In the spirit of full disclosure I was in Des Moines when the MRL was formed several years ago. The State Presidents challenged the State DOC's to find a league to compete with Super Y and US Club Soccer and we delivered. I also served on the League's Commission so my fondness for the MRL is personal. I am proud of the league and believe it to be the best run in the country. Our USYS teams will continue to participate in the league.
For those players that want to play at the highest level, it is important to understand the impact of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy on the Midwest Regional League. The following Region II clubs will be placing their top 40+ players in the USSDA and out of the MRL:
Chicago Magic
Sockers FC
Vardar
Michigan Wolves
Carmel United
Scott Gallagher
Internationals
CASA (Cleveland)
Crew Jr.
Metro United
FC Milwaukee
Ohio Elite
With many clubs carrying 20-25 players, a total 480-600 of the best players in the Region will not be playing in the MRL next year. The impact that will have on the competition for the top players not in the MRL cannot be overlooked.
Our final night of tryouts for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy are set for Friday night (U17/18- 5:30-7:00 & U15/16- 7:30-9:00). I am very excited about the number of players and talent level that has attended the first two nights. That said, the goal of the USSDA is to have the best 40+ players from Cincinnati in the Academy. If you are one of those players, I hope to see you on Friday! If you want to play against the top competition in the Region and in the Country, I hope to see you Friday!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
USSDA Spring Showcase Wrap-up
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!
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!
Friday, May 23, 2008
USSDA Spring Showcase - Day 1
Day One - After getting turned around on I-90 last night we finally arrived at our hotel shortly after midnight locally, about 2 hours later than expected.The environment at the Showcases is really impressive. The player's lounge has about a dozen flat screen TVs with EA Sports Soccer on each and a massive big screen with soccer highlights and interviews. Gatorade is everywhere and its FREE, which of course makes for long lines at the Johnny on the Spot. I have never seen a greater collection of U.S. Soccer National Staff coaches in one location and the college coach count is well past the 100 mark on the first day. Both teams had more than 20 college coaches at their game and 3-4 National Staff coaches.
U15/16 game v. OakwoodWe probably played our best game of the year, but couldn't score. Oakwood scored a goal in the 79th minute as we where chasing the game to win 2-0, but we spent more time in the attacking half of the field and in their penalty area than in any other game all year. The lack of opportunities in previous matches unfortunately had a quite a bit to do with our inability to get a result today.
I was very pleased with our organization with the back four and defensive midfielders. Our ability to get the ball to our lone striker and hold it allowed us some very good attack and possession. We played from touch line to touch line extremely well, but couldn't find that elusive goal. Our combination play was decent in the middle third of the field, but the final pass was never connected.
U17/18 game v. Oakwood
The 1-0 result was very important to us for one simple reason. This is the first time all year we made an early goal hold up. This team has a tendency to steal a tie from the grips of a win and on more than one occasion turn 3 points into 0. Today, however, we took another step in our kids' development in understanding how to play relative to the situation. While the second goal could have come by chasing it, so too could the equalizer on our end. While Oakwood showed great spirit and determination late, our resolve was equal to the task. We were much smarter in how and when to get forward and yet still maintain our defensive integrity to keep a clean sheet.
In the first 15 minutes of the game we were extremely good. Unfortunately, we scored and with that goal we played a dreadful 1/2 hour to finish the first period. We regrouped at half-time and were quite good in the second half. They tried and nearly succeeded a couple of times to use our own possession against us by pressing late to win the ball on our first touch. We adjusted, but still lack vision to get behind their line. When we combined the possession with a quality final ball, it was a pleasure to watch!
Tomorrow the U15/16 group plays Potomac SC while the U17/18 team will complete the SPARQ testing and enjoy a day off. (The roles will be reversed on Sunday.) In the afternoon we plan on taking over NikeTown in downtown Chicago!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Club affiliation and the US Soccer Development Academy
As we approach tryouts, I've received many inquiries regarding the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. There have been some claims made regarding a player's involvement and it appears as though there is some misconception about what the USSDA is and how one participates.
There are two teams in each USSDA club - a U17/18 team and a U15/16 team. This means that a team necessarily changes each season and doesn't move up like a typical USYS team where there are only a few changes.
Because this is the first year of the USSDA, some clubs/teams consist of primarily younger players meaning many of those players are eligible to return. Our entire U18 team for instance is eligible for next year, although some players are off to college and we will increase the number of players on the roster to 20 per the rules so we do expect to add quite a few players. It is also an open tryout so each player must tryout for next year. The Crew U15/16 team is very similar in that most of those players are eligible to return next year.
Birth year v. USYS year. The USSDA is based upon birth year, meaning that many of the current U16 players in USYS are eligible to play U16 in the USSDA next year. In almost every case (except National pool/team players), the Federation expects players to play in their respective age group. This year for instance we have 6 players in the U17/18 team that are eligible for the U15/16 year. In the future, those players will be rostered accordingly. Such players may play up during the season, but will be rostered in their age group.
There are two types of players in the USSDA:
USSDA Roster Player - a player who is on the USSDA roster. Each Academy must have a minimum of 20 players on the official roster for 2008-2009, each of which must start at least 30% of the games. A player on the roster may not participate with any team outside of the USSDA for which he is rostered. For instance, he may not guest play in a tournament with another team regardless of whether that team is in the same club or another. These players are not eligible for ODP, State Cup, MRL, BPL, etc...
USSDA Developmental Player - a player who is on a USYS roster, but may participate in the USSDA in up to 6 games with the USSDA team. Each USSDA squad is limited to only 10 Developmental Players. These players are not subject to a minimum start requirement and may come from an affiliate club.
Q: May a player play in one club and participate in the USSDA as a Developmental player within another.
A: Yes. However! It is important to note that because of the minimum roster numbers and starting requirements, the practicality of a Developmental player participating in more than a few game is unlikely. In addition, traveling to the Showcase events would mean leaving a rostered player at home, which would be unlikely except for more than a couple injuries/conflicts.
Q: Can a Louisville-based player play in a USSDA in Cincinnati?
A: Yes. There are no geographical limitations for a player to participate in an Academy and a player is not limited to play in the Academy in their home town. A player from Louisville or Columbus may come to Cincinnati. However! Each Academy is required to train 3 days per week as a group. To participate in our USSDA for instance, the player must be willing to travel to Cincinnati three days/week and train with our staff in Cincinnati. A player on the Crew or Carmel USSDA team is similarly expected to train in Columbus or Indianapolis.(This was clarified in a conference call this spring with the USSDA leadership.)
If a Louisville-based player wants to play with us or a Cincinnati-based player wants to play in Columbus or Indianapolis, the Federation expects those players to travel to the city where the Academy is based all 3 days, every week and train with the USSDA staff for those clubs. It is possible, although discourage by the Federation, for us to train outside of Cincinnati, but the entire Academy must train together regardless of the location.
Q: How expensive is the USSDA?
A: The first year of the USSDA was more expensive than we anticipated. However, we have learned a great deal about travel and expenses and are making plans to significantly reduce those expenses to the families. In addition, the re-alignment plan expected to be released by the Federation in the next couple weeks is aimed at reducing travel. These will be direct savings.
The biggest news is that the OESA board has made the commitment to make the team and uniform fees for the USSDA FREE! Players in the OESA USSDA will only need to cover their travel expenses, which will be no more than a typical USYS team.
Q: Can I play high school or participate in ODP?
A: High School - Yes. The USSDA season for us starts in November. ODP - Per USSDA rules, a player on a USSDA roster may not participate in ODP. Besides the financial and time savings, it is simply not necessary. ODP is a very good player identification tool. I am currently on both the OSYSA and Region II staff and support ODP; however, for the USSDA, players are already seen more than a dozen times by National Staff coaches in training and games. Several players around the country are being called directly into the National teams program through the USSDA making ODP for these kids unnecessary.
Q: How can I make sure I play in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy?
A: The ONLY way to ensure you play in the USSDA is to try out for one of the 75 clubs in the U.S. and make the roster. The math simply doesn't add up any other way. If you do happen to be one of the lucky ones to be one of 10 players on a development roster, the number of exposures to the USSDA will be very limited.
There are two teams in each USSDA club - a U17/18 team and a U15/16 team. This means that a team necessarily changes each season and doesn't move up like a typical USYS team where there are only a few changes.
Because this is the first year of the USSDA, some clubs/teams consist of primarily younger players meaning many of those players are eligible to return. Our entire U18 team for instance is eligible for next year, although some players are off to college and we will increase the number of players on the roster to 20 per the rules so we do expect to add quite a few players. It is also an open tryout so each player must tryout for next year. The Crew U15/16 team is very similar in that most of those players are eligible to return next year.
Birth year v. USYS year. The USSDA is based upon birth year, meaning that many of the current U16 players in USYS are eligible to play U16 in the USSDA next year. In almost every case (except National pool/team players), the Federation expects players to play in their respective age group. This year for instance we have 6 players in the U17/18 team that are eligible for the U15/16 year. In the future, those players will be rostered accordingly. Such players may play up during the season, but will be rostered in their age group.
There are two types of players in the USSDA:
USSDA Roster Player - a player who is on the USSDA roster. Each Academy must have a minimum of 20 players on the official roster for 2008-2009, each of which must start at least 30% of the games. A player on the roster may not participate with any team outside of the USSDA for which he is rostered. For instance, he may not guest play in a tournament with another team regardless of whether that team is in the same club or another. These players are not eligible for ODP, State Cup, MRL, BPL, etc...
USSDA Developmental Player - a player who is on a USYS roster, but may participate in the USSDA in up to 6 games with the USSDA team. Each USSDA squad is limited to only 10 Developmental Players. These players are not subject to a minimum start requirement and may come from an affiliate club.
Q: May a player play in one club and participate in the USSDA as a Developmental player within another.
A: Yes. However! It is important to note that because of the minimum roster numbers and starting requirements, the practicality of a Developmental player participating in more than a few game is unlikely. In addition, traveling to the Showcase events would mean leaving a rostered player at home, which would be unlikely except for more than a couple injuries/conflicts.
Q: Can a Louisville-based player play in a USSDA in Cincinnati?
A: Yes. There are no geographical limitations for a player to participate in an Academy and a player is not limited to play in the Academy in their home town. A player from Louisville or Columbus may come to Cincinnati. However! Each Academy is required to train 3 days per week as a group. To participate in our USSDA for instance, the player must be willing to travel to Cincinnati three days/week and train with our staff in Cincinnati. A player on the Crew or Carmel USSDA team is similarly expected to train in Columbus or Indianapolis.(This was clarified in a conference call this spring with the USSDA leadership.)
If a Louisville-based player wants to play with us or a Cincinnati-based player wants to play in Columbus or Indianapolis, the Federation expects those players to travel to the city where the Academy is based all 3 days, every week and train with the USSDA staff for those clubs. It is possible, although discourage by the Federation, for us to train outside of Cincinnati, but the entire Academy must train together regardless of the location.
Q: How expensive is the USSDA?
A: The first year of the USSDA was more expensive than we anticipated. However, we have learned a great deal about travel and expenses and are making plans to significantly reduce those expenses to the families. In addition, the re-alignment plan expected to be released by the Federation in the next couple weeks is aimed at reducing travel. These will be direct savings.
The biggest news is that the OESA board has made the commitment to make the team and uniform fees for the USSDA FREE! Players in the OESA USSDA will only need to cover their travel expenses, which will be no more than a typical USYS team.
Q: Can I play high school or participate in ODP?
A: High School - Yes. The USSDA season for us starts in November. ODP - Per USSDA rules, a player on a USSDA roster may not participate in ODP. Besides the financial and time savings, it is simply not necessary. ODP is a very good player identification tool. I am currently on both the OSYSA and Region II staff and support ODP; however, for the USSDA, players are already seen more than a dozen times by National Staff coaches in training and games. Several players around the country are being called directly into the National teams program through the USSDA making ODP for these kids unnecessary.
Q: How can I make sure I play in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy?
A: The ONLY way to ensure you play in the USSDA is to try out for one of the 75 clubs in the U.S. and make the roster. The math simply doesn't add up any other way. If you do happen to be one of the lucky ones to be one of 10 players on a development roster, the number of exposures to the USSDA will be very limited.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Welcome to OESA Sergio
Today's official announcement that Sergio Gonzalez is joining Ohio Elite as the Director of Goalkeeping is a tremendous step forward for us as a club. Anyone that worked with me at CHFC knows how important I believe the position is. Currently, we are not providing goalkeeper training to many of the boy's at OESA and it is one of the areas both Doug and I set out to address.
Not only have we addressed the need, we have added a quality person and tremendous coach! Coach Gonzalez is widely regarded as one of the best in the business. He is currently the assistant coach at the University of Dayton and the head goalkeeper coach for Ohio South ODP and has served as a director for Tony DiCicco's Soccer Plus Goalkeeper Camp.
Welcome to Ohio Elite, Sergio!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Cincinnati is failing the male soccer player
Trivia Question: How many boy's soccer teams in Cincinnati are currently playing a Premier Division of the Midwest Regional League (U14-U18)? Answer below.
I'm in the process of putting together our literature for the 2008-2009 US Soccer Development Academy teams and ran across some information that startled me and for which all of us are responsible. As a city we are failing in our responsibility to develop boys who want to play soccer at the highest level!
Why? I don't have the answer, but I'll throw out a couple theories. These are theories, not opinions (ok, some of them are).
- Instability. If you look at the "big three" (yes, I'm a Boston fan - go ahead and hate) in Cincinnati each has made a major change in leadership on the boy's side (at least one multiple times) while none have done so at the high school ages on the girl's side in the past three years.
- Social. Girls tend to be more social in their decision to participate in sports. They are much more likely to stay with a team or transfer in numbers because they want to play with their friends. Boys on the otherhand move with greater frequency and therefore receive a lack of consistent coaching.
- Too many clubs. We just don't have the level of commitment or skill necessary to have a need for three plus some independent teams. Not sure the girls do either.
- "A" team ego. Players would rather play on a bad "A" team than play on a "B" team, thus sustaining more teams that can compete locally, but very few that can compete Regionally or Nationally.
- Coaching. List the top coaches in Ohio South and undoubtedly the list will be heavily weighted with girl's coaches. In addition, let's face it, coaching girl's soccer is easier than coaching boy's. The game is faster and the players are tougher to manage. Because the money is the same, the top coaches tend to go to the girls side.
- Emphasis. Clubs in Cincinnati, or at least their board of directors, tend to have a greater focus on the girl's side due to more of them having daughters that play in their club.
- High School Soccer. Because 12 of the 14 boys teams play high school in the fall, the best play the best. Ohio South plays against Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri in boy's soccer, but generally don't on the girl's side (except a few Eclipse teams). To prove the point, how many teams in Ohio South advance out of their group at Regionals last year? And, how many truly have a chance to do so this year? Plus, their are 20 teams in MRL Premier on the girl's side and only 16 on the boy's. So, while the boys are playing Chicago Magic, Vardar, and Scott Gallagher, on the girl's side there are 4 additional spots and they don't have to play Eclipse, Wolves, or St. Louis Soccer Club once they get to U15.
- College Soccer. Twice as many schools with more than twice as much money on the girl's side, leads to greater opportunity.
I am unapologetic in my bias; however, for the good of the game, the Cincinnati-based US Soccer Development Academy must be successful with Cincinnati-based players. I'm happy to work with anyone in the city, regardless of club affiliation, that wants to make it happen.
Btw, the answer is 1! As a city, we have 1 boy's soccer team - a U18 team that will be in college next year - playing in a Premier Division of MRL. (Our U17 boy's team would also be a Premier team if they were not in the USSDA and 3 teams in the city are in a reasonably good position to be promoted for next year.)
On the girl's side there are 12 teams playing in a Premier Division of MRL including 2 age groups with 3 teams. (OESA has a team in every age group except U14, which is positioned for promotion. We could also have 2 teams at U18 next year. In total, citywide there are 3 teams in a reasonably good position to be promoted for next year and 2 that look to be relegated.)
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