Or an observation after months of reading

....... another conspiracy theory to light up the board

Ahhh, the ever determined PR team of Spirit parents. I admire the time and dedication it takes you to police this forum so thoroughly.

Anonymous wrote:Only on this forum is stating facts called "recruitment." It really is like an alternate universe, these threads, especially anything ECNL/DA related. Lots of hostility here. Guessing a few parents out there are upset about the gap between their perceptions of DD's abilities and reality.

+1 That applies to rising U13s. Some U12 parents drinking Kool-Aid on here.

15:59 wouln't you say that is the case for any age group, not just U13's?

Anonymous wrote:^^^ Clueless post. There are plenty of good players at every age group.

Amen.

^^^ Clueless post. There are plenty of good players at every age group.

I will add that what is being missed here is that the 07s are not very good, with the exception of just a few at even the bigger clubs.

The good 08s can easily squeeze into those gaps if they want to -- Any 13U DA would rather invest in a talented 08 over a run-of-the-mill 07 that is only on the top team for politics, over-eager parents, or luck.

I don't see this as being about Washington Spirit only even though the thread was started on that

Only on this forum is stating facts called "recruitment." It really is like an alternate universe, these threads, especially anything ECNL/DA related. Lots of hostility here. Guessing a few parents out there are upset about the gap between their perceptions of DD's abilities and reality.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tag team recruitment PR. Well played

I think the point is that Spirit is not running rampant with playups to be accused of using it as a recruiting tool. 3 playups accross two age groups does not sound like an abuse.

It has been rampant all over this forum. Come to Spirit; you're kid may play up. Big roster? Don't worry. We'll play some kids up.

So now you're trying to down play the very thing that has been used time and again as a selling point. Sure, just like burger King: have it your way sunshine. I don't personally care, as I'd never take my kid there.

I stand by the point: run from any club that uses playing up as a recruitment tool.

If Spirit has only 3 playups on two teams it stands to reason that the club is not in fact using playing up as a recruiting tool. The belief that if the McLean 08 team came to Spirit tryouts would immediately all be offered DA roster spots on a 07 team is pretty overstated.

All that is being stated is that Spirit is open minded to playups. But that can be said for many clubs not just Spirit.

On the flip side one should also consider running from any club that keeps players at age for the purpose of recruiting through GotSoccer points or loaded State Cup teams.

If a parent feels that their DD would benefit by playing up in DA over NCSL then by all means tryout at a DA or ECNL club.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tag team recruitment PR. Well played

I think the point is that Spirit is not running rampant with playups to be accused of using it as a recruiting tool. 3 playups accross two age groups does not sound like an abuse.

It has been rampant all over this forum. Come to Spirit; you're kid may play up. Big roster? Don't worry. We'll play some kids up.

So now you're trying to down play the very thing that has been used time and again as a selling point. Sure, just like burger King: have it your way sunshine. I don't personally care, as I'd never take my kid there.

I stand by the point: run from any club that uses playing up as a recruitment tool.

Anonymous wrote:Tag team recruitment PR. Well played

I think the point is that Spirit is not running rampant with playups to be accused of using it as a recruiting tool. 3 playups accross two age groups does not sound like an abuse.

Tag team recruitment PR. Well played

Currently, there are two playups in 06 and one in 05. The 05 playup is very talented and played up an age group with a boys team previous to joining Spirit and the two 06 playups are also excellent, one of whom played up two age groups on the girls side with previous club.

Anonymous wrote:I find any club that has to use playing up as a recruitment tool concerning. That's a clear sign of problems filling rosters and a talent pool issue. I have never heard of any club worth its salt ever doing that.

Exactly how many playups is Spirit even rostering at the 05 or 06 age group? I have to think this is being way overstated.