Where’s Simon?

[Guest]

You bread C teamers.

Only with your wife.

[Guest]

Only with your wife.

This still implies the quality of your seed is poor. Don’t worry PCU will take your kids.

[simondate]

Simon,

What is your opinion, generally, on the subject of recruiting and/or "poaching"--a name that I realize is itself a loaded term, but this is a controversial topic. In Washington State, specifically RCL (Regional Champions League), coaches and other team officials are generally prohibited from reaching out to any players who are not associated with their clubs, and prohibited contact with players at other clubs (regardless of who initiates contact) outside of tryout season. OYSA has traditionally had looser roles, and while outside your scope, ECNL also is fairly loose with regard to this.

A common complaint, and I won't mention any specific clubs by name (because this allegation is often made about everybody) is that many clubs focus more on recruiting top players from other clubs, than they do on trying to improve their own players. In some cases, these recruiting battles can get fierce, and is a major cause of the proliferation of travel leagues, as the most well-regarded travel league is a closed league that tends to exclude clubs that compete with its established members, so other club join competing leagues in order to market themselves as a "travel team" to parents. The result of this is a soccer experience that is considerably more expensive, but in most cases is not "better" as many of these leagues do not offer better-quality competition than can be found locally. Ironically, many of these travel leagues also categorically exclude teams outside the Portland metro area--there are lots of coaches and parents who would rather travel to Seattle or California for matches, but do not want to travel to Medford or Bend, with the result that the OYSA teams in these cities--who generally have to travel anyway simply due to the lack of local competition--have far fewer options than they would otherwise.

Great question. Thank you for asking. I was waiting for an insult in there somewhere, but it didn't happen! :)

My opinion is that if you're doing a good enough job, kids will stay. Sure, trips all over the country to fancy tournaments with rock music and fireworks will entice a player, or a family to move clubs and that's their choice but is it sustainable?

We just finished a study in OYSA of all players U11-U19 and tracked their movement over the past 5 years so that we can point to player retention as a measure of a clubs' success. I would argue that if you're able to keep the same players for more than a year or two and progress them through the system, then you're doing a great job.

My opinion on recruiting, generally speaking, is that everyone says that everyone else is doing it, and it happens all over. Our rules define it clearly as club to club, but what if a player talks to a player and asks them to come over. Is that recruiting? What if it's a parent? Does that count? We've 'caught' two instances of recruiting in 13 years where we had 'proof' that it happened. Actual real proof.

Recruiting sucks.

[Guest]

Are the tryout dates really a big deal. So what if the ECNL team (UPDX) or the ECNL R teams have tryouts early. If they are all doing it, who cares.

[simondate]

Simon you are the man, and coward you are certainly not. Most people on here are bat sH$ crazy you and are wasting your time. Me, I am bat Sh$t crazy and have been string the pot for over a decade. To be honest you are kind of ruining it for me, so go away.

this is my favorite post so far.

I feel like we could have a good chat over a beer. I do apologize for ruining some of these conversations for you. I know I shouldn't probably even be on here, but it keeps me grounded. People help remind me that I run a terrible organization, my kids suck, I have no experience in soccer, and I am not that good looking.

[Guest]

Are the tryout dates really a big deal. So what if the ECNL team (UPDX) or the ECNL R teams have tryouts early. If they are all doing it, who cares.

No one wants to go to United pdx either

[Guest]

Is Simon the Press Secretary for the OYSA? Not the ED? The administrative structure for a usys state association is a democratic one. Is he speaking on the behalf the BOD and it's president? Did OYSA also become a for profit entity?

[Guest]

this is my favorite post so far.

I feel like we could have a good chat over a beer. I do apologize for ruining some of these conversations for you. I know I shouldn't probably even be on here, but it keeps me grounded. People help remind me that I run a terrible organization, my kids suck, I have no experience in soccer, and I am not that good looking.

I feel for you Simon…but no matter how bad it gets just remember. You will always look better than Vanessa Mann.

[Guest]

I feel for you Simon…but no matter how bad it gets just remember. You will always look better than Vanessa Mann.

Makes sense, since she left the state and can't be seen.

[Guest]

Is Simon the Press Secretary for the OYSA? Not the ED? The administrative structure for a usys state association is a democratic one. Is he speaking on the behalf the BOD and it's president? Did OYSA also become a for profit entity?

Please don't post that structural stuff on this sight, it takes away from the fun.

[Guest]

Makes sense, since she left the state and can't be seen.

Really Talking Soccer? We resort to commenting on peoples looks? So what she looks like Shrek’s big toe after a staff infection!? We’re better than this!

[Guest]

Is Simon the Press Secretary for the OYSA? Not the ED? The administrative structure for a usys state association is a democratic one. Is he speaking on the behalf the BOD and it's president? Did OYSA also become a for profit entity?

I bet as a child you reminded the teacher about homework that was due. Go find another forum, nerd.

[Guest]

I bet as a child you reminded the teacher about homework that was due. Go find another forum, nerd.

Young Sheldon, knows his stuff. Simple Simon doesn't.

[Guest]

Young Sheldon, knows his stuff. Simple Simon doesn't.

Simon still reads using his finger. That’s what it takes him so long to reply.

[Guest]

Stop calling people out directly with things you would say to their face.