Changing Landscapes - Chicagoland

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

  1. smontrose

    smontrose Member

    Real Madrid
    Italy
    Aug 30, 2017
    Illinois, NW Suburb
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Went to the game should have recorded as well,doh!

    Anyway, very glad I went, the perception of tv vs. in person is interesting...

    First thing I noticed was players looked bigger in person which to me makes no sense. I thought maybe cause as we're walking to seats it kind of looks like the field is just slightly higher than where we were walking. Even after sitting down,same. After game all players approached the fans and things looked a bit more normal. I was trying to look at rosters but my cell signal was weak.
    Next... T.v. really makes it all look slower. These guys are all quick, fast, and they maintained that intensity well into 2nd half.
    Quality of play... Both teams seemed to play it straight up with basic formations and overly direct play which I don't understand. Indiana clearly has talent to play possession. Indianas approach seemed to be fast break... They get a turnover..forwards start running and here comes a long pass over the top.
    I saw very little multiple passes connected in sequence, not much creativity from forwards...
    I'm thinking coaches overall in college must stress the athletic factor? You go all out as long as you can or coach subs you out! These are obviously good players but they were overwhelmingly impatient with the ball, rushing their decision/pass and alot of forcing passes and just garbage long balls.
    I do have much more respect for them after seeing.
    If you have boys you need to show them college soccer.
    Was great for my son. He's confident he has the ability to play at this level but seeing the game shows him vividly on some things he needs to focus on
     
  2. Ryan7852

    Ryan7852 Member

    Barcelona
    United States
    Mar 24, 2019
    College soccer, for the most part, is kickball. Coaches mentality/tactics. Not the players fault.
    The tiny dude from Sockers at UW Madison is incredible. Straight up. I hope your son wasn’t referring to him as one that “if you take them out of their bubble”. He’s a baller straight up.
     
  3. VolklP19

    VolklP19 Member+

    Jun 23, 2010
    Illinois
    You're alive! I saw lots of posts but the admin center only showed 1 - really odd.
     
  4. Ryan7852

    Ryan7852 Member

    Barcelona
    United States
    Mar 24, 2019
    Alive and kicking, thankfully. And another season underway with parents telling me stories about other parents and organizations that blow my mind.

    I really hope most of it’s blown out of proportion by a good 80%. Otherwise I’ll continue to lose my faith in humanity. Ugh.
     
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  5. smontrose

    smontrose Member

    Real Madrid
    Italy
    Aug 30, 2017
    Illinois, NW Suburb
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    #10 is good. Son talking in general terms. He sees DA players "protected" to some degree. Has always been frustrated when scrimmaging or playing against, alot of teammates don't want to challenge these players.
    I don't understand the kickball approach...know a college coach that can explain?
    Last night, both teams I thought had good chemistry...I thought I would at least see times in the game, maybe when one or the other had momentum that they would try to play more possession...when I say possession I mean methodically connecting passes up the field to create scoring chances
     
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  6. Ryan7852

    Ryan7852 Member

    Barcelona
    United States
    Mar 24, 2019
    I think kickball approach is a vestige of the past and the pervasive mentality that they need to recruit the biggest/fastest players who oftentimes are less technical on the ball.

    When you say Academy players protected. Can you elaborate on that a bit?
     
    Evos repped this.
  7. CornfieldSoccer

    Aug 22, 2013
    That matches my experience 100 percent. In MLS, as well (I've never seen any other kind of pro soccer in person). I've taken a few people to games who aren't soccer people who come away at least respecting the athleticism, speed and physical side of the game in person (provided that's in a stadium that allows you to get pretty close), if nothing else.

    In the Indiana-Akron game I mentioned, I'd say Akron played the better soccer on the night and Indiana -- even with a lot of talent, I'm sure all of it from talented club teams -- was more like your description. They were pretty direct, trying to get in front of goal as quickly as possible, ... I think Akron has more non-US players. Not sure if those two things are related.

    FWIW, I think the better HS teams do play better soccer now than in the past (certainly miles better than when I played growing up; I doubt I could handle watching any of that, looking back). But there's still a good bit of bad HS soccer out there.
     
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  8. Evos

    Evos Member

    Liverpool
    Poland
    Apr 15, 2020
    i agree with the kickball in college soccer, I call it the “Americanization” of soccer. Taller stronger players that play long ball over possession & quick 1-2 passes amongst each other.

    When I hear/read Academy player I assume it’s an Academy 1 player not A2 or A3.
    The A1 that I watch sometimes, the only bubble they are in is the bubble of playing around teammates that play 1-2 touch passing.
    You put a player who knows how to play one touch with a bunch of college guy who hold on to the ball too long, that creative 1-2 touch player looks average or poor because he rarely gets the ball back.
     
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  9. smontrose

    smontrose Member

    Real Madrid
    Italy
    Aug 30, 2017
    Illinois, NW Suburb
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    What I mean by bubble is that the DA groups are playing with same members year after year...
    How many of them going to look as good if yo
    u put them in a new group? Maybe one third???
    Every other groups roster can be changing on a weekly basis ffs.
    Worse than that, at least in my kids pool at big blue fc, up until last year, I saw no effort to develop kids from PA1---}DA except for the brother if a younger DA stud... But you certainly saw kids coming from the outside...alot of them got shat out. But yeah mostly the bubble of stable roster compared to rest of pool.
    I don't doubt alot if those kids have a different set of pressures ..whether real or imagined, plus possibly psycho parents....
    I don't envy them. Totally happy with my kids talent, just need to find the path...
     
  10. Ryan7852

    Ryan7852 Member

    Barcelona
    United States
    Mar 24, 2019
    being on the bubble is brutal. Playing with good players is a huge advantage BUT you have to be good to hang with them or earn their respect to get passes etc etc etc.
     
  11. Leftydad

    Leftydad Member

    Manchester United
    France
    Mar 20, 2021
    This week in soccer-
    Players still waiting on uniforms.
    Futsal signup has already begun.
    Illinois ODP is more expensive than other states!!!
     
  12. RealChicago

    RealChicago Member

    Real Madrid
    United States
    May 21, 2018
    any info on good futsal leagues?
     
  13. smontrose

    smontrose Member

    Real Madrid
    Italy
    Aug 30, 2017
    Illinois, NW Suburb
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yes! Need info on futsal league in NW suburbs!!!
     
  14. VolklP19

    VolklP19 Member+

    Jun 23, 2010
    Illinois
    I'm still watching my kids team play while she sits on the sidelines injured. Man the three past years have been a challenge!
     
  15. Chicagoland Soccer Source

    Barca
    United States
    Jan 23, 2018
    I know Player Sports is no longer doing Futsal. I did hear about this new league that is being formed and the org seems to be USYF affiliate.
    www.klicsports.com
     
  16. Effington

    Effington Member

    Apr 25, 2010
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Hey guys,

    Newbie question here, but hoping you can point me in the right direction. Where can I learn about the hierarchy of best leagues/teams? I have a 5 year old son and would like to get him the best coaching/opportunities.

    I have been teaching/encouraging the game with him, and so far he's down the right path, but I want to get him on an optimal trajectory.

    Someone told me that the Chicago Magic is the top level and then there are several teams just below them, such as Eclipse/Sockers/Fire, is this correct?

    Any help is appreciated!
     
  17. VolklP19

    VolklP19 Member+

    Jun 23, 2010
    Illinois
    Find a good coach at this age - way too early to start worrying about leagues and clubs. With a good coach he'll get the basics on individual development. At 10/11 look for a good coach and a good pool of players to play with. At 12/13 - then look into the best leagues based on where your son is.
     
  18. illinisoccer

    illinisoccer Member

    Aug 15, 2005
    Chicago, IL
    Sign him up for your local rec or AYSO league and supplement that with the junior program offered by your area club team. Do that for 2 years and then tryout for the local club. Play there for 2 years before looking at a club in your area that draws from a wider base. Play there until your child is 12 and then tryout at one of those academy clubs for 11v11.

    Be prepared to be frustrated, humbled and overjoyed.
     
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  19. VolklP19

    VolklP19 Member+

    Jun 23, 2010
    Illinois
  20. Effington

    Effington Member

    Apr 25, 2010
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Thanks, appreciate the insight! A couple follow up questions:
    • Do you have any suggestions as to where to find a quality coach? I'm in the Elk Grove/Schaumburg area.
    • I'm still interested to know the top clubs just as informational, can you point me in the right direction? I hate to be ignorant on a topic that I'm interested in.
    I know how to play and have been teaching him thus far and it's going well. He scores at will in his rec league, which is why I'm exploring other options. It can't be fun for the others, and he won't have being stuck in goal to keep the scoreline down.
     
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  21. VolklP19

    VolklP19 Member+

    Jun 23, 2010
    Illinois
    I would consider Sockers at 11/12 for sure. Ideally a great development coach at a smaller club is worth more of his time and effort at this age as with his age - he'll just be getting the basics of the game, dribbling, passing and so on. He needs someone to make it fun and build in passion. If he grows into that - you should look at Sockers by 10, maybe ring them up and see if he can come out at u10 and think on it. Pull the trigger by u11 but also check out some other clubs.

    I'm sort of out of the loop on the boys side when it comes to good development coaches at that age so I hope others can be more helpful.
     
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  22. Ryan7852

    Ryan7852 Member

    Barcelona
    United States
    Mar 24, 2019
    Not trying to be a jerk but I do want to be direct …and I’m sure there are several on this board who would back me up. Collectively we must have 100yrs experience in this racquet!

    Get rid off ideas of plans, top coaches, clubs, ideal pathways until, at absolute minimum, 10 yrs old.

    Otherwise you're setting yourself up for failure long term.

    Before you work on him work on you. Learn everything you can about the game. Don’t be the parent that goes to the garbage on YouTube and says “do this” “do that”. While he’s just having fun as a little guy you actually do the work to really learn the game based on Int’l standards (not MLS). Then when he’s 12 you’ll know what a top club looks like by watching their style of play/witnessing a practice.

    Does he love to play with the ball (not just kick it) ? If no, start there. If yes, encourage that with fun and positivity and your presence with him.

    If he shows promise AND deep desire then up the challenge levels gently. You’ll know when it’s time to leave the current club. It becomes painfully obvious.

    Good luck….it’s a hell of a ride.


    p.s. earn a lot of money so you can fund the habit.

    p.s.s. Do research on where top coaches send their young boys. There’s only one and it doesn’t have the word Fire in the name.

    p.s.s.s. Relax. If he becomes really good much of this will take care of itself.
     
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  23. illinisoccer

    illinisoccer Member

    Aug 15, 2005
    Chicago, IL
    Ask them to move him up to the next age for the spring season.
     
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  24. Evos

    Evos Member

    Liverpool
    Poland
    Apr 15, 2020
    you received lots of good advice from others on this topic , I would like to add some too:

    1. keep it fun for him & let him play other sports like basketball or squeeze in house baseball between soccer practices. When you gets to U11/U12 he can concentrate on one sport if he likes.

    2. When you practice with him make sure to work on his weak foot at least 50% of the time. during house league games make it fun & challenging, talk to him about playing or scoring only with his weak foot (that worked really well for my kids).
    Work on 1st touch & 1-2 passing.
    He will thank you when he is U15 & playing at one of the 3 local MLSNext clubs.

    3. Next move should be to a local club that has maybe two teams at his age level so there is good quality competition at PRACTICE. IMO Elk Grove SC is one step above house league.
    best thing to do is go to a practice at Olympic park to watch Schaumburg or other teams that practice there to get a feel for their quality.
    I see some teams where the kids are standing in long line waiting for their turn to kick the ball & I see other teams where the flow & action are much faster not much standing around.
     
  25. Kroad

    Kroad Member

    Apr 17, 2020
    You might want to look into Bloomingdale Lightning and during the winter their quasi-affiliate Chicago Street Soccer for Futsal. I’ve no skin in the game and personally have never been to either with my player, but I’ve seen some quality folks come out of there (admittedly on the girls side, but I wouldn’t let that deter you from checking it out). If I could do one thing over again with my daughter, it would have been playing futsal earlier.
     

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