Friendship Cup

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The US pay for play system is bad for overall American soccer development. There isn't anyone who doubts that. Overwhelmingly American soccer players are whiter and more middle class than any other major sport in the US, and that's a problem. But its a systemic problem, and the Regional ODP camps are priced no better or worse than any other comparable training camp. Cal South not coming is as much about the size of their pool as anything else, its like a big corporation self-insuring. They have almost as many kids to pull from as the rest of the 13 other states combined.

My dd is going, this is her first year in ODP so nothing previous to compare it to. No Cal South and WA definitely weakens the pool, but if you can point me to a place where your 14 yr old kid gets college level coaching while playing/competing with kids with comparable talent from a dozen other states please let us all know about it.

I've been through this with a son. ODP / 'Pre-Academy' is very much worth it in the younger years... although I would be cognizant of burnout. Soccer year round with club, and then a bunch of added ODP training through the year can be a lot for some, especially after a couple years of this. By age 15 or so, ODP is irrelevant. The top players have either moved to Academy or stopped doing ODP. The talent is substantially down, and in fact, the top club teams provide better training ground. And now with Academy dropping down to U14, that may further reduce any benefits from Regional camp. Of course, if your child loves the game and you have the money, it can be a cool experience to meet kids from other states, different coaches, kinda fun.

For girls, I have less insight. My DD played other sports. But I can say that somehow ECNL people and Thorns people should fight on this topic.

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For girls, I have less insight. My DD played other sports. But I can say that somehow ECNL people and Thorns people should fight on this topic.

They should have a competition to see who can kick the ball the furthest. Winner earns the right to be called the best.

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Who are the local ECNL coaches who coach college?

Still waiting Lenny. You can't ignore me.

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Still waiting Lenny. You can't ignore me.

Garret Smith for starters. Rochelle Hearns is another.

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Can college coaches recruit 12,13,14,15 year old kids?

Ask college football coaches that question.

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Garret Smith for starters. Rochelle Hearns is another.

Give us real ones now

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Give us real ones now

More real than a Greasy the caveman from Gresham...

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Garret Smith for starters. Rochelle Hearns is another.

Ok, so Garrett coaches ONE team. And Rochelle, she isn't head coach on any of the teams. Keep trying Lenny. Or are you just going to concede the point that ECNL doesn't really provide college level coaches and ODP does. It's better to lose early than later.

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Still waiting Lenny. You can't ignore me.

Lisa Sari

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Lisa Sari

Ok, but not of the caliber of Jerry Smith. Keep trying Lenny. ODP provide more and significantly higher caliber college coaches than your little local ECNL. So, just more lies and hyperbole from you.

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Who are the girls 2002 Regional Camp coaches? Which colleges are they from?