2018-2019 SW ECNL Conference Discussion

[SocalPapa]

6 years ago when my player was a U14 player ECNL started a U14 division and most of the best players were no longer playing National Cup and non ECNL tournaments other than Surf Cup and Players Showcase in Vegas. Those teams didn’t get all of the tournament rankings points so they threw off the rankings.

YSR is based on head to head play, not tournament ranking points. Its algorithm is better than an RPI in my view (and as you know I've spent a lot of time studying soccer RPIs). Enough fully-staffed ECNL teams play against non-ECNL competition (at Surf and Players) that the algorithm should be reasonably accurate on the national level. The only issue, as @Simisoccerfan points out, is the DA teams because they haven't (until next week apparently) been playing non-DA teams. Even taking that into account, I would guess that a top 28 team in YSR could be one of the top 40 teams in the US. With millions of kids playing in youth soccer leagues every year I consider that an elite level. But I understand your definition of elite (teams full of players who will make an impact in college and beyond) may be different than mine. In any event, the vast majority of DPL teams wouldn't satisfy even my definition of elite. That Beach team is the stand out.

 

[Simisoccerfan]

I agree that their needs to be games between DA and non DA teams in order for YSR to know how to place DA teams in this ranking system.

 

[Soccer43]

the DA isn't interested in having their teams ranked anywhere . What would be the point?

 

[GoWest]

The 2018-2019 season is almost upon us. The ECNL SW conference season, it seems with the addition of some good to great clubs and roster rebuilds for several teams, that SoCal will be back on track in ALL age groups to seek a national championship trophy.

Blues and Slammers earned ECNL national championships in 3 age groups while others more so ended up "pretenders not contenders" --- Some questions going into the season:

• Will Blues Baker continue their dominant run?
• Will LAFC dominate like they did in GDA?
• Will FC Heat U15 prove to be a legit contender?
• Will LA Breakers make their presence known in a big way if the rumors of GDA defections to their rosters proves true?

IMHO here's my take on the top four teams in each age group listed in order of predicted finish:

U15
Blues
LAFC
Slammers
Heat

U16
Slammers
LAFC
Strikers
Arsenal

U17
LAFC
Blues
Slammers
Strikers

U18
Blues
Slammers
LAFC
Arsenal

Just my take but it's always fun to prognosticate LOL

 

[SocalPapa]

U17
LAFC
Blues
Slammers
Strikers

LAFC's U17's above Blues? A bold prediction. Did LAFC get more of Blues' players or something? Their 16/17 DA team was good this season but a lot of those girls will be playing U18 ECNL, right?

 

[Mystery Train]

LAFC's U17's above Blues? A bold prediction. Did LAFC get more of Blues' players or something? Their 16/17 DA team was good this season but a lot of those girls will be playing U18 ECNL, right?

I'd be hard pressed to pick many U18 teams over BluesU17s. They are that good.

 

[Sheriff Joe]

The 2018-2019 season is almost upon us. The ECNL SW conference season, it seems with the addition of some good to great clubs and roster rebuilds for several teams, that SoCal will be back on track in ALL age groups to seek a national championship trophy.

Blues and Slammers earned ECNL national championships in 3 age groups while others more so ended up "pretenders not contenders" --- Some questions going into the season:

• Will Blues Baker continue their dominant run?
• Will LAFC dominate like they did in GDA?
• Will FC Heat U15 prove to be a legit contender?
• Will LA Breakers make their presence known in a big way if the rumors of GDA defections to their rosters proves true?

IMHO here's my take on the top four teams in each age group listed in order of predicted finish:

U15
Blues
LAFC
Slammers
Heat

U16
Slammers
LAFC
Strikers
Arsenal

U17
LAFC
Blues
Slammers
Strikers

U18
Blues
Slammers
LAFC
Arsenal

Just my take but it's always fun to prognosticate LOL

U17 Strikers?

 

[GoWest]

LAFC's U17's above Blues? A bold prediction. Did LAFC get more of Blues' players or something? Their 16/17 DA team was good this season but a lot of those girls will be playing U18 ECNL, right?

I'd be hard pressed to pick many U18 teams over BluesU17s. They are that good.

Agree with both they are a fantastic team. This is just my guess. I have not seen any rosters but we 'hear things' about potential roster changes, age grouping spits, etc. Maybe LAFC over Blues is a stretch....

 

[Toepoke]

...IMHO here's my take on the top four teams in each age group listed in order of predicted finish:

U18
Blues
Slammers
LAFC
Arsenal

Just my take but it's always fun to prognosticate LOL

My sleeper pick for this group would be Strikers. They looked good at Surf Cup and definitely added some talent. Made it to the finals in Super Black but lost to a very good Davis Legacy team that lost to Blues in the ECNL U17 finals. Arsenal also added a couple new girls to the roster that played well for them. I don't see the winner of this group going undefeated but knocking Blues out of the top spot will be tough. It's going to be a battle to earn the second automatic qualifying spot and fun to watch.

 

[GoWest]

U17 Strikers?

Another guess but they had a pretty good U16 season earning Champ League position. Maybe they can replicate last season? My guess is they will. Again, I haven't seen any rosters but with all the roster movement rumors, it's nothing more than a guess.

 

[Sheriff Joe]

Another guess but they had a pretty good U16 season earning Champ League position. Maybe they can replicate last season? My guess is they will. Again, I haven't seen any rosters but with all the roster movement rumors, it's nothing more than a guess.

Teri is the coach?
They had been at the bottom not that long ago if it is the same team.

 

[GoWest]

My sleeper pick for this group would be Strikers. They looked good at Surf Cup and definitely added some talent. Made it to the finals in Super Black but lost to a very good Davis Legacy team that lost to Blues in the ECNL U17 finals. Arsenal also added a couple new girls to the roster that played well for them. I don't see the winner of this group going undefeated but knocking Blues out of the top spot will be tough. It's going to be a battle to earn the second automatic qualifying spot and fun to watch.

You may be right. Strikers was competitive at this age group last season especially early on. Like you mentioned, only two slots available for U18's but I have heard that ECNL is considering adding a couple wildcard opportunities like U14. I don't see any updates to their 'post season competition' rules yet but I think that would be a nice addition. I know there may be some seniors that want / need to move on potentially for college but adding a couple teams IMHO wouldn't be that great a burden? There should be a rule update soon.

 

[GoWest]

Teri is the coach?
They had been at the bottom not that long ago if it is the same team.

Coach Terri Patraw, yeah maybe but I'm not 100% certain. She was a Strikers coach last year if memory serves. I think she wrote a book One Thousand Showers or something like that? If they were at the bottom a season or three ago as you suggested, then that team is showing improvement it would seem.

 

[Toepoke]

You may be right. Strikers was competitive at this age group last season especially early on. Like you mentioned, only two slots available for U18's but I have heard that ECNL is considering adding a couple wildcard opportunities like U14. I don't see any updates to their 'post season competition' rules yet but I think that would be a nice addition. I know there may be some seniors that want / need to move on potentially for college but adding a couple teams IMHO wouldn't be that great a burden? There should be a rule update soon.

I heard the same about the addition of wildcard spots for U18's. I could definitely see a team from the SW conference at least one of those spots.

 

[SocalPapa]

I've been impressed with what I've seen of Terri Patraw since she came to town a couple seasons ago. All of her teams have improved since she took them over. Her 02 SCDSL team was the #1 overall Europa team last season and will play Discovery this year (as Blues). And, as mentioned above, her Strikers 02 and 01 ECNL teams are thriving. Not many club soccer coaches around with Pac 12 head coaching experience (ASU). I'm surprised she doesn't get that much recognition. Maybe she will if her teams do as well as predicted this season.

 

[GoWest]

I've been impressed with what I've seen of Terri Patraw since she came to town a couple seasons ago. All of her teams have improved since she took them over. Her 02 SCDSL team was the #1 overall Europa team last season and will play Discovery this year (as Blues). And, as mentioned above, her Strikers 02 and 01 ECNL teams are thriving. Not many club soccer coaches around with Pac 12 head coaching experience (ASU). I'm surprised she doesn't get that much recognition. Maybe she will if her teams do as well as predicted this season.

I hear she's a good coach. Strikers has some good players so this next season may be a good one for them as a club.

Speaking of 'next season,' anyone hear anything about the ECNL schedule and anticipated posting?

 

[shales1002]

I hear she's a good coach. Strikers has some good players so this next season may be a good one for them as a club.

Speaking of 'next season,' anyone hear anything about the ECNL schedule and anticipated posting?

Schedule is now in the hands of DOC. Not posted online.

I also let that Pretender comment earlier in the week slide by. Great group of girls in Vegas. They just beat Blues last week at Surf Cup. Blues is a good team; a lot of girls with DA patches on their jerseys. We shall see how your predictions fair.

 

[GoWest]

Schedule is now in the hands of DOC. Not posted online.

I also let that Pretender comment earlier in the week slide by. Great group of girls in Vegas. They just beat Blues last week at Surf Cup. Blues is a good team; a lot of girls with DA patches on their jerseys. We shall see how your predictions fair.

Thanks. With games on the horizon would be nice to know sooner than later.

LOL Thanks for letting it 'slide by' and of course waiting until after (I looked at the results of Vegas versus Blues ... FC Heat 04?) getting a win to respond with confidence Last season the perfect storm for historically underperforming clubs in the SW ECNL conference was upon us basically leaving a Showcase to NAL level of competitive teams IMHO. Many great players but many SoCal teams that scrambled to fill the roster void lacked cohesion and chemistry. Lots of great players in Vegas and Phoenix but I don't know anyone that actually believed they would perform well enough down the stretch to finish with a trophy. Lotsa good talent no doubt. You seem to think at least one age group will sustain a high level of play so best of everything to you and your player. The league as a whole will be deeper I anticipate from what I have heard due to a rebalancing of rosters following last seasons chaos. I think we are all anticipating a great 2018-2019 season!

Again, best of everything to you and your player!

 

[Lvdepech]

U16
Didn't take into account a couple changes
Top tier predictions
Slammers
Lafc slammers(formerly da)
Blues(formerly strikers)

2nd tier
Arsenal
Strikers
La breakers
Heat

3rd tier
Az arsenal
Del Mar
Phx rising


QUOTE="GoWest, post: 215096, member: 2716"]The 2018-2019 season is almost upon us. The ECNL SW conference season, it seems with the addition of some good to great clubs and roster rebuilds for several teams, that SoCal will be back on track in ALL age groups to seek a national championship trophy.

Blues and Slammers earned ECNL national championships in 3 age groups while others more so ended up "pretenders not contenders" --- Some questions going into the season:

• Will Blues Baker continue their dominant run?
• Will LAFC dominate like they did in GDA?
• Will FC Heat U15 prove to be a legit contender?
• Will LA Breakers make their presence known in a big way if the rumors of GDA defections to their rosters proves true?

IMHO here's my take on the top four teams in each age group listed in order of predicted finish:

U15
Blues
LAFC
Slammers
Heat

U16
Slammers
LAFC
Strikers
Arsenal

U17
LAFC
Blues
Slammers
Strikers

U18
Blues
Slammers
LAFC
Arsenal

Just my take but it's always fun to prognosticate LOL[/QUOTE]

 

[GoWest]

U16
Didn't take into account a couple changes
Top tier predictions
Slammers
Lafc slammers(formerly da)
Blues(formerly strikers)

2nd tier
Arsenal
Strikers
La breakers
Heat

3rd tier
Az arsenal
Del Mar
Phx rising


QUOTE="GoWest, post: 215096, member: 2716"]The 2018-2019 season is almost upon us. The ECNL SW conference season, it seems with the addition of some good to great clubs and roster rebuilds for several teams, that SoCal will be back on track in ALL age groups to seek a national championship trophy.

Blues and Slammers earned ECNL national championships in 3 age groups while others more so ended up "pretenders not contenders" --- Some questions going into the season:

• Will Blues Baker continue their dominant run?
• Will LAFC dominate like they did in GDA?
• Will FC Heat U15 prove to be a legit contender?
• Will LA Breakers make their presence known in a big way if the rumors of GDA defections to their rosters proves true?

IMHO here's my take on the top four teams in each age group listed in order of predicted finish:

U15
Blues
LAFC
Slammers
Heat

U16
Slammers
LAFC
Strikers
Arsenal

U17
LAFC
Blues
Slammers
Strikers

U18
Blues
Slammers
LAFC
Arsenal

Just my take but it's always fun to prognosticate LOL

So that really good Strikers u15 (2017 season) all moved to Blues this season? RB have anything to do with that? That's an interesting move IMHO.