S.Cal Sweeps ODP Nationals

[Slow Xavi]

link

For 2nd straight year, swept both boys and girls. Given their national dominance, population (total and density), wondering if benchmarking against S. Cal is really appropriate for Oregon, at the state level (may be appropriate at the individual or team level in some cases).

[Unregistered]

I know geographically speaking it isnt altogether feasable, at least often, but I would like to see more interstate play and a stronger comparison to ncal. Increased competition and often, builds better players regardless of population metrics. I suppose if you child is a super player, though, you ought to sell the house, move south and find stronger competition.

[Unregistered]

The structure of soccer is different down there. The top teams train 3 times per week, the players are motivated to train away from the team with private trainers at least once a week and people are way more competitive which produces a different type of player.

You also look at how their ODP program is set up. The players are recommended by club coaches, then they are scouted in games by ODP staff and then they are considered for the ODP State pool at ID days. It isn't about who can afford ODP it is about who the best players are. You get a far more talented group of players assembled than OR.

The ODP residential camps bring in coaches from other states and from other countries so the kids get exposure to lots of quality coaches. We don't have ODP residential camps in OR do we? I may be wrong on that.

[Unregistered]

The structure of soccer is different down there. The top teams train 3 times per week, the players are motivated to train away from the team with private trainers at least once a week and people are way more competitive which produces a different type of player.

You also look at how their ODP program is set up. The players are recommended by club coaches, then they are scouted in games by ODP staff and then they are considered for the ODP State pool at ID days. It isn't about who can afford ODP it is about who the best players are. You get a far more talented group of players assembled than OR.

The ODP residential camps bring in coaches from other states and from other countries so the kids get exposure to lots of quality coaches. We don't have ODP residential camps in OR do we? I may be wrong on that.

They also value different qualities in a player than we do here in Oregon. Technical Skills are more coveted.

[Unregistered]

They also value different qualities in a player than we do here in Oregon. Technical Skills are more coveted.

That goes without saying but you are totally correct! That is why the private trainers do so well down there. If you aren't technically proficient then you can forget playing on a top team in So Cal. They learn to love and value the ball from an earlier age.

[Unregistered]

The structure of soccer is different down there. The top teams train 3 times per week, the players are motivated to train away from the team with private trainers at least once a week and people are way more competitive which produces a different type of player.

You also look at how their ODP program is set up. The players are recommended by club coaches, then they are scouted in games by ODP staff and then they are considered for the ODP State pool at ID days. It isn't about who can afford ODP it is about who the best players are. You get a far more talented group of players assembled than OR.

The ODP residential camps bring in coaches from other states and from other countries so the kids get exposure to lots of quality coaches. We don't have ODP residential camps in OR do we? I may be wrong on that.

Not saying our club can compare to so. cal clubs; but we train three times per week, is that unusual?

[Unregistered]

Not saying our club can compare to so. cal clubs; but we train three times per week, is that unusual?

Most OR club teams train 2 times per week. Some clubs have 2 training sessions and then a club fitness session which doesn't involve a ball and is different ages. Is that what you are referring to? If your club is providing 3 dedicated team and/or soccer sessions each week then good for them. That is great for motivated players that love the game.

In So Cal there are 3 soccer sessions as a team per week when you are part of a top team. Then you add in 1-2 private sessions a week. You can see how they develop more quickly if they are spending several hours more per week training than a typical OR player.

[Unregistered]

Most OR club teams train 2 times per week. Some clubs have 2 training sessions and then a club fitness session which doesn't involve a ball and is different ages. Is that what you are referring to? If your club is providing 3 dedicated team and/or soccer sessions each week then good for them. That is great for motivated players that love the game.

In So Cal there are 3 soccer sessions as a team per week when you are part of a top team. Then you add in 1-2 private sessions a week. You can see how they develop more quickly if they are spending several hours more per week training than a typical OR player.

Yes one of the days is fitness, but fitness lately has been split up into half/fitness and half scrimmaging.

[Unregistered]

Yes one of the days is fitness, but fitness lately has been split up into half/fitness and half scrimmaging.

Makes players want to attend that session more if there is scrimmaging as well as fitness!

[Unregistered]

Southern Cal is just a different animal than most areas. Massive numbers. Lots of sun so people are outside a lot. Kids are out playing year round. Lots of wealth.

A friend of mine coached high school basketball in SoCal. He said they had hundreds show up for tryouts. They had a mass of very talented kids and lot of super athletic studs. You weed it down to that group and then you find the overlaps (talent plus super athletic) and cut a whole bunch of potentially great players.

You get a whole squad that is made up of guys that would be a crown jewel in Oregon.



Managing parents and player egos is a whole different story. You better bring your Alkaseltzer!

[Unregistered]

Not all that is posted here about southern Ca is accurate, At best, it is overgeneralized.

[Unregistered]

Soccer comes first for many kids in So Cal and other activities take a distant second (with the exception of academics) - especially on the top teams at the best clubs. The same can be said of some WA clubs and teams. If you don't put soccer first then you are likely to lose your place to another player who really wants your roster spot. Here in OR there is simply not that same level of competition.

OR Spring soccer is a total mess at times with kids doing basketball, lacrosse etc You get low numbers at trainings and it is difficult for teams to get any kind of consistency and form. This is not the case in So Cal and WA from my experience. Soccer is the priority and because of this the players are at a much higher level due to being more invested in what they are doing. Instead of being dragged in 2-3 different sporting directions.

I am not saying I agree with one way of doing things over the other merely giving some perspective from personal experience.

[Unregistered]

Soccer comes first for many kids in So Cal and other activities take a distant second (with the exception of academics) - especially on the top teams at the best clubs. The same can be said of some WA clubs and teams. If you don't put soccer first then you are likely to lose your place to another player who really wants your roster spot. Here in OR there is simply not that same level of competition.

OR Spring soccer is a total mess at times with kids doing basketball, lacrosse etc You get low numbers at trainings and it is difficult for teams to get any kind of consistency and form. This is not the case in So Cal and WA from my experience. Soccer is the priority and because of this the players are at a much higher level due to being more invested in what they are doing. Instead of being dragged in 2-3 different sporting directions.

I am not saying I agree with one way of doing things over the other merely giving some perspective from personal experience.

All good points. However, sometimes I think we over analyze this. 22-24M people in So Cal; Approx. 4M people in the entire state of Oregon. The base of players in SoCal is huge as a starting point. The rest falls into place. I do tend to think that if Oregon soccer can get their act together and merge, merge, merge, there is no reason there can't be a couple top clubs to compete, at least, with the top clubs in areas like St. Louis, KC, Mil., NJ (PDA), etc., all of which have 1-2 top notch clubs.

[Unregistered]

Soccer comes first for many kids in So Cal and other activities take a distant second (with the exception of academics) - especially on the top teams at the best clubs. The same can be said of some WA clubs and teams. If you don't put soccer first then you are likely to lose your place to another player who really wants your roster spot. Here in OR there is simply not that same level of competition.

OR Spring soccer is a total mess at times with kids doing basketball, lacrosse etc You get low numbers at trainings and it is difficult for teams to get any kind of consistency and form. This is not the case in So Cal and WA from my experience. Soccer is the priority and because of this the players are at a much higher level due to being more invested in what they are doing. Instead of being dragged in 2-3 different sporting directions.

I am not saying I agree with one way of doing things over the other merely giving some perspective from personal experience.

Speak for yourself. I don't know one girl on our Oregon team that plays anything but soccer first and our Oregon club certainly does not put up with anyone that is not putting soccer first.

[Unregistered]

Speak for yourself. I don't know one girl on our Oregon team that plays anything but soccer first and our Oregon club certainly does not put up with anyone that is not putting soccer first.

Your Oregon club doesn't put up with anyone that is not putting soccer first? That's what I'm talking about!

It is irritating when girls try to pull that whole "balance" baloney.

I don't believe the long term overuse injuries. It's about high level soccer and if you aren't in 110% get out of the way. Focus focus focus.

If you want to play basketball, then go. Don't let the door hit you on your way out.