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Post by soccerdad2021 on Oct 6, 2022 20:08:53 GMT -5
Sorry for the long post, but in order to provide our children with a genuine opportunity to play professionally in domestic and international leagues, there are four phases of youth soccer that we need to address. Let's start with the obvious problem — scouting. For the love of God, strengthen the scouting program. Encourage scouts to visit venues other than only big MLS/ECNL clubs vs. big MLS/ECNL club matches. Try the local leagues for people of African, Caribbean, Hispanic, and European descent. Some diamonds can be found there. I understand that the US is enormous; therefore, implement the same payment method used everywhere else in the world. TPDL: Simplify the young soccer hierarchy in our nation. Make sure that everyone in the nation is aware of what it means to play in leagues like MLS-Next, the ECNL, etc. Eliminate teams that identify themselves as the elite/gold/red/premiere/blue/-gold-dominatrix squad. The alphabet soup leagues will take offense at this, but it's a simple solution. If you meet the requirements and levels, you can join; if not, you can move on to play in the next division, down, and so forth. Every year, 5% to 10% of teams are relegated. I recommend Premier, Championship, Divisions 1, 2, and 3, etc. Do we really need such young MLS teams that limit what you can do? Eliminate the MLS-Next U14 and below. Let them go play for their local schools and local clubs. Have an ODP type program (e.g., AU's Futures) that recognizes and recruits the top local talent to train and develop them. A stud at U9(7v7), U12 (9v9), could be vastly different at U15(11v11). Occasionally, expose them to a myriad of playing styles by taking them to global tournaments like the Gothia Cup in Sweden(1700 teams, 4500 matches, 80 nations). Last but not least, we need to figure out how to curtail or even do away with the skyrocketing cost of youth soccer. I am aware that there are expenses associated with travel, uniforms, etc. Why not develop a marketing possibility with hotel and resort networks like Hilton and Marriott as sponsors. Additionally, why not secure uniform sponsorships to lower or even eliminate the cost of a basic uniform package? We are aware that one item alone costs more than $500. Deals on sports drinks are available, and while we're at it, US Soccer can cover the cost of marketing and referees. FIFA or US Soccer can no longer stop these players from being loaned, traded, or transferred to wealthier overseas clubs, which would give the local clubs a source of revenue. When this player succeeds, everyone benefits. The neighborhood that takes pride in them, the neighborhood club that truly developed the player, and even US Soccer, since they all contributed to turning that youngster into a genuine Home Grown! These same U16/17/18 players, who would now be paying less to compete at the top level, may be encouraged to give back by coaching recreational teams, officiating games for younger players, conducting training sessions, or even starting the hard process of becoming certified coaches. Gaining knowledge and experience in your chosen sport or profession never hurts. Again, sorry for the long post, but those are my thoughts... FYI: In the ECNL league for the Carolinas, they have a 10-month league and a 6-month league for U15 & up. Also, the MLS organization (and I believe US Soccer just looks away) is the one preventing clubs to make actual money from selling players. The FIFA rules say that a selling club needs to share a percentage to all clubs the player enjoyed their academy years (12yrs +). If the US follows the fifa rules, all local clubs will make money for any of their former players who earn a transfer with a big fee. MLS academies paying the local clubs a transfer fee will incentivize the local clubs to encourage their top players to explore playing at a higher league. Right now, most local clubs don't event talk to their players about that possiblity of playing in ECNL or MLSNext. As a resut, talented kids end up languishing at the club level unless the parents educate themselves and find those opportunities. Most parents just don't have time to do the extra work. |
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Post by flix on Oct 6, 2022 20:20:24 GMT -5
FYI: In the ECNL league for the Carolinas, they have a 10-month league and a 6-month league for U15 & up. Also, the MLS organization (and I believe US Soccer just looks away) is the one preventing clubs to make actual money from selling players. The FIFA rules say that a selling club needs to share a percentage to all clubs the player enjoyed their academy years (12yrs +). If the US follows the fifa rules, all local clubs will make money for any of their former players who earn a transfer with a big fee. MLS academies paying the local clubs a transfer fee will incentivize the local clubs to encourage their top players to explore playing at a higher league. Right now, most local clubs don't event talk to their players about that possiblity of playing in ECNL or MLSNext. As a resut, talented kids end up languishing at the club level unless the parents educate themselves and find those opportunities. Most parents just don't have time to do the extra work. Most parents are just too lazy to do the extra work. |
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Post by bubbledad on Oct 6, 2022 22:58:39 GMT -5
The path forward for talented youth players outside of MLSNEXT seems to not exist. These players who aspire to one day be a pro don’t really seem to have the support to do so. For that matter, even MLSNEXT players are not going pro in droves. I’ve heard quotes of 1%? So then we look to college to continue where we now meet international students, MLSNEXT players and now international players. Is it safe to assume that by not being selected for an MLSNEXT team playing days (even in college) are numbered? It’s a dose of reality and seeing mention of RDS made me think about this further. I would think any RDS player dreams of one day being a pro player one day until reality kicks in. Actually, your first line is largely accurate. "The road ahead for talented male youth players in the US seems to not exist," should be written instead. US Soccer is all about networking and marketing! It's about having a parent, coach, teammate's dad, mom, cousin, or college roommate who dares to do a favor, gives you a second look, or just likes your parents and performs their job, I'll say this also, we have what we have today because of that, along with a terrible network of scouts and scouting. While I'm glad that AU is in our backyard, to give the unjaded local lads the belief that they can make the first team if they work hard and concentrate on their craft. It's truly impossible to say the best players across the board are at AU. There are lads that can match-up at almost every level, but for one reason or another(usually finances and scouting) they never get a chance at the top levels. Therefore they don't get a chance to be seen or get that one-in-a-million chance. Get your highly brilliant child to Europe right away if he or she is head and shoulders above both his or her peers and older non-peers! Everyone worth their salt in the world tries to travel to the US to try to wrangle a spot in the NBA since the NBA has the best basketball players. Get your child to Europe if it is a sincere passion and calling for him. They will at least gain an experience unlike any other, develop as a player, and perhaps even succeed. One final thing and a true test is do they consistently make the US Nat'l team? If the answer is no, please recognize that Junior may only be destined for an MLS Academy Homegrown signing where careers go to die in the USL, or College... p.s. The World is catching up to our Women btw I was marked as a bad guy in the IMG thread b/c I feel the approach towards having players in the academy should be more intentional for those wanting to play in college or higher vs a leisure activity I use to keep my kid busy. The World is catching up on the women's side b/c we have a bunch of "my kid is just playing for fun and doesn't want to play in college or pro" going on all up in women's club soccer which blocks the recruiting and development of players that have the potential if nurtured to help grow women's soccer to another level. I'm totally feeling your response. Everything comes back to USA soccer being too expensive and soccer not being "my way out" in America rather it's more ... "something to do". |
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Post by onekickpop on Oct 7, 2022 6:22:10 GMT -5
The expense is relative. I can tell you that AAU basketball fees JUST FOR THE SUMMER exceeds ECNL fees if you add in additional/private training and trying to be on the best teams. Difference between the two is opportunity. Example: right online at AU here in Atlanta, I’d bet that for each youth team there are 1-2 kids with potential. The rest are supporting cast at best. The 1-2 players who have potential are probably rostered above their age level and play up majority of the time, only coming down to age level for big MLS games. Well, these same rockstars are likely on a path for USL. Unless I am mistaken I cannot think of a true youth product success story that kids could emulate. Credit to AU for filling the Benz and energizing the soccer community, but we still have a very long way to go. Basketball as a reference may not be the best example given that it is a relatively easy sport to develop players who can put up 20 - 30 plus point and rebounds every time they play whereas for soccer (truly good competitive soccer) individual skill has less impact and the focus on working in a system with 11 players is the ultimate goal.
My last comment is based on one of the last games I was able to watch beginning to end which was the US women national team vs Japan. Japan outplayed the US from whistle to whistle. It was clinical and the loss was necessary. If that is the epitome of women’s soccer in the US and if the men’s team the “best” players we can assemble we have a LONG way to go.
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Post by 04gparent on Oct 7, 2022 7:47:07 GMT -5
The expense is relative. I can tell you that AAU basketball fees JUST FOR THE SUMMER exceeds ECNL fees if you add in additional/private training and trying to be on the best teams. Difference between the two is opportunity. Example: right online at AU here in Atlanta, I’d bet that for each youth team there are 1-2 kids with potential. The rest are supporting cast at best. The 1-2 players who have potential are probably rostered above their age level and play up majority of the time, only coming down to age level for big MLS games. Well, these same rockstars are likely on a path for USL. Unless I am mistaken I cannot think of a true youth product success story that kids could emulate. Credit to AU for filling the Benz and energizing the soccer community, but we still have a very long way to go. Basketball as a reference may not be the best example given that it is a relatively easy sport to develop players who can put up 20 - 30 plus point and rebounds every time they play whereas for soccer (truly good competitive soccer) individual skill has less impact and the focus on working in a system with 11 players is the ultimate goal. My last comment is based on one of the last games I was able to watch beginning to end which was the US women national team vs Japan. Japan outplayed the US from whistle to whistle. It was clinical and the loss was necessary. If that is the epitome of women’s soccer in the US and if the men’s team the “best” players we can assemble we have a LONG way to go. T I have an unpopular opinion. The cost of elite soccer is in line or below the cost of elite basketball, baseball and maybe football. Also the percent of kids that go profession is also just as low as soccer. It is extremely hard to play college in any sport let alone professional. Similar to soccer, in basketball the highest level is NOT highschool. Some of the best players no longer play HS ball. Football is maybe the only sport where the highest level is HS. Football is dealing with the rise of the summer 7 on 7 circuit as well. Non of the sports are well organized from top (US governing body) to bottom (rec). Heck football doesnt even have one at this point. Not to be insensitive, I do understand the pathway is as curvy as 285 construction zones. As parents we have to use every option that is available to us. You never know when a game or guest appearance might get your child seen by the right person... This is happeing in all sports. I know really really talented football players who arent being seen. Its happening all over the place... Good luck. |
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Post by bogan on Oct 7, 2022 9:20:22 GMT -5
It’s good to hear all perspectives-popular or not. I enjoy reading them all as long as they remain civil.
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Post by soccerdad2021 on Oct 7, 2022 10:50:08 GMT -5
The expense is relative. I can tell you that AAU basketball fees JUST FOR THE SUMMER exceeds ECNL fees if you add in additional/private training and trying to be on the best teams. Difference between the two is opportunity. Example: right online at AU here in Atlanta, I’d bet that for each youth team there are 1-2 kids with potential. The rest are supporting cast at best. The 1-2 players who have potential are probably rostered above their age level and play up majority of the time, only coming down to age level for big MLS games. Well, these same rockstars are likely on a path for USL. Unless I am mistaken I cannot think of a true youth product success story that kids could emulate. Credit to AU for filling the Benz and energizing the soccer community, but we still have a very long way to go. Basketball as a reference may not be the best example given that it is a relatively easy sport to develop players who can put up 20 - 30 plus point and rebounds every time they play whereas for soccer (truly good competitive soccer) individual skill has less impact and the focus on working in a system with 11 players is the ultimate goal. My last comment is based on one of the last games I was able to watch beginning to end which was the US women national team vs Japan. Japan outplayed the US from whistle to whistle. It was clinical and the loss was necessary. If that is the epitome of women’s soccer in the US and if the men’s team the “best” players we can assemble we have a LONG way to go. T I have an unpopular opinion. The cost of elite soccer is in line or below the cost of elite basketball, baseball and maybe football. Also the percent of kids that go profession is also just as low as soccer. It is extremely hard to play college in any sport let alone professional. Similar to soccer, in basketball the highest level is NOT highschool. Some of the best players no longer play HS ball. Football is maybe the only sport where the highest level is HS. Football is dealing with the rise of the summer 7 on 7 circuit as well. Non of the sports are well organized from top (US governing body) to bottom (rec). Heck football doesnt even have one at this point. Not to be insensitive, I do understand the pathway is as curvy as 285 construction zones. As parents we have to use every option that is available to us. You never know when a game or guest appearance might get your child seen by the right person... This is happeing in all sports. I know really really talented football players who arent being seen. Its happening all over the place... Good luck. So this discussion helps remind us parents about the reality and difficulty of chasing the dream. It takes a lot of effort, $$, sacrifice and luck. Let's all try to enjoy watching our kids play the sport that they love because it will likely end sooner than later. |
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Post by georgiatechalum on Oct 7, 2022 11:28:03 GMT -5
I know this is mostly about boys soccer, but it is much easier for girls / women to play at a higher level college but the pro circuit is not too much easier. My daughters played/ playing D1 so I do think high level College is much more feasible for them. On the boys side it’s much harder. I agree with those complaining about AU recruiting. Sometimes it seems more political than talent. Unfortunately that is the society we live in.
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Post by bogan on Oct 7, 2022 11:51:51 GMT -5
I know this is mostly about boys soccer, but it is much easier for girls / women to play at a higher level college but the pro circuit is not too much easier. My daughters played/ playing D1 so I do think high level College is much more feasible for them. On the boys side it’s much harder. I agree with those complaining about AU recruiting. Sometimes it seems more political than talent. Unfortunately that is the society we live in. I live “on the border,” and we identify the Alabamians by the county/city they live in. You can tell by their tag numbers-if it starts with a 1 they are from Birmingham, 2 from mobile, 3 Montgomery, 12 chambers county and so on… |
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Post by onekickpop on Oct 7, 2022 12:00:04 GMT -5
You make a good point. The one difference is that for basketball/baseball/football the earning potential (for those who make it) FAR exceed what an equivalent soccer player can make. The expense is relative. I can tell you that AAU basketball fees JUST FOR THE SUMMER exceeds ECNL fees if you add in additional/private training and trying to be on the best teams. Difference between the two is opportunity. Example: right online at AU here in Atlanta, I’d bet that for each youth team there are 1-2 kids with potential. The rest are supporting cast at best. The 1-2 players who have potential are probably rostered above their age level and play up majority of the time, only coming down to age level for big MLS games. Well, these same rockstars are likely on a path for USL. Unless I am mistaken I cannot think of a true youth product success story that kids could emulate. Credit to AU for filling the Benz and energizing the soccer community, but we still have a very long way to go. Basketball as a reference may not be the best example given that it is a relatively easy sport to develop players who can put up 20 - 30 plus point and rebounds every time they play whereas for soccer (truly good competitive soccer) individual skill has less impact and the focus on working in a system with 11 players is the ultimate goal. My last comment is based on one of the last games I was able to watch beginning to end which was the US women national team vs Japan. Japan outplayed the US from whistle to whistle. It was clinical and the loss was necessary. If that is the epitome of women’s soccer in the US and if the men’s team the “best” players we can assemble we have a LONG way to go. T I have an unpopular opinion. The cost of elite soccer is in line or below the cost of elite basketball, baseball and maybe football. Also the percent of kids that go profession is also just as low as soccer. It is extremely hard to play college in any sport let alone professional. Similar to soccer, in basketball the highest level is NOT highschool. Some of the best players no longer play HS ball. Football is maybe the only sport where the highest level is HS. Football is dealing with the rise of the summer 7 on 7 circuit as well. Non of the sports are well organized from top (US governing body) to bottom (rec). Heck football doesnt even have one at this point. Not to be insensitive, I do understand the pathway is as curvy as 285 construction zones. As parents we have to use every option that is available to us. You never know when a game or guest appearance might get your child seen by the right person... This is happeing in all sports. I know really really talented football players who arent being seen. Its happening all over the place... Good luck. |
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Post by oraclesfriend on Oct 8, 2022 12:44:19 GMT -5
Actually, your first line is largely accurate. "The road ahead for talented male youth players in the US seems to not exist," should be written instead. US Soccer is all about networking and marketing! It's about having a parent, coach, teammate's dad, mom, cousin, or college roommate who dares to do a favor, gives you a second look, or just likes your parents and performs their job, I'll say this also, we have what we have today because of that, along with a terrible network of scouts and scouting. While I'm glad that AU is in our backyard, to give the unjaded local lads the belief that they can make the first team if they work hard and concentrate on their craft. It's truly impossible to say the best players across the board are at AU. There are lads that can match-up at almost every level, but for one reason or another(usually finances and scouting) they never get a chance at the top levels. Therefore they don't get a chance to be seen or get that one-in-a-million chance. Get your highly brilliant child to Europe right away if he or she is head and shoulders above both his or her peers and older non-peers! Everyone worth their salt in the world tries to travel to the US to try to wrangle a spot in the NBA since the NBA has the best basketball players. Get your child to Europe if it is a sincere passion and calling for him. They will at least gain an experience unlike any other, develop as a player, and perhaps even succeed. One final thing and a true test is do they consistently make the US Nat'l team? If the answer is no, please recognize that Junior may only be destined for an MLS Academy Homegrown signing where careers go to die in the USL, or College... p.s. The World is catching up to our Women btw I was marked as a bad guy in the IMG thread b/c I feel the approach towards having players in the academy should be more intentional for those wanting to play in college or higher vs a leisure activity I use to keep my kid busy. The World is catching up on the women's side b/c we have a bunch of "my kid is just playing for fun and doesn't want to play in college or pro" going on all up in women's club soccer which blocks the recruiting and development of players that have the potential if nurtured to help grow women's soccer to another level. I'm totally feeling your response. Everything comes back to USA soccer being too expensive and soccer not being "my way out" in America rather it's more ... "something to do". I don't think you were marked as a "bad guy." I just think that most don't know this until they get older. This is from my experience as a parent of a senior who played high level and as such also has friends and teammates that played and play high level. So many are so passionate about the sport and playing at the next level and then poof! It is no longer their plan. Some voluntarily drop levels. I know some that dropped from GA to DPL on purpose. I know some that dropped from ECNL to ECRL on purpose. Some keep playing the same level. Mine switched leagues. What I believe is that every kid at all levels of "pay to play" soccer (not rec) should be given the right nurturing to use your words. Honestly the best nurturing my older kid got was at U14 NPL with a coach that spoke about nutrition and did film review. Preseason training at the highest level league my older one played in had a great training program for fitness came from another club and was a great start, but that club did not follow through with film review or the other things I felt were helpful. My younger one is on a mid-level team right now and has "homework " for soccer. Has to write out analysis of review of her own games on occasion. Currently has 6-8 tactical instructional videos to watch as well as "homework." These are helpful things. Everyone should be coached to make them the best they can be. I also think all kids should have psychology training in sports (and school) to deal with pressure and interpersonal relationships as well. |
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Post by Brinker on Oct 8, 2022 17:57:09 GMT -5
Check out the soccer this Sunday at GSP. Great matchups and should be epic. There were both MLS academy and college scouts at Georgia Soccer Park today to watch NTH-NASA, Atlanta Fire and Concorde Fire ECNL. |
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Post by bubbledad on Oct 8, 2022 20:39:56 GMT -5
I was marked as a bad guy in the IMG thread b/c I feel the approach towards having players in the academy should be more intentional for those wanting to play in college or higher vs a leisure activity I use to keep my kid busy. The World is catching up on the women's side b/c we have a bunch of "my kid is just playing for fun and doesn't want to play in college or pro" going on all up in women's club soccer which blocks the recruiting and development of players that have the potential if nurtured to help grow women's soccer to another level. I'm totally feeling your response. Everything comes back to USA soccer being too expensive and soccer not being "my way out" in America rather it's more ... "something to do". I don't think you were marked as a "bad guy." I just think that most don't know this until they get older. This is from my experience as a parent of a senior who played high level and as such also has friends and teammates that played and play high level. So many are so passionate about the sport and playing at the next level and then poof! It is no longer their plan. Some voluntarily drop levels. I know some that dropped from GA to DPL on purpose. I know some that dropped from ECNL to ECRL on purpose. Some keep playing the same level. Mine switched leagues. What I believe is that every kid at all levels of "pay to play" soccer (not rec) should be given the right nurturing to use your words. Honestly the best nurturing my older kid got was at U14 NPL with a coach that spoke about nutrition and did film review. Preseason training at the highest level league my older one played in had a great training program for fitness came from another club and was a great start, but that club did not follow through with film review or the other things I felt were helpful. My younger one is on a mid-level team right now and has "homework " for soccer. Has to write out analysis of review of her own games on occasion. Currently has 6-8 tactical instructional videos to watch as well as "homework." These are helpful things. Everyone should be coached to make them the best they can be. I also think all kids should have psychology training in sports (and school) to deal with pressure and interpersonal relationships as well. I totally understand folks change their mind which is why I say check in annually. We could feed a small village with the money ppl blow on club soccer just to keep a kid in shape, having fun with friends and learning leadership skills. Johnson Ferry Baptist Church offers all of that on the rec level. There are still a bunch of middle class parents that aren't hip to the opportunities that soccer can bring and the financial help that's out there. We gotta let them know early on so their kids can get the right nurturing. |
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Post by cfsc on Oct 8, 2022 21:58:44 GMT -5
Check out the soccer this Sunday at GSP. Great matchups and should be epic. There were both MLS academy and college scouts at Georgia Soccer Park today to watch NTH-NASA, Atlanta Fire and Concorde Fire ECNL. Some good soccer today at GSP. Tomorrow I expect the same. |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Oct 9, 2022 18:10:46 GMT -5
Check out the soccer this Sunday at GSP. Great matchups and should be epic. There were both MLS academy and college scouts at Georgia Soccer Park today to watch NTH-NASA, Atlanta Fire and Concorde Fire ECNL. Just my opinion, but again, lazy scouting. They only go to scout games involving top teams. I get that, but they miss out on other talented kids who don't play on top teams. Keep in mind George Bello played at Ambush. Legend has it that he was scouted from there to join AU. Imagine if the scouts had only gone to watch the "top teams" play... |
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Post by onekickpop on Oct 9, 2022 18:23:40 GMT -5
For some reason I thought Bello was also at SSA and Georgia United with then coaches Tony Annan, Dave Smith, Ray Tomlin and etc, along with Andrew Carleton, Patrick Okonkwo, Lagos Kunga, Kevin Barajas and many many others who then went over to AU. Anyway, I agree with you. I think ODP is another source for talent outside of top teams. It’s challenging though, you know? They rely on the local top coaches to find this talent and bring them into their clubs and go fishing there. I can tell you that there are several clubs who find and promote talent from P1 and P2 teams.
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Post by Brinker on Oct 9, 2022 18:32:34 GMT -5
There were both MLS academy and college scouts at Georgia Soccer Park today to watch NTH-NASA, Atlanta Fire and Concorde Fire ECNL. Just my opinion, but again, lazy scouting. They only go to scout games involving top teams. I get that, but they miss out on other talented kids who don't play on top teams. Keep in mind George Bello played at Ambush. Legend has it that he was scouted from there to join AU. Imagine if the scouts had only gone to watch the "top teams" play... It’s a fair point, but I also think it is about time and volume of talent. College and MLS scouts can only attend so many games, so they don’t choose the weaker teams where they may find one diamond in the rough or they may come up empty. Better choice is to scout NASA, Concorde, UFA, GSA ECNL because those teams have a track record of producing multiple D1 level recruits. |
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dc
Jr. Academy
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Post by dc on Oct 9, 2022 19:19:22 GMT -5
There were both MLS academy and college scouts at Georgia Soccer Park today to watch NTH-NASA, Atlanta Fire and Concorde Fire ECNL. Just my opinion, but again, lazy scouting. They only go to scout games involving top teams. I get that, but they miss out on other talented kids who don't play on top teams. Keep in mind George Bello played at Ambush. Legend has it that he was scouted from there to join AU. Imagine if the scouts had only gone to watch the "top teams" play... Lazy scouting??? Go where the talent is. I guess they could have been driving the backroads of south Georgia looking for that once-in-a-lifetime undiscovered talent kicking an inflated pig's bladder through the corn maze. A wunderkind just waiting to be discovered. Also, why assume that these are the only games being scouted. (they are not) |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2022 9:18:34 GMT -5
There were both MLS academy and college scouts at Georgia Soccer Park today to watch NTH-NASA, Atlanta Fire and Concorde Fire ECNL. Just my opinion, but again, lazy scouting. They only go to scout games involving top teams. I get that, but they miss out on other talented kids who don't play on top teams. Keep in mind George Bello played at Ambush. Legend has it that he was scouted from there to join AU. Imagine if the scouts had only gone to watch the "top teams" play... The hope is that basically all the bigger clubs (the clubs that have ECNL/MLSNEXT because there are no promotion/relegation players recruited/gravitated to them) will scout/find the players. That is because most of the big clubs are good because they recruit, they do not develop the talent (they do develop kids, but that is not why they are good generally). The reason to go to a big club early is not that they are better at developing your kid, its just if your kid can make the top team at U10 its easier for them to stay on it than displace someone at U14. You can look at U12 SCCL rankings, let's take this season - system.gotsport.com/org_event/events/16835/schedules?group=109953The two bottom clubs are UFA and AFU. It can be hard to discern as the top U12 concord team does not play SCCL to my understanding and the top 12 NASA team is basically only half the kids that played with them last year, the other half were recruited. In the spring of U12 SCCL what will typically happen is you will see a NASA coach show up at a Santos game or a Concord coach at an InterATL game, etc. If needed they will grab the 1-3 top kids and add the other 2-3 ballers that showed up from some other club. Hence, while it may be lazy to go to only ECNL games, they are just trying to be efficient, thinking the top players have already made it there. |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Oct 10, 2022 10:03:27 GMT -5
Bello I believe was first at SSA, then got recruited over to Ambush. He never played for GA united, they couldn't convince him to join, it wasn't until AU rolled into town that he jumped over to "DA". I doubt he ever would have made the jump unless US Soccer forced his hand.
our youth pyramid essentially is the mega youth clubs attracting and recruiting kids from smaller clubs, then AU scouting kids from the mega clubs. Still some gems come from smaller clubs, but as you get older, it's rarer for sure.
No idea who AU scouts are now, I do know one of there previous scouts was beyond lazy and serious questionable skills to identify players, but that is also part of the problem when you only watch 1 game or 1 half of a soccer game.
Some boys ecnl teams in North Carolina are doing a 10 month season. It's kind of a joke to be honest. They play high school boys soccer in the fall, and now 2 of the 10 month programs are letting their kids also play highschool. one program i know of has 4 regular season ecnl games in the fall -- 4. They play 1 game like every 3 weeks, and then try to fill it with scrimmages. it's kind of a joke.
Lets be honest if you make nationals the Atlanta boys ecnl teams are playing.
Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan
then 1/2 of April, May, June
Make the national finals, July
basically only really of Feb, March, July off
I'd argue for a top team, your basically playing all year with 2.5 months off.
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Oct 13, 2022 8:08:53 GMT -5
No idea who AU scouts are now, I do know one of there previous scouts was beyond lazy and serious questionable skills to identify players, but that is also part of the problem when you only watch 1 game or 1 half of a soccer game. AU - Officially Will Clayton and when Mike Lynch is bored he'll also go out and watch tournaments et.al. But let's be honest, anyone of us can dress up in AU Garb, try to stand in isolated parts of the field, carry a clipboard or a black notebook, watch games, occasionally scribbling gibberish into said notebook. And you'll still have parents who will sidle up to you in the hopes that by them being right there to accidentally/naturally strike up a conversation, you'll notice their kid and pick him for AU...  |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Oct 13, 2022 9:00:23 GMT -5
I guess I knew Lynch was back -- i just remember how awful that original 2003 team was and the excuse was he didn't pick the team. Trust me, that team had enough talent to get the job done. Their last game of the u13 season, the team got absolutely man handled by the Ga United 2003 team. This was years ago obviously, but was eye opening.
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Post by hammertime on Oct 13, 2022 10:37:35 GMT -5
Some boys ecnl teams in North Carolina are doing a 10 month season. It's kind of a joke to be honest. They play high school boys soccer in the fall, and now 2 of the 10 month programs are letting their kids also play highschool. one program i know of has 4 regular season ecnl games in the fall -- 4. They play 1 game like every 3 weeks, and then try to fill it with scrimmages. it's kind of a joke. Lets be honest if you make nationals the Atlanta boys ecnl teams are playing. Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan then 1/2 of April, May, June Make the national finals, July basically only really of Feb, March, July off I'd argue for a top team, your basically playing all year with 2.5 months off. You are correct about the Mid Atlantic conference schedule being a little wonky with a handful of games in the fall and the bulk of the schedule in the spring. The issue that conference faces is that the high school season in MD and NC is in the fall and in VA it's a spring sport which makes scheduling kindof odd. For better or worse the SE is lucky in that regard since all four states involved play high school in the spring. So starting U15 the season runs Aug-mid January and then usually a make up game or two late May-early June. |
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