My son is 2010 GK. Has been primary GK since U12 so on his 4th year. He is competitive. Was Starting GK in middle school 7th grade. Is looking forward to 8th grade Middle School Spring Season. He has played AYSO all his life and in their 'EXTRA' program the last 2 years as primary GK. Last year he was invited to practice with 2 FC premier teams 2010 Flight 1 and 2009 coach coaching flights 1-3, as well as Pateadores LB flight 1. All three teams extended offers. Which is where the question of 'Subjectivity" comes into place. 2 offered flight 1. While the coach managing all 3 flights 1-3, offered flight 3. Citing this is where "more playing time would be guaranteed. Most recently he has practiced with a Slammers 2010 team, flight 1 and also seem to be interested in having him join. Current most favorite it Slammers.
There are different reasons as to why we have not committed anywhere. #1 the commitment finishing this 'EXTRA' season out. And other reasons such as the team itself - 1 flight 1 not looking like or feeling like its a flight 1 team other than the coach saying so, the coach(es) attitude/demeanor/personality, etc., and some just plain gut feeling is just a money grab with 1 guy coaching 3 2010 teams, having 2 JK's already and saying bring your boy he'll be the 3rd. Ummmm... pass.
He enjoys practices and training, does 2 hour/week GK training aside from team practices. He would like to play at a higher level. Has had scrimmages with most of the mentioned teams and adjusted well, and liked the higher level of play and challenge and would like to go somewhere where that higher level is more consistent from the coaches to the players to the competition. Has gotten lots of compliments and some parents telling me, "if he joins (Flight 1), he more than likely would be invited to play in RL games". Not shooting for the stars. Thinking maybe a good flight 1 team in need of a good GK for now. What can come after that, we will see.
Not know much outside of AYSO, but finding out that lots of teams are starting try-outs now for 2024 fall. Are there any other recommendations out there with good consistent coaching that we should consider checking into? It seems that GK market is not as saturated as some field player positions from what I have seen. We are in Downey, and getting to likes of SoBay, OC, is not too hard. Any advice is highly welcomed.
There are different reasons as to why we have not committed anywhere. #1 the commitment finishing this 'EXTRA' season out. And other reasons such as the team itself - 1 flight 1 not looking like or feeling like its a flight 1 team other than the coach saying so, the coach(es) attitude/demeanor/personality, etc., and some just plain gut feeling is just a money grab with 1 guy coaching 3 2010 teams, having 2 JK's already and saying bring your boy he'll be the 3rd. Ummmm... pass.
He enjoys practices and training, does 2 hour/week GK training aside from team practices. He would like to play at a higher level. Has had scrimmages with most of the mentioned teams and adjusted well, and liked the higher level of play and challenge and would like to go somewhere where that higher level is more consistent from the coaches to the players to the competition. Has gotten lots of compliments and some parents telling me, "if he joins (Flight 1), he more than likely would be invited to play in RL games". Not shooting for the stars. Thinking maybe a good flight 1 team in need of a good GK for now. What can come after that, we will see.
Not know much outside of AYSO, but finding out that lots of teams are starting try-outs now for 2024 fall. Are there any other recommendations out there with good consistent coaching that we should consider checking into? It seems that GK market is not as saturated as some field player positions from what I have seen. We are in Downey, and getting to likes of SoBay, OC, is not too hard. Any advice is highly welcomed.
