Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

No worries. Showcases going grade year.

This wont happen. Its a can of worms that invites playing down and coaches selling showcase roster spots.

Aug birthdays play with their grade in school and everything is resolved.

If it's all about payoffs then grade being an stumbling block you say is irrelevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

This is exactly why Aug birthdays playing on a grade down team doesnt work.

Told you, the troll toll tanks a discussion again.

The grade concern in this example is real. It'll be up to the clubs and college coaches to address it. Doom and gloom Aug guy thinks there's only one solution. Others say recruiting is more sophisticated, especially if the player is already on a school's radar via highlights, talent IDs and a player reaching out.

I think perhaps a reason why we haven't seen specific answers on this is because these are case-by-case situations. Every club and player is different. In some cases, the player will play up. In others, they'll play on age. We're wrong to say we know what one way is best.

Thats the issue. You're going to work twice as hard to get noticed by college coaches just to play on a grade down team. I you play on the correct grade in school team everything works and is easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

To answer your question bluntly. Your kid needs to play up on the correct grade in school team. All the college recruiting issues you described will go away.

No, all recruiting issues won't go away. If a player is forced to play up, they might not be in the best environment for them to shine, where they sit on the bench OR get limited playing time. You might think that means they aren't worthy of college, but coach-team-player chemistry makes a difference. This is why you see so many different player journeys across sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

This is exactly why Aug birthdays playing on a grade down team doesnt work.

Told you, the troll toll tanks a discussion again.

The grade concern in this example is real. It'll be up to the clubs and college coaches to address it. Doom and gloom Aug guy thinks there's only one solution. Others say recruiting is more sophisticated, especially if the player is already on a school's radar via highlights, talent IDs and a player reaching out.

I think perhaps a reason why we haven't seen specific answers on this is because these are case-by-case situations. Every club and player is different. In some cases, the player will play up. In others, they'll play on age. We're wrong to say we know what one way is best.

Thats the issue. You're going to work twice as hard to get noticed by college coaches just to play on a grade down team. I you play on the correct grade in school team everything works and is easy.

Your road might be harder if you play up, can't start and the B team option doesn't get scouted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

To answer your question bluntly. Your kid needs to play up on the correct grade in school team. All the college recruiting issues you described will go away.

No, all recruiting issues won't go away. If a player is forced to play up, they might not be in the best environment for them to shine, where they sit on the bench OR get limited playing time. You might think that means they aren't worthy of college, but coach-team-player chemistry makes a difference. This is why you see so many different player journeys across sports.

This is why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. There will always be a mr/mrs loophole looking for whatever advantage they can find. They dont care if others (clubs and parents) are inconvenienced its all about them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

To answer your question bluntly. Your kid needs to play up on the correct grade in school team. All the college recruiting issues you described will go away.

No, all recruiting issues won't go away. If a player is forced to play up, they might not be in the best environment for them to shine, where they sit on the bench OR get limited playing time. You might think that means they aren't worthy of college, but coach-team-player chemistry makes a difference. This is why you see so many different player journeys across sports.

Forcing Aug-Sept. to play up also could be seen as loophole. It may be appropriate to play up in certain cases and not in others.
This is why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. There will always be a mr/mrs loophole looking for whatever advantage they can find. They dont care if others (clubs and parents) are inconvenienced its all about them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

This is exactly why Aug birthdays playing on a grade down team doesnt work.

Told you, the troll toll tanks a discussion again.

The grade concern in this example is real. It'll be up to the clubs and college coaches to address it. Doom and gloom Aug guy thinks there's only one solution. Others say recruiting is more sophisticated, especially if the player is already on a school's radar via highlights, talent IDs and a player reaching out.

I think perhaps a reason why we haven't seen specific answers on this is because these are case-by-case situations. Every club and player is different. In some cases, the player will play up. In others, they'll play on age. We're wrong to say we know what one way is best.

Thats the issue. You're going to work twice as hard to get noticed by college coaches just to play on a grade down team. I you play on the correct grade in school team everything works and is easy.

Your road might be harder if you play up, can't start and the B team option doesn't get scouted.

This is also why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. Some parents just cant accept that their kid isnt very good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

To answer your question bluntly. Your kid needs to play up on the correct grade in school team. All the college recruiting issues you described will go away.

No, all recruiting issues won't go away. If a player is forced to play up, they might not be in the best environment for them to shine, where they sit on the bench OR get limited playing time. You might think that means they aren't worthy of college, but coach-team-player chemistry makes a difference. This is why you see so many different player journeys across sports.

This is why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. There will always be a mr/mrs loophole looking for whatever advantage they can find. They dont care if others (clubs and parents) are inconvenienced its all about them.

Forcing Aug-Sept. to play up also could be seen as loophole. It may be appropriate to play up in certain cases and not in others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

This is exactly why Aug birthdays playing on a grade down team doesnt work.

Told you, the troll toll tanks a discussion again.

The grade concern in this example is real. It'll be up to the clubs and college coaches to address it. Doom and gloom Aug guy thinks there's only one solution. Others say recruiting is more sophisticated, especially if the player is already on a school's radar via highlights, talent IDs and a player reaching out.

I think perhaps a reason why we haven't seen specific answers on this is because these are case-by-case situations. Every club and player is different. In some cases, the player will play up. In others, they'll play on age. We're wrong to say we know what one way is best.

Thats the issue. You're going to work twice as hard to get noticed by college coaches just to play on a grade down team. I you play on the correct grade in school team everything works and is easy.

Your road might be harder if you play up, can't start and the B team option doesn't get scouted.

This is also why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. Some parents just cant accept that their kid isnt very good.

You talk out both sides of your mouth. They're good enough to play up on grade just to make things "easier" for clubs and college coaches BUT not good enough to play on their actual age group? That's not fair to them. They deserve their best opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

To answer your question bluntly. Your kid needs to play up on the correct grade in school team. All the college recruiting issues you described will go away.

No, all recruiting issues won't go away. If a player is forced to play up, they might not be in the best environment for them to shine, where they sit on the bench OR get limited playing time. You might think that means they aren't worthy of college, but coach-team-player chemistry makes a difference. This is why you see so many different player journeys across sports.

This is why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. There will always be a mr/mrs loophole looking for whatever advantage they can find. They dont care if others (clubs and parents) are inconvenienced its all about them.

Forcing Aug-Sept. to play up also could be seen as loophole. It may be appropriate to play up in certain cases and not in others.

Nobody since the beginning of time and sports has viewed playing up as a loophole. That you even say something like this is weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's so odd to me that someone would try to argue that college recruiting doesnt factor into youth soccer. It's literally the cheese clubs use to bait the trap which keeps parents paying through high school.

This is a good example of why you get so much wrong.

Nobody said college recruiting doesn't factor into youth soccer. Find where someone said this or accept that you have an inability to understand written English.

People have said you have no idea how college recruiting works and even college coaches have disagreed with you.

You are twisting what FC Copa said. They are grouping Aug birthdays by grade based on feedback from college coaches. The specific statement youre manipulating is that coaches only care about when players are Juniors in school. This is because its when they can speak with players (NCAA rules).

Why do you need college recruiting to force grade year for your soccer? How does that help you? College coaches said they don't care your age, it is a quote in two places, not manipulatived, but you say they lied?

The only person lieing is you.

https://youtu.be/H_MCwT85SKY?&t=5m19s

Ok, college coaches not lying. They said age for recruiting doesn't matter. And they put their money where their mouth is with transfers, foreign recruits, select ing whatever grades from BY.

They said that the only thing that matters to college coaches is graduation year or grade in school. Which is why FC Copa has chosen to group Aug birthdays with their grade in school team. Which means they will play up.

https://youtu.be/H_MCwT85SKY?&t=5m19s

I just don't care what a non DMV club in the middle NJ is doing.

I found it useful for them to say that they spoke to college coaches and college coaches said they don't care about age groups, based on rules they can only directly recruit juniors. Which directly confirms what Eastside said. So statement then confirmation from a second source is strong evidence that college coaches recruit the best players regardless of age or age group.

Duncehat they literally said that they're going to group Aug birthday players by grade.

https://youtu.be/H_MCwT85SKY?&t=5m19s

I dont care either what age players are either unless they're older and trying to play down against younger players. All that matters is Aug birthdays playing on the correct grade in school team.

All that matters is that 2 teams offered without needing to that college coaches don't care about age groups for recruiting, college is performance based and grades based and cost based.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

This is exactly why Aug birthdays playing on a grade down team doesnt work.

Told you, the troll toll tanks a discussion again.

The grade concern in this example is real. It'll be up to the clubs and college coaches to address it. Doom and gloom Aug guy thinks there's only one solution. Others say recruiting is more sophisticated, especially if the player is already on a school's radar via highlights, talent IDs and a player reaching out.

I think perhaps a reason why we haven't seen specific answers on this is because these are case-by-case situations. Every club and player is different. In some cases, the player will play up. In others, they'll play on age. We're wrong to say we know what one way is best.

Thats the issue. You're going to work twice as hard to get noticed by college coaches just to play on a grade down team. I you play on the correct grade in school team everything works and is easy.

Your road might be harder if you play up, can't start and the B team option doesn't get scouted.

This is also why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. Some parents just cant accept that their kid isnt very good.

You talk out both sides of your mouth. They're good enough to play up on grade just to make things "easier" for clubs and college coaches BUT not good enough to play on their actual age group? That's not fair to them. They deserve their best opportunity.

This is what the correct grade in school B team is for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

To answer your question bluntly. Your kid needs to play up on the correct grade in school team. All the college recruiting issues you described will go away.

No, all recruiting issues won't go away. If a player is forced to play up, they might not be in the best environment for them to shine, where they sit on the bench OR get limited playing time. You might think that means they aren't worthy of college, but coach-team-player chemistry makes a difference. This is why you see so many different player journeys across sports.

This is why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. There will always be a mr/mrs loophole looking for whatever advantage they can find. They dont care if others (clubs and parents) are inconvenienced its all about them.

Forcing Aug-Sept. to play up also could be seen as loophole. It may be appropriate to play up in certain cases and not in others.

Nobody since the beginning of time and sports has viewed playing up as a loophole. That you even say something like this is weird.

It's weird to think a player gets to play up if they're not good enough. Think man! Why do you want special privileges for a certain players?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

No worries. Showcases going grade year.

This wont happen. Its a can of worms that invites playing down and coaches selling showcase roster spots.

Aug birthdays play with their grade in school and everything is resolved.

Meh, going to play in college by grade invites playing down. Have to perform regardless of age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's so odd to me that someone would try to argue that college recruiting doesnt factor into youth soccer. It's literally the cheese clubs use to bait the trap which keeps parents paying through high school.

This is a good example of why you get so much wrong.

Nobody said college recruiting doesn't factor into youth soccer. Find where someone said this or accept that you have an inability to understand written English.

People have said you have no idea how college recruiting works and even college coaches have disagreed with you.

You are twisting what FC Copa said. They are grouping Aug birthdays by grade based on feedback from college coaches. The specific statement youre manipulating is that coaches only care about when players are Juniors in school. This is because its when they can speak with players (NCAA rules).

Why do you need college recruiting to force grade year for your soccer? How does that help you? College coaches said they don't care your age, it is a quote in two places, not manipulatived, but you say they lied?

The only person lieing is you.

https://youtu.be/H_MCwT85SKY?&t=5m19s

Ok, college coaches not lying. They said age for recruiting doesn't matter. And they put their money where their mouth is with transfers, foreign recruits, select ing whatever grades from BY.

They said that the only thing that matters to college coaches is graduation year or grade in school. Which is why FC Copa has chosen to group Aug birthdays with their grade in school team. Which means they will play up.

https://youtu.be/H_MCwT85SKY?&t=5m19s

I just don't care what a non DMV club in the middle NJ is doing.

I found it useful for them to say that they spoke to college coaches and college coaches said they don't care about age groups, based on rules they can only directly recruit juniors. Which directly confirms what Eastside said. So statement then confirmation from a second source is strong evidence that college coaches recruit the best players regardless of age or age group.

Duncehat they literally said that they're going to group Aug birthday players by grade.

https://youtu.be/H_MCwT85SKY?&t=5m19s

I dont care either what age players are either unless they're older and trying to play down against younger players. All that matters is Aug birthdays playing on the correct grade in school team.

All that matters is that 2 teams offered without needing to that college coaches don't care about age groups for recruiting, college is performance based and grades based and cost based.

100% Which is why Aug birthdays need to play on a club team that is their grade in school.