the unpretty truth of politics in youth soccer

[onetouch]

Politics displacing some kids?

I used to be inflamed with anger at the very idea.  ODP was notorious for the inclusion of a few kids on most of their teams due to politics.   One time I talked about it with an ODP coach and he frankly admitted it.   Then he said that it did not matter to him if 3 of the players on his teams were included because of connections or politics.   His job was to promote the top 3-5 players onto the regional team.  He did not care about, and it was not his job to care about, the bottom 3-5 players on his roster.   They were there to help carry the load finnancially.

A club coach wants his team to win.  (And develope, but winning is usually what a coach is "graded" on).   Any team that has more than 2-3 political picks is going to be at a competitive disadvantage.  So a player who does not make the top 15 is the type of player affected by this.  And such a player is likely better off on a different team, more suited to their level, where they can be playing more.  (Say be in the top 11 of the players.)

As for a coach selecting one player who is even with another, because of a long standing family friendship, why not?   The coach knows the family of the selected player, knows that they will be supportive of the coach, and of the team.   He does not know the family of the non-selected player, who may be headcases and disruptive for all he knows.     Having a built in basis of support can be a very good thing for a coach and a team.   This is a practical view, not a pretty one.  

Also, the coach may know alot more about some players than others, anbd about temporary health issues.   This info is not to be passed out to the parents, so they are lleft without the info that the coach has.  Which renders their opinions of tryouts less than fully informed.    These are all factors.

Well said. +1.
I don't believe politics plays much a role in selecting players at the premier level. Select soccer coached by dads? Yes, I have seen some. In premier soccer loyalty is for one year, for the player and for the club. I think it's fair.

CPs should observe multiple tryouts carefully every year to objectively evaluate where the DK stands. The goal is not to find the killer team but the right team that the DK is the middle of the packing order of the team but ideally among the best in one position. CPs have no politics to worry about if the DK can always do that.

[keepermom]

do any of you think it is in the best interest of the kids on the ecfc 92 6 time state champs to have to play at the bottom of the league because they moved to su and they were playing up all these years?  they worked very hard to get to where they are and they had nothing to do with their new uniform

I was actually thinking about this one.  To answer your question I think ECFC should stay at the top.  They earned it.  The same goes for Evergreen 94 who had a number of kids leave last year.  They got to hold the PDL 2 spot they earned.  This situation if true is totally differnt.  A very viable team gets displaced by anouther team.  I feel this is what the rule was writen for.  As for Left Foot as soon as I know for sure 8 players were not retained I will post the info.  If it turns out 8 were retained I will take back everything. 

I genuinely hope they retain 8 players.  Not just because it's the "right" thing to do... but because we had an amazingly wonderful experience with WPFC this past year and I want to be able to walk away with positive feelings about the club.  Your DK gets beat out for a spot, you just can't have hard feeling over that even if you think your DK is the better player... sad and disappointed, sure, but no harm, no foul.  However, it just feels different when rules are violated and you're left to wonder if DK and DKs friends lost the spot on merit or politics. 

That's all I have to say on the matter... many more soccer adventures are in our future and I'm excited to discover what this next year holds.

[EWSoccer64]

If it is WPFC we are talking about, the DoC has the pull to have any team placed wherever he wants it.  8 player rule is meaningless in that situation.

[HuskyDawg]

If it is WPFC we are talking about, the DoC has the pull to have any team placed wherever he wants it.  8 player rule is meaningless in that situation.

They kept 9 from last year.  Moot point

[EWSoccer64]

If it is WPFC we are talking about, the DoC has the pull to have any team placed wherever he wants it.  8 player rule is meaningless in that situation.

They kept 9 from last year.  Moot point

A 50% turnover would be considered "high" on most teams.  But one of the top teams in the state, with a new coach, and other teams collapsing?  Perhaps not.  Hasn't some of the top Crossfire teams had similar turnover some years?

[breakaway]

If it is WPFC we are talking about, the DoC has the pull to have any team placed wherever he wants it.  8 player rule is meaningless in that situation.

They kept 9 from last year.  Moot point

Is it because they rostered 26?

[HuskyDawg]

If it is WPFC we are talking about, the DoC has the pull to have any team placed wherever he wants it.  8 player rule is meaningless in that situation.

They kept 9 from last year.  Moot point

Is it because they rostered 26?

No, they rostered 18.  The ECNL allows 26 so that the Club can have more kids available.  Similar to how the ODP Pools work.  The ECNL only allows 18 rostered for an event.

[Dragon]

This was sent to D via a PM, but they didn't want to post it so D will

PDL!  the "pizza dictators league"

 

too funny, U Must of been referring to those early meetings at SF LOL

[gardengirl]

I have heard of two instances where the teams were displaced this tryout season.

WPFC '94 - Reign players came in and diplaced the WPFC players

GRFC '94 - Bulk of ECFC players came and became the GRFC "B" team

What is better - did GRFC do it better, by not upsetting what they already had, and by "helping" ECFC and giving them a spot>  Where did the GRFC b team players go to?  Does the "b" team take over the "B Team spot in Division III

Did WPFC make a mistake by not doing what GRFC did?  Should they have looked at two strong teams.

I hear Reign ended up with two teams - Does the "A" team get a spot in Division I

There has been lots of shake ups for teams in tryouts - I hope all the players find somewhere to settle!

[Left Foot]

If it is WPFC we are talking about, the DoC has the pull to have any team placed wherever he wants it.  8 player rule is meaningless in that situation.

They kept 9 from last year.  Moot point

A 50% turnover would be considered "high" on most teams.  But one of the top teams in the state, with a new coach, and other teams collapsing?  Perhaps not.  Hasn't some of the top Crossfire teams had similar turnover some years?

And a team where the club has been granted entry to play in the ECNL. One would expect some extra turnover. If they kept 9 it at least passes that test.

[Victory]

If it is WPFC we are talking about, the DoC has the pull to have any team placed wherever he wants it.  8 player rule is meaningless in that situation.

They kept 9 from last year.  Moot point

A 50% turnover would be considered "high" on most teams.  But one of the top teams in the state, with a new coach, and other teams collapsing?  Perhaps not.  Hasn't some of the top Crossfire teams had similar turnover some years?

And a team where the club has been granted entry to play in the ECNL. One would expect some extra turnover. If they kept 9 it at least passes that test.

If thier PDL roster for this team has 9 from last years team this more than passes the test.  Good job WPFC  Good luck!

[Soccer Freak]

Isn't it interesting when someone's DK benefits from the backdoor deals all is right with the world, but when they are on the wrong end of it... All hell breaks loose.

[sarahbeara]

Totally agree with you Soccer Freak
One could also add that if by this age this has not happened to your DD then you should count your blessings. And if you have not seen this happen to others then you have had your blinders on for way to long.
I believe that the high number of players at WPFC tryouts just prove that the ECNL is a big draw and that the top players are looking to belong.

[Left Foot]

Isn't it interesting when someone's DK benefits from the backdoor deals all is right with the world, but when they are on the wrong end of it... All hell breaks loose.

Hmmm, where is the back door deal if WPFC kept 9 players?

[Soccer Freak]

Isn't it interesting when someone's DK benefits from the backdoor deals all is right with the world, but when they are on the wrong end of it... All hell breaks loose.

Hmmm, where is the back door deal if WPFC kept 9 players?

I didn't say there were back door deals, i was just repeating what others were saying. So read it as "IF tHIS IS whAT happened"

[On-the-road-again]

I heard last year that a girl from a 94 PDL team was telling girls at a different PDL team’s tryouts that she already had a spot on that team...at the beginning of tryouts.  And it turns out she was right!!  Wow…she must be psychic!! 

I also heard “rumors” this year, that another girl from a top team had a spot on ANOTHER top team…before tryouts even started!!  And by golly…she DID!!  BTW…they ended up on the same team…go figure.

Now, I don’t claim to be a soccer expert nor do I claim to know everything about soccer, but I do know, I have watched both of those players, and in no way, shape or form IMHO do either one of them have the talent to play for the US National team and/or are so BAD ASS that they can walk onto any team of their choice WITHOUT TRYING OUT!!  Again, JMHO.  So my question is, is there some ass kissing going on or is it my imagination?  If there are parents out there that will stoop that low and to use your “connections” or kiss someone’s ass…YOU must not think Lil’ Suzie or Lil’ Johnny is good enough to get on the team on their own!!  And, if THIS is how you get onto a top PDL team…you CPs can have ‘em!!

DH and I told dd MANY years ago, she will NEVER EVER get on a team because WE kissed someone’s ass and compromised OUR integrity!!  She will ONLY get on a team based on HER abilities!!  If selling your soul to the devil is what we have to do for dd to be on a “top team”, then maybe it’s time for dd to bow out gracefully with her parents’ integrity intact.

[anatuvik]

Glad trouts are over. Just hanging around at kickarounds and trouts, though, was heartbreaking to watch.  There were a lot of kids showing up at the events, busting their tails to show well, when there really were very few (any?) TRUE open spots for new kids.  It looked like real tryouts, but really?  Not so much.  Is it REALLY possible to land on a top-tier team based solely upon skill that presents itself at tryouts?  I'm not sure...

[EWSoccer64]

Something to consider also is that a player may be the best player in the world (some Rooney fans make that claim) but be totally unsuited for a team or club philosophy of play (Barcelona).   Lionel Messi, the true best player in the world, would have a much more difficult time and produce far less in a Scandinavian or English league.   Gerard Pique went from barely playing at Manchester United to being rated as one of the top defenders in the world at Barcelona in the course of a single year.  

To a certain extent, the same is true in youth soccer.   There have been some good players whose preformance with me as a coach was "underwhelming" and some kids that looked world beaters on my teams became mediocre at best on other teams.    So it possible that everyone is correct.   That a kid who is not a superstar in one place is exactly what the coach in another place believes he needs to make his system work with his team, and this coach will cut off his left something or other to get that one player.

[anatuvik]

Isn't it also true that a player could be a total bad-a** in games but not show well at tryouts?  

[EWSoccer64]

Isn't it also true that a player could be a total bad-a** in games but not show well at tryouts?  

absolutely.

[ShelbyJ]

First off, my heart goes out to those kids who have been with a team and then because a new players come along, they lose their spot. Maybe that is 1 player cut or maybe 8, but for the child it doesn't matter. It is THEIR spot that is lost and that just plain hurts. Yes, life lessons and all that, but for a couple weeks, it stings. All of us hate rejection, and that's what being cut means.

I had one experience with my last DD to play soccer with the then-FC Royals. Her team finished at the top of their state league and that year, we got the good players from about 5 different teams. We added 8 girls and cut 8 for a team of 16. Were all the new 8 ssoooo much better than those who got cut? Some clearly were, but others were similar. I think the coach felt that he had seen what his previous players could do and wanted to see if a new player might improve more. We have all seen players that over a full year improve some, but not a lot (sometimes that has been my kid!). I think that anyone who plays for a top club has to know that "development" means for THAT year only--it doesn't mean year after year. The older  the age, the fewer "true" spots are open although technically they all are.

BUT On the Road is right. I do know of a case this year where a coach--in advance of tryouts-did tell a girl that he would love to have her accept a spot on their team (this is not WPFC by the way--a diff. big club). To me, this is inappropriate and indiscrete of the coach. Players may "know" they are going to make it, but even if going through tryouts is a bit of a charade for some, it needs to be done according to the rules anyway. Positions should not be offered or deals struck in advance.

[metz123]

One thing all CP's and players should learn from the tryout experience is "Don't burn the bridge on your way out the door." I've seen it happen time and again in both the soccer and real world where parents or kids feel the need to make damning statements on their way out, criticizing coaches, other players, other parents, etc....

Don't do it. You have no idea what coach knows what other coach, what parent knows another and so on. People talk. If the last thing they remember about you is the stream of venom you left behind on your way it, it will come back to bite you. Take the high road even if you feel DK has been wronged by the establishment. The last thing you want to have happen is to have a moment of bile from years ago come back and haunt you at a critical time in your kids development.

That doesn't mean you can't have an honest face to face (important, don't do it over email) discussion with a coach on why you are choosing to leave a team. Just don't leave a flaming trail behind you.

Take the high road people. Karma's a bitch.......

[On-the-road-again]

One thing all CP's and players should learn from the tryout experience is "Don't burn the bridge on your way out the door." I've seen it happen time and again in both the soccer and real world where parents or kids feel the need to make damning statements on their way out, criticizing coaches, other players, other parents, etc....

Don't do it. You have no idea what coach knows what other coach, what parent knows another and so on. People talk. If the last thing they remember about you is the stream of venom you left behind on your way it, it will come back to bite you. Take the high road even if you feel DK has been wronged by the establishment. The last thing you want to have happen is to have a moment of bile from years ago come back and haunt you at a critical time in your kids development.

That doesn't mean you can't have an honest face to face (important, don't do it over email) discussion with a coach on why you are choosing to leave a team. Just don't leave a flaming trail behind you.

Take the high road people. Karma's a bitch.......

metz has a point…people DO talk, too much at times!!  I think THAT’s the main problem.  I hear a lot of CPs sell their kid and CCs sell themselves like they're used car salesmen!!  Maybe the CPs and CCs should stop talking so much and just let the kids prove it on the field!!

[Bulldog#7]

It is important to remember that a good coach will have several evaluators at tryouts to make sure the best 15 or 16 players are selected to the “A” team. If  two teams are available the players will be graded from top to bottom and placement should be as such. It is true that they will have to keep a minimum of 8 players to maintain there previous years placement, but you will find at least 8 from your last years team deserve to make the team. It is important for the players to relax and have fun and that will let there true soccer skills shine. Hope everyone has a great weekend and good luck. Soccer is for everyone.   

[keepermom]

I am sooooooo happy to hear that WPFC retained 8 players!  (Still bummed my DD wasn't one of them, but them's the breaks.) 

With players they've added, this is going to be one incredible team!  The fact that it was accomplished within the rules will squelch anyone's ability to say they cheated their way to the top when they experience the success I sense coming their way. 

I wish you nothing but the best... ok, a small piece of me would get some degree of sick satisfaction of seeing you crash and burn  ... but I'm try to keep that piece under lock and key  . 

Seriously... good luck to you all!!

[Brat Jr]

I am sooooooo happy to hear that WPFC retained 8 players!  (Still bummed my DD wasn't one of them, but them's the breaks.) 

With players they've added, this is going to be one incredible team!  The fact that it was accomplished within the rules will squelch anyone's ability to say they cheated their way to the top when they experience the success I sense coming their way. 

I wish you nothing but the best... ok, a small piece of me would get some degree of sick satisfaction of seeing you crash and burn   ... but I'm try to keep that piece under lock and key  . 

Seriously... good luck to you all!!

I think we ALL feel that way KMom. Especially when things didn't go so great with our DKs.
If you say you don't, you're lying!

[Eggy]

I am sooooooo happy to hear that WPFC retained 8 players!  (Still bummed my DD wasn't one of them, but them's the breaks.) 

With players they've added, this is going to be one incredible team!  The fact that it was accomplished within the rules will squelch anyone's ability to say they cheated their way to the top when they experience the success I sense coming their way. 

I wish you nothing but the best... ok, a small piece of me would get some degree of sick satisfaction of seeing you crash and burn  ... but I'm try to keep that piece under lock and key  . 

Seriously... good luck to you all!!

My DD's team plays them at the Showcase of Champions. It will be interesting to compare teams. We also played them at the last Thanksgiving showcase. We have the same players and they have a lot of new ones.

[Soccer Freak]

The unpretty is when SU coach states to former ECFC player who decided to follow her teammates..  "Too bad parents and politics got in the way, you missed out on a great coach."

WTH Really?!?!  Is parents and politics what created this whole mess to begin with??

[whosaid]

This same thing happened last year with the same age group...except it was on the boy's side. And they only kept 3 players from the original team. I could go on and on about the situation last year, but it is pretty similar to what has already been said.

To sum it up, it sucks for some and not for others.

[Victory]

This same thing happened last year with the same age group...except it was on the boy's side. And they only kept 3 players from the original team. I could go on and on about the situation last year, but it is pretty similar to what has already been said.

To sum it up, it sucks for some and not for others.

Just out of curiosity did the team improve?