Is this just D1? Probably 7000-8000 DI players another 5000-6000 D2? Either way, Seems in line with other sports. Mens D1 hoops = 351 teams, 684 COMPLETED Transfers to-date 2019. Womens D1 soccer = 333 teams, 750 IN transfer pool.?
If all NCAA sports tightened up their recruiting rules this way it may also lead to kids and parents think differently. Currently, if you have a very talented U12 soccer player in your house, the incentives are to forgo other sports and get Susie into DA or ECNL program asap. The reality is you probably have a great athlete in your house, and you really have no idea what sport she may ultimately be best at, or what sport she may enjoy the most. Early recruitment is a huge reason for early specialization. Early specialization can lead to kids burning out and some research suggests it can increase the chances of serious injury. Lots of reasons for players and parents to like the new rules. I'd love to hear a college coach's take on the new rules.
I found some #'s on the # of women playing soccer in college... D1= 9,400 D2= 7,200 D3 = 10,900 I think they all use the transfer portal. And I have heard directly from some of the college coaches mentioned here recently. It seems they are all in favor of no early recruiting. The early recruiting is caused by a supply / demand issue so schools did it as a way to be competitive. As long as no one can do it and the playing field is level they say they are in favor.
Thinking of trying my 09 Boy out for Schaumburg Sockers or Chicago Fire South. We live in between both these team. Any feedback on these clubs for developing Boys teams at this age? He's currently playing Gold level in NISL.
That's what I would love to say to a parent. 100% true. This kid At that age I would look development IMO. For that I would go for a DD at Eclipse if you can get him. Move to Sockers only if he has a shot at DA around u12/u13.
I would look at several clubs and focus on pure development at his young age. Fire South is a good program at the younger ages for development. I agree with the DD comment at Eclipse in Oak Brook as well but he tends to coach the older ages and not younger. Eclipse West (Naperville) has a really good program and has several good teams and growing. Another group out of Naperville is Windy City Rampage that develops footskills at an early age and has a great group of coaches as well. I would steer clear of Sockers until DA age. My child has personally not been in the program but have many friends who are. If you son likes to play a lot (outside of club activities) like futsal, 3v3, indoor leagues etc, they restrict this to the full. I have heard of kids getting suspended and even dismissed from the club for doing this. I know a number of years ago a few kids played 3v3 in Florida and were dismissed. Several kids over the years played futsal or 3v3 and were suspended and I recently heard of a child going on a once in a lifetime trip overseas to play in a tourney and immediately was dismissed from the club upon return. These are kids not even in the DA. Pretty harsh to take away the fun from kids who only want to play yet to get the fun sucked right out of the game. It's the definition of hijacking a sport for their own gain instead of embracing what the sport is to so many others in the world.
Cant speak to that age group at Sockers... I scouted some practices and games before we made the move. Will give you a high level feel and sort of show you where he will fit in. My son is 04, no one on one development for the most part. changing a bit as we're now into second year, he's developing rapport with coaches. I think coaches respond to kids if they know their committed to the club after a year or so.. key for my son was playing club last Fall rather than HS ball. I'd say good choice for a competitive kid, he won't run out of players to battle in practice, ever. Weather proof fields. Winter indoors(you'll be driving to Palatine). Coaches don't like to cancel practices, if they do, they find a way to make it up. You definitely get time on the ball. I don't like to talk in terms of DA being the end all, but what I see at my sons agfe group is the DA1 squad is locked! Unless your a star somewhere else and you get an invite, it appears you have to really pay your dues over several years to crack the door open. I could be wrong but thats my observation.
I think this is where I dis-agree completely when it comes to my experience. We were there when my kid was 6. She did every session of 3v3, futsal, technical training and 1.5 years of keeper training. On top of that I likely brought in 40+ players between all 3 locations. I am also doing business with them. My kid was pushed aside with many others all day long. I realize I am an idiot for staying
Trying to get my bearings before tryouts. Any information on these teams? Anyone heard anything about the 07 ECNL team for Eclipse north? Thanks so much!
Thanks for the options, appreciate it. I agree with the loyalty comment, all clubs like loyalty. I like both clubs (Schaumburg Sockers and Fire South) as they offer training off the grass; i.e. solid indoor programs and futsal. I'm a believer is futsal, both my boys played and I think it's helped. If the club offers it, great. I'm getting feedback on Sockers, any comments/opinions on Fire South?
Good feedback, thanks for this. This does sound harsh. I think the kids should be able to train anywhere they'd like outside the club as long as it doesn't interfere with the club's practice or games. I do want my kids to get training off the grass (i.e. futsal and indoor). So if the club offers it and we can take advantage, it's a plus.
I have a different view. I had a negative view coming into Sockers and thus far it’s been a dream. A great soccer culture that I don’t think you find in too many places in US. They work to truly develop the kids. I’ve heard they have no issue cutting ties with the most talented of players and have done so when they break their rules. Those rules seem harsh to me...but think about it...how does a club like sockers fc produce the results they do like that letting loose of mega talented kids bc they guest played, etc? Eclipse buys teams wholesale. Chicago Magic would recruit internationally. Sockers continues to stand the test of time. Hard to argue with their results.
How long have you been there? Is your child on the boys or girls side over there? I’m not to keen on their style of “developing” kids. They only work with the top players and the rest are just fillers.
That was exactly the view I had because that is a common narrative about the club as told by coaches of other clubs. I think it’s 100% b.s. In fact I’m amazed how it’s nearly the opposite of that with pools of kids playing together , teams being mixed up in the winter. Further my point about them parting ways with top talent is a strong argument against “only about the top players”. It’s been the complete opposite of all the negativity I’ve ever heard about it. Anyway. Just my opinion. All I can say is do yourself and your kid(s) a favor and tryout there (can only speak for Schaumberg location) and see what you think. How your child feels about it.
BTW: Staff coach there once told me when I asked him how he felt about Eclipse moving back to ECNL... He smiles and says: "It's a great move because now we can recruit their players during the season without worrying about breaking league rules." Same fella also said: "We're actively recruiting 24/7/365." Other then being more local, how is that any different then what Chicago Magic would do? Oh and by the numbers - at least on the girls side, 80% of players on the 04/05 GDA teams came to Sockers at u12/u13 - already developed at other clubs. VERY FEW players on those teams who had been at Sockers since 6 or 8 years old were even close to making DA. On development... Again on the girls side of the house they have such little talent that the answer (instead of developing players) is to separate the good from the bad and merge the best players in multiple age groups to form one team while leaving the rest to blow in the wind. Even worse is they push the bad to train on one side of the field and the good on the other - allowing the good players to also get some DA training. That's great for the good players but how is that development for the rest? Less games, less tourneys. Worse thing is that by separating them, the less skilled players end up training in a player pool that is far below what they typically came from - so whats the point? My guess is that you have a boy on the top end and may not see this. I only suggest that because I know parents in the same situation. They do not see the adverse side effects of a coach shit-binning a good player with no reason and never allowing for opportunities to prove themselves. This leads to players thinking the coach does not like them > that they suck > that they no longer want to play the sport. Parents who do not experience this are oblivious to it because their kid is not impacted. They may see that some players get less playing time during games but that is it. I totally understand that - but it does not mean it is not going on. By the numbers (on the girls side). The best option is to look at Team Chicago, CSA, Galaxy, Chicago Inter and potentially Eclipse North for development at the younger ages. If your player is in the top 5% then look at Sockers/FCU/Eclipse as a place to move when they are u13.
Girls. The last I remember an Eclipse Naperville girls team was about 4 years ago. I know most of their 05 team and coach wound up at Galaxy
Cute. For those of you considering a club for your kids don’t listen to any of us. Just go and try out. Base decisions from there. You may be surprised as I was and really happy you changed your mind.
I agree - but would add to try out at at least 3-4 clubs (other then the one you are at). I don't agree at all to not listen to what is said here. Many members have first hand experience at multiple clubs - in illinois and regionally. There are coaches here, DOC's and more. I am at one of the clubs that I mentioned for girls above - I make no secret of that. But I also acknowledge clubs that are developing players and have the numbers to support that as well. Galaxy, Team Chicago have always done just that. CSA & Inter more recently for sure. There are also clubs (on the girls side at least) that have faded - Campton, NSA and Sockers. And then there are clubs that are good for finishing off a developed player - Eclipse, Sockers - potentially FCU. These clubs all have their place in the process of developing players and some differ from the boys side to the girls side. Parents are customers - they should understand what they are paying for and set their expectation accordingly for both club and their player. Frankly I think this site is more useful for parents exploring youth soccer - or just wanting to learn more about other clubs out there.
Respectfully disagree on nearly all accounts. 1. They better damn well be recruiting 24/7/365. it's a beyond competitive market in Chicago. The reason why you go to Sockers is to play with some of the best. Keep them coming I say b/c it makes everyone better. 2. I'm well aware and have seen with my own eyes the differences between boys and girls. Boys are well established and three teams in a pool all are probably pretty darn strong. Girls is not there but won't surprise me in the least that they'll eventually get there. Appears to me they are making moves in the right direction at any rate. 3. Splitting up girls teams. From what I understand they just started doing it this spring. Might be wrong on that...I know they've had a competitive Tue or Friday night league where top schaumburg/naperville girls come to play in much more competitive games than IWSL can offer. That makes complete sense to me 4. This development myth is such a crock of shit. You know who develops the top players? Parents who come from a strong culture of the game and get their kids to fall in love with the ball at ages of 2-3. Kids get developed by spending hours upon hours by themselves with a ball in the backyard. No one, not the top European academies, are developing those top talents. They came from households that are deeply ingrained in international soccer culture (for the most part, there are exceptions as always.) with kids who are obsessed with the *ball*. 5. Good clubs do two things...they guide that top talent in productive ways. But more importantly, and this is what Sockers has that most don't, is they create a culture where these top kids thrive. They're pushed. But in a healthy way...not a way that is "we must win at all costs so we can get parents who don't have a clue to come to our club. Clubs whose teams can't string more than five passes together consistently but can win games with bigger, stronger faster. And this Sockers culture helps the kids who aren't in the top tier as well. First hand experience with that... And the way Sockers plays is so great...if you love the game you'll love the way Sockers has their teams play. 6. 95% of parents are clueless. Harsh but true. If they spent as much time learning & loving the game as they do pushing their children to become something they're not their kids would be so much better off full stop. But it's not these parents fault. They didn't grow up in a soccer culture and most have never laid eyes on truly talented kids. once you've seen top level kids (in any sport) it's incredibly eye opening. it's just at such a different level...and I'm talking about kids who would make the top kids at Sockers look like average joes. 6. It's a great environment with great coaches who are great people. That's been my limited but very much confirmed experience. Such a great environment and culture. But don't believe me...they're the rock in Chicagoland club soccer. They have a national (and limited int'l) reputation that is well deserved and it's well deserved for a reason. 7. Club is far from perfect. I really don't understand the draconian can't play outside of the club policy. It's such a lose lose imo. It seems to me that guest playing was a thing that was once rampant (like back in the days when ODP was relevant). It's all about Academy or top tier ECNL now. Anyway, I don't get this policy of theirs...but who am I to judge against their record over 25 years? All I know is that in the several cases I have pretty good knowledge of the parents of those kids were warned.."if you do this, there will be consequences". In each case the parents said "we're doing it anyway". Then they were gone. 8. For those considering clubs for your kids...do yourself a favor and go tryout and a bunch of different clubs. It's good for your kid to get them out in those environments (though not easy). But do yourself one favor, make sure Sockers is on that list whether you have a kid who is top 5% or not. 9. If your kid doesn't love the game, don't bother with the $ and time commitment that is Sockers. Have them play at a reputable community club with their friends. 10. The End & good luck to all