Reply to Realistically, what’s the latest a kid can make the move to an MLS Next/ECNL team?

Forum Index » Soccer

Reply to "Realistically, what’s the latest a kid can make the move to an MLS Next/ECNL team? "

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I would say you'd want to get your kid in at U14 at the latest.  But your kid has to have better than average speed, foot skills and decision making.  And hopefully your kid has made it through puberty which helps but not absolutely necessary.  I know my DS's U13 coach favors bigger kids over smaller ones as the coach is bringing bigger kids to tryout, but it's a fine line doing this cause they might make a difference now cause of their size, but when all the boys get through puberty they might just be average players.  Your kid will have to stand out at the tryouts and make an impact on the game.  If that's not happening the coaching staff won't look your way.[/quote]

Lol. It was U16 (late Bday) before my oldest had his first major growth spurt.  Unfortunately, we grow late.  It does help my kids develop their mind and footskills because of that disadvantage and to be tough.  Sometimes the disadvantage ultimately will turn into a major advantage down the road if they hang in the game.  The physical ones masked a lot of deficiency getting by with just size for years.[/quote]

Totally agree, my kid is in that situation now, quick, great foothills, great decision making, can create on his own, ambidextrous left and right and was a big impact in U12 in 9v9 smaller field and was smallest on his team.  Come U13 11v11, bigger field, kids hitting puberty early and he's the smallest on the field, new position and he's not making an impact as much.  I know when gets through puberty which will probably be very late he will stand out again if he continues to play after getting through that growth spurt.

I just think U14 at the latest is where you need to tryout for ECNL/MLS Next to see where your kid really stands against the competition. And help your kid figure out what they need to do to standout and i.pact the game.

[/quote]

I'm the one you responded to and agree with all of this.

Btw, my younger son is a U13 and now going through exactly what you describe.  Since I saw this play out with my older son, it's easier to take.  You just need to protect his self-confidence and interest.  IF you are in a place where the coach starts only playing the big kids and your kid is marginalized (which I will admit if I wanted to win I'd do the same), you need to move your kid. In our case, it was really just the first year on the big field.  By U14, he was able to adjust his play and playing in the center---long speed/long legs was less important than it would have been in the outside positions. He was quick and agile so could move the ball quickly and was fast in smaller distance---the full field speed came after he caught up in growth.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics