Early SW Conference 2017-2018 Outlook Discussion

This season that just finished up she was on the Blackhawks.

She just accepted an ECNL offer with Sereno within past week or so.

Needless to say I am curious as to how the season will turn out.

Sereno over the past few years has had issues. They brought in a new guy to run in a few months ago...who is starting to pull in good coaches from around Phx. Contrast that vs the outflow they had under the old guy.

I BELIEVE that previously Sereno was mainly promoting players from within to their ECNL squads...hence their poor performances.

At the U14 age group for next year there is a mix of girls from other clubs. From my understanding there has been an inflow into the 03 age group as well (they did not do well at all this year).

My daughter is looking forward to playing with a new club and playing against stiffer competition this coming year.
I hope that the new guy at Sereno can really turn things around. My DD guest played with the 03 Sereno team for a while, they deserve to have some success. Good luck to your DD this year. Where did your YNT defender go?
 
I hope that the new guy at Sereno can really turn things around. My DD guest played with the 03 Sereno team for a while, they deserve to have some success. Good luck to your DD this year. Where did your YNT defender go?
My understanding is she went to del Sol GDA.
 
DA = A team
ECNL = B team
Best players will play on the A team
ECNL only Clubs (without DA)actually have a shot at a better record this year
After some reading, talking to a couple coaches and DOC's, parents, etc., I think DA and ECNL will be on par for the 2017-2018 season. I initially thought that DA would immediately bankrupt the greater majority of ECNL but I jumped too quickly. I know, I know @MaP and @NoGoal. You chided me. Lol. Though I feel DA will gain a step in 2018-2019 season+, I now get the distinct impression that for this upcoming season the DA impact will not be as devastating for many ECNL teams / clubs. Just my .02

2017-2018 season IMO I believe it will depend upon more than just if a club is dual DA / ECNL. Who the DA or ECNL coach is? What the final DA rules are? What training opportunities, showcases, etc, does each individual player desire? And what about flexibility? DA "development player" designation looks to offer a sort of best of all worlds scenario especially for dual ECNL DA clubs? Etc. So @jojo I hedge / guess for 2017-2018 season regardless of DA / ECNL dual status

DA = A Team on many clubs
ECNL = A team on many clubs

Does anyone know if the Blues 01 ECNL team is staying ECNL? Is that possible? Can anyone close to that situation confirm?
 
After some reading, talking to a couple coaches and DOC's, parents, etc., I think DA and ECNL will be on par for the 2017-2018 season. I initially thought that DA would immediately bankrupt the greater majority of ECNL but I jumped too quickly. I know, I know @MaP and @NoGoal. You chided me. Lol. Though I feel DA will gain a step in 2018-2019 season+, I now get the distinct impression that for this upcoming season the DA impact will not be as devastating for many ECNL teams / clubs. Just my .02

2017-2018 season IMO I believe it will depend upon more than just if a club is dual DA / ECNL. Who the DA or ECNL coach is? What the final DA rules are? What training opportunities, showcases, etc, does each individual player desire? And what about flexibility? DA "development player" designation looks to offer a sort of best of all worlds scenario especially for dual ECNL DA clubs? Etc. So @jojo I hedge / guess for 2017-2018 season regardless of DA / ECNL dual status

DA = A Team on many clubs
ECNL = A team on many clubs

Does anyone know if the Blues 01 ECNL team is staying ECNL? Is that possible? Can anyone close to that situation confirm?
The #1 reason why I didn't think Girls DA was going to attract all of the top talent in the uolders is college recruiting. Girls DA college showcases is still the great unknown. When they conduct their 1st college showcase will there be 200-300 college coaches in attendance? Yes, no, maybe so, who knows and why would a parent with an uncommitted HS freshmen, sophomore or even junior risk that chance, especially if they are on the younger age band of the dual band age group and don't see field time? Hard to showcase your abilities from the bench. This is where ECNL still has leverage for now and if I was Arsenal and Strikers or any other ECNL only club, it's how I would market the product vs Girls DA.

In a year or 2 after word of mouth from parents sharing how many college coaches were at their collegebshowcases. Then, you will see the Girls DA shift into high gear.

Like any new product, there is an introductory stage, growth stage, maturity, and decline. Girls DA is obviously in their intro stage.
 
After some reading, talking to a couple coaches and DOC's, parents, etc., I think DA and ECNL will be on par for the 2017-2018 season. I initially thought that DA would immediately bankrupt the greater majority of ECNL but I jumped too quickly. I know, I know @MaP and @NoGoal. You chided me. Lol. Though I feel DA will gain a step in 2018-2019 season+, I now get the distinct impression that for this upcoming season the DA impact will not be as devastating for many ECNL teams / clubs. Just my .02

2017-2018 season IMO I believe it will depend upon more than just if a club is dual DA / ECNL. Who the DA or ECNL coach is? What the final DA rules are? What training opportunities, showcases, etc, does each individual player desire? And what about flexibility? DA "development player" designation looks to offer a sort of best of all worlds scenario especially for dual ECNL DA clubs? Etc. So @jojo I hedge / guess for 2017-2018 season regardless of DA / ECNL dual status

DA = A Team on many clubs
ECNL = A team on many clubs

Does anyone know if the Blues 01 ECNL team is staying ECNL? Is that possible? Can anyone close to that situation confirm?

If this is the case, wouldn't these dual DA/ECNL clubs be in violation of the US Soccer requirements for DA? I believe the rules state that clubs must put their top players on the DA team-- and also that Development Players must be "bubble players"-- not the top players. The top players must be full-time rostered to the DA. This is supposedly to be monitored by the Technical Directors at games and even at practices, and I'm not really sure that can be gamed ("shank it Sally, US Soccer is here today!")

So how does that work? If DA/ECNL clubs utilize their top players in a fashion that is contrary to the rules as laid out by US Soccer, what would be the consequences?
 
If this is the case, wouldn't these dual DA/ECNL clubs be in violation of the US Soccer requirements for DA? I believe the rules state that clubs must put their top players on the DA team-- and also that Development Players must be "bubble players"-- not the top players. The top players must be full-time rostered to the DA. This is supposedly to be monitored by the Technical Directors at games and even at practices, and I'm not really sure that can be gamed ("shank it Sally, US Soccer is here today!")

So how does that work? If DA/ECNL clubs utilize their top players in a fashion that is contrary to the rules as laid out by US Soccer, what would be the consequences?
Besides US Soccer knowing the YNT players, how would the US Soccer scouts know who are the top players at each club?

If a parent already has a DD committed as a HS Sophomore or Junior already. She didn't like the Girls DA coach at the club or wants to continue playing HS Soccer...who is US Soccer to tell the parents she has to play on the Girls DA team at the club?
 
If this is the case, wouldn't these dual DA/ECNL clubs be in violation of the US Soccer requirements for DA? I believe the rules state that clubs must put their top players on the DA team-- and also that Development Players must be "bubble players"-- not the top players. The top players must be full-time rostered to the DA. This is supposedly to be monitored by the Technical Directors at games and even at practices, and I'm not really sure that can be gamed ("shank it Sally, US Soccer is here today!")

So how does that work? If DA/ECNL clubs utilize their top players in a fashion that is contrary to the rules as laid out by US Soccer, what would be the consequences?
Maybe upstart season flexibility or this loophole, "The Girls' Development Academy staff will create or modify any rules or regulations as deemed necessary"...?
 
After some reading, talking to a couple coaches and DOC's, parents, etc., I think DA and ECNL will be on par for the 2017-2018 season. I initially thought that DA would immediately bankrupt the greater majority of ECNL but I jumped too quickly. I know, I know @MaP and @NoGoal. You chided me. Lol. Though I feel DA will gain a step in 2018-2019 season+, I now get the distinct impression that for this upcoming season the DA impact will not be as devastating for many ECNL teams / clubs. Just my .02

2017-2018 season IMO I believe it will depend upon more than just if a club is dual DA / ECNL. Who the DA or ECNL coach is? What the final DA rules are? What training opportunities, showcases, etc, does each individual player desire? And what about flexibility? DA "development player" designation looks to offer a sort of best of all worlds scenario especially for dual ECNL DA clubs? Etc. So @jojo I hedge / guess for 2017-2018 season regardless of DA / ECNL dual status

DA = A Team on many clubs
ECNL = A team on many clubs

Does anyone know if the Blues 01 ECNL team is staying ECNL? Is that possible? Can anyone close to that situation confirm?

There is an oft-repeated rumor that the Blues 01 ECNL team will make up the majority of their new 01/02 DA team, and the Blues 02 ECNL team will mostly stay together and play 02 ECNL next season. And sometimes the rumor is the opposite. I am not sure it really matters, as the Blues have enough quality players on their 01 and 02 ECNL teams, and their "B" teams, to put together a terrific 01/02 DA team, as well as both an 01 and 02 ECNL team, no matter what the final DA roster looks like (and without needing to add new players). We are only talking about one extra team at this age group.

US Soccer has a lot on their plate right now, and checking individual DA rosters (other than for the presence of existing YNT players) seems unlikely.
 
Besides US Soccer knowing the YNT players, how would the US Soccer scouts know who are the top players at each club?
Does anyone think that some players on the GNT / WNT camp circuit are there simply because a club coach or DOC has connections? #curious

There is an oft-repeated rumor that the Blues 01 ECNL team will make up the majority of their new 01/02 DA team, and the Blues 02 ECNL team will mostly stay together and play 02 ECNL next season. And sometimes the rumor is the opposite. I am not sure it really matters, as the Blues have enough quality players on their 01 and 02 ECNL teams, and their "B" teams, to put together a terrific 01/02 DA team, as well as both an 01 and 02 ECNL team, no matter what the final DA roster looks like (and without needing to add new players). We are only talking about one extra team at this age group.

US Soccer has a lot on their plate right now, and checking individual DA rosters (other than for the presence of existing YNT players) seems unlikely.

Am guessing that Slammers and Surf are in the same boat within certain age groups as far as deep roster / age grouping talent?
 
If this is the case, wouldn't these dual DA/ECNL clubs be in violation of the US Soccer requirements for DA? I believe the rules state that clubs must put their top players on the DA team-- and also that Development Players must be "bubble players"-- not the top players. The top players must be full-time rostered to the DA. This is supposedly to be monitored by the Technical Directors at games and even at practices, and I'm not really sure that can be gamed ("shank it Sally, US Soccer is here today!")

So how does that work? If DA/ECNL clubs utilize their top players in a fashion that is contrary to the rules as laid out by US Soccer, what would be the consequences?

How is it a violation if the top players decide otherwise? Honestly, can you force someone into a league because they are the "top" player? Top players have the leverage to make a choice best suited for them whether that's GDA or ECNL or whatever path they choose.
 
The 2017 GDA Winter Showcase will be in conjunction with the CASL Girls' College Showcase on December 9-10, 2017. According to the 2016 CASL Showcase website, 597 college coaches (mostly East Coast schools) were listed for the event. I anticipate the Spring Showcase (early April) and the National Showcase (early June) will be planned to provide other geographical coverage.

If the Winter Showcase is an indication of exposure with college coaches for recruiting purposes, then I think GDA is at least starting on the right foot as far as Showcases are concerned.
 
How is it a violation if the top players decide otherwise? Honestly, can you force someone into a league because they are the "top" player? Top players have the leverage to make a choice best suited for them whether that's GDA or ECNL or whatever path they choose.

I have no idea if this is really a rule, and you are right, you cannot force a kid to play on a GDA team. At the same time, the kid has no right to dictate which team he/she wants to play on at a particular club. The kid should just go to an ECNL only or non-GDA club if that is the right fit.
 
The 2017 GDA Winter Showcase will be in conjunction with the CASL Girls' College Showcase on December 9-10, 2017. According to the 2016 CASL Showcase website, 597 college coaches (mostly East Coast schools) were listed for the event. I anticipate the Spring Showcase (early April) and the National Showcase (early June) will be planned to provide other geographical coverage.

If the Winter Showcase is an indication of exposure with college coaches for recruiting purposes, then I think GDA is at least starting on the right foot as far as Showcases are concerned.
That's weird. CASL is an ECNL club that is not part of the GDA. Why would they host a GDA showcase?
 
I have no idea if this is really a rule, and you are right, you cannot force a kid to play on a GDA team. At the same time, the kid has no right to dictate which team he/she wants to play on at a particular club. The kid should just go to an ECNL only or non-GDA club if that is the right fit.
Believe me the Top players have a very big say so. The clubs would rather bend and be flexible then lose their top players. My DD plays wherever she's happy. A club couldn't didn't dictate otherwise.
 
That's weird. CASL is an ECNL club that is not part of the GDA. Why would they host a GDA showcase?

Maybe the following press release helps to clarify:

October, 6, 2016
Raleigh, NC – The Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) and the Carolina RailHawks are excited to expand their elite player development partnership by launching the Capital Area RailHawks Girls’ Development Academy (Girls’ DA) for the fall of 2017. The Girls’ DA will fall under the current Capital Area RailHawks Development Program.

https://bsbproduction.s3.amazonaws....rea railhawks girls da press release 10.7.pdf
 
The 2017 GDA Winter Showcase will be in conjunction with the CASL Girls' College Showcase on December 9-10, 2017. According to the 2016 CASL Showcase website, 597 college coaches (mostly East Coast schools) were listed for the event. I anticipate the Spring Showcase (early April) and the National Showcase (early June) will be planned to provide other geographical coverage.

If the Winter Showcase is an indication of exposure with college coaches for recruiting purposes, then I think GDA is at least starting on the right foot as far as Showcases are concerned.

You do realize there is only ONE Showcase for DA? It has been in December in Florida. If teams are successful then they play in June for playoffs. Perhaps girls will be at a different location the Florida.
 
Does anyone think that some players on the GNT / WNT camp circuit are there simply because a club coach or DOC has connections? #curious

I know for a FACT DOC's and/or their head coaches recommend their top players to US Soccer coaches/scouts. Then the US Soccer scouts evaluate the player at Surf Cup or at ECNL events. In the younger ages the club coaches would recommend players to the US market training centers.

Similar as players being recommended to ODP scouts and evaluated at State/National Cup or CRL games.
 
Maybe the following press release helps to clarify:

October, 6, 2016
Raleigh, NC – The Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) and the Carolina RailHawks are excited to expand their elite player development partnership by launching the Capital Area RailHawks Girls’ Development Academy (Girls’ DA) for the fall of 2017. The Girls’ DA will fall under the current Capital Area RailHawks Development Program.

https://bsbproduction.s3.amazonaws.com/portals/4263/docs/capital area railhawks girls da press release 10.7.pdf
Like I said, Girls DA is in it's introduction stage. It would be wise to partner with an established college showcase, but it's NOT their showcase by including a Girls DA bracket. BTW, CASL is/was a ECNL club (not sure they are still ECNL or Girls DA only now).

ECNL didn't piggyback on another college showcase. They hold their own events and Girls DA will have to do the same.
 
Believe me the Top players have a very big say so. The clubs would rather bend and be flexible then lose their top players. My DD plays wherever she's happy. A club couldn't didn't dictate otherwise.
100% in agreement on this. The TOP players developing their soccer chops in the SoCal market get a lot of flexibility. That says a lot IMO about a player in a massive market that is so rich and deep in talent.
 
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