Say bye-bye-bye to Girls and Boys DA

[Ellejustus]

This is a late volleyball bloomer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Fortune

Scott could not play volleyball worth beans as a freshman or sophomore in HS. I mean, I was way better skills wise. I could set really well, dig and serve. Scott had long arms and he could block ok, but his timing to spike was way off and we laughed at him. He was my teammate in hoops. He dreamed of playing on the Olympic team one day. However, that was for hoops and we all laughed at him. Next thing I know, he got a full ride to Stanford in Volleyball and I watched him play on TV for the USA in Volleyball and win gold. I was so happy for him and even told my wife how wrong I was about Bones

BTW, for those wondering, Scott was a good kid and never partied with me. That's the God's honest truth. Maybe that's why he went to Stanford and made Olympics and I never made it to the Big Leagues. I was good but I couldn;t hit that curve ball. I now know why after all these years. I have myself to blame too. I was smoking weed way too much and partying too much. Laguna was a hippie town and my older sister lived in the canyon with Timothy Leary. No joke. Big sister hanging with the stars. Manson visited as did some of the Beach Boys she would tell us at dinner table. I went surfing instead of going to the batting cages or take extra fielding at second base. I didn;t put the work in and by the time I got to HS, I was .250 hitter that hustled and showed up for the games stoned. Stupid me

 

[STX]

IDK but my kids club peeled Pareja from FCD before he was fired and went to Orlando. Pareja is known for ability to work with young players...do you think it’s possible FCD is in a downward spiral after Pareja left?

FC Dallas got screwed royally. They are the best boys club in the country and a top 10 girls club. Probably have the best facilities in the country, too. There are something like 20 YNT players at the club. No downward spiral. Quite the opposite.

However the rival Dallas clubs see an opportunity to go for the kill and are taking it. Same thing is happening in the former DA Frontier Conference at Austin (Lonestar) and Houston (Dash) and Oklahoma City (Energy).

The DA clubs in each of those towns are better than the local ECNL club (significantly so in most cases), but the ECNL clubs have coordinated to keep the ex-DA clubs out and plan to poach players.

Not exactly "unification of top clubs" like Lavers has presented, but the ECNL clubs are tickled pink with what has transpired. Meanwhile last year's ECNL players are nearly as nervous about all this as last year's DA Players. It's an open secret their coaches are now actively trying to replace them with new recruits.

Good times.

 

[chiefs]

Tad wants to win. So Copa, how many 16 to 17 years olds quit soccer every year? I'm sure Tad had players that quit or didn;t want to put in the Ganas to be the best, so he's always recruiting the best. He's only had 7 teams bro in 40 years. Look at their website and you will see Coach Tad in a pic with his former players. You have no idea what you're talking about. https://www.scblues.com/scblues

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what’s interesting is the 7 teams in 40 years...and I’m sure they were excellent like his current team, which is ranked #1 in the country according to TDS.

 

[STX]

FC Dallas got screwed royally. They are the best boys club in the country and a top 10 girls club. Probably have the best facilities in the country, too. There are something like 20 YNT players at the club. No downward spiral. Quite the opposite.

However the rival Dallas clubs see an opportunity to go for the kill and are taking it. Same thing is happening in the former DA Frontier Conference at Austin (Lonestar) and Houston (Dash) and Oklahoma City (Energy).

The DA clubs in each of those towns are better than the local ECNL club (significantly so in most cases), but the ECNL clubs have coordinated to keep the ex-DA clubs out and plan to poach players.

Not exactly "unification of top clubs" like Lavers has presented, but the ECNL clubs are tickled pink with what has transpired. Meanwhile last year's ECNL players are nearly as nervous about all this as last year's DA Players. It's an open secret their coaches are now actively trying to replace them with new recruits.

Good times.

I'll add to clarify... The FC Dallas boys will be fine and will probably remain the top boys club in the country.

And while the girls may end up just fine, too, there appears to be a concerted effort by others to not make it so.

 

[Ellejustus]

FC Dallas got screwed royally. They are the best boys club in the country and a top 10 girls club. Probably have the best facilities in the country, too. There are something like 20 YNT players at the club. No downward spiral. Quite the opposite.

However the rival Dallas clubs see an opportunity to go for the kill and are taking it. Same thing is happening in the former DA Frontier Conference at Austin (Lonestar) and Houston (Dash) and Oklahoma City (Energy).

The DA clubs in each of those towns are better than the local ECNL club (significantly so in most cases), but the ECNL clubs have coordinated to keep the ex-DA clubs out and plan to poach players.

Not exactly "unification of top clubs" like Lavers has presented, but the ECNL clubs are tickled pink with what has transpired. Meanwhile last year's ECNL players are nearly as nervous about all this as last year's DA Players. It's an open secret their coaches are now actively trying to replace them with new recruits.

Good times.

That sucks. Kicker says its already happening at Beach & Legends. I think the timing of all this is piss poor for all of us. USSF don;t care about us at all. I felt like sh*t two years ago when my dd got locked out of all the fun and now some you know how it feels. However, I want all the top clubs playing together and I want a fair way to compete. How about this for ECNL idea. Take all the other top teams left out this year and make an "ECNL Independent League" for 2020-2021. They can take top four to playoffs. Too many good teams and lets stop all the poaching. Then in 2021-2022 season the ECNL can learn what are the best teams based on playing in the games and make their top tier league and then a regional league. Then we have a local tier 1 or flight one league where good local teams can be formed and actually challenge some of the ECNL teams. I predict parents will not want all this division. It sucks to move teams you guys and the girls have been through so much already.

 

[Ellejustus]

what’s interesting is the 7 teams in 40 years...and I’m sure they were excellent like his current team, which is ranked #1 in the country according to TDS.

Yup. He's a such a good man. Most honest and ethical coach out there. I swear to God that he never, ever talked ill told another club or coach. He has never, ever talked about another player or their family to me. That is a man of integrity. I went for the coach, not the club. My dd to this day says there is no one like Tad. I'm only sad because USSF changed the birth year and Tad lost half his team that he personally recruited for three years and my dd didn't get to finish her career with him. Kicker wants to know why I brag about Tad, I think you know why now The Gapher is a great coach too. They compliment each other very well

 

[STX]

That sucks. Kicker says its already happening at Beach & Legends. I think the timing of all this is piss poor for all of us. USSF don;t care about us at all. I felt like sh*t two years ago when my dd got locked out of all the fun and now some you know how it feels. However, I want all the top clubs playing together and I want a fair way to compete. How about this for ECNL idea. Take all the other top teams left out this year and make an "ECNL Independent League" for 2020-2021. They can take top four to playoffs. Too many good teams and lets stop all the poaching. Then in 2021-2022 season the ECNL can learn what are the best teams based on playing in the games and make their top tier league and then a regional league. Then we have a local tier 1 or flight one league where good local teams can be formed and actually challenge some of the ECNL teams. I predict parents will not want all this division. It sucks to move teams you guys and the girls have been through so much already.

Meh. The problems you have had are your own fault. I don't feel sorry for you.

The problems some outstanding clubs/coaches/directors/girls/teams/families/trainers/club employees all across the country are having right now are not their fault. They simply made the mistake of trusting US Soccer. I feel very sorry for them.

 

[Ellejustus]

Meh. The problems you have had are your own fault. I don't feel sorry for you.

The problems some outstanding clubs/coaches/directors/girls/teams/families/trainers/club employees all across the country are having right now are not their fault. They simply made the mistake of trusting US Soccer. I feel very sorry for them.

Wow, that was meh or whatever that means. Why my fault and not your club doc fault for not applying a year ago? Who the hell do you think I trusted in 2017 for 4 days a week and 10 months out of the year too? I had their staff all over me and my dd bro. Man, that was harsh. I will still fell sorry for all of you. If one parent hurts, we all hurt is my motto. Just like I feel sorry for my friend who lost his wife a year ago and just lost his job. He has 3 kids. STX, it will be ok bro.

 

[dad4]

Meh. The problems you have had are your own fault. I don't feel sorry for you.

The problems some outstanding clubs/coaches/directors/girls/teams/families/trainers/club employees all across the country are having right now are not their fault. They simply made the mistake of trusting US Soccer. I feel very sorry for them.

It is worse than that. Most top teams in the country are going to break up because ECNL wants to kill off the programs at DA clubs.

The da teams break up when top kids leave. The ecnl teams break up to make room for the top da kids.

Kids on both types of teams lose- except for the top 200 kids in the country. They get a more competitive league. The rest go through a lot of bother for nothing.

(And, if you think your kid is in the top 200, take off the parent goggles. Most of us who think that are wrong.)

 

[Kicker4Life]

That sucks. Kicker says its already happening at Beach & Legends.

Hold on there cowboy....what did I say was happening?

 

[soccerfan123]

Meh. The problems you have had are your own fault. I don't feel sorry for you.

The problems some outstanding clubs/coaches/directors/girls/teams/families/trainers/club employees all across the country are having right now are not their fault. They simply made the mistake of trusting US Soccer. I feel very sorry for them.

The fact is that FCD has always been a huge recruiting machine, those little clubs nearby had their best talent stripped every year, DA patch made it worse. So I don't feel sorry for those guys and their 6 figure salaries.

 

[Copa9]

Politics, mostly.

I think ECNL should invite them all and snuff out any whiff of a rival league forming up. Don't let any new clubs who want to join at this point play showcases so fields are available. Balloon to 125 clubs or so, and then slowly contract the weakest clubs over the next couple years.

However, that apparently isn't going to happen. At least not this fall.

Are you serious? Delusional? Why would any parent let their player play for a league that would not include them in the showcases! What are they afraid of? No fields available, bs. I know, if you don't, you have been drinking the koolaid.

 

[Ellejustus]

It is worse than that. Most top teams in the country are going to break up because ECNL wants to kill off the programs at DA clubs.

The da teams break up when top kids leave. The ecnl teams break up to make room for the top da kids.

Kids on both types of teams lose- except for the top 200 kids in the country. They get a more competitive league. The rest go through a lot of bother for nothing.

(And, if you think your kid is in the top 200, take off the parent goggles. Most of us who think that are wrong.)

Most girls are going to quit at the rate were going. Might be good idea for some. So many other sports to play too. If ECNL was all that, why didnlt you guys tell your freaking Doc Heads that you all brag about to enroll in the ECNL last year? That is your outstanding clubs fault. They made you sleep in the bed with US Soccer and their lies the problem. That was a very bad choice by your clubs docs and now your all mad at US Soccer. Maybe get mad at your club for not seeing what I saw two years ago. NC Courage and Surf were the smart ones and all the Reals in Socal and CO. Maybe apply for next year and see what happens. Its just soccer you guys.

 

[Copa9]

We're not "letting", that's the soccer game. They have to get good grades too, although there was the scam you mentioned for that.

As to who goes to the elite universities, it's not a meritocracy and never was. Getting in on academic or athletic merit alone is a hard path - doable if you have the brains, ability and application.

A lot of top academic schools use bench players to bring their APR up. Not all top players have the same top grades as the average student admitted, some do but a lot don't.

 

[Ellejustus]

Hold on there cowboy....what did I say was happening?

Opps. I thought you or maybe Tech said that coaches from ECNL were already calling your clubs goats? Maybe I read that wrong brah I know many parents are calling the ECNL clubs, not the coaches from ECNL calling parents and poaching. STX is saying that is happenning in Texas as we speak. Its 90% the parents calling in SoCal. Like I sad months ago, they were already calling. Now they are calling the ECNL coach even more. Why? Because you slept with US Soccer. Not a good brand right now. You chose that bed and you were very very proud of US Soccer. You all bragged about it every week. You put down ECNL and called it names like corrupt, Monopoly and so on. Now you want in and want clubs like Rebels to be kicked out. I don;t think so. Them days are over. My advice to all your Docs. Take care of your customers and they won;t want to leave.

 

[dad4]

Are you serious? Delusional? Why would any parent let their player play for a league that would not include them in the showcases! What are they afraid of? No fields available, bs. I know, if you don't, you have been drinking the koolaid.

I would be just fine without showcases. Especially at lower ages.

If we aren’t top 40 nationally, don’t make us fly.

If we are top 40, don’t make us fly to play some weak sauce opponent.

 

[Kicker4Life]

It is worse than that. Most top teams in the country are going to break up because ECNL wants to kill off the programs at DA clubs.

The da teams break up when top kids leave. The ecnl teams break up to make room for the top da kids.

Kids on both types of teams lose- except for the top 200 kids in the country. They get a more competitive league. The rest go through a lot of bother for nothing.

(And, if you think your kid is in the top 200, take off the parent goggles. Most of us who think that are wrong.)

Only way that happens is if the parents don’t have enough faith in the Coaching staff at DA Clubs who have to swallow the bitter pill and play ECRL to prove their way up like Pats chose to do.

These times will show who really believes in “Follow the Coach, not the League”........

 

[Kicker4Life]

Opps. I thought you or maybe Tech said that coaches from ECNL were already calling your clubs goats? Maybe I read that wrong brah I know many parents are calling the ECNL clubs, not the coaches from ECNL calling parents and poaching. STX is saying that is happenning in Texas as we speak. Its 90% the parents calling in SoCal. Like I sad months ago, they were already calling. Now they are calling the ECNL coach even more. Why? Because you slept with US Soccer. Not a good brand right now. You chose that bed and you were very very proud of US Soccer. You all bragged about it every week. You put down ECNL and called it names like corrupt, Monopoly and so on. Now you want in and want clubs like Rebels to be kicked out. I don;t think so. Them days are over. My advice to all your Docs. Take care of your customers and they won;t want to leave.

Well, I matter what, your still a bit disillusioned. You insinuated that I said Kids we’re leaving. I just said its a feeding frenzy. You can figure out who the predators are who sniff wounded bait. You keep trying to insult me that I chose US Soccer and I insult ECNL. The “monopoly” was the DOC’s in SoCal (you repeatedly say are corrupt) keeping Clubs out bc of the fertile recruiting grounds. Not ECNL as and organization. I have always chosen the Coach over the League or level of play and it’s worked out pretty well for both my DD’s.

Stop trying to spin the facts.

We can both agree that a singular league with Promotion/Relegation is good for Soccer.

You keep throwing some threat of head to head competition at me like i should be concerned. Is it intentional or am I misreading you?

 

[Sparky9]

Kicker if they go back to the old age groups then the Honey Badgers will be doing an 03-04 team. $25 uniforms and coaching fee is just a nice bottle of whiskey. Time to have some fun again. Your kid can train every day on her own and have fun on the weekends.
Ellejustus- how long did you take a break from the forums for really? US Soccer is forming a parent advisory board. I told them i was busy but gave them your number. You should be getting a call by Monday.

 

[girlsrule7]

FC Dallas got screwed royally. They are the best boys club in the country and a top 10 girls club. Probably have the best facilities in the country, too. There are something like 20 YNT players at the club. No downward spiral. Quite the opposite.

However the rival Dallas clubs see an opportunity to go for the kill and are taking it. Same thing is happening in the former DA Frontier Conference at Austin (Lonestar) and Houston (Dash) and Oklahoma City (Energy).

The DA clubs in each of those towns are better than the local ECNL club (significantly so in most cases), but the ECNL clubs have coordinated to keep the ex-DA clubs out and plan to poach players.

Not exactly "unification of top clubs" like Lavers has presented, but the ECNL clubs are tickled pink with what has transpired. Meanwhile last year's ECNL players are nearly as nervous about all this as last year's DA Players. It's an open secret their coaches are now actively trying to replace them with new recruits.

Good times.

Happening in several other places in the country too, same exact situation

 

[ChalkOnYourBoots]

Happening in several other places in the country too, same exact situation

Definitely happening on girls side in Chicago, where ECNL board member, and NWSL coach wants no competition for best players. Everyone figures Chicago will be stuck with just one ECNL franchise forever. They want more trophies, not what would be best for youth soccer.

Detroit will be interesting to watch as well, Hawks, like several well connected clubs have two ECNL teams per age... this situation is perfect for upgrading the B team so I don't expect Jags or Nationals to get an ECNL invite either.

Midwest GDA clubs trying to form an alliance and start up their own league, but that will be unattractive to most.

TopHat in Atlanta, as of yesterday, has no invite.

It could very well be the boys landscape is taking up all of Lavers' attention, but in the absence of any instruction up top the local gang lords are just using this as an opportunity to actively recruit the GDA rosters, not improve the ECNL product. Ex-GDA clubs in many parts of the country will probably end up falling back into US Youth Soccer Regional and National Leagues... If they can figure out ways to coordinate with state based leagues we might actually be able to return to a more sane landscape than the crap that most regions have endured. National league will go back to being a respectable 2nd behind ECNL, and maybe their will be some kind of real re-birth for ODP... or not.