We can hope.
Ideally, they'd work something with norcal like they did on the boys side.
Nor Cal GDA Teams - What's Next
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Ideally, they'd work something with norcal like they did on the boys side.
Soccerfan2
GOLD
That's because so many kids were either in DA or ECNL the last couple years. NPL only teams were 3rd tier. If the ex DA clubs end up placing teams in NPL next year, I think Tyler Durden may get to experience some nostalgia.Check the NPL Champions League standings this year. The difference between ECNL and NPL actually very wide. And those scores and standings are with the ECNL teams treating those NPL games a development opportunities.
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Haha. None of that made any sense, but ok. Who’s the first and second tier?
dk_b
GOLD
I'd love to have a conversation with those Bay Oaks parents - I may even know some of them. The reality is that Bay Oaks top girls teams are not that strong any longer - their "best" team in a while was a team that was combined with a Berkeley club most of you in SoCal have never heard of but some of the key players are from that club (it has been a number of years). Bay Oaks does not lose many players to Mustang and any player who moves from Bay Oaks to Mustang and makes Mustang's ECNL team for her age group is not going to get what she needs at Bay Oaks in terms of competition, exposure, etc. This is not a slam on Bay Oaks at all but a reality of what the elite players "need" and what smaller clubs can provide.
(as for "recognition" . . . what does that even mean? I know a few excellent players who played at Bay Oaks and moved to Mustang - this is over a 10 year period. Really, really good players (one of whom is in college and two had really good college careers). And there are two others whom I don't know but know of but those are a bit older than the ones I know. It's sort of funny to think about these parents complaining to you, @MacDre )
dk_b
GOLD
You and I could have a good conversation about these issues - the lack of volume, the economic challenges. When I say the "volume", I mean the sheer # of players who continue to play through the teen years. There is a drop off and it plays out with nearly every age cohort in that area. Our area also suffered a lot when youth soccer underwent its major restructuring about 10 or so years ago (with the disintegration of Class I and Class III). The small clubs that had a peaceful coexistence and a structured hierarchy started to cannibalize each other and the quality of the teams suffered, more players started making lateral club moves (w/promises of how green the grass would be on the other side), etc. I am of the belief that there are still some really good players - and some excellent on-the-pitch coaches - in that area and there could be some very strong teams year in and year out. But I also think that the girls who are elite D1 prospects (Power 5, National Team candidates) will not get the same exposure and attention staying along that corridor. At least not until the overall profile is significantly raised.
youthsportsugh
SILVER ELITE
Magic has a pretty nice little club up in that area
Soccerfan2
GOLD
I'm not sure what part doesn't make sense. My point is that if ex DA clubs return to NPL with in tact teams you will see some cases where those teams beat the ECNL teams in their NPL league.
First and second tier are ECNL and DA in no particular order because it depends on the age group and team. Some ECNL teams are stronger, some DA teams are stronger. And there are a few NPL only exceptions that do challenge both.
The Outlaw *BANNED*
PREMIER
Check the NPL Champions League standings this year. The difference between ECNL and NPL are actually very wide. And those scores and standings are with the ECNL teams treating those NPL games as development opportunities.
Event Information
No doubt but consider this... not everyone has played the same teams and some of the NPL teams really should not be NPL teams. I'm not sure why they were admitted. I'm going more on experience with watching these players and teams over the years. Girls are still jumping to ENCL as they get older but, as a whole, I don't think the gap is that large. For example, I've watched the MVLA U15 team for years. That's not a dominant team like the U16 girls are but they're in 1st place.
Tyler Durden
BRONZE
I'm referring to the time when the ECNL was younger, when the 98, 99 and 00s were playing. I think things have matured and more of the talent has moved over to the ECNL and DA platforms. Some of the clubs that are now Academy and ECNL were playing NPL.
dk_b
GOLD
I have been a big fan of Magic for a while (I am friends with one of the families who were part of the original move). They have good coaching, play some nice soccer. But they also suffer from Small Club problems - age groups are uneven in terms of talent so that makes it hard to develop at a steady rate and makes it hard for the elite player to get what they need. But in terms of pedagogy, I think they are a great option,
MacDre
PREMIER
Pat Uriz of Mustang is the first coach I talked to but I have never seen any of his teams play. I don’t know if it’s true but I heard Mustang wouldn’t be a good fit for a small technical player like Rose Lavelle. I hear they are very direct and physical.
I talked to Deza and observed his ‘06 team but decided against it because of the commute and I liked the parents and did not want to interfere with team chemistry.
I was looking for a team for my kid at the time because Liga MX Femenil did not allow foreign players. Now that Xolo’s have moved my kid up to the U15 squad either Liga MX will drop their prohibition on foreign players or give her Mexican citizenship. She is British too so her second option is playing in the Women’s Super League while attending Oxford or Cambrige. She also has an agent and is registered with a Mexican club so I don’t think club soccer is an option anymore.
Soccerfan2
GOLD
I think you got some bad advice on Mustang.
Champions League is the top division of NPL. The fact that this MVLA U15 team is in first place in the top NPL division should tell you something. They’re in second to last place in the ECNL league standings and have been playing short handed all year because of major injuries and struggling because if it. If they’re in first place in the Champions League, the gap is very wide between NPL and ECNL.
You said “That's because so many kids were either in DA or ECNL the last couple years”. ECNL teams already play in NPL, so that makes no sense.
The Outlaw *BANNED*
PREMIER
Their record in NPL this year is 8-1-2. Did you look at which NPL teams they have results against? They're beating the worst teams. You totally ignored my point. Until everyone plays everyone, your record really isn't that relevant. "Champions League is the top division of NPL." Yes, it is, and you see a team like Cougars has condeded 45 goals and scored none. Please...
And every team has injuries... that's a bullshit excuse.
Soccerfan2
GOLD
Standings are tricky indicator when only part of a season has been played. U15 MVLA is ahead of San Juan in NPL but behind them in ECNL. There are a whole bunch of ECNL teams in NorCal that aren't very different from each other.
kickingandscreaming
PREMIER
Nice. Your girl is on a good path. How many kids can say Oxford or Cambridge is backup plan? I enjoy your contributions to the board. Keep them coming.
Soccerfan2
GOLD
The DA teams didn't. With a bunch of players in DA, of course NPL is much weaker. If DA teams go back to NPL, ECNL teams might not be so dominant anymore.
MacDre
PREMIER
Magic offered her fully funded after she did a session with one of their coaches and I believe his name is Michael. She was too young and I thought the GDA patch was a necessity for any serious player at the time.
Hi, my name is Mac and I love Kool Aid!
The NPL has promotion/relegation. First/second place in lower division get promoted up. Keep getting promoted and you end up in the top division. The top division is champions league, so those are NPL’s best teams. They’re beating up on the best teams in the NPL while struggling in ECNL. Gap is wide.