Must exceptional players be on the best team to remain exceptional?

[Arsenal_U14G_Fan]

Not sure that many coaches/clubs think of state as a "fun" tournament. That is the one tournament every team is wanting to win.

How funny to think anything different! LOL

I think it is a tournament that everyone wants to win as well. However, I do not see it as the end all to my daughter's success. She may never win an Oregon State Cup title but I bet she will play division 1 ball in college if she wants, and I bet there will be players that have won state cups that won't have that opportunity. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see Arsenal win a state cup as they work hard and most of the girls want it bad. It is what it is : a tournament that only one team will win each year. With that said: GO ARSENAL!!

[Unregistered]

I think it is a tournament that everyone wants to win as well. However, I do not see it as the end all to my daughter's success. She may never win an Oregon State Cup title but I bet she will play division 1 ball in college if she wants, and I bet there will be players that have won state cups that won't have that opportunity. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see Arsenal win a state cup as they work hard and most of the girls want it bad. It is what it is : a tournament that only one team will win each year. With that said: GO ARSENAL!!

Let's say your daughter plays for a D1 school. What do think their goal is? Wouldn't you say it would be to win a national championship?
In the same breath, don't you think it's fair to say that the goal for the U14 Gold teams should be to win a State Cup? (Their version of the national championship?)
Or do you think the players should just play & play and try to develop into a D1 caliber of player regardless of their team/record? IMHO I think the players from Jesuit HS (State Champs) will get more attention from D1 schools than say the absolute best player on a 5A School or 2nd, 3rd or 4th place 6A.

I don't agree or disagree with you, I just want to get your take on this.

[Arsenal_U14G_Fan]

Let's say your daughter plays for a D1 school. What do think their goal is? Wouldn't you say it would be to win a national championship?
In the same breath, don't you think it's fair to say that the goal for the U14 Gold teams should be to win a State Cup? (Their version of the national championship?)
Or do you think the players should just play & play and try to develop into a D1 caliber of player regardless of their team/record? IMHO I think the players from Jesuit HS (State Champs) will get more attention from D1 schools than say the absolute best player on a 5A School or 2nd, 3rd or 4th place 6A.

I don't agree or disagree with you, I just want to get your take on this.

I think it is a goal that every premier team should have. I don't feel like it is the end all. If I were to be looking for scholarship opportunities I feel like my daughter probably has a lot better chance of attaining one through her efforts in region Iv ODP than she would have at any high school including Jesuit or any one team including FC Portland. Having said that, I am no expert on the subject. I don't have any problem with state cup. It is a tournament that comes down to skill, lots of luck, weather and officiating.

[Unregistered]

I too am sick of getting off topic, let alone always coming back to the bashing of you know who. I won't say it so I will respond to your question without picking on a team.

I will tell you what my coach told me. The answer is no unless your kid is the top 11 players, meaning your kid is a starter and plays 100% of each game. Also if your kid is the "go to" kid. Does the ball go through your player? I was also told by this coach (who coached college) was college coaches cross out names if kids are on the bench, cross out names of kids who play but lose the ball, cross out names of kids who cannot win balls in the air. You get the idea. They usually only walk away with 1 at most 3 names from one team. If you are on a top team, winning all state games, your kid had better be amazing!
I would look at a lesser team so your kid can stand out. But beware because you then have to find a team that has a great coach who can push for college bound kids.
Remember not all coaches do the hunt for college recruiting. You must do most of the leg work. Just going to a college showcase and showing your great team is nothing. They throw a few flyers out of the kids on the team and just wait for colleges to grab and go.

Good luck in your endevors.

[Unregistered]

Great post.

[Arsenal_U14G_Fan]

I too am sick of getting off topic, let alone always coming back to the bashing of you know who. I won't say it so I will respond to your question without picking on a team.

I will tell you what my coach told me. The answer is no unless your kid is the top 11 players, meaning your kid is a starter and plays 100% of each game. Also if your kid is the "go to" kid. Does the ball go through your player? I was also told by this coach (who coached college) was college coaches cross out names if kids are on the bench, cross out names of kids who play but lose the ball, cross out names of kids who cannot win balls in the air. You get the idea. They usually only walk away with 1 at most 3 names from one team. If you are on a top team, winning all state games, your kid had better be amazing!
I would look at a lesser team so your kid can stand out. But beware because you then have to find a team that has a great coach who can push for college bound kids.
Remember not all coaches do the hunt for college recruiting. You must do most of the leg work. Just going to a college showcase and showing your great team is nothing. They throw a few flyers out of the kids on the team and just wait for colleges to grab and go.

Good luck in your endevors.

Thank you that is a great post. I totally believe to be true but I still am torn. If you child meets all of those criteria can they still be fine on a team that wins some loses some but is not the top in the state?

[Unregistered]

Think it depends on the kid. Mine left a top team, won state few years. Player had an opportunity to pick once again the top team or leave for a lesser team, however lesser team had amazing potential. Still played same position so that wasn't the reason, but kid chose the lesser of the team simply due to the coach. Each coach really were the same. Only difference that wayed out the most was the fact the "new" coach actually did the leg work for college recruiting. He has this never ending list of contacts from his days as a player and coaching at a college, along with his traveling due to work. Says if he doesn't know any of the coaches at your college of choice he will get it. Already have seen many players move on regardless of the level of college. He even sits with your player to evaluate where you want to go, like the major details in picking down to how big of a college, weather, locations like distractions (ie: beaches, major cities, etc). It is funny when you stop to think about the little stuff, but he is great when he draws the bigger picture.
We were worried that at a college showcase the team wouldn't favor as well of course as the "better" team we had left and wouldn't get the recruiters out to look. Wasn't the case at all. Remember, the team has great potential. We got the looks from the colleges so we are not as worried. We realized that if your kid can play the game they will be recognized. Keep in mind a college is a college. You don't always have to be a D1 to get a great scholarship.

Now to keep on task and answer your question, again it depends on your player. Yeah we went from winning games all the time to losing several. Chalk it up to and use it as a great parenting tool and explain life lessons on how to lose gracefully and win gracefully. I think it is good to lose games to keep a team and a player in check. No egos allowed sort of deal.

Not sure if this answers your questions but I do hope it helps out some. Trust me when I say and this may sound silly, but it is the scariest thing when you leave "a sure thing" and venture out when you really are not too sure on the outcome of your decision.

Again best of luck to your player.

[Unregistered]

It's all about exposure.
We had a former club player and a womans college head coach come talk to our girls about college.

Player; You have work really hard to be the best you can be. You have to market yourself to coaches. They are restricted to contact you, you are NOT restricted when contacting them. Let them know what tournaments your team is playing in (this alone could cause a player to change clubs) that they might want to come watch or send a rep/player to. Send them a player profile and tell them you are interested in their program. Start doing this as early as your Sophomore year in High School. RESEARCH!!. If you know a school you are interested in just lost their center defender and that's what you play, mention that! Sure they may have an upcoming senior or junior to fill the starting role, but they need back ups! It's about persistence. Visit the campuses, introduce yourself to the coaches and staff. Schedule time with them to tour the athletic facilities. Market, Market, Market!

Coach; (same stuff as earlier post) We look for the kids who have a high work ethic. Who put 100% into practice and stay later to get better. We don't have a ton of scholarships but if you prove to me you have what it takes (work ethics, knowledge, raw skills) I will make room. If I don't know who you are, you won't make it on our roster, period. I am busy, you have to send me your profile. Call me, let me know your serious, aggressive and hungry to play for me. Let me know where you are playing and if I am interested I will send a team captain, an assistant coach or come myself. If you are playing in a college showcases and someone is there from my school, come introduce yourself IN PERSON. Don't have your mom do it or your coach. Show us YOU are interested and are personable. Have your coach call me. We speak the same language (most of the time). I will question him/her to get a better feel about you.
ODP is great because it looks good on your profile and it proves you have skills. Does it guarantee anything? No. It just means you have skills and more exposure.
Academics. I won't look at someone who is lousy in school. A high GPA tells me you are focused, have determination, can follow instructions and have the capacity to learn.

Hope that helps some.

[KPRDAD]

Scholarship Opportunities

I think it is a goal that every premier team should have. I don't feel like it is the end all. If I were to be looking for scholarship opportunities I feel like my daughter probably has a lot better chance of attaining one through her efforts in region Iv ODP than she would have at any high school including Jesuit or any one team including FC Portland. Having said that, I am no expert on the subject. I don't have any problem with state cup. It is a tournament that comes down to skill, lots of luck, weather and officiating.

Just a note, University of Portland has two new players from FC Portland starting this fall. If you go to the UP athletic web site under woman's soccer you will fine a form you fill out submitting your player to be looked at by the coach called "Prospect Questionnaire". It asks about High School, Club, ODP and Tournaments you will be playing in. I would presume every college and University would have a form like this.
If you visit the UP web site you also can read an article on the new recruits and their accomplishments to see how your player stacks up.

[Unregistered]

Let's say your daughter plays for a D1 school. What do think their goal is? Wouldn't you say it would be to win a national championship?
In the same breath, don't you think it's fair to say that the goal for the U14 Gold teams should be to win a State Cup? (Their version of the national championship?)
Or do you think the players should just play & play and try to develop into a D1 caliber of player regardless of their team/record? IMHO I think the players from Jesuit HS (State Champs) will get more attention from D1 schools than say the absolute best player on a 5A School or 2nd, 3rd or 4th place 6A.

I don't agree or disagree with you, I just want to get your take on this.

We all know having a player play at the highest level, playing the top team or top school as you mentioned Jesuit, will always get more college recruiters out watching.
If you wish to get in to a D1 college you don't always have to look at these top teams. I have seen time and time again players get in to D1 colleges and not having to win state or better yet having to play at Jesuit.
Besides, Jesuit is a killer bill each month to attend. I for one am not rich. Scholarships and working in the school still wouldn't help either.
Also you don't have to attend a top HS to be looked at by D1 colleges. True it would help with a great resume, but having other things to put on your resume is just as good.

[Unregistered]

Just a note, University of Portland has two new players from FC Portland starting this fall. If you go to the UP athletic web site under woman's soccer you will fine a form you fill out submitting your player to be looked at by the coach called "Prospect Questionnaire". It asks about High School, Club, ODP and Tournaments you will be playing in. I would presume every college and University would have a form like this.
If you visit the UP web site you also can read an article on the new recruits and their accomplishments to see how your player stacks up.

This is great to add to the mix! I too have seen this form and showed it to my kid.
I mean well when I say this and congrats to the kids that were picked, but you do not have to attend FCP club to be seen by the college. I just wanted to add that tid bit is all.
BUT I will say kuddos and very impressed indeed. Have been waiting for some of our girls to attend. It always appears to be that UP on the girls side always picks from different states.

[iamthebest@soccer]

just a note: 1 of those 2 has been with fc for a long time. the other started her club career and was developed at a non fc ptld club. fc will take credit of course, but they got her after she was trained and developed from u11-u15/16 elsewhere (esufc). not to say that her previous club is the reason for her success, people just shouldn't think that she was an fc developed talent.

[SodiumFan[2]]

Wow, great information here. Thanks Arsenal_U14G_fan for starting this discussion and thank to the posters for the great insight.

:)

[Arsenal_U14G_Fan]

just a note: 1 of those 2 has been with fc for a long time. the other started her club career and was developed at a non fc ptld club. fc will take credit of course, but they got her after she was trained and developed from u11-u15/16 elsewhere (esufc). not to say that her previous club is the reason for her success, people just shouldn't think that she was an fc developed talent.

I know exactly the individual you are speaking of. ESUFC has only recently (past year or two) begun a major push on the girl's side of the club. They have some new coaches and some of them are very impressive and are involved in ODP and coach at the college and professional levels. I think I understand why this incredible player you are referring to moved clubs. Her sister still plays at ESUFC.

[iamthebest@soccer]

I think that club (esufc) is moving in a very positive direction. I've been around club soccer since before there was an esufc. I'm not sure what other club right now has a girls and boys director and has held down the same doc since the club began (while clubs like fc ptld have changed direction at the top multiple times over the past 3-5 years). esufc continues to add not just quality coaches, but coaches who are very well established in the coaching ranks. with the entire eastside of portland at their disposal (as opposed to the clustered westside...could be good and/or bad) and their close relationship with the portland timbers, esufc will continue to grow in a positive direction...in my opinion of course :) Just an outside-unbiased opinion as I've had experiences at several portland area clubs throughout the years....sad that my kids are done with the game :(