Although I was guessing that most SoCal ECNL clubs would apply to DA, I have been surprised by the fact that most have actually applied. It was clear that once one or two ECNL clubs applied, the rest had to because of the competitive advantage that these one or two deserters would gain. But, at the end of the day, by not sticking together as a group, they have lost a fraction of the advantage they have had in recruiting top talent and number of players/fees.
The arrival of girls DA is a great thing for the top players that will make it and are truly dedicated to soccer, and probably for the next group of players that are in the B teams, in and out of the DA teams. I personally do not care about the $600 that I would save if my girls made the DA team, but I do care about the improved training and coaching. In addition, with so many DA clubs in SoCal, shortening driving times to pratise is a plus. But, at the end of the day, the clubs will have to come up with the money needed to partially fund DA teams. Although for now it may not be much with only three teams per club, in the absence of sponsors the money will have to come from other teams in the club, and in a logical word that means that the clubs will have to show all parents that the situation of all/most players are improving with the adoption of DA. Eventually, DA clubs may have to form their own intramural league for B teams.