Well I don't live in the area - I based my comments off 10-12 parents who do and have multiple kids in the area - some boys at Campton and daughters at CSA. All have pulled one or more kids from Campton over the last 2 years. "going from strength to strength over the past 18" Last year and the past year they lost their best 06 and 05 players between CSA and strikers. They 2005 is half 06 players. Maybe going from rebuild to strength over the past 18 months after BN has left is more of an accurate statement. I mean honestly if you pull the numbers alone for the last 3 years the trend is down. And why even discuss merger if things are going well? It's not like they don't have some good coaches... AP, SK, PN are all pretty good but SK for example has lost some really good players since he's been there. Knowing him personally and having a kid play under him, I highly doubt that's a result of bad coaching. It's odd for sure - almost like the brand started to lose it's luster. Back in 2012 they were stacked on the girls side - we'd play them often and it was good play. But who knows how much of that was more down to a large pool of talent in the area vs coaching? I agree the staff overall is much better today - we'll see what happens.
It's hard to comment on players leaving any soccer program; I do believe it's a factor for all clubs, you lose some, you gain some.. some families are always looking for an environment that best suits their needs. A merger doesn't have to come from the point of weakness; it could be done in the best interest of the players, and the community. Look at Nationals (MI) they merged five clubs to benefit the players, all five clubs involved were healthy, same with Midwest United (MI). I think, more importantly, Eclipse and Sockers pull some of the better talent out of the Tri-Cities community, this simply because of the platforms they have, ECNL and DA, that's tough for all clubs in this area; Strikers, Campton & CSA, I would also include both Galaxy and TC in this. Maybe pulling resources together and creating a club that can compete consistently at the National level wouldn't be a bad thing. It would be awesome if there weren't such a struggle between all clubs in this area. As you said, we shall see what happens.
It would be great but when Eclipse blocks everyone from ECNL and the DA is just as bad, it screws everyone else.
ECNL should change the format of acceptance and promote the top 3 from Prem 1 - as teams, to the respected division.
Aren’t those different governing bodies? US Club for ECNL and US Soccer for MRL/Prem whatever it is called now? Also they like have full clubs instead of individual teams
There is your typical movement between clubs based on age and level of play and then there is movement beyond that. The parallels I here from former Campton and Sockers parents are quite similar. From coaches to allocations and more. It's odd how both are having to move a fair deal of players up ages in order to solidify teams. Like I said there are 7 2006 players on Campton's 2005 team. Two years ago they had 3 2005 teams for example. Sockers has a 05 PDA team but they had to move up 6 2006 players this spring in order to win any games. 2006 and down are having to pull up players just to make teams. This is Sockers and Campton for godsake! When my 99 came to Sockers there were 4.5 teams in her age group - including the acquired Chicago Magic North outfit. More options and better coaching at the smaller clubs over the past 10 years definately play into that. A good example is futsal, 3v3 and technical training which were un-heard of at smaller clubs in the past. But both clubs decline has been over the last 3-5 years. I know why Sockers is where they are at - no idea why or how Campton took a turn. Strikers have produced some good teams but they were never considered to be a "Best of the Rest" club like Campton, Team Chicago or Galaxy. Bad leadership? I don't know - I always liked Campton, I know I pick on Sockers once and awhile but I have nothing against Campton. I just find it interesting. Totally agree. I would add that a CSA/Strikers/Campton merger would be great - but only if that allowed for an ECNL license. DA will likely never allow the smaller clubs to expand on the boys side in terms of age. In that case, Campton is just a pool for Sockers to pick out of after stuffing then in U12DA and leaving those boys no option at later ages to continue on in their later years (in DA). Problem would be - leadership and who runs it. I like my guy - I'm sure you like yours I agree with this. It's a far drive for a top pool and that top pool has become even further with Sockers decline in competitiveness from 2004 down. making matters worse is the recent Eclipse change that sends the ECNL B teams to Northbrook. Now more then ever we need an ECNL club in the area.
Yes and yes - and I get it. But my point is you have plenty of good players who are not interested in leaving their MRL team - can't make the drive or what not which precludes them from playing ECNL. If there was a way to get those top teams in - then you get around some of those challenges and those specific players get in front of recruiters at that level. It also should improve the level of play at leaset based on what I am seeing in the GDA. Don't get me wrong - I understand some of the reasons for requirement to get into the ECNL and appreciate those. But when those regulations were drafted, it was a completely different world in terms of the top of girls soccer.
And this is where the USSF should get off their asses and start fixing the system. It is ridiculous to be this segmented. There should be a clear and open path for every team and club. The current system preys on this disorder.
Not sure it is completely ruining girls soccer. In the Chicagoland area there will be 4 “top” teams for either ECNL or GDA. Two years ago there was only 2 options. I am sure other parts of the country would die for even one opportunity ( central Illinois for example)
Top to bottom the mess is ruining soccer I would say. You present a clear path and get rid of barriers then you may purify the pool moreso.
Majority of D1 recruits from Girls soccer come from ECNL/DA. Team Chicago, Inter and a few other clubs make up the rest. Even up and comers like Galaxy, CSA et al are still behind at the older age groups. Do B level teams which now are being eliminated at Eclipse have D1 prospects comparable to Tier 1,2 clubs above. If so, how is that possible and clearly shows how the recruiting network works. Maybe these kids should pay a coach to get in, wink wink. If that is how the game is played, shouldn't we all send our kids to the highest possible club out there and sacrifice the drive? Just asking. I wonder how the balance of power will shift to tier 1,2 clubs if this is how the game is played. I have to believe that a TC/Galaxy kid is out there better than an Eclipse kid who has never sniffed a National camp.
FC United demanding commitments and deposits (non refundable) for 2019/20 season already, how much lower can they go? As if the poor families haven’t paid enough money already to them. They also just hired SF the former NU Coach as a so called College Recruitment Advisor, EC must be running out of friends to get jobs for. Just so happens she has a kid playing in Trevians as well.
Hearing on the boys end one of the dad’s, “A.M” basically runs things. Terrible look for them letting $$$ make decisions like who is rostered on what team. Coaches and parents must be getting fed up.
I Knw a lot of families up and done fCU da girls teams. It appears that the club has softened the deposit thing realizing it was a bad idea. The recruitment advisor has been well received. Other top clubs have similar roles, and why would existing ties to fcu matter? She is well connected. The fcuda hires current lake forest coach maybe in an attempt to keep his old players from bolting to eclipse and Hs.
Like they have any need for yet another college coach, no wonder they do not develop players, they just recruit them and then pass of their college recruitment success as their own work on social media. Surely you can’t mean the guy Oktay? He was past his sell by date 10 years ago. I heard he was not wanted by SM, but was overruled by BF. So many players and families are heading for the door, they could lose multiple teams per age group this year. BF is running out of lies to tell and tricks to play.
To where? With one new elite team, the math does not add up for a loss of multipe teams. Losing girls to FC1? I think not. Yes, when the music ends, they will feel the brunt of the loses from fcu’s da and top Midwest league team. But they till hold one of the top 4 teams per age group. And your point on recruiting coordinator makes little sense. Regardless of coaching and development (be it good or bad), how does throwing resources to upgrade recruiting hurt?
The hire smells like more FCU just pushing more chips into the pot on their USSF bet. I've seen OA along with MM of NU with their USSF wind breakers at showcases in the past. I don't know what his current USSF role is, but it can't hurt FCU players in the GNT id process to put him on staff. FCU knows they'll never ever in 1,000 years get an ECNL badge, so why not just get further into bed with USSF. Recruiting assistance is never a bad idea. Pretty sure that was originally Snower's role. Nice to see they have gotten back around to staffing that position. Lol. I still believe the biggest factor in determining whether FCU GDA loses players to ECNL will be who Oak Brook picks as the coaches. At last week's presentation Rory confidently stated, ~ "If you like JS, then that's good, if you don't, then I guess we won't see you at tryouts." He went on to say they would be narrowing down the pool of candidates in seven to ten days. Gonna be interesting to see what their national search turned up. Any guesses who is in the running?
Hi, new to the board. Have kids at Sockers and have been extremely pleased. It’s nit perfect but it’s pretty darn good. Anyway, saw earlier in the thread someone mentioning private trainees. Presume it’s crazy expensive but was wondering if anyone had thoughts and recommendations if one was to go this route. Many thanks in advance to anyone who can provide some insight.
For training look at ISoccer. It provides skills training that can be done at home. I have 3 still playing and found it better than private training, which we did a little, and much less expensive. If you want to try the private training check out Step Ahead Sports in Palatine or Bolingbrook.
NW burbs. Appreciate the tip! If anyone knows of people in the area who are established and have proven track record I’d appreciate it. I’ve heard Tony Kees is excellent, but’s that about it thus far.