If this all comes to play, I wonder how many ECNL teams will fold with most of the DA teams moving over.
Say bye-bye-bye to Girls and Boys DA
- Thread starter dreamz
- Start date
You want to talk about politics in soccer? Just go back to the selection of the National Men's team when 3/4 of the team pool were current or former UCLA players and the National coach was a former UCLA coach. Think the year was early 90"s, maybe 92 or 93. Galaxy wrote an article about how it changed soccer in this country and kept some really talented players out of the selection. Yep, not much has changed. Focus on your player and what is best for him or her. Focus on teaching him/her about integrity, loyalty, honesty and hard work, lessons that will out last their limited formal soccer life.
Surf Zombie
GOLD
What makes you think most of the DA teams are moving over? Just my opinion, but why would ECNL ever allow that? IMO ECNL will cherry pick the 10-20 clubs it wants and the rest of the DA clubs will move to NPL. I've been told by someone in the know that there is only 1 club being added to the NE ECNL conference and there are a dozen DA clubs from NH to PA. Barring a big fish like Surf being admitted in your back yard, this will make the existing ECNL clubs stronger by absorbing DA players.
Wow, only one? ECNL is open for business, that's for sure. They help student/soccer players with the college process. I like that. Good, sound business model too
You are correct sir. ECNL will only consider adding clubs they need to bolster an otherwise weak region (such as Surf in SD) or the club is just too strong to pass up (Tophat and Surf). Even then, there’s no guarantee that ECNL won’t operate from the premise that “payback’s a bitch” if unanimous approval by all clubs in the region remains a condition of admission.
Most were done in the past year- My only point was that it was a VERY expensive year sending 100’s of players and coaching staff all over the world for weeks at a time (14 events x 20 players x up to 10 or more in coaching staff)
Surf Zombie
GOLD
If if ECNL my strategy is 1. Grab the power clubs (FC Dallas, Top Hat, Surf, etc.) 2. Look at what regions need additions for better travel/scheduling purposes, for example, the mid-west. After that let the rest of the DA clubs head to NPL, which in and of itself will strengthen ECNL’s existing weaker clubs through defecting DA players.
Some of those trips (Euro Vaca for some) were a way to say "Thank You" for supporting the GDA, loyalty thanks and for being all in with the GDA over the ECNL league
14 events over 3 years of which many were domestic.
And they should be doing more based off of what I have learned about what other countries do. Which is why I think it’s wise they divert more funds toward the National Team structure than a youth sports league.
ECNL should immediately try and grab all the good DA clubs (like, say, all of the ones on the soccerwire top 100) and do it quickly before some other league/system gets sorted out and throws them a lifeline.
Kill off asap any chance of a competing league starting up. Any sense of retribution or punishment for clubs who would be a good inclusion would be a detriment to what is in the league's best long term interest.
Surf Zombie
GOLD
Heard from one of the parents at the other ECNL club here in MA that their coach broke the end of DA news to his players on a Zoom call last night and told them that girls from a nearby DA club will come looking for their spots very soon so they better be putting in the work during this Covid 19 break from play.
Payback might feel nice, but is a bad idea long term. As long as you have 20+ good clubs on the outside, you’re just asking for them to band together against you. (expanded Super Y, anyone?)
There is also a reputation risk to appearing vindictive. The politics looks stupid enough to parents already. At some point, people pull the plug and choose another sport.
There is also a reputation risk to appearing vindictive. The politics looks stupid enough to parents already. At some point, people pull the plug and choose another sport.
Surf Zombie
GOLD
Completely agree with this, and it’s a legitimate risk if ECNL allows old bad blood to influence decisions and keeps out a handful of power clubs.
What league would be so foolish to start a new girls soccer league for soccer wires top 100? No more crazy travel ball like them old days Tim. It will be locals only. SW ECNL will be the place to be for 2020-2021 season. I could see someone from the Great Park, Norco and Oceanside trying something on the boys side. The girls? Nah, no way
Oh boy. Coaches already threatening player’s spots on current ECNL teams! Once again, coaches are out to recruit, not develop. But, that’s the reality of club soccer.
Dang, that is some serious competition. Right before Easter too. I told my dd the same thing yesterday. Big time GDA players will be coming to take your starting spot and with so many now developed into world class players, i told her she might not even make ECNL team next year. Nothing is a given and I need to put the fear of these top top players looking to show their stuff at the great ECNL.
As the rumor mill turns......word on the street is ECNL accepts 3 new Clubs in SoCal and likely drops 1 possibly 2 underperforming Clubs.
but who knows....all rumors and here say at this point.
but who knows....all rumors and here say at this point.
That is not no rumor mill bro. Thanks for the heads up. SW ECNL will be the #1 league in the country and we don;t and won;t be allowed to travel past Vegas and Nocal and AZ. This is what dreams are made of.
I was just talking to a friend about the 03 age group, the 2021 grads. Most of the top girls have been recruited and can play anywhere and for any club/team next year. These girls can play high school their senior year, they can play near home, have a life outside of soccer, and they will most likely still kill it on any team. Or they can stick with their current team, hope that everyone on their team stays or doesn’t get replaced, and try to win whatever championship there is next year. So many decisions to make right now. Sucks to be a 2003, these girls have been thru so much change during their soccer years. One more year of change and then they can be done, finally!
ECNL President is pretty smart from everything I've seen over the last 5 years. He's not going to grab a DA club unless it really helps a regions level and helps with needed numbers in a specific region. Going through the current DA list just now I'd venture to guess 10-12 clubs will be added. My first guess is Solar, FC Dallas, Surf, Beach, Legends, SJ Quakes, CA Thorns, Placer United, Tophat, FC Virgina, Cincinnati DA and maybe 1-2 more. Maybe Seattle Regin assuming pro woman's league aren't doing anything with youth programs. A simple guess without looking at what ECNL regions may be short in talent/numbers. Just going through the list, there are going to be some very solid clubs with a "elite" league to play. Tryouts, if there is actual tryouts will be insane. What if not tryouts? I guess ECNL coaches will be on the horn to parents. Better have watch your DA opposition closely the last year so you know the kids levels exactly! While Lavers will be mis powerful person in youth elite soccer in next few weeks, I don't each his decisions. Some tough calls for sure. Again, assuming this all happens!