It looks like the u13, u14s are done with the first few months of pre-academy under the new system.

For those with kids on these teams how does your son like it?

Is the overall talent level greater than their club team was last year?

Is there more practice or is it basically the same as their club team from last year?

Did you get a new coach and if so, is the coaching more advanced than you thought or about the same as last year?

When do you start play, any idea who the best teams will be at U13 and U14?

Just curious to see how this will effect ntx soccer.

I heard there were going to be more games? 3 rounds of play instead of 2?

I don't think you will get many takers on this...this is a silent bunch.

Talent level is better simply because of birth year.

More practices.

New coach.

U13 - Texans
U14 - Solar
U15 - FCD

Can't speak to any of the STX teams.

Only 2 rounds of games - USSF DA will have 3 rounds of games in their new 10 month schedule since H.S. Soccer is forbidden.

ontherightside wrote:I don't think you will get many takers on this...this is a silent bunch.

Talent level is better simply because of birth year.

More practices.

New coach.

U13 - Texans
U14 - Solar
U15 - FCD

Can't speak to any of the STX teams.






Only 2 rounds of games - USSF DA will have 3 rounds of games in their new 10 month schedule since H.S. Soccer is forbidden.

Was your son already with the same club he went pre-academy with? Does it appear to be benefiting him so far (agreed it is early, but just curious)?

It will be intersting to see how playing time goes on these teams. It looks like the rules for TPEL require that if a player comes out in the first half he cannot go back in that half. With 18 on the game day roster that will be hard to mix in 7 subs.

Too soon to say - we have not even played one game yet.

Season begins September 18th.

At the end of the day, soccer is soccer and it doesn't really matter what league - just so long as he enjoys the sport and does not see it as a job.

ontherightside wrote:I don't think you will get many takers on this...this is a silent bunch.

Talent level is better simply because of birth year.

More practices.

New coach.

U13 - Texans
U14 - Solar
U15 - FCD

Can't speak to any of the STX teams.

Only 2 rounds of games - USSF DA will have 3 rounds of games in their new 10 month schedule since H.S. Soccer is forbidden.

Better talent? Seen many a 99 better than some of the 98 taken . alot used it to steal , recrute, pilfer other clubs . Just not convinced yet that the most talented are on pre academy.

plantit wrote:

ontherightside wrote:I don't think you will get many takers on this...this is a silent bunch.

Talent level is better simply because of birth year.

More practices.

New coach.

U13 - Texans
U14 - Solar
U15 - FCD

Can't speak to any of the STX teams.

Only 2 rounds of games - USSF DA will have 3 rounds of games in their new 10 month schedule since H.S. Soccer is forbidden.

Better talent? Seen many a 99 better than some of the 98 taken . alot used it to steal , recrute, pilfer other clubs . Just not convinced yet that the most talented are on pre academy.

along as there is money involved we might not ever see the best talent on the top teams!

omega striker wrote:

plantit wrote:

ontherightside wrote:I don't think you will get many takers on this...this is a silent bunch.

Talent level is better simply because of birth year.

More practices.

New coach.

U13 - Texans
U14 - Solar
U15 - FCD

Can't speak to any of the STX teams.

Only 2 rounds of games - USSF DA will have 3 rounds of games in their new 10 month schedule since H.S. Soccer is forbidden.

Better talent? Seen many a 99 better than some of the 98 taken . alot used it to steal , recrute, pilfer other clubs . Just not convinced yet that the most talented are on pre academy.

along as there is money involved we might not ever see the best talent on the top teams!

If a player is good enough the teams will figure out a way to get them on their team via scholarship or some other route.

stangs wrote:

omega striker wrote:

plantit wrote:

ontherightside wrote:I don't think you will get many takers on this...this is a silent bunch.

Talent level is better simply because of birth year.

More practices.

New coach.

U13 - Texans
U14 - Solar
U15 - FCD

Can't speak to any of the STX teams.

Only 2 rounds of games - USSF DA will have 3 rounds of games in their new 10 month schedule since H.S. Soccer is forbidden.

Better talent? Seen many a 99 better than some of the 98 taken . alot used it to steal , recrute, pilfer other clubs . Just not convinced yet that the most talented are on pre academy.

along as there is money involved we might not ever see the best talent on the top teams!

If a player is good enough the teams will figure out a way to get them on their team via scholarship or some other route.

not true here in NTX! the green is mean!

How many kids are dual-rostered? And, any parents on those teams feeling like their bb isn't getting a fair shake if the "big guy" comes down from pre-academy for a game or a tourney?

For those with kids on these teams how does your son like it? Yes, he does like it very much. He did like his previous team as well.

Is the overall talent level greater than their club team was last year? Yes.

Is there more practice or is it basically the same as their club team from last year? More practice for sure.

Did you get a new coach and if so, is the coaching more advanced than you thought or about the same as last year? Coaching is significantly more advanced.

When do you start play, any idea who the best teams will be at U13 and U14? We have not seen the other teams yet, so no idea which team might be the best.

humble wrote:For those with kids on these teams how does your son like it? Yes, he does like it very much. He did like his previous team as well.

Is the overall talent level greater than their club team was last year? Yes.

Is there more practice or is it basically the same as their club team from last year? More practice for sure.

Did you get a new coach and if so, is the coaching more advanced than you thought or about the same as last year? Coaching is significantly more advanced.

When do you start play, any idea who the best teams will be at U13 and U14? We have not seen the other teams yet, so no idea which team might be the best.

so your son is a 99' and plays for the Texans?

omega striker wrote:

plantit wrote:

ontherightside wrote:I don't think you will get many takers on this...this is a silent bunch.

Talent level is better simply because of birth year.

More practices.

New coach.

U13 - Texans
U14 - Solar
U15 - FCD

Can't speak to any of the STX teams.

Only 2 rounds of games - USSF DA will have 3 rounds of games in their new 10 month schedule since H.S. Soccer is forbidden.

Better talent? Seen many a 99 better than some of the 98 taken . alot used it to steal , recrute, pilfer other clubs . Just not convinced yet that the most talented are on pre academy.

along as there is money involved we might not ever see the best talent on the top teams!

Why not? I thought the pre-academy and Academy teams were free of dues for the players. Wouldn't that make it easier for the true top talent to be on those teams? Sounds like some animosity towards these teams. Just curious what the reason is. In theory, the very best of the best should be on these teams,right?

WRG wrote:

omega striker wrote:

plantit wrote:

ontherightside wrote:I don't think you will get many takers on this...this is a silent bunch.

Talent level is better simply because of birth year.

More practices.

New coach.

U13 - Texans
U14 - Solar
U15 - FCD

Can't speak to any of the STX teams.

Only 2 rounds of games - USSF DA will have 3 rounds of games in their new 10 month schedule since H.S. Soccer is forbidden.

Better talent? Seen many a 99 better than some of the 98 taken . alot used it to steal , recrute, pilfer other clubs . Just not convinced yet that the most talented are on pre academy.

along as there is money involved we might not ever see the best talent on the top teams!

Why not? I thought the pre-academy and Academy teams were free of dues for the players. Wouldn't that make it easier for the true top talent to be on those teams? Sounds like some animosity towards these teams. Just curious what the reason is. In theory, the very best of the best should be on these teams,right?

You still have to pay to play pre-academy

3 of the 4 clubs you do.

DA travel expenses 3-4K per year. Clubs do not pick that up except FCD Juniors

I talked with some parents at Solar and Texans last week who said Travel was much more than the 3K to 4K figure - they had U-18 DA players. They said they spent closer to 10K last year on all expenses.

TxHunter wrote:I talked with some parents at Solar and Texans last week who said Travel was much more than the 3K to 4K figure - they had U-18 DA players. They said they spent closer to 10K last year on all expenses.

Is it fair to say though that if your kid is playing DA at age 18 that he is more than likely going to get a scholarship of some sort?

I wouldn't say "more than likely". I'd say "chances are greater", and the main reason is that they have special events only for academy teams which draw lots of college coaches.

I personally think that a very talented soccer player is going to be seen (or cause himself to be seen) by plenty of college scouts, regardless of what team he's playing on.

The overriding fact is: there just isn't a whole lot of scholarship money available for men's soccer. Most young men will have a much greater chance of getting an academic scholarship (or athletic+academic).

TxHunter wrote:I talked with some parents at Solar and Texans last week who said Travel was much more than the 3K to 4K figure - they had U-18 DA players. They said they spent closer to 10K last year on all expenses.

I believe that, but I don't think that will be the case for most PA teams because they will not go to the big college showcases.

The schedules are out and most games are on Sundays in the late afternoon so even if you are playing in say Houston you do not have to make it be an overnight trip unless you just want to. This is for regular league play - tournaments are always a different story. For instance, the Texans will go to Disney over Thanksgiving, but most of their age appropriate CL teams will as well so no travel expense difference.

omega striker wrote:

humble wrote:For those with kids on these teams how does your son like it? Yes, he does like it very much. He did like his previous team as well.

Is the overall talent level greater than their club team was last year? Yes.

Is there more practice or is it basically the same as their club team from last year? More practice for sure.

Did you get a new coach and if so, is the coaching more advanced than you thought or about the same as last year? Coaching is significantly more advanced.

When do you start play, any idea who the best teams will be at U13 and U14? We have not seen the other teams yet, so no idea which team might be the best.

so your son is a 99' and plays for the Texans?

Neither!

humble wrote:

omega striker wrote:

humble wrote:For those with kids on these teams how does your son like it? Yes, he does like it very much. He did like his previous team as well.

Is the overall talent level greater than their club team was last year? Yes.

Is there more practice or is it basically the same as their club team from last year? More practice for sure.

Did you get a new coach and if so, is the coaching more advanced than you thought or about the same as last year? Coaching is significantly more advanced.

When do you start play, any idea who the best teams will be at U13 and U14? We have not seen the other teams yet, so no idea which team might be the best.

so your son is a 99' and plays for the Texans?

Neither!

then i call BS to your post sir! same old coaches=same trainng nothing more advanced except the extra cash you will advance from your pocket to theirs!

ontherightside wrote:

Talent level is better simply because of birth year.

What's the birth year comment mean? Does it change for this group?

What about ODP?

The players are age pure rather than Aug - July.

Jan 98 - Dec. 98 = U13 PA
Jan. 97- Dec. 97 = U14 PA
Jan. 96- Dec. 96 = U15 PA

ODP is also age pure.

PA players can still participate in ODP, but it will be very limited as most games are on Sunday which is the usual ODP training day.

omega striker wrote:

humble wrote:

omega striker wrote:

humble wrote:For those with kids on these teams how does your son like it? Yes, he does like it very much. He did like his previous team as well.

Is the overall talent level greater than their club team was last year? Yes.

Is there more practice or is it basically the same as their club team from last year? More practice for sure.

Did you get a new coach and if so, is the coaching more advanced than you thought or about the same as last year? Coaching is significantly more advanced.

When do you start play, any idea who the best teams will be at U13 and U14? We have not seen the other teams yet, so no idea which team might be the best.

so your son is a 99' and plays for the Texans?

Neither!

then i call BS to your post sir! same old coaches=same trainng nothing more advanced except the extra cash you will advance from your pocket to theirs!

To clarify;
1) They have different coaches
2) Significantly different training
3) We are not paying!

I agree with humble but we are paying! IMO it is worth it as the coaching is much better...training sessions are ultra competitive and my bb is learning and becoming a better player.

Any qualms about missing out on school-related sports, etc?

Soccerinsanity wrote:Any qualms about missing out on school-related sports, etc?

So pre-academy can't play HS sports?

I believe you are getting Pre-Academy and Academy confused. Pre-Academy bascially are MS aged kids who can still play MS sports. As I understand it in the Academy League (15-16 and 17-18)they cannot play HS sports. If I am wrong please correct me. My bb is in Pre-Academy and play MS sports.

PA boys are mostly MS except for 9th graders on U15 teams and the League has no restrictions, BUT certain clubs do.

USSF DA boys are high school and the League forbids HS soccer, but not football(or any other sport, but again some clubs do. I do of one boy that is doing football and USSF DA - needless to say - he is special.