2011 Boys Soccer Verbal Commitments

[Unregistered]

Just keep telling your kid that, maybe you'll learn.... He was pissed when you didn't let him try out for the DAP team he wanted to. He was pissed when you made him leave his friends to go to prep school. And he's pissed now because you made him apply to all those NESCAC schools, when he wanted to chase his passion at the D1 level. Man..., when are you going to let it go? The kid will be alright, if you give him some space.

What??? You really are starting to lose it.

Primate-man here, and I haven't posted all day so you are now responding to different people, and there was absolutely nothing in the last guy's post to elicit the above. Wow.

I am going to respond to something from earlier but I'm going to take it over to another thread because we are getting in the way. BTW, congrats to the Meyers kid on Wesleyan. Great choice.

[Unregistered]

I think you are seeing more and more DAP players headed to NESCACs and D3 schools, and the coaches do seem to prefer DAP players because that is where they believe the better players are. That is going to make it harder for non DAP players to get on a roster or get playing time.

To the poster who wrote "I haven't read that at all," see above. Great example of what the DAP guy(s) has been saying over and over.

[Unregistered]

I thought the DAP guy was saying that "the DAP is the only way to be recruited." #363

The previous post simply opines that competition for space on rosters is going to tighten as more DAP players are being recruited by NESCAC coaches than before and this will make it more difficult for non DAP players. This seems to have some logic.

What it does not say is "the DAP is the only way to be recruited."

[Unregistered]

My son played club from age six. It is sad to watch HS soccer and see very athletic kids running around the field lost making numerous mistakes while my son didn't. My son became a Div 1 soccer player. His co-captain very athletic friend, who never played club, went nowhere. If he had been taught to play soccer in club, no doubt it would have been different.

Maybe your kid wasn't that good to begin with. Maybe if he had tried to make those around him play better rather than making excuses for his own failings his HS team would have accomplished something. Keep giving him crutches for failure and you'll have a kid living at home at age 35.

[Unregistered]

You are entitled to your opinion and we can agree that we disagree on some points. Since I have also been through the process with a non-DAP player who will be playing NESCAC next year and have heard a different recruitment pitch from many of these same coaches, let's just say that they have different pitches depending upon the audience. Certainly all are keenly aware of the players academic rigors and after school activities when it comes to juggling the academic workload. Coaches certainly do care what programs the players come from or more importantly what coaches they played for, however I don't believe that the DAP teams have cornered the market on all the good Club coaches and training in the state. Also, don't have tunnel vision, when it comes right down to it whether it's a DAP game or R1 game or State Cup finals game the player must perform and impact the game the coach is watching in person in order to be included at the top of the coaches list. You are right the coaches are not idiots, far from it, which is why they recruit the best players possible for their programs--DAP'ers and non-DAP'ers--they don't care if they feel this player is a player they want. As far as getting on the roster or playing time a College Coach could care less whether a player played DAP or not because once they enter college the competition starts all over and the best players play whoever they may be, and those who played 1 year may not play the next or get cut as we both know there are no guarantees in life. Ultimately, we agree to disagree and no disrespect to your opinion as you are perfectly entitled to it as I am mine. Just remember there are many paths to get to ones destination. I hope that all the players from the Class of 2011 end up at their college destination of choice and enjoy their 4 years both on and off the pitch.

The point you don't seem to get is that the coaches are concentrating their efforts on DAP games. They are spensing less and less time and money on DAP games in the hopes that they see one decent player. They know that when scouting a DAP game, they are going to see 10-20 really good players. With shrinking recruiting budgets, and increasing costs of fuel and travel, the coaches will go where they get their most bang for the buck.

This is a proven fact that is evident in the number of coaches at DAP games vs non DAP games.

It's wishful thinking of non DAP parents to think otherwise.

[Unregistered]

The point you don't seem to get is that the coaches are concentrating their efforts on DAP games. They are spensing less and less time and money on DAP games in the hopes that they see one decent player. They know that when scouting a DAP game, they are going to see 10-20 really good players. With shrinking recruiting budgets, and increasing costs of fuel and travel, the coaches will go where they get their most bang for the buck.

This is a proven fact that is evident in the number of coaches at DAP games vs non DAP games.

It's wishful thinking of non DAP parents to think otherwise.

Non DAP parent here.

No one is disputing this.

What you are missing is the constant rant that, even though your point is valid, there is no other means to be seen or play in college. This position is just not true. While D2 and D3 coaches will attend DAP event, as your post points out, they will also attend non-DAP events. For example, do you think a D2/D3 coach on the east coast would travel to AZ in December, with reduced funds, or travel by car this fall to PDA, Bethesda, MPS in Needham, or even the Jefferson Cup in MArch. No one can say (the coach may do both), however, what everyone should agree on (and the DAP parents can't seem to get this) is that there is a very good possibility that the coach would spend the money more wisely, going to multiple east coast event, instead of using the same amount of funds for a single event. in AZ.

Speaking from experience, my child received plenty of D2 and D3 inquires without playing for a DAP team. (Players on his team have as well) My child has decided to apply to much larger D1 schools (not to play soccer) but to acquire a broader education. Some of the players on his team have accepted D2 and D3 slots, and they should do well.

[Unregistered]

Non DAP parent here.

No one is disputing this.

What you are missing is the constant rant that, even though your point is valid, there is no other means to be seen or play in college. This position is just not true. While D2 and D3 coaches will attend DAP event, as your post points out, they will also attend non-DAP events. For example, do you think a D2/D3 coach on the east coast would travel to AZ in December, with reduced funds, or travel by car this fall to PDA, Bethesda, MPS in Needham, or even the Jefferson Cup in MArch. No one can say (the coach may do both), however, what everyone should agree on (and the DAP parents can't seem to get this) is that there is a very good possibility that the coach would spend the money more wisely, going to multiple east coast event, instead of using the same amount of funds for a single event. in AZ.

Speaking from experience, my child received plenty of D2 and D3 inquires without playing for a DAP team. (Players on his team have as well) My child has decided to apply to much larger D1 schools (not to play soccer) but to acquire a broader education. Some of the players on his team have accepted D2 and D3 slots, and they should do well.

You should head on over to the US Soccer web site and check out the list of coaches that attended the showcase in Phoenix. Lots of D2 & D3 coaches, and lots from the eastern half of the USA. You will obviously be shocked that dozens of college coaches don't support your opinion on this.

[Unregistered]

Non DAP parent here.

No one is disputing this.

What you are missing is the constant rant that, even though your point is valid, there is no other means to be seen or play in college. This position is just not true. While D2 and D3 coaches will attend DAP event, as your post points out, they will also attend non-DAP events. For example, do you think a D2/D3 coach on the east coast would travel to AZ in December, with reduced funds, or travel by car this fall to PDA, Bethesda, MPS in Needham, or even the Jefferson Cup in MArch. No one can say (the coach may do both), however, what everyone should agree on (and the DAP parents can't seem to get this) is that there is a very good possibility that the coach would spend the money more wisely, going to multiple east coast event, instead of using the same amount of funds for a single event. in AZ.

Speaking from experience, my child received plenty of D2 and D3 inquires without playing for a DAP team. (Players on his team have as well) My child has decided to apply to much larger D1 schools (not to play soccer) but to acquire a broader education. Some of the players on his team have accepted D2 and D3 slots, and they should do well.

I am also a non DAP parent, with a kid going to school for an education and not soccer. But this article posted in another thread might give you some insight why you are off base with your opinion:

En Route: How The Development Academy Changed College Soccer
Freshmen Showcase Development Academy’s Success.

By J.R. Eskilson
Dec 10, 2010 1:50:00 PM

There has been one storyline that has stood out above the rest during the college soccer season: freshmen are dominating on the best teams in the country. Out of the final four teams, three of them have a freshman who is either first or second on the team in scoring.

The main reason for the success of the freshmen is the Development Academy. The Academy is changing the landscape of college soccer.

Michigan head coach, Steve Burns, told Goal.com on Thursday, “(The Development Academy) is helping soccer in our country immensely. And it is greatly benefiting college soccer because we get these players now who have so much experience with the professionalism with which the Development Academies are running their clubs. They are not enamored with bus trips, with getting planes; they know how to represent their team.”

Burns has reaped the benefits with his spectacular freshman forward, Soony Saad. Saad is second in the nation in goals scored with 19 on the season heading into their semifinal clash against Akron. Also, he has already claimed the single season record for goals scored in Michigan program history.

The high goal totals are nothing new to the Dearborn, Michigan native, he scored 27 goals for the Derby County Wolves in 22 games in the Development Academy last year.

Furthermore, it goes beyond just the highly touted striker. Freshman contributors off the bench, Ezekiel Harris and Dylan Mencia, have also translated Academy success to collegiate glory.

Burns explained, “You look at the Academies, they are all teaching the possession part of the game and that is raising our level.” “Look at our team, our roster of 24 guys, and compare it to the 10-11 years we have been a program.” “Our guys now who are the mid-to bottom part of the roster, and are these really strong Academy players who understand the game, have been coached at a high level, and add true value to our team.”It goes beyond Michigan, Louisville have also utilized freshman additions during the season to get them to this point. With injuries to returning players, coach Ken Lolla turned to freshman Dylan Mares from an early point in the season to fill some goal-scoring boots. Mares used his experience in the Development Academy with the massively successful Indiana United Academy to help ease the transition into the college game. In his debut season, he chipped in with eight goals and three assists. Coach Lolla recognized the role the Academy has played in pushing college soccer forward: “U.S. Soccer continues to take an active role in the Academy and what is going on.” Burns explained, “You look at the Academies, they are all teaching the possession part of the game and that is raising our level. Look at our team, our roster of 24 guys, and compare it to the 10-11 years we have been a program.

“Our guys now who are the mid-to bottom part of the roster, and are these really strong Academy players who understand the game, have been coached at a high level, and add true value to our team.”

It goes beyond Michigan. Louisville have also utilized freshman additions during the season to get them to this point. With injuries to returning players, coach Ken Lolla turned to freshman Dylan Mares from an early point in the season to fill some goal-scoring boots.

Mares used his experience in the Development Academy with the massively successful Indiana United Academy to help ease the transition into the college game. In his debut season, he chipped in with eight goals and three assists. Coach Lolla recognized the role the Academy has played in pushing college soccer forward:

“U.S. Soccer continues to take an active role in the Academy and what is going on," he said. “That has significantly helped in getting the best players together and funneling them to the national team. I do think that has helped college soccer. There is no question about it.”

The increased quality of new players has helped raise the level of play across the country. Coach Burns believed that the style of play that is being employed in the Development Academy is really helping these players get ready for the next level.

“Additionally, you look at the Development Academies and they are all looking to play," says the coach. "When we say play, obviously it is that yin and yang of ‘do you want a team that possesses and dominates possession to create chances? Or do you want to be a team that has a direct style of play and looks to get the ball quickly up to where you are going to score goals?’ You look at the Academies, they are all teaching the possession part of the game and that is raising our level.”
Perhaps not the initial intended purpose of the Development Academy, but the set up of the league and travel plays as a perfect buildup arena for college. The region-based standings with the occasional cross-country flight to face another team from a different part of the land is parallel to the same organizational set-up in college.

Now, that the game is advancing and speeding up in the youth ranks, the gap between the club game and college game is quickly shrinking.

This makes college coaches ecstatic. Their recruits are closer to game-ready than ever before.
Burns put it best: “Hats off to U.S. Soccer on the Development Academy.”

It may not have been the intended goal, but the byproduct of the elite player development has given college soccer fans one of the most fascinating seasons in recent memory.
J.R. Eskilson is the youth soccer editor of Goal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NCAAsoccer

[Unregistered]

You should head on over to the US Soccer web site and check out the list of coaches that attended the showcase in Phoenix. Lots of D2 & D3 coaches, and lots from the eastern half of the USA. You will obviously be shocked that dozens of college coaches don't support your opinion on this.

Your kid will be selling coffee at Starbucks in 5 years so why do you give a crap about who goes to AZ or doesn't. In short, wake up and smell the friggin' coffee.... You people are absolutely pathetic with your insane fantasies of soccer glory.

[Unregistered]

Your kid will be selling coffee at Starbucks in 5 years so why do you give a crap about who goes to AZ or doesn't. In short, wake up and smell the friggin' coffee.... You people are absolutely pathetic with your insane fantasies of soccer glory.

Seems like someone is getting a little upset because they were faced with a few facts

[Unregistered]

Seems like someone is getting a little upset because they were faced with a few facts

Too much caffeine.....needs more holiday cheer

[Unregistered]

interesting to see how mass stacks up against the nation...

Where's the talent?

When it comes to NCAA Division I verbal commits, the answer tends to be California and along the Atlantic Coast,

In this, the first installment of recruiting updates leading to signing day in February, ESPN RISE breaks down the current list of NCAA Division I commitments based on home state. It is no surprise that California, the nation's most populated state, tops the list with 61 confirmed verbals. New Jersey checks in at No. 2, followed by Virginia at No. 3 and North Carolina at No. 4.

Looking at the list regionally, the Southeast has three states in the top six -- Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia -- and five in the top 13. The Northeast offers three states -- New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York -- in the top eight.

In upcoming weeks, ESPN RISE will continue to update the numbers and start deeper analysis of recruiting trends, looking at situation such as Division I commitments per capita and Division I commitments relative to the number of Division I schools in that state.

1. California 61
2. New Jersey 48
3. Virginia 40
4. North Carolina 39
5. Pennsylvania 35
6. Georgia 31
7. Illinois 29
8. New York 28
9. Texas 22
10. Ohio 21
11. Michigan 20
12. Florida 19
13. South Carolina 15
14. Connecticut 14
15. Indiana 13
16t. Maryland 11
16t. Wisconsin 11
18. Missouri 10
19. Washington 9
20t. Kentucky 7
20t. Massachusetts 7
20t. Tennessee 7

[Unregistered]

You should head on over to the US Soccer web site and check out the list of coaches that attended the showcase in Phoenix. Lots of D2 & D3 coaches, and lots from the eastern half of the USA. You will obviously be shocked that dozens of college coaches don't support your opinion on this.

Where did I say, NO D2/D3 eastern schools would go to AZ?? What I did say was that these coaches may also go to non-DAP evenets, along with AZ. I also said, that a small school with limited funds MAY spread those funds over multiple events.

[Unregistered]

Where did I say, NO D2/D3 eastern schools would go to AZ?? What I did say was that these coaches may also go to non-DAP evenets, along with AZ. I also said, that a small school with limited funds MAY spread those funds over multiple events.

A small school with limited funds will go to the place where they can see the most good players. And that is a DAP event. 70+ teams in two age groups (covering four or more ages) is over 1500 of the best players on a starting lineup alone. All over 4 days of a DAP event. How many little regional or local showcases does a coach have to attend to see that much quality in one place over that short a period of time? And all in hopes of maybe seeing the one or two good kids that happen to not play on a DAP team?

Any school serious about it's soccer program is going to DAP games.

[Unregistered]

interesting to see how mass stacks up against the nation...

Where's the talent?

When it comes to NCAA Division I verbal commits, the answer tends to be California and along the Atlantic Coast,

In this, the first installment of recruiting updates leading to signing day in February, ESPN RISE breaks down the current list of NCAA Division I commitments based on home state. It is no surprise that California, the nation's most populated state, tops the list with 61 confirmed verbals. New Jersey checks in at No. 2, followed by Virginia at No. 3 and North Carolina at No. 4.

Looking at the list regionally, the Southeast has three states in the top six -- Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia -- and five in the top 13. The Northeast offers three states -- New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York -- in the top eight.

In upcoming weeks, ESPN RISE will continue to update the numbers and start deeper analysis of recruiting trends, looking at situation such as Division I commitments per capita and Division I commitments relative to the number of Division I schools in that state.

1. California 61
2. New Jersey 48
3. Virginia 40
4. North Carolina 39
5. Pennsylvania 35
6. Georgia 31
7. Illinois 29
8. New York 28
9. Texas 22
10. Ohio 21
11. Michigan 20
12. Florida 19
13. South Carolina 15
14. Connecticut 14
15. Indiana 13
16t. Maryland 11
16t. Wisconsin 11
18. Missouri 10
19. Washington 9
20t. Kentucky 7
20t. Massachusetts 7
20t. Tennessee 7

This is partly to do with the mentality of winning created in this state with it's league, club structure, and parental desire to have their kids only be on a winning team.

I used to live in PA, and every soccer player wanted to play for FC Delco. Didn't matter if it was on the top team or not. It was special to be a Delco player. Still got good training, appropraite competition, and a strong club culture. In MA, playing on a second team for a club is like a badge of failure.