What to do when merger blows up a team?

[Unregistered]

Venting a little here.

My player was part of a team that has been playing together for about 5 years. The past three years they have won the State Cup and several regional tournaments. Overall, their record was outstanding. Biased or not on my part, but I think they were really starting to play some quality soccer and were just "coming into their own" as a team. Great "6th sense" due to the familiarity with their teammates.

Then it all went to hell in a handbasket. The club merged with a couple other clubs and the powers that be determined it would be a good idea to break this team up and give slots to players coming from the other clubs so they "wouldn't feel left out/off the 'quality' teams" (the clubs words, not mine).

Now my player's team can't seem to get out of their own way. The "new" team played this fall and the quality of their game has really gone downhill fast. The newer players from the other clubs don't mesh well with the remaining "old" players, the coach has a different take on the game vs the old coach, and they seem to have reverted to one-player soccer vs the team/passing approach they were so good at before.

Of course the club says "it's all for the children" and "we just want everyone to have the opportunity to play". I say it's for the almighty $ and to h-e-double-toothpicks with what's good for the players.

Of course, in my neck of the woods, there aren't a lot of choices!

Anyone else gone through a similar situation with their player?

[Unregistered]

Venting a little here.

My player was part of a team that has been playing together for about 5 years. The past three years they have won the State Cup and several regional tournaments. Overall, their record was outstanding. Biased or not on my part, but I think they were really starting to play some quality soccer and were just "coming into their own" as a team. Great "6th sense" due to the familiarity with their teammates.

Then it all went to hell in a handbasket. The club merged with a couple other clubs and the powers that be determined it would be a good idea to break this team up and give slots to players coming from the other clubs so they "wouldn't feel left out/off the 'quality' teams" (the clubs words, not mine).

Now my player's team can't seem to get out of their own way. The "new" team played this fall and the quality of their game has really gone downhill fast. The newer players from the other clubs don't mesh well with the remaining "old" players, the coach has a different take on the game vs the old coach, and they seem to have reverted to one-player soccer vs the team/passing approach they were so good at before.

Of course the club says "it's all for the children" and "we just want everyone to have the opportunity to play". I say it's for the almighty $ and to h-e-double-toothpicks with what's good for the players.

Of course, in my neck of the woods, there aren't a lot of choices!

Anyone else gone through a similar situation with their player?

The winters are cold in Maine.

[Unregistered]

Venting a little here.

My player was part of a team that has been playing together for about 5 years. The past three years they have won the State Cup and several regional tournaments. Overall, their record was outstanding. Biased or not on my part, but I think they were really starting to play some quality soccer and were just "coming into their own" as a team. Great "6th sense" due to the familiarity with their teammates.

Then it all went to hell in a handbasket. The club merged with a couple other clubs and the powers that be determined it would be a good idea to break this team up and give slots to players coming from the other clubs so they "wouldn't feel left out/off the 'quality' teams" (the clubs words, not mine).

Now my player's team can't seem to get out of their own way. The "new" team played this fall and the quality of their game has really gone downhill fast. The newer players from the other clubs don't mesh well with the remaining "old" players, the coach has a different take on the game vs the old coach, and they seem to have reverted to one-player soccer vs the team/passing approach they were so good at before.

Of course the club says "it's all for the children" and "we just want everyone to have the opportunity to play". I say it's for the almighty $ and to h-e-double-toothpicks with what's good for the players.

Of course, in my neck of the woods, there aren't a lot of choices!

Anyone else gone through a similar situation with their player?

It happens even without a merger. I've seen teams add supposedly good players who destroy the team chemistry that had been the earmark of the team and the reason for their success. Coaches and clubs have to be very careful integrating players to a team, especially a girl team.

[Unregistered]

If you are playing this fall that means the most you can be is a U14 team and have been together since U9. An awful lot happens in the U14 year with both boys and girls that could explain a whole lot. At 14 it starts to become obvious to everyone but the parents that some kids have "topped out" and really won't be highly competitive soccer players going into the future.

[Unregistered]

Venting a little here.

My player was part of a team that has been playing together for about 5 years. The past three years they have won the State Cup and several regional tournaments. Overall, their record was outstanding. Biased or not on my part, but I think they were really starting to play some quality soccer and were just "coming into their own" as a team. Great "6th sense" due to the familiarity with their teammates.

Then it all went to hell in a handbasket. The club merged with a couple other clubs and the powers that be determined it would be a good idea to break this team up and give slots to players coming from the other clubs so they "wouldn't feel left out/off the 'quality' teams" (the clubs words, not mine).

Now my player's team can't seem to get out of their own way. The "new" team played this fall and the quality of their game has really gone downhill fast. The newer players from the other clubs don't mesh well with the remaining "old" players, the coach has a different take on the game vs the old coach, and they seem to have reverted to one-player soccer vs the team/passing approach they were so good at before.

Of course the club says "it's all for the children" and "we just want everyone to have the opportunity to play". I say it's for the almighty $ and to h-e-double-toothpicks with what's good for the players.

Of course, in my neck of the woods, there aren't a lot of choices!

Anyone else gone through a similar situation with their player?

When you say they decided to "break up" this team, do you mean two teams were created using new and old players? If so, are you, honestly speaking, dealing with the A team or the B team? Any new combination can take awhile to mesh, and yes it's always all about money when it comes to clubs merging. But if you are now looking at a full team of B talent after watching A talent pull up B talent for many years, that can be extra jarring. Not all state championships are created equal, and Maine certainly isn't New Jersey or New York (or even MA), so the level of talent is fairly relative in that context. And things always change, especially at U14. I do hope this all comes together for your player. You're right. You don't have a lot of choices up there!

[Unregistered]

Seacoast Maine right?

Same team that was going to the Scorpion Bowl last year then didn't like their seed (too low), so they bailed.

NEP is a developmental league. It is no big deal where you finish. Nobody except some crazy parents really cares.

Might be time to pick up a new sport (for yourself -- I'm sure your daughter is just fine).

[Unregistered]

When you say they decided to "break up" this team, do you mean two teams were created using new and old players? If so, are you, honestly speaking, dealing with the A team or the B team? Any new combination can take awhile to mesh, and yes it's always all about money when it comes to clubs merging. But if you are now looking at a full team of B talent after watching A talent pull up B talent for many years, that can be extra jarring. Not all state championships are created equal, and Maine certainly isn't New Jersey or New York (or even MA), so the level of talent is fairly relative in that context. And things always change, especially at U14. I do hope this all comes together for your player. You're right. You don't have a lot of choices up there!

Supposed to be A talent.

[Unregistered]

Same team that was going to the Scorpion Bowl last year then didn't like their seed (too low), so they bailed.

Why would a team commit the effort and cost to a tournament where they would gain little to nothing by playing in, especially when seeding was established by a format that is weighted based on a skewed scoring system (GotSoccer)? Or are you one of those parents who like to see teams beat 10 - 0?

Seems you are the one with the issue, as this is your typical go-to argument. You must be a team that was beat by the aforementioned Maine team and you have a bone to pick???

[Unregistered]

Why would a team commit the effort and cost to a tournament where they would gain little to nothing by playing in, especially when seeding was established by a format that is weighted based on a skewed scoring system (GotSoccer)? Or are you one of those parents who like to see teams beat 10 - 0?

Seems you are the one with the issue, as this is your typical go-to argument. You must be a team that was beat by the aforementioned Maine team and you have a bone to pick???

Actually I'm not on a team, nor have I ever played the aforementioned Maine team. But it is
an interesting message to send kids don't you think?

You feel like you received too low of a ranking. So rather than go and play in the bracket you were assigned, and perhaps prove that the seeding was incorrect and thereby improve your seeding for subsequent tournaments, you just fold you tents and go home.

[Unregistered]

Actually I'm not on a team, nor have I ever played the aforementioned Maine team. But it is
an interesting message to send kids don't you think?

You feel like you received too low of a ranking. So rather than go and play in the bracket you were assigned, and perhaps prove that the seeding was incorrect and thereby improve your seeding for subsequent tournaments, you just fold you tents and go home.

I have to agree with the original poster. The Scorpion Bowl is an early spring tourney that often involves shoveling snow off fields. Couple that with the expense of travel (hotel rooms aren't' cheap) and poor seeding, and I would have bailed too. Pounding teams or being pounded is no fun even in the best of circumstances, and the Scorpion Bowl, like the Jefferson Cup, has a way of being the worst of circumstances.

[Unregistered]

I have to agree with the original poster. The Scorpion Bowl is an early spring tourney that often involves shoveling snow off fields. Couple that with the expense of travel (hotel rooms aren't' cheap) and poor seeding, and I would have bailed too. Pounding teams or being pounded is no fun even in the best of circumstances, and the Scorpion Bowl, like the Jefferson Cup, has a way of being the worst of circumstances.

Thank you. . . my sentiments exactly.

[Unregistered]

I have to agree with the original poster. The Scorpion Bowl is an early spring tourney that often involves shoveling snow off fields. Couple that with the expense of travel (hotel rooms aren't' cheap) and poor seeding, and I would have bailed too. Pounding teams or being pounded is no fun even in the best of circumstances, and the Scorpion Bowl, like the Jefferson Cup, has a way of being the worst of circumstances.

Expense of travel? Maine to the Jefferson Cup is one thing. But Maine to Mass?

As I recall the thread, their argument for leaving was a "lack of respect". They came to Needham and did well, in one of the lower divisions.

[Unregistered]

Expense of travel? Maine to the Jefferson Cup is one thing. But Maine to Mass?

As I recall the thread, their argument for leaving was a "lack of respect". They came to Needham and did well, in one of the lower divisions.

If it involves a hotel room, it involves $200+ in gas, hotel, food, and tourney fees. That's real money and you have every right to expect at least a chance at a competitive, fun experience.

[Unregistered]

Having been though a similar (although not exact) situation with two of my children I would advise this... do what you think is best for your child. If means moving on, so be it. There are always options... some more palatable than others. At the end of the day if you're not watching out for your childs best interests who will? Personally I would not be as concerned with the initial wins and losses as much as I would be on how my kid is developing and the training he/she is receiving... unfortunately at the club level this is a business and you need to ask yourselves are we getting what we paid for. At all levels of business mergers do not always work and more likely are messy and inefficent at the beginning of the venture.

That said, at some point if you and your child have designs on college (or whatever) the sucess of the team may matter... the better teams do get the invites to the better tournaments where college coach's do frequent. Ideally you need to be able to honestly answer, what is it that your trying to achieve for your child with this soccer experience?

And just for the record - there is much more money being offered by colleges for academics than there is for athletics...especially soccer!

[Unregistered]

Venting a little here.

My player was part of a team that has been playing together for about 5 years. The past three years they have won the State Cup and several regional tournaments. Overall, their record was outstanding. Biased or not on my part, but I think they were really starting to play some quality soccer and were just "coming into their own" as a team. Great "6th sense" due to the familiarity with their teammates.

Then it all went to hell in a handbasket. The club merged with a couple other clubs and the powers that be determined it would be a good idea to break this team up and give slots to players coming from the other clubs so they "wouldn't feel left out/off the 'quality' teams" (the clubs words, not mine).

Now my player's team can't seem to get out of their own way. The "new" team played this fall and the quality of their game has really gone downhill fast. The newer players from the other clubs don't mesh well with the remaining "old" players, the coach has a different take on the game vs the old coach, and they seem to have reverted to one-player soccer vs the team/passing approach they were so good at before.

Of course the club says "it's all for the children" and "we just want everyone to have the opportunity to play". I say it's for the almighty $ and to h-e-double-toothpicks with what's good for the players.

Of course, in my neck of the woods, there aren't a lot of choices!

Anyone else gone through a similar situation with their player?

What exactly is your complaint? Sounds like there are several, but I don't want to put words into your mouth.

1. The record this fall isn't as good as the previous years.
2. The new coach has a different style than the previous coach.
3. The quality of the game is down.

Well, if you've just brought in a bunch of new players that haven't played together for 5 years, and you have a new coaching style that all the players need to adapt to, then perhaps you need to be a little patient?

As a previous poster said, what is it that you want your daughter to get out of her soccer experience?