Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally agree with the poster having been through this process multiple times. But the one caveat I will add is that there are a small number of Very good players every year that fall through the cracks and don’t end up in a college program or the at right level of a program. I would guess that more of these kids are from smaller or less well known clubs. Similarly there are some players from bigger clubs that get spots at college programs above their abilities and don’t end up being successful at that next level.

+1. People say if your player is good, it won't matter what club or league they play in, but it's not universally true. In today's environment where there are so many options, it happens quite often that good players ... players that are good enough to play college, just don't get the opportunities to be seen. The selection process for college soccer is about 2 parts skill, 1 part luck/exposure, with a smattering of boosts from connections, history, and a number of other fortunate or unfortunate circumstances. The way things are now, 98% of most coaches needs can be met at ECNL and/or GA showcases so that's where they go.

See the post about game film now. Still a tough road but more doable now than in the past.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally agree with the poster having been through this process multiple times. But the one caveat I will add is that there are a small number of Very good players every year that fall through the cracks and don’t end up in a college program or the at right level of a program. I would guess that more of these kids are from smaller or less well known clubs. Similarly there are some players from bigger clubs that get spots at college programs above their abilities and don’t end up being successful at that next level.

+1. People say if your player is good, it won't matter what club or league they play in, but it's not universally true. In today's environment where there are so many options, it happens quite often that good players ... players that are good enough to play college, just don't get the opportunities to be seen. The selection process for college soccer is about 2 parts skill, 1 part luck/exposure, with a smattering of boosts from connections, history, and a number of other fortunate or unfortunate circumstances. The way things are now, 98% of most coaches needs can be met at ECNL and/or GA showcases so that's where they go.

Anonymous wrote:I totally agree with the poster having been through this process multiple times. But the one caveat I will add is that there are a small number of Very good players every year that fall through the cracks and don’t end up in a college program or the at right level of a program. I would guess that more of these kids are from smaller or less well known clubs. Similarly there are some players from bigger clubs that get spots at college programs above their abilities and don’t end up being successful at that next level.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Because it is entertaining as hell, that is why.

But seriously, look and try and find these types of discussions as they relate to older groups.

The truth is, parents with kids at this stage are all a bit looney and believe these lists and things matter more than they do.

Trust me, you’ll find out, look back on these posts and cringe, just as myself and others before you.

Sure, nobody is recruiting at this age level. Many parents like to see how their team is doing compared to others. Knowing your DC team is doing better than others...There is nothing wrong with that. I would say it's about 50/50 on parents who care vs those who don't. If anything, probably leans more to those that do care.

At later ages however, it matters more. Showcase and tournament placement is based on rankings and records just like they are at U13. For those DCs that have D1 dreams, it certainly matters.

My advice to you would be to let it go rather than insult others that enjoy the youth soccer seen. Parents and kids who also enjoy playing against the best competition they can. That is how you get better. Playing against the best. The only way to do that is through rankings.

Coaches don't go to scout players based on showcase rankings. You don't know what you don't know.

I'm not going to let it go because I find these posts to be very toxic, ill informed and generally insulting to couple of hundred talented NOVA soccer players per age group all trying to eventually land a spot at a school of their choice.

But these threads tend to lump kids not in the same league or not at the right club as trash. Considering how little the exalted results actually matter I feel more compelled to demystify these crazy myths. You are certainly free to enjoy your DD's games and absolutely cheer the wins but honestly, the ranking and the reporting of scores, results, the implications that your little lists can be better served on Facebook for Grandma to see.

You don't need to come here to validate your choice of club or league, I'll be the first to tell you that if your DD is a good soccer player she will land at a program that fits her level and I hope will be happy. I can tell you that will happen no matter what ECNL or GA team or high EDP team your kid is at. Other team or league failures will not insure your DD's success either. The college coaches that are going to be interested in her will be interested in her regardless of her team. When the coaches talk to her she will stand or fall on her own, not the team. The team will not be on a phone call with her. The team will not be on her school transcript. The coach will not ask her about the glories of the league she plays in.

I do know and I do know buddy. I think we are talking about different animals here. I am speaking about the absolute highest levels here. I am talking Major D1 Schools and not Mid-Majors. I don't disagree with you when it comes to smaller D1 schools, D2 and D3. I am speaking of ECNL Playoffs. ECNL Nationals. Surf Cup. Dallas Cup. Jeff Cup.

Sounds like you are mid-tier coach IMO.

Anonymous wrote:I totally agree with the poster having been through this process multiple times. But the one caveat I will add is that there are a small number of Very good players every year that fall through the cracks and don’t end up in a college program or the at right level of a program. I would guess that more of these kids are from smaller or less well known clubs. Similarly there are some players from bigger clubs that get spots at college programs above their abilities and don’t end up being successful at that next level.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Because it is entertaining as hell, that is why.

But seriously, look and try and find these types of discussions as they relate to older groups.

The truth is, parents with kids at this stage are all a bit looney and believe these lists and things matter more than they do.

Trust me, you’ll find out, look back on these posts and cringe, just as myself and others before you.

Sure, nobody is recruiting at this age level. Many parents like to see how their team is doing compared to others. Knowing your DC team is doing better than others...There is nothing wrong with that. I would say it's about 50/50 on parents who care vs those who don't. If anything, probably leans more to those that do care.

At later ages however, it matters more. Showcase and tournament placement is based on rankings and records just like they are at U13. For those DCs that have D1 dreams, it certainly matters.

My advice to you would be to let it go rather than insult others that enjoy the youth soccer seen. Parents and kids who also enjoy playing against the best competition they can. That is how you get better. Playing against the best. The only way to do that is through rankings.

Coaches don't go to scout players based on showcase rankings. You don't know what you don't know.

I'm not going to let it go because I find these posts to be very toxic, ill informed and generally insulting to couple of hundred talented NOVA soccer players per age group all trying to eventually land a spot at a school of their choice.

But these threads tend to lump kids not in the same league or not at the right club as trash. Considering how little the exalted results actually matter I feel more compelled to demystify these crazy myths. You are certainly free to enjoy your DD's games and absolutely cheer the wins but honestly, the ranking and the reporting of scores, results, the implications that your little lists can be better served on Facebook for Grandma to see.

You don't need to come here to validate your choice of club or league, I'll be the first to tell you that if your DD is a good soccer player she will land at a program that fits her level and I hope will be happy. I can tell you that will happen no matter what ECNL or GA team or high EDP team your kid is at. Other team or league failures will not insure your DD's success either. The college coaches that are going to be interested in her will be interested in her regardless of her team. When the coaches talk to her she will stand or fall on her own, not the team. The team will not be on a phone call with her. The team will not be on her school transcript. The coach will not ask her about the glories of the league she plays in.

Anonymous wrote:
It depends on what you mean by "it" and in what context.

I'll go with the context of your DD getting recruited by a college.

If the "it" is wins then;

Look at it from a college perspective, what does a win or a loss really say about your DD in particular? They are looking for a player, not a team remember. No college coach has ever asked my kid what their team record is. So the short answer, as far as recruitment goes, winning or losing doesn't really matter. That said various championships can provide resume filler and they look good on the college Bio. But if you look at a variety of college roster bios from a variety of D1 schools you will see all kinds of clubs represented.

Yes, they are there to scout the player. BUT, they also look at the strength of the competition. To have a stronger strength of competition, you need to win games. There is a reason why PDA, Solar, Blues, FCV, and MVSA are so heavily recruited. If you look at Large School Top D1 Bios, you will see that most played for top ECNL/DA clubs and were also successful High School players. Virginia is an exception for High School since the best girls do no participate, especially after freshman and sophomore years.

If the "it" is team rankings?
Then the answer is absolutely never. College coaches are concerned about their program rankings and nothing more.

Correct, colleges do not care about rankings BUT rankings will get you the best showcases/tournaments in front of college coaches that you did not consider exposing you to more oppurtunities.


So what DOES matter?

Simple, can your DD play. That's it, end of story. If your DD can play then the most important thing is to be seen. Obviously high level showcases are the best way and the earliest separator. But even that is getting more democratized. Game film is more accessible and affordable than ever. Almost any kid can get film of their game and send highlights to a college coach to get some interest.

Correct. However, college coaches understand that any "highlight" film can make any kid look good BUT if the highlight film as against a well recognized club it would provide more clout.

Contrary to the constant back and forth on these boards about who the top league is I'll tell you, coaches will scout both and all. They will first make their list from kids who have shown interest in them. There is very little window shopping or unsolicited scouting. Coaches do not wonder showcase fields and decide to pull up a chair at a game and watch. If you reached out to them, provided some film and will be at the same location they will do their best to get a set of eyes on your DD. This is why they usually spend not much more than 20 minutes at a given game.

True, however coaches will stop and watch top flight games.

So, knowing a coach is only going to spend 20 minutes watching your DD's game, which becomes more important, your DD's team winning the game or your DD being on the field and playing well when the coach is watching?

Obviously on the field but if my DD is playing for a CCL team against an EDP team, she will be exposed for playing against mediocre competition.

You see from U13-U15 winning matters to parents a lot. But when the recruiting happens PLAYING TIME IS GOLD. Knowing that your DD will be on the field for the 20 minutes that the coach is watching is the only thing that matters. And remember, there are 18 kids on the same team hoping the same thing when their college coach comes around.

IF your DD is not getting the playing time, time to move one. If your DD is starting on a playoff contending ECNL team, no worries, these players don't need to be selfish as good coaches understand the level of competition. Selfish players will be exposed anyway.

The college coaches never ask the score of the game they are watching, they never look at the results. They are only looking at their list of players and when and where they are playing so they can then watch them.

No argument here.

So, you can choose to argue about this league or that league, this ranking or that ranking, the scores of last weekends scrimmages, or you can make sure your DD is the best player she can be and forget all the other nonsense. To be perfectly blunt, grow the hell up.

Yes, place your kid at the club where she will get the most playing time and develop the most. As for this poster, I suggest you grow up and quit being so GD judgmental. If parents want to enjoy their DD Jeff Cup placement, winning the league, or climbing YSR rankings, let them. WTF does it matter to you? I am guessing you either have a child playing up for a less competitive team OR the season isn't going to well for you right now. A parent of a DC on a successful team (winning) would not post the types of things you are posting.

Oh, and one other thing, the first significant question a college coach will ask your DD is "how are your grades?"

More important than anything posted on these boards. Not only to add to your resume, but remember, your DC is only one major injury away from any kind of help at soccer. Another thing, there really isn't anything such as a "full-ride scholarship" unless you are US National Pool. Otherwise, it's just going to be some help towards tuition. Nothing to get crazy about. Soccer is a tool to getting your DC into his/her dream college for educational purposes. Nothing more. Most kids don't make it more than a couple years of playing NCAA sports.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree the 07 parents are delusional and very much clique like. They lose over and over and instead of saying they need to get better. They make any and every excuse in the world.

Who (club?) are you referring to here?

I am referring to most parents of kids playing at U14/U13 ages.

You are all dumb. Look at the ranking lists in one thread, discussions of Jeff Cup in another, and ECNL vs Ga debate in another, and of course scrimmage score reporting. All propagated by 80% U14, U13, U12 parents who are just so excited to be finally sitting at the big table that they need to validate it through a forum.

Not trying to be an ass with this question, but if you think it's dumb/irrelevant/etc and you're DC isn't part of the referenced age group, why are you on here responding on U12-U14 topics?

Because it is entertaining as hell, that is why.

But seriously, look and try and find these types of discussions as they relate to older groups.

The truth is, parents with kids at this stage are all a bit looney and believe these lists and things matter more than they do.

Trust me, you’ll find out, look back on these posts and cringe, just as myself and others before you.

So in your expert opinion, what does, and when does it, matter?

It depends on what you mean by "it" and in what context.

I'll go with the context of your DD getting recruited by a college.

If the "it" is wins then;

Look at it from a college perspective, what does a win or a loss really say about your DD in particular? They are looking for a player, not a team remember. No college coach has ever asked my kid what their team record is. So the short answer, as far as recruitment goes, winning or losing doesn't really matter. That said various championships can provide resume filler and they look good on the college Bio. But if you look at a variety of college roster bios from a variety of D1 schools you will see all kinds of clubs represented.

If the "it" is team rankings?
Then the answer is absolutely never. College coaches are concerned about their program rankings and nothing more.

So what DOES matter?

Simple, can your DD play. That's it, end of story. If your DD can play then the most important thing is to be seen. Obviously high level showcases are the best way and the earliest separator. But even that is getting more democratized. Game film is more accessible and affordable than ever. Almost any kid can get film of their game and send highlights to a college coach to get some interest.

Contrary to the constant back and forth on these boards about who the top league is I'll tell you, coaches will scout both and all. They will first make their list from kids who have shown interest in them. There is very little window shopping or unsolicited scouting. Coaches do not wonder showcase fields and decide to pull up a chair at a game and watch. If you reached out to them, provided some film and will be at the same location they will do their best to get a set of eyes on your DD. This is why they usually spend not much more than 20 minutes at a given game.

So, knowing a coach is only going to spend 20 minutes watching your DD's game, which becomes more important, your DD's team winning the game or your DD being on the field and playing well when the coach is watching?

You see from U13-U15 winning matters to parents a lot. But when the recruiting happens PLAYING TIME IS GOLD. Knowing that your DD will be on the field for the 20 minutes that the coach is watching is the only thing that matters. And remember, there are 18 kids on the same team hoping the same thing when their college coach comes around.

The college coaches never ask the score of the game they are watching, they never look at the results. They are only looking at their list of players and when and where they are playing so they can then watch them.

So, you can choose to argue about this league or that league, this ranking or that ranking, the scores of last weekends scrimmages, or you can make sure your DD is the best player she can be and forget all the other nonsense. To be perfectly blunt, grow the hell up.

Oh, and one other thing, the first significant question a college coach will ask your DD is "how are your grades?"

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Because it is entertaining as hell, that is why.

But seriously, look and try and find these types of discussions as they relate to older groups.

The truth is, parents with kids at this stage are all a bit looney and believe these lists and things matter more than they do.

Trust me, you’ll find out, look back on these posts and cringe, just as myself and others before you.

Sure, nobody is recruiting at this age level. Many parents like to see how their team is doing compared to others. Knowing your DC team is doing better than others...There is nothing wrong with that. I would say it's about 50/50 on parents who care vs those who don't. If anything, probably leans more to those that do care.

At later ages however, it matters more. Showcase and tournament placement is based on rankings and records just like they are at U13. For those DCs that have D1 dreams, it certainly matters.

My advice to you would be to let it go rather than insult others that enjoy the youth soccer seen. Parents and kids who also enjoy playing against the best competition they can. That is how you get better. Playing against the best. The only way to do that is through rankings.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree the 07 parents are delusional and very much clique like. They lose over and over and instead of saying they need to get better. They make any and every excuse in the world.

Who (club?) are you referring to here?

I am referring to most parents of kids playing at U14/U13 ages.

You are all dumb. Look at the ranking lists in one thread, discussions of Jeff Cup in another, and ECNL vs Ga debate in another, and of course scrimmage score reporting. All propagated by 80% U14, U13, U12 parents who are just so excited to be finally sitting at the big table that they need to validate it through a forum.

Not trying to be an ass with this question, but if you think it's dumb/irrelevant/etc and you're DC isn't part of the referenced age group, why are you on here responding on U12-U14 topics?

Because it is entertaining as hell, that is why.

But seriously, look and try and find these types of discussions as they relate to older groups.

The truth is, parents with kids at this stage are all a bit looney and believe these lists and things matter more than they do.

Trust me, you’ll find out, look back on these posts and cringe, just as myself and others before you.

So in your expert opinion, what does, and when does it, matter?

Anonymous wrote:

Because it is entertaining as hell, that is why.

But seriously, look and try and find these types of discussions as they relate to older groups.

The truth is, parents with kids at this stage are all a bit looney and believe these lists and things matter more than they do.

Trust me, you’ll find out, look back on these posts and cringe, just as myself and others before you.