ECNL vs. DA turf war has created a 'toxic environment'

rainbow_unicorn said:
Every player does not "need" to get time in...they may "want" to get time in. They're on the bench because coach believes kids on the field are better. If the player/parents do not like that then they should work harder to get better. Always have the option to quit and join a DPL team.
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So the team signed up and paid to only showcase some girls? Have showcases changed that much over the years? Use to be that reputable coaches made a point of playing the girls that needed a little extra exposure MORE in the showcases as the results were meaningless. With my olders, there were times when some of the stars (already committed) didn't even bother attending a showcase because the coach wanted to "showcase" girls who needed more exposure and had invited coaches out to watch. Todays environment is now a culture of win at all costs and I, for one, don't think that leads to a better end result.
 
rainbow_unicorn said:
My comment applies to any competitive league. I don't understand parents feeling entitled and that their kid "should" play.
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In general I agree with your position for competitive sports. However, in return coach needs to recruit and only offer spots to those that have a "realistic" chance to complete for a starter position.

I see this issue particularly with the middle to bottom level top flight teams where good players are harder to come by. As result, kids that would've benefited more by playing on the B team were offered a spot on the A team to fill the roster quota. I know from experience some of these kids from day 1 ended up riding the bench all year even though many did try their best.

Instead of blaming the coaches for offering spots to roster fillers, you can argue it's the parents' fault for signing a kid up for top flight when he or she is not ready. But not every parent has soccer background or enough experience in soccer especially in the younger age group. If my kid is offered a spot on the team, my first assumption (without seeing myself how she stacks up against others) is that she really is good enough for this team to compete for minutes. Otherwise, why would you offer her a spot anyway?
 
El Clasico said:
So the team signed up and paid to only showcase some girls? Have showcases changed that much over the years? Use to be that reputable coaches made a point of playing the girls that needed a little extra exposure MORE in the showcases as the results were meaningless. With my olders, there were times when some of the stars (already committed) didn't even bother attending a showcase because the coach wanted to "showcase" girls who needed more exposure and had invited coaches out to watch. Todays environment is now a culture of win at all costs and I, for one, don't think that leads to a better end result.
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That is true of the typical showcases i.e. Vegas.
 
rainbow_unicorn said:
Every player does not "need" to get time in...they may "want" to get time in. They're on the bench because coach believes kids on the field are better. If the player/parents do not like that then they should work harder to get better. Always have the option to quit and join a DPL team.
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@rainbow_unicorn it is a showcase and the purpose of that showcase is to be seen by college scouts/coaches. If the coach doesn't believe in their player's ability, then they should not have the player on the team. Parents are at fault too. Options are always available, but quitting should never be the option. Perhaps finding a more appropriate level or a coach that sees what your DD brings to the table whether is be another GDA, ECNL, or any other acronym team. The others have clarified and explained my observation. You have only brought "you can quit or work harder." The player that I observed didn't miss a beat when she finally made it to the field. Fast and athletic. This is no entitlement. It's a showcase! Most girls in competitive leagues are doing so for the exposure. If what you all say is true about sub rules being different, then why not play all the girls? Oh, yes, it counts for standings. The Cup you all will be chasing next year will only make it worse.
 
LadiesMan217 said:
She played 45% of the total minutes in the 3 games and plays for free including travel to the showcase. Not too bad. I have witnessed a lot worse.
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How would you know she plays for free? You must have a lot of info if you know her total play time over the 3 games. Is that your team or club?
 
shales1002 said:
@rainbow_unicorn it is a showcase and the purpose of that showcase is to be seen by college scouts/coaches. If the coach doesn't believe in their player's ability, then they should not have the player on the team. Parents are at fault too. Options are always available, but quitting should never be the option. Perhaps finding a more appropriate level or a coach that sees what your DD brings to the table whether is be another GDA, ECNL, or any other acronym team. The others have clarified and explained my observation. You have only brought "you can quit or work harder." The player that I observed didn't miss a beat when she finally made it to the field. Fast and athletic. This is no entitlement. It's a showcase! Most girls in competitive leagues are doing so for the exposure. If what you all say is true about sub rules being different, then why not play all the girls? Oh, yes, it counts for standings. The Cup you all will be chasing next year will only make it worse.
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I agree with everything you are saying but this is not new and not only happening with DA. My older DD played ECNL and her coach did not play some kids a lot in ECNL showcases or Players Showcase when scouts were there to see them. I remember a scrimmage with a younger ECNL team in the club where didn't play a kid because all he cared about was winning. I can almost understand the ECNL showcases because the points matter. But Players showcase? There is no excuse for not giving kids time when scouts come to see them since those games mean nothing. Yes the Cup in DA will have coaches playing to win. But again it's not new and in my opinion will not change.
 
VegasParent said:
I agree with everything you are saying but this is not new and not only happening with DA. My older DD played ECNL and her coach did not play some kids a lot in ECNL showcases or Players Showcase when scouts were there to see them. I remember a scrimmage with a younger ECNL team in the club where didn't play a kid because all he cared about was winning. I can almost understand the ECNL showcases because the points matter. But Players showcase? There is no excuse for not giving kids time when scouts come to see them since those games mean nothing. Yes the Cup in DA will have coaches playing to win. But again it's not new and in my opinion will not change.
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@VegasParent it certainly isn't knew. Showcases should just be that the avenue of exposure that we are all paying for. Scrimmages everyone should get all the minutes...lol. It should be used to work out the kinks. But we all know that doesn't happen.
 
Messi>CR7 said:
In general I agree with your position for competitive sports. However, in return coach needs to recruit and only offer spots to those that have a "realistic" chance to complete for a starter position.
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That doesn't happen in the Pac12, why do you think that would happen at a club level showcase?
 
shales1002 said:
@rainbow_unicorn it is a showcase and the purpose of that showcase is to be seen by college scouts/coaches. If the coach doesn't believe in their player's ability, then they should not have the player on the team. Parents are at fault too. Options are always available, but quitting should never be the option. Perhaps finding a more appropriate level or a coach that sees what your DD brings to the table whether is be another GDA, ECNL, or any other acronym team. The others have clarified and explained my observation. You have only brought "you can quit or work harder." The player that I observed didn't miss a beat when she finally made it to the field. Fast and athletic. This is no entitlement. It's a showcase! Most girls in competitive leagues are doing so for the exposure. If what you all say is true about sub rules being different, then why not play all the girls? Oh, yes, it counts for standings. The Cup you all will be chasing next year will only make it worse.
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The problem is GDA includes showcase games in the standings (soon to change) and standings do matter at end of season for playoffs. You will see teams at the top acting this way. Although, some big clubs will still act this way because they want to milk every stat possible to look good. They do mandate how many starts a player has along with a few other things; but, it is a competitive league like most. From a development aspect they have mandates on the training, coach credentials, etc.
 
Tophat had been rumored to be leaning that way for weeks, but I think the Real Colorado news might have been less expected. Clearly the ol' boy ECNL board is no longer dangling two teams per age to entice the top clubs. With this round going to GDA, this fight may take many more years to play out, unfortunately.
 
StyleOfPlay said:
Does anyone know if this is confirmed? That would be a huge blow to ECNL.
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Apparently is showing that they don't care who they drop at this point. Last year it was Surf, and this year seems like Real Colorado and Tophat. But those two clubs have a very large pool of NT players. We all know Real Colorado would be ECNL if they were allowed two teams. Apparently, ECNL was like "no not today." The question I have is why does ECNL seem unphased ?
 
shales1002 said:
Apparently is showing that they don't care who they drop at this point. Last year it was Surf, and this year seems like Real Colorado and Tophat. But those two clubs have a very large pool of NT players. We all know Real Colorado would be ECNL if they were allowed two teams. Apparently, ECNL was like "no not today." The question I have is why does ECNL seem unphased ?
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Because well established leagues aren’t built upon 2 or 3 solid clubs.
 
Mile High Dad said:
Real CO had their ECNL teams play a total of 5 games in the showcase and won 4 out of 5 games.
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Saw that Mile High ... congrats to (you, and) your kiddo --

Guessing you're thinking that the comp wasn't a factor in those matches? How do you think the Real CO U15 ECNL side would fare against that DA squad?
 
Probably not very well, that DA squad is much more athletic. But on any given weekend ... The CO Rush DA team also isn't as athletic as the Real team but always gives them a tough battle. Rivalries fuel some nice battles on the pitch.
 
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