Bait and Switch - Roster Size

[Anonymous]

Agreed on the large roster sizes at the oldest age groups. In particular, at U19 where you frequently see two age groups combined together (for this year, that would be 2007 + trapped 2006s). 20 - 25 is not uncommon. The downside to that, obviously, is that a lot of tournaments and showcases have a maximum event roster limit (often 22 players) and even then, you can typically usually only dress 18 to play in a game.

[Anonymous]

Our ECNL U17 roster size dropped to 16 before the season even started. Two kids just quit soccer altogether. One has basically a season ending injury. We will have to bring a few up at some point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agreed on the large roster sizes at the oldest age groups. In particular, at U19 where you frequently see two age groups combined together (for this year, that would be 2007 + trapped 2006s). 20 - 25 is not uncommon. The downside to that, obviously, is that a lot of tournaments and showcases have a maximum event roster limit (often 22 players) and even then, you can typically usually only dress 18 to play in a game.

With 07’s already committed, couldn’t they take turns sitting out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed on the large roster sizes at the oldest age groups. In particular, at U19 where you frequently see two age groups combined together (for this year, that would be 2007 + trapped 2006s). 20 - 25 is not uncommon. The downside to that, obviously, is that a lot of tournaments and showcases have a maximum event roster limit (often 22 players) and even then, you can typically usually only dress 18 to play in a game.

With 07’s already committed, couldn’t they take turns sitting out?

b

And take turns paying?

[Anonymous]

The teams should tell the players they are in a pool and the team will be selected each week from the pool. Of course the same kids probably are selected to be on the team each week. Because that is the truth. Parents are going in thinking this is a team but they are really signing up to be part of a player pool.

All of this is fine if disclosed up front, but it sounds like it never is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone complains about roster size in their journey to get to college soccer.

How many players are on college rosters?

Under the new NCAA rules, rosters starting fall 2025 will be capped at 28 players. So FVU has teams that are bigger than college rosters.

FVU. LOL. Thanks for the laugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the way it works at the big clubs. Even with teams that aren’t that good.

The coaches are making good money, the clubs also provide different coaching directors etc. the only way to make budget for all that is with more players.

You don’t have to be a brain surgeon to figure this one out.

But yes the only way to get better is to play significant minutes in the games. Consider doublecarding with a lower level team to get those minutes in. This is the way it is.

The only way to get better is not significant minutes in games, it's putting in the extra work outside practice and going hard at practice. How many times does your kid touch the ball if they play the full game, 10? 15? 20 times? Now how many times do they touch the ball in practice? 100? 120? game time doesn't equal development, it's a chance to put what you learned at practice into play against an opponent.

All the kids on team are getting those touches in practice. Only some of the players are getting significant game time on top of the practice time. Which players do you think are getting better development? There are situations that happen only in games when you are playing another opponent on a full field, pressure, tactics, decisions that need to be made that aren't easy to simulate in practice. Of course some player development happens in games. Not just in games, but games are very important for development.

THIS. And for players committed to play in college, game time is key to be ready. The idea that practice is enough is ridiculous and coaches know that. It's a moneygrab.

How you gonna be a college commit and you can't get in the 18 from a 23 local club roster?
Worse you can't start on a local team?

How you going to make a college roster competing against regional, national and international players?

A valid point for most but the DC area and some other metropolitan areas are unique in this regard. Don't know the situation of other clubs, but Bethesda has quite a few second team players who are not only rostered but get significant minutes at major colleges - Johns Hopkins and Princeton are two for sure. Look at the basketball scene in this area as well. Alot of kids who play in the Catholic League are sixth men who are not good enough to start on their high school team but are good enough to start on a D1 college team. It happens. And more frequently than you'd think. Also, one coach's gold is the next coach's trash. Different coaches are looking for different things. And there's no shortage of coaches in club soccer who wouldn't know talent if it hit them in the face. Bottom line...if you have some talent, dedication, and love the game, there's usually a right scenario for everyone.

Just carefully reviewed both the Princeton and Johns Hopkins rosters
You get multiple Pinocchios for the claims of Bethesda 2nd team players

You are hereby fined $1,725 per incident

Were you looking at boys or girls? Talking boys, but I understand you Girl Dads always think it's about you.
https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/bardia-hormozi/22289
https://hopkinssports.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/francis-meyer/17518

Hahahahaha

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed on the large roster sizes at the oldest age groups. In particular, at U19 where you frequently see two age groups combined together (for this year, that would be 2007 + trapped 2006s). 20 - 25 is not uncommon. The downside to that, obviously, is that a lot of tournaments and showcases have a maximum event roster limit (often 22 players) and even then, you can typically usually only dress 18 to play in a game.

With 07’s already committed, couldn’t they take turns sitting out?

b

And take turns paying?

And there is the real problem. Greed of the clubs/directors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stupid question reading through this thread.

What kind of teams have this many kids? Is it ECNL or the regular club teams? My kids play for a smaller club and only have 14/15 on each team, so I’m trying to wrap my head around these numbers.

These are money grabbing ECNL and lesser extent GA teams. Some carry 25-30 kids on the teams, all selling 'exposure to college coaches,' for a $3500 price tag. Families that were on 2nd teams, now happy to be on a 1st team, not realizing they eventually take 25-30 kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The teams should tell the players they are in a pool and the team will be selected each week from the pool. Of course the same kids probably are selected to be on the team each week. Because that is the truth. Parents are going in thinking this is a team but they are really signing up to be part of a player pool.

All of this is fine if disclosed up front, but it sounds like it never is.

Our club tried that with from U12. All players practice together and float between teams throughout the season. Enough families of younger players left that there was no need for a pool

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stupid question reading through this thread.

What kind of teams have this many kids? Is it ECNL or the regular club teams? My kids play for a smaller club and only have 14/15 on each team, so I’m trying to wrap my head around these numbers.

These are money grabbing ECNL and lesser extent GA teams. Some carry 25-30 kids on the teams, all selling 'exposure to college coaches,' for a $3500 price tag. Families that were on 2nd teams, now happy to be on a 1st team, not realizing they eventually take 25-30 kids.

I feel bad for the families with kids on the second team, fine with being on the second team, likely with options to play for a club without an MLSNext or ECNL top team that then lose playing time to kids not on their team

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stupid question reading through this thread.

What kind of teams have this many kids? Is it ECNL or the regular club teams? My kids play for a smaller club and only have 14/15 on each team, so I’m trying to wrap my head around these numbers.

These are money grabbing ECNL and lesser extent GA teams. Some carry 25-30 kids on the teams, all selling 'exposure to college coaches,' for a $3500 price tag. Families that were on 2nd teams, now happy to be on a 1st team, not realizing they eventually take 25-30 kids.

I feel bad for the families with kids on the second team, fine with being on the second team, likely with options to play for a club without an MLSNext or ECNL top team that then lose playing time to kids not on their team

It’s the bait and switch that is the problem. They should be honest about roster size.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stupid question reading through this thread.

What kind of teams have this many kids? Is it ECNL or the regular club teams? My kids play for a smaller club and only have 14/15 on each team, so I’m trying to wrap my head around these numbers.

These are money grabbing ECNL and lesser extent GA teams. Some carry 25-30 kids on the teams, all selling 'exposure to college coaches,' for a $3500 price tag. Families that were on 2nd teams, now happy to be on a 1st team, not realizing they eventually take 25-30 kids.

I feel bad for the families with kids on the second team, fine with being on the second team, likely with options to play for a club without an MLSNext or ECNL top team that then lose playing time to kids not on their team

It’s the bait and switch that is the problem. They should be honest about roster size.

The should be honest with the RL kids that they will lose playing time because the ECNL roster is too big for everyone to dress. Of course, those kids may more to clubs where the top team is RL or USYS and the clubs don't want that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stupid question reading through this thread.

What kind of teams have this many kids? Is it ECNL or the regular club teams? My kids play for a smaller club and only have 14/15 on each team, so I’m trying to wrap my head around these numbers.

These are money grabbing ECNL and lesser extent GA teams. Some carry 25-30 kids on the teams, all selling 'exposure to college coaches,' for a $3500 price tag. Families that were on 2nd teams, now happy to be on a 1st team, not realizing they eventually take 25-30 kids.

I feel bad for the families with kids on the second team, fine with being on the second team, likely with options to play for a club without an MLSNext or ECNL top team that then lose playing time to kids not on their team

It’s the bait and switch that is the problem. They should be honest about roster size.

The should be honest with the RL kids that they will lose playing time because the ECNL roster is too big for everyone to dress. Of course, those kids may more to clubs where the top team is RL or USYS and the clubs don't want that

Blame the parents. They make decisions for the kids, pay for it and run the Uber service.

They chase a badge or name brand club that's not a good fit for their kid.
Joining the other unhappy Jones's

[Anonymous]

I don't know. I TOTALLY don't feel this way by U17.

My kids moved to an MLSNext Club and knew they would always have to fight and prove themselves. The roster was announced each week. My oldest had an Injury that kept him out U17 so he ended up the 25th player on an MLSNext roster U18/19. It made him work, work hard. He wanted a starting spot. He put in the time and effort and didn't whine. If a lower team didn't have enough players, he went and supported them. He didn't cry and moan. He knew going in he had to prove himself. The transformation from Sept to June was amazing.

I have also been in situations with my other son where they added kids late. If the kid was truly better than any of the starters, including my own kid (which some were), I had zero qualms about my kid not getting playing time until they could show they deserved to be out there.

It's how you frame it for your kid. But, by U17 and beyond, one should be fighting for their spot every practice and every week.

If you want a spot guaranteed, play time guaranteed--than the top EcNL and MLSNext and college programs are not right for you and your kid.