Changing Landscapes - Chicagoland

Discussion in 'Youth & HS Soccer' started by VolklP19, Dec 28, 2016.

  1. GotSoccerIsDumb

    Fire
    United States
    May 30, 2019
    Ryan7852 repped this.
  2. VolklP19

    VolklP19 Member+

    Jun 23, 2010
    Illinois
    Odd that HR was not tagged with Sockers FC Chicago.
     
  3. illinisoccer

    illinisoccer Member

    Aug 15, 2005
    Chicago, IL
    The college players were all listed by their school.
     
  4. VolklP19

    VolklP19 Member+

    Jun 23, 2010
    Illinois
    So I was wondering if anyone had any experience with clubs who charge less for high school players that are committed to playing high school. I know when we were at Sockers with my older one - this was not the case. But to Sockers defense I believe most clubs charge the same for - lets say an 8th grader vs a freshman who is committed to playing HS soccer.

    On principle I think that is not a good business practice. I've heard Campton has a discount rate - or they did. But as of now, that's the only club I have ever heard of doing this.
     
  5. GotSoccerIsDumb

    Fire
    United States
    May 30, 2019
    I believe the club fees are designed based on what the expenses are for that player in the given time that they're playing. I do know at Sockers, and many clubs, the fees for a HS player are not the same as a year-round player of the same age.
     
  6. VolklP19

    VolklP19 Member+

    Jun 23, 2010
    Illinois
    That must have changed then. Back in 2016 that was not the case.
     
  7. GotSoccerIsDumb

    Fire
    United States
    May 30, 2019
    Interesting bit: More PT players for FCU girls. 3 players from WI state champ SC Wave added to their U16s. Up to 25 total PTs now most of them from outside their club. FCU boys added another HS standout at U19 like years past. They complain about HS soccer being a problem for them yet they cave and add HS players or external PT by the masses. Two problems: it shows your current players they aren't important and it shows players that they don't have to be committed and still play DA.

    Ironically, Sockers boys and girls DA went undefeated last weekend against top clubs like Midwest United, Shattuck boys, and Crew. No HS players and only a handful of PT from inside their own club. They don't seem to have the commitment problems and it comes down to the culture they create.

    As much as FCU people want to say "its North Shore parents" that's really not the problem. Fact is there's North Shore people at Sockers too. A bunch of FCU DA boys came over at U17 and U19 this summer and they're all still there. Most of them play on the second teams or PT players. It's not the North Shore parents that's the issue its the culture that the club creates.

    Eclipse North still struggling. BUT THEY HAVE A NUTRITIONIST! ;)

    Looks like Fire Academy may have finally sorted themselves out. Top sides at all ages except the one they aren't carrying lol. Their scouting network doing a good job with players outside of Chicago. Top players from NWI and WI making an impact. Split with Sockers at U13-U14. Looking forward to the spring games at 15-17.

    As much as this youth soccer world can be a dark place Chicago actually isn't in as bad of shape as we think...
     
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  8. smontrose

    smontrose Member

    Real Madrid
    Italy
    Aug 30, 2017
    Illinois, NW Suburb
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Sockers FALL for boys H.S. aged players is a separate fee. Players coming in off of HS season, yearly tuition reflects this.
    This Fall program is OUTSTANDING!
     
  9. VolklP19

    VolklP19 Member+

    Jun 23, 2010
    Illinois
    That's good to hear - looks like some changes are bearing fruit!
     
  10. Ryan7852

    Ryan7852 Member

    Barcelona
    United States
    Mar 24, 2019
    “They don't seem to have the commitment problems and it comes down to the culture they create.”

    Two posts on social media summed up this culture that I think is impossible to grasp unless you’re there: RC posting a video of his older DA girls playing in costumes on Halloween and u15 boys playing along side USMNT Futsal team at step ahead on same day or day after.

    It’s ALL about culture....
     
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  11. Toe Poke

    Toe Poke Member

    Manchester United
    United States
    Dec 11, 2018
    They actually did have this program but only on the boys side. It is called Top Talent and was (and believe still is) designed for boys who don’t play HS. Because the boys have more combined age groups in the DA there is more jumping in and out of DA because the teams are very heavily skewed towards the older age group. So the younger age group stays together and plays in NPL and men’s leagues.

    Unfortunately that same opportunity does not exist with the girls I do not believe.
     
  12. VolklP19

    VolklP19 Member+

    Jun 23, 2010
    Illinois
    #2437 VolklP19, Nov 7, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2019
    I think they had TT for girls but that was for girls who were not ECNL at the time and wanted to stay and train with Sockers rather then play high school.

    My question was geared towards girls that only played Fall/Winter. I know with my older one - the cost was the same as a full season. You did have the ocassional coach who had no issue with girls training with boys if they wanted to but that was a big no-no based on high school rules so no one really did unless it was just keeper training. :whistling:
     
  13. Brace Yourself

    Chelsea
    Turkey
    Jan 19, 2019
  14. smfw

    smfw Member

    Tottenham Hotspur
    Apr 10, 2019
    Thats correct with Libertyville FC 74 as well
     
  15. Driven

    Driven Member

    USWNT
    United States
    Apr 6, 2019
    30 PTs
     
  16. Iniesta62106

    Iniesta62106 Member

    Sep 17, 2018
    Don’t PTs have to come from affiliate clubs? I would be so pissed to have a FT player getting anything but good minutes.

    Are there more PT players than previous years? Perhaps Eclipse North did land a punch after all. Will be really interesting to see what things look like in the coming year or two.
     
  17. Driven

    Driven Member

    USWNT
    United States
    Apr 6, 2019
     
  18. runnrkicks76

    runnrkicks76 New Member

    Aug 14, 2014
    Club:
    Atletico Madrid
    Top Talent at Sockers is a control grab- if you can't crack their academy team, then you should go play for your high school. It seems obvious that the only reason you would skip your high school season is to improve/get a scholarship for college. From what I have heard and know, most Top Talent players are either playing D3/NAIA or not playing in college at all. Which begs the question of why you would do it.
    Clubs (and Sockers aren't the only one) are so afraid of their players being exposed to other options/opportunities that they try to limit who/what they see. Once again youth soccer is all about money and we will not evolve as a country until we break the cycle.
     
  19. GotSoccerIsDumb

    Fire
    United States
    May 30, 2019
    Sure.

    Or they chose to not play HS soccer because something about it wasn't appealing to them and some clubs offer fall programs as an opportunity for them to still play and train.

    "Let DA players choose to play HS!" says the masses. "But don't give non-DA players the choice to play club instead of HS!"
     
    illinisoccer repped this.
  20. Ryan7852

    Ryan7852 Member

    Barcelona
    United States
    Mar 24, 2019
    The voice of reason on this board per usual.

    Those with the money grab conspiracy theories are probably right in some cases but not amongst the clubs that build real businesses that last through the ups and downs and fickleness of parents.

    Pay to play is an enormous problem and it thwarts our ability to produce truly world class national teams. But blame that on MLS and Sunil/Garber et al and no pro/rel. not on businesses doing their best to teach kids. Businesses that produce more than their fair share of very good players.
     
  21. smontrose

    smontrose Member

    Real Madrid
    Italy
    Aug 30, 2017
    Illinois, NW Suburb
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I can only speak for my experience. My son is not interested in representing his school and simply wants to develop himself to his highest level. As a U16 the clock is ticking on college opportunities and quite frankly he's not sure trying to play athletics and handle class load makes sense. The goal right now is to maybe go to Europe and play some club level, learn the culture, maybe go to school. Experience of a lifetime I think when your 18 or 19.
    I wouldn't call TT a money grab..it's an offering for an alternative Fall program. I think it was 400 for 3 months...
    As a U16 he was working out with players up to U19, intermingled with DA for practices and scrimmaging against 03 and 04 DA on a weekly basis.
    Players were eligible for NISL conference play which was against other clubs DA squads. ALso eligible for indoor league games and metro adult league. His game roster included older players who were more than willing to mentor.
    My son is a forward but had to fill in at outside back. He played so well there that he is now getting plenty of time at both. Not sure this would have happened under different circumstances.
    This has been the most well spent money thus far for us!!!
    My opinion is that why would ANY kid still in such a big program at HS age forgo TopTalent for HS?. But thats just me.
    I will say its not a money grab in any way as they don't pressure anyone to do it, as far as I know. ANd now that we are back to regular program, there is no backlash for players coming back from HS. Players have been placed in training pools according to their abilities..I don't see my kid getting favored.
    LAst thing on TT, I have to praise Coach Todd Bailey who runs it. He expects a lot form these kids but is fair and positive.
    I agree youth sports are all about fleecing parents but that's coming from the very top of the sport.
     
  22. VolklP19

    VolklP19 Member+

    Jun 23, 2010
    Illinois
    smontrose looks like things have improved for you guys - good to know.
     
  23. VolklP19

    VolklP19 Member+

    Jun 23, 2010
    Illinois
    #2448 VolklP19, Nov 19, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2019
    Okay so a general question about Tourneys – this one happened in the Chicago-land area…


    Does the club which provides and manages a tourney have to sanctioned by either IYSA, USClub or an affiliate with either?


    My question is specific to insurance in particular. Fox example, lets say a player is yellow carded – doesn’t like that and flips the ref a double bird. Then that player turns and attacks the player she was called on – throwing that player to the ground violently and then throwing a handful of closed fisted punches to the players face and head. The injured player is taken to the hospital – deemed she has a concussion.


    A police report is filed – but obviously the State is not going to charge a minor so the only resolve is civil.


    Now from what I understand, tournaments are sanctioned by leagues which provide insurance. That insurance can potentially cover the medical bills for the injured player.


    But what happens when the tournament is not sanctioned?
     
  24. Iniesta62106

    Iniesta62106 Member

    Sep 17, 2018
    You need a personal injury lawyer for that one. I thought tournaments were insured for different types of accidents (goal blows over, etc.)
     
  25. illinisoccer

    illinisoccer Member

    Aug 15, 2005
    Chicago, IL
    Most tournaments are sanctioned but there are some that are not. They may be run at an indoor facility or through an organization like a park district that has its own insurance. Either way I am sure the players parent will sue the tournament host, the opposing club and the individual player. Lots of lawyer types in Chicago.
     

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