ECNL expansion 2021-2022

[Surf Zombie]

I remember seeing an interview last year where the ECNL Commissioner said one of their big areas of focus, in terms of long term planning, was to reduce travel for league games. I think splitting the old 18 team Northeast conference into two new conferences of 9 & 9 is where the league is heading. This year at U14 in the "New England Conference" we have a home and away between the 9 clubs. 16 game season. No more trips to Southern NJ, PA or Maryland. Its so much better than what the U13 travel was. Plus, we'll still cross paths with those other clubs we use to play at tournaments like Jefferson Cup, PDA, Stars tournaments, etc.

If the SW conference adds 2-4 clubs i bet it gets split into groups of 8 or 9.

I could also see a couple clubs being added in FL and having that region as its own 8 team conference and split apart from GA/AL/SC. Plug in a few more clubs in the midwest and everyone is in much better shape travel wise.

Adding the right dozen or so clubs would really improve the travel for most member clubs and i think that will be a big focus.

 

[Footy30]

I remember seeing an interview last year where the ECNL Commissioner said one of their big areas of focus, in terms of long term planning, was to reduce travel for league games. I think splitting the old 18 team Northeast conference into two new conferences of 9 & 9 is where the league is heading. This year at U14 in the "New England Conference" we have a home and away between the 9 clubs. 16 game season. No more trips to Southern NJ, PA or Maryland. Its so much better than what the U13 travel was. Plus, we'll still cross paths with those other clubs we use to play at tournaments like Jefferson Cup, PDA, Stars tournaments, etc.

If the SW conference adds 2-4 clubs i bet it gets split into groups of 8 or 9.

I could also see a couple clubs being added in FL and having that region as its own 8 team conference and split apart from GA/AL/SC. Plug in a few more clubs in the midwest and everyone is in much better shape travel wise.

Adding the right dozen or so clubs would really improve the travel for most member clubs and i think that will be a big focus.

I think this is a great idea and it's also what @crush has suggested several times.. I am all for improving the travel associated with ECNL! Let's hope this is the case.

 

[crush]

I think this is a great idea and it's also what @crush has suggested several times.. I am all for improving the travel associated with ECNL! Let's hope this is the case.

Thanks for being honest and giving me a little praise. I do like praise and encouragement from others. I thank you again for my avatar name. Everyone thought I was hiding from something when in all truthfulness, I was trying to find the right name for me. Crush is so me footy. No reason we travel outside of AZ or NV for league games for kids U15 and up. Need to practice road trips. So fun. Maybe one East Coast tournament.

 

[tjinaz]

Del Sol certainly doesn't have the numbers to do both. Not their style either. They like to run small rosters and move key players in age groups around to fill gaps as needed. Maximizes playing time. When healthy, works like a dream. When not, well, not good. Big pros to small rosters, bigger cons to small rosters. Can't keep everyone happy though. They tend to stick to their guns on smaller rosters.

Makes sense for Royals to go, consolidate platforms for boys and girls. If offered ECRL, slide their DPL teams in, make that pool bigger.

Problem is SCDS is losing skilled players at an alarming rate. Look at the roster photos for RSL DA and DPL teams some of the girls are still wearing their orange SCDS shirts from the previous season. RSL and Arsenal own the east valley and the north is split between Rising, RSL and SCDS. Too many options and parents that won't stay unless their kids is sure to be rostered on a letter league team. They used to have several players on National team but now they have all left for Rising or RSL. SCDS has gotten stagnant and will need a major effort to get back to their pervious level, either that or merge with another club that has a big rec program.

 

[crush]

Problem is SCDS is losing skilled players at an alarming rate. Look at the roster photos for RSL DA and DPL teams some of the girls are still wearing their orange SCDS shirts from the previous season. RSL and Arsenal own the east valley and the north is split between Rising, RSL and SCDS. Too many options and parents that won't stay unless their kids is sure to be rostered on a letter league team. They used to have several players on National team but now they have all left for Rising or RSL. SCDS has gotten stagnant and will need a major effort to get back to their pervious level, either that or merge with another club that has a big rec program.

I'm so confused with AZ now. We need four clubs for ECNL. Rising and Utah Royals are in Arizona? One is GAL and the other is ECNL? Plus Arizona Arsenal is ECNL and Del Sol is what now? Which one of the clubs was the old Scottsdale Blackhawks? I liked that team btw. Arizona has talent and needs four teams. Let's get this fixed before the new season.

 

[happy9]

Problem is SCDS is losing skilled players at an alarming rate. Look at the roster photos for RSL DA and DPL teams some of the girls are still wearing their orange SCDS shirts from the previous season. RSL and Arsenal own the east valley and the north is split between Rising, RSL and SCDS. Too many options and parents that won't stay unless their kids is sure to be rostered on a letter league team. They used to have several players on National team but now they have all left for Rising or RSL. SCDS has gotten stagnant and will need a major effort to get back to their pervious level, either that or merge with another club that has a big rec program.

Why do you think they are losing talent at an alarming rate, especially for their top teams? They are basically intact from end of last season. While there are a few girls who have left over the last year, the majority of the departures have been due to not making teams and parents taking their players elsewhere to make teams. They've filled those gaps rather nicely by recruiting. Now, if you are referring tot he 04 max exodus a few years ago...then yes, that was alarming and that year group has never recovered. You do have to wonder about their state league and DPL strategy. With that said, those teams seem to have the most fun and players/parents seem happy to do what they do.

As far as YNTs are concerned, they sent 3 girls from the same age group to YNT camp this time last year and they are sending another one this year. Their batch of seniors this year have power 5 pedigree.

Their approach is different to say the least. They will not carry large rosters. There's been room on rosters for each of the girls who left who weren't offered spots. Again, maybe not the best approach when talking business, but if you want playing time on arguably the best girls teams in the state, DS has a spot for you, if you can make the team. Certainly there is argument on which teams are better (07-02/03) between clubs. DS will point to their relationship with coaches and YNT staff. It's an effective one.

Will it win out in the end in terms of club viability - who knows.

 

[Desert Hound]

I'm so confused with AZ now. We need four clubs for ECNL. Rising and Utah Royals are in Arizona? One is GAL and the other is ECNL? Plus Arizona Arsenal is ECNL and Del Sol is what now? Which one of the clubs was the old Scottsdale Blackhawks? I liked that team btw. Arizona has talent and needs four teams. Let's get this fixed before the new season.

Blackhawks changed their name to Rising after the club worked a deal with the USL pro team Phx Rising.
Rising is ECNL
Arsenal is ECNL
del Sol is GA
Royals is GA.

 

[happy9]

I'm so confused with AZ now. We need four clubs for ECNL. Rising and Utah Royals are in Arizona? One is GAL and the other is ECNL? Plus Arizona Arsenal is ECNL and Del Sol is what now? Which one of the clubs was the old Scottsdale Blackhawks? I liked that team btw. Arizona has talent and needs four teams. Let's get this fixed before the new season.

I bet you get one team - Utah Royals(currently GA). I don't think you'll get two. Don't know what will happen with Arsenal, likely nothing this year. They are the weakest of the 4 big clubs in AZ. And when I mean weak, I mean ECNL weak. They are a great club on their side of town and do a pretty goo job of providing teams for their communities. The blackhawks are now Phoenix Rising.

 

[crush]

Blackhawks changed their name to Rising after the club worked a deal with the USL pro team Phx Rising.
Rising is ECNL
Arsenal is ECNL
del Sol is GA
Royals is GA.

Thanks for help bro. I get it now. So, if ECNL gets those GAL teams, then the Sandsharks will get the call up to the GAL?

 

[crush]

I bet you get one team - Utah Royals(currently GA). I don't think you'll get two. Don't know what will happen with Arsenal, likely nothing this year. They are the weakest of the 4 big clubs in AZ. And when I mean weak, I mean ECNL weak. They are a great club on their side of town and do a pretty goo job of providing teams for their communities. The blackhawks are now Phoenix Rising.

Lot's of movement in the desert. I honestly can;t keep up. I do love the drive and the games are quality. My advise is to get together so we can have 4 teams in ECNL. Royals are the best, right? I only care about u17 btw and pure competition. I'm tired. Tired of confusion and division.

 

[Desert Hound]

Thanks for help bro. I get it now. So, if ECNL gets those GAL teams, then the Sandsharks will get the call up to the GAL?

I always joke about Sandsharks.

The are a small club up in N. Scottsdale. They have a few decent teams here and there. They have the problem the other small clubs do. When they have a good player, that player usually leaves at some point for one of the big clubs.

The guy that runs the club is a nice guy. I used to bump into him off and on at a couple of watering holes I stop by in Scottsdale/Phoenix.

 

[crush]

I always joke about Sandsharks.

The are a small club up in N. Scottsdale. They have a few decent teams here and there. They have the problem the other small clubs do. When they have a good player, that player usually leaves at some point for one of the big clubs.

The guy that runs the club is a nice guy. I used to bump into him off and on at a couple of watering holes I stop by in Scottsdale/Phoenix.

I get it. So Sandsharks develop local goat and then the Royals or Rising snatch player? Sounds like the same thing in socal. Small club like Legends builds a local IE brand and then the Arsenals and Socal Blues of the world takes the young player. The Gaffer and the Grey Fox were always at my dd games scouting the next best.

 

[azsnowrider]

Problem is SCDS is losing skilled players at an alarming rate. Look at the roster photos for RSL DA and DPL teams some of the girls are still wearing their orange SCDS shirts from the previous season. RSL and Arsenal own the east valley and the north is split between Rising, RSL and SCDS. Too many options and parents that won't stay unless their kids is sure to be rostered on a letter league team. They used to have several players on National team but now they have all left for Rising or RSL. SCDS has gotten stagnant and will need a major effort to get back to their pervious level, either that or merge with another club that has a big rec program.

Your basing your theory on roster photos? To start, in my opinion it's pretty dumb to use roster photos with another clubs shirt in them. It's clear what age group you are looking at. Read @ Happy9's post not once but twice. Those girls didn't make the team they wanted to make and RSL always has open arms. They need more kids to help pay for that bloated/expensive staff they have. Why else are those poor kids walking billboards for chevy and others.

FYI, kids are and have moved from RSL to Rising, from RSL to Arsenal, from Rising to RSL to Del Sol. That's the nature of the business, it happens and means nothing except a kid switched clubs.

 

[azsnowrider]

Why do you think they are losing talent at an alarming rate, especially for their top teams? They are basically intact from end of last season. While there are a few girls who have left over the last year, the majority of the departures have been due to not making teams and parents taking their players elsewhere to make teams. They've filled those gaps rather nicely by recruiting. Now, if you are referring tot he 04 max exodus a few years ago...then yes, that was alarming and that year group has never recovered. You do have to wonder about their state league and DPL strategy. With that said, those teams seem to have the most fun and players/parents seem happy to do what they do.

As far as YNTs are concerned, they sent 3 girls from the same age group to YNT camp this time last year and they are sending another one this year. Their batch of seniors this year have power 5 pedigree.

Their approach is different to say the least. They will not carry large rosters. There's been room on rosters for each of the girls who left who weren't offered spots. Again, maybe not the best approach when talking business, but if you want playing time on arguably the best girls teams in the state, DS has a spot for you, if you can make the team. Certainly there is argument on which teams are better (07-02/03) between clubs. DS will point to their relationship with coaches and YNT staff. It's an effective one.

Will it win out in the end in terms of club viability - who knows.

Just to add something, some of those girls who split went from playing full games to not, and coming off the bench. Was it a good move for some? Maybe not

I think Del Sol is fine rolling out with just 11, no hassles with Subs. I don't think they sit around crying about rosters and play with what they have. If they really wanted to they could run with 17-18 player rosters, I think it's there philosophy to not do so. The only con is injurie's, and you only need 11 to play. Full games does a wonder to a kids fitness.....

 

[surfertwins]

SDSC Surf has boys ECNL, could a forth girls ECNL club for San Diego be in the works?

 

[futboldad1]

SDSC Surf has boys ECNL, could a forth girls ECNL club for San Diego be in the works?

I would not rule that out given the depth of talent at San Diego Surf...... it would give an even number of teams for the divisions...... I have no knowledge of this from my many surf friends but if this happens I would guess that would be at least another year away given the DA-ECNL history of Surf.........

 

[crush]

I would not rule that out given the depth of talent at San Diego Surf...... it would give an even number of teams for the divisions...... I have no knowledge of this from my many surf friends but if this happens I would guess that would be at least another year away given the DA-ECNL history of Surf.........

So no rumor mill from third hand, just a thought in your mind bro? I like that thought and it makes a lot of sense to this dad. That SDSC almost beat our U12 team right before QF, where Kickers Beach team beat us in Pks. Tough tough loss and well deserved victory by Beach FC. Those were some fun times. I still remember one of the top players from Beach getting sick and then coming back Willis Reed style and help keep their team in the game and beat us in PKs. We were so knocking at the end and couldnt find the net. Let's only talk soccer bro.

 

[tjinaz]

Just to add something, some of those girls who split went from playing full games to not, and coming off the bench. Was it a good move for some? Maybe not

I think Del Sol is fine rolling out with just 11, no hassles with Subs. I don't think they sit around crying about rosters and play with what they have. If they really wanted to they could run with 17-18 player rosters, I think it's there philosophy to not do so. The only con is injurie's, and you only need 11 to play. Full games does a wonder to a kids fitness.....

wow... well that is a different philosophy. I suppose it could work if you built up to it but forwards and outside backs that run the field a lot would be at a pretty high risk of injury getting there and the team would be highly vulnerably as those tired defenders try to run down fresh forwards from the other team.

 

[happy9]

Lot's of movement in the desert. I honestly can;t keep up. I do love the drive and the games are quality. My advise is to get together so we can have 4 teams in ECNL. Royals are the best, right? I only care about u17 btw and pure competition. I'm tired. Tired of confusion and division.

Royals have a good U17 team, as does Rising. Del Sol's U17 team is not as talented as the Rising/Royals team. A few years ago there was a scuff up amongst parents and staff, causing a rift in the team. Tight race in the other age groups. Hard to tell since ECNL and GA/DA have never had an official game with full rosters. Rising ECNL and Del Sol 07s did play in an official capacity over the weekend with Del Sol eeking out a victory in PKs. I heard it was a good game. I think the Royals 07 team is the class of the age group but I bet those games would be competitive.

To your point, the addition of the Royals U17 team would be a good addition to the the ECNL SW Conference.

 

[happy9]

Just to add something, some of those girls who split went from playing full games to not, and coming off the bench. Was it a good move for some? Maybe not

I think Del Sol is fine rolling out with just 11, no hassles with Subs. I don't think they sit around crying about rosters and play with what they have. If they really wanted to they could run with 17-18 player rosters, I think it's there philosophy to not do so. The only con is injurie's, and you only need 11 to play. Full games does a wonder to a kids fitness.....

It's how they roll. 12-14 field players 1 goalie, sometimes two but rarely. They have one team with 2 goalies - both can play up with no loss in ability. It maximizes playing time and fitness. Injuries do occur and can certainly impact play. They tend to have a core group of players in each age group that play up when needed - either for injuries or development. Works out well for them and keeps parents happy in regards to playing time. 17-20 player rosters are great for injuries but not good for morale or flow of the game.