Washington Spirit VA ID sessions this Sunday

[Anonymous]

I've got a question in regards to play ups. Are they done because the parents are forcing them on coaches or are they done because the team they are playing on is desperate for players and the play ups are better than any girls who are that age?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've got a question in regards to play ups. Are they done because the parents are forcing them on coaches or are they done because the team they are playing on is desperate for players and the play ups are better than any girls who are that age?

Perhaps a little bit of both, depending on the age group and player.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

An opportunity to play for the worst club in the country?

All aboard

You really are a miserable person. I think commenting on every Spirit post out there isn’t doing anything good for your disposition. Maybe go outside and get some fresh air. Clearly your daughter didn’t make WS and you can’t get over it. Grow up.

I think this guy's kid probably did get an invite later in the July 2018, but isn't a top player on FCV (maybe a 15 minute player) , but still wanted to be part of a winning team. And this is how they justify their decision to themselves out loud.

Individual opportunity lost for your kid. Benefit to Spirit who don't have to listen to you whine on the sideline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've got a question in regards to play ups. Are they done because the parents are forcing them on coaches or are they done because the team they are playing on is desperate for players and the play ups are better than any girls who are that age?

Do you mean are the playups better than the girls at age or are they better than the girls they are playing up with?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've got a question in regards to play ups. Are they done because the parents are forcing them on coaches or are they done because the team they are playing on is desperate for players and the play ups are better than any girls who are that age?

Do you mean are the playups better than the girls at age or are they better than the girls they are playing up with?

Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Establish a real pipeline with real clubs that have a history of developing players and hire coaches that know how to develop players. Spirit has none of this. Current director is long on resume and short on accomplishment. Other staff is short on both.

This is what Spirit MD, Richmond United, NC Courage, VDA, Penn Fusion, NC Fusion, etc have all done. They didn’t just start a club one day. It took planning and time with qualified people. Not people looking to attach themselves to a “pro” team.

This comment makes no sense. Coaches at Spirit VA came from other clubs like McLean, FCV, etc.

As a Spirit parent, I'd argue that the one thing Spirit DOES have is the coaching. I have issues with the bloated rosters, choices for where and when players play, inconsistent talent, etc., but I can see that DDs team is considerably better now (despite these issues) and is playing tighter games, etc., than they were in the fall and last year. That means only one thing -- coaches are doing the best they can with what they currently have to work with. I do agree with PPs that 3-4 players (less in a couple age groups) could be the difference in one and two goal differential games. We are not seeing the blowouts we saw last year....

Spirit parent here, and I agree with everything you said. The coaching is part of what has kept us going. I also think play ups returning to their own age groups will not find any less development for themselves (probably more) and will at the same time be able to contribute to a stronger team in their own age group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've got a question in regards to play ups. Are they done because the parents are forcing them on coaches or are they done because the team they are playing on is desperate for players and the play ups are better than any girls who are that age?

Do you mean are the playups better than the girls at age or are they better than the girls they are playing up with?

Yes

They may be better than their at age counterparts in some cases. They are not better than the at age players. Depending on the age group, they are less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
As a Spirit parent, I'd argue that the one thing Spirit DOES have is the coaching. I have issues with the bloated rosters, choices for where and when players play, inconsistent talent, etc., but I can see that DDs team is considerably better now (despite these issues) and is playing tighter games, etc., than they were in the fall and last year. That means only one thing -- coaches are doing the best they can with what they currently have to work with. I do agree with PPs that 3-4 players (less in a couple age groups) could be the difference in one and two goal differential games. We are not seeing the blowouts we saw last year....

If these are truly the 3 big issues with Spirit VA,

1 bloated rosters,
2 choices for where and when players play
3 inconsistent talent

and if what PPs are saying is true reducing roster sizes (and adding a u16 team), then all 3 of these could be addressed in one fell swoop.

but can you explain more about choices for where and when players play?

Not sure about what other posters would say, but to me, there are play-ups that don't need to happen. Also, often there is considerable shifting of positions on the field -- sometimes mid-game. Many different players in a particular position over the course of any given 3-4 games which makes timing and consistency difficult, etc. Part of this does go back to #1 too though.

+1. I would agree with all of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
As a Spirit parent, I'd argue that the one thing Spirit DOES have is the coaching. I have issues with the bloated rosters, choices for where and when players play, inconsistent talent, etc., but I can see that DDs team is considerably better now (despite these issues) and is playing tighter games, etc., than they were in the fall and last year. That means only one thing -- coaches are doing the best they can with what they currently have to work with. I do agree with PPs that 3-4 players (less in a couple age groups) could be the difference in one and two goal differential games. We are not seeing the blowouts we saw last year....

If these are truly the 3 big issues with Spirit VA,

1 bloated rosters,
2 choices for where and when players play
3 inconsistent talent

and if what PPs are saying is true reducing roster sizes (and adding a u16 team), then all 3 of these could be addressed in one fell swoop.

but can you explain more about choices for where and when players play?

Not sure about what other posters would say, but to me, there are play-ups that don't need to happen. Also, often there is considerable shifting of positions on the field -- sometimes mid-game. Many different players in a particular position over the course of any given 3-4 games which makes timing and consistency difficult, etc. Part of this does go back to #1 too though.

I didn't realize you meant play-ups, was under impression this was more about positions and PT, but it seems to be all related.

Let's play devils advocate since you mentioned play-ups, perhaps not enough players are playing-up to get the appropriate challenge, because of roster bloat and inconsistent talent.

What's the issue though with testing positions for players who may not get the position they used to play or wanted to play over a given 3-4 games? What better way to learn how to see the game from a different perspective? That's exactly why I want my DD to leave her current team. Perhaps the coaches get lucky and they find out Stephanie can make the runs or passes that Barbara just doesn't seem to be able to make under match pressure and the team and Stephanie progress. Sorry, Barbara.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
As a Spirit parent, I'd argue that the one thing Spirit DOES have is the coaching. I have issues with the bloated rosters, choices for where and when players play, inconsistent talent, etc., but I can see that DDs team is considerably better now (despite these issues) and is playing tighter games, etc., than they were in the fall and last year. That means only one thing -- coaches are doing the best they can with what they currently have to work with. I do agree with PPs that 3-4 players (less in a couple age groups) could be the difference in one and two goal differential games. We are not seeing the blowouts we saw last year....

If these are truly the 3 big issues with Spirit VA,

1 bloated rosters,
2 choices for where and when players play
3 inconsistent talent

and if what PPs are saying is true reducing roster sizes (and adding a u16 team), then all 3 of these could be addressed in one fell swoop.

but can you explain more about choices for where and when players play?

Not sure about what other posters would say, but to me, there are play-ups that don't need to happen. Also, often there is considerable shifting of positions on the field -- sometimes mid-game. Many different players in a particular position over the course of any given 3-4 games which makes timing and consistency difficult, etc. Part of this does go back to #1 too though.

I didn't realize you meant play-ups, was under impression this was more about positions and PT, but it seems to be all related.

Let's play devils advocate since you mentioned play-ups, perhaps not enough players are playing-up to get the appropriate challenge, because of roster bloat and inconsistent talent.

What's the issue though with testing positions for players who may not get the position they used to play or wanted to play over a given 3-4 games? What better way to learn how to see the game from a different perspective? That's exactly why I want my DD to leave her current team. Perhaps the coaches get lucky and they find out Stephanie can make the runs or passes that Barbara just doesn't seem to be able to make under match pressure and the team and Stephanie progress. Sorry, Barbara.

I'm not that PP.. Hope you don't mind if I sound in. I think both unnecessary playing up was only one point. It's valid and has impacted every team, but it's not the only issue. Bloated rosters is another one.

Nothing is wrong with trying new positions. It can be good, and players who only know say midfield or say center back may struggle in college if that's not an available position. So I agree in theory. Diversity is a good thing.

What does happen though is there are so many players to rotate through that a player may not play any position at all consistently enough to understand any of them. That's a problem. A player does need some consistency to make it work. At the same time, other positions may have the same 2 players rotating even if they are not actually making it work.

I'll make a generic example not intended to mean anyone. A defender who can't win balls defensively but keeps playing defense or a forward who can't score but keeps playing forward or a midfielder who gets pushed off the ball or can't carry it through the middle. Whatever.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, i get that argument

What does happen though is there are so many players to rotate through that a player may not play any position at all consistently enough to understand any of them.

That’s a signal you stayed at a club too long that didnt care about development and you lost out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, i get that argument

What does happen though is there are so many players to rotate through that a player may not play any position at all consistently enough to understand any of them.

That’s a signal you stayed at a club too long that didnt care about development and you lost out.

Or it made some roster mistakes it can correct. There’s always that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every surrounding club is better. Let that sink in.

That is understood, but it doesn't mean that it will always be the case.

Spirit is a club that is for profit. Spirit VA exists to provide financial support to them...not the other way around.

Spirit VA is no different than Barca.

Not sure how Barca is even part of this discussion at all, but there’s a big difference. spirit va teams could wipe the floor with the age group compared Barca girls teams and barca’s competition level is much lower than Spirit’s.

It isn't about talent it is about the tired argument of soccer being a big money grab.

People in this area tend to view achievement as a consumable. Look at he current college scandal. So the crux is people are either paying hteir way on to teams and taking away spots away from more deserving kids. Barca, is just taking peoples money and buying yachts with it. Spirit is clearly taking money from parents and just lining the owners pockets as a part of the NWSL Billionaires Boys Club..

And the knock on Spirit is they charge and lose.

Non-profits also charge but then people complain about TD director salaries but then as is the case with SYC and LMVSC director poach, they bitch and moan when their good director gets poached by a neighboring club.

Just find the right level of competition, the right level budget wise and just enjoy watching your kid play.

ECNL or DA are not for everyone. ECNL in particular is not a charity. It's sole purpose is to have a platform for kids to get showcased for college coaches. As a league it has no altruistic motives to live up to. People will pay lots of money for the opportunity to be exclusively showcased in front of college coaches. Does that need to be a measuring stick of how you or your family enjoys the game of soccer? NO.

DA, is also not interested everyone either. They are interested in finding players for the National team. They only care about the .01% The rest of the kids are there also for the college exposure.

College exposure is not necessary for your child to enjoy playing soccer.

ECNL and DA are not keeping any kids from playing soccer. That would be like saying BMW is pricing you out of a car. Can't afford a BMW? Buy a Toyota, it will still get you where you need to go, more reliably and for a lot less.

Still not a good analogy.

ECNL or DA clubs are products customers consume to play at a higher level and act as a showcasing vehicle for college recruiting. Say what one will about WSVA, the training is very good and the platform works to get your player reviewed by college coaches. They go to the showcases no matter the league record, and if DD shines, no one will remember or even care about their U15 DA team's W/L record.

Barca is almost as costly as a DA club. While the training may be somewhat similar, the level of competition on the girls side is rec/low travel and you will have essentially no platform.

That's what I'd call an awful deal, unless you like paying a premium to wear the FCB crest. I like the Barca men's 1st team, but there are plenty of other dumpsters I can burn my $$ in before I put my HS age DD into an expensive rec level program.

Next time, try using another DA or ECNL club as your comparison. They all have similar costs, pros, and cons.

Agreed that if you are not at this level for college exposure, your kid should be playing rec/regular travel.

[Anonymous]

IMO the problem with play ups is it leads to clubs having weaker teams sometimes every other year. Example - Vienna has a strong(ish) 2008 team. It has the strongest 2009's playing up on it. All of the strong 2008's have stayed put because the 2007 team loses all the time. However, this has left the 2009 team struggling too. So they have one strong team flanked by 2 weaker teams. Although it may be best for those 3 players, it has created a hole in the 2009 age group and its not in the best interest of the club as a whole.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if Spirit would have better results if they forced all the girls to play in their age group for the spring season? Probably yes? However, I bet all the parents would then leave next year since they can't claim their DD is "playing up"anymore!