Girls Soccer

[Unregistered]

I don't understand your approach. All these programs have rosters available and most give a bio if their players HS age teen years. LOOK at them and target correctly. You want to go to Unc and play soccer? You better have that type of resume and that is a hands down soccer stud that will live and breathe it. You want to go to Princeton? You need the soccer goods but that is not enough...hit the books...hard.

Try to find the right match. Some will require super expensive high level league play. Some will not. Some kids will want what they can't have..oh well..such is life. Good luck all.

[Unregistered]

I don't understand your approach. All these programs have rosters available and most give a bio if their players HS age teen years. LOOK at them and target correctly. You want to go to Unc and play soccer? You better have that type of resume and that is a hands down soccer stud that will live and breathe it. You want to go to Princeton? You need the soccer goods but that is not enough...hit the books...hard.

Try to find the right match. Some will require super expensive high level league play. Some will not. Some kids will want what they can't have..oh well..such is life. Good luck all.

Spot on. Which is why the generalizations here need to be taken in context. Most of the comments here apply to average players. If you have an elite player, you probably know it. The parents who think Jane is elite, but need someone on a forum or at a Club to tell them probably dont have have it.

Be happy with your choices and move on.

[Unregistered]

Any top club that’s closest to me. I’m not driving to any of those clubs.

Hurry over to West Morris, MF USYS or PSA NL teams! All current NL teams that made Vegas. Definitely better exposure vs the clubs mentioned above right? What a joke this thread is comparing NL teams to those top clubs.

Now if your choosing NL over bottom feeder teams like MF and CS Bergen go for it.

[Unregistered]

Agree that at a very minimum it would have to be a team that made Vegas.

[Unregistered]

The point is, these kids play in NY metro area. Texas may kill it in ecnl.or gda...good for texas but who cares? What idiot is going to pick a local option for their kids based on Texas?

Is there some idiot in Texas choosing a team based on NY metro area? I sure hope not.

Then, why didn't you just say that as your point?

[Unregistered]

Correct me if I’m wrong but aren’t most parents who have their kid play in ECNL /DA expecting to have their kid play D1? Or are parents/kids playing ECNL with the idea their Suzies will play D2,D3 soccer? Maybe my kids team is the exception but I would say almost all of the parents have their kid playing ECNL because they think it will lead to a D1 college soccer program. Am I missing something? Hard to believe D2, D3 soccer is the desired outcome with all the time, money and travel ECNL/DA requires. And to me the bottom line is you don’t need ECNL to play at the D2, D3 college soccer level. So if ECNL continues to get watered down and is not giving the D1 return people want they will go back to EDP. Water cooler bragging rights can only take you so far.

No.

If you look at the time, money, and travel as a burden with an expectation of an ROI, then 99% will be sorely mistaken.

[Unregistered]

Then, why didn't you just say that as your point?

Why does such an obvious point even need to be made more then once. OMG. Look at your player and your wallet and try to find a good option where you player can learn soccer.

And unless you are willing to commute to Texas, don't waste your time examining the options in Texas.

[Unregistered]

No.

If you look at the time, money, and travel as a burden with an expectation of an ROI, then 99% will be sorely mistaken.

Agreed - it’s going to be very interesting to see some of the parents reaction when reality slaps them in the face and little Suzy doesn’t get the D1 ride her parents were banking on all these years. Lots of parents on these low level ECNL teams are going to have a reality check and it’s not going to be pretty.

[Unregistered]

Why does such an obvious point even need to be made more then once. OMG. Look at your player and your wallet and try to find a good option where you player can learn soccer.

And unless you are willing to commute to Texas, don't waste your time examining the options in Texas.

You certainly have wood for Texas, doncha"?

Poster comments about something, you call them incorrect, then say you don't have any idea what he's talking about.

OMG.

[Unregistered]

Agreed - it’s going to be very interesting to see some of the parents reaction when reality slaps them in the face and little Suzy doesn’t get the D1 ride her parents were banking on all these years. Lots of parents on these low level ECNL teams are going to have a reality check and it’s not going to be pretty.

IF, and I reiterate, IF, that's what their hope and plan is.

I spend a lot on soccer, probably too much. My kid will likely play in college, doubt it will be for a hefty scholarship and the Division will depend on the school that matches. I will spend more than I receive, there is no doubt about that.

Oh well.

[Unregistered]

IF, and I reiterate, IF, that's what their hope and plan is.

I spend a lot on soccer, probably too much. My kid will likely play in college, doubt it will be for a hefty scholarship and the Division will depend on the school that matches. I will spend more than I receive, there is no doubt about that.

Oh well.

And you are very grounded in reality which is a rarity - Most of the parents I know are not. Good luck to your kid - I am sure she will do well since you seem to have your head on straight.

[Unregistered]

Nothing wrong with going D2/3, NAIA or NJCAA with a good ride and working your way up to a good D1 either.

[Unregistered]

I endeavor to say that one must find a good coach regardless of club (Dynamite, PDA, STA, Torpedoes etc) one that can develop and make a player better in the right environment. If you have that, be it ECNL, DA or EDP hold on to it, the grass is not always greener on the other side. Lots of toxic environments and dishonest people out there, seems to be more the norm rather than the exception. Sad reality of today’s youth soccer landscape.

[Unregistered]

Great post and good advice

I endeavor to say that one must find a good coach regardless of club (Dynamite, PDA, STA, Torpedoes etc) one that can develop and make a player better in the right environment. If you have that, be it ECNL, DA or EDP hold on to it, the grass is not always greener on the other side. Lots of toxic environments and dishonest people out there, seems to be more the norm rather than the exception. Sad reality of today’s youth soccer landscape.

[Unregistered]

And you are very grounded in reality which is a rarity - Most of the parents I know are not. Good luck to your kid - I am sure she will do well since you seem to have your head on straight.

Eh, not as rare as you think. On my kid's team, the realistic folks largely outweigh the delusionals. But this constant-Oh they don't need ECNL to play D2, they should play EDP!!!-is getting tired. Some kids actually like playing on their ECNL teams even if it means no $$$ for college, some kids actually like their coaches/clubs and the league is just where they play, some kids actually love the girls on their team.
My kid has 2 girls on her ECNL team that came over from a different team (that currently plays EDP) 2 years ago. Both were on the verge of quitting the sport when they tried out, now they love the whole experience again. Neither are sure if they want to play in college or not, but they are both committed to this team.