The goodwill does not always translate, and that is part of the issue. Trying to change the DNA of a program by recruiting a different type of player takes even longer. P and P are the most reliable assets in youth soccer. Trying to convince a kid who can run by/ out muscle the competition that she needs to do more/it won't last is a tough sell. Especially when the coaches use her to win games, and she gets all the accolades. You need a group of players who are technically sound enough to play a more intricate game, and the returns are not immediate. In my opinion, the difference between FSU/MK and UVA/SS was MK's willingness to consistently find a few athletes who were technical enough. SS has had very few. MK and SS competed for quite a few players over the years. Late in the season, when the stakes are higher, counterattacking soccer is easier to play. In my opinion FSU is already BPs program. he has taken it in a different direction that reflects the times and the fact that he can go toe to toe with anyone now over a player he wants. MK could not. Good discussion. Apologies to FSU for it being hosted here.
I agree with much of what has been posited here. I'm not looking for an answer, but could Mark K be the same and have the same success in today's game? Partly due to injuries and partly due to a development many players waited a year or two to make a difference. Claire Robbins comes to mind as one who was here for about 6 years? due to multiple knee injuries and development. IMO, I just don't think many of today's players would stick around that long.
On the Soccernutter post, Nailed it, and you picked a perfect player to illustrate. Loved watching her play.
Just some early thoughts on development from a European (Dutch) perspective, having followed women's college soccer for the last year and noticing some differences in style of lay and level of player development. Clearly, the eco-system where all clubs (Pro and grass roots) fall under the national federation is different and not comparable to that of the US. Mixed Teams: All players in representing national women's teams, from the national team till U16, have been playing in boys teams till the age of 15/16 at a very high level, yet not the highest. Mostly they play as the only girl on the team, sometimes with another. This can be tough socially but it also creates a different, winner mentality, learning to sacrifice certain things. Till about the age of 12/13 there isn't a lot physical difference in strength and speed. The girls that are able to continue in boys teams after that age learn how to play against faster and stronger opponents. No boy at the age of 13+ wants to loose against a girl so in order to survive for the girls, they need to be smart, skilled and tactically developed. And to be able to take in and cope with sometimes being kicked, and kicked hard. On the other hand, I learned that some college teams have male college players joining in during training, something I believe would be beneficial in NL too, mainly from a physical/ speed development perspective. Affordability: The cost of playing soccer is low, it's one of the most affordable team sports in Europe. We pay about US$ 350/400 for a full year of playing soccer, excluding the club kit and cleats. Most teams will train twice times a week, the better selection teams will train 3 times a week. No additional payments need to be done for trainers or the use of facilities. In a system where a lot of it is driven by money, I learned from colleagues they paid 15K US$ a year, affordability seems challenging to me. Lower income families will struggle to pay substantial amounts of money, hence quite some talent probably will be missed. I'm curious to see how women's soccer will develop in Europe/ ROW vs how US soccer will reinvent the women's game, and what the role of College soccer will be in the future.
My daughter played two internationals against the Netherlands in the Netherlands @U16. I loved the atmosphere at the sports Clubs we played at with food and beer served in the Clubhouse. Sportpark SC Woerden was great. 12/19 of that US team have played pro soccer and 4/19 have made a full NT camp in the last year. I wonder what the numbers are for that Netherlands group?
Bringing this back to the FSU 2026 thread , Solai Washington becomes the 7th member of the National Championship team to sign a pro contract. Signed with NWSL Orlando. Good luck! Wonder if any other college team signed as many? BP has his work cut out for him in 2026!
Saw this and just about freaked out. Junior Yesterday at 6:57 PM Add bookmark #171 Any keepers left on the roster?
Good Question BG78. UNC also had 7 players leaving the 2024 championship for pro teams: Gagne, Armstrong, Dahlien, Elgin, Nagai, Shores, and Sember. (4 seniors, 2 sophomores, 1 freshman.) The Heels managed to get as far as the sweet 16 in 2025, and then lost 4 players (so far) to the pros. So that's 11 pros in 2 years. It seems that UNC and FSU may be very much the same. Cheers!
And cheers Soccerhunter! Actually, we're now up to at least 8 leaving with pro contracts since Dudley signed with Gotham last week. And there may be more... BP is very much like MK in keeping his cards close to his chest. Mk had the advantage of picking up internationals at the last minute, a connection that BP is not quite as proficient at. That said, between losing 2 coaches moving on to head coaching and practically a whole squad of young ladies, I think the guy perpetually in shorts is making more than a few calls...
https://herfootballhub.com/olivia-garcia-brighton-transfer-loan-move-european-dream/ https://onefootball.com/en/news/che...ing-psg-midfielder-jennifer-echegini-42346388
Really happy for Joe and Olivia. Olivia in particular has really exceeded my expectations. I actually thought she had as much of a chance of succeeding on the Voice or American Idol as she did in international football.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DUYaWb5Dyc8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Marianyela Jiménez signs with Gallos Femenil out of Mexico.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DUY7jx8j7Wr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Kam is off to Utah Royals.
New Assistant Coach https://seminoles.com/news/2026/2/6/womens-soccer-tyrone-marshall-named-soccer-assistant-coach