ECNL Broken?

[The Outlaw *BANNED*]

You may be right on this, scratching my head over replacing KB with him. What been improved? Nada, except It's like the UN down there... Been told the international student is easier to get in.

He seems like a really nice guy and I don't like seeing people lose jobs... but his record is 21-29-7 in 4 years and I don't think he won a single league game last season. With Tony growing the program 2 hours down the road, I can't seem him lasting more than half a season... Pac 12 or not.

 

[Soccerhelper]

He seems like a really nice guy and I don't like seeing people lose jobs... but his record is 21-29-7 in 4 years and I don't think he won a single league game last season. With Tony growing the program 2 hours down the road, I can't seem him lasting more than half a season... Pac 12 or not.

ASU is a great school I hear. I had many friends attend and they loved it. School, friends, fun, sports, parties and more fun. U of A is really nice as well.

 

[happy9]

Would love to hear those stories! LOL.. I have a few of my own (20K donation made to ensure kid makes the team)... OK, as a business model you are right, ECNL is not broken...it's brilliant actually, and no doubt the best league to get college coaches eyes. To me its broken in the sense that it isn't making American soccer better as a whole...its making it worse. We can do better and we should do better. I wish US Club Soccer would make that happen. Change happens slow though...eventually NWSL is going to put in place their own youth league just like MLS is doing...that will change everything...

I think the NWSL will be hard pressed to make it through this year and into the next. They are not a financially stable league and are starting to shed top players to Europe. I agree that they should play a bigger role in girls development. Unfortunately they don't have the horsepower to even think about taking on what the MLS is doing on the boys side.

Boy's soccer development in this country is woefully lacking, as shown by our performance on the world stage. Our top talent does not stay here. Our professional league only attracts the aging euro league's superstars (which is fun to watch, but not really good futbol).

Up until recently, the NWSL attracted the top talent in the world. Now that trend seems to be reversing. The US will continue to field the best players in the world, but that gap is closing. IF leagues like the EPL and La Liga start to funnel money to their women's side, that will seal the fate of the NWSL. But that is a big IF. Those owners like getting more rich - if they determine that a women's league will not substantially raise their profits, then they will return to a status quo. There isn't a precedence set anywhere in the world (that I can see) that a women's league is a profitable venture.

I have a DD that's on consistent pathway to college and just maybe beyond. That's of course until she decides she's not on the pathway, since teens change their mind daily. And it wouldn't hurt my feelings, I prefer she were a seasonal athlete. It pains me to describe the bleak future of women's soccer in the US (beyond college), but I think it's a reality. At the end of the day, academics should drive the train - so many players do not play at the program of their dreams (the program that their coach told her and her parents she could play at when she was 9).

And yes, I think that the letter leagues are designed to take money from parents. It's the current environment and one that will likely not change for the near future. CV19 may make leagues adjust how they market to parents, but the end result will be the same.

 

[happy9]

He seems like a really nice guy and I don't like seeing people lose jobs... but his record is 21-29-7 in 4 years and I don't think he won a single league game last season. With Tony growing the program 2 hours down the road, I can't seem him lasting more than half a season... Pac 12 or not.

Yep - U o A is kicking his ass.

 

[Soccerhelper]

Up until recently, the NWSL attracted the top talent in the world. Now that trend seems to be reversing.

I have a DD that's on consistent pathway to college and just maybe beyond. That's of course until she decides she's not on the pathway, since teens change their mind daily. And it wouldn't hurt my feelings, I prefer she were a seasonal athlete. It pains me to describe the bleak future of women's soccer in the US (beyond college), but I think it's a reality. At the end of the day, academics should drive the train - so many players do not play at the program of their dreams (the program that their coach told her and her parents she could play at when she was 9).

And yes, I think that the letter leagues are designed to take money from parents. It's the current environment and one that will likely not change for the near future. CV19 may make leagues adjust how they market to parents, but the end result will be the same.

Excellent stuff Happy. Our DDs seem similar. I disagree in the red highlight only. I think the reality will be in late 2022 for anyone 18 years or older to go and play soccer if that makes you happy. My dd is super happy, Happy, when she plays soccer. She's happiest win she whens but not all can wind. So she works hard at life and plays hard to the fullest. She just goes and goes all day. Full of restless energy. She still wants to play soccer. I hope after Nov 3rd everyone can just freaking relax and slow down and live life the way it was supposed to be lived. Freedom is key.

 

[Desert Hound]

F leagues like the EPL and La Liga start to funnel money to their women's side, that will seal the fate of the NWSL. But that is a big IF. Those owners like getting more rich - if they determine that a women's league will not substantially raise their profits, then they will return to a status quo. There isn't a precedence set anywhere in the world (that I can see) that a women's league is a profitable venture.

Women's leagues over there have the same problem as in the US.

Fans (men and women) prefer to watch the men's version in almost any league. This doesn't seem likely to change anytime soon here or abroad.

The only 2 exceptions that come to mind where the women bring in viewers on a regular basis is women's golf and tennis.

 

[Copa9]

ECNL was a great experience until the chaos began with changing age groupings, DA, etc. Certain birth years were especially harmed in this process.

it is the best pathway for college exposure. There are other ways to make it to college soccer but they are more difficult and nearly impossible to make it to a top D1 program without being in the ECNL. Please don’t bring up the issue of the 2 years of the DA - those players that were good enough would have been in the ECNL during that time. It is really difficult to get attention from coaches if you are not in the ECNL and you are not in the tournaments where the college coaches are. Yes, you can play in the Vegas Cup but if you aren’t an ECNL team you are playing on some field far away from the main field with no coaches watching.

The down side is the cost. People have argued on this forum that it doesn’t cost $10,000 to play in the ECNL. It definitely does when you are honest and include travel costs, uniforms, gas to practices. $3000 for club fees, min 4 trips to Phoenix $1600 (average $400 per trip), PDA $1500, Vegas Cup $800, ECNL playoffs (San Diego $ 1000 / Chicago $1500) ECNL finals ($1500), Uniforms $300, Gas $1200 (easily with an hour commute to practices and games) etc. these are just estimates because I don’t feel like spending the time to dig through bank statements but the actual are probably more than this - this is also only for player costs, not family travel

The end does not always provide a scholarship but at the very least can help you with admission to a top preferred school and a roster spot. With the increase in recruiting international players the roster
spots are even fewer and more competitive. 3% make it to college soccer, 1% to top D1 program

Most clubs pay for air fare to finals for players (or was it the hotel, as I recall (plus a little swag ) Then again it depends on club. Car pooling helps with weekly practice as well as room sharing with other player and parent for out of state travel, unless you make it a mini vacation for you and family.

 

[Copa9]

Yes, I got that. Americans are stupid. We’ll be at 200,000 dead people in a week or two. But CA teams still can’t play ECNL, just like I said.
[/QUOTE

I don't know the specific methods being used. Appears to me to be relationship driven. I think the numbers in 2017 were about 20% of all roster spots in D1 and D2 programs were being taken up by international player and about 75% of D1 schools actively recruit internationally. Plenty of coaches have ties either back to home countries.

It's just something to consider if your kid is looking to play in college, especially on the boys side.

International students overall pay higher tuition and universities like that.

 

[azsnowrider]

He seems like a really nice guy and I don't like seeing people lose jobs... but his record is 21-29-7 in 4 years and I don't think he won a single league game last season. With Tony growing the program 2 hours down the road, I can't seem him lasting more than half a season... Pac 12 or not.

Sure nice guy but Zero wins in Conference play. I really thought they would do better on the start they had, i thought the past season would be a break out year. I am just not sure Soccer is on Ray's radar at this time.

 

[The Outlaw *BANNED*]

Sure nice guy but Zero wins in Conference play. I really thought they would do better on the start they had, i thought the past season would be a break out year. I am just not sure Soccer is on Ray's radar at this time.

Agree... though that seems like a pretty good job not knowing what it pays. Have you heard anything about why Nagy left U of A? That seemed like a really solid coaching tandem.

 

[happy9]

Yep, money talks.

 

[happy9]

Excellent stuff Happy. Our DDs seem similar. I disagree in the red highlight only. I think the reality will be in late 2022 for anyone 18 years or older to go and play soccer if that makes you happy. My dd is super happy, Happy, when she plays soccer. She's happiest win she whens but not all can wind. So she works hard at life and plays hard to the fullest. She just goes and goes all day. Full of restless energy. She still wants to play soccer. I hope after Nov 3rd everyone can just freaking relax and slow down and live life the way it was supposed to be lived. Freedom is key.

Well, at least the Cactus Cup will be available - I'm crossing my fingers that the weather pans out for the teams traveling from CA - Hopefully all of our fields will be open and that play will be conducted on first class pitches.

 

[tjinaz]

Well, at least the Cactus Cup will be available - I'm crossing my fingers that the weather pans out for the teams traveling from CA - Hopefully all of our fields will be open and that play will be conducted on first class pitches.

Just heard Scottsdale and Phoenix are going to open parks to we should have all fields available by October.

 

[azsnowrider]

Agree... though that seems like a pretty good job not knowing what it pays. Have you heard anything about why Nagy left U of A? That seemed like a really solid coaching tandem.

I am not sure why he left, but he was the main recruiting person I believe. Curious if he lands elsewhere as an HC maybe.

 

[azsnowrider]

Just heard Scottsdale and Phoenix are going to open parks to we should have all fields available by October.

For phoenix the word is Sept 10th. But they are going to be implementing a whole bunch of measures and will have roving compliance personal to monitor. So expect the clubs to be cracking down on people not following the guidelines. Don't want to lose those fields again....

"According to a Phoenix news release, outside organizations and teams will be able to reserve the fields if they agree to follow safety procedures: “including having spectators, officials and coaches wear a mask or face covering; maintaining six feet between field and spectators; and limiting the participants on a field to 48 youths or 24 adults.”

Hall said that teams and organizations must agree to self-monitor during their activities on the fields.

“This process will be enhanced by (organizations) having an on-site compliance person. In addition, we have rovers who visit multiple park sites during their shift,” she said.

Hall mentioned that city personnel would observe games and practices to ensure safety measures are implemented."

 

[Soccerhelper]

Well, at least the Cactus Cup will be available - I'm crossing my fingers that the weather pans out for the teams traveling from CA - Hopefully all of our fields will be open and that play will be conducted on first class pitches.

It's great chance for the folks at Cactus Cup to put on a great tournament. Q Happy. If goat is playing college ball right now, weather plays a facter always in soccer in AZ or do they cancel? I loved AYSO because we played in the rain and mud and it was a blast. Water breaks is cool too. Time to get tough and go ball in AZ.

 

[happy9]

For phoenix the word is Sept 10th. But they are going to be implementing a whole bunch of measures and will have roving compliance personal to monitor. So expect the clubs to be cracking down on people not following the guidelines. Don't want to lose those fields again....

"According to a Phoenix news release, outside organizations and teams will be able to reserve the fields if they agree to follow safety procedures: “including having spectators, officials and coaches wear a mask or face covering; maintaining six feet between field and spectators; and limiting the participants on a field to 48 youths or 24 adults.”

Hall said that teams and organizations must agree to self-monitor during their activities on the fields.

“This process will be enhanced by (organizations) having an on-site compliance person. In addition, we have rovers who visit multiple park sites during their shift,” she said.

Hall mentioned that city personnel would observe games and practices to ensure safety measures are implemented."

That's what I hear. Fully expect that the golf carts will be out and about. While it's tedious, parents need to do the right thing, in spite of personal beliefs. It's not that hard. It's unclear if face mask are mandatory even if you are socially distanced.

 

[Soccerhelper]

For phoenix the word is Sept 10th. But they are going to be implementing a whole bunch of measures and will have roving compliance personal to monitor. So expect the clubs to be cracking down on people not following the guidelines. Don't want to lose those fields again....

"According to a Phoenix news release, outside organizations and teams will be able to reserve the fields if they agree to follow safety procedures: “including having spectators, officials and coaches wear a mask or face covering; maintaining six feet between field and spectators; and limiting the participants on a field to 48 youths or 24 adults.”

Hall said that teams and organizations must agree to self-monitor during their activities on the fields.

“This process will be enhanced by (organizations) having an on-site compliance person. In addition, we have rovers who visit multiple park sites during their shift,” she said.

Hall mentioned that city personnel would observe games and practices to ensure safety measures are implemented."

Deal!!!!

 

[EOTL]

You are missing my point...I have no problem with people enjoying their kid is in ECNL...hell, you better! You are paying a $#%# load for it! I do disagree that you are playing the best...hell, some ECNL teams suck. You are playing the best who are willing to pay...can't change that fact. Ya, I know some clubs offer scholarships...but they don't cover everything and they don't offer it to all...hell, how could they? Numbers wouldn't work out.

Anyway, my point being is ECNL is everything that is broken about USA soccer...it isn't about creating the best players...its about separating parents from their $$$. If it was about creating the best players we would have regional Allstar teams that deserving players would attend...players would continue to play with their local clubs of their choice. Go read what France is doing...there is a reason they dominate the world football scene. So stupid we have kids travel hours multiple times a week to play with an "Elite" team...most ECNL girls are so burnt out by the time they get to 17/18 that they don't even want to play in college.

The US should definitely abandon ship and start doing what France is doing given France’s complete domination. I mean France did come in 4th in the 2011 WC and again at the 2012 Olympics after all. Never mind that the US has won the last two WC, was unlucky not to win the one before that, and has handed France its ass in every meaningful game in history, including on its own turf last year.

In the ECNL era, there is no question ECNL has produced most of the WNT players and college All-Americans. Approximately 90% of ECNL players also play in college. I believe all but two Stanford players who grew up in the US played ECNL. Claiming ECNL burns everyone out so they don’t play in college is just wrong. Yes, like anything done at an elite level, it burns some people out, but that is the nature of doing anything at an elite level.

And this nonsense about regional all star teams is a joke. No one gets better playing on an occasional all star team. They do get better being challenged every day for years by elite teammates, coaches and competition, and the vast majority of them can be found in ECNL. All star teams were what the US did with the likes of ODP during an era in which Germany was kicking its ass.

Complaining about the cost of ECNL is just sour grapes by those who don’t want to pay what things cost. If you want the Ferrari, yes, it costs a lot more than the Kia.

 

[happy9]

The US should definitely abandon ship and start doing what France is doing given France’s complete domination. I mean France did come in 4th in the 2011 WC and again at the 2012 Olympics after all. Never mind that the US has won the last two WC, was unlucky not to win the one before that, and has handed France its ass in every meaningful game in history, including on its own turf last year.

In the ECNL era, there is no question ECNL has produced most of the WNT players and college All-Americans. Approximately 90% of ECNL players also play in college. I believe all but two Stanford players who grew up in the US played ECNL. Claiming ECNL burns everyone out so they don’t play in college is just wrong. Yes, like anything done at an elite level, it burns some people out, but that is the nature of doing anything at an elite level.

And this nonsense about regional all star teams is a joke. No one gets better playing on an occasional all star team. They do get better being challenged every day for years by elite teammates, coaches and competition, and the vast majority of them can be found in ECNL. All star teams were what the US did with the likes of ODP during an era in which Germany was kicking its ass.

Complaining about the cost of ECNL is just sour grapes by those who don’t want to pay what things cost. If you want the Ferrari, yes, it costs a lot more than the Kia.

ECNL= Capitalism at it's best.

 

[Soccer43]

Most clubs pay for air fare to finals for players (or was it the hotel, as I recall (plus a little swag ) Then again it depends on club. Car pooling helps with weekly practice as well as room sharing with other player and parent for out of state travel, unless you make it a mini vacation for you and family.

That is to the finals not playoffs, so 4 teams may get a break on some of that travel. The other 64 teams traveling to “playoffs” do not get that. Carpooling only works if you have someone near you on the same team and that doesn’t always work out that way; in terms of hotels for any club we have been with the players were required to stay with the team and we were told what our expense was for that privaledge - the costs we were charged was not always transparent nor add up well