Boys 05

[Unregistered]

Well I guess your theory was blown out of the water- we will find out how good a non DA team is in about an hour because the Seattle United Copa team (theoretically their B team based on your logic) is in the finals of the crossfire challenge- not their DA team who lost in the semi’s

Westside put their 04 B team in DA a couple years ago, so it does happen. It was first year of little DA, and club was a bit skeptical of the entire thing, and 04 Samba had won pres cup (and made it to state cup quarterfinals) the year before, so the club decided to do that.

But it wasn't because the Top Kids Wanted To Play Basketball or anything like that. DA doesn't prevent kids from participating in sports other than soccer; it just says no other organized soccer, including high school. It was a decision by the club, with some consultation with parents IIRC.

If SU has their B team in DA, or if large numbers of good players refused assignment to the DA team with the result that Copa is stronger, that would be an interesting story to hear. Their website makes it appear that the DA team is the A team, but that doesn't necessarily mean much.

[Unregistered]

Westside put their 04 B team in DA a couple years ago, so it does happen. It was first year of little DA, and club was a bit skeptical of the entire thing, and 04 Samba had won pres cup (and made it to state cup quarterfinals) the year before, so the club decided to do that.

But it wasn't because the Top Kids Wanted To Play Basketball or anything like that. DA doesn't prevent kids from participating in sports other than soccer; it just says no other organized soccer, including high school. It was a decision by the club, with some consultation with parents IIRC.

If SU has their B team in DA, or if large numbers of good players refused assignment to the DA team with the result that Copa is stronger, that would be an interesting story to hear. Their website makes it appear that the DA team is the A team, but that doesn't necessarily mean much.

Way to spin it and completely ignore what the reality is in our market- TA does not allow other sports. And yes we had a conversation with his current coach before last year were upfront about him participating in other sports and that he would miss some games and practices. With that full disclosure and his understanding, my child decided to stay at his local club and DA team. we have open communication with his coach about attendance during winter and spring to ensure numbers are available for matches. And yes we declined TA for that very reason....

[Unregistered]

Way to spin it and completely ignore what the reality is in our market- TA does not allow other sports. And yes we had a conversation with his current coach before last year were upfront about him participating in other sports and that he would miss some games and practices. With that full disclosure and his understanding, my child decided to stay at his local club and DA team. we have open communication with his coach about attendance during winter and spring to ensure numbers are available for matches. And yes we declined TA for that very reason....

Wasn't talking about TA, was talking about the USSDA program in general. Individual clubs may impose additional rules for participation.

You'll notice that in your case, you declined Timbers Academy and put your son in another DA program.

Perhaps Seattle United has a no-other-sports policy for its DA but not for its Copa team; I don't know. It would be nice if an informed person would comment rather than engaging in speculation that is based on experiences with a club that isn't even at Crossfire. Our club allows participation in other sports even if you're on the DA--it's neither encouraged nor discouraged, but it is accommodated.

If your son would rather play multiple sports than focus on one, that's a perfectly fine choice and I won't tell you that you should do otherwise. Other kids live and breathe soccer and only want to do that. That's also fine--for those kids who do want to focus on one sport, please spare the lectures about "burnout" and such.

[Unregistered]

I hope FC PDX feels good about spanking the Idaho Timbers team 5-0 and winning the "B" level tournament!

[Unregistered]

I hope FC PDX feels good about spanking the Idaho Timbers team 5-0 and winning the "B" level tournament!

We're # 13!!!!

[Unregistered]

Wasn't talking about TA, was talking about the USSDA program in general. Individual clubs may impose additional rules for participation.

You'll notice that in your case, you declined Timbers Academy and put your son in another DA program.

Perhaps Seattle United has a no-other-sports policy for its DA but not for its Copa team; I don't know. It would be nice if an informed person would comment rather than engaging in speculation that is based on experiences with a club that isn't even at Crossfire. Our club allows participation in other sports even if you're on the DA--it's neither encouraged nor discouraged, but it is accommodated.

If your son would rather play multiple sports than focus on one, that's a perfectly fine choice and I won't tell you that you should do otherwise. Other kids live and breathe soccer and only want to do that. That's also fine--for those kids focus on one sport, please spare the lectures about "burnout" and such.

Save it blow hard- you completely missed the point anc are completely uninformed. Seattle United has 2 high level teams- one much like TA WHERE FULL TIME COMMITTMENT is expected and another where they want to keep the kids that have talent/potential in a high level environment, but allow other interests and maybe in the future those kids decide at a more appropriate time that soccer is what they want to focus on full time instead of shedding them at 13 and creating a divisive culture like we have here...just maybe you could step back and pull your head far enough out of your azz to breath and think before you post

[Unregistered]

Save it blow hard- you completely missed the point anc are completely uninformed. Seattle United has 2 high level teams- one much like TA WHERE FULL TIME COMMITTMENT is expected and another where they want to keep the kids that have talent/potential in a high level environment, but allow other interests and maybe in the future those kids decide at a more appropriate time that soccer is what they want to focus on full time instead of shedding them at 13 and creating a divisive culture like we have here...just maybe you could step back and pull your head far enough out of your azz to breath and think before you post

And there's nothing wrong with that.

Assuming players got to choose which team to play for, I would expect the "full time commitment" team, over the long run, to become better. More training, more touches, better technique. Depending on the population the two teams draw from, at this age the other team might be better--especially if it's bigger, faster, stronger kids who have the bodies for basketball or American football.

I wouldn't take the Crossfire semi results into account. Both teams got beaten by Crossfire's DA by the same score--the SU DA just happened to get 'em in the semis, the Copa team not until the finals.

[Unregistered]

And there's nothing wrong with that.

Assuming players got to choose which team to play for, I would expect the "full time commitment" team, over the long run, to become better. More training, more touches, better technique. Depending on the population the two teams draw from, at this age the other team might be better--especially if it's bigger, faster, stronger kids who have the bodies for basketball or American football.

I wouldn't take the Crossfire semi results into account. Both teams got beaten by Crossfire's DA by the same score--the SU DA just happened to get 'em in the semis, the Copa team not until the finals.

??? Seattle united DA IS THE ONLY TEAM that played and beat crossfire DA 1-0 in pool play so *** are you talking about, SU had both their DA and copa team in the final 4 along with Washington premier(who won) and a team from Hawaii called Excell- get informed before you post you dolt.....

[Unregistered]

“We learn more from losing than winning”

Nobody says they except teams that lose. You should crochet that into throw pillows and set up a table to sell them at the soccer fields.

Sorry I’m laughing at that mental picture...give me a minute.

That’s the club motto.

[Unregistered]

??? Seattle united DA IS THE ONLY TEAM that played and beat crossfire DA 1-0 in pool play so *** are you talking about, SU had both their DA and copa team in the final 4 along with Washington premier(who won) and a team from Hawaii called Excell- get informed before you post you dolt.....

Yes, WPFC not CP. Brain fart.

[Unregistered]

Save it blow hard- you completely missed the point anc are completely uninformed. Seattle United has 2 high level teams- one much like TA WHERE FULL TIME COMMITTMENT is expected and another where they want to keep the kids that have talent/potential in a high level environment, but allow other interests and maybe in the future those kids decide at a more appropriate time that soccer is what they want to focus on full time instead of shedding them at 13 and creating a divisive culture like we have here...just maybe you could step back and pull your head far enough out of your azz to breath and think before you post

Are you seriously advocating for the TA to dumb down their program's expectations to accommodate your son's other interests? And playing less soccer in the process will somehow make us better on the world stage overall?

I'd think you'd want to model the programs used by the most successful clubs in the world. They don't advocate playing basketball to get better at soccer...even at ages much younger than 13.

[Unregistered]

Are you seriously advocating for the TA to dumb down their program's expectations to accommodate your son's other interests? And playing less soccer in the process will somehow make us better on the world stage overall?

I'd think you'd want to model the programs used by the most successful clubs in the world. They don't advocate playing basketball to get better at soccer...even at ages much younger than 13.

Of course. His/her son is such an elite athlete at 13 that of course the Timbers ought to hold a slot available while he decides what he wants to do--soccer, basketball, violin, Fortnite (he has dozens of subscribers to his YouTube channel). Even if he only trains part time, he is such a Greek god in sports that he's a better prospect than any of those short tricksy midfielders the Timbers have a ton of.

US Soccer will be sorry in 2026 when they are trying to advance out the group at home, and his/her DS is watching the game from the frathouse, having decided against a pro career and is instead finishing up his business degree at Oregon, preparing instead for a career as a professional ass hole. To think that the US might have advanced had the Timbers not pushed his/her son away a decade ago. He could have easily been the next Clint Dempsey!

[Unregistered]

Are you seriously advocating for the TA to dumb down their program's expectations to accommodate your son's other interests? And playing less soccer in the process will somehow make us better on the world stage overall?

I'd think you'd want to model the programs used by the most successful clubs in the world. They don't advocate playing basketball to get better at soccer...even at ages much younger than 13.

No ahole I am not- It has gotten so far from the original point. They also have all the majority of the top athletes in their respective countries and we do not. Much like those countries suffer in basketball, baseball etc we struggle on the international stage for many of the same reasons. It’s not because we don’t have kids solely training for soccer, it’s that we have the wrong kids doing it in general across the board. And yes I am referring to you soccer only sinks who can dribble and juggle a soccer ball but have little to no athletic ability

[Unregistered]

No ahole I am not- It has gotten so far from the original point. They also have all the majority of the top athletes in their respective countries and we do not. Much like those countries suffer in basketball, baseball etc we struggle on the international stage for many of the same reasons. It’s not because we don’t have kids solely training for soccer, it’s that we have the wrong kids doing it in general across the board. And yes I am referring to you soccer only sinks who can dribble and juggle a soccer ball but have little to no athletic ability

Unless we are willing to admit that our best male athletes generally choose other sports, we will never become internationally competitive. Maybe that’s ok. Can’t blame anyone for following the money.

[Unregistered]

Are you seriously advocating for the TA to dumb down their program's expectations to accommodate your son's other interests? And playing less soccer in the process will somehow make us better on the world stage overall?

I'd think you'd want to model the programs used by the most successful clubs in the world. They don't advocate playing basketball to get better at soccer...even at ages much younger than 13.

Going “all in” for soccer is a recipe for boring soccer players. No joy. No creativity. Look at the awful USMNT. I’d rather watch grass grow than watch that dull, lifeless team.

People who are great at things overwhelmingly are balanced in their lives.