I propose we stay away from politically charged issues... There's a thread full of crazy people elsewhere on this site if you like.
Agree. As much as I love a good political debate/discussion, there are endless places online and on social media to get your fix. There isn't a ton of civil and calm groups of folks discussing youth sports/soccer. But I will admit I do have a guilty pleasure of watching YouTube videos of out of control sports parents losing their shit..
I've done that so many times! I take the view that this is all for fun for my kid. If she is smiling and having fun, she will continue to grow and have fun. I hope too see her be a coach some day.
what’s the difference if they practice like that today or Friday? Friday doesn’t mean the virus is magically less potent
Rumor is 07 G Fire south disbanded? Jose Smith’s squad that is a local power and won the fall qualifier. Also. A second tier Naperville club offered one zoom practice. Many marketing based Instagram YouTube training videos and two outdoor practices in June . No refunds. Season over for leaving players.
Did you ignore what I said? So my two personal examples dont count because they didnt die? I'll let that 25yo know he lied and doesnt count because he isnt in a coffin. Hows Huston doing? Arizona? Florida? Which we just cancelled. Fall is dead with this shit.
Earlier rumors had them being heavily recruited by Eclipse OB for over a year. Is that where they will end up, or are they scattering? It's too bad that the top leagues are club based, as you'd love to see a squad like this stay together regardless of their club's ability or interest in assembling high level teams at every age.
So, you have an existing 07 squad I assume and then your coach tries to recruit as much of an entire squad from another club? How does that go over with existing parents? Is it just part of the deal on girls side? I'm envisioning cat fights and coaches being propositioned by soccer moms... Any stories? I'm thinking of a reality show that makes current real wives looking like a bunch of Karens!
Isn't this the same sort of crap that Eclipse OB did with KK and the same club? Does any of the big three actually develop players anymore?
I totally agree. GA / ECNL ruins the fun of building a team of kids and watching them grow together. I mean I get it if you have a child that is just more dedicated than the rest and the delta between the top and second best is large, but I have seen a few teams this year were the talent was pretty impressive having multiple girls on a team moving to a GA/ECNL club. I'm wondering how many of those players and parents will enjoy it if their daughter isn't playing as much as she used it. Development happens when you are having fun, and usually having fun is combine with playing.
Just an interesting analysis of the 07 Fire South team. Are they exceptional at this age? Yes. However, they rely on a high press, long direct style of play that at the age of 12/13 works. They are well coached, aggressive and pressing with a couple of players who have big legs to kick over the top of defenses. I don't think they produce exceptional players individually throughout their age groups. At least at this age, they have an exceptional style of play. That doesn't correlate against possession style teams which the US cant develop. See Barcelona U15G vs ECNL teams last summer for a clinic in style of play disparity. 2 girls moved to 06. Several to Eclipse OB, evo. I will say that a number of these players were at ODP and not one made the state first team.
Teams like that either have to break up or they stay together and are less and less successful in the ensuing years. Probably had a little help with that realization from OB . Sort of sad when all the youth world beaters fall apart, but rewarding for clubs and coaches who take a longer view.
To clarify, did the 2 girls that moved to play 06 move to OB or the GA, or some other club? With regards to 07s that played ODP, were they older or younger and if this team as whole is exceptional (assuming everyone is phenomenal) why do you think these girls didn’t make the State Team?
From what I heard, 2 girls moved to the 06 Fire south team. I'm not sure of the total numbers that moved to Eclipse, but at least two. Illinois Fire South was represented on the ODP team, but several girls from Chicago Fire South did not make the top team. One did not make the second team and is now on Eclipse. In general the 07 age group is stacked and most of the top players could easily play up a year. I don't like making negative comments about young girls, but I think if you are a direct player you can't show well at ODP, as this year they moved to a possession style 433 and looked at players that fit that model per US guidelines. There were excellent skilled players in both the older and younger groups that relied on skill rather than speed and size. Some of the Fire south players that lack skill and size struggled. Their size and speed players play well in their system but would struggle in a 433 or 4231 that is not a direct style of play.
There are number of clubs that are preaching a modern style of play but lack the commitment to teach it. They allow the same bad habits with players that are home grown and untouchable to criticism. It's a long term money play. Meanwhile, new players that fit a style or more skilled sit behind those same players if they come in from another club. At least with Eclipse, it's feast or famine for the most part. There is a large amount of politics and blowhards in most smaller and mid tier youth programs. I give major credit to chicago Inter, TC and Galaxy that develop players outside of the Big 3 and have less politics and more meritocracy. Even if the end result isnt always the most modern approach. TC plays a very German style of soccer however.
Thanks for the response. What’s the difference between Illinois Fire South and Chicago Fire South? I did see a few girls who made the a State Team. Were you there at ODP training sessions and friendlies? I noticed that a few Eclipse girls made it too. How did they seem to play to you? I ask because I’m considering that direction.
Been playing against the 06 Fire team for years, so can only comment about the 06’s. Two of their top players are 07’s. Their AMF is amazing. Those three won’t leave. They are the team. If they didn’t have those three, the team would be completely different. Unfortunately the Illinois Fire Junior teams can’t keep a hold of these girls when they reach the hs age. Eclipse is gifted players every year. Their top players are not Eclipse players. Speaking of ODP at 06...the top Illinois 06 players do not do ODP.
From what I got from many parents was that ODP was a good substitution for bad club training or just additional training under a different coach. I am not so sure the "top" players are always at ODP. That may have been the case 2008 and prior but not since the ECNL kicked off. Couple boys have come over from Sockers... Parents not happy about the tiny refund and apparently some boys teams are training while others are not. We lost a player to Eclipse OB as did our 06 team... Some of us who know the situation are banking that they will be back - perhaps even mid season. And finally - it's no official that Open Play is legal - that should get illinisoccer off my back for a while at least. Some of you have DM's me and we look forward to seeing you out there! For those who have highschool and high level 8th graders and want some pick up soccer, we play Tuesdays from 7-9PM, Thursdays from 630-830PM (or dark). High school girls (some college players) are on Sundays from 6-8PM. There is no fee and the kids run the show. We are in the NW burbs of Chicago so if you have a player interested - just let me know! Hope you all are happy to be back at it - lets hope it lasts!