Bay Area Surf - MLSNext / GA Rumor

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Highlander

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Heard a bunch of players on the girls side left the club because of a rumor that Bay Area Surf is planning to move to MLSNext/GA. Any truth to this? I would be shocked that they would leave ECNL on the girls side...but apparently a bunch of girls left because of this...doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Anyone in the know out there?
 
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I want to reiterate that this is just a rumor I have heard - could be totally off base because honestly, it makes absolutely zero sense to me, but lots of things in the youth soccer world make zero sense to me LOL.
 
Highlander said:
I want to reiterate that this is just a rumor I have heard - could be totally off base because honestly, it makes absolutely zero sense to me, but lots of things in the youth soccer world make zero sense to me LOL.
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Its likely a rumor being spread by someone who's religion isnt GA. When clubs switch leagues somehow this type of rumor always occurs.

Maybe a few players will get picked off. But by the time parents get to u14 theres just not as much movement going on. People dont want to drive multiple extra hours in traffic for a league.
 
Carlsbad7 said:
Its likely a rumor being spread by someone who's religion isnt GA. When clubs switch leagues somehow this type of rumor always occurs.

Maybe a few players will get picked off. But by the time parents get to u14 theres just not as much movement going on. People dont want to drive multiple extra hours in traffic for a league.
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This club in question shares a practice facility with 2/3 other clubs in Ecnl.
 
KingMI said:
This club in question shares a practice facility with 2/3 other clubs in Ecnl.
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In that case I'm sure other teams will try to recruit from them. It will come down to how well the coach and club are able to keep their best players happy.

If the rumor is true its likely that MLSN is starting to turn the screws on its members that have girls ECNL + gently encouraging them to play in GA.
 
Carlsbad7 said:
In that case I'm sure other teams will try to recruit from them. It will come down to how well the coach and club are able to keep their best players happy.

If the rumor is true its likely that MLSN is starting to turn the screws on its members that have girls ECNL + gently encouraging them to play in GA.
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Agree or more like putting on the clamps.
 
KingMI said:
Agree or more like putting on the clamps.
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Fro
Carlsbad7 said:
In that case I'm sure other teams will try to recruit from them. It will come down to how well the coach and club are able to keep their best players happy.

If the rumor is true its likely that MLSN is starting to turn the screws on its members that have girls ECNL + gently encouraging them to play in GA.
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That's the only thing I can think of (besides, this is all just a rumor and completely made up), is the MLSNext is trying to put the screws on. Made me think - from a business perspective is it better to have MLSNext to have a super strong boys program and drop ECNL on the girls for GA? GA in NorCal is weak for the most part...but maybe MLSNext Boys + GA Girls is just a better overall business model?
 
Highlander said:
Fro


That's the only thing I can think of (besides, this is all just a rumor and completely made up), is the MLSNext is trying to put the screws on. Made me think - from a business perspective is it better to have MLSNext to have a super strong boys program and drop ECNL on the girls for GA? GA in NorCal is weak for the most part...but maybe MLSNext Boys + GA Girls is just a better overall business model?
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Some people say that boys youth soccer generates more money for clubs than girls. I dont know if that's true or not.

If screws are being turned on Bay Area Surf they're probably looking at it from the perspective of does dropping MLSN or Girls ECNL lose more money? Or maybe does bringing on GA or boys ECNL make more money?

Norcal does seem very cozy with ECNL. If I was GA its an area I'd be looking at very closely to expand in. Just to show a presence.
 
Carlsbad7 said:
Some people say that boys youth soccer generates more money for clubs than girls. I dont know if that's true or not.

If screws are being turned on Bay Area Surf they're probably looking at it from the perspective of does dropping MLSN or Girls ECNL lose more money? Or maybe does bringing on GA or boys ECNL make more money?

Norcal does seem very cozy with ECNL. If I was GA its an area I'd be looking at very closely to expand in. Just to show a presence.
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GA's entire Northwest conference is in Northern California. 12 teams.

Six of those teams are within 30 miles of Bay Area Surf: Almaden, Glens, Newark, Lamorinda, SC Sporting, and SVSA/PASC.

Whatever is, or isn't, going on, it has nothing to do with filling in gaps in the GA map.
 
Highlander said:
Heard a bunch of players on the girls side left the club because of a rumor that Bay Area Surf is planning to move to MLSNext/GA. Any truth to this? I would be shocked that they would leave ECNL on the girls side...but apparently a bunch of girls left because of this...doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Anyone in the know out there?
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No, I don’t see MLS Next/GA or ECNL taking an all-or-nothing approach. It’s too risky. They’ll apply pressure, but clubs with MLS Next for boys and ECNL for girls will fiercely protect both. Taking back what’s been granted rarely goes over smoothly.

Take MVLA, for example. When they reportedly pursued MLS Next for boys, ECNL made it clear that if the club moves forward with it, and you lose the girls’ side. But interesting to see and hear that this MLS Next/GA and ECNL turf wars are starting to heat up.
 
Players wouldn't leave for that reason. I believe the 09's lost a handful of players but outside of that, I haven't heard the better players leaving Surf but anything is possible with how they run their program(unique to just about any other club). Players will always leave surf if not rostered on the ECNL team regularly at the end of reason so that's not uncommon.
 
soccer4us said:
Players wouldn't leave for that reason. I believe the 09's lost a handful of players but outside of that, I haven't heard the better players leaving Surf but anything is possible with how they run their program(unique to just about any other club). Players will always leave surf if not rostered on the ECNL team regularly at the end of reason so that's not uncommon.
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Heard this is true. Surf runs a deep roster, typically 4–5 players over the standard 18, more than most Bay Area clubs. Coaches select 18 weekly for their weekend matches, with extras rotating and often missing ECNL playtime.

Despite the push to finish top 3 and reach ECNL Nationals, coaches show more leniency toward their clinic attendees and legacy players. Training is top-notch, but team bonding is also weak, and admin coordination such as scheduling, planning, logistics is a whole lot of mess, leaving many parents frustrated.

De Anza is nearby, so if they tighten things up, there may be more player movement in the coming seasons.
 
soccer4us said:
Players wouldn't leave for that reason. I believe the 09's lost a handful of players but outside of that, I haven't heard the better players leaving Surf but anything is possible with how they run their program(unique to just about any other club). Players will always leave surf if not rostered on the ECNL team regularly at the end of reason so that's not uncommon.
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Players would absolutely leave BA Surf if they thought BA Surf was going GA.

BA Surf is a new club up here. Their roster is almost entirely kids who jumped ship to get better ECNL minutes. No question the top half would jump ship again if the club can’t deliver what they promised.

That doesn’t mean I think it’s happening. But, if it does happen, I know there will be a ton of BA girls looking to join Force and MVLA.
 
shirivelli said:
Heard this is true. Surf runs a deep roster, typically 4–5 players over the standard 18, more than most Bay Area clubs. Coaches select 18 weekly for their weekend matches, with extras rotating and often missing ECNL playtime.

Despite the push to finish top 3 and reach ECNL Nationals, coaches show more leniency toward their clinic attendees and legacy players. Training is top-notch, but team bonding is also weak, and admin coordination such as scheduling, planning, logistics is a whole lot of mess, leaving many parents frustrated.

De Anza is nearby, so if they tighten things up, there may be more player movement in the coming seasons.
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OK, this makes more sense and aligns with the age group rumor I heard this from. No way would anyone drop ECNL for GA. At least not in NorCal - I have zero clue about other regions. Thanks all!
 
Don't know where such a rumor came from. There should be a single soccer pyramid as it makes no sense that stronger teams are siloed into different leagues that don't play each other. I expect the top 4 or 5 teams in each age group are in ECNL but otherwise there is a fair amount of overlap.
 
Highlander said:
OK, this makes more sense and aligns with the age group rumor I heard this from. No way would anyone drop ECNL for GA. At least not in NorCal - I have zero clue about other regions. Thanks all!
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Bay Area Surf has been a frequent topic in club-related discussions on this forum, often framed in a negative light. This club is increasingly defined by cliques, favoritism, and questionable behind-the-scenes decisions.

Heard that coaches consistently prioritize players from their private clinics, sidelining others regardless of effort or ability. The organization is disjointed, communication is unreliable, and genuine player development is secondary to their Surf Brand-building. Athletes are treated more as marketing tools than young players with potential. For families seeking integrity, transparency, and true growth, this is not the place to be.

It may be time to also raise concerns with the broader Surf organization, for this environment is becoming toxic for aspiring players and damaging to youth soccer in the region. Nothing comes without cost, and over time, unchecked negativity inevitably undermines the foundation of any business.
 
There is constant discussion about them because they are one of the leading clubs in the area. Every club in the area has issues - most more significant than the ones that Bay Area Surf has to deal with. All but one or two of them would trade places with Bay Area Surf in a moment if they were given that wish.
 
RandomSoccerFan said:
There is constant discussion about them because they are one of the leading clubs in the area. Every club in the area has issues - most more significant than the ones that Bay Area Surf has to deal with. All but one or two of them would trade places with Bay Area Surf in a moment if they were given that wish.
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Sure, visibility brings scrutiny. But brushing off criticism, inside or out, is a poor business mindset and a fast track to a downfall. Leaders must stay confident yet humble, willing to address issues now to keep improving and stay ahead. And if Surf is truly growing and leading, they should model the right tone (not more toxic) for youth soccer in NorCal.
 
Posting gossip anonymously while espousing that someone else should "do the right thing" and "raise concerns with the Surf organization" is rich. If you're part of Surf - and you can help them identify and address things that you (and they) feel are problems - great. If you're not - nobody cares about random internet gossip tied most directly to jealousy.
 
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