The Truth about PDA, Matchfit, and Matchfit Shore

[Unregistered]

Results are what are truth and factual. To succeed you need skilled, intelligent players and a coach that the players listen to. You also have to compete and get results against the best. If you want to argue these points than you probably should get out of sports completely.

I'm tired of both the PDA and MFA/MFS bashing here. Your U10 thru U13 rankings mean absolutely nothing. They are fun to look at, sure. I am just as guilty and still enjoy them, but the reality is they are useless. What matters, especially starting at U14 and up is making the ECNL Champions League or GA Champions League. Each leagues records will also help decide showcase opponents.

If your DD plays in GA League, and they are not good enough to make it to Champions League, you better find another pathway if your goal is P5 D1...

Here are some other facts that many of you have not experienced yet that have much more to do with your daughters' futures OR the team and coach.

1. Only players who are offered spots at US Camp and ECNL/GA Best XI's will receive full P5 Scholarships with a few exceptions. Many will be ID'ed at U14. By the end of U15, they will already have verbal "unsaid" offers.

2. After those few Elite players, getting your daughter a look from P5 schools is going to be extremely tough as your daughter will be competing against 40 other girls for one spot. Partial scholarships to P5 school will again have verbal "unsaid" before the start of Junior year. The lesser and undiscovered players will have to hope they can get it done in there Junior year or start looking at D2 or D3.

3. Whether or not your daughter gets a spot on said P5 school will also depend on (1) her grades; (2) extracurricular activities; (3) her communication behavior between email and conversations; (4) new to this day and age, her social media behavior. This is also where teams begin to get very nasty toward each other including players and parents. It is also a vital time for your coach.

4. Don't take High School Soccer for granted. Coaches look at this on how a player performs in a diverse field of play.

5. This is where PDA does in fact separate itself from others....however it is not as important as the above. Major P5 colleges do consider the clout of many club coaches. Club AND High School coaches will be giving references. The biggest plus of Coach with connections is in cases where your daughter does not get a chance to speak with the desired University Coach where she wants to go to school. If said coach has a relationship with your daughters Club Coach, then, well, open sesame.

YSR Rank By Year

U18/19 02/03 Combined.
#2 PDA Blue ECNL
#12 PDA South ECNL
#30 Matchfit ECNL

U17 2004
#15 PDA Blue ECNL
#32 Matchfit ECNL

U16 2005
#3 PDA Blue ECNL
#49 PDA White ECNL
#64 Matchfit ECNL

U15 2006
#17 Real Jersey
#21 PDA Blue ECNL
#84 SJEB Rush
#93 Matchfit ECNL

U14 2007
#5 PDA Blue ECNL
#30 Matchfit ECNL

U13 2008
#5 PDA Blue ECNL
#61 SJEB GA
#69 Matchfit ECNL

U12 2009
#1 Matchfit ECNL
#9 PDA Blue ECNL

U11 2010
#28 PDA Blue Pre-ECNL
#72 Matchfit Pre-ECNL

Take it for what it's worth.

[Unregistered]

Results are what are truth and factual. To succeed you need skilled, intelligent players and a coach that the players listen to. You also have to compete and get results against the best. If you want to argue these points than you probably should get out of sports completely.

I'm tired of both the PDA and MFA/MFS bashing here. Your U10 thru U13 rankings mean absolutely nothing. They are fun to look at, sure. I am just as guilty and still enjoy them, but the reality is they are useless. What matters, especially starting at U14 and up is making the ECNL Champions League or GA Champions League. Each leagues records will also help decide showcase opponents.

If your DD plays in GA League, and they are not good enough to make it to Champions League, you better find another pathway if your goal is P5 D1...

Here are some other facts that many of you have not experienced yet that have much more to do with your daughters' futures OR the team and coach.

1. Only players who are offered spots at US Camp and ECNL/GA Best XI's will receive full P5 Scholarships with a few exceptions. Many will be ID'ed at U14. By the end of U15, they will already have verbal "unsaid" offers.

2. After those few Elite players, getting your daughter a look from P5 schools is going to be extremely tough as your daughter will be competing against 40 other girls for one spot. Partial scholarships to P5 school will again have verbal "unsaid" before the start of Junior year. The lesser and undiscovered players will have to hope they can get it done in there Junior year or start looking at D2 or D3.

3. Whether or not your daughter gets a spot on said P5 school will also depend on (1) her grades; (2) extracurricular activities; (3) her communication behavior between email and conversations; (4) new to this day and age, her social media behavior. This is also where teams begin to get very nasty toward each other including players and parents. It is also a vital time for your coach.

4. Don't take High School Soccer for granted. Coaches look at this on how a player performs in a diverse field of play.

5. This is where PDA does in fact separate itself from others....however it is not as important as the above. Major P5 colleges do consider the clout of many club coaches. Club AND High School coaches will be giving references. The biggest plus of Coach with connections is in cases where your daughter does not get a chance to speak with the desired University Coach where she wants to go to school. If said coach has a relationship with your daughters Club Coach, then, well, open sesame.

YSR Rank By Year

U18/19 02/03 Combined.
#2 PDA Blue ECNL
#12 PDA South ECNL
#30 Matchfit ECNL

U17 2004
#15 PDA Blue ECNL
#32 Matchfit ECNL

U16 2005
#3 PDA Blue ECNL
#49 PDA White ECNL
#64 Matchfit ECNL

U15 2006
#17 Real Jersey
#21 PDA Blue ECNL
#84 SJEB Rush
#93 Matchfit ECNL

U14 2007
#5 PDA Blue ECNL
#30 Matchfit ECNL

U13 2008
#5 PDA Blue ECNL
#61 SJEB GA
#69 Matchfit ECNL

U12 2009
#1 Matchfit ECNL
#9 PDA Blue ECNL

U11 2010
#28 PDA Blue Pre-ECNL
#72 Matchfit Pre-ECNL

Take it for what it's worth.

Numbskull. Get an education.

[Unregistered]

It's amazing how many PDA parents sit at home and do nothing all day but write on this forum.

[Unregistered]

Completely inaccurate. There are plenty of girls not playing in the champion league playoffs in both leagues that our Power 5 recruits. It’s people like you and disinformation that overvalue these clubs.

[Unregistered]

Folks, this is absolutely “spot on” truth about the soccer landscape not only in NJ but anywhere in the country. Very well thought out and is written by a person of experience. This is the absolute truth. I have a daughter very fortunate to be playing P5 and can tell you this is as accurate as you can get. Please do not diminish this post or listen to those who will not respond and bash it as false. Anyone who says this is not true has not experienced youth soccer and the land mines that are out there along with the truth about recruitment. For those parents/players that want to continue to play soccer beyond club and pursue playing collegiately you should read this post carefully. Competitive soccer is a rough business of competition in which to succeed to a higher level you must be both mentally and physically prepared. Especially mentally. These parents who will dismiss this have no idea what playing in a college atmosphere is about. It’s a whole different level. This post is as real as it gets.

[Unregistered]

Mental

Folks, this is absolutely “spot on” truth about the soccer landscape not only in NJ but anywhere in the country. Very well thought out and is written by a person of experience. This is the absolute truth. I have a daughter very fortunate to be playing P5 and can tell you this is as accurate as you can get. Please do not diminish this post or listen to those who will not respond and bash it as false. Anyone who says this is not true has not experienced youth soccer and the land mines that are out there along with the truth about recruitment. For those parents/players that want to continue to play soccer beyond club and pursue playing collegiately you should read this post carefully. Competitive soccer is a rough business of competition in which to succeed to a higher level you must be both mentally and physically prepared. Especially mentally. These parents who will dismiss this have no idea what playing in a college atmosphere is about. It’s a whole different level. This post is as real as it gets.

Mental is spot on. Not in a good way however. Parents of P5 and National Team level players are not on TS for advice.

Where the mental part comes in is the belief that the best players below u-14 will be the best players at u-18 but only if they play for PDA. One is as suspect as the other.

[Unregistered]

My Daughter will be entering a Power 5 University next fall with a partial scholarship to play soccer. She played her high school years on a PDA white team. At no point did she play in the champions league tournament.

It is more than possible to achieve any goal you set forth for yourself. Don’t let these posts make you believe otherwise.

[Unregistered]

My Daughter will be entering a Power 5 University next fall with a partial scholarship to play soccer. She played her high school years on a PDA white team. At no point did she play in the champions league tournament.

It is more than possible to achieve any goal you set forth for yourself. Don’t let these posts make you believe otherwise.

Yes. Direction and advice from PDA veterans needs to be taken with a grain of salt. That club scams players and families for a living.

[Unregistered]

Folks, this is absolutely “spot on” truth about the soccer landscape not only in NJ but anywhere in the country. Very well thought out and is written by a person of experience. This is the absolute truth. I have a daughter very fortunate to be playing P5 and can tell you this is as accurate as you can get. Please do not diminish this post or listen to those who will not respond and bash it as false. Anyone who says this is not true has not experienced youth soccer and the land mines that are out there along with the truth about recruitment. For those parents/players that want to continue to play soccer beyond club and pursue playing collegiately you should read this post carefully. Competitive soccer is a rough business of competition in which to succeed to a higher level you must be both mentally and physically prepared. Especially mentally. These parents who will dismiss this have no idea what playing in a college atmosphere is about. It’s a whole different level. This post is as real as it gets.

I think the point is that ... well ... anyone who takes this much time and effort to blab on endlessly on an anonymous board is flat out crazy. Not just twisted, we are talking full on fvcked in the head.

[Unregistered]

Numbskull. Get an education.

Thanks can you list the #1-10 in each age? I know a lot of ask but since you already did it would be helpful to see.
Also, #3 is the most important. After the US Camp & top XI get chosen, then there is almost a bigger focus on grades. College girls soccer does not make the schools money so having a strong academic student will almost always get chosen over slightly better player with lower grades. Correct me if I’m wrong but this what we have been told over and over.

[Unregistered]

Thanks can you list the #1-10 in each age? I know a lot of ask but since you already did it would be helpful to see.
Also, #3 is the most important. After the US Camp & top XI get chosen, then there is almost a bigger focus on grades. College girls soccer does not make the schools money so having a strong academic student will almost always get chosen over slightly better player with lower grades. Correct me if I’m wrong but this what we have been told over and over.

MF Shore baby! #1 ranked 09 team in the country!! Suck on that NS!

[Unregistered]

My Daughter will be entering a Power 5 University next fall with a partial scholarship to play soccer. She played her high school years on a PDA white team. At no point did she play in the champions league tournament.

It is more than possible to achieve any goal you set forth for yourself. Don’t let these posts make you believe otherwise.

Thanks for posting and congrats to your daughter!

I said their would be few exceptions and your DD falls in that category. CoVid certainly played a part in recruitment but returning to norm will mean a return to norm for recruitment. A few questions and please be honest.

1. What is your daughter’s education background? Private school, 4.0 or higher GPA, etc?

2. How hard did she work to get her offer communication? Did she go above and beyond?

3. What role did her coach play?

4. Did she have her offer before the Pandemic?

5. I would ask position bit that would single her out. Just want to say that a goaltender is a much different situation then field players.

I don’t care about some of these other posters. I really don’t care if they play for PDA or Matchfit. I am partial to PDA since I am VERY familiar with the program and its coaches. I am just trying to get these parents to see the big picture and not get caught up with a ranking vs. another competing Club. It might be fun as a Soccer Dad but things can change very quickly in teams at U14 and under.

[Unregistered]

Thanks can you list the #1-10 in each age? I know a lot of ask but since you already did it would be helpful to see.
Also, #3 is the most important. After the US Camp & top XI get chosen, then there is almost a bigger focus on grades. College girls soccer does not make the schools money so having a strong academic student will almost always get chosen over slightly better player with lower grades. Correct me if I’m wrong but this what we have been told over and over.

Get a good education. Then you won’t need PDA scams.

[Unregistered]

. I am just trying to get these parents to see the big picture and not get caught up with a ranking vs. another competing Club.

But...why? Why do you care?

Not for nothing, but you say not to get caught up with ranking vs. another competing Club, yet that's exactly what your novel does.

Such a weird thread.

[Unregistered]

Results are what are truth and factual. To succeed you need skilled, intelligent players and a coach that the players listen to. You also have to compete and get results against the best. If you want to argue these points than you probably should get out of sports completely.

I'm tired of both the PDA and MFA/MFS bashing here. Your U10 thru U13 rankings mean absolutely nothing. They are fun to look at, sure. I am just as guilty and still enjoy them, but the reality is they are useless. What matters, especially starting at U14 and up is making the ECNL Champions League or GA Champions League. Each leagues records will also help decide showcase opponents.

If your DD plays in GA League, and they are not good enough to make it to Champions League, you better find another pathway if your goal is P5 D1...

Here are some other facts that many of you have not experienced yet that have much more to do with your daughters' futures OR the team and coach.

1. Only players who are offered spots at US Camp and ECNL/GA Best XI's will receive full P5 Scholarships with a few exceptions. Many will be ID'ed at U14. By the end of U15, they will already have verbal "unsaid" offers.

2. After those few Elite players, getting your daughter a look from P5 schools is going to be extremely tough as your daughter will be competing against 40 other girls for one spot. Partial scholarships to P5 school will again have verbal "unsaid" before the start of Junior year. The lesser and undiscovered players will have to hope they can get it done in there Junior year or start looking at D2 or D3.

3. Whether or not your daughter gets a spot on said P5 school will also depend on (1) her grades; (2) extracurricular activities; (3) her communication behavior between email and conversations; (4) new to this day and age, her social media behavior. This is also where teams begin to get very nasty toward each other including players and parents. It is also a vital time for your coach.

4. Don't take High School Soccer for granted. Coaches look at this on how a player performs in a diverse field of play.

5. This is where PDA does in fact separate itself from others....however it is not as important as the above. Major P5 colleges do consider the clout of many club coaches. Club AND High School coaches will be giving references. The biggest plus of Coach with connections is in cases where your daughter does not get a chance to speak with the desired University Coach where she wants to go to school. If said coach has a relationship with your daughters Club Coach, then, well, open sesame.

YSR Rank By Year

U18/19 02/03 Combined.
#2 PDA Blue ECNL
#12 PDA South ECNL
#30 Matchfit ECNL

U17 2004
#15 PDA Blue ECNL
#32 Matchfit ECNL

U16 2005
#3 PDA Blue ECNL
#49 PDA White ECNL
#64 Matchfit ECNL

U15 2006
#17 Real Jersey
#21 PDA Blue ECNL
#84 SJEB Rush
#93 Matchfit ECNL

U14 2007
#5 PDA Blue ECNL
#30 Matchfit ECNL

U13 2008
#5 PDA Blue ECNL
#61 SJEB GA
#69 Matchfit ECNL

U12 2009
#1 Matchfit ECNL
#9 PDA Blue ECNL

U11 2010
#28 PDA Blue Pre-ECNL
#72 Matchfit Pre-ECNL

Take it for what it's worth.

People who are unhappy with pda are also pda parents who didn't drink the cool aide like you did. When you join from a smaller club, and the recruiting message is "PDA pretends to be #1" and you find out that the average team is #10 or lower - its very disappointing.

Then you also realize that the smaller clubs really relied on proper development and not on recruiting:
- proper practices (and no massive cancellations)
- scrimmages against better and worse teams depending on what's needed
- general collaborative nature on a team and not the need to compete against 20 other players
- yadda yadda yadda the list is long


It you want to "take it for what it's worth", you are basically willingly asking to be robbed. This is just not good enough.

Bottom line is:
- if we had similar# of clubs compared to other areas, PDA/MF would be force to offer competitive training and could not depend on recruiting
- if PDA did not have monopoly on ECNL and didn't control prices, we'd be paying $500-$1000 less each season