Boys 05

[Unregistered]

I love how you ‘05 lovers come on here and squabble about probably one of the weakest age groups Oregon has ever had in both genders

Without any obvious studs in the group, players that make everyone go "wow" as they dominate not only their own age group but the one above as well, everyone thinks their own short poppy should get the golden ticket.

But this class is sophomores now. The age in which really elite players are starting to turn pro. Not in pay to play leagues, with a lot of them wondering if they should quit altogether because girls and school and valerant and stuff.

[Unregistered]

Without any obvious studs in the group, players that make everyone go "wow" as they dominate not only their own age group but the one above as well, everyone thinks their own short poppy should get the golden ticket.

But this class is sophomores now. The age in which really elite players are starting to turn pro. Not in pay to play leagues, with a lot of them wondering if they should quit altogether because girls and school and valerant and stuff.

There are a lot of boys at this age that are very good players. Whether or not you seem to think they are, really doesn't matter. I especially love that you reference that they are not good players, as they are not going pro as "sophomores." So, Stud Sophomore basketball, Football or baseball players are washed up at 15, as they are not pros...right? Take your negative, unrealistic arse outa here.

[Unregistered]

There are a lot of boys at this age that are very good players. Whether or not you seem to think they are, really doesn't matter. I especially love that you reference that they are not good players, as they are not going pro as "sophomores." So, Stud Sophomore basketball, Football or baseball players are washed up at 15, as they are not pros...right? Take your negative, unrealistic arse outa here.

That's because the NBA, the NFL, and major league baseball don't sign children to pro contracts. Not are pro teams in these sports running competitive youth academies. Basketball and football players are all subject to the draft, so there's no point.

Soccer is different.

Now it isn't true that if you haven't signed a pro deal at 15, there's no hope, but the path to the pros is narrow if you aren't in a pro academy by high school.

Just the way it is, Dad. Your DS, whoever it is, will look back on these days and hopefully have happy memories. But as one of the local DoCs is fond of telling his players... So long as your parents are paying for soccer, you ain't special.

[Unregistered]

That's because the NBA, the NFL, and major league baseball don't sign children to pro contracts. Not are pro teams in these sports running competitive youth academies. Basketball and football players are all subject to the draft, so there's no point.

Soccer is different.

Now it isn't true that if you haven't signed a pro deal at 15, there's no hope, but the path to the pros is narrow if you aren't in a pro academy by high school.

Just the way it is, Dad. Your DS, whoever it is, will look back on these days and hopefully have happy memories. But as one of the local DoCs is fond of telling his players... So long as your parents are paying for soccer, you ain't special.

I agree with most of everything you said. Soccer is definitely different from American sports. I also agree that hopefully kids have happy memories from their time playing. However I could not disagree more about the parents paying=kids not being special. Pro Soccer for kids in any region of the U.S. is as unlikely as in any sport. However, that doesn't mean the "kids" that play are not special. Let's be honest, is the "Pro" academy here in Portland really anything that kids should feel "special" about? Timbers Academy is statistically the most poorly run academy in the States, and the landscape is littered with the kids that were cast off by them, after being "special" before U15. I really think that this is the biggest problem here in PDX. We tear down our kids, instead of celebrating them.

[Unregistered]

I agree with most of everything you said. Soccer is definitely different from American sports. I also agree that hopefully kids have happy memories from their time playing. However I could not disagree more about the parents paying=kids not being special. Pro Soccer for kids in any region of the U.S. is as unlikely as in any sport. However, that doesn't mean the "kids" that play are not special. Let's be honest, is the "Pro" academy here in Portland really anything that kids should feel "special" about? Timbers Academy is statistically the most poorly run academy in the States, and the landscape is littered with the kids that were cast off by them, after being "special" before U15. I really think that this is the biggest problem here in PDX. We tear down our kids, instead of celebrating them.

"Special", in this context, means "someone who has a shot at a professional or international career". Obviously, all of our kids are special to us.

And nothing written here should be considered praise for the TA, which has a history of being poorly run; the Timbers still act like they don't really care about the local talent pool. One could certainly argue about some of their 05 choices, and during the Billups era, one could go further than that.

But looking at the kids in the OYSA 05 league last season... there's no Danny Mwanga, no Nate Jaqua, no other player that is head and shoulders better than anyone else. Of course, any 05s that DO merit such consideration probably wouldn't be playing on age in OYSA, at least not if they were in a decent club (one that cares more about player development than winning trophies); there are some 05s playing up that are really good players. But none I can think of who is clearly playing in a level far beneath his ability.

The Dunning-Kruger effect is commonly found among youth soccer parents. Just because someone is a biggest fish in the pond, doesn't mean he'll be the biggest fish in the ocean.

[Unregistered]

"Special", in this context, means "someone who has a shot at a professional or international career". Obviously, all of our kids are special to us.

And nothing written here should be considered praise for the TA, which has a history of being poorly run; the Timbers still act like they don't really care about the local talent pool. One could certainly argue about some of their 05 choices, and during the Billups era, one could go further than that.

But looking at the kids in the OYSA 05 league last season... there's no Danny Mwanga, no Nate Jaqua, no other player that is head and shoulders better than anyone else. Of course, any 05s that DO merit such consideration probably wouldn't be playing on age in OYSA, at least not if they were in a decent club (one that cares more about player development than winning trophies); there are some 05s playing up that are really good players. But none I can think of who is clearly playing in a level far beneath his ability.

The Dunning-Kruger effect is commonly found among youth soccer parents. Just because someone is a biggest fish in the pond, doesn't mean he'll be the biggest fish in the ocean.

Again, why does the measure of a good player "in your opinion" have to be somebody who is on a pathway to the pros? I am just curious as to why you are on here disparaging kids, for not meeting up to your expectations?

[Unregistered]

I love how you ‘05 lovers come on here and squabble about probably one of the weakest age groups Oregon has ever had in both genders

Funny- the 04, 06 and 07 age group seem to be the same. Not one in any of those other age groups is playing up and setting the world on fire so feel free to let the “05 age group sucks” rhetoric go. Our market (TA specifically) has completely missed the boat for the youth in the area...each age group has kids with potential that have not been put in an environment to realize it because of politics and little To no desire to have a productive and cohesive soccer landscape that promotes development and collaboration

[Unregistered]

After careful consideration...

As it becomes more clear that the end of days may be upon us and soccer will not be played, it seems only fitting to award Westside the title. New additions to an already strong team, a legend for a coach and the pedigree of champions. Pay no attention to the fact that had they been given a chance to take the field, they probably would have been UPDX.2. Congrats Westside. You finally won something at this age group!

[Unregistered]

As it becomes more clear that the end of days may be upon us and soccer will not be played, it seems only fitting to award Westside the title. New additions to an already strong team, a legend for a coach and the pedigree of champions. Pay no attention to the fact that had they been given a chance to take the field, they probably would have been UPDX.2. Congrats Westside. You finally won something at this age group!

A legend in his own mind....Just to clarify your remarks.

[Unregistered]

Hopefully they'll play games. Wouldn't be fun for Westside if they simply won by acclamation. It's far more enjoyable when VEEKTOR is left sputtering on the sideline.

[Unregistered]

As it becomes more clear that the end of days may be upon us and soccer will not be played, it seems only fitting to award Westside the title. New additions to an already strong team, a legend for a coach and the pedigree of champions. Pay no attention to the fact that had they been given a chance to take the field, they probably would have been UPDX.2. Congrats Westside. You finally won something at this age group!

Hahahaha- Anointing themselves champs without ever playing a game would be the only way westside would ever “win” anything at this age group. And if they have recruited to try to get there then it was not really westside that developed the players but rather a landing spot much like the land of the misfit toys searching for something to hold on to....,

[Unregistered]

Hahahaha- Anointing themselves champs without ever playing a game would be the only way westside would ever “win” anything at this age group. And if they have recruited to try to get there then it was not really westside that developed the players but rather a landing spot much like the land of the misfit toys searching for something to hold on to....,

You mean like the Updx 04s? Not really. All the top players that are on the Westside team this year were either there last year or just came back home after a stint with TA.

[Unregistered]

You mean like the Updx 04s? Not really. All the top players that are on the Westside team this year were either there last year or just came back home after a stint with TA.

You mean after the TA ruined them

[Unregistered]

You mean after the TA ruined them

Nailed it.

[Unregistered]

Saw the fc transients practicing on the baseball diamond at thprd tonight. Cloves club has some pull around here