ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They think these structural changes will improve youth soccer and therefore eventually the NT, which won’t happen.

The biggest issues in US soccer are:

1. Pay to play
2. Focus on physical attributes (size, strength, speed) rather than technical or tactical skills
3. A culture that emphasizes “winning” above all else

There are other problems as well, but the above 3 kill the development of the sport in the US.

Without issue club/coach lock on ranking kids at about age 8 blocks 90 percent of kids from ever having the chance to even think about rising up through the ranks and pushes them to other sports and out of soccer.

It's weird to think about but clubs think they have too many kids so they weed out and weed out until all of the focus is on a few kids. And those kids may not grow into athletes, may have peaked early, don't want to dedicate themselves to only one sport and have a decent chance of getting hurt.

Youth soccer offers so many more demotivators than motivators for kids along the way.

Pay to play is a complete red herring. MSI classic is around $600 per year and MLSN academies are free.

Totally agree except on the academies comment. England has 92 professional academies (free from U7 / U8 etc) for a population of 60 million.

How many professional academies (free from
U7 / U8) does the US have?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They think these structural changes will improve youth soccer and therefore eventually the NT, which won’t happen.

The biggest issues in US soccer are:

1. Pay to play
2. Focus on physical attributes (size, strength, speed) rather than technical or tactical skills
3. A culture that emphasizes “winning” above all else

There are other problems as well, but the above 3 kill the development of the sport in the US.

Without issue club/coach lock on ranking kids at about age 8 blocks 90 percent of kids from ever having the chance to even think about rising up through the ranks and pushes them to other sports and out of soccer.

It's weird to think about but clubs think they have too many kids so they weed out and weed out until all of the focus is on a few kids. And those kids may not grow into athletes, may have peaked early, don't want to dedicate themselves to only one sport and have a decent chance of getting hurt.

Youth soccer offers so many more demotivators than motivators for kids along the way.

Pay to play is a complete red herring. MSI classic is around $600 per year and MLSN academies are free.

Totally agree except on the academies comment. England has 92 professional academies (free from U7 / U8 etc) for a population of 60 million.

How many professional academies (free from
U7 / U8) does the US have?

All of them subsidized, if the municipalities in America would put money towards youth soccer that could create the environment as in England. Chances of that happening considering the state of the union are slim. Get Baron and one Elon's twenty children playing soccer and we may have something lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They think these structural changes will improve youth soccer and therefore eventually the NT, which won’t happen.

The biggest issues in US soccer are:

1. Pay to play
2. Focus on physical attributes (size, strength, speed) rather than technical or tactical skills
3. A culture that emphasizes “winning” above all else

There are other problems as well, but the above 3 kill the development of the sport in the US.

It's also just our country. Soccer is popular but not the dominate part of the culture like in other nations. Besides, we have so many sports for kids and on top of that we even INVENT new sports all the time -- all of which puts a ceiling of sorts on soccer.

This is really the only explanation. All of these problems - pay to play, physical attributes, emphasis on winning - exist in the other US sports. And yet we still manage to produce athletes and teams that are internationally competitive. Except just not in men’s soccer. The problem cannot be the US youth sports culture because then it would impact all of these other sports. What is specific to men’s soccer in this country? Maybe it’s that the types of boys who have the internal motivation plus the natural abilities to excel in sports choose other sports which are more lucrative and grant more social status in the US than soccer.

Hardest anyone plays these other sports where we “dominate”. No one gives a damn about American football. Baseball is only played in LatAm (and Japan), and let’s be honest, the foreign players are just as good if not better than the American players.

Basketball has opened up to the rest of the world… and foreign players are balling in the NBA.

What team sport do we dominate that is widely played around the world?

No one cares about American football? Actually, boys in America care A LOT. That’s why they don’t care about soccer and there is social pressure against playing a girl sport.

Why would any country dominate a sport that is widely played? That’s a weird position. Compete sure but dominate? Do you think America has superior athletes to the rest of the world?

I was replying to a comment claiming we dominate any sport we focus on. I don’t disagree with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They think these structural changes will improve youth soccer and therefore eventually the NT, which won’t happen.

The biggest issues in US soccer are:

1. Pay to play
2. Focus on physical attributes (size, strength, speed) rather than technical or tactical skills
3. A culture that emphasizes “winning” above all else

There are other problems as well, but the above 3 kill the development of the sport in the US.

I am an ECNL
coach with all my teams ranked high - small and technical is great - but gotta be tough and quick

Technical, fast, tough/Big - 95 times out of 100 - you have to be at least 2 of those

technical, small and slow - doesn’t matter how many private sessions you go to - most of the time, it’s a waste of time

no different than any other sports - Speed comes with athletiscm - this isn’t a technical sport like golf where technique is all that matters , being fast and strong is as important as being technical and that’s a fact

And yet…
The Greatest player to ever play the game is 5 foot 7 in…probably closer to 5 foot 5 in…

If you're referring to Messi...he became famous for being fast, tough and technical. Watch his highlights from age 16 to age 26... he ran his butt off, he was faster, more technical and tougher than everyone. He took 2-3 direct fouls per game and he got back up and came at them every time. His playing style now has simply changed to preserve his body for longevity purposes. (PSA: Don't let your kids play like how Messi plays now, make them play like Messi played when he was 16-26 years old.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They think these structural changes will improve youth soccer and therefore eventually the NT, which won’t happen.

The biggest issues in US soccer are:

1. Pay to play
2. Focus on physical attributes (size, strength, speed) rather than technical or tactical skills
3. A culture that emphasizes “winning” above all else

There are other problems as well, but the above 3 kill the development of the sport in the US.

It's also just our country. Soccer is popular but not the dominate part of the culture like in other nations. Besides, we have so many sports for kids and on top of that we even INVENT new sports all the time -- all of which puts a ceiling of sorts on soccer.

This is really the only explanation. All of these problems - pay to play, physical attributes, emphasis on winning - exist in the other US sports. And yet we still manage to produce athletes and teams that are internationally competitive. Except just not in men’s soccer. The problem cannot be the US youth sports culture because then it would impact all of these other sports. What is specific to men’s soccer in this country? Maybe it’s that the types of boys who have the internal motivation plus the natural abilities to excel in sports choose other sports which are more lucrative and grant more social status in the US than soccer.

I’m also a firm believer that to play top level, you have to play year round. That goes against the American youth sports culture. If the soccer players we do have, how many are only playing soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They think these structural changes will improve youth soccer and therefore eventually the NT, which won’t happen.

The biggest issues in US soccer are:

1. Pay to play
2. Focus on physical attributes (size, strength, speed) rather than technical or tactical skills
3. A culture that emphasizes “winning” above all else

There are other problems as well, but the above 3 kill the development of the sport in the US.

It's also just our country. Soccer is popular but not the dominate part of the culture like in other nations. Besides, we have so many sports for kids and on top of that we even INVENT new sports all the time -- all of which puts a ceiling of sorts on soccer.

This is really the only explanation. All of these problems - pay to play, physical attributes, emphasis on winning - exist in the other US sports. And yet we still manage to produce athletes and teams that are internationally competitive. Except just not in men’s soccer. The problem cannot be the US youth sports culture because then it would impact all of these other sports. What is specific to men’s soccer in this country? Maybe it’s that the types of boys who have the internal motivation plus the natural abilities to excel in sports choose other sports which are more lucrative and grant more social status in the US than soccer.

I’m also a firm believer that to play top level, you have to play year round. That goes against the American youth sports culture. If the soccer players we do have, how many are only playing soccer.

Not against youth soccer culture ... It's never-ending (and another thing that drives people FROM the sport). 2-4 practices a week, 1-2 games a weekend, 10 months year (and some play during summer)!

[Anonymous]

I agree, the 10 month commitment was a turn off and the reason we did not pursue club soccer for my son. Asking 8 to 10 year olds to commit to only soccer is a little ridiculous, and I know my son would’ve got burned out and quit. He does AAU baseball and basketball, and town travel soccer and we are all happy with that level of commitment. If there was a way for him to “level up” in soccer, but not have to commit to nearly year-round schedule, he would’ve done it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree, the 10 month commitment was a turn off and the reason we did not pursue club soccer for my son. Asking 8 to 10 year olds to commit to only soccer is a little ridiculous, and I know my son would’ve got burned out and quit. He does AAU baseball and basketball, and town travel soccer and we are all happy with that level of commitment. If there was a way for him to “level up” in soccer, but not have to commit to nearly year-round schedule, he would’ve done it.

I think that’s the issue…more time is what is needed to “level up”

But I agree all kids should do multiple sports and activities to be well rounded people

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They think these structural changes will improve youth soccer and therefore eventually the NT, which won’t happen.

The biggest issues in US soccer are:

1. Pay to play
2. Focus on physical attributes (size, strength, speed) rather than technical or tactical skills
3. A culture that emphasizes “winning” above all else

There are other problems as well, but the above 3 kill the development of the sport in the US.

I am an ECNL
coach with all my teams ranked high - small and technical is great - but gotta be tough and quick

Technical, fast, tough/Big - 95 times out of 100 - you have to be at least 2 of those

technical, small and slow - doesn’t matter how many private sessions you go to - most of the time, it’s a waste of time

no different than any other sports - Speed comes with athletiscm - this isn’t a technical sport like golf where technique is all that matters , being fast and strong is as important as being technical and that’s a fact

And yet…
The Greatest player to ever play the game is 5 foot 7 in…probably closer to 5 foot 5 in…

If you're referring to Messi...he became famous for being fast, tough and technical. Watch his highlights from age 16 to age 26... he ran his butt off, he was faster, more technical and tougher than everyone. He took 2-3 direct fouls per game and he got back up and came at them every time. His playing style now has simply changed to preserve his body for longevity purposes. (PSA: Don't let your kids play like how Messi plays now, make them play like Messi played when he was 16-26 years old.)

Armchair coach…is wrong again...

Messi under Pep looked a lot like Messi at PSG. His Miami playstyle is very different, but not for the reasons you suggest. And his National Team play-style is different too…also not for the reason you suggest.

Messi pre-pro was playing against different people and with different people…it wasn’t in a vacuum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They think these structural changes will improve youth soccer and therefore eventually the NT, which won’t happen.

The biggest issues in US soccer are:

1. Pay to play
2. Focus on physical attributes (size, strength, speed) rather than technical or tactical skills
3. A culture that emphasizes “winning” above all else

There are other problems as well, but the above 3 kill the development of the sport in the US.

I am an ECNL
coach with all my teams ranked high - small and technical is great - but gotta be tough and quick

Technical, fast, tough/Big - 95 times out of 100 - you have to be at least 2 of those

technical, small and slow - doesn’t matter how many private sessions you go to - most of the time, it’s a waste of time

no different than any other sports - Speed comes with athletiscm - this isn’t a technical sport like golf where technique is all that matters , being fast and strong is as important as being technical and that’s a fact

And yet…
The Greatest player to ever play the game is 5 foot 7 in…probably closer to 5 foot 5 in…

Football, as a team sport, has one of the largest ranges of body phenotype profiles. 80% of the world population has a natural body type conducive to success in professional football.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They think these structural changes will improve youth soccer and therefore eventually the NT, which won’t happen.

The biggest issues in US soccer are:

1. Pay to play
2. Focus on physical attributes (size, strength, speed) rather than technical or tactical skills
3. A culture that emphasizes “winning” above all else

There are other problems as well, but the above 3 kill the development of the sport in the US.

I am an ECNL
coach with all my teams ranked high - small and technical is great - but gotta be tough and quick

Technical, fast, tough/Big - 95 times out of 100 - you have to be at least 2 of those

technical, small and slow - doesn’t matter how many private sessions you go to - most of the time, it’s a waste of time

no different than any other sports - Speed comes with athletiscm - this isn’t a technical sport like golf where technique is all that matters , being fast and strong is as important as being technical and that’s a fact

And yet…
The Greatest player to ever play the game is 5 foot 7 in…probably closer to 5 foot 5 in…

If you're referring to Messi...he became famous for being fast, tough and technical. Watch his highlights from age 16 to age 26... he ran his butt off, he was faster, more technical and tougher than everyone. He took 2-3 direct fouls per game and he got back up and came at them every time. His playing style now has simply changed to preserve his body for longevity purposes. (PSA: Don't let your kids play like how Messi plays now, make them play like Messi played when he was 16-26 years old.)

Armchair coach…is wrong again...

Messi under Pep looked a lot like Messi at PSG. His Miami playstyle is very different, but not for the reasons you suggest. And his National Team play-style is different too…also not for the reason you suggest.

Messi pre-pro was playing against different people and with different people…it wasn’t in a vacuum.

Enlighten on Messi please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They think these structural changes will improve youth soccer and therefore eventually the NT, which won’t happen.

The biggest issues in US soccer are:

1. Pay to play
2. Focus on physical attributes (size, strength, speed) rather than technical or tactical skills
3. A culture that emphasizes “winning” above all else

There are other problems as well, but the above 3 kill the development of the sport in the US.

I am an ECNL
coach with all my teams ranked high - small and technical is great - but gotta be tough and quick

Technical, fast, tough/Big - 95 times out of 100 - you have to be at least 2 of those

technical, small and slow - doesn’t matter how many private sessions you go to - most of the time, it’s a waste of time

no different than any other sports - Speed comes with athletiscm - this isn’t a technical sport like golf where technique is all that matters , being fast and strong is as important as being technical and that’s a fact

And yet…
The Greatest player to ever play the game is 5 foot 7 in…probably closer to 5 foot 5 in…

Football, as a team sport, has one of the largest ranges of body phenotype profiles. 80% of the world population has a natural body type conducive to success in professional football.

100% correct!

[Anonymous]

Screw Messi. What’s the deal with the leagues and the age change? No info, weeks after the US Soccer AGM

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Screw Messi. What’s the deal with the leagues and the age change? No info, weeks after the US Soccer AGM

Yes, wait for MLS and GA decision on BY or SY, so we can plan to contact the coach to have a tryout practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Screw Messi. What’s the deal with the leagues and the age change? No info, weeks after the US Soccer AGM

It is getting a little crazy that there is no response at all from the leagues.