What a weekend! The competition and environment that U.S. Soccer has created is the incredible.
First, the results... we really deserved better on the weekend. The U17/18 team won on Friday, but should have walked away with at least 7 points and possibly all 9. Against Schultz on Monday we played great and dominated the game. The Schultz staff and National scouts each wondered out loud how we lost that game. We gave up a goal in the 4th minute and equalize early in the second half, but a late goal completely against the run of play sealed our fate. It was heart-breaking, because we had played so well. The Sunday game was another that we simply gave away. The wind played a pretty big factor in the game, but we gave away two first half goals we couldn't get back. The equalizer was cleared off the line on the last kick of the game.
The only game we were really outmatched was the U15/16 game versus Schultz Academy on Monday, who had previously beaten the U15/16 National Team. But, even in that game we played some pretty good soccer and had chances. It's not often we've been able to say we were the better side, but in both the Friday and Saturday game we were. It was encouraging to say the least to know that even with our record on the year, our boys have improved so much.
Both teams had SPARQ testing on their off day. Those results will become part of the recruiting profiles across the nation, because college coaches know there is a standard and integrity in the results.
On Saturday we went downtown Chicago. Traffic was an issue so I decided to get off I-90 and hop the train, which of course raised our anxiety level, especially on the transfer. "Treat them like adults and they'll behave like it" and they did. The top destination was NikeTown. I love Chicago - hate the traffic, love the town!
The college coaches arrived in droves on Saturday. More than 160 actually signed in, but the Federation estimated more than 200 were in attendance. And they were the big boys. Two things that we weren't sure about...
(1) Will the U15/16 age group be scouted? The answer is a resounding yes! Because the DA is on birth year, many players that would be on traditional U17 USYS teams, including high school juniors play U15/16 USSDA. The affect will be that the recruiting cycle will begin earlier. It won't be to the insane level of the girl's side, but the male player will be scouted and identified earlier. Players will be identified in the U15/16 teams and tracked through the U17/18 teams. Players will be committed earlier and college coaches are starting to encourage their commitments to get in an Academy as the best preparation for college soccer.
(2) How will the traditional Showcases be affected by the USSDA? After talking with coaches, I think they'll take a significant hit. All the coaches I spoke with shared the opinion that the three DA Showcases will be the most attended events of the year and that most of the traditional events will take a significant hit in both attendance by coaches and players.
An overlooked part and in my opinion a very important part of the USSDA was a large topic of discussion amongst the clubs this weekend - OFFICIATING. The referees in this league are the best in the business. Sure, you get a few that are in over their heads, but game in and game out we have had very little complaints about the officiating, quite the opposite. The Federation assigns them and tracks performance. Much like we have National Scouts to watch the players and coaches, we've had several games assessed by the top assessors. Paul Tamberino, Director of Referee Development for U.S. Soccer was extremely visible this weekend. And, Brian Hall, who refereed in the World Cup was on hand and provided a clinic and feedback for the referees. We hear about referee development- the USSDA delivers. Out six games on the weekend, we had six quality referees. It is a pleasure to be sure.
Tryouts begin tonight! U17/18 (players born in 1990 or later) is from 5:30-7:00 and the U15/16 (players born in 1992 or later) is from 7:30-9:00. We officially open our new complex this evening and are really excited!
