soccerpalace
BRONZE
Hearing GA 2 is finally coming! Perhaps this is finally the day DPL jumps over to the GA side, as they both look to keep up with ECNL and ECNL-RL. Has anyone heard anything?
Girls Academy 2 Finally Coming!
- Thread starter soccerpalace
- Start date
rainbow_unicorn
PREMIER
Just what we need, another letter league. GA should have worked together with DPL first rather than create their own GA2 league.
justasoccerfam
BRONZE
GA teased something today on Instagram. GA2?
I don't think GA implementing GA2 has anything to do with "keeping up" with ECNL or any other specific league.
It's likely more about making things as easy as possible for ECNL clubs that might choose to switch over. If GA has 2 levels ECNL clubs won't need to break up any ECNL or ECRL teams.
It is odd that GA2 would be implemented when DPL already exists. Would they both exist at the same time? (Many GA clubs use DPL as their second tier.) Is DPL merging into GA?
justasoccerfam
BRONZE
I would be shocked and not shocked at the same time. DPL has grown so big, so many clubs (good and very bad), that it would be a lot to throw away. Unless GA has the money to be able to buy it out? However, with that would come the bad reputation the DPL is getting due to the quality of club they are allowing in to it.
At the same time, it would be the easier move for the GA as it is a platform that is already there. Schedules etc. Would DPL give up the DPL name and everything they have built?
The one issue both ECNL/RL and GA/DPL (or whatever 2nd level league) have is neither A/B leagues are 1to1 reflections of each other. If they were both level 1 and level 2 teams could play an opponent on the same day in the same location. This would allow a single coach to have 4 teams (2 age groups + level1 and level2) and play all games on a single Saturday or Sunday.
This may sound weird, a single coach having 4 teams with 18 players each. But it actually makes a lot of sense because to make it work there would need to be an assistant coach (or DOC) in case the head coach was sick for whatever reason and they'd run both age group as pools of players which was ECNLs intention with A and B teams if you look closely at the rules.
Currently most clubs run their top team as fenced garden that only the privileged few can enter. Which kind of defeats the purpose of having a 2nd team if you're never going to invest or pull up from the 2nd to 1st teams.
justasoccerfam
BRONZE
After DPL's latest post it highly suggests no merger with Girls Academy. Which basically kills off DPL as the only reason people joined DPL was because they thought it was a pathway to the Girls Academy.
Ouch.
Ouch.
From the Spot
SILVER
This is so accurate. The top teams should be capped and when injuries or other issues pop up players from the 2nd team should be brought up. No need for rosters of 25 on the top team.
DPL is showing a broken elevator in its IG. I think the GA club's 2nd team will play GA2, and the 3rd team play DPL. EA team will play MLSN2, and the 3rd team will play EA. This is not fair for small clubs with top teams in DPL or EA.
justasoccerfam
BRONZE
I agree about the small club with good teams, however, DPL let in way too many clubs and the quality has spiraled. Nobody follows the game day rules, no standards upheld on fields and the level of player has dropped significantly. DPL also has mandatory tournaments all over the country that clubs get fined if they dont attend, which is extremely unnecessary, especially for the younger ages.
Venantsyo
GOLD
Also Interested in this.
As far as GA2, whenever I think that US Soccer can no longer surprise me with its stupidity, something like this always comes out .....
Code
GOLD
Agree. If the GA clubs now place the 2nd teams in GA2, DPL is over.
GA will surely place their 2nd team in GA2. GA + GA2 is to counter ECNL + RL. Some rumors say some ECNL clubs will switch to GA, so maybe GA2 is for the original RL team?
GA just announced that they're partnered with DPL. Here's the current landscape.
MLSN 1 = ECNL boys
MLSN 2 = ECRL boys
GA 1 = ECNL girls
GA 2 = ECRL girls
What this means is ECNL clubs can now switch to MLSN/GA and not have to rearrange any teams.
It remains to be seen if MLSN will start playing hardball with MLSN clubs that have ECNL girls forcing them to play GA instead.
MLSN 1 = ECNL boys
MLSN 2 = ECRL boys
GA 1 = ECNL girls
GA 2 = ECRL girls
What this means is ECNL clubs can now switch to MLSN/GA and not have to rearrange any teams.
It remains to be seen if MLSN will start playing hardball with MLSN clubs that have ECNL girls forcing them to play GA instead.
There's still a couple more domino's that need to fall. What makes MLSN work with boys is MLS has a homegrown player rule. This means that MLS is actively monitoring MLSN players. This doesn't exist on the girls side. There needs to be a conclusion / consensus on the BY vs SY debate.
DeaconSoccer12
BRONZE
Here is the press release: GA Press Release
So this 2nd tier will be run by DPL but will be called Aspire and has an application process so not all DPL teams will qualify. It seems like a major difference between Aspire (dumb name but I guess they cant call it GA2 because its being run by DPL) and ECRL is that Aspire is open to all clubs who get in through applying, dont have to be a GA club. In essense a stepladder to GA.
This does seem to save DPL and also may solve some of the concerns that DPL has become totally diluted because of the weak teams it is letting in?
So this 2nd tier will be run by DPL but will be called Aspire and has an application process so not all DPL teams will qualify. It seems like a major difference between Aspire (dumb name but I guess they cant call it GA2 because its being run by DPL) and ECRL is that Aspire is open to all clubs who get in through applying, dont have to be a GA club. In essense a stepladder to GA.
This does seem to save DPL and also may solve some of the concerns that DPL has become totally diluted because of the weak teams it is letting in?
This sounds a lot like a GA relagation league. If you don't win you're not booted from GA but you're also not going to play the top GA teams and get blown out week after week.
I bet this is also where ECNL clubs would park their ECRL teams if they switched over. Which would set them up for having 2x GA teams if they win.
Kind of weird to not just merge GA and DPL and have a single 1st and 2nd league. Seems like a lot of redundant effort.
justasoccerfam
BRONZE
A lot to go through BUT at least club's still have to apply. It sounds like GA clubs 2nd teams will automatically be in it and then any other clubs have too be accepted after application.
So the stronger DPL clubs will apply and if they get in then DPL gets even weaker. Is this DPL way of staying in the game by "managing" it? DPL is basically for 3rd level teams now... not to mention DPL Open.