DeaconSoccer12
BRONZE
Looks like maybe new GA clubs starting to be announced today via Instagram. McClean VA first one posted. Any speculation of SoCal clubs that might be added?
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I still put my bet on Albion will switch to ECNL.
Carsbad2012
BRONZE
What is your rationale on that? Albion is a middle of the pack GA club throughout all the age groups. If anything, based on club strength, it should be City SC.
Let's wait until April. City will stay in GA.
City has MLSN for the boys. It's unlikely that they'd do anything to jeopardize it by making changes to the girls.
zags77
SILVER ELITE
CAZZZ......Feels like a long shot Albion San Diego going to ECNL
San Diego Surf essentially runs ECNL, why would they allow a major competitor to be level in league with them?
There are 2 pathways right now....ENCL/ECRL boy and girls and GA/MLS Next Clubs are rarely in ECNL for the girls and MLS Next for the boys
I do not think Albion would move their boys over to ECNL and give up MLS next....
San Diego Surf essentially runs ECNL, why would they allow a major competitor to be level in league with them?
There are 2 pathways right now....ENCL/ECRL boy and girls and GA/MLS Next Clubs are rarely in ECNL for the girls and MLS Next for the boys
I do not think Albion would move their boys over to ECNL and give up MLS next....
Did I read that right, that you think Albion SD would be a major competitor with SD Surf? Major competitors with Surf girls are Koge, Blues, Beach and Legends (Inland Empire). All out of town. To be a real competitive club, it starts with quality fields. Albion will not be top tier until they get a sugar daddy to develop quality fields and get and hold a quality coaching staff over a sustained period of time. There was a time I thought Albion would become a top tier club (they were on the boys side for a while) but they have been struggling and I believe facilities are a big part of that.
Venantsyo
GOLD
One SoCal club should announce soon
zags77
SILVER ELITE
Playing competition is different than player pool competition from my understand, players move from Albion to Surf and Surf to Albion on a regular basis.....
zags77
SILVER ELITE
What's your guess as to who it is?
Venantsyo
GOLD
I am hoping for a club in North OC
DeaconSoccer12
BRONZE
Hm just wild guessing based on a quick glance through rankings - Rangers? Their girls look to have pretty good DPL teams. Boys only have RL.
Surf runs soccer, period. Whatever the Surf wants, the Surfs get.
100%.
Carsbad2012
BRONZE
I agree. I have no doubt City will stay in GA. I just don't understand the comment on Albion going ECNL. They are a mid club throughout the GA. I was just saying based on strength it should be City SC. It will never happen though with Surf basically running ECNL. City would be a huge threat to them if they were in ECNL. But, not to hijack this thread, I really hope the GA's current moves continue to strengthen the league. They do a good job imo with their events, etc... it's the competition that is lacking especially in the lower age groups. It's City SC and then everyone else is meh...
Carsbad2012
BRONZE
I never said they wouldn't. I know they will stay in GA. I just said if you base it on strength, City should be admitted, not Albion. Albion girls side is pretty bad...
After Albion gets ECNL, they will have 4 months to rebuild. I expect it will be a similar level to Sharks and Rebel.
If Albion goes ECNL, I totally agree that the level will be as you state. I know the Surf benefits from the Rebels in particular because there is so much talent in the South Bay area, so a lot of talent eventually goes from the Rebels and at some point goes to Surf for the benefits Surf gives (exposure at the highest levels as well as excellent training). There is less movement from Del Mar Sharks (Legions) to Surf because they are so close and Surf gets north county players often from the start. Besides City in San Diego, there is SDSC Surf which rounds out the girls talented Clubs. Outside of Surf, it seems City is the second best performing Club. (Girls side)
Carlsbad Lightning (I prefer that name) should have got the invite to ECNL a long time ago. However, they went all in with the GDA and LA Galaxy and the great GDA. At the end of the day, Surf will recruit the best in the area because as you said, they have the access to all things soccer and the prizes that go with being on a top contender year in and year out. No offense to Albion, but when Surf plays them, they play their bench to start. The coaches at Surf will then watch the best Albion player(s) and then get to know those parents and the recruiting battles starts. The Albion coaches will watch for the Surf players who don't play throughout the year and then go to their parents and then the recruiting starts and the back and forths. That's how I saw it go down.
Anything is possible but I just don't see the benefit for Albion moving from GA to girls ECNL. Unless you're competitive in Socal GA across all age groups you're not going to be competitive in Socal ECNL. Also as others have stated if Albion switches from GA to girls ECNL they'll likely lose MLSN.
Where's the upside? Ask Legends SD (formerly Sharks) just having girls ECNL isn't enough to bring in more players.