Club DA

[Unregistered]

You are wrong my friend, Oregon even with a decade long explosion of population cannot have the same 6 clubs fielding top flight teams at (u12) u13 & u14 for a multitude of reasons and talent depth available at these 6 clubs is the biggest reason. The concept was flawed before it began by choosing 6 isolated Oregon clubs that rarely expect maybe WST & FC draw talented players from outside of the geographic footprint the metro area.

It was a branding effort by the insignificant or non-relevant clubs 3 or 4 of them in this group of 6. But it didn't work, the HS age groups prove only 1 or 2 clubs will draw the best coaches and players and provide a platform for the best developed players to compete.

Smoke and Mirrors sales and a label get you here.

It's over.

DA would probably work better if a) there were obvious advantages to the top players to go to DA teams, b) there were good reasons for other clubs to refer their top players to the DA clubs, and c) there were fewer of them. (One on the west side, one on the south side, one in Vancouver, and one in Salem).

ECNL suffers from the same problem--it tries to consolidate top players by "elite" branding, but gives no reason for other clubs to participate (and to submit to being a level down in the pyramid). And ECNL has too few teams, so there's too much travel involved. But it's largely the same coaches, the same techniques, the same facilities as before.

As much I dislike their business ethics, ADF at least is trying something different--you pay more but you get more training--and they have some good results to show. Not game-changing results, but Jo has essentially built a top-level club from nothing.

[Unregistered]

Does the top OUSA team at each little DA age generally group beat all the Club DA teams? Probably generally beat a few? Or probably mostly lose? If the first one, then why have little DA? If the last one, then should you move a top player from an OYSA team to a nearby Club DA team?

[Unregistered]

As much I dislike their business ethics, ADF at least is trying something different--you pay more but you get more training--and they have some good results to show. Not game-changing results, but Jo has essentially built a top-level club from nothing.

“Top level” in the farmers league of oysa. They haven’t won much of anything outside of Oregon oysa.

[Unregistered]

DA would probably work better if a) there were obvious advantages to the top players to go to DA teams, b) there were good reasons for other clubs to refer their top players to the DA clubs, and c) there were fewer of them. (One on the west side, one on the south side, one in Vancouver, and one in Salem).

ECNL suffers from the same problem--it tries to consolidate top players by "elite" branding, but gives no reason for other clubs to participate (and to submit to being a level down in the pyramid). And ECNL has too few teams, so there's too much travel involved. But it's largely the same coaches, the same techniques, the same facilities as before.

As much I dislike their business ethics, ADF at least is trying something different--you pay more but you get more training--and they have some good results to show. Not game-changing results, but Jo has essentially built a top-level club from nothing.

ADF is like high priced batting cages for clueless parents of grade & middle school kids.
After the novelty of plugging the machine with quarters is over at at 12 or 13 the kids leave and join up with actual clubs and teams. ADF has nothing to show after 7th or 8th grade they have built nothing and must go back to recruiting the 8 year old sucker parents. If that is your idea of building a top-level club you need some help. Things built with a solid foundation last for eternity, this train wreck collapses withing 2 years of being built. Flawed construction and design. Inevitable outcomes.

[Unregistered]

Does the top OUSA team at each little DA age generally group beat all the Club DA teams? Probably generally beat a few? Or probably mostly lose? If the first one, then why have little DA? If the last one, then should you move a top player from an OYSA team to a nearby Club DA team?

In 05:

Westside and OPFC would smoke any OYSA team. FC probably would as well.

In 06:

ADF could probably give any of the DA teams trouble.

Haven't an informed opinion on 07.

[Unregistered]

In 05:

Westside and OPFC would smoke any OYSA team. FC probably would as well.

In 06:

ADF could probably give any of the DA teams trouble.

Haven't an informed opinion on 07.

Other than creating of what if situations, what's the point?

[Unregistered]

The post I was originally responding to contained some specific assertions about the 07 team, then what appeared to be some generalizations about WT at multiple ages. I was intending to respond to the latter.

I seldom watch the 07s play--as an 05 parent, I arrive at the field during the 06 game (so am more familiar with them). However:

* The 07s and the 05s share a coach (Steven Evans), so at least some aspects of coaching philosophy ought to be similar. The 05s are no bootball team--indeed, they are one of the weaker counter-attacking teams in the 05 DA, having nobody on the roster who can carry the ball from midfield to the penalty area and get off a shot. When they score, it's generally against a reasonably-organized defense. And yet they do score, and do so by the bucket load.
* The 07s and the 05s also train together frequently, so I do see the younger kids in practice.
* Both teams have endured massive roster rebuilds. The 07s are in the first year of theirs, with a lot of new kids and players who were on Samba (the B team) last year. The 05s are in year 2 of their rebuilding project. The 07 squad probably fell further, and is just starting to climb back out.



OPFC often fades in the early spring, though they rebound a bit. A lot has to do with the fact that they don't do futsal in the winter, I suppose, so arrive to February games a bit out of touch. And both OPFC and WashT have quite a few multi-sport athletes that may have conflicts. (WT has a few multi-sport athletes as well, but the top players on the squad all focus on soccer).

But OPFC could easily win. AB (and AP at FC Portland) pose matchup problems for any team, but their skills are magnified against teams like Westside that like to park the defensive line at midfield and compress the field, and are willing to concede balls over the top. WT beat them last time, but it was a nail-biter. Depending on who shows up, OPFC could triumph. Or not.

Westside parent here- You have completely missed the point. One of my best friends has a son that plays at Opfc and the reason they have an 05 “early swoon” every year is this group has a couple kids who are exceptional (TA Equivalent level) at hoops and a couple other top players who also play beginning in the late fall and winter and miss a ton of practice and early season games accordingly. Be honest they have 3/4 kids who if they only focused on socce would be contributors at TA just like FC and westside kids. This game tomorrow should be good as it sounds like hoops season is over...

[Unregistered]

Depends.

Eugene or Bend Timbers are both good programs, though limited by talent pool. Same for rogue valley.

Assuming you live in metro area, ADF is very strong but expensive. Latino teams (4H, IFC) also quite good. Everyone else would be smoked by top 3-4 DA teams on age. Some da teams are poor (i.e. updx 05s), but most would easily be at or near the top of the table in OYSA.

Dont fool yourself- not a single oysa team (ADF or otherwise) would beat the worst da team on a consistent basis. Stop trying you are just “presidents cup level” oysa...

[Unregistered]

Almost every DA team is comprised of the top team from their club, meaning their top team that was playing in OYSA at U11. There are a few exceptions, but it is not like the DA clubs are out there recruiting the best and the brightest to play on their DA teams. It is essentially a system where 6 clubs that would normally play in OYSA just scrimmage against each other for 9 months instead. So to answer your question, no, premier OYSA is not a level significantly lower than club DA. Find a good club with a good coach and best of luck. Of course, your kid will miss out on the powerade station, which in itself is soul crushing.

Actually oysa is second tier- look who has a DA and do the math- bend and Eugene never stacked up before and would not now...

[Unregistered]

Westside parent here- You have completely missed the point. One of my best friends has a son that plays at Opfc and the reason they have an 05 “early swoon” every year is this group has a couple kids who are exceptional (TA Equivalent level) at hoops and a couple other top players who also play beginning in the late fall and winter and miss a ton of practice and early season games accordingly. Be honest they have 3/4 kids who if they only focused on socce would be contributors at TA just like FC and westside kids. This game tomorrow should be good as it sounds like hoops season is over...

Kind of what the original post said--OPFC has multi-sport athletes who take time off from soccer in the winter. I've no idea how good any of them are at hoops; there is no "Blazers Academy" that trains 8th-graders to possibly become professional basketball players, and I don't pay attention to youth basketball.

AB could certainly contribute at TA, as could some of the defenders. (Is he one of the kids who does basketball, or is it other players?)

[Unregistered]

Kind of what the original post said--OPFC has multi-sport athletes who take time off from soccer in the winter. I've no idea how good any of them are at hoops; there is no "Blazers Academy" that trains 8th-graders to possibly become professional basketball players, and I don't pay attention to youth basketball.

AB could certainly contribute at TA, as could some of the defenders. (Is he one of the kids who does basketball, or is it other players?)

Wow, just wow is all I can say.....

[Unregistered]

Kind of what the original post said--OPFC has multi-sport athletes who take time off from soccer in the winter. I've no idea how good any of them are at hoops; there is no "Blazers Academy" that trains 8th-graders to possibly become professional basketball players, and I don't pay attention to youth basketball.

AB could certainly contribute at TA, as could some of the defenders. (Is he one of the kids who does basketball, or is it other players?)

Someone is doing some self promoting- not sure what opfc AB adds over AB or SB, etc who are already currently at TA???? Give it a break he was not good enough 2 years ago and still is not....

[Unregistered]

Someone is doing some self promoting- not sure what opfc AB adds over AB or SB, etc who are already currently at TA???? Give it a break he was not good enough 2 years ago and still is not....

Fascinating. There seems to be an argument forming over which OPFC players are DA-worthy. AB is the one that as a parent on an opposing team causes me the most consternation--but it sounds like some feathers are ruffled because somebody else on the team was implicitly passed over?

If you think such comments are offered in bad faith, the correct response is either "thanks, dad!" or "here fishy fishy", depending on who you think is offering the comments and why.

OPFC is a good and scary team, with quite a few good players. I'll let you sort out which players you think are fit to crash the Providence Park party.

[Unregistered]

Someone is doing some self promoting- not sure what opfc AB adds over AB or SB, etc who are already currently at TA???? Give it a break he was not good enough 2 years ago and still is not....

Kinda what I was thinking, TA could really use some midfielder/wings who can possess the ball and “see” the field and then can distribute and switch the field like we saw in California not just another someone wonders and who is fast and turns the ball over up top, enough do that already

[Unregistered]

Fascinating. There seems to be an argument forming over which OPFC players are DA-worthy. AB is the one that as a parent on an opposing team causes me the most consternation--but it sounds like some feathers are ruffled because somebody else on the team was implicitly passed over?

If you think such comments are offered in bad faith, the correct response is either "thanks, dad!" or "here fishy fishy", depending on who you think is offering the comments and why.

OPFC is a good and scary team, with quite a few good players. I'll let you sort out which players you think are fit to crash the Providence Park party.

What team just so we are on the same page dad, here fishy fishy