Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the money in the world isn't going to create a world class athlete. The average rich kid is better than the average less affluent kid who can't afford all the training. The truly exceptional are born that way and can come from the poorest of poor backgrounds. The question comes in how these kids get identified.

Kind of true. Kind of not true.

The most physically talented players in the world without any training will get beaten by normal players with high level training.

Most NWSL players are between 5'5" and 5'7". Also females don't get a huge body change from puberty.

What this means is in the Women's game especially with youth providing high level training and specifically training players to play as a team you can dominate. Defined set pieces, out of the back patterns, and general possession will beat most youth girls teams. What youre looking for from mids and defenders is consistency and no mistakes. Throw in a couple of naturally talented forwards and you can beat almost anyone.

San Diego Surf has $$$, location, fields, leadership, all figured out and functioning at the highest level. This is why they win all the time.

Mens/boys soccer is different because the effects of puberty and natural physical ability can overcome possession, playing as a team. and high level training. This creates an arms race for the most naturally talented players in all positions who also have high level training.

No the girls game’s speed of play is slow. Lack of technical skill means physical play and straight speed will win you games. There is no thought out strategy of defense or offense. You give these coaches way too much credit. Their overall philosophy is we have better athletes and they will win the one on one matchups with physicality and speed. It is very predictable, does not need technical skill, does not use the midfield, is ugly to watch and does not develop the skills needed to play at the older ages.

Coaches will use practice time for fitness and strength training. Players(u10-u14) will be lucky to touch the ball 2-4 times in practice, never under pressure and the coach will tell you the players has to work on technical skills outside of the 4 days a week practice plus a game or two on the weekends.

Just remember the vast majority of parents will tell you the coach is great. Not because they know the game, have observed the coach at practice and games, understand soccer development by age ranges but because the coach picked their kid.

Agreed. Even the European coaches that coach here realize that athleticism alone will win and don’t even try to use the midfield other than to help win the ball.

In the US the only reason big fast and aggressive is preferred over skills for the women's game is because college soccer is so awful.

Over time the skill level in the NWSL will increase. As this happens skilled players will become more in demand.

NCAA needs to change the substitution rules. Right now, it promotes direct play. Only recruit big, fast players. Skill and IQ are secondary. Fast player gets tired, sit out and be replaced by another fast player with no skill and IQ. Whole teams of these types of players just rotate in for one another.

They just changed the rules.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the money in the world isn't going to create a world class athlete. The average rich kid is better than the average less affluent kid who can't afford all the training. The truly exceptional are born that way and can come from the poorest of poor backgrounds. The question comes in how these kids get identified.

Kind of true. Kind of not true.

The most physically talented players in the world without any training will get beaten by normal players with high level training.

Most NWSL players are between 5'5" and 5'7". Also females don't get a huge body change from puberty.

What this means is in the Women's game especially with youth providing high level training and specifically training players to play as a team you can dominate. Defined set pieces, out of the back patterns, and general possession will beat most youth girls teams. What youre looking for from mids and defenders is consistency and no mistakes. Throw in a couple of naturally talented forwards and you can beat almost anyone.

San Diego Surf has $$$, location, fields, leadership, all figured out and functioning at the highest level. This is why they win all the time.

Mens/boys soccer is different because the effects of puberty and natural physical ability can overcome possession, playing as a team. and high level training. This creates an arms race for the most naturally talented players in all positions who also have high level training.

No the girls game’s speed of play is slow. Lack of technical skill means physical play and straight speed will win you games. There is no thought out strategy of defense or offense. You give these coaches way too much credit. Their overall philosophy is we have better athletes and they will win the one on one matchups with physicality and speed. It is very predictable, does not need technical skill, does not use the midfield, is ugly to watch and does not develop the skills needed to play at the older ages.

Coaches will use practice time for fitness and strength training. Players(u10-u14) will be lucky to touch the ball 2-4 times in practice, never under pressure and the coach will tell you the players has to work on technical skills outside of the 4 days a week practice plus a game or two on the weekends.

Just remember the vast majority of parents will tell you the coach is great. Not because they know the game, have observed the coach at practice and games, understand soccer development by age ranges but because the coach picked their kid.

Agreed. Even the European coaches that coach here realize that athleticism alone will win and don’t even try to use the midfield other than to help win the ball.

In the US the only reason big fast and aggressive is preferred over skills for the women's game is because college soccer is so awful.

Over time the skill level in the NWSL will increase. As this happens skilled players will become more in demand.

NCAA needs to change the substitution rules. Right now, it promotes direct play. Only recruit big, fast players. Skill and IQ are secondary. Fast player gets tired, sit out and be replaced by another fast player with no skill and IQ. Whole teams of these types of players just rotate in for one another.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the money in the world isn't going to create a world class athlete. The average rich kid is better than the average less affluent kid who can't afford all the training. The truly exceptional are born that way and can come from the poorest of poor backgrounds. The question comes in how these kids get identified.

Kind of true. Kind of not true.

The most physically talented players in the world without any training will get beaten by normal players with high level training.

Most NWSL players are between 5'5" and 5'7". Also females don't get a huge body change from puberty.

What this means is in the Women's game especially with youth providing high level training and specifically training players to play as a team you can dominate. Defined set pieces, out of the back patterns, and general possession will beat most youth girls teams. What youre looking for from mids and defenders is consistency and no mistakes. Throw in a couple of naturally talented forwards and you can beat almost anyone.

San Diego Surf has $$$, location, fields, leadership, all figured out and functioning at the highest level. This is why they win all the time.

Mens/boys soccer is different because the effects of puberty and natural physical ability can overcome possession, playing as a team. and high level training. This creates an arms race for the most naturally talented players in all positions who also have high level training.

No the girls game’s speed of play is slow. Lack of technical skill means physical play and straight speed will win you games. There is no thought out strategy of defense or offense. You give these coaches way too much credit. Their overall philosophy is we have better athletes and they will win the one on one matchups with physicality and speed. It is very predictable, does not need technical skill, does not use the midfield, is ugly to watch and does not develop the skills needed to play at the older ages.

Coaches will use practice time for fitness and strength training. Players(u10-u14) will be lucky to touch the ball 2-4 times in practice, never under pressure and the coach will tell you the players has to work on technical skills outside of the 4 days a week practice plus a game or two on the weekends.

Just remember the vast majority of parents will tell you the coach is great. Not because they know the game, have observed the coach at practice and games, understand soccer development by age ranges but because the coach picked their kid.

Agreed. Even the European coaches that coach here realize that athleticism alone will win and don’t even try to use the midfield other than to help win the ball.

In the US the only reason big fast and aggressive is preferred over skills for the women's game is because college soccer is so awful.

Over time the skill level in the NWSL will increase. As this happens skilled players will become more in demand.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting thread. DD is skilled center mid but not huge. Skills help for escaping pressure and traps, making good passes, but it’s not half as effective as it could be because the rest of the team doesn’t play possession ball. True for 3 teams in a row. Many girls still think they can barrel through people. And too often, they are right. Makes for ugly soccer and lots of injuries:

Are you looking at the teams before you sign up? It seems you haven’t done any research. I can tell you that BSC and McLean both play a more possession style game.

Anonymous wrote:Interesting thread. DD is skilled center mid but not huge. Skills help for escaping pressure and traps, making good passes, but it’s not half as effective as it could be because the rest of the team doesn’t play possession ball. True for 3 teams in a row. Many girls still think they can barrel through people. And too often, they are right. Makes for ugly soccer and lots of injuries:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the money in the world isn't going to create a world class athlete. The average rich kid is better than the average less affluent kid who can't afford all the training. The truly exceptional are born that way and can come from the poorest of poor backgrounds. The question comes in how these kids get identified.

Kind of true. Kind of not true.

The most physically talented players in the world without any training will get beaten by normal players with high level training.

Most NWSL players are between 5'5" and 5'7". Also females don't get a huge body change from puberty.

What this means is in the Women's game especially with youth providing high level training and specifically training players to play as a team you can dominate. Defined set pieces, out of the back patterns, and general possession will beat most youth girls teams. What youre looking for from mids and defenders is consistency and no mistakes. Throw in a couple of naturally talented forwards and you can beat almost anyone.

San Diego Surf has $$$, location, fields, leadership, all figured out and functioning at the highest level. This is why they win all the time.

Mens/boys soccer is different because the effects of puberty and natural physical ability can overcome possession, playing as a team. and high level training. This creates an arms race for the most naturally talented players in all positions who also have high level training.

No the girls game’s speed of play is slow. Lack of technical skill means physical play and straight speed will win you games. There is no thought out strategy of defense or offense. You give these coaches way too much credit. Their overall philosophy is we have better athletes and they will win the one on one matchups with physicality and speed. It is very predictable, does not need technical skill, does not use the midfield, is ugly to watch and does not develop the skills needed to play at the older ages.

Coaches will use practice time for fitness and strength training. Players(u10-u14) will be lucky to touch the ball 2-4 times in practice, never under pressure and the coach will tell you the players has to work on technical skills outside of the 4 days a week practice plus a game or two on the weekends.

Just remember the vast majority of parents will tell you the coach is great. Not because they know the game, have observed the coach at practice and games, understand soccer development by age ranges but because the coach picked their kid.

Agreed. Even the European coaches that coach here realize that athleticism alone will win and don’t even try to use the midfield other than to help win the ball.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the money in the world isn't going to create a world class athlete. The average rich kid is better than the average less affluent kid who can't afford all the training. The truly exceptional are born that way and can come from the poorest of poor backgrounds. The question comes in how these kids get identified.

Kind of true. Kind of not true.

The most physically talented players in the world without any training will get beaten by normal players with high level training.

Most NWSL players are between 5'5" and 5'7". Also females don't get a huge body change from puberty.

What this means is in the Women's game especially with youth providing high level training and specifically training players to play as a team you can dominate. Defined set pieces, out of the back patterns, and general possession will beat most youth girls teams. What youre looking for from mids and defenders is consistency and no mistakes. Throw in a couple of naturally talented forwards and you can beat almost anyone.

San Diego Surf has $$$, location, fields, leadership, all figured out and functioning at the highest level. This is why they win all the time.

Mens/boys soccer is different because the effects of puberty and natural physical ability can overcome possession, playing as a team. and high level training. This creates an arms race for the most naturally talented players in all positions who also have high level training.

No the girls game’s speed of play is slow. Lack of technical skill means physical play and straight speed will win you games. There is no thought out strategy of defense or offense. You give these coaches way too much credit. Their overall philosophy is we have better athletes and they will win the one on one matchups with physicality and speed. It is very predictable, does not need technical skill, does not use the midfield, is ugly to watch and does not develop the skills needed to play at the older ages.

Coaches will use practice time for fitness and strength training. Players(u10-u14) will be lucky to touch the ball 2-4 times in practice, never under pressure and the coach will tell you the players has to work on technical skills outside of the 4 days a week practice plus a game or two on the weekends.

Just remember the vast majority of parents will tell you the coach is great. Not because they know the game, have observed the coach at practice and games, understand soccer development by age ranges but because the coach picked their kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:US scouts regularly attend games of good GA and ECNL clubs. In the Fall we had a US team scout at multiple GA regular season games. I also know of a U17 player that is on the national team that was seen at a ODP event. Recommendations from respected coaches also play a role for getting an invite to regional camps. Then it’s about how you perform at those regional camps.

Not just GA or ECNL. Alot more bad GA and ECNL teams now that's it's become a money grab. You got EDP teams that would run circles around them

By all means, please give us an example of these “EDP” teams. Even lowly Bethesda won over undefeated ECNL RL/EDP Great Falls recently.

Bethesda finished in 2nd to last place in their division. Great Falls is the top team in our area outside of ECNL NL.

Maybe at the U13 and younger age before ECNL suck up the top EDP talent.

Great falls?????? Lmao. What age group?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:US scouts regularly attend games of good GA and ECNL clubs. In the Fall we had a US team scout at multiple GA regular season games. I also know of a U17 player that is on the national team that was seen at a ODP event. Recommendations from respected coaches also play a role for getting an invite to regional camps. Then it’s about how you perform at those regional camps.

Not just GA or ECNL. Alot more bad GA and ECNL teams now that's it's become a money grab. You got EDP teams that would run circles around them

By all means, please give us an example of these “EDP” teams. Even lowly Bethesda won over undefeated ECNL RL/EDP Great Falls recently.

Bethesda finished in 2nd to last place in their division. Great Falls is the top team in our area outside of ECNL NL.

Maybe at the U13 and younger age before ECNL suck up the top EDP talent.