Ireland vs PDX

[Unregistered]

I thought Ireland only added one player from the original roster

They did. Ireland benefitted from some problems at FCW. Which will mean more of their players leaving to other clubs in the near future. EMFC will surely benefit. A shame but FCW has not moved with the times.

[Unregistered]

You could just use Ireland's strategy of recruiting players away from other teams in the middle of their commitment to their current club. It doesn't require flying, and it definitely makes the other clubs (ESUFC, FCW, etc.) less able to compete.

Is Ireland holding a gun to their head? Sounds to me like these players are jumping at the chance to come play. If the player chooses to play for Ireland and leaves their club hanging there is probably a reason.

Why people blame the clubs for getting new talent I don't understand. Are they suppose to turn away talented kids that want to play? Recruiting can only be successful if the player is unhappy with where they are at or a better opportunity arises.

[Unregistered]

Funny how they magically ended up with 2 95 ODP players from ESUFC and OSSA then!!!

Has anyone ever thought that maybe, just maybe, that parents and players contact Mike Depinna at FC and Gaff at THUSC and ask to tryout and join their teams?!!!

These are 2 good coaches with good teams - they proabably don't need to be doing too much work to attract players. Serious and talented players with college aspirations want to be on the best teams at this age to get the best training, games and college exposure. These 2 teams provide all of that.

[Unregistered]

Has anyone ever thought that maybe, just maybe, that parents and players contact Mike Depinna at FC and Gaff at THUSC and ask to tryout and join their teams?!!!

These are 2 good coaches with good teams - they proabably don't need to be doing too much work to attract players. Serious and talented players with college aspirations want to be on the best teams at this age to get the best training, games and college exposure. These 2 teams provide all of that.

Well said! More often then not it's the players contacting the clubs and not the other way around. The players may have really enjoyed the coaching they received at ODP and wanted to be on a top team.

[Unregistered]

If the players want to go...

Maybe there is a reason that some clubs are losing players. If a given club wants to retain talent then maybe they need to begin by focusing on what their talent's needs are. I am not going to name names, but we have recently had the experience of finding out that our club could give two iotas about not providing competition and ways for their upper level players to achieve more. So, what do these players do? They look for teams, coaches and clubs that will. Players just don't up and leave when they are happy.

[Unregistered]

Has anyone ever thought that maybe, just maybe, that parents and players contact Mike Depinna at FC and Gaff at THUSC and ask to tryout and join their teams?!!!

These are 2 good coaches with good teams - they proabably don't need to be doing too much work to attract players. Serious and talented players with college aspirations want to be on the best teams at this age to get the best training, games and college exposure. These 2 teams provide all of that.

YES and isn't Garrett the U15 coach at FC? In addition at this age much of the recruiting happens at high school when these players find themselves together again or at ODP when they find chemistry with another player at another club and want to go there. By U15 I suspect these girls are making up their own minds and thinking about their futures

[Unregistered]

Nobody said anything when FCW took a couple of Corvallis Reign players and added an ODP 95 player to their squad for this U16 season.

I have no issue with this at all. The players at HS ages have to do what is best for them to play in college if that is what they aspire to do.

As a previous poster said if the clubs and coaches are providing what the player needs then there is no issue. Players will have no reason to leave a healthy environment. Clubs need to make sure they are not going throught the motions and are giving as much value for money as possible. This is especially true in the HS ages when talk of college comes to the fore.

[Unregistered]

Why Not?

OMG!!!!
Do you think someone could be blowing smoke up your nose!! Hook, Line, and Sinker!! You have got to be the most guible people on the earth!!

I happen to agree with Posse. Why is he gullible? Because his opinion is that this could be a good experience for a kid or that playing competitive youth sports will benefit a child in the future (as long as school and sportsmanship is always a priority)? I don't get your comment except that you do not agree with Posse. Why not just say that instead of berate?

As a parent of a passionate player (out of the Portland area), I see no problem with an experience such as this. If an opportunity was given to my son to play a weekend with a top team or top coaches in another area, I say why not, as long as he continues to do well in school and our family decides it is something we can handle.

[Unregistered]

I happen to agree with Posse. Why is he gullible? Because his opinion is that this could be a good experience for a kid or that playing competitive youth sports will benefit a child in the future (as long as school and sportsmanship is always a priority)? I don't get your comment except that you do not agree with Posse. Why not just say that instead of berate?

As a parent of a passionate player (out of the Portland area), I see no problem with an experience such as this. If an opportunity was given to my son to play a weekend with a top team or top coaches in another area, I say why not, as long as he continues to do well in school and our family decides it is something we can handle.

I think you do not understand what the poster is saying???? I believe the point here is that it may not be a true rumor. I see it as poster is poking a little fun.

[Unregistered]

whoa whoa whoa...

hold on. stop the presses. there has been a lot of nonsense posted here lately, but what takes the cake, is that someone said that gaff is a good coach!? holy cow, i am now officially on the floor laughing.

[Unregistered]

hold on. stop the presses. there has been a lot of nonsense posted here lately, but what takes the cake, is that someone said that gaff is a good coach!? holy cow, i am now officially on the floor laughing.

Ireland has proven to be a great team and his U12 boys team has done well with the talent level they have. I'd say he's a great coach and he is in high demand for private training.

[Unregistered]

Blah blah blah

[Unregistered]

Wow.... I didn't know there were people out there that don't like Gaff... interesting

[Unregistered]

hold on. stop the presses. there has been a lot of nonsense posted here lately, but what takes the cake, is that someone said that gaff is a good coach!? holy cow, i am now officially on the floor laughing.

You should be careful what you say so that you don't come across as being ignorant.

The fact he has been a Region IV ODP coach for 3 years, an OR ODP coach since '06, coached mulitple college residential camps for CAL and OSU and coaches at Jesuit would seem to show that he must be a good coach. That doesn't even take into account his club coaching at SSC and THUSC.

Or are you right and all these other 'qualified' soccer people and organizations are the ones who have got it wrong? I wonder....

[Unregistered]

Wow.... I didn't know there were people out there that don't like Gaff... interesting

There are always going to be people with agendas against coaches especially in the world of youth soccer. I am sure that he won't lose any sleep about knowing some people don't like him. After all none of us are liked by everyone in all walks of lives IMO.