Is DA done?
- Thread starter SBFDad
- Start date
The trouble with ysr for the DA teams is that there aren't enough games between leagues. A team may constantly get beat up in the DA which will lower their scores, but would flatten most non DA teams. From personal experience with only boys 07/06 the lower-level DA teams are way under scored. For a while, a couple of club's best club team was ranked higher than their own DA, but that was because the clubs play so many more tournaments. An actual competitive match between the club and DA teams would be a blowout.
thedudeabides
SILVER
I've been following it for several years from a statistical vantage point and attended hundreds of those games you speak of and you couldn't be more incorrect for u14 and older boys. The games played between DA and non-da for the most part demonstrated that the non mls da teams were not nearly as good as their mls counterparts (yes, there are exceptions) and now US Soccer just changed course primarily for this reason. Yes, non mls da teams would flatten most club teams, big deal. However, those same DA's struggle against top 50 teams in socal that are occupying the flt1/premier/ecnl designations and that's why MLS just tossed them aside.
What games, where? When do (sorry, did) DA teams play non DA in official games that would get counted in ysr? That's the problem.
thedudeabides
SILVER
When a u15 team shows up playing non DA with the exact same roster that it fielded the year before as a DA, it's the same team. In fact YSR considers it the same team because it counts 18 months of competition. Same coach, same players, same team. Also, there are several tournaments that DA teams participate in that they play non DA competition. You can keep drinking the koolaid but judgment has been rendered; complete failure of it's stated objective to create world class players. Also, I've had numerous conversations with the creator of YSR software; the algorithm is solid and works very well with as little as 8 games counted. Numbers don't lie.
When was the last time you saw college coaches at any CSL/SCDSL league games ? Maybe one just to check on one of his players he is recruiting. My son plays college and the coach never stressed what league they played in. His coach was looking for a left back that went up/down the field and had good instincts.
My son's teammate a right back that seem to have double the work rate than my son , had coaches drooling. I happened to be on sideline and would hear their comments. "Did you see that right back" " man he never gets tired".
Don't stress about the league , if your son is good enough and has exposure he should be fine.
there is no requirement but many track grades and hold them to it as ECNL is a college going league. why take a non qualifier to college showcase. Teams build reputations with the college coaches and they want to know that the gpa test scores etc listed are accurate. A coach scouting for their colleges- time is very valuable. They don’t want to waste their time and don’t want to get excited about a kid that they can’t even recruit.
someone said that recruiting is up to a player and their family and that is true but trust me, a good ECNL program is actively working to help their players get offers
why pay 3,000 plus travel and go to showcases if your can’t get in?
I got crap earlier about talking ECNL but now most of the non MLS DA kids are jumping into this league and I’d argue it’s not just a competitive league but it’s a college going league and that’s it’s focus and they do it well. The non student isn’t the focus.
IMO- a pro career in the US is not what this sport offers the American soccer player. I personally know several kids that went that route and have regretted it. They gave their heart and soul for their homegrown badge and spent more in gas to and from the pitch than they ever made as a pro in galaxy II. Now a chance to get into college, maybe one you might not have gotten into as a non athlete and play a sport you love a little longer. Now that’s reachable for lots of our boys
Patandpats
SILVER
According to our DA director, the new league will be called something like "MLS Academy" and while the details are still being worked out, it will mostly work like the DA did minus about 20% of the clubs that jumped to ECNL. They are adding Phx Rising at all levels, Liverpool in OC and some other clubs.
What will likely be different is that the u19 level might go away because MLS clubs feel that if you aren't ready to be signed by then it won't be worth their time. What teams like LAUFA, TFA, Nomads, etc will do with that age group remains to be seen. Beyond that they are getting rid of the gap year, likely getting rid of the sub rules. Not much else will change. Our DOC said MLS clubs have to do this because otherwise they couldn't afford their academies since they'd have to fly to almost every game.
Our DOC is full of shit in general, but if you liked the DA, it sounds like it will still be the DA. The downside of course is that losing the six clubs in southern CA means that there will be more out of state travel to Arizona since there will be at least three clubs there (Barca, Rising, RSLAZ). It will be interesting to see if those clubs that left try to get back in or stick with ECNL.
They said MLS is meeting today about it and final details will be available in the next couple of weeks. Basically MLS is going to do everything US Soccer resisted doing that the wanted to do. I still maintain southern CA clubs should have an alliance to play each other and limit the travel (why play Rising three times when you can play Strikers three times and not pay for a hotel, miss school, etc) but that would require DOC's to think about the best interests of the kids first.
What will likely be different is that the u19 level might go away because MLS clubs feel that if you aren't ready to be signed by then it won't be worth their time. What teams like LAUFA, TFA, Nomads, etc will do with that age group remains to be seen. Beyond that they are getting rid of the gap year, likely getting rid of the sub rules. Not much else will change. Our DOC said MLS clubs have to do this because otherwise they couldn't afford their academies since they'd have to fly to almost every game.
Our DOC is full of shit in general, but if you liked the DA, it sounds like it will still be the DA. The downside of course is that losing the six clubs in southern CA means that there will be more out of state travel to Arizona since there will be at least three clubs there (Barca, Rising, RSLAZ). It will be interesting to see if those clubs that left try to get back in or stick with ECNL.
They said MLS is meeting today about it and final details will be available in the next couple of weeks. Basically MLS is going to do everything US Soccer resisted doing that the wanted to do. I still maintain southern CA clubs should have an alliance to play each other and limit the travel (why play Rising three times when you can play Strikers three times and not pay for a hotel, miss school, etc) but that would require DOC's to think about the best interests of the kids first.
jpeter
PREMIER
My advice is play soccer, gave some fun, and choose clubs, coaches, teams that are supportive and have good reputations.
The whole chase the college athletic partial scholarship for soccer deal should'nt be the focus. Your kids great grades and character will go farther in getting accepted.
The days of getting special admin due to athletics are pretty much over at the big colleges. Even at UCLA if you not in the average range of requirements they won't even give you a offer. The range for GPA for incoming freshman is 4.0 to 4.29 and you need socal and character reference or work also. If you have a 3.5 GPA and play soccer to count on offers from the the big D1 colleges they have so many possible applicants they just move on to the next.
At the better D2's 3.5gpa is possible for some schools that have lower admission standards while other require 3.7+ even the the minimum requirement is just what like a 2.2 GPA for a scholarship. D3 there are no set gpa requirements, up to schools but still have to meet the NCAA A-G course work in college.
Financial need is a big part of scholarships, example our son had offer from a pretty high profile college but it cost $55,000 a year. Coach likes him wants to make him an offer but explain to him they only get about 6 scholarships and nobody gets a full one and it's based on economic need basically he's going to get nothing in a nut shell.
Our daughter decided that she wasn't going to play college soccer and she managed to get over a dozen scholarships based on academic character, social, and Civic things she does. some of those were smaller amounts but it all added up enough to pay for her college for the first two years.
College soccer while that's another topic all together, the short limited season is really not conducted for serious soccer players. Many end up having to play and some other leagues like usl 2, upsl, etc to keep developing.
The whole chase the college athletic partial scholarship for soccer deal should'nt be the focus. Your kids great grades and character will go farther in getting accepted.
The days of getting special admin due to athletics are pretty much over at the big colleges. Even at UCLA if you not in the average range of requirements they won't even give you a offer. The range for GPA for incoming freshman is 4.0 to 4.29 and you need socal and character reference or work also. If you have a 3.5 GPA and play soccer to count on offers from the the big D1 colleges they have so many possible applicants they just move on to the next.
At the better D2's 3.5gpa is possible for some schools that have lower admission standards while other require 3.7+ even the the minimum requirement is just what like a 2.2 GPA for a scholarship. D3 there are no set gpa requirements, up to schools but still have to meet the NCAA A-G course work in college.
Financial need is a big part of scholarships, example our son had offer from a pretty high profile college but it cost $55,000 a year. Coach likes him wants to make him an offer but explain to him they only get about 6 scholarships and nobody gets a full one and it's based on economic need basically he's going to get nothing in a nut shell.
Our daughter decided that she wasn't going to play college soccer and she managed to get over a dozen scholarships based on academic character, social, and Civic things she does. some of those were smaller amounts but it all added up enough to pay for her college for the first two years.
College soccer while that's another topic all together, the short limited season is really not conducted for serious soccer players. Many end up having to play and some other leagues like usl 2, upsl, etc to keep developing.
jpeter
PREMIER
Both this new MLS/USYS and ECNL have come out with support for cross play among leagues.
We will be "scheduling" game vs these two. didn't say what kind of games: friendllies, tournament's or league but they did say they'll be playing.
Take a team like Phx Rising which will have team in both along with USL ones. Now they have a full gambit, some of the socal ones will be doing the same. Some will think that means dilution but not necessarily they can keep the quality high. Are there best players all going to play ECNL because of college scouting possibilities or because they used to play DA? no there is going to be a mash up. Same goes for the formers DA's are the all going to jump to the new MLS/USYS no some will go USL, ECNL, regular club, or just won't be able to afford soccer anymore. The former DA subsidies (20-30k per) and travel scholarships won't be there from ussda so the clubs parents are so he's going to have to cover that, making things even more expensive.
These fluffy pieces about xyx club going to xyz league and taking xyz teams and players with are assuming but in reality is not going be so linear. Each season is different players & coaches come and the teams are different. Especially this year if and when things open back up.
jpeter
PREMIER
Three age groups to be determined was the latest: U15, u17 almost certain with one more.
I'm going to take a stab and say u18/19 at least for the first season because those MLS orgs have already invested in those players and they don't want to see the 2003/02's just walk away with no return especially with how everything ended early this season..
Now that USYS is involved might be other age groups for the non-mls clubs. This is why you're seing clubs like TFA and LAUFA as mentioned since they tradionally been focused on the youngers.
The pitch...play in the MLS league if we pick up your players we will share the $$$ solidarity payments with you if they work out.
If the MLS league seems a little ad hoc and making it up as they go, that's probably because it is. That has caused some to be worried about its viability. We'll see. Even if it has lasting power, it does appear they're taking other clubs to complete the schedule rather than to upgrade the competition, which makes you wonder if those clubs/players will get the full benefits
jpeter
PREMIER
It's all fluid at the moment no matter what org or league.
The journalists are just guessing just like we are somewhat.
Every former DA club is not going to want to play in MLS/USYS no matter what they say. Some are happy to get.away from MLS and have a "real chance" for a championship is what I've heard at least twice now in the last week. Very few clubs in socal claimed those in 12 years in DA.
methood
SILVER
This is just a mess.
For years the MLS DAs have been trying to get rid of the non-MLS DAs. They wanted to form a league amongst only MLS DAs. That's why they split up the U19 into two divisions.
Now this new MLS/USYS league says all former non-MLS DAs can be a part of the new league. What non-MLS clubs in their right mind would want to play second class citizens to the MLS academies?
Now this new MLS/USYS league says all former non-MLS DAs can be a part of the new league. What non-MLS clubs in their right mind would want to play second class citizens to the MLS academies?
jpeter
PREMIER
Yes and going to be that way for while. Is just there airing the dirty laundry out there. Could do the same for others but they don't care enough to
John Pranjić
@ThatCroatianGuy
According to USSF CEO Will Wilson, he made all of the decisions within the last two weeks. That means MLS had somewhere between 12-minutes and two-weeks to thoroughly analyze the situation and decide take on the project.
Do you believe them?
This bit of news, which is not surprising, may be contributing to skepticism of the MLS youth league. MLS may be thinking the non-MLS teams will pay fees that would basically cover much of MLS' costs for the league itself.
We'll see how this looks once the training compensation and solidarity payment checks start flowing.