Reality Check

[Unregistered]

Took me awhile to find it but someone looked at the class of 2019 part way into freshman year. Not that everyone will get great minutes as a freshmen but you should hope to get some time. Some players aren't and some weren't even on rosters. That's a reality check.

Find a good academic/social/soccer fit and the rest is up to your kid. It may not always work out and that's ok because there's a lot of "good reasons" if you don't play all 4 years and it happens all the time. But if they've targeted right, the odds of a good college experience and soccer career are high.

http://talking-soccer.com/TS4/showthread.php?t=159237

[Unregistered]

let's get real here..if you as a parent spend over 10K a year to play ECNL or DA (club cost plus travel cost for games and showcases and tournaments) your goal and your kid's goal is likely to play D1, 2 or 3. If not ask yourself WHY are you spending that money? Otherwise go to GINGA, SOUTHEAST, SPORTING or RUSH. Same soccer, perhaps less stress and more "team" achievement. Those families/players who are playing for those clubs at EDP level are realistic about the school/soccer/social balance (factoring in playing talent to play next level college team or club) as you describe in in some instances also get recruited to same schools as ECNL and DA players.

[Unregistered]

I had a daughter on CFC ECNL (all 3 years) that plays college soccer and none of those coaches listed were helpful at all. No hard feelings but you are wrong.

Those coaches are typically pretty honest about the "appropriate level" The issue is that they might tell a kid that D3 or perhaps a D2 is the right fit. Then the kids and parents turn around and are targeting Big East Schools. Those kids can't be helped.

There are kids now who either don't play on the club team that are exclusively targeting D1 programs. CFC coaches risk credibility if they advocate and push hard for those kids if they don't belong. Some parents can't handle reality.

[Unregistered]

let's get real here..if you as a parent spend over 10K a year to play ECNL or DA (club cost plus travel cost for games and showcases and tournaments) your goal and your kid's goal is likely to play D1, 2 or 3. If not ask yourself WHY are you spending that money? Otherwise go to GINGA, SOUTHEAST, SPORTING or RUSH. Same soccer, perhaps less stress and more "team" achievement. Those families/players who are playing for those clubs at EDP level are realistic about the school/soccer/social balance (factoring in playing talent to play next level college team or club) as you describe in in some instances also get recruited to same schools as ECNL and DA players.

Let's see the comprehensive list for those EDP player and where they've ended up over the past 3 years. Your comments are a gross exaggeration of what is actual reality.

[Unregistered]

Let's see the comprehensive list for those EDP player and where they've ended up over the past 3 years. Your comments are a gross exaggeration of what is actual reality.

Not the poster - a good EDP will get a few placements but nothing more. It definitely will be lower D1 and D2/D3. However, is it also because as the poster said those kids are in EDP because it's the right level for them, they want more balance, they aren't interested in playing in college? There's certainly EDP players (not wholesale teams) that are just as good as "some" ECNL and DA players. I know a very good one who had all kinds of accolades and college interest but took a pass on all of it. Playing in college wasn't their goal; they just wanted to play at a decently high level and do other things. DA and ECNL will give you more exposure and opportunities, but it isn't the only path

[Unregistered]

Those coaches are typically pretty honest about the "appropriate level" The issue is that they might tell a kid that D3 or perhaps a D2 is the right fit. Then the kids and parents turn around and are targeting Big East Schools. Those kids can't be helped.

There are kids now who either don't play on the club team that are exclusively targeting D1 programs. CFC coaches risk credibility if they advocate and push hard for those kids if they don't belong. Some parents can't handle reality.

Thanks Todd but most parents and kids can handle reality. The facts are you and your crew don't help the kids that are not on the academy. Not really a big deal just own it for once....

[Unregistered]

Thanks Todd but most parents and kids can handle reality. The facts are you and your crew don't help the kids that are not on the academy. Not really a big deal just own it for once....

Academy is a joke.... half the kids that go don’t belong there...

[Unregistered]

Academy is a joke.... half the kids that go don’t belong there...

Of course not. These same kids and teams were playing NPL three years ago. Kids didn't change. Teams didn't change. Coaches didn't change. Yet, now they are GDA. It's a crock.

[Unregistered]

Academy is a joke.... half the kids that go don’t belong there...

Sounds like a jealous parent of a kid DC didn’t choose. Boo Hoo!

[Unregistered]

Sounds like a jealous parent of a kid DC didn’t choose. Boo Hoo!

How come DC does not coach a CFC United team? Seems odd, as he seems to be so revered by most all.

Academy program that he runs is nice, but more of a sideshow.

[Unregistered]

How come DC does not coach a CFC United team? Seems odd, as he seems to be so revered by most all.

Academy program that he runs is nice, but more of a sideshow.

Because he coaches to develop. He teaches the girls to be prepped for the next level and they love him. At the end of it, he takes them down to the the Jeff Cup to kick arse.

[Unregistered]

Sounds like a jealous parent of a kid DC didn’t choose. Boo Hoo!

Academy is a joke. Not the OP.

[Unregistered]

How come DC does not coach a CFC United team? Seems odd, as he seems to be so revered by most all.

Academy program that he runs is nice, but more of a sideshow.

He does an academy program for younger kids at CFC as well as older ones. Takes quite a bit of time.

[Unregistered]

Thanks Todd but most parents and kids can handle reality. The facts are you and your crew don't help the kids that are not on the academy. Not really a big deal just own it for once....

"most" but a portion just do not/cannot listen. They think the kid is really good because they got some early CT HS accolades or stand out on their weak CT team. But there's a whole soccer world out there you're competing with and CT soccer is a very limited data point to compare yourself against. Even competing for spots at a more regional school you're fighting against good players from NJ, NY, PA etc. Then there's the times a player or family is so enamored with the school that they push aside the importance of soccer fit. Yes tryout for your dream school but be realistic about it happening or if you'd ever play if you're recruit #8.

With the tighter recruiting window now, targeting effectively becomes even more critical. If June rolls around and your rising junior's inbox is empty or only has generic camp invites she better get busy re-adjusting her sights, quickly. Worst thing a club can do is let families hear what they want to hear. When they wind up disappointed and frustrated they won't have nice things to say. It won't help a club's recruiting track record, which, face it, people look at and judge. And clubs risk losing relationships with college coaches if they push under qualified players.

[Unregistered]

He does an academy program for younger kids at CFC as well as older ones. Takes quite a bit of time.

If he is so good, he should be coaching a team at CFC United. He would be an upgrade to the current coaching lineup.