Gatorz, you might be right. I have however seen some of the boys that have made the Regional Pool play and there are players in NTX that are much much better than they are - they would only be 3rd Team State Team in NTX. I think it is a combination of we don't have the top end talent other than the one and their is ALOT of politicing going on by clubs to get their top players noticed.

Talent isn't usually limited by geography.

TxHunter wrote:Gatorz, you might be right. I have however seen some of the boys that have made the Regional Pool play and there are players in NTX that are much much better than they are - they would only be 3rd Team State Team in NTX. I think it is a combination of we don't have the top end talent other than the one and their is ALOT of politicing going on by clubs to get their top players noticed.

That would make sense and seem to suggest we are not even putting our best players out there for selection.

go99 wrote:Talent isn't usually limited by geography.

Agreed, but is could be a long dry spell.....Those 04s can kick some tail....

Gatorz wrote:

TxHunter wrote:Gatorz, you might be right. I have however seen some of the boys that have made the Regional Pool play and there are players in NTX that are much much better than they are - they would only be 3rd Team State Team in NTX. I think it is a combination of we don't have the top end talent other than the one and their is ALOT of politicing going on by clubs to get their top players noticed.

That would make sense and seem to suggest we are not even putting our best players out there for selection.

Sorry, totally misread your post. Yours would suggest our kids are actually better but getting the short end of the stick come selection time out in California. I could see that happening but I would think the coaches from the large Texas clubs would have some pull as well and it would balance out. I don't think HN and KS are unknowns on the national level.

HN was the one who recommended the 98 and he played for KS too. Others can say if this is right or not, but I was told Solar and Texans didn't want their kids participating in ODP any longer. Any truth to that?

go99 wrote:Talent isn't usually limited by geography.

Agree, however the number of kids playing is by region. Region 1 and 4 are each coast and they have 22 of the 37 players and I would bet they have more kids playing soccer, based on the population in each of those areas. I wonder what the cost to play soccer in other parts of the country is and have the clubs made it to expensive for the best soccer players. Does a top U11 not play because he cannot afford the club dues or better yet, doesn't ever know about the ODP. Maybe we are not sending our top talent.

TxHunter wrote:HN was the one who recommended the 98 and he played for KS too. Others can say if this is right or not, but I was told Solar and Texans didn't want their kids participating in ODP any longer. Any truth to that?

The boy plays for FCDallas 97 PA - HN had nothing to do with this. He has never played for the Texans. He did play for Solar 98 his first year of select.

He is not an ODP player.

Solar and Texans both still have many who are still playing ODP.

Remember, this is just one team in one age group. I have seen other ynt's where several NTX players were represented.

Some lucky few players don't have to participate in ODP to get scouted.

I remember region 3 trials last summer. The very first pool game was made up of the exact same players from the previous year. NTX, STX and Florida for the last several years have dominated the region 3 pools. In most age groups.

I also remember seeing a couple of weak players selected for pool games from small states. My guess is they were paying lip service to the small state teams.

Bottom line is it is damn near impossible to properly evaluate a pool of 350-400 players over 3 to 4 days.

ODP is a usys entity. Follow the money. Who puts more money into the coffures? The bigger states. NTX. STX and Florida are by far the biggest states in the region.

A couple of my son's 98 club teammates that were on NTX 98 team even admitted that they did not have a particularly strong group. Especially by NTX standards.

granted, we're talking about 13 yr olds here.

My prediction is that ODP will continue to decline as a path to the national teams. USSF invests heavily in the DA. Where do you think the bulk of ynt players are going to come from?

I live in a state without a single DA club. So do about a million or so registered youth players in about 30 states. My kid will not be participating in ODP for 2012. For obvious reasons.

Not a big enough net is being cast.

Spending 8-10K a year for the privelege of playing for an "elite" club/team/league is not going to capture all of the top players.

I'd rather my kid play locally, play up 2 age groups and otherwise continue to hone his technical and tactical abilities than joining some(reputedly) elite team hours away.

I'm just not buying into that scheme...

I'd rather my kid play locally, play up 2 age groups and otherwise continue to hone his technical and tactical abilities than joining some(reputedly) elite team hours away.

I'm just not buying into that scheme...

[/quote]

I agree with your thougths but where does that leave your kid when he is 15 or 16? He is playing up with 18 year old kids but because he is not in ODP or on a DA team, he will never be seen and won't have a chance to go any further with soccer. Is that right or am I missing something here.

I am not sure many parents like the pay 8-10 route, but is there another viable option?

The best 98 midfielder (10) in the entire DFW area will be playing for Mexico, not USA, soon.

ALaMadre10 wrote:The best 98 midfielder (10) in the entire DFW area will be playing for Mexico, not USA, soon.

Where does he play now, and what makes him the best in the area? Would like to go see him play....

Here is the regional team for this tournament.

http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/odp/2011_98_boys_thanksgiving_interregional.asp

ALaMadre10 wrote:The best 98 midfielder (10) in the entire DFW area will be playing for Mexico, not USA, soon.

I agree that competitive soccer overlooks some really great talent from independent teams. Pachuca has a really good midfield and so does Waco Blast.

Based usually on personal bias, emotional attachment, or even style of play, the "best player" is usually judged in a very subjective manner.

To answer sprint's question, when my kid has reached the age of 15 or 16, and has maxed out developmentally playing here, I will take him (if he wants it) to tryout for an MLS academy team. Or send him away to live and otherwise play for a team in an environment where he WILL be seen.

The good news is I won't be paying 4 figures to do it.

The thing is, it isn't necessary right now anyway.

Don't get me wrong, if I lived in the metroplex, I'd be going the preacademy route too.

With that said, I now know that no league, team or coach is going to make him great. Those things can help indirectly, but 80% of a player's success is up to said player.

mavericks67 wrote:I laugh when a coach starts saying he played for this team and that team in "EUROPE" throws his British accent with attitude, and acts like he knows it all and will make the kids learn how to play like the Europeans. Then I see some coaches who embrace the way that soccer is played in this region and play like it. I think Texas has so many Mr. European coaches compare to Cali who have more of a central American and North American game styles.

Right on, bro. I'm sick of the Brits too! Me personally, I'd take a latin coach anyday.

Every british coach is not bad. Just as certain that every latino/Chicano/Hispanic coach is 'right'.

The real problem is there's too much 'contrast'....

I see plenty of anglo kids with no technical ability...

I see as many if not more latino players that are intent on dribbling until they lose possession...piss poor tactical accumen, etc.

What we need are technically proficient, tactically smart players that understand passing is the true essence of the game.

In the end, you have to have a clean first touch, a footballing brain AND at least a certain amount of athleticism. (As it applies to the beautiful game...not NFL, NBA or MLB)

Laimport wrote:Every british coach is not bad. Just as certain that every latino/Chicano/Hispanic coach is 'right'.

The real problem is there's too much 'contrast'....

I see plenty of anglo kids with no technical ability...

I see as many if not more latino players that are intent on dribbling until they lose possession...piss poor tactical accumen, etc.

What we need are technically proficient, tactically smart players that understand passing is the true essence of the game.

In the end, you have to have a clean first touch, a footballing brain AND at least a certain amount of athleticism. (As it applies to the beautiful game...not NFL, NBA or MLB)

I agree w/ya . But around here great passing shows a lack of personality with the ball .. Seen it a million times . They would rather see a kid who can dribble till he's dizzy vs someone who can put a pass WHERE it needs to go, WHEN it needs to be there, the WAY it needs to be there . Very few pay attention to the facilitaters . The ( Jason Kidds ) who make the game easier for those around them . They only look at the ( Lebron James's ) who throw down the monster dunk ,or rip a hole in the back of the net. Soft touch, finess, accuracy,patience. ?? Thats for all those pansy euro's .. Are you silly ?? Who wins with that?


The goals thata way,, NO? now just dribble ,charge, tackle ,and shoot till it goes in.

great point, plantit.

I remember at regional trials seeing pool players actually taking on 2, 3 defenders in their OWN HALF!

It seems as if the players that can show off the most are the ones that get selected. Which is why our ynt's don't get favorable results. can't maintain possession or create meaningful chances.

Lack personality on the ball? I guess if winning the ball, maintaining possession and creating scoring chances shows a lack of 'personality'.....

To me that attitude is a reflection of someone's ignorance of what the game is really all about.

There's only 2 reasons to dribble at all.

1. Maintain possession.

2. To attack. (Usually in the final third.) Nowdays, that is confined to flank players primarily.

Having skill is useless unless you can apply that skill to the tactical situation.

Dribblers are a dime a dozen.

This is why Mexico's senior team will never win a WC. How many Mexican players in the EPL? Or La Liga for that matter.

While I admire their passion for the game, they lack the style of play and the athletes required to win at the highest levels.

Soccerinsanity wrote:

and parents with big lips and deep pockets? [/quote]

I thought the kid with a big-lipped momma was moving back to the coach who appreciates that momma quality? [/quote] eeewww eeewww i know i know who it is your talking about!

omega striker wrote:

Soccerinsanity wrote:

and parents with big lips and deep pockets?

I thought the kid with a big-lipped momma was moving back to the coach who appreciates that momma quality? [/quote] eeewww eeewww i know i know who it is your talking about! [/quote]

I'm clueless

Ibystander wrote:

omega striker wrote:

Soccerinsanity wrote:

and parents with big lips and deep pockets?

I thought the kid with a big-lipped momma was moving back to the coach who appreciates that momma quality?

eeewww eeewww i know i know who it is your talking about! [/quote]

I'm clueless [/quote]just joking round but im sure there are a few "rumors" of this stuff going around

Laimport wrote:great point, plantit.

I remember at regional trials seeing pool players actually taking on 2, 3 defenders in their OWN HALF!

It seems as if the players that can show off the most are the ones that get selected. Which is why our ynt's don't get favorable results. can't maintain possession or create meaningful chances.

Lack personality on the ball? I guess if winning the ball, maintaining possession and creating scoring chances shows a lack of 'personality'.....

To me that attitude is a reflection of someone's ignorance of what the game is really all about.

There's only 2 reasons to dribble at all.

1. Maintain possession.

2. To attack. (Usually in the final third.) Nowdays, that is confined to flank players primarily.

Having skill is useless unless you can apply that skill to the tactical situation.

Dribblers are a dime a dozen.

This is why Mexico's senior team will never win a WC. How many Mexican players in the EPL? Or La Liga for that matter.

While I admire their passion for the game, they lack the style of play and the athletes required to win at the highest levels.

Agree 100% Lets have coffee..

It's almost a comical game of lose possession, win it, lose it, win it.

There is no thought process in dribbling, other than to keep the ball and beat the player.

That is whats wrong with the U.S. game ... No one connects the dots. Very few think the game 5 touches ahead.