Eclipse, Michigan Hawks, FC Stars, PDA, and arguably Slammers were granted two teams in ECNL per age group for going "all-in" last year. It doesn't look like Crossfire Premier got the same deal, but maybe they aren't disclosing it yet.
ECNL teams
- Thread starter Speed
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Eclipse, Michigan Hawks, FC Stars, PDA, and arguably Slammers were granted two teams in ECNL per age group for going "all-in" last year. It doesn't look like Crossfire Premier got the same deal, but maybe they aren't disclosing it yet.
Under the idiom "There is no free lunch." If we were to follow the money, its not Cross-Fire per se paying for those elite teams to travel, its the parents of the lower level teams that are subsidizing the elite teams. That said, Cross-Fire does an good job of bringing in sponsors, etc., which help offset costs as well.
Surf Zombie
GOLD
For next year, curious if dual ECNL/DA clubs like So Cal Blues, Solar, FC Dallas, Top Hat, etc. will still be allowed to field teams in both leagues or if the ECNL will make them choose one or the other?
Do you suppose they will make 2 balanced teams, or A and B teams?
Surf Zombie
GOLD
FC Stars has two balanced teams this year that they call east & west. Both train on the same fields.
PDA have a clear A & B.
PDA have a clear A & B.
ChalkOnYourBoots
BRONZE
Hawks and Eclipse had A and B, and the B teams have been disasters. It was unfortunate for all involved, but should probably have been expected... most players would rather go be big fish on a Regional League team than be tagged as a b-teamer. Midwest clubs played their seasons in the fall. East coast just getting started, probably remains to be seen how those situations play out. L.A. teams were kind of "sister clubs", so i think it was easier for them to avoid dedication one as a b-team. Concord Fire in Atlanta looks to have had the same struggle as Hawks and Eclipse.
Hopefully ECNL holds off awarding Crossfire two teams... it is really difficult to make it work.
Hopefully ECNL holds off awarding Crossfire two teams... it is really difficult to make it work.
Crossfire actually has a foundation that raises money and runs their tournament and through that foundation they are able to fund the travel for their teams. They don't have the same model as a lot of other clubs with the bottom paying for the top. The top is self-sustaining through the fundraising of the foundation.
Crossfire is already in ECNL with their B team so if they are pulling their A team out of DA my guess is they end up with 2 spots in ECNL and still fully fund the travel. But that's just a guess.
ChalkOnYourBoots
BRONZE
If the travel is fully funded, that could go a long way in convincing parents to stay put regardless of what letter might be assigned DD's team.
Assuming each team has 16 field players rostered, that would mean the best player on the B team is the 17th best in the club. Putting up two balanced teams means that the 17th player is playing on a team with better players as teammates, which is one of the keys to development.
Is this a rhetorical question?
What if there were no rhetorical questions?
Well, you would cease to exist.
Or would it just be your perception of what you call "you" (meaning, of course. me).
Row row row your boat
Gently down the stream Row row row your boat
Merrily merrily merrily merrily Gently down the stream Row row row your boat
Life is but a dream Merrily merrily merrily merrily Gently down the stream Row row row your boat
Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera...
Nah, it’s all you. You asked about rhetorical questions existing. It’s your staple post.
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