Danny Orton - The Soccer Expansion Project

I'm taking a positive psychology diploma and trying to help people from the soccer world looking to work on leadership and business. I'm 3 months into my course and looking to practice some of my training. It's free and confidential. Form below: forms.gle/XEiUGBxGPvLjYB… Thx

Like business, you need clients and critical mass to exist. Lots of entities are starting out saying they are the top, the peak, the place to be. But they need clubs and players so accept most and are just a shiny packaged club league like the others. Next to its mission of "the best", people are starting to say..."is player X one of THE best players in the State or region?". "No!" Just like many ODP programs are filled with players in the bottom 1/3 of travel rosters. When is US Soccer going to step in? So much false advertising too. Good post, Don! 🙂

@dortonofficial Waiting for MLS next RL Then pre MLS next 😆

Thoughts??

US Youth Soccer Culture Robotic. Lacks passion and hunger. Parent controlled. New “elite” leagues every season. Clubs focused on revenue vs kids growth. 6 hour round trip per game. Super Elite Pre-MLS NEXT 2022 Teams. Adults screaming “Boot it, Kick it, Send it. Pass it.”

"Dear Danny, Looking for a program for my kid (8). It can't be too unstructured but more team - based but my kid is new so not too competitive either." Okay, I'll get to work on that. I hope that all the variables that go along with a soccer game always work out.

worldsoccertalk.com/news/us-soccer… So a club can play in a birth year league but a school year tournament. Good work. @USYouthSoccer @ussoccer

Thumbs up for Don and his group. $1500-$2000 for 3 games at a "showcase" with 8 divisions and mismatched teams. Clubs revenue $1000+ per game. Games are played over 3 days which means hotels and rebates back to clubs are bigger. College coaches watching random players with no real relationship. ID camps and directly contacting colleges surely have to be of better value and use. Plus connecting with Don's group for honest evals.

Over on our FB groups, we have roughly 30,000 parents asking questions & getting answers Here’s one that pops up weekly: ARE COLLEGE ⚽️ ID CAMPS JUST MONEY MAKERS? YES They do make money And for the semi-average kid (80% of the kids out there) most chase the wrong Schools for their ability! And so yes, they are just donating money to the program but… For an IMPACT player who just needs to be seen? Camps are a tremendous value! The problem? Too many players over-estimate their abilities based on how they perform within their team Want to save a ton of 💰 & time? Get a proper evaluation from an expert BEFORE you go to any ID Camp Need help? Just ask @SRUSA_Official #CollegeSoccer

Went to another Atari convention this past weekend. So many joysticks. I'm waiting for US Soccer to take ownership. Kids are not learning and will quit.

If your club doesn't have a centralized, unified approach, how can you start conversations about pathways and expectations? Wild, wild, west.

Much of the general public tends to think: All D1 schools are the best All D2 are second best All D3 3rd best All NAIA 4th best All JC are 5th best Etc Such bad information & ill-informed folks We will keep fighting 👊🏼 to educate! Need help? Just ask @SRUSA_Official

IMO, the best predictor of a 9/10 yr old still playing the sport at 16/17 is whether they look like they're enjoying playing...win, lose or draw. I see too many young players seemingly unhappy as the play.

U13 tourney this w/end. As other coaches and parents spent time SCREAMING at their kids, at HT of our game I made a fake call to Jeff Bezos to order some new legs for one of players cos hers were tired. I signed off "Love you too, Jeff". Girls laughed. We finished 3rd of 32.

@TheKyleCWilson Yes please

Should kids aged 6-12 be able to play the game freely, without adults (coaches and parents) constantly joysticking their every move?

Initials are just initials Organizations are just organizations NAIA, NJCAA, NCSAA or NCAA DI, DII or DIII Labels are just labels But the opportunity to continue to play the sport you love for 4 more years while you earn your degree? Only 7% achieve this is #Priceless Need help? Just ask @SRUSA_Official

Ran a technical session for 7-9 year olds. As they played and continuously argued about calls and the rules I told them they'll lose a goal every time they try and ref the game. Final score was -13 to -6 and they left unhappy. That's our kids these days.

BHA and CFC concede goals with coaches accepting that GKs (or CBs) will mess up and they've let goals in by playing risky passes out of the back. Enzo said CFC will concede 10 playing this way and it's okay. Nope, it's not. They are mistakes. Stop making this thing okay cos loads of youth players copy this nonsense and also think it's part of the process. Make mistakes in training, not games - and not the premier league!! What the heck! If your pass might get intercepted in your defensive third, you are in BIG trouble so teach your players to spot the danger and knock it long. So I'm saying CFC v BHA was actually 3-1. There, all fixed. :-)

Junior MLS Next kid chatting with HS coach. Coach: How's it going? Kid: Okay, we're struggling at the moment. Coach: What are you plans for senior year? Kid: Not sure. I'd love to play for the school. Coach: We'd love to have you back. Kid: Yeah, maybe. I just have to sort out where I'm going to play in college first. I'm looking at (X) school but not sure if I can play there. --- Great marketing by MLS Next. These families are told that the ONLY way to play in college is through their program. When can it be a collaborative effort? #goodmarketing

trainingground.guru/articles/germa… @TheKyleCWilson