'23-'24 SoCal and National Forecast and Updates

[way up]

As a resident of Southern California, I completely understand the concerns about the cost and logistics involved in crowning the #1 girls' team in the country. However, we need to consider the players and teams from all over the nation. If we are truly committed to identifying the best team, we must find a way to include everyone.

I agree that the current approach is expensive, but if we limit participation to only the top teams from each region, what happens to the exceptionally strong second or third place teams in highly competitive areas like Southern California? They might not even get a chance to compete in the playoffs. This would not only be unfair to those teams but also compromise the quality of the competition.

We need to explore ways to make the process more cost-effective. One idea could be to have regional tournaments that feed into a national playoff system. This way, the travel expenses are minimized in the early rounds, and only the top teams from each region would need to travel for the final stages. Additionally, we could look into sponsorships or partnerships to help offset costs for the teams. But this would be bad for SoCal teams.

Ultimately, our goal should be to create a fair and balanced system that allows all deserving teams a chance to compete for the title, without imposing excessive financial burdens. It will take some creativity and collaboration, but the question remains If we can truly find a solution that works for everyone? Not sure

I think a light bulb just went off for me here. Our pursuit to crown the lucky team at the end of all this as #1 as the ultimate goal strips the growth and potential of the whole country's soccer potential. First of all, certain teams are designed to handle the expense and logistics to compete wherever for this pursuit, but they may not always be the #1 team. One week Surf wins and the other week Koge could win and until they are adults battling before a paying audience, who cares other than those teams and maybe some colleges that can watch any of their games including league.

This type of system is typically going to be won by the team with the most discipline, the most spies watching other teams taking notes or getting film of the other teams, and the most wealth and resources that can recruit and sell the importance of winning this crown. Many times the other teams trying to compete with this team will find whatever guest/newly recruited players they can to try and beat that team. At the end of the day, 2 or 3 superstars will come through and help any of these top 8 teams win the crown. They even let ECNL Players play in RL Playoffs, so as far as true competition with a true team, fair and honest competition has left the building. It's entertaining and I love the game, but crowning a #1 is dumbing down American Soccer imo.

This said, I love sockma's ideas to just limit the teams going to one nat playoff and let the regions compete for those spots at a regional playoff.

 

[Unlucky]

Socal should send 4 teams from regional playoffs and texas should send 2. Everyone else gets 1 plus 1 wildcard. Start off at the round of 16 for national playoffs and finish at the same location. similar to u18/19 right now

USYS does regionals and then a smaller nationals and while it sounds good in theory, a smaller pool of teams and players will lead to a smaller attendance of college coaches which is ultimately the product that ECNL is selling it's customers.

 

[way up]

USYS does regionals and then a smaller nationals and while it sounds good in theory, a smaller pool of teams and players will lead to a smaller attendance of college coaches which is ultimately the product that ECNL is selling it's customers.

So college coaches will have to go to league games or somewhere to find players for teams right? Why should we fit the bill for them to only see the top 8 teams or even top 16 or 44, etc.?

 

[Unlucky]

Bottom line is that the current ECNL model is working for the colleges and the league so it won't be changing anytime soon.

I can share that there is talk of moving playoffs to the east coast and finals to the west coast in alternating years with the current model.

 

[way up]

Bottom line is that the current ECNL model is working for the colleges and the league so it won't be changing anytime soon.

I can share that there is talk of moving playoffs to the east coast and finals to the west coast in alternating years with the current model.

That's even worse! Why would they change what makes their lives easier and more profitable I guess though?

 

[crush]

 

[Unlucky]

That's even worse! Why would they change what makes their lives easier and more profitable I guess though?

ECNL doesn't care about you, me, or anyone's daughters. We and they are not ECNL's customers. The clubs are the customers. Once you accept that, you will understand their thinking.

 

[crush]

ECNL doesn't care about you, me, or anyone's daughters. We and they are not ECNL's customers. The clubs are the customers. Once you accept that, you will understand their thinking.

The parents are the club's customer. What does the paying customer want? ECNL brings what the paying customer wants and that's access.

 

[way up]

ECNL doesn't care about you, me, or anyone's daughters. We and they are not ECNL's customers. The clubs are the customers. Once you accept that, you will understand their thinking.

I don't get why the club would like their customers paying $10k for travel expense when they could be offering more training/games instead, but I'm sure it has to do with building more teams. The thing is if inflation stays sticky and interest rates keep going up regardless of stagnant economic activity, household budgets will get tighter and tighter to where many people won't be able to afford club soccer let alone huge travel expense for a potential 7 games. Not very smart to bankrupt the ultimate customers. We are on the verge of a bad economic period as stagflation already kreeping in. Why ECNL or The Clubs would want their customers spending a lot of unneccessary money on airplanes, hotels, rental cars, and restaurants is beyond me, but pigs get fed and hogs get slaughtered.

 

[SuperSoccerStar]

9 seems a lot. Are we counting north american cup, showcase A and B too?

9 just for Championship League Playoffs. There was no Showcase A/B for 2009 southwest this year. Looks like 2 southwest teams got North American Cup playoff spots this year. I know every age group has different cups and stuff but 9 from what I'm told would go to playoffs for each age group (well expect the oldest group which has the totally different playoff.

 

[MARsSPEED]

Just a simple prediction, wide open tournament:

Final 4
Koge v Surf
PDA v Legends

Koge v Surf winner will be the champion.

Imagine my surprise that you pick the two SoCal teams just like every year before…but nothing wrong with pulling for your home division. I am doing the same BUT am not going to cut my nose to spite my face. Surf/PDA/Solar are the top teams. Surf and PDA are the “hot” teams going into Finals.

Anyway, just had a look at the NJ forums with people complaining that Surf adds a bunch LV Surf players every year for playoffs and also flies another player in from Texas. No idea if this is true but I am hoping it is false.

I think Solar may fly in one player at a different age group but I have never heard of any other club doing something like this.

 

[MARsSPEED]

Girls Youth Soccer is just as toxic as AAU Basketball. Whether it’s USYNT roster, the stupid playoff structure that exploits families, and many other points. We are now witnessing parents paying $$$ to coaches for starting roster spots, playing up a year, etc. Families like ours who do everything by the book, have to hope for the best moving on to the next level. In a team that isn’t a Playoff competitor, it’s no longer about how good a player is, it’s about who can stuff the pockets of coaches and DC.

I will say our club is located in one of the wealthiest areas of the US, but I know of multiple clubs suffering the same fate in Virginia.

I’d much rather pay for Playoffs/Finals, unless the situation is the same on top of what I just said.

 

[Unlucky]

Imagine my surprise that you pick the two SoCal teams just like every year before…but nothing wrong with pulling for your home division. I am doing the same BUT am not going to cut my nose to spite my face. Surf/PDA/Solar are the top teams. Surf and PDA are the “hot” teams going into Finals.

Anyway, just had a look at the NJ forums with people complaining that Surf adds a bunch LV Surf players every year for playoffs and also flies another player in from Texas. No idea if this is true but I am hoping it is false.

I think Solar may fly in one player at a different age group but I have never heard of any other club doing something like this.

You’re really knowledgeable so I’m surprised you’re not already aware of how SoCal teams work for playoffs. They’re probably talking about the 07 Texas girls who are rostered at Legends.

 

[Orangeteam]

I think there is a kid in michigan who is rosterd on Solar. Her other club isn't ECNL
I think two kids who used to play for Solar who still live in Tx but play on Legends.
The kids on LV Surf are full time rostered on Surf. To be clear, LV Surf isn't an ECNL club and that doesnt break any rules.
There are 4 kids, maybe 5 on the KC 2009 team that all played 2008 full time. One I think was rostered at KC but was at IMG (maybe 2)

Deanza has 2008s have a handful of GA kids who play for Silicon Valley.
Any 2009 full time rostered on an older team can play with their age group. If a kid played with their 2008 team in Seattle they can play with their 2009 team in Virginia if their 2008 team didn't make the final 8. Hawks I think dropped 3 kids down last year into the 2008 team off the 2007 team for the final 8.

If the kids are rostered at the club and have a team assigned to them they are good to play. I dont' think anyone is random flying in ringers

Someone showed me the New Jersey post, both the one being refered to and the '10s vs. Florida with the fist fight. Oh boy..

 

[crush]

Imagine my surprise that you pick the two SoCal teams just like every year before…but nothing wrong with pulling for your home division. I am doing the same BUT am not going to cut my nose to spite my face. Surf/PDA/Solar are the top teams. Surf and PDA are the “hot” teams going into Finals.

Anyway, just had a look at the NJ forums with people complaining that Surf adds a bunch LV Surf players every year for playoffs and also flies another player in from Texas. No idea if this is true but I am hoping it is false.

I think Solar may fly in one player at a different age group but I have never heard of any other club doing something like this.

Bruh, that is so not fair and total BS if true. Surf's goal is to have a franchise in each State so they can get License fees, piece of the soccer uniform cut, travel agency cut and now it seems also to add last minute roster spots for playoffs for top players from each State. Is this rumor mill bro or conformed?

 

[crush]

Girls Youth Soccer is just as toxic as AAU Basketball. Whether it’s USYNT roster, the stupid playoff structure that exploits families, and many other points. We are now witnessing parents paying $$$ to coaches for starting roster spots, playing up a year, etc. Families like ours who do everything by the book, have to hope for the best moving on to the next level. In a team that isn’t a Playoff competitor, it’s no longer about how good a player is, it’s about who can stuff the pockets of coaches and DC.

I will say our club is located in one of the wealthiest areas of the US, but I know of multiple clubs suffering the same fate in Virginia.

I’d much rather pay for Playoffs/Finals, unless the situation is the same on top of what I just said.

Now witnessing? Oh no, this is how PAY FOR PLAY is played in youth soccer brother. You need to learn how to play better. I know one mama bear that slept with Doc to ensure her dd playing time. I also know a few who paid a little extra to grease the DOC for his recommendation for YNT. Get the popcorn out brother, more HOT news coming.

 

[crush]

Solar is bringing guests

I hope from Texas at least. Back in the day when Arsenal was is in Socal, the coach would go to Texas with "Guest" players for big Copa Tournament. The regulars sat on the bench as the guest players made coach look good as champ. Texas was pissed but I guess they learned from him how to win. Good luck everyone.

 

[chiefs]

View attachment 21644

SW has 17 of the 48 in final eight teams or 35%. SW should be represented by at least 35% or more in the pool.

 

[MARsSPEED]

SW has 17 of the 48 in final eight teams or 35%. SW should be represented by at least 35% or more in the pool.

My goodness, I just spent 30 minutes typing a response and deleted everything. Not worth it.

Very angry with Girls Youth Soccer right now. Going to skip inserting foot into mouth this time.

 

[Orangeteam]

My goodness, I just spent 30 minutes typing a response and deleted everything. Not worth it.

Very angry with Girls Youth Soccer right now. Going to skip inserting foot into mouth this time.

The 44 team structure today leaves alot of teams upset on both sides.
There were too many blowout 5+ to 0 games. The number of games overall that came in at this score means the set up is lopsided.
There are conference winners running dead last every year in this type of playoff set up.

ECNL did a trial a few years ago with only taking conference winners with the youngest group which i think was the 08 in the Florida
They were going to run the whole even start to finals in Florida.
All the teams invited hated that b/c it was single elimination. I think the final 4 was 2 teams from Cal, 1 from Texas and 1 from Georgia or maybe SC. it's about what we see in every other event.

 

[Zeke]

The 44 team structure today leaves alot of teams upset on both sides.
There were too many blowout 5+ to 0 games. The number of games overall that came in at this score means the set up is lopsided.
There are conference winners running dead last every year in this type of playoff set up.

ECNL did a trial a few years ago with only taking conference winners with the youngest group which i think was the 08 in the Florida
They were going to run the whole even start to finals in Florida.
All the teams invited hated that b/c it was single elimination. I think the final 4 was 2 teams from Cal, 1 from Texas and 1 from Georgia or maybe SC. it's about what we see in every other event.

No structure is going to work if they don’t fix the seeding.

2010s had two of the best teams in the country meet in group. They beat the other teams by a combined score of 24-3.

Similar stories in other years.

Where is the fun in that?