The Girls 2007 Thread

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The one to Scorpions wasn’t a starter, easily replaceable. There are girls equal or better from DPL that they can bring up easily. Not sure about the other player.

The next two to leave won’t be so “easily replaceable.” You heard it here first.

[Unregistered]

The next two to leave won’t be so “easily replaceable.” You heard it here first.

Awesome. So with the addition of those two, we can expect stars to move out of 8th place in the standings?

[Unregistered]

The next two to leave won’t be so “easily replaceable.” You heard it here first.

It is really too bad that a very good team has to split up because some clubs hold keys to leagues that others don't. Something very wrong with this pay-to-play system.

[Unregistered]

It is really too bad that a very good team has to split up because some clubs hold keys to leagues that others don't. Something very wrong with this pay-to-play system.

That’s right. Nothing will change as long as parents keep jumping ship. There is one key person benefiting from all of this. I’m sure you can guess who that is.

[Unregistered]

That’s right. Nothing will change as long as parents keep jumping ship. There is one key person benefiting from all of this. I’m sure you can guess who that is.

Everyone seems to be buying that the only way to D1 soccer is through ECNL. What about just developing to be the best player you can be? All this moving around messes with the continuity of development. Every ECNL practice is like a tryout. At these ages that forces much more individual play. Not sure what the right answer is in all this but with results as the measure of success, and the league play being the ticket, I'm not sure I would want my player being a sub on one of these teams.

[Unregistered]

Wouldn’t believe a thing on here until the fall season starts and the team is on the field together. Parents are just ramped up with the anxiety of late spring / offer time.

[Unregistered]

It is really too bad that a very good team has to split up because some clubs hold keys to leagues that others don't. Something very wrong with this pay-to-play system.

i don't agree with part of this. i think it's GOOD for player development to change teams/coaches every so often - never understood NEFC parent fascination with keeping the same group together for years and years. not a huge fan that it's to pay to play system driving this though.

[Unregistered]

i don't agree with part of this. i think it's GOOD for player development to change teams/coaches every so often - never understood NEFC parent fascination with keeping the same group together for years and years. not a huge fan that it's to pay to play system driving this though.

Teams (each age group) should be in a promotion / relegation system (One league with multiple levels) not Club A is in this league, Club B is in that league. That would have some movement associated with it that isn't just access related. Take some of the politics out of this mess. Start it at 8th grade level so that high school years are competitive regionally.

[Unregistered]

If you are the parent of one of these kids seriously exploring Stars for next year what is Stars telling you about the two teams/coaches? Might be fun to compare notes to what they're telling current Stars parents - which isn't much.

[Unregistered]

But why is it that Stars is the only club who can aggregate talent? Obviously they can’t develop their own players. What is it about Stars that makes it so desirable for parents? Are players guaranteed D1 scholarships? Is that what it is?

They aren't. Scorpions can too. My guess is that Stars has some combination of historical reputation plus current coaching/recruiting that has given them some advantages vs Scorpions.

Also it doesn't mean Stars "can't develop their own players". That's total nonsense. Of course they can, and they do. They just can't get all the players right away at the earliest ages. Kids are spread out especially when they are young and playing close to home. And there is quality all over. Rosters are filled everywhere with some top players, some middle, and some bottom. But as they approach recruiting years those top players want to play all together with the other top players. And that's what you see...the top of the pyramid. There are only 3 teams per age group where this exists which keeps it being the top of the pyramid. If you let in 2, 3, 5, 8 more clubs (an arbitrary number) then the top ceases to be the top, it becomes diluted.

As for the guaranteed D1 scholarships, no of course not. Nothing is ever going to be guaranteed. But there is very, very high percentage of kids going on to play D1 for sure, more so than anywhere else. And if that is the target, a lot (not all) of kids/parents will choose that option because of the exposure as well as the opportunity to play with and against other top players. Hence the aggregation at the HS ages.

[Unregistered]

If you are the parent of one of these kids seriously exploring Stars for next year what is Stars telling you about the two teams/coaches? Might be fun to compare notes to what they're telling current Stars parents - which isn't much.

Not just that but if they are getting roster spots on National teams then some kids get bumped to Regional? Does this just become musical chairs when it is all said and done? an upgrade at this level depends on a lot of factors that are not evident in an ID clinic, or a few practices.

[Unregistered]

Everyone seems to be buying that the only way to D1 soccer is through ECNL. What about just developing to be the best player you can be? All this moving around messes with the continuity of development. Every ECNL practice is like a tryout. At these ages that forces much more individual play. Not sure what the right answer is in all this but with results as the measure of success, and the league play being the ticket, I'm not sure I would want my player being a sub on one of these teams.

I like this post. I don't necessarily agree with your development/individual play points. But it is certainly a decision that everyone makes that fits their situation best. Pick what works best for you.

Also I like the line: "every ECNL practice is like a tryout". It often does. Certainly not an environment that is suited for every kid.

[Unregistered]

It is really too bad that a very good team has to split up because some clubs hold keys to leagues that others don't. Something very wrong with this pay-to-play system.

Dude select recruits every breathing girl alive. They have girls at other clubs practicing all the time with their teams. Its ok for a GA team to recruit but not ECNL?? That is weird. By U-14 select has about 5 original girls left. The 19 other girls come from many different clubs.

My point is it happens everywhere!

[Unregistered]

I like this post. I don't necessarily agree with your development/individual play points. But it is certainly a decision that everyone makes that fits their situation best. Pick what works best for you.

Also I like the line: "every ECNL practice is like a tryout". It often does. Certainly not an environment that is suited for every kid.

Thanks. My point on development is driven more by the Cruyff quote .. "Playing simple is very hard to do" The point is that for a group to play simple together takes a lot of trust and knowledge of each other. When I watch some practices at this level it's often one or two players trying to dribble through every time they touch the ball. Some great skill but not great soccer overall.

[Unregistered]

Dude select recruits every breathing girl alive. They have girls at other clubs practicing all the time with their teams. Its ok for a GA team to recruit but not ECNL?? That is weird. By U-14 select has about 5 original girls left. The 19 other girls come from many different clubs.

My point is it happens everywhere!

Agreed! I think it is hurting all the clubs. My point was that a good team shouldn't break up solely because they don't have access to a league that they are certainly good enough to play in.