⚽️⚽️⚽️…Delusional Youth Soccer Parent Thread

[TU_BLA]

Have you been asked to ref the highest level of soccer on the planet with MLS Next, or do they fly the refs in?

Are they even playing any MLS Next games and against who? And where? I don't know who assigns for Greenwood. I know pretty much all the assignors for the other clubs in Tulsa and let them know when I am available.

Typically I reserve Saturdays for BASC...I view it as a way to mentor younger refs. It's a good place for them to cut their teeth and for the most part, the parents and coaches are pretty chill. What they don't tell you in the referee course is knowledge of the laws is about 30% of being a referee...it's also the easy part about being a referee. The biggest part is how to manage a game and there is no class or seminar you can take or sit through to learn it. The only way to learn it is by doing it. My daughter (14 y.o.) has been reluctant to be center on games higher than 4 v 4, not because she doesn't know the laws but because she's afraid of what the coaches and parents might say if she makes a mistake (and every referee makes mistakes...every game from Brian Barlow of OFFSIDE fame, to the 15 year old doing a 4 v 4 game..we make them and they happen...move on). The thing is why are parents and coaches losing their minds over a U9 rec league game at 9am on a Saturday? I feel I can help younger referees with this so I give my time on Saturdays even though the quality of soccer is mid to terrible. Sundays I make myself available for other groups as I like to do some competitive (or even adult games) to stay sharp and games that might challenge me in terms of game management.

I've been offered some RL games vs Arkansas Comets at WSA this weekend. Haven't accepted them yet because I told TSC I was available first and I like to honor that availability. (BTW, the guys at WSA are desperate for referees this weekend, there's a huge shortage and seemingly everyone is hosting games in Tulsa this weekend).

 

[Honkv]

Good question. Do any of our WSA posters know if turf is available this weekend ?

have not heard anything yet, but renting turf fields has been mentioned before as part of the “why” we pay the dues we pay

 

[Soccerguy7583]

Sting Black from last year is now Sting Royal correct?

 

[lawpoke87]

Sting Black from last year is now Sting Royal correct?

2012s only

 

[Soccerguy7583]

2012s only

That's what I was thinking.

 

[lawpoke87]

That's what I was thinking.

Ben Williams has turned Sting Royal into a power in girls ECNL.

 

[TU_BLA]

have not heard anything yet, but renting turf fields has been mentioned before as part of the “why” we pay the dues we pay

Roger isn't wanting to do that unless River City is unplayable.

 

[Honkv]

Looks like some of the GA games have been cancelled for this weekend.

 

[TU_BLA]

Looks like some of the GA games have been cancelled for this weekend.

Yeah, the TSC assignor is basically waiting until the last moment possible to assign games. I just accepted the RL games with WSA for this weekend because I'm not going to wait until the last possible moment. I like to plan things a little bit more ahead.

 

[Honkv]

Yeah, the TSC assignor is basically waiting until the last moment possible to assign games. I just accepted the RL games with WSA for this weekend because I'm not going to wait until the last possible moment. I like to plan things a little bit more ahead.

We just got notice that our NL games are being rescheduled, so I bet your RL games are too.

 

[TU_BLA]

We just got notice that our NL games are being rescheduled, so I bet your RL games are too.

I'm not 100% sure why they're jumping the gun on reschedules. Yeah there is rain forecast but everything I've seen is it's supposed to come in late afternoon.

I'd be fine with that this weekend though. I've got a full slate of games scheduled for tomorrow (9am-3pm)

And for those of you keeping up with my son's college club team, they play tonight at Haaaahvuhd ( )

 

[lawpoke87]

I'm not 100% sure why they're jumping the gun on reschedules. Yeah there is rain forecast but everything I've seen is it's supposed to come in late afternoon.

I'd be fine with that this weekend though. I've got a full slate of games scheduled for tomorrow (9am-3pm)

And for those of you keeping up with my son's college club team, they play tonight at Haaaahvuhd ( )

Sting told Energy they weren’t coming to Energy on Sunday without a turf option available. So Sting decided to stay home for both and WSA moved games to next weekend. Ironically, FC Dallas is still playing Energy tomorrow

 

[TU_BLA]

Sting told Energy they weren’t coming to Energy on Sunday without a turf option available. So Sting decided to stay home for both and WSA moved games to next weekend. Ironically, FC Dallas is still playing Energy tomorrow

Bit snobbish of Sting. I mean why would you actually want your players playing on slick as snot turf rather than on grass?

 

[Soccerguy7583]

I'm surprised our game got canceled with the such a small chance of rain in Edmond.

 

[Honkv]

Bit snobbish of Sting. I mean why would you actually want your players playing on slick as snot turf rather than on grass?

That's kind of par for the course for Sting, right? Them and FCD are pretty vocal about not even wanting to come to Oklahoma to play lol

 

[lawpoke87]

That's kind of par for the course for Sting, right? Them and FCD are pretty vocal about not even wanting to come to Oklahoma to play lol

I would probably carry that over for the entire “Republic” of Texas

 

[ScheelSC]

Which is why there is a movement for a ECNL Frontier league. Energy is against it but do they have any power?

 

[Honkv]

I would probably carry that over for the entire “Republic” of Texas

Texas really can / probably should have it's own conf.

 

[Honkv]

Which is why there is a movement for a ECNL Frontier league. Energy is against it but do they have any power?

Energy is just one club. WSA, Energy, FC Wichita...who else would go? Some promoted AR teams? Celtic? IDK

 

[TU_BLA]

My games got moved from West Bank to River City Parks on Sunday as apparently the RL matches vs Arkansas Comets are still happening.

 

[lawpoke87]

Energy is just one club. WSA, Energy, FC Wichita...who else would go? Some promoted AR teams? Celtic? IDK

You would have to shuffle a couple of conferences imo. Move the Kansas City and St Louis teams to the Frontier along w maybe Sporting Blue Valley. Move those northern Midwest teams east. No one in Arkansas is at the ECNL level.

 

[Honkv]

You would have to shuffle a couple of conferences imo. Move the Kansas City and St Louis teams to the Frontier along w maybe Sporting Blue Valley. Move those northern Midwest teams east. No one in Arkansas is at the ECNL level.

Scott Gallagher would have to be in there for it to be even remotely competitive.
Slsg, kca, WSA? I’m down for that.

 

[Honkv]

Also, here is yet another example of how WSA is different and, imo, better than TSC at least for the 12s: games got cancelled, so Preston scheduled training sessions.
TSC would never.

 

[Soccerguy7583]

To be more accurate, I think they don't want to come to Tulsa.

 

[Soccerguy7583]

Maybe for some ages, but Gallagher is a lower tier team in our age group. I would honestly hate to move out of the Texas conference, logistically I don't know that the travel would be any better for the majority of the team.

 

[GWSCDad]

Greenwood zoom call last night... Players can't play high school unless on scholarship from (private) high school.

 

[lawpoke87]

To be more accurate, I think they don't want to come to Tulsa.

Pretty spot on. Now I’m not sure how much of that sentiment is Tulsa in general or was directed toward TSC. Barry and Eric didn’t have many fans in the Dallas ECNL scene

 

[Honkv]

Maybe for some ages, but Gallagher is a lower tier team in our age group. I would honestly hate to move out of the Texas conference, logistically I don't know that the travel would be any better for the majority of the team.

I think the travel would probably be similar, distance wise.
But playing in the best conference has its merits.

 

[Honkv]

Greenwood zoom call last night... Players can't play high school unless on scholarship from (private) high school.

everyone knew this was gonna happen, right?

 

[lawpoke87]

Greenwood zoom call last night... Players can't play high school unless on scholarship from (private) high school.

I thought those rules had been in place for MLS Next for sometime now.

 

[lawpoke87]

I think the travel would probably be similar, distance wise.
But playing in the best conference has its merits.

Agree. Look…it’s not any fun to lose. However, playing in the Texas conference gives the girls a chance to compete against some of the best soccer players in the country as well as being seen by a lot of college coaches. There’s an argument to be made that playing against the best will make you better. TSC’s record of putting girls into D1 programs supports that viewpoint.

There’s a reason why Cyp’s kid along with several other 2013 GA girls are also playing for ECNL clubs. They see the value in playing against the best and the exposure it provides. Now for lower level girls there would be some value in playing in the Frontier imo.

 

[ScheelSC]

Agree. Look…it’s not any fun to lose. However, playing in the Texas conference gives the girls a chance to compete against some of the best soccer players in the country as well as being seen by a lot of college coaches. There’s an argument to be made that playing against the best will make you better. TSC’s record of putting girls into D1 programs supports that viewpoint.

There’s a reason why Cyp’s kid along with several other 2013 GA girls are also playing for ECNL clubs. They see the value in playing against the best and the exposure it provides. Now for lower level girls there would be some value in playing in the Frontier imo.

I don't think anyone could argue that ECNL Texas is the place to showcase your talents. Problem is 90% of Tulsa's top talent is playing elsewhere or in a different league. (example 13's GA). Basically Energy, Dallas, etc. has almost any Tulsa player they want. Traveling 4+ hours to win or lose by 4+ goals isn't doing players, coaches or families any favors. We have 3 kids playing both GA and ECNL and probably another 3-4 could but don't want that commitment in 6th-7th grade. ECNL has to fix players leaving Tulsa or you might as well not have NL, You can blame TSC if you want but even more girls left this year. (Reason? I have no idea). Contrary to what some posters go say to WSA I hope they are successful. I want Tulsa to be successful. I just don't see it in the current environment, (I didn't see it at TSC either).

 

[Bringbackwoj]

Also, here is yet another example of how WSA is different and, imo, better than TSC at least for the 12s: games got cancelled, so Preston scheduled training sessions.
TSC would never.

The reality of the situation is a few things:

1. WSA did not get the whole group of people they needed.
a) Some of the TSC girls did not go over.
b) Some girls went to OEFC
c) RL girls are not good enough.

2. As far as the record is concerned, they are doing worse. Sorry, it is true. Don't tell me otherwise.

3. They have BIG problems with their younger girls' academies if girls from Blitz, NEOFC, and TSC don't transfer over like MAJOR.

4. Maybe the coaching sucks more. Don't know this to be 100%

5. Their facilities suck bad, like really bad. Who the hell wants to play there? Bush doesn't want to pay for better stuff.

6. The records are hilariously bad. Through 24 Texas games, 2 wins, 6 ties and 18 losses. This is not a Texas thing. Some of these clubs are not bueno like Classic.

7. Why do you think Scott Gallagher is going to make prettier for you? This is one of the best clubs in the country. They will smash on you too, and you will travel 7 hours for it. Hilarious.

 

[Bringbackwoj]

Greenwood zoom call last night... Players can't play high school unless on scholarship from (private) high school.

Were people not aware of this? This is a well-known fact with MLS Next. I have always wondered how this would go over in the Tulsa market. Did you all think it was going to be different? Did parents not believe this? Do people not understand what MLS Next is for?

Here, high school is the end-all, be-all. The Tulsa World increasingly resembles a small-town newspaper, focusing more on high school athletics than on college and NBA, Oilers, FC Tulsa, and Drillers. The Oilers are actually one of the best drawing minor league hockey teams in the country. They would be in the top 10 of the AHL ( AAA)

Unfortunately, you would think that NOAH Athletics is more important, according to the Tulsa World.

 

[lawpoke87]

I don't think anyone could argue that ECNL Texas is the place to showcase your talents. Problem is 90% of Tulsa's top talent is playing elsewhere or in a different league. (example 13's GA). Basically Energy, Dallas, etc. has almost any Tulsa player they want. Traveling 4+ hours to win or lose by 4+ goals isn't doing players, coaches or families any favors. We have 3 kids playing both GA and ECNL and probably another 3-4 could but don't want that commitment in 6th-7th grade. ECNL has to fix players leaving Tulsa or you might as well not have NL, You can blame TSC if you want but even more girls left this year. (Reason? I have no idea). Contrary to what some posters go say to WSA I hope they are successful. I want Tulsa to be successful. I just don't see it in the current environment, (I didn't see it at TSC either).

Lots of truth here. WSA is going to have to figure out how to develop players in their academy AND keep the top ones at WSA. It’s going to take good coaches and winning. It’s a tall hill to climb. I do give WSA pass this season. They didn’t coach most of those girls prior and had very little chance to recruit the ones who left into staying. Next year is a different story. We need to start seeing progress.

Oh….this weekend they host FC Dallas and Sting Royal. The road short term doesn’t get any easier.

 

[Bringbackwoj]

Lots of truth here. WSA is going to have to figure out how to develop players in their academy AND keep the top ones at WSA. It’s going to take good coaches and winning. It’s a tall hill to climb. I do give WSA pass this season. They didn’t coach most of those girls prior and had very little chance to recruit the ones who left into staying. Next year is a different story. We need to start seeing progress.

Oh….this weekend they host FC Dallas and Sting Royal. The road short term doesn’t get any easier.

This leaving Tulsa thing needs to stop. It disgusts me that this happens. It is friggin revolting.

It is pretty surprising given how high of programs TSC has been dropping girls into and that they have had YNT placements too. I just don't get it. But you do you.

 

[Honkv]

I don't think anyone could argue that ECNL Texas is the place to showcase your talents. Problem is 90% of Tulsa's top talent is playing elsewhere or in a different league. (example 13's GA). Basically Energy, Dallas, etc. has almost any Tulsa player they want. Traveling 4+ hours to win or lose by 4+ goals isn't doing players, coaches or families any favors. We have 3 kids playing both GA and ECNL and probably another 3-4 could but don't want that commitment in 6th-7th grade. ECNL has to fix players leaving Tulsa or you might as well not have NL, You can blame TSC if you want but even more girls left this year. (Reason? I have no idea). Contrary to what some posters go say to WSA I hope they are successful. I want Tulsa to be successful. I just don't see it in the current environment, (I didn't see it at TSC either).

Y'all should've gone to the NL club, in my opinion. I don't understand why everyone chose to stay there from the 13s and older. But I still want y'all to have success.

The reality of the situation is a few things:

1. WSA did not get the whole group of people they needed.
a) Some of the TSC girls did not go over.
b) Some girls went to OEFC
c) RL girls are not good enough.

2. As far as the record is concerned, they are doing worse. Sorry, it is true. Don't tell me otherwise.

3. They have BIG problems with their younger girls' academies if girls from Blitz, NEOFC, and TSC don't transfer over like MAJOR.

4. Maybe the coaching sucks more. Don't know this to be 100%

5. Their facilities suck bad, like really bad. Who the hell wants to play there? Bush doesn't want to pay for better stuff.

6. The records are hilariously bad. Through 24 Texas games, 2 wins, 6 ties and 18 losses. This is not a Texas thing. Some of these clubs are not bueno like Classic.

7. Why do you think Scott Gallagher is going to make prettier for you? This is one of the best clubs in the country. They will smash on you too, and you will travel 7 hours for it. Hilarious.

1. That's true. No debate there. I wish people were up to build something great instead of trying to always join something great.
2. Not really arguing there. My comment was specific to the team my daughter is on. They are, objectively, better so far.
3. Also true.
4. I'm not sure about all the coaches. My daughter likes hers and he seems to be pretty good so far.
5. Absolutely.
6. The 12s drew with Classic due to an own goal
7. I don't even know how to respond to this. SLSG is a great club, for sure. The travel is similar. 8+ hours to houston / san antonio / austin / denver, etc.

I'm not trying to convince anyone that WSA is this powerhouse club all of a sudden. I am going to say, unequivocally, that the bar by which they're being judged seems very high. They've been a club in Tulsa for a while, but this is their first year in ECNL. Give them some slack. I think talent will come out of and around to WSA, but it's gonna take time.

 

[Soccerguy7583]

You would have to shuffle a couple of conferences imo. Move the Kansas City and St Louis teams to the Frontier along w maybe Sporting Blue Valley. Move those northern Midwest teams east. No one in Arkansas is at the ECNL level.

What do you propose to keep the girls here? If you want to play at the highest level (speaking about girls) TSC was your only option last year, and by the time they lost ECNL a lot of girls had already jumped ship. TSC's management was garbage, coaching inconsistent and the girls side was never a priority, nobody should stick around if there are better options just up the road.

 

[ScheelSC]

What do you propose to keep the girls here? If you want to play at the highest level (speaking about girls) TSC was your only option last year, and by the time they lost ECNL a lot of girls had already jumped ship. TSC's management was garbage, coaching inconsistent and the girls side was never a priority, nobody should stick around if there are better options just up the road.

Just up the road where they have “pay to play”??
You couldn’t pull my kid from Nathan Doll with a tow truck.
I like some of the WSA coaches. Especially Troy. But TSC has Nathan, Cyp and Feener. That’s strong.
Our team isn’t guaranteed a playoff spot in GA.
A couple of WSA girls were asking TSC girls at the ORU soccer game why they hadn’t came to WSA yet. When the girls left they said. First they couldn’t stand that kid and 2nd they loved Cyp.
personally I get along great with Roger and John Rhein. I just don’t see how it works out. Doesn’t mean I can’t cheer for them.

 

[Honkv]

Just up the road where they have “pay to play”??
You couldn’t pull my kid from Nathan Doll with a tow truck.
I like some of the WSA coaches. Especially Troy. But TSC has Nathan, Cyp and Feener. That’s strong.
Our team isn’t guaranteed a playoff spot in GA.
A couple of WSA girls were asking TSC girls at the ORU soccer game why they hadn’t came to WSA yet. When the girls left they said. First they couldn’t stand that kid and 2nd they loved Cyp.
personally I get along great with Roger and John Rhein. I just don’t see how it works out. Doesn’t mean I can’t cheer for them.

"I just don't see how it works out."

I'll tell you how it works out: Everyone that can ball goes to the same club. That's it.

TSC losing NL was a great moment to do that and still, teams / kids refused.
It's wild.