Full disclosure, my DD is a YNT pool kid. I'm not going to mention club/state/DOC, etc. No need to unjustly scrutinize relationships, scenarios, unproven biases, etc.
The process is always under scrutiny and has likely been abused by clubs. In my experience, the scouts and the staff coaches have seemed objective, and they do their research. You are correct that the coaches/DOCs are the decision makers in the context of who they recommend from their own teams. It doesn't mean that's who actually attends an ID center. Scouts will observe everyone on the pitch, not just the recommended kid. Do some DOCs have more pull than others? sure, especially if they have a track record of grooming YNT kids. Kinda of like Calipari at University of Kentucky. If he calls an NBA team to come out and scout, they come. He has a proven track record of identifying talent and having them succeed at the next level. Same thing goes for the YNT staff/scouts and relationships with clubs/DOCs.
The savy scouts know where to look and they don't just rely on clubs/coaches. Their end state is higher stakes than a college scout/coach. College coaches can get fat and lazy, show up to a ________(fill in the blank for the letter league) showcase, and recruit a year group. The pipeline for the USWNT is higher stakes, and they tend to take it more seriously.
For now, the YNT staff has done a great job of keeping in touch with the kids and keeping a finger on their pulse. The clubs are not involved, there is a direct line to the kids and that's the way the staff likes to operate. I sat in on one this week (in the background, in another room where I was banished to by my DD). I can't overemphasize enough how much they emphasize that this is a process, it's hard, and it's not for everyone, even if you think it's for you. What I really like about what they do is the complete removal of the parents from the process. I didn't receive an email telling me about this meeting. I didn't even know about it until the day before. The regional camp (@Chula Vista) is run like this as well. Parents are generally not allowed to attend any sessions. The only sessions that are open to the public is the last session, and that's from a distance. Zero interaction with your child as they step off of the field. If your daughter flies in, they pick her up at the airport and transport her. You put them on the plane on your end. If you drive, it's drop off at the front, a kiss and a wave.
YNT is not for everyone, for the very few in fact. Will my DD make it through the pipeline? who knows. She may change her mind when the YNT thing really begins to intrude on her social life, because it will. Will she ever get called up to a team? Who knows. YNT staff is brutally honest in their feedback, especially after camps. NO feedback is offered after ID centers, only camps. You have to be in for the long haul and have to do well with rejection and feedback that describes your weaknesses. Negative feedback can be a challenge for high level athletes, some do well, some don't. It is a long term grind. Next step for my DD is to be called to a national camp (if selected), she's made the regional camp. Long term, the next big step is being age eligible for the U17 world cup in 2022. That is a lot to consider for someone so young.
If she decides it's not for her, fine. If she's not good enough to be called to a team, fine. She loves to play futbol but she's a damn good b-ball player and mountain biker. I'd honestly be most happiest if she quit everything and raced mountain bikes for her HS team. It would allow me to justify all the hours I spend on my bike to my wife. But that's just me being selfish.
Lastly, and this if for anyone that read this, if you think your kid has what it takes, send the YNT staff an email. They'll read it and likely reply. They are always on the lookout for talent. Be prepared to have an honest conversation about your kid, style of play, futbol IQ, and their current environment.
Now back to work - this was my early lunch break!!