Feet Expanding

Balotelli Fan wrote:I heard Skip is leaving. Going to another club. Is this true? Or just ugly Internet rumor?

...3...2...1...BOOM!

Lawnboy wrote:

#2420 wrote:

Lawnboy wrote:

soccer4fun wrote:kind of reminds me of the Y2K thing... 3,2,1 pop...

seriously, I am sure Dfeeters are a wonderful organization and allot of good happens, but hasn't ecnl really made them almost irrelevant, at least in ntx soccer. So they add a second team, what is going to change that the first team could not? I think we are seeing history being written and I am not sure it will be as they hope..."if" this was a business or goverment I suspect the current administration would be voted out or fired for blowing one of the best things going. Time for a change...

That's a pretty clueless statement. No club that's a member of ECNL is irrelevant. Quite the contrary.

Depends who you are talking to.

No, it doesn't.

LB
I have to disagree.
ECNL does not make a club relevant Feet are Relevant but they were before ECNL.
I have watched some other non NTX ECNL teams and many of them are anything but relevant, a good
chunk of them should not be prt of ECNL if its a Elite League.

Lawnboy wrote:

#2420 wrote:

Lawnboy wrote:

soccer4fun wrote:kind of reminds me of the Y2K thing... 3,2,1 pop...

seriously, I am sure Dfeeters are a wonderful organization and allot of good happens, but hasn't ecnl really made them almost irrelevant, at least in ntx soccer. So they add a second team, what is going to change that the first team could not? I think we are seeing history being written and I am not sure it will be as they hope..."if" this was a business or goverment I suspect the current administration would be voted out or fired for blowing one of the best things going. Time for a change...

That's a pretty clueless statement. No club that's a member of ECNL is irrelevant. Quite the contrary.

Depends who you are talking to.

No, it doesn't.

I just looked at the Standings for the ECNL U-16 age group. I am pretty sure there are several teams in ECNL that are irrelevant. I would also say that we here in North Texas have several non-ECNL teams that would do much better than many in Flight B U-16. I would also go as far as saying many ECNL teams across country better watch themselves when playing outside of ECNL events! It could get really ugly for a relevant ECNL team.

The expectation that there will be 5 Nationally "elite" teams in each age group from this population base is rather ambitious.

I have great respect for what dfeeters were and the legacy they have. My point was they were a antiquated model of one team per age group and the leadership decided to put all the teams into ecnl there by forfeiting all the byes/places in lhgcl. It was a uneducated, reckless gamble and I do not think it will be successful for the teams, coaches or players/families. The academies (younger teams) are ok but struggling and the move to now add a second team to "reestablish" the club into lhgcl, when they had it, that is where the irrelevance comes from. The market has moved forward and no one is waiting for this next move. Ask Pan Am, Braniff and Eastern about keeping up with the changing markets or finding yourself irrelevant. The folks that are leading this once proud club are leading it into a wall and the next sound you hear will be "bang". Not because I want it to be that way but because that is where they are heading.

Balotelli Fan wrote: heard Skip is leaving. Going to another club. Is this true? Or just ugly Internet rumor?

I heard that Hugh Bradford met with the '03s at practice tonight to let them know Skip was leaving to coach at Sting.

Tap_the_Brakes wrote:

Balotelli Fan wrote: heard Skip is leaving. Going to another club. Is this true? Or just ugly Internet rumor?

I heard that Hugh Bradford met with the '03s at practice tonight to let them know Skip was leaving to coach at Sting.

That stinks! That is a good '03 team. I hope they can keep it together.

If this is true, and it looks to be. Sting wins, and Feet loses. Skip is a good coach. I wish him well.

So is he the new "inside the loop" Sting coach that isn't mentioned in the most recent "Team looking" post for an 04 Sting team?

Bigfoot wrote:

Lawnboy wrote:

#2420 wrote:

Lawnboy wrote:

soccer4fun wrote:kind of reminds me of the Y2K thing... 3,2,1 pop...

seriously, I am sure Dfeeters are a wonderful organization and allot of good happens, but hasn't ecnl really made them almost irrelevant, at least in ntx soccer. So they add a second team, what is going to change that the first team could not? I think we are seeing history being written and I am not sure it will be as they hope..."if" this was a business or goverment I suspect the current administration would be voted out or fired for blowing one of the best things going. Time for a change...

That's a pretty clueless statement. No club that's a member of ECNL is irrelevant. Quite the contrary.

Depends who you are talking to.

No, it doesn't.

LB
I have to disagree.
ECNL does not make a club relevant Feet are Relevant but they were before ECNL.
I have watched some other non NTX ECNL teams and many of them are anything but relevant, a good
chunk of them should not be prt of ECNL if its a Elite League.

I have to disagree with you. I'm not claiming that all ECNL teams are the strongest teams in their home areas. At any given point in time, that won't be the case.

But that's not the point. The fact that a club is an ECNL member means their teams will be present at ECNL events, which is where the most visibility and exposure exists. Therefore, any quality player wishing to avail themselves of that exposure, will benefit by being on an ECNL team. Over time, the ECNL teams will attract the best players and the high level of competition will lift all boats, particularly in the older age groups.

Therefore, any ECNL club will be relevant in their market, regardless of whether there are other good teams/clubs in town.

soccer4fun wrote:I have great respect for what dfeeters were and the legacy they have. My point was they were a antiquated model of one team per age group and the leadership decided to put all the teams into ecnl there by forfeiting all the byes/places in lhgcl. It was a uneducated, reckless gamble and I do not think it will be successful for the teams, coaches or players/families. The academies (younger teams) are ok but struggling and the move to now add a second team to "reestablish" the club into lhgcl, when they had it, that is where the irrelevance comes from. The market has moved forward and no one is waiting for this next move. Ask Pan Am, Braniff and Eastern about keeping up with the changing markets or finding yourself irrelevant. The folks that are leading this once proud club are leading it into a wall and the next sound you hear will be "bang". Not because I want it to be that way but because that is where they are heading.

Perhaps you should stick to soccer for fun.

That stinks! That is a good '03 team. I hope they can keep it together.

Does the majority of the team moving to Sting count as keeping it together?

Tap_the_Brakes wrote:

That stinks! That is a good '03 team. I hope they can keep it together.

Does the majority of the team moving to Sting count as keeping it together?

There is a lot of ground to cover between Jan 3 2012 and July 1, 2013.

Tap_the_Brakes wrote:

That stinks! That is a good '03 team. I hope they can keep it together.

Does the majority of the team moving to Sting count as keeping it together?

I personally could care less about the club name. The girls and the parents are top notch and I would hate to see them seperated. Best of luck wherever they end up. See you guys on the field!!

Balotelli Fan wrote:If this is true, and it looks to be. Sting wins, and Feet loses. Skip is a good coach. I wish him well.

All I want to know is where the Skipper is going to hold shooting & finishing? That is what is important! Everything else is political B.S.

Balotelli Fan wrote:If this is true, and it looks to be. Sting wins, and Feet loses. Skip is a good coach. I wish him well.

I'm not so sure Sting wins. For whatever reason, he has his believers and it seems like there are plenty of people on this forum who don't care for him or his coaching. For years, parents take their DDs to him for skills, but continue to play for other teams. Why? The bottom line is the younger select teams that he has turned over to the club coaches recently haven't been up to the level of the club's older teams and there seems to be constant chaos and turnover in that academy. Maybe it will work with Sting, but I bet this move really helps Feet as well. They have needed to get their academy situation fixed. Just my opinion...

iheartfutbol wrote:

Balotelli Fan wrote:If this is true, and it looks to be. Sting wins, and Feet loses. Skip is a good coach. I wish him well.

I'm not so sure Sting wins. For whatever reason, he has his believers and it seems like there are plenty of people on this forum who don't care for him or his coaching. For years, parents take their DDs to him for skills, but continue to play for other teams. Why? The bottom line is the younger select teams that he has turned over to the club coaches recently haven't been up to the level of the club's older teams and there seems to be constant chaos and turnover in that academy. Maybe it will work with Sting, but I bet this move really helps Feet as well. They have needed to get their academy situation fixed. Just my opinion...

I don't think it is him. I think it is because the parents have so many choices and used car salesmen all over the youth soccer landscape.

When the parents aren't educated on what things really are. They become easy prey.

So basically I am saying the very best prospects are not going to the Dfeeter's like in years past and the collection of talented players coming together is being watered down. Due to the soccer clubs that are in every township in DFW. Saying they are providing elite level training and are doing the right things to develop your Little Mia.

#2420 wrote:

iheartfutbol wrote:

Balotelli Fan wrote:If this is true, and it looks to be. Sting wins, and Feet loses. Skip is a good coach. I wish him well.

I'm not so sure Sting wins. For whatever reason, he has his believers and it seems like there are plenty of people on this forum who don't care for him or his coaching. For years, parents take their DDs to him for skills, but continue to play for other teams. Why? The bottom line is the younger select teams that he has turned over to the club coaches recently haven't been up to the level of the club's older teams and there seems to be constant chaos and turnover in that academy. Maybe it will work with Sting, but I bet this move really helps Feet as well. They have needed to get their academy situation fixed. Just my opinion...

I don't think it is him. I think it is because the parents have so many choices and used car salesmen all over the youth soccer landscape.

When the parents aren't educated on what things really are. They become easy prey.

So basically I am saying the very best prospects are not going to the Dfeeter's like in years past and the collection of talented players coming together is being watered down. Due to the soccer clubs that are in every township in DFW. Saying they are providing elite level training and are doing the right things to develop your Little Mia.

I agree with some of what your saying but are you implying that the young girls are developing themselves?

homiethesoccerman wrote:

#2420 wrote:

iheartfutbol wrote:

Balotelli Fan wrote:If this is true, and it looks to be. Sting wins, and Feet loses. Skip is a good coach. I wish him well.

I'm not so sure Sting wins. For whatever reason, he has his believers and it seems like there are plenty of people on this forum who don't care for him or his coaching. For years, parents take their DDs to him for skills, but continue to play for other teams. Why? The bottom line is the younger select teams that he has turned over to the club coaches recently haven't been up to the level of the club's older teams and there seems to be constant chaos and turnover in that academy. Maybe it will work with Sting, but I bet this move really helps Feet as well. They have needed to get their academy situation fixed. Just my opinion...

I don't think it is him. I think it is because the parents have so many choices and used car salesmen all over the youth soccer landscape.

When the parents aren't educated on what things really are. They become easy prey.

So basically I am saying the very best prospects are not going to the Dfeeter's like in years past and the collection of talented players coming together is being watered down. Due to the soccer clubs that are in every township in DFW. Saying they are providing elite level training and are doing the right things to develop your Little Mia.

I agree with some of what your saying but are you implying that the young girls are developing themselves?

No that was not my point. I do believe they can develop to a certain level by just playing the game. While working on things that work for them on the pitch!

#2420 wrote:

homiethesoccerman wrote:

#2420 wrote:

iheartfutbol wrote:

Balotelli Fan wrote:If this is true, and it looks to be. Sting wins, and Feet loses. Skip is a good coach. I wish him well.

I'm not so sure Sting wins. For whatever reason, he has his believers and it seems like there are plenty of people on this forum who don't care for him or his coaching. For years, parents take their DDs to him for skills, but continue to play for other teams. Why? The bottom line is the younger select teams that he has turned over to the club coaches recently haven't been up to the level of the club's older teams and there seems to be constant chaos and turnover in that academy. Maybe it will work with Sting, but I bet this move really helps Feet as well. They have needed to get their academy situation fixed. Just my opinion...

I don't think it is him. I think it is because the parents have so many choices and used car salesmen all over the youth soccer landscape.

When the parents aren't educated on what things really are. They become easy prey.

So basically I am saying the very best prospects are not going to the Dfeeter's like in years past and the collection of talented players coming together is being watered down. Due to the soccer clubs that are in every township in DFW. Saying they are providing elite level training and are doing the right things to develop your Little Mia.

I agree with some of what your saying but are you implying that the young girls are developing themselves?

No that was not my point. I do believe they can develop to a certain level by just playing the game. While working on things that work for them on the pitch!

wouldn't you agree that the coach plays an important role in the development of the young girls?

You hit the nail on the head here. I've been saying for quite some time this is what has led to Feet's lack of results in the last few years. Essentially we have academy teams on every corner and where the other larger clubs went along with the trend of letting teams practice wherever and hiring a large number of coaches. Skip and Feet have sat and waited for the players to show up that had already been on theams for a couple of years. (From what I understand in the old dayys one essentially went from Rec to select and there were few options). The problem has been recognized and hopefully being fixed, I know Feet is open to letting coaches be flexible in thier practice locations moving forward and trying to expand East. And for those of you that blame Skip for the recent decline, he was with Feet for twelve years and had a big hand in developing thier stronger teams as well. He is a great coach if you know what he brings to your DD's development, skills, S and F and crazy good conditioning. My DD is very upset with him for moving to the "dark side"..

#2420 wrote:

iheartfutbol wrote:

Balotelli Fan wrote:If this is true, and it looks to be. Sting wins, and Feet loses. Skip is a good coach. I wish him well.

I'm not so sure Sting wins. For whatever reason, he has his believers and it seems like there are plenty of people on this forum who don't care for him or his coaching. For years, parents take their DDs to him for skills, but continue to play for other teams. Why? The bottom line is the younger select teams that he has turned over to the club coaches recently haven't been up to the level of the club's older teams and there seems to be constant chaos and turnover in that academy. Maybe it will work with Sting, but I bet this move really helps Feet as well. They have needed to get their academy situation fixed. Just my opinion...

I don't think it is him. I think it is because the parents have so many choices and used car salesmen all over the youth soccer landscape.

When the parents aren't educated on what things really are. They become easy prey.

So basically I am saying the very best prospects are not going to the Dfeeter's like in years past and the collection of talented players coming together is being watered down. Due to the soccer clubs that are in every township in DFW. Saying they are providing elite level training and are doing the right things to develop your Little Mia.

1more_dd_dad wrote:You hit the nail on the head here. I've been saying for quite some time this is what has led to Feet's lack of results in the last few years. Essentially we have academy teams on every corner and where the other larger clubs went along with the trend of letting teams practice wherever and hiring a large number of coaches. Skip and Feet have sat and waited for the players to show up that had already been on theams for a couple of years. (From what I understand in the old dayys one essentially went from Rec to select and there were few options). The problem has been recognized and hopefully being fixed, I know Feet is open to letting coaches be flexible in thier practice locations moving forward and trying to expand East. And for those of you that blame Skip for the recent decline, he was with Feet for twelve years and had a big hand in developing thier stronger teams as well. He is a great coach if you know what he brings to your DD's development, skills, S and F and crazy good conditioning. My DD is very upset with him for moving to the "dark side"..

#2420 wrote:

iheartfutbol wrote:

Balotelli Fan wrote:If this is true, and it looks to be. Sting wins, and Feet loses. Skip is a good coach. I wish him well.

I'm not so sure Sting wins. For whatever reason, he has his believers and it seems like there are plenty of people on this forum who don't care for him or his coaching. For years, parents take their DDs to him for skills, but continue to play for other teams. Why? The bottom line is the younger select teams that he has turned over to the club coaches recently haven't been up to the level of the club's older teams and there seems to be constant chaos and turnover in that academy. Maybe it will work with Sting, but I bet this move really helps Feet as well. They have needed to get their academy situation fixed. Just my opinion...

I don't think it is him. I think it is because the parents have so many choices and used car salesmen all over the youth soccer landscape.

When the parents aren't educated on what things really are. They become easy prey.

So basically I am saying the very best prospects are not going to the Dfeeter's like in years past and the collection of talented players coming together is being watered down. Due to the soccer clubs that are in every township in DFW. Saying they are providing elite level training and are doing the right things to develop your Little Mia.

I agree d'feeters should move east cause there is a lot of good talent out there that the big three are getting by being out there. My point is that it is all about having a coach that can get the best out of your dd. Just Keep searching until you find it and if you do find that coach follow him wherever he or she goes even if it is the dark side.

homiethesoccerman wrote:

#2420 wrote:

homiethesoccerman wrote:

#2420 wrote:

iheartfutbol wrote:

Balotelli Fan wrote:If this is true, and it looks to be. Sting wins, and Feet loses. Skip is a good coach. I wish him well.

I'm not so sure Sting wins. For whatever reason, he has his believers and it seems like there are plenty of people on this forum who don't care for him or his coaching. For years, parents take their DDs to him for skills, but continue to play for other teams. Why? The bottom line is the younger select teams that he has turned over to the club coaches recently haven't been up to the level of the club's older teams and there seems to be constant chaos and turnover in that academy. Maybe it will work with Sting, but I bet this move really helps Feet as well. They have needed to get their academy situation fixed. Just my opinion...

I don't think it is him. I think it is because the parents have so many choices and used car salesmen all over the youth soccer landscape.

When the parents aren't educated on what things really are. They become easy prey.

So basically I am saying the very best prospects are not going to the Dfeeter's like in years past and the collection of talented players coming together is being watered down. Due to the soccer clubs that are in every township in DFW. Saying they are providing elite level training and are doing the right things to develop your Little Mia.

I agree with some of what your saying but are you implying that the young girls are developing themselves?

No that was not my point. I do believe they can develop to a certain level by just playing the game. While working on things that work for them on the pitch!

wouldn't you agree that the coach plays an important role in the development of the young girls?

No I do not believe it is really important. I have seen what the so called development does to North Texas youth players. You would not believe the players that are left in the wake of North Texas youth soccer development. With worn out bodies and minds by age 18. If they even make it to the age. It's a shame.

If I may posit another reason for the coaching moves. For next season the US Club Soccer plan is to roughly mimic the path the Boy's Academy Soccer program took. Each ECNL age group will permit/require each ECNL club to field multiple teams. Those teams will participate in the regional group play that occurs now, at a somewhat more robust level. Much like the "Premier League" program those teams will have the possibility of advancing to a national competition, the details of which are still being ironed out. The advantages for an ECNL Club are numerous; a player pool like ODP and fluidity of player movement between teams as needed; reduction in whining from parents in ECNL clubs whose daughters were not on ECNL; a broadened and more manageable presence for college recruitment (after all at the older levels winning is nice but a scholarship sells the program)and a reduction in dependence on local leagues as their teams at the ECNL ages will not participate.
For Feet they will have to expand by acquisition rather than development to comply, offtimes a less than pleasant accumulation/blending. Sting has teams so someone like Skip will have more options if he chooses that route
For LHGCL it will truly become a "youth league". Even now it is a somewhat pointless exercise in the older ages; little to no college presence, disinterested players, and less interested parents.
Viewing the movements of teams, coaches, and players through the prism of the ECNL clubs perhaps make more sense.

#2420 wrote: No I do not believe it is really important. I have seen what the so called development does to North Texas youth players. You would not believe the players that are left in the wake of North Texas youth soccer development. With worn out bodies and minds by age 18. If they even make it to the age. It's a shame.

What are you talking about? Where are these worn out bodies you mention? There is always going to be a few ACL tears and sprains on every team. Women's bodies are more susceptible to injury than men. My daughter, age 17, has played at the top level since U-11 and before. She stills has the same passion and drive that she had back then, only with a stronger body. The same can be said about her teammates and those on competing teams. Do some girls drop off? Sure but not always because of worn out bodies. Often because of boys or other interests. I only remember one girl that had to quit because of injury. Hers was concussion like symptoms. She switched to basketball. As a matter of fact, we have one girl that has come back from 2 ACL tears in the same knee and she is more determined than ever to succeed.

Maybe I run in different circles but I think you make things up some times so that people think you know what you're talking about.

Uncle Numanga wrote:

#2420 wrote: No I do not believe it is really important. I have seen what the so called development does to North Texas youth players. You would not believe the players that are left in the wake of North Texas youth soccer development. With worn out bodies and minds by age 18. If they even make it to the age. It's a shame.

What are you talking about? Where are these worn out bodies you mention? There is always going to be a few ACL tears and sprains on every team. Women's bodies are more susceptible to injury than men. My daughter, age 17, has played at the top level since U-11 and before. She stills has the same passion and drive that she had back then, only with a stronger body. The same can be said about her teammates and those on competing teams. Do some girls drop off? Sure but not always because of worn out bodies. Often because of boys or other interests. I only remember one girl that had to quit because of injury. Hers was concussion like symptoms. She switched to basketball. As a matter of fact, we have one girl that has come back from 2 ACL tears in the same knee and she is more determined than ever to succeed.

Maybe I run in different circles but I think you make things up some times so that people think you know what you're talking about.

I believe it with out a doubt bodies and Minds are getting trashed. And all I want to do is keep as many in the sport as long as possible. My dd has came back from an ACL operation and most people have no clue she had it. Including her new coach until he was told. You are in a small circle my friend. You could careless about any others but your own. And I do not have a problem with that. I am pretty sure that what I am talking about is a "Dirty Little Secret". That when is brought to light you have some people that deflect the credibility of who is talking about it.
Look I am reasonable, fair, and have a general concern of the health of female players. You can call me out on that all day if you want. I am not closed minded and my thoughts have the best of intentions. Unlike many of the egos on this board.

Your interest in this should be more than just your very small circle.

BTW I laughed when I first read you post on this matter.

One last thing. You dd is probably the best, fasted, and strongest soccer player in North Texas. So that put's you into a small circle. Do you agree?


I know of 17 acl injuries this year from Top u-16 age group and countless concussions. Not to mention the mental beatdowns that are being put out by coaches all over soccer. That has become the norm here!

Here is one ad for you https://www.txsoccer.net/t9270-fc-dallas-ecnl-96