DA and ECNL

Agree DA has screwed this up which honestly you have to expect to some degree with it being new. It doesn't however seem like they are fixing any of the issues that they have, whether that is allowing girls to play high school, adding more show cases, letting teams play out side competition etc. So many things they got wrong and are not willing to make changes/listen to the consumer.

This is an opening for ECNL. They should offer a few of the better SoCal GDA only clubs a spot in ECNL and watch what happens.
 
It seems like from reading forum posts that the SoCal DA experience was a bit better than the experience DA clubs nationally had; probably because the talent depth here was able to compensate for the inevitable splits between ECNL and DA teams. But if the other states best clubs were disappointed by the DA experience and return to ECNL, it will only be a matter of time before the SoCal teams follow suit because the only true "national" league will be ECNL again, and national recruitment will be easier for college coaches in the ECNL.
 
It seems like from reading forum posts that the SoCal DA experience was a bit better than the experience DA clubs nationally had; probably because the talent depth here was able to compensate for the inevitable splits between ECNL and DA teams. But if the other states best clubs were disappointed by the DA experience and return to ECNL, it will only be a matter of time before the SoCal teams follow suit because the only true "national" league will be ECNL again, and national recruitment will be easier for college coaches in the ECNL.

That is a good point. SoCal with its year round playing weather and deep talent pool with 24 Million souls 2.5x bigger than Michigan (10 million). 5 states make up the Mid America division (8 total states but 3 don't have DA teams. SoCal is on a whole different level.
 
Still feeling like the girls are caught in the crossfire of a battle zone.
It's too bad. But I wonder if this war is just beginning.


That's what I was saying in the other thread. Are they leaving because they aren't as dominant as they have been on the ECNL scene for years??
 
Thanks for sharing @davin . Did you all notice the SoCal clubs missing from the list? But the statement does say more to follow.

Noticed that Slammers FC was on the list. Seems to imply that "partnership" DA programs may not be considered by ECNL to be the same club. Bottom line, be wary of making too many conclusions on who is leaving DA based on this list, some clubs may just be putting more separation/independence between ECNL and their partnered DA program.

MAP is correct, league changes seem to be the only constant in girls club soccer. Another reason why no player/parent should prioritize league over coach, team or even club.
 
Noticed that Slammers FC was on the list. Seems to imply that "partnership" DA programs may not be considered by ECNL to be the same club. Bottom line, be wary of making too many conclusions on who is leaving DA based on this list, some clubs may just be putting more separation/independence between ECNL and their partnered DA program.

MAP is correct, league changes seem to be the only constant in girls club soccer. Another reason why no player/parent should prioritize league over coach, team or even club.
Actually, one of the rumors was that Slammers was one of the clubs that were looking to leave GDA. Not sure if that’s true or not.

I do know that Seattle United, which was just announced as a new ECNL member, was in a partnership with the Seattle Reign NWSL team to create the Seattle Reign GDA club. Seattle United backed out of tthat partnership. Not sure how the NWSL club will be able to field competitive GDA teams now since they were using Seattle United’s coaches, players, and fields.
 
I noticed Slammers with no LAFC attached to it. What's up with that?

I think it is semantics like Dos Equis pointed out. LAFC Slammers is separate in a way as they wear adidas and are partners with LAFC. Maybe the Slammers name will be dropped from DA next year? But again only semantics.
 
Noticed that Slammers FC was on the list. Seems to imply that "partnership" DA programs may not be considered by ECNL to be the same club. Bottom line, be wary of making too many conclusions on who is leaving DA based on this list, some clubs may just be putting more separation/independence between ECNL and their partnered DA program.

MAP is correct, league changes seem to be the only constant in girls club soccer. Another reason why no player/parent should prioritize league over coach, team or even club.


LAFC only put their name on the DA teams and I suspect will only continue to if the partnership moves forward. LAFC Slammers has it's own site vs the rest of the club. lafc.academy/girlsacademy/

Everything else is Slammers FC / CDA even if the coaches etc... are the same.

I'd have a hard time seeing LAFC endorsing ECNL on the girls side with the way they treat DA on the boys side. Unlike Galaxy, TFA or Surf, there are no club teams or affiliates. May be that has more to due with the whole club being new, but it sure doesn't feel as if it is changing anytime soon.

Also, rumor says Mia Hamm and other owners will be bringing a LAFC womens team in the next few years. Who knows where that puts the partnership with Slammers?
 
Seeing Arsenal on the list brings up the great divide in the Inland Empire that may be happening in other parts of the country.
Play DA and go to Legends if you make the cut or travel to South OC or The Valley (LA Premier, Real So Cal or Eagles).
Play ECNL and go to Arsenal.

I guess this leaves an affiliate such as IE Surf in a pickle as they are running through what's left of the competition with the DA coming in, but are playing in the NPL.
 
Qu
The rumor is a partnership with FC Barcelona women.

Quite possible as FC Barcelona and Real Madrid already made statements they plan on bringing their brands to the NWSL in the near future.

Now what if California went from no womens teams to 2?
 
Actually, one of the rumors was that Slammers was one of the clubs that were looking to leave GDA. Not sure if that’s true or not.

I do know that Seattle United, which was just announced as a new ECNL member, was in a partnership with the Seattle Reign NWSL team to create the Seattle Reign GDA club. Seattle United backed out of tthat partnership. Not sure how the NWSL club will be able to field competitive GDA teams now since they were using Seattle United’s coaches, players, and fields.

I think Seattle Reign is now partnered with Eastside FC. They are a solid WA club.
 
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