Pacific Revolution 03

[Unregistered]

Very true statement. I think for those very serious players sticking it out on a small team club like this will hurt in long run. Use to make the move at U13 or U14 but, now with pre ECNL teams U12 would seem to be rule to get known by the coaches in club on a daily basis. Moving the entire team might be option but, the draw back is once in the new club things can change. To many strong players from the other teams and the whole idea is to condense the top talent anyway. Only about half these players would make it most likely. The top girl is very good and hopefully her parents will move her forward at some point. The coaches should understand that and take pride that they were part of her development instead of becoming a road block to her future success. You will see that if she still with this team while players not equal to her are playing on teams with more exposure.

I don't think the coaches are blocking anything. They are proud of the development of each and every girl on that squad from top to bottom. They are also realists - where from the beginning they said that they would stick with this team but at some point move on as it is better for development to hear another voice and see another style. I think the biggest push back to moving comes from the kids themselves. They love playing together and are very tight. They still look at soccer as something fun to do, and that includes the relationships with each other and their coaches. To me that is the most important part. That might change next year or the year after, but until then, I will let my kid choose fun (and don't forget there is still good development happening too).

[Unregistered]

I don't think the coaches are blocking anything. They are proud of the development of each and every girl on that squad from top to bottom. They are also realists - where from the beginning they said that they would stick with this team but at some point move on as it is better for development to hear another voice and see another style. I think the biggest push back to moving comes from the kids themselves. They love playing together and are very tight. They still look at soccer as something fun to do, and that includes the relationships with each other and their coaches. To me that is the most important part. That might change next year or the year after, but until then, I will let my kid choose fun (and don't forget there is still good development happening too).

Agree with your statement. Unfortunately, soccer is really changing and if you wait to move it's very hard to crack teams later. It sucks as most kids want to keep it fun but, reality is you have to make moves earlier. Hopefully, if she does move she will realize that she will make new friends as well and bond. If waiting till U13 chances are slimmer. Hope the parents at least go over and talk with clubs to truly understand. The political stuff plays a HUGE part.

[Unregistered]

I don't think the coaches are blocking anything. They are proud of the development of each and every girl on that squad from top to bottom. They are also realists - where from the beginning they said that they would stick with this team but at some point move on as it is better for development to hear another voice and see another style. I think the biggest push back to moving comes from the kids themselves. They love playing together and are very tight. They still look at soccer as something fun to do, and that includes the relationships with each other and their coaches. To me that is the most important part. That might change next year or the year after, but until then, I will let my kid choose fun (and don't forget there is still good development happening too).

... And not all big clubs are bad mean coaches. There are some really great coaches and kids in bigger clubs. Don't let that scare you from checking it out.

[Unregistered]

... And not all big clubs are bad mean coaches. There are some really great coaches and kids in bigger clubs. Don't let that scare you from checking it out.

So, I believe that earlier on this thread it was posted that all top teams have turnover of the bottom third of their players to try and improve. If that is true, won't there always be opportunities for the top players of this team later on?

Let me hear it from the coaches...

If you were holding tryouts, and you saw 3 or 4 top girls from a team that was very competitive in top tier tournaments from a smaller club, would you be inclined to pass on them because you "didn't know" them or they haven't been part of your club before? What if they were all top 5 talents at tryouts? Would you still politic it and pass or would you build the best team you could? Simple question which has a simple answer. Or do I have to much faith in humanity.

[Unregistered]

So, I believe that earlier on this thread it was posted that all top teams have turnover of the bottom third of their players to try and improve. If that is true, won't there always be opportunities for the top players of this team later on?

Let me hear it from the coaches...

If you were holding tryouts, and you saw 3 or 4 top girls from a team that was very competitive in top tier tournaments from a smaller club, would you be inclined to pass on them because you "didn't know" them or they haven't been part of your club before? What if they were all top 5 talents at tryouts? Would you still politic it and pass or would you build the best team you could? Simple question which has a simple answer. Or do I have to much faith in humanity.

Simple answer is it depends on the club and the coach. Nothing is simple in youth soccer.

[Unregistered]

Simple answer is it depends on the club and the coach. Nothing is simple in youth soccer.

True, statement on the money. It's much more then just being the a strong player.

[Unregistered]

Simple answer is it depends on the club and the coach. Nothing is simple in youth soccer.

As a coach that has been beaten by this team recently - I would take 6 of them right now, without tryouts. But I also don't have a daughter on my team with friends. I think if they were to go to try out at the bigger clubs where rec dads aren't the coaches, you still see the professionalism you are asking about. We want to have great players on our teams and hopefully them develop their skills and win a few games along the way.

[Unregistered]

Agree with your statement. Unfortunately, soccer is really changing and if you wait to move it's very hard to crack teams later. It sucks as most kids want to keep it fun but, reality is you have to make moves earlier. Hopefully, if she does move she will realize that she will make new friends as well and bond. If waiting till U13 chances are slimmer. Hope the parents at least go over and talk with clubs to truly understand. The political stuff plays a HUGE part.

No it's not, there are plenty of options. Don't listen to this idiot. This parent alone is caught up in the politics. Enjoy the team, enjoy the coaches and teammates, that's what's important. This parent is on their 3rd team in 3 years, I would bet.
Driving all the way to Portland to play, probably on a B team.

Coach could have taken the great player but passed to take the mediocre kid with the crazy parent--I don't think so. Talent trumps parent wheeling and dealing.

[Unregistered]

So, I believe that earlier on this thread it was posted that all top teams have turnover of the bottom third of their players to try and improve. If that is true, won't there always be opportunities for the top players of this team later on?

Let me hear it from the coaches...

If you were holding tryouts, and you saw 3 or 4 top girls from a team that was very competitive in top tier tournaments from a smaller club, would you be inclined to pass on them because you "didn't know" them or they haven't been part of your club before? What if they were all top 5 talents at tryouts? Would you still politic it and pass or would you build the best team you could? Simple question which has a simple answer. Or do I have to much faith in humanity.

... In addition if they are not developed to the level the club feels should be at that could hurt too. Each club as own philosophy about development and idea what top kids should have down. There is a difference in playing well as a team and playing well as an individual at this age. Coaches like girls coming up through own club. Portland FC is an example of that.

[Unregistered]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. These are still very young kids. Nine and ten year old girls. Slow down.

[Unregistered]

I don't think the coaches are blocking anything. They are proud of the development of each and every girl on that squad from top to bottom. They are also realists - where from the beginning they said that they would stick with this team but at some point move on as it is better for development to hear another voice and see another style. I think the biggest push back to moving comes from the kids themselves. They love playing together and are very tight. They still look at soccer as something fun to do, and that includes the relationships with each other and their coaches. To me that is the most important part. That might change next year or the year after, but until then, I will let my kid choose fun (and don't forget there is still good development happening too).

if this age group is truly what everyone is raving about then the parents need to really think about pushing for having a top level coaching staff work with them. I'm not talking about working with them so they can win trophies, I'm talking about developing them to help prepare to play for the top teams at U14+

Being in Vantucky I know of only a few that have those capabilities and they are all at Washington Timbers. Studley, Wolverton and Picket have been known for developing players. They don't always win but their players are always sought after. If we lived in Vantucky that is who I would be pushing for.

you should be asking your coach if one of these guys could at least coming out and run a practice. Maybe even a little training on the side for the team. I'm not saying your staff isn't up to par just saying that having true top level coaching come in and give their thoughts would be instrumental to your girls development

[Unregistered]

if this age group is truly what everyone is raving about then the parents need to really think about pushing for having a top level coaching staff work with them. I'm not talking about working with them so they can win trophies, I'm talking about developing them to help prepare to play for the top teams at U14+

Being in Vantucky I know of only a few that have those capabilities and they are all at Washington Timbers. Studley, Wolverton and Picket have been known for developing players. They don't always win but their players are always sought after. If we lived in Vantucky that is who I would be pushing for.

you should be asking your coach if one of these guys could at least coming out and run a practice. Maybe even a little training on the side for the team. I'm not saying your staff isn't up to par just saying that having true top level coaching come in and give their thoughts would be instrumental to your girls development

The best are going to end up at Crossfire United or FCP by U14 ECNL anyway. Why waste time with the hacks in Vancouver when you can start getting ready for big girl soccer now?

[Unregistered]

The best are going to end up at Crossfire United or FCP by U14 ECNL anyway. Why waste time with the hacks in Vancouver when you can start getting ready for big girl soccer now?

Because they can go play on any team vs crossfire and fc Portland players who lose their spots to vancouver players who are developed. And why go play Ecnl when they just got rolled over by salmon creek teams. Sounds like big kid soccer to me....not.

[Unregistered]

Because they can go play on any team vs crossfire and fc Portland players who lose their spots to vancouver players who are developed. And why go play Ecnl when they just got rolled over by salmon creek teams. Sounds like big kid soccer to me....not.

Using extremes to justify your arguement only minimizes it. Nemesis 00 will be gone a year from now, with the best players on ECNL or Academy teams. Face it, there are NO top teams in Vancouver (outside of Nemesis 00) above U12. That's when the best players move on to the "destination" clubs, of which WT_FC, Nemesis, and Pacific are not. It used to be that Vancouver kids could survive on athleticsm alone and still make one of the Portland teams at U14/15. Now, if they wait that long to start developing skills (which doesn't happen to any great extent in Vancouver), then they are lost and end up quitting or playing on WT_FC "B" teams for the rest of their youth career.

[Unregistered]

Using extremes to justify your arguement only minimizes it. Nemesis 00 will be gone a year from now, with the best players on ECNL or Academy teams. Face it, there are NO top teams in Vancouver (outside of Nemesis 00) above U12. That's when the best players move on to the "destination" clubs, of which WT_FC, Nemesis, and Pacific are not. It used to be that Vancouver kids could survive on athleticsm alone and still make one of the Portland teams at U14/15. Now, if they wait that long to start developing skills (which doesn't happen to any great extent in Vancouver), then they are lost and end up quitting or playing on WT_FC "B" teams for the rest of their youth career.

I would challenge your notion that Vancouver does not develop kids and they rely completely on athleticism. I have watched many matches cross-state and many of the Vancouver teams are more skilled and technical, they just lack the depth and player pool that the "destination" clubs have and over time attrition due to kids no longer wanting to play or injuries derail the really good ones.

ECNL and TA doesn't change anything. I have yet to see either be successful enough to put all your eggs in that basket. Let's prove that Oregon can actually build those programs before we declare them the end all for our 10 year olds.