place with 3 wins, 8 losses, 9 ties. That’s a total of 13 wins total combined for AFU. multiple gsa and ufa Ecnl teams have that many wins in 1 age group. I knew they weren’t that good but those results are kind of shocking. Maybe a move to USYS would be a good thing |
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Post by mightydawg on May 17, 2022 12:16:11 GMT -5
Wins and losses does not equal competitive. Out of the age groups you listed, all of the teams except for one have a goal differential of 16 or less. Over a 22 game schedule, a less than 1 goal per game differential is competitive.
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Post by soccernoleuk on May 17, 2022 12:33:48 GMT -5
I know many are clamoring for Pro/Rel or some clubs being dropped because of poor results on the field. How exactly does that make things better?
Wouldn't that just make the recruiting even more competitive, and thus the lies told by the clubs bigger?
Also, why are wins & losses the only measurement for being a good program? Last time I checked this is youth soccer, not professional soccer. Shouldn't part of the evaluation be how many players are sent to play in college? Maybe even track where players were developed at the Academy ages or early ECNL ages (U13/U14).
If ECNL wants to start dropping clubs, that is their prerogative. I'm sure some sort of probation would be a good idea so the clubs know they are about to be dropped. It would also be a good idea to inform all member clubs of the criteria being used to grade them each year.
Lastly, I personally believe if clubs are going to be dropped from time to time, they also need to limit the amount of movement between clubs each year. I don't necessarily think a club should be rewarded just because they can recruit better than another club.
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Post by DunwoodySoccerDad on May 17, 2022 12:43:47 GMT -5
I know many are clamoring for Pro/Rel or some clubs being dropped because of poor results on the field. How exactly does that make things better? Wouldn't that just make the recruiting even more competitive, and thus the lies told by the clubs bigger? Also, why are wins & losses the only measurement for being a good program? Last time I checked this is youth soccer, not professional soccer. Shouldn't part of the evaluation be how many players are sent to play in college? Maybe even track where players were developed at the Academy ages or early ECNL ages (U13/U14). If ECNL wants to start dropping clubs, that is their prerogative. I'm sure some sort of probation would be a good idea so the clubs know they are about to be dropped. It would also be a good idea to inform all member clubs of the criteria being used to grade them each year. Lastly, I personally believe if clubs are going to be dropped from time to time, they also need to limit the amount of movement between clubs each year. I don't necessarily think a club should be rewarded just because they can recruit better than another club. Agreed. What would happen if AFU lost ECNL? You'd think AFU would be aware of it ahead of time and apply to GA/DPL so that they can keep most of their players. But they'd definitely lose some kids who view ECNL > GA. What if AFU didn't get into GA the first year out of ECNL? You'd see the club become a shell of its former self and see GSA, Concorde and UFA benefit as they swallow up all of the best AFU players. I think pro/rel would be fine for specific TEAMS but not entire CLUBS. |
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Post by greenmonkey on May 17, 2022 12:58:18 GMT -5
AFU Current Standing, does this really look like an ECNL Club as these results are very similar to past seasons: U17: 10th place with 3 wins, 11 losses, 8 ties U16: 12th place with 3 wins, 18 losses, 1 tie U15: 10th place with 4 wins, 14 losses, 4 ties U14: 10th place with 3 wins, 8 losses, 9 ties. That’s a total of 13 wins total combined for AFU. multiple gsa and ufa Ecnl teams have that many wins in 1 age group. I knew they weren’t that good but those results are kind of shocking. Maybe a move to USYS would be a good thing WHY?!!! Do we not understand that every game has a WINNER AND A LOSER ?!!! It’s a sport it’s why they play the game?!!!!! Move to another league so they can what? Win more games?!!! Not taking this out on you football queen this is not personal I just don’t understand why so many soccer parents care about win loss MORE than is there a great coach, is my kid learning and growing as a player and a human, is there the ability to play at WHATEVER level the kid needs to play at and is there a way to stretch and grow to the next level? How does AFU ECNL moving to a different league change anything that is already going well for the club? They have lots of good coaches (and some bad like every club) They have some great players (and some that will only every play one season of rec - like all clubs). They have good field access (some have better and some have much much much worse) They have players going on to play in college (like every other club) and MORE that DO NOT play in college … repeat with me LIKE EVERY OTHER CLUB. I am open and fair if someone can please tell me the benefit to players and teams and the club in why they should leave ECNL I will be glad to listen. |
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Post by greenmonkey on May 17, 2022 12:59:53 GMT -5
Wins and losses does not equal competitive. Out of the age groups you listed, all of the teams except for one have a goal differential of 16 or less. Over a 22 game schedule, a less than 1 goal per game differential is competitive. Thank YOU a mighty dawg!!!! Excellent facts and reasoning, I concur LOL this message approved by Green Monkeys everywhere |
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Post by rifle on May 17, 2022 19:16:38 GMT -5
I knew they weren’t that good but those results are kind of shocking. Maybe a move to USYS would be a good thing WHY?!!! Do we not understand that every game has a WINNER AND A LOSER ?!!! It’s a sport it’s why they play the game?!!!!! Move to another league so they can what? Win more games?!!! Not taking this out on you football queen this is not personal I just don’t understand why so many soccer parents care about win loss MORE than is there a great coach, is my kid learning and growing as a player and a human, is there the ability to play at WHATEVER level the kid needs to play at and is there a way to stretch and grow to the next level? How does AFU ECNL moving to a different league change anything that is already going well for the club? They have lots of good coaches (and some bad like every club) They have some great players (and some that will only every play one season of rec - like all clubs). They have good field access (some have better and some have much much much worse) They have players going on to play in college (like every other club) and MORE that DO NOT play in college … repeat with me LIKE EVERY OTHER CLUB. I am open and fair if someone can please tell me the benefit to players and teams and the club in why they should leave ECNL I will be glad to listen. Amen |
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Post by dabe on May 18, 2022 10:34:52 GMT -5
Update: This thread now pisses me off and my kid doesn't even play there. If I was a parent that saw this thread and did not take the time to take my kid out there or read this thread through I may assume it was true. My kid went to an AFU practice tonight and had a great time. The girls at AFU were kind, involved her in play, spoke to her at water breaks. The same cannot be said for other teams she has practiced with. That's a big factor for my family. What are the players like on AND off the field? Coach was great. She went to another practice (different club) earlier this week, 5 times the coach yelled out the wrong name. Same club different team, the coach didn't even speak to her.
MM knew her name the second she got there. Treated her as though she was already part of the team. Was not afraid to give her corrections. No sugar-coating. What you see is what you get. MM talked about building a foundation for the team. He didn't mention their record or how he wants them to win more. Nothing. What did he talk about? How every single one of his players on the oldest team was playing at the collegiate level. Spoke about the commitment level it takes to play at a higher level and that he is only interested in players that are committed to being good students and athletes. I haven't met a coach this transparent at this level of play. Laid all the cards out on the table. He didn't have to bad mouth another club to make her want to join either.
The kids at AFU looked hungry, seemed eager to create a "winning team". Don't count them out. Practice was organized, well run. Players were engaged. There was no messing around not because it was discouraged but because all kids were there to learn.
Thoroughly impressed. If this is what comes along with being an AFU player sign my kid up. Screw the league.
If you look past the "L" or "W" next to the games on ECNL girls side none of them are "big blowouts" minus a game at the U19G Level against CF Platinum. CF also beat Jacksonville FC by 10. Should they be out too? Scores are fixable.
I understand AFU is not for everyone. Maybe winning and status are more important to you. Whatever the case may be. But unverifiable rumors will not make up for what your club lacks and may prevent a kid from an opportunity to grow.
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dc
Jr. Academy
Posts: 52
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Post by dc on May 18, 2022 12:23:15 GMT -5
AFU is not in any danger of losing ECNL. Period.
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