More defections from DA to ECNL

[Anonymous]

COMMENTARY
U.S. Soccer blundered badly on high school soccer
by Mike Woitalla @MikeWoitalla, Apr 20, 2018


American soccer, so plagued by the pay-to-play problem. If only there was youth soccer that didn't charge kids so much money.
Hold on! It does exist, and it’s massive. Nationwide. It’s called high school soccer.

Sometimes, hundreds of people show up for a high school game, the players are celebrated on campus, rivalries date back for decades, there’s even local media coverage.

Not always, but often around the country, high school games create a special kind of atmosphere in the stadium.

As you enter, there’s a snack bar with homemade baked goods and hot chocolate to raise money for senior night, the annual game when parents tear up like they do at graduation.

There’s a scoreboard, a PA announcer, and music blasting from the mixtape the captains compiled -- making sure they downloaded the censored versions of the latest rap songs -- while the players warm up.

Players from the same clubs play against each other – and the parents who usually root together are on separate sides after exchanging pleasantries. Postgame they congratulate and console each other.

Some club coaches are there too, proud that they’ve got current or former players on the teams. They mingle with the parents and catch up on old times. The boys team shows up to cheer on the girls, or vice versa. Friends and boyfriends and girlfriends are in the stands. The class clowns are leading cheers and jeers.

High school soccer differs from club soccer not just by exposing players to the pressure and exhilaration of playing in front of crowds, it also puts players from ages 14 to 18 -- from freshmen to seniors -- on the same field.

None of that seems to impress the U.S. Soccer Federation.

READ THE ARTICLE

[Anonymous]

What doesn’t impress the US Soccer federation is the quality of the actual game on the field not the popcorn being sold at the concession stand.

[Anonymous]

Link to Article?

As someone that has a high school player, interested to see what they say.

The camaraderie is great for the players, but the play itself is subpar compared to travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:COMMENTARY
U.S. Soccer blundered badly on high school soccer
by Mike Woitalla @MikeWoitalla, Apr 20, 2018


American soccer, so plagued by the pay-to-play problem. If only there was youth soccer that didn't charge kids so much money.
Hold on! It does exist, and it’s massive. Nationwide. It’s called high school soccer.

Sometimes, hundreds of people show up for a high school game, the players are celebrated on campus, rivalries date back for decades, there’s even local media coverage.

Not always, but often around the country, high school games create a special kind of atmosphere in the stadium.

As you enter, there’s a snack bar with homemade baked goods and hot chocolate to raise money for senior night, the annual game when parents tear up like they do at graduation.

There’s a scoreboard, a PA announcer, and music blasting from the mixtape the captains compiled -- making sure they downloaded the censored versions of the latest rap songs -- while the players warm up.

Players from the same clubs play against each other – and the parents who usually root together are on separate sides after exchanging pleasantries. Postgame they congratulate and console each other.

Some club coaches are there too, proud that they’ve got current or former players on the teams. They mingle with the parents and catch up on old times. The boys team shows up to cheer on the girls, or vice versa. Friends and boyfriends and girlfriends are in the stands. The class clowns are leading cheers and jeers.

High school soccer differs from club soccer not just by exposing players to the pressure and exhilaration of playing in front of crowds, it also puts players from ages 14 to 18 -- from freshmen to seniors -- on the same field.

None of that seems to impress the U.S. Soccer Federation.

READ THE ARTICLE

So those are the highlights.

How about the play on the field being so out of control with incompetent referees that elevates the risk of injury immensely?

What about incompetent coaches that can’t run a training session, don’t know the formations and ask kids to launch long ball after long ball to the fastest kids?

You fix these things and MAYBE high school would be worth the risk to the top players in terms of not stunting development and injury risk. Until then high school soccer in a backwards 3 month period for player development and a major injury risk.

[Anonymous]

I love how now that DA exists ECNL has suddenly become the champion of HS soccer. 3-4 years ago ECNL coaches heavily discouraged their players from participating. Funny how things change.

It says something about a league when ECNL’s best selling point is the opportunity to not actually play in the league.

[Anonymous]

You are such a blow hard. This BS narrative about HS and top players. Your kid and my kid are not so special that they need to sacrifice for the greater good of US Soccer.

Our kids are not saving American soccer. You are not saving American soccer.

Repeat after me: not special

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love how now that DA exists ECNL has suddenly become the champion of HS soccer. 3-4 years ago ECNL coaches heavily discouraged their players from participating. Funny how things change.

It says something about a league when ECNL’s best selling point is the opportunity to not actually play in the league.

You sound like a parent of a young player. You dont know what you're taking about.

Ecnl is not structured the same way it was 3 or 4 years ago.

The boys DA is a failed system. No need to repeat it. Enjoy

[Anonymous]

https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/77603/us-soccer-blundered-badly-on-high-school-soccer.html

I read it & the comments. Nothing new in the year old argument.

If you want HS soccer, do it!

I do appreciate DCUM trolls telling us that our kids aren’t special. Its true and will continue to be without the commitment, passion and any ambition or stretch goals for the sport and themselves.

I’ve watched the separation of my DD from the majority of peers that she would play against in HS.. It may not be the same argument for all players alongside her. Some of these players are putting in the hours continuing to working on fundamentals alongside creativity, some aren't. Too bad there isnt a super academy that takes all of the top players, not just 18, and provides them similar top level training and guidance. Or attempts to do that across locations. hmmm.

I watched the kids in my densely populated area play pickup soccer over the years. It’s not bringing the characteristics of play described in articles and comments. It looks like a U6 coed rec game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What doesn’t impress the US Soccer federation is the quality of the actual game on the field not the popcorn being sold at the concession stand.

Exactly. It's bad soccer. Plenty of ECNL players opt out, even though they are allowed to play it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/77603/us-soccer-blundered-badly-on-high-school-soccer.html

I read it & the comments. Nothing new in the year old argument.

If you want HS soccer, do it!

I do appreciate DCUM trolls telling us that our kids aren’t special. Its true and will continue to be without the commitment, passion and any ambition or stretch goals for the sport and themselves.

I’ve watched the separation of my DD from the majority of peers that she would play against in HS.. It may not be the same argument for all players alongside her. Some of these players are putting in the hours continuing to working on fundamentals alongside creativity, some aren't. Too bad there isnt a super academy that takes all of the top players, not just 18, and provides them similar top level training and guidance. Or attempts to do that across locations. hmmm.

I watched the kids in my densely populated area play pickup soccer over the years. It’s not bringing the characteristics of play described in articles and comments. It looks like a U6 coed rec game.

Thank goodness the DA came along and saved your player from mediocrity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What doesn’t impress the US Soccer federation is the quality of the actual game on the field not the popcorn being sold at the concession stand.

Exactly. It's bad soccer. Plenty of ECNL players opt out, even though they are allowed to play it.

US soccer federation is a collection of the most unimpressive sports personnel ever assembled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are such a blow hard. This BS narrative about HS and top players. Your kid and my kid are not so special that they need to sacrifice for the greater good of US Soccer.

Our kids are not saving American soccer. You are not saving American soccer.

Repeat after me: not special

What makes you think it is a sacrifice? I know plenty of players that don't want to play it. And news flash, not playing high school soccer isn't the end of the world. Many kids don't play school sports. It's only a big deal if you make it one.

And DA kids aren't choosing the DA to save soccer anywhere. They choose it because they love soccer enough, they want 10 or 11 months of it. They love their club teams and even the relationships there. And they choose it because they want to become the best they can be, however special or not that is.

Rec ball is also just fine. No one has to do travel at all, including your not special kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What doesn’t impress the US Soccer federation is the quality of the actual game on the field not the popcorn being sold at the concession stand.

Exactly. It's bad soccer. Plenty of ECNL players opt out, even though they are allowed to play it.

US soccer federation is a collection of the most unimpressive sports personnel ever assembled.

They are in excellent company with the rest of travel soccer's posers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:where will Spirit DA players go? Any idea?

There will be Spirit DA teams next year. Stop this nonsense.

Do they suck as bad as i heard?

Well, at least not as good as your wife sucks.

I hear they are bad. Getting killed by FCV DA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love how now that DA exists ECNL has suddenly become the champion of HS soccer. 3-4 years ago ECNL coaches heavily discouraged their players from participating. Funny how things change.

It says something about a league when ECNL’s best selling point is the opportunity to not actually play in the league.

You sound like a parent of a young player. You dont know what you're taking about.

Ecnl is not structured the same way it was 3 or 4 years ago.

The boys DA is a failed system. No need to repeat it. Enjoy

You actually sound like a parent who is new to ECNL. In no way before DA were ECNL coaches pumping HS school soccer. In fact it was easier to threaten kids that their spot will be gone because with ECNL being the only game in town many kids were just waiting in the wings.

But now that there is competition ECNL is pumping the nostalgia card of HS soccer. Exactly what does that say about their league when they have to push concession stands and pregame music of something they are not even involved with?

Why doesn’t ECNL just say “ECNL, pay for10 months but train for 6 months”