The Girls 2007 Thread

[Guest]

Stars operate on a model of 0% development and 100% poaching, displaying no loyalty towards their own people.

Aztec is a club known for its player development. However, this weekend, Stars ECNL Director was seen harassing Aztec parents in an attempt to recruit their players. It raises concerns about how his own players and families feel, knowing that their coach has no intention of developing them but instead plans to replace them.

[/QUOTE]

First-there are plenty of 05/06/07 kids on Stars Blue ecnl that have been there since ulittle. NEFC, Scorpions, Select have just as many players that didn’t start at the club. This is normal as there is no reason to drive long distances to practice when a kid is 10 or 11.

Second—most kids on top ECNL and GA teams are looking to play in college. Do you think “loyalty” exists in college soccer? Coaches recruit/play/keep the players that help them keep their job. Players battle for playing time constantly. If what you say about Aztec is true (“development”, full loyalty to existing players), then they must be keeping less talented players around even if a better player from outside the club wants to join. Those kids will be in for a rude awakening in college when the coach is ALWAYS looking for someone better than what they currently have.

Third-I’m assuming you’re an 07 Aztec parent. The ship has sailed. 2025s are almost done in terms of committing (P5, top mid-major and Ivy), although some will still be looking at winter showcases). If a kid is looking for high academic D3, ECNL would certainly help, but many of those schools are well into finalizing 2025 as well. If your kid is a 2026 it might be something to consider. But there is zero playing time guaranteed on that “director’s” teams, so just be sure she’s ready to battle for time every practice.

[Guest]

The Aztec ‘07(for that matter ‘08) are anomalies to these discussions. But Mo sure does develop the players.

[Guest]

The Aztec ‘07(for that matter ‘08) are anomalies to these discussions. But Mo sure does develop the players.

Mo Keita is now also coaching the 2010 and 2011 teams. So keep an eye out for future "anomalies"?

Aztec hired Joe Calabrese, the head men's coach at Endicott, as Technical Director to free up some of Mo's time.
https://www.aztecsoccer.com/2023joecalabrese

[Guest]

First-there are plenty of 05/06/07 kids on Stars Blue ecnl that have been there since ulittle. NEFC, Scorpions, Select have just as many players that didn’t start at the club. This is normal as there is no reason to drive long distances to practice when a kid is 10 or 11.

Second—most kids on top ECNL and GA teams are looking to play in college. Do you think “loyalty” exists in college soccer? Coaches recruit/play/keep the players that help them keep their job. Players battle for playing time constantly. If what you say about Aztec is true (“development”, full loyalty to existing players), then they must be keeping less talented players around even if a better player from outside the club wants to join. Those kids will be in for a rude awakening in college when the coach is ALWAYS looking for someone better than what they currently have.

Third-I’m assuming you’re an 07 Aztec parent. The ship has sailed. 2025s are almost done in terms of committing (P5, top mid-major and Ivy), although some will still be looking at winter showcases). If a kid is looking for high academic D3, ECNL would certainly help, but many of those schools are well into finalizing 2025 as well. If your kid is a 2026 it might be something to consider. But there is zero playing time guaranteed on that “director’s” teams, so just be sure she’s ready to battle for time every practice. [/QUOTE]

What’s with the scare tactics of P5 and Ivy League constantly?? Also, 2025 recruiting is done? Hahaha. You need to talk to more college coaches. P5 and Ivy are probably the closest to being done - but what does that actually mean for the children of the parents on this board?? <1% of the 2025 female players in Massachusetts are headed to P5 or Ivy. If you’re lucky; 6% of total of players on “top teams” will get a shot (read Stars, NEFC, Scorps, SS etc). Guess what? Those girls were good enough no matter where they played.

There are 70 P5 schools. Based on the average recruiting class size you are talking about 350-400 girls total. Coaches tend to recruit in-state talent first, except for the elite P5’s, so call it 40% in state and you’re left with 200-240 non Boston College Spots.

There are roughly 130 ECNL teams in the US and this thread has told me the P5 ONLY recruit from ECNL teams……but I’ll include GA for fun.

So if I do the rough math there are likely 5 or 6 non-BC, P5 spots available for Massachusetts players per graduation year. There are 40+ players at stars two teams and another 20+ each at Scorpions, SS and NEFC (100 ish)

By all estimates 94 girls or 94% of all ECNL and GA players in Mass don’t end up at Power 5 schools in every recruiting class. I’m not even counting the Regional players that get caught up on the hoopla.

The net net of this is, if your daughter is good enough to play in college and determined enough to put in the work, there are plenty of good teams out there (as seen this past weekend at NEFC tourney by MANY local coaches). Recruiting for 2025 is not yet done and P5 is a dream dangled out there by many crazy parents (not coaches). You’re either BYU or BU material by the player you are, not the patch you wear.

ECNL has done the best job marketing to parents with good incomes whose kids show athletic ability and talent. Full stop. ECNL profits are up, growth is good, college placement is high and the USWNT has never been worse. Coincidence?? Poaching athletic players and not focusing on development is killing the game here. But that is for another day….

[Guest]

The Aztec ‘07(for that matter ‘08) are anomalies to these discussions. But Mo sure does develop the players.

Mo has done amazing for sure! There are some really good non-ECNL and non-GA teams in our area in that 07 age group with some super talented players (Aztec, NE Surf, RI Surf, Bayside).

[Guest]

First-there are plenty of 05/06/07 kids on Stars Blue ecnl that have been there since ulittle. NEFC, Scorpions, Select have just as many players that didn’t start at the club. This is normal as there is no reason to drive long distances to practice when a kid is 10 or 11.

Second—most kids on top ECNL and GA teams are looking to play in college. Do you think “loyalty” exists in college soccer? Coaches recruit/play/keep the players that help them keep their job. Players battle for playing time constantly. If what you say about Aztec is true (“development”, full loyalty to existing players), then they must be keeping less talented players around even if a better player from outside the club wants to join. Those kids will be in for a rude awakening in college when the coach is ALWAYS looking for someone better than what they currently have.

Third-I’m assuming you’re an 07 Aztec parent. The ship has sailed. 2025s are almost done in terms of committing (P5, top mid-major and Ivy), although some will still be looking at winter showcases). If a kid is looking for high academic D3, ECNL would certainly help, but many of those schools are well into finalizing 2025 as well. If your kid is a 2026 it might be something to consider. But there is zero playing time guaranteed on that “director’s” teams, so just be sure she’s ready to battle for time every practice.

What’s with the scare tactics of P5 and Ivy League constantly?? Also, 2025 recruiting is done? Hahaha. You need to talk to more college coaches. P5 and Ivy are probably the closest to being done - but what does that actually mean for the children of the parents on this board?? <1% of the 2025 female players in Massachusetts are headed to P5 or Ivy. If you’re lucky; 6% of total of players on “top teams” will get a shot (read Stars, NEFC, Scorps, SS etc). Guess what? Those girls were good enough no matter where they played.

There are 70 P5 schools. Based on the average recruiting class size you are talking about 350-400 girls total. Coaches tend to recruit in-state talent first, except for the elite P5’s, so call it 40% in state and you’re left with 200-240 non Boston College Spots.

There are roughly 130 ECNL teams in the US and this thread has told me the P5 ONLY recruit from ECNL teams……but I’ll include GA for fun.

So if I do the rough math there are likely 5 or 6 non-BC, P5 spots available for Massachusetts players per graduation year. There are 40+ players at stars two teams and another 20+ each at Scorpions, SS and NEFC (100 ish)

By all estimates 94 girls or 94% of all ECNL and GA players in Mass don’t end up at Power 5 schools in every recruiting class. I’m not even counting the Regional players that get caught up on the hoopla.

The net net of this is, if your daughter is good enough to play in college and determined enough to put in the work, there are plenty of good teams out there (as seen this past weekend at NEFC tourney by MANY local coaches). Recruiting for 2025 is not yet done and P5 is a dream dangled out there by many crazy parents (not coaches). You’re either BYU or BU material by the player you are, not the patch you wear.

ECNL has done the best job marketing to parents with good incomes whose kids show athletic ability and talent. Full stop. ECNL profits are up, growth is good, college placement is high and the USWNT has never been worse. Coincidence?? Poaching athletic players and not focusing on development is killing the game here. But that is for another day….[/QUOTE]

If you think BU (and the rest of the Patriot League schools) aren’t already close to done with their 2025s, you don’t know much about the recruiting timeline at various levels.

All of your comments above revolve around P5–the post you responded to was referencing the timeline for P5, Ivy and top mid-majors. Those are mostly done for 2025.

[Guest]

A lot of theories. Let’s talk facts. Both Aztec and ECNL teams can have good players. Where are the Aztec kids going to play in college?

[Guest]

A lot of theories. Let’s talk facts. Both Aztec and ECNL teams can have good players. Where are the Aztec kids going to play in college?

On the ‘07 team out there this past weekend there are or will be 6-10 D1 players. Most of girls are 2026’s so will have to wait.
That being said these 6-10 could play at either blue/scorpions/Nefc.

[Guest]

Mo has done amazing for sure! There are some really good non-ECNL and non-GA teams in our area in that 07 age group with some super talented players (Aztec, NE Surf, RI Surf, Bayside).

Hello Bayside dad, where you been for last 4-5 years.

[Guest]

On the ‘07 team out there this past weekend there are or will be 6-10 D1 players. Most of girls are 2026’s so will have to wait.
That being said these 6-10 could play at either blue/scorpions/Nefc.

So, more theories.

[Guest]

I agree with you. GA and ECNL parents think those are the only pathway to make a college team.

What’s with the scare tactics of P5 and Ivy League constantly?? Also, 2025 recruiting is done? Hahaha. You need to talk to more college coaches. P5 and Ivy are probably the closest to being done - but what does that actually mean for the children of the parents on this board?? <1% of the 2025 female players in Massachusetts are headed to P5 or Ivy. If you’re lucky; 6% of total of players on “top teams” will get a shot (read Stars, NEFC, Scorps, SS etc). Guess what? Those girls were good enough no matter where they played.

There are 70 P5 schools. Based on the average recruiting class size you are talking about 350-400 girls total. Coaches tend to recruit in-state talent first, except for the elite P5’s, so call it 40% in state and you’re left with 200-240 non Boston College Spots.

There are roughly 130 ECNL teams in the US and this thread has told me the P5 ONLY recruit from ECNL teams……but I’ll include GA for fun.

So if I do the rough math there are likely 5 or 6 non-BC, P5 spots available for Massachusetts players per graduation year. There are 40+ players at stars two teams and another 20+ each at Scorpions, SS and NEFC (100 ish)

By all estimates 94 girls or 94% of all ECNL and GA players in Mass don’t end up at Power 5 schools in every recruiting class. I’m not even counting the Regional players that get caught up on the hoopla.

The net net of this is, if your daughter is good enough to play in college and determined enough to put in the work, there are plenty of good teams out there (as seen this past weekend at NEFC tourney by MANY local coaches). Recruiting for 2025 is not yet done and P5 is a dream dangled out there by many crazy parents (not coaches). You’re either BYU or BU material by the player you are, not the patch you wear.

ECNL has done the best job marketing to parents with good incomes whose kids show athletic ability and talent. Full stop. ECNL profits are up, growth is good, college placement is high and the USWNT has never been worse. Coincidence?? Poaching athletic players and not focusing on development is killing the game here. But that is for another day….[/QUOTE]

If you think BU (and the rest of the Patriot League schools) aren’t already close to done with their 2025s, you don’t know much about the recruiting timeline at various levels.

All of your comments above revolve around P5–the post you responded to was referencing the timeline for P5, Ivy and top mid-majors. Those are mostly done for 2025. [/QUOTE]

[Guest]

Some big games coming up for the local GA & ECNL teams this weekend. Looking forward to seeing the results.

[Guest]

Is Patriot League considered a top mid-major? Not trolling.

[Guest]

Stars operate on a model of 0% development and 100% poaching, displaying no loyalty towards their own people.

Aztec is a club known for its player development. However, this weekend, Stars ECNL Director was seen harassing Aztec parents in an attempt to recruit their players. It raises concerns about how his own players and families feel, knowing that their coach has no intention of developing them but instead plans to replace them.

[/QUOTE]

Nonsense. Every club will take players they think will make a team better. That's how it works at this level. That's how it works in college. The greatest coaching on the planet can only take some players so far, either because they're not athletically gifted or don't put in the work or both. Some kids just won't make it. It's a funnel into the top teams and is intended to be that way. At this point the better talent in this small state is well known. Teams don't change significantly because there's nothing hiding away no one hasn't seen.

A coach talking to families also doesn't mean they're "poaching. " Aztec families know who Stars are and would approach the club. That is how it works.more often than not. Families approach a club looking to move up. Families leave clubs because they want to. They're either unhappy with the current club or looking for a challenge the club can't offer them. They're looking out for their child, as they should. Loyalty to a club that isn't meeting their needs is foolish.

-Not @ Stars

[Guest]

Nonsense. Every club will take players they think will make a team better. That's how it works at this level. That's how it works in college. The greatest coaching on the planet can only take some players so far, either because they're not athletically gifted or don't put in the work or both. Some kids just won't make it. It's a funnel into the top teams and is intended to be that way. At this point the better talent in this small state is well known. Teams don't change significantly because there's nothing hiding away no one hasn't seen.

[/QUOTE]Your comment isn’t based on what’s actually happened, though. It’s just a made up hypothetical.

First, there are boundaries, but Stars coaches don’t seem to know that. If you get hired to put on a clinic for a high school, you are not there to recruit players for your club. Similarly, the vast majority of coaches would not walk up to players at a tournament; the player is there with their team. In fact, some coaches would wait for the player to give some sign they are interested in moving clubs. Or at a minimum, handle it privately through a mutual contact.

Second, you are pretending it’s some finely targeted pitch based on the coach’s assessment, etc. It’s not. None of what you are describing is what actually happened. They are casting a wide net, just trying to haul bodies into tryouts and onto the teams.

Finally, do you think they tell the players and the parents the truth at any point? About whether they are have a real shot at making an ECNL team? (They don’t tell the truth to the families with the club now.) And if they did make a team, how playing time would work?