NCAA Final

[Guest]

Some great athletes, but in this particular game, not many. We dont teach the game. we roll the ball out, set up goals and make it all about the uniform and who wins. That game was the pinnacle of that. Exciting? Yes. Commitment? Yes Hard work? yes. All of that. Quality? Not much. Not a single player on the field who could put their foot on the ball and dictate the pace of play. No consistent effort to play thru midfield. the game becomes a long shot,set piece, crossing contest based on physicality. Head down, go forward. Very little creation of overloads, via quick ball movement etc.

That said, its getting harder and harder to build a settled team with the portal, transfers are easier and players seem to be more focused on individual brands than they ever were. Fans of the teams just want to win and how they get there is irrelevant.

There is no payoff for developing better players. The system is set up this way for a reason.

Are you knocking rolling out the ball? Do you watch Premier League? That is exactly what you do. You keep possession that way.

[Guest]

Looks like the are pushing each other. Gk is position to launch by leaning into blue player. She fans on ball as she jumps.

That is what players do to prevent her from coming out. Crowd the gk; take away the space, etc.

Where were the unc players blocking that from happening? Oh they were behind the gk. She fell into them when she jumped and wiffed.

She and her teammates were not positioned properly. Gk misplayed ball.

Horrible defending. Is that really the best college has to offer??? Does not seem right.

[Guest]

Horrible defending. Is that really the best college has to offer??? Does not seem right.

Watched horrible defending throughout the postseason. Teams that blew it in last 10 minutes. Like this game.

How do you let a team score 2 in less than 10 mins?

The equalizer in less than 20 seconds. All they needed to do was boot it up the field as far as they could. Game over.

[Guest]

Are you knocking rolling out the ball? Do you watch Premier League? That is exactly what you do. You keep possession that way.

comparing the PL, without looking at how those players got there makes no sense. Winning games at u13 > is not the primary goal. Developing players that can contribute to the first team or be sold for profit is. Im knocking the balance between individual and team development.

[Guest]

They have 40 on roster. Most will never see time.

I know, crazy large rosters. Going through the recruiting process with my 2024 D now. She is not UNC or UCLA caliber but good player none the less. Many of these power 5 schools have deep benches with very talented kids who don't play. And the ones who don't play likely have less scholarship money or any at all. My D really doesn't want to go through the grind so she is lowering her sights to lower level schools.

[Guest]

comparing the PL, without looking at how those players got there makes no sense. Winning games at u13 > is not the primary goal. Developing players that can contribute to the first team or be sold for profit is. Im knocking the balance between individual and team development.

Now that I can get behind.

There should be a maturity about all of it as you get older too. Kids that always were more interested in themselves and their stats and accolades will many times not evolve into team players. They always want the limelight (deserved or not). Part of the development on the field also is development of the person.

In a team sport, it has to be team first. You as the individual must do the work that you can do on your own (stay fit, train, push yourself etc) but you have to think of the team when it matters.

Today, kids just want instant gratification and the recognition. That comes from parents and coaches.

[Guest]

I know, crazy large rosters. Going through the recruiting process with my 2024 D now. She is not UNC or UCLA caliber but good player none the less. Many of these power 5 schools have deep benches with very talented kids who don't play. And the ones who don't play likely have less scholarship money or any at all. My D really doesn't want to go through the grind so she is lowering her sights to lower level schools.

I disagree about the money part and some reserves. The money part with getting quality transfers right now is tricky. It will be even tricker with new keep your scholarship rules. Players and coaches do like a Tom Brady deal where they move it around to free it up for another quality player or two.

My kid gave back some money (qualified for academic money as well) to get some quality seasoned transfers to help with team success. It depends on what you are willing to sacrifice.

[Guest]

Now that I can get behind.

There should be a maturity about all of it as you get older too. Kids that always were more interested in themselves and their stats and accolades will many times not evolve into team players. They always want the limelight (deserved or not). Part of the development on the field also is development of the person.

In a team sport, it has to be team first. You as the individual must do the work that you can do on your own (stay fit, train, push yourself etc) but you have to think of the team when it matters.

Today, kids just want instant gratification and the recognition. That comes from parents and coaches.

that will always be the way this system works. It is designed to reward early success with access and opportunity at every level. Look at how many of the WNT have been in that system since YNT days. Development is not linear, but you would not beleive that if you looked at the WNT pathways. If you dont tick the right boxes early, its very hard to get any attention later. if you dont tick those boxes, there is very little financial incentive or opportunity to continue to develop. the only profitable soccer end game for women is the WNT and that return is so disproportionate to any other available in the game, that you consistently get 200+ cap players. the USSF spend millions convincing you that these are the best we have while we lose generation after generation. its self fulfilling. well at least it was while the team could still win in spite of who was picked. That team has become more self absorbed that any i have seen in a while. Attacking players trying to get theres, no matter the impact on the team as a whole. To make it look like development matters, they call up a 17 yr old.

Nothing will change until you have a professional pathway that is separate and distinct from the College pathway. That wont happen without a huge investment and that won't happen without TV demand for women's professional soccer at Club level or some billionaires just deciding they want a hobby.

[Guest]

I know, crazy large rosters. Going through the recruiting process with my 2024 D now. She is not UNC or UCLA caliber but good player none the less. Many of these power 5 schools have deep benches with very talented kids who don't play. And the ones who don't play likely have less scholarship money or any at all. My D really doesn't want to go through the grind so she is lowering her sights to lower level schools.

Between that and the increased international recruiting on the womens side it’s getting tougher and tougher. Our D school has 38 on the roster. Yup 38! Insane

[Guest]

I know, crazy large rosters. Going through the recruiting process with my 2024 D now. She is not UNC or UCLA caliber but good player none the less. Many of these power 5 schools have deep benches with very talented kids who don't play. And the ones who don't play likely have less scholarship money or any at all. My D really doesn't want to go through the grind so she is lowering her sights to lower level schools.

Most schools do not have deep benches with very talented kids on them. They have kids on the bench who are willing to give up the opportunity to play more minutes for many reasons. Those range from enjoying being a part of a successful team to being able to afford school without soccer and all things in between. To some, simply saying i'm on the team at UNC is worth a lot.

[Guest]

comparing the PL, without looking at how those players got there makes no sense. Winning games at u13 > is not the primary goal. Developing players that can contribute to the first team or be sold for profit is. Im knocking the balance between individual and team development.

Jealous TS parents piling on the UNC player and referring her to a practice cone. The fact she was identified to a prestigious program puts her in the top 1% of players in college. As far as these large rosters these players would rather train with there teams then start on some mid level team that the vast majority of your daughters play on that will never get to play in the NCAA tournament. I know players who transferred to mid level program from P5 top 25 teams and are starting and getting plenty of playing time. They have yet to win a conference tournament or get invited to the NCAA. Is it worth it? That’s up to the player. I personally don’t think so. What a great year and great experience for all the players on UNC. Hundreds of club players show up to the UNC camps and clinics and thousands send emails to the coaches at ECNL Showcases.. One of the biggest teams in all of womens sports. Getting identified and asked to be on that team you have to be an elite player.

[Guest]

Between that and the increased international recruiting on the womens side it’s getting tougher and tougher. Our D school has 38 on the roster. Yup 38! Insane

Some of that will improve after the last of years covid kids have graduated out.

[Guest]

Between that and the increased international recruiting on the womens side it’s getting tougher and tougher. Our D school has 38 on the roster. Yup 38! Insane

Coaches can look at proven international players who have experience, 2 more years for those players effected by the covid year and the newest alternative for immediate help which is the transfer portal. Especially those mid major programs that can bring in players from higher rated colleges who want more playing time. This is a game changer where some coaches would rather bring in 5 transfer students for immediate help rather than 5 freshman at those positions.

[Guest]

Jealous TS parents piling on the UNC player and referring her to a practice cone. The fact she was identified to a prestigious program puts her in the top 1% of players in college. As far as these large rosters these players would rather train with there teams then start on some mid level team that the vast majority of your daughters play on that will never get to play in the NCAA tournament. I know players who transferred to mid level program from P5 top 25 teams and are starting and getting plenty of playing time. They have yet to win a conference tournament or get invited to the NCAA. Is it worth it? That’s up to the player. I personally don’t think so. What a great year and great experience for all the players on UNC. Hundreds of club players show up to the UNC camps and clinics and thousands send emails to the coaches at ECNL Showcases.. One of the biggest teams in all of womens sports. Getting identified and asked to be on that team you have to be an elite player.

It is the holidays. I am going to give the TS poster(s) a pass about referring to the UNC player who did not play as a practice cone as being unknowing as to the entirety of it.

Agreed. She is among the top players by just being on the team. Their training sessions can be more challenging then some of their actual games.

Also as you note, getting a lot of playing time by moving from a p5 to mid level is great. But I am with you. Never experiencing conference post season, winning a conference tourney and competing in NCAA's for a highly competitive player can be unfulfilling. As you correctly note, it is up to the player.

Each player has a separate story; why they do what they do; and what they want out of all of it. It is their story to tell.

[Guest]

"Agreed. She is among the top players by just being on the team. Their training sessions can be more challenging then some of their actual games."

adding to that thought:

....and harder or more challenging than many of the games most other teams and players will ever experience. That could be what draws the player.

Agree with above poster. Each has their own story. But I would love for those to be told.