⚽️⚽️⚽️…Delusional Youth Soccer Parent Thread
- Thread starter lawpoke87
- Start date
I had Christmas on my Bingo card before rumors really started flying. Sit back and enjoy the ride. If even half the rumors come to fruition the Tulsa landscape will look nothing like it does today. My only concern is when the dust settles are the kids better off??
ECNL didn't tell TSC until Feb. last year trying to put them out of business. ECNL waited as long as possible trying to give TSC no options as GA "Deadline" is like Dec. 31st. Whether you like TSC or not what ECNL did was dirty.
The relationship between ECNL and Barry/Eric had grown toxic so that doesn’t surprise me. I’m sure the ongoing battle between ECNL and GA also played into that decision. I was told by Dallas people in December that TSC was likely losing ECNL. They were placed on probation the prior year.
Much like the state, Texas has a superiority attitude regarding soccer when it comes to Oklahoma. The Texas clubs put up with Energy. They viewed TSC as a Mickey Mouse club and shed no tears when NL was pulled.
I'm not saying TSC should have kept it or not. I'm saying ECNL with the "year to year" agreements can just crush a club. I don't think that's fair to clubs, players or parents. WSA is also year to year. What happens if ECNL was to give NL to Blitz and not give WSA RL? It's just dirty. I would not feel safe as a parent with 4 of 6 teams in last or next to last and no team in the top half.....
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I assume ECNL will give WSA 3-4 years to develop its academy players and bring them into ECNL but that is pure speculation on my part. I will say if and when ECNL places your club on probation it’s probable time to start panicking and looking for another landing spot. Two Oklahoma clubs have been kicked out of ECNL over the past 5 years. I’m not sure if a single Texas based club has lost ECNL over the last ten years. Guess it is what it is.
I truly believe we should be playing 2v2. take a 7v7 team and add 2v2 game times same day no refs just let them play. Use top players against top players and tier them down to where bench players are getting as many touches in a competitive situation.
I prefer 3v3 over 2v2 due to the application of triangle concepts but I do agree with your thoughts
TSC NL. Branded FC Tulsa NL (possiblity of MLS NEXT like several other USL clubs) who knows
I'm not going to spend anymore time defending WSA NL here. I've learned that the score line doesn't matter when it isn't a blow out, getting blown out by the best teams in the nation is a reflection of how poorly your team is doing and also at the same time it's 100% okay to judge a first year NL club by their win / loss and make predictions about their future based upon that.
Nevermind the Texas parents I've talked to being surprised at our level, giving us compliments, and praise.
I don't think WSA will lose NL for the girls side for at least 5 years. I think more and more "top players" that haven't came to WSA will. I think that even players from the 13s and 14s will make the jump. Nobody is safe.
But, what do I know?
We'll just have to wait and see.
I heard TSC NL boys11 set up a friendly with RL FC Tulsa 11 and got killed. Barry and Eric were in attendance and were pissed and let their NL coach know about it. and setting it up.
They should be more pissed that the team is 0-16 with a -55 goal differential
It wouldn't surprise me that FC Tulsa would want to purchase TSC and keep the NL. But none of those boys are safe on any NL team that comes in. Barry had a small stake in the Roughnecks/FC Tulsa and when the Crafts purchased the club, Barry was out and the grand plans of TSC being the academy branch of the pro club petered out.
I think FC Tulsa likes the partnership with the former Blitz and it's administrators and the results at their highest levels have been pretty good for the academy sides so far this season. Whether or not they can be competitive in the Texas side of RL/NL is a good question,
I could use some advice from parents who’ve been around the Tulsa soccer scene longer than I have.
My son currently plays NL for TSC and he also wants to play in high school. Because of that, we didn’t want to make the jump to Greenwood. I also struggle to trust brand-new clubs that pop up with tons of hype but no track record… it just feels risky.
We’ve been invited to Blitz tryouts multiple times, but the downside is he’d only be playing RL-level competition there. And the situation with WSA’s boys program right now seems… unstable, to put it mildly.
So what would you recommend for a kid in this position? It feels like we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, wanting strong competition and development, but also wanting stability and long-term options.
Would love honest feedback from people who’ve navigated all this before. Thank you, I’ve lurked for awhile, like your guys’ insight.
My son currently plays NL for TSC and he also wants to play in high school. Because of that, we didn’t want to make the jump to Greenwood. I also struggle to trust brand-new clubs that pop up with tons of hype but no track record… it just feels risky.
We’ve been invited to Blitz tryouts multiple times, but the downside is he’d only be playing RL-level competition there. And the situation with WSA’s boys program right now seems… unstable, to put it mildly.
So what would you recommend for a kid in this position? It feels like we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, wanting strong competition and development, but also wanting stability and long-term options.
Would love honest feedback from people who’ve navigated all this before. Thank you, I’ve lurked for awhile, like your guys’ insight.
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Oklahoma is in a unique position where it could go either north or south. Is it the Midwest, the South, or the Southwest? I have seen people define it as everything.
I would always vote for Texas. I think we should always play with a chip on our shoulders that TX garners no respect for us. Lawpoke provides evidence of this. The hilarious part is that many of the Texas clubs are terrible, too. TSC boys lost some of their top talent to Greenwood in many age groups. Their highest age group is in the top 3, but the other teams are doing awful.
Again, I couldn't care less what happens. I want Tulsa to be successful. My son is young, and we can go anywhere whenever it needs to happen. At the end of the day, the clubs will let you go in a heartbeat, so you should feel no qualms about letting them go in a heartbeat.
There are extreme Douchebags everywhere. There are administrators and coaches at Blitz who are total clowns. There are many that I like there. WSA has many, many people that I like. They have some total douchebags, too. WSA facilities are terrible—the worst in the city. It is really sad how bad they are. They should be practising at places like Carnegie School's playground; they are so, so awful.
Clubs have come and gone here. Tulsa Pride, led by Steve Earle, went to the McGuire Cup and lost 4-3 to Surf after being up 3-0 in the U19S. They had a boys team that may have been the best boys team ever to come out of Tulsa. I am hesitant to say Oklahoma because I think Dayrl Dike's OEFC time frame was pretty solid. The Tulsa Thunder, led primarily by Gary McDonald, had some decent boys' teams. Tulsa Nationals also had a really good run whenever Victor had a few beers in him in the mornings.
Hell, BA Express had some teams that won state back when winning state meant everything. They miss those glory days, which are probably never coming back, but they seem to think they might, and listening to the sidelines, it seems like they have convinced a few parents that it might happen, too. It at least provides a few chuckles. Who knows? Maybe it could happen! Tulsa Greenwood White Trash BA MLS Next. Diversity baby! I kid. I kid.
Many people I know are perplexed at WSA being good. They were trash for a very long time. But slowly but surely, they have gotten good.
Things come and go. The US Soccer landscape changes. The age groups change. The leagues change. There were never national leagues until the late 2000s or so.
I would hangout for the next few months and let the club and platform merry go round sort itself out.
I’m not familiar enough with the boys side to provide any meaningful insight as to clubs or pathways
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Their results aren't particularly horrible in the top flight for the first year. Much better than WSA's in NL just sayin...
Mohawk is a pile of junk. They held their little tournament, and the grass wasn't even friggin mowed. Like bros, come on, duders. I would have come out and mowed their little 4v4 areas for them in 20 minutes.
I just worry about them financially. However, I say that without any basis whatsoever. It is more speculation. They have private equity backing. That means at some point, someone wants to get paid. The only way that happens is with money. Money comes from two places. Sponsorships and players. You need a large number of players to get paid, or you need very high prices. It really is that simple.
If you are tossing out scholarships left and right to people who can pay no money, you can't pay coaches. You won't be able to afford fields. They won't be able to afford the travel, etc...
It's a theory more than actual evidence.
Other people coach soccer in this city and state besides John Michael. It is that simple. He has become a cult. Great trainer. Embarrasses himself at times. It is unfortunate because he can really create some great teams and produce great players.
Overly emotional like my wife at times. He needs to meditate or do something to calm down.
TSC and WSA on the girls side is really kinda sad. Couple of good teams but overall it's not good. Hard to tell about Blitz because of the level. Currently I'm lucky we are on one of the better teams. How does that play out in the future? We already have 3 girls play FCD & Sting. Do we lose any to Energy (ranked below us). I have heard of 0 girls interested in WSA on our 13's but that is always subject to change. I'm curious to see who GA adds this year. I've heard 12's on WSA and TSC that can drop age groups are interested in joining us even though our parents are "difficult". This is all minor compared to the drama the rest of Tulsa metro is going to see. My suggestion is not to burn any bridges. Remember is just soccer. 99% of these kids won't make a living playing soccer. Enjoy the ride and don't ruin the experience for your kid.
Tulsa struggles to field one competitive NL team per age. Can’t see anyway ECNL gives us two.
If someone has interest in another team, I doubt anyone would be showing their cards this early. There are always families that will bounce that swore they never would . And I suspect those kids also playing for the TX teams will leave sooner than later (minus Cyp’s kid). As they get older they will not want to miss any ECNL opportunities in lieu of GA games.
They didn't "show their cards" they actually used words and voiced it out loud in front of both 12 and 13's parents. I think most kids will play in their graduating class........ The ECNL commitment for Tulsa kids if it's not at WSA is a huge commitment for not only the kids but the parents for both time and money.
Ok, you got me "Miss and ECNL opportunities in lieu of GA games". I'll just pick the WSA 10's traveling to Phoenix to play against teams ranked #305 (lost), Arizona Arsenal #200, San Francisco RL #1296. Who's watching these games? Same can be said for the bottom GA teams traveling to Showcases. You want to be playing the premium games in whatever league you are in otherwise the coaches watching your games are from Northwest Eastern Poly Tech Junior College.
I’m talking about the girls playing for the Texas teams. On the 13s. I didn’t once reference WSA.
I wouldn't disagree. It's just a huge commitment. Not many families are in the position to make it happen for 4-6 years. Lawpoke is one of the few exceptions. Energy is the club that benefits. Can WSA stop the bleed? Maybe but Tulsa lost more girls not less this year. I also think having 12 year olds going to a Showcase is stupid (GA, ECNL). We had a couple hundred people watch our game on the stadium field but zero were recruiting.
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I completely agree with that. I also don’t think ECNL/GA should start until U-14 but that’s a whole other discussion.
It’s not a knock on WSA. I went to the townhall meeting WSA had at the hotel. I tried to get my daughter to go. (TSC knows this) My daughter has friends on the WSA team as we had previously been there. It came down to 3 things for my kid.
1. Coach- Kas may be good but she loves Nathan Doll.
2. Team- This team was never leaving for WSA and is a top 50 team .
3. Fields- She loves Scheels not just because we own it. It’s in Jenks, has Turf, etc. Again she used to practice at Westbank and play games at Case. Zero interest in doing that.
She doesn’t care about GA or ECNL “Brands” she wants to play tough games, have competitive training sessions, She cares more about playing for Jenks High School (When she gets to high school) than the league patch on her shirt.
Winning games is important I think to girls. I’m not saying you have to win your league. I’m not saying you have to be a top 25 team but if you think losing 90% of your games is somehow developing I would just disagree. Again it’s not a GA or ECNL thing as plenty of teams in both platforms fall into this. That’s why I’m a proponent of promotion/relegation it’s puts teams where they should be. It gives power to top coaches. Not a patch on a shirt. Hope all the Tulsa teams (kids) in action this week win!!
1. Coach- Kas may be good but she loves Nathan Doll.
2. Team- This team was never leaving for WSA and is a top 50 team .
3. Fields- She loves Scheels not just because we own it. It’s in Jenks, has Turf, etc. Again she used to practice at Westbank and play games at Case. Zero interest in doing that.
She doesn’t care about GA or ECNL “Brands” she wants to play tough games, have competitive training sessions, She cares more about playing for Jenks High School (When she gets to high school) than the league patch on her shirt.
Winning games is important I think to girls. I’m not saying you have to win your league. I’m not saying you have to be a top 25 team but if you think losing 90% of your games is somehow developing I would just disagree. Again it’s not a GA or ECNL thing as plenty of teams in both platforms fall into this. That’s why I’m a proponent of promotion/relegation it’s puts teams where they should be. It gives power to top coaches. Not a patch on a shirt. Hope all the Tulsa teams (kids) in action this week win!!
Unless you are playing in the top flight of MLS Next, you can play high school. MLS Next 2, you can. Unless I am mistaken.
It would be stupid, but when you are in a league trying to get paid, I could see it.
I have listened to the ECNL podcasts a few times with the directors. I am thoroughly unimpressed. The directors seem like jackasses and are either utterly ignorant or lying about things, such as the trapped players. Their backgrounds are unimpressive as well. I am not even sure they played or coached soccer at all.
Trapped players were an issue before the age change. They happened when I was in high school. I think they are a bigger issue today because more parents hold their kids back. I am not against holding kids back in school. I think some kids just aren't ready for kindergarten, 1st grade, etc. They are more successful that way, but age-based sports mean they will play up a year versus their grade level.
I find it hilarious that people ***** that they won't be recruited as a result. That is friggin whining. If you are good enough, you will get looks. If you're excelling on your current team but have another year to graduate, there's all the more reason to recruit. SOOOOOOO DUMB. I wanted to start screaming at the podcast when I listened to it—total ignoramuses.
This change is fueled by college coaches/recruiters. It’s easier for them to go to games/events knowing they can recruit all of them versus trying to figure out which ones are eligible or not. And though there will still be “trapped” players there will be less. By far.
^^^^
This. It’s a pain for college coaches currently recruiting to watch a team play and have to keep referring to a sheet to see if the girls is an Jr, Soph or Frosh. So much easier to have all the girls you’re recruiting play on one team. The age change makes sense although I acknowledge next year is going to be a mess at the club level. My daughter is a sophomore but an August birthday. Age wise she should move down. However class wise she should stay with her current team.
The “official” reason….on field results
The real reason…ECNL wanted OEFC to leave DA / GA and NL was the carrot. Like Tulsa, there just isn’t the depth in the talent pool to field two NL teams in the OKC area.
Now that’s just my opinion and Celtic could have lost NL without giving it to OEFC. However, the timing was interesting
I'm curious how next season plays out as well. We have some very good players on our team that could move down, but there are also some very good older players who have interest in playing on our team next season.