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That's right.

There's not much support for this change but they are counting on apathetic attitudes.

Poor leadership but there's nothing you can do about it.

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Other than one nut job here, I haven't heard any support for this change. Why are they moving girls to birth year. Should this stay on track that matches college recruiting?

Your kid doesn't stand a chance to play in college so why do you care?

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Nobody is happy with the change. I talked with the directors of two large SoCal clubs and they are inundated with complaints and they have no good response.

I call bs. If big SoCal clubs weren't on board, USSF couldn't have made the switch. Someone on a CA forum posted the club DoCs vote on this & the vast majority voted for the age change. Perhaps they didn't think it through and are now having regrets but if a majority of CA clubs really & truly don't want this then they should push against it hard & could get it dropped! Little League changed back in less than a year. Age groups should be left alone or switched to graduation year - at least on the girls side.

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I call bs. If big SoCal clubs weren't on board, USSF couldn't have made the switch. Someone on a CA forum posted the club DoCs vote on this & the vast majority voted for the age change. Perhaps they didn't think it through and are now having regrets but if a majority of CA clubs really & truly don't want this then they should push against it hard & could get it dropped! Little League changed back in less than a year. Age groups should be left alone or switched to graduation year - at least on the girls side.

You are wrong. SoCal even put out a video presentation on explaining the changes that stated repeatedly that they thought this was a bad idea for girls. They also were strongly against the change to small sided games because of logistical mess it will create in urban areas. They have extremely limited facilities and now you will have smaller teams so more games on non standard sized fields. You cannot just start painting lines on municipal facilities so they will be playing games with cones instead of lines.

The only reason this change is being implemented is because they spent hundreds of thousand on consultants and they would look silly not following the recommendations.

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Poor leadership but there's nothing you can do about it.

We should be used to that now with OYSA and the Timbers.

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What everyone needs to understand is that change = money. Every time something changes someone makes a killing because of the changes. If the big clubs and state associations really thought this was a bad idea and would lose them money they just wouldn't do it. They have that option. But they know, even though it will hurt a few feelings, that they can make even more money during the transition.

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Actually you are wrong. Good Teams in the non Portland areas of Oregon don't have a lot of love for this, the parents of the younger half of teams aren't happy, their kid has had an opportunity to be pushed by the older half of their team and has made some serious friendships. In some areas there isn't 5 teams at each age group so if the next team older or younger is horrible those kids are just SOL.

It sucks but it's not that bad. There are actually silver linings: If the team above/below that the players will be shuffled to is horrible then they can be impact players & improve that team. If the team above/below is strong, then the shuffled players might not start anymore but will be more challenged to improve their game. The friendship deal sucks but soccer teams do change all the time & most teams have at least a few that will be moving to a new team together. Many times, the things we think will be a travesty turn out to be a blessing.

That said, IMO, age groups should be graduation year to align with HS and college. Many more boys & girls would stay in soccer if it was grad year. College is the main goal for all. Keep the elite programs birth year, like they already are!

However, if they force this stupid change, all the great players will still be great and average will still be average. Don't worry about team level. Colleges recruit individual players, not teams. New friends can be made and the cup might well turn out to be half full instead of half empty. Teach your kids how to make the best out of any situation.

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What everyone needs to understand is that change = money. Every time something changes someone makes a killing because of the changes. If the big clubs and state associations really thought this was a bad idea and would lose them money they just wouldn't do it. They have that option. But they know, even though it will hurt a few feelings, that they can make even more money during the transition.

On the girls side there will be losses on numbers. But fees will be increased to more than offset.

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You are wrong. SoCal even put out a video presentation on explaining the changes that stated repeatedly that they thought this was a bad idea for girls. They also were strongly against the change to small sided games because of logistical mess it will create in urban areas. They have extremely limited facilities and now you will have smaller teams so more games on non standard sized fields. You cannot just start painting lines on municipal facilities so they will be playing games with cones instead of lines.

The only reason this change is being implemented is because they spent hundreds of thousand on consultants and they would look silly not following the recommendations.

Then why did they vote "yes" for it?
Also, if they really don't want it, fight back like hell as a big united group against it and get it dropped! Heck, get Texas and other big soccer states involved too. USSF can't push it through if the big clubs truly don't want it.

[Unregistered]

Other than one nut job here, I haven't heard any support for this change. Why are they moving girls to birth year. Should this stay on track that matches college recruiting?

Apparently you didn't read the first few pages of this topic. There was a lot of support. I guess I am one of the nut jobs that stays on this topic trying to convince you not to destroy your daughter's life. Everyone else has moved on to more important things than hearing about your kid's parent-induced cry sessions. I sure hope you aren't a parent on my daughter's team. I don't want your victim's attitude to rub off.

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On the girls side there will be losses on numbers. But fees will be increased to more than offset.

Any idea what the fee bump will be?

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All of this so called "displeasure" with this is being brought on by one parent who posts over and over and over because his little suzy is going to now go from being the oldest and biggest to one of the youngest and the same size as everyone else. He era of bulldozing over other players or out running them is over. And dad can't fathom the thought of he now riding the bench instead of starting and playing all of the time. Too bad dad, you should have sprung for some skills lessons.

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Yeah. Any kid that wants to play with friends or school mates are weak and soft. It is indicative of poor parenting. You should force them to leave all their friends every 12-18 months and make new ones.

If your kid wants to play soccer to have fun, it is a reflection of poor parenting skills. You are at fault.

They should realize that they are part of something bigger. The USMNT needs this change.

Anyone who plays for enjoyment or with friends should be removed from the team, forcibly if need be.

Yes!!! This guy is spot on.

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"If you think back to your playing days, all you will remember is the skill building drills and individual work in the garage at all hours. I bet you don't remember any of the relationships or friends.

That is what this is all about. Individual development and the pain of hard work. That is what drives kids. The dream of being better.

That is why the greatest players don't have friends and we all should strive for this for our children."


It's a reflection on parenting skills if your kid wants to play with friends. This is competitive soccer.

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Any idea what the fee bump will be?

Probably north of $500 at the Timbers clubs to offset the major losses they are experiencing on the girl's side - and that was before the age group changes.