Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

OP of the cynical comment about nature of development in North Korea and some of it was said tongue in cheek. I do agree at the USYNT levels, there is a problem with the system that is being utilized here - whether its the type of player, the overall style of play, etc.

The US U17 roster is made up of young women that are playing Club, College and Pro. 3 very different levels of soccer with disparate goals and places where the players are along their development path. How long is this squad coming together to develop cohesiveness with their teammates, overall style of play? Couple weeks at different camps throughout the year? Couple weeks again before the tournament? I think that the goal that North Korea scored was a result of this lack of cohesiveness. Ball crossed in - goalie probably should have aggressively called off the defender and snagged it. Instead, no action from the goalie and defender headed it out but to to the top of the box where the North Korean player jumped on it and ripped a shot for a goal. That's my look at it, could be wrong.

For countries like Spain, IMO that is overcome because they have developed a style of play and ID'd a type of player that is universally being utilized up through all levels of their system. For countries like North Korea, those players do nothing but play soccer with that group, study with that group. Drill, drill, drill. Do I know that for a fact - no, but I think it's a pretty safe assumption. IMO, they (North Korea) have chosen soccer as a sport that they can focus on and have a population mix that works for that effort. Women's basketball, volleyball - not so much, right?

Not once, but twice in the span of a month, North Korea has demonstrated that they are a superior soccer nation, at least on the Women's Youth level and that is INSANE! North freaking Korea Sure, they beat other nations as well, but that's besides my point.

For the longest period, USWNT soccer was synonymous with dominance on the world stage. And at this point in time, when soccer is enjoying the highest level of popularity here in the US, the quality and level of our national teams seem a bit diminished.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But simply put, who would've ever thought N.Korean teens would be showing better skills, more technical IQ, and just downright playing better soccer than our own ECNL, GA, Professional Academy trained DDs? With all of the money we as parents are spending here in the US on Team tuition, team fees, travel expenses, private coaching, etc. ?!?! It's maddening! And a stark realization that the US Youth system, with probably the highest cost of admission in the world, is overrated, highly flawed and behind the likes of N.Korea and other Nations on the international stage.

OP of the cynical comment about nature of development in North Korea and some of it was said tongue in cheek. I do agree at the USYNT levels, there is a problem with the system that is being utilized here - whether its the type of player, the overall style of play, etc.

The US U17 roster is made up of young women that are playing Club, College and Pro. 3 very different levels of soccer with disparate goals and places where the players are along their development path. How long is this squad coming together to develop cohesiveness with their teammates, overall style of play? Couple weeks at different camps throughout the year? Couple weeks again before the tournament? I think that the goal that North Korea scored was a result of this lack of cohesiveness. Ball crossed in - goalie probably should have aggressively called off the defender and snagged it. Instead, no action from the goalie and defender headed it out but to to the top of the box where the North Korean player jumped on it and ripped a shot for a goal. That's my look at it, could be wrong.

For countries like Spain, IMO that is overcome because they have developed a style of play and ID'd a type of player that is universally being utilized up through all levels of their system. For countries like North Korea, those players do nothing but play soccer with that group, study with that group. Drill, drill, drill. Do I know that for a fact - no, but I think it's a pretty safe assumption. IMO, they (North Korea) have chosen soccer as a sport that they can focus on and have a population mix that works for that effort. Women's basketball, volleyball - not so much, right?

Excuses. Right now there are thousands or millions of kids playing for different leagues and US Scouting couldn’t gather a team of champions? Stop relying on the club coach picks who have club promotion interest. US scouts should look at a wider range, have a different league or type of tourney or other that all players can afford to go. Partner with schools to make their leagues better. It looks like the old ODP was actually a better option. Oh oh the problem is that the US scouts are the same as the club owners.

Anonymous wrote:

OP of the cynical comment about nature of development in North Korea and some of it was said tongue in cheek. I do agree at the USYNT levels, there is a problem with the system that is being utilized here - whether its the type of player, the overall style of play, etc.

The US U17 roster is made up of young women that are playing Club, College and Pro. 3 very different levels of soccer with disparate goals and places where the players are along their development path. How long is this squad coming together to develop cohesiveness with their teammates, overall style of play? Couple weeks at different camps throughout the year? Couple weeks again before the tournament? I think that the goal that North Korea scored was a result of this lack of cohesiveness. Ball crossed in - goalie probably should have aggressively called off the defender and snagged it. Instead, no action from the goalie and defender headed it out but to to the top of the box where the North Korean player jumped on it and ripped a shot for a goal. That's my look at it, could be wrong.

For countries like Spain, IMO that is overcome because they have developed a style of play and ID'd a type of player that is universally being utilized up through all levels of their system. For countries like North Korea, those players do nothing but play soccer with that group, study with that group. Drill, drill, drill. Do I know that for a fact - no, but I think it's a pretty safe assumption. IMO, they (North Korea) have chosen soccer as a sport that they can focus on and have a population mix that works for that effort. Women's basketball, volleyball - not so much, right?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's funny the players our club sent at u13 for Talent IDs have for the most part fizzled out.

Coaches were dazzeled by players that could score at will against crap teams. Unfortunately ball hogs need the entire team to win against better teams.

This is true every year. All the U13, U14, U15 ID camp kids are never seen again.

This is so so true. These players shine individually but lack the teamwork skill and mindset. We lack of talent in the midfield because the big player who can strike well is selected as the best player. Then when forming a national team scouts select 21 players with the same quals.

And those 13, 14 yr olds get mighty slow later in life. By the time they are in college a lot of them can barely run or don't play. Looking at you FCV. Yeah, they are in good schools, but one is barely getting minutes, one quit, and one plays but slow and lumbering... the best of the worst.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But simply put, who would've ever thought N.Korean teens would be showing better skills, more technical IQ, and just downright playing better soccer than our own ECNL, GA, Professional Academy trained DDs? With all of the money we as parents are spending here in the US on Team tuition, team fees, travel expenses, private coaching, etc. ?!?! It's maddening! And a stark realization that the US Youth system, with probably the highest cost of admission in the world, is overrated, highly flawed and behind the likes of N.Korea and other Nations on the international stage.

OP of the cynical comment about nature of development in North Korea and some of it was said tongue in cheek. I do agree at the USYNT levels, there is a problem with the system that is being utilized here - whether its the type of player, the overall style of play, etc.

The US U17 roster is made up of young women that are playing Club, College and Pro. 3 very different levels of soccer with disparate goals and places where the players are along their development path. How long is this squad coming together to develop cohesiveness with their teammates, overall style of play? Couple weeks at different camps throughout the year? Couple weeks again before the tournament? I think that the goal that North Korea scored was a result of this lack of cohesiveness. Ball crossed in - goalie probably should have aggressively called off the defender and snagged it. Instead, no action from the goalie and defender headed it out but to to the top of the box where the North Korean player jumped on it and ripped a shot for a goal. That's my look at it, could be wrong.

For countries like Spain, IMO that is overcome because they have developed a style of play and ID'd a type of player that is universally being utilized up through all levels of their system. For countries like North Korea, those players do nothing but play soccer with that group, study with that group. Drill, drill, drill. Do I know that for a fact - no, but I think it's a pretty safe assumption. IMO, they (North Korea) have chosen soccer as a sport that they can focus on and have a population mix that works for that effort. Women's basketball, volleyball - not so much, right?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's funny the players our club sent at u13 for Talent IDs have for the most part fizzled out.

Coaches were dazzeled by players that could score at will against crap teams. Unfortunately ball hogs need the entire team to win against better teams.

This is true every year. All the U13, U14, U15 ID camp kids are never seen again.

This is so so true. These players shine individually but lack the teamwork skill and mindset. We lack of talent in the midfield because the big player who can strike well is selected as the best player. Then when forming a national team scouts select 21 players with the same quals.

And those 13, 14 yr olds get mighty slow later in life. By the time they are in college a lot of them can barely run or don't play. Looking at you FCV. Yeah, they are in good schools, but one is barely getting minutes, one quit, and one plays but slow and lumbering... the best of the worst.

Anonymous wrote:
But simply put, who would've ever thought N.Korean teens would be showing better skills, more technical IQ, and just downright playing better soccer than our own ECNL, GA, Professional Academy trained DDs? With all of the money we as parents are spending here in the US on Team tuition, team fees, travel expenses, private coaching, etc. ?!?! It's maddening! And a stark realization that the US Youth system, with probably the highest cost of admission in the world, is overrated, highly flawed and behind the likes of N.Korea and other Nations on the international stage.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's funny the players our club sent at u13 for Talent IDs have for the most part fizzled out.

Coaches were dazzeled by players that could score at will against crap teams. Unfortunately ball hogs need the entire team to win against better teams.

This is true every year. All the U13, U14, U15 ID camp kids are never seen again.

This is so so true. These players shine individually but lack the teamwork skill and mindset. We lack of talent in the midfield because the big player who can strike well is selected as the best player. Then when forming a national team scouts select 21 players with the same quals.

And those 13, 14 yr olds get mighty slow later in life. By the time they are in college a lot of them can barely run or don't play. Looking at you FCV. Yeah, they are in good schools, but one is barely getting minutes, one quit, and one plays but slow and lumbering... the best of the worst.

Anonymous wrote:

To be cynical, I believe those fine young women on the North Korean squad were told that their families would be able to eat if they won. No win, no food.

Seriously though, there are numerous faults with the US system and the type of player that is valued, but to think that these North Korean squads aren't training together constantly, living together under an incredibly strict training regime is shortsighted. Think of the Red Army hockey team back in the day.

I am more considered about our ability to compete against the traditional Euro squads that are now developing high quality women's sides - Spain especially.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
For the mighty USA and all its GA ECNLs and College idiosyncrasies it’s not an achievement, it’s actually a failure not make the final. But u probably hand out participation trophies so no surprise there

Agreed. Colossal failure. Yet more circumstantial evidence that the US Youth Soccer "system" is broken. Starts with these top travel teams/leagues fleecing families out of tens of thousands every year with promises of advanced training by professional coaches, yada-yada-yada. These girls are the creme de la creme U20S and U17s in the nation, yet they both get ousted by North Korea in the semis.

I'd bet those N. Korean parents aren't taking out second mortgages to finance their DDs soccer dreams like many American families. I'd bet those parents aren't flying across their country for ridiculous tournaments and showcases. It's been a rude awakening to see our nation's best kids be taking to task on the soccer field these N.Korean teams. IMO, the onus for these failures lies squarely on the shoulders of these "top" leagues and US Soccer. Perhaps we need to start sending our coaches over to NK to get properly certified and licensed because it's certainly looking like a North Korean soccer license > US Soccer license.

I read that since France did not qualify, they’re sending coaches to North Korea for coaching certification courses.

To be cynical, I believe those fine young women on the North Korean squad were told that their families would be able to eat if they won. No win, no food.

Seriously though, there are numerous faults with the US system and the type of player that is valued, but to think that these North Korean squads aren't training together constantly, living together under an incredibly strict training regime is shortsighted. Think of the Red Army hockey team back in the day.

I am more considered about our ability to compete against the traditional Euro squads that are now developing high quality women's sides - Spain especially.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
For the mighty USA and all its GA ECNLs and College idiosyncrasies it’s not an achievement, it’s actually a failure not make the final. But u probably hand out participation trophies so no surprise there

Agreed. Colossal failure. Yet more circumstantial evidence that the US Youth Soccer "system" is broken. Starts with these top travel teams/leagues fleecing families out of tens of thousands every year with promises of advanced training by professional coaches, yada-yada-yada. These girls are the creme de la creme U20S and U17s in the nation, yet they both get ousted by North Korea in the semis.

I'd bet those N. Korean parents aren't taking out second mortgages to finance their DDs soccer dreams like many American families. I'd bet those parents aren't flying across their country for ridiculous tournaments and showcases. It's been a rude awakening to see our nation's best kids be taking to task on the soccer field these N.Korean teams. IMO, the onus for these failures lies squarely on the shoulders of these "top" leagues and US Soccer. Perhaps we need to start sending our coaches over to NK to get properly certified and licensed because it's certainly looking like a North Korean soccer license > US Soccer license.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's funny the players our club sent at u13 for Talent IDs have for the most part fizzled out.

Coaches were dazzeled by players that could score at will against crap teams. Unfortunately ball hogs need the entire team to win against better teams.

This is true every year. All the U13, U14, U15 ID camp kids are never seen again.

This is so so true. These players shine individually but lack the teamwork skill and mindset. We lack of talent in the midfield because the big player who can strike well is selected as the best player. Then when forming a national team scouts select 21 players with the same quals.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
For the mighty USA and all its GA ECNLs and College idiosyncrasies it’s not an achievement, it’s actually a failure not make the final. But u probably hand out participation trophies so no surprise there

Agreed. Colossal failure. Yet more circumstantial evidence that the US Youth Soccer "system" is broken. Starts with these top travel teams/leagues fleecing families out of tens of thousands every year with promises of advanced training by professional coaches, yada-yada-yada. These girls are the creme de la creme U20S and U17s in the nation, yet they both get ousted by North Korea in the semis.

I'd bet those N. Korean parents aren't taking out second mortgages to finance their DDs soccer dreams like many American families. I'd bet those parents aren't flying across their country for ridiculous tournaments and showcases. It's been a rude awakening to see our nation's best kids be taking to task on the soccer field these N.Korean teams. IMO, the onus for these failures lies squarely on the shoulders of these "top" leagues and US Soccer. Perhaps we need to start sending our coaches over to NK to get properly certified and licensed because it's certainly looking like a North Korean soccer license > US Soccer license.

I read that since France did not qualify, they’re sending coaches to North Korea for coaching certification courses.

Anonymous wrote:It's funny the players our club sent at u13 for Talent IDs have for the most part fizzled out.

Coaches were dazzeled by players that could score at will against crap teams. Unfortunately ball hogs need the entire team to win against better teams.