Say bye-bye-bye to Girls and Boys DA

[whatithink]

I like your comment because it illustrates my point that there’s not much difference from club soccer than the rich kids parents that just got caught cheating in the admissions scandal.

Theses kids aren’t getting into elite universities because of exceptional academic or athletic abilities. Nope it appears we are letting average kids into elite schools because their parents can afford to pay exceptional fees. Fucking pathetic!

We're not "letting", that's the soccer game. They have to get good grades too, although there was the scam you mentioned for that.

As to who goes to the elite universities, it's not a meritocracy and never was. Getting in on academic or athletic merit alone is a hard path - doable if you have the brains, ability and application.

 

[Ellejustus]

This song came out right when the GDA started. I remember certain folks trying to make her something she was never going to be. She can;t sit still and look pretty for some asshole Treat these girls better is all I can say.......

 

[Ellejustus]

We're not "letting", that's the soccer game. They have to get good grades too, although there was the scam you mentioned for that.

As to who goes to the elite universities, it's not a meritocracy and never was. Getting in on academic or athletic merit alone is a hard path - doable if you have the brains, ability and application.

and connections for some. Mr Singer ring a bell?

 

[MacDre]

There's a pretty big gap between Santa Rosa, Lamorinda and some others in that larger area in terms of player skill. The bay area has a good number of exceptional players and some exceptional teams (though some of those teams could look a little different here shortly).

I believe there are some good coaches and kids in the bay area but I think they’re “victims of circumstance.” Mainly the lack of soccer culture and the insane commutes to and from practice. While kids in the bay area are commuting back and forth to practice my kid and her friends are playing with a ball AND getting cool points for doing it.

 

[Surf Zombie]

So looking at the Soccer Wire top 40 that leaves:

1. Top Hat (GA)
5. FC Dallas (TX)
8. Legends (CA)
9. Beach (CA)
10. SJ Earthquakes (CA)
16. FC Virginia (VA)
25. NEFC (MA)
26. Sporting Blue Valley (KS)
28. Cincinnati DA (OH)
29. Lonestar (TX)
32. South Shore Select (MA)
35. LA Galaxy (CA)
37. Nationals (MI)

 

[Copa9]

GDA was 100% closed to public schools kids unless you gave up your peers, don;t play for your hs and so on. That is why this USSF company failed. 100%. If they allow HS we would be hearing why GDA won;t let so and so club in. Jay was making $700,000+ a year and that was an issue. He takes off and Mr Wilson steps in. He gets hit with all this stuff he had no idea about two weeks ago. Cindy and Ernie had no clue too. Classic blame everyone. I blamed everything on the USSF and I still do. ECNL is a private company, that's their right.

Actually, a couple of my dd high school friends were on her DA team, go figure. Duh.

 

[Copa9]

Good takes. Tad wants to win at U11, u12, u13 and every year. He teaches life, be a good a kid and work hard so you can go to college. He used to tell me this is a business. He would ask me, "Who are the customers?" I would say, "The kids?" He would say, "No, its the parents." Then he would ask me, "what do the parents want?" I would say, "win?" He would say, "no, they want their kid playing in college." Blues does not sell YNT access, ODP, Pro. They sell college and there's nothing wrong with that. I confessed here many times I was going for the best coach for my dd and win state cup, A Naty and go unto the pros and YNT.....lol. I see more everyday how foolish I was. It all smacked me in the face when she was in 8th grade. I will spare you all the rest of the story....lol

Then why does TAD recruit players who have already committed to college? Haha

 

[timmyh]

So looking at the Soccer Wire top 40 that leaves:

1. Top Hat (GA)
5. FC Dallas (TX)
8. Legends (CA)
9. Beach (CA)
10. SJ Earthquakes (CA)
16. FC Virginia (VA)
25. NEFC (MA)
26. Sporting Blue Valley (KS)
28. Cincinnati DA (OH)
29. Lonestar (TX)
32. South Shore Select (MA)
35. LA Galaxy (CA)
37. Nationals (MI)

I think Tophat gets in plus one more in the NE, and that is it for 2020. Others can reapply in 2021, if they hang onto their players and remain strong.

 

[youthsportsugh]

I believe there are some good coaches and kids in the bay area but I think they’re “victims of circumstance.” Mainly the lack of soccer culture and the insane commutes to and from practice. While kids in the bay area are commuting back and forth to practice my kid and her friends are playing with a ball AND getting cool points for doing it.

I am not familiar with all of the Bay Area, but on the Peninsula there are 4 quality clubs where commuting isn't an issue - There are families that do travel extensive time from other parts of NorCal to play for those 4 clubs, but there are others that only need to go 15-20 minutes in rush hour traffic to get to practice. NorCal doesn't have the extensive numbers, but there is some really good quality coaching and playing here. I am hoping something good comes of this DA breakup to get the "best" playing the "best"

 

[Surf Zombie]

I think Tophat gets in plus one more in the NE, and that is it for 2020. Others can reapply in 2021, if they hang onto their players and remain strong.

What makes you think they stop at two more? Not saying you are right or wrong, just curious.

I think the number of ECNL clubs right now (counting the clubs with 2 teams) is 104. There are still a few regions (Texas & Midwest) where the travel isn’t great. I was told before the DA collapsed that the ECNL expansion plan was to go to about 110 teams.

 

[timmyh]

What makes you think they stop at two more? Not saying you are right or wrong, just curious.

I think the number of ECNL clubs right now (counting the clubs with 2 teams) is 104. There are still a few regions (Texas & Midwest) where the travel isn’t great. I was told before the DA collapsed that the ECNL expansion plan was to go to about 110 teams.

Politics, mostly.

I think ECNL should invite them all and snuff out any whiff of a rival league forming up. Don't let any new clubs who want to join at this point play showcases so fields are available. Balloon to 125 clubs or so, and then slowly contract the weakest clubs over the next couple years.

However, that apparently isn't going to happen. At least not this fall.

 

[Surf Zombie]

The political angle has a lot of layers to it I’m sure.
if you look at the list a lot of these remaining top clubs have a direct, strong existing ECNL competitor in their neighborhood.

Top Hat - Concord Fire
FC Dallas- Solar
FC Virginia-Louden
NEFC-FC Stars of MA
Cincinnati DA-Ohio Elite
South Shore Select-Scorpions SC
Nationals-Michigan Hawks

CA clubs as well in Beach, Legends, Earth Quakes.

 

[timmyh]

The political angle has a lot of layers to it I’m sure.
if you look at the list a lot of these remaining top clubs have a direct, strong existing ECNL competitor in their neighborhood.

Top Hat - Concord Fire
FC Dallas- Solar
FC Virginia-Louden
NEFC-FC Stars of MA
Cincinnati DA-Ohio Elite
South Shore Select-Scorpions SC
Nationals-Michigan Hawks

CA clubs as well in Beach, Legends, Earth Quakes.

Exactly. Those clubs 1) don't want a strong local competitor and 2) want to poach some very good players.

Don't make the mistake of thinking ECNL is in the business of anything other than serving it's member clubs. Sometimes new club expansion benefits the member clubs and it happens. Other times, not so much, and it ain't happening.

 

[pokergod]

The political angle has a lot of layers to it I’m sure.
if you look at the list a lot of these remaining top clubs have a direct, strong existing ECNL competitor in their neighborhood.

Top Hat - Concord Fire
FC Dallas- Solar
FC Virginia-Louden
NEFC-FC Stars of MA
Cincinnati DA-Ohio Elite
South Shore Select-Scorpions SC
Nationals-Michigan Hawks

CA clubs as well in Beach, Legends, Earth Quakes.

good analysis. thinking of the amount of time the powers to be at those clubs are spending talking to ECNL, each other, their coaches, their parents.....

 

[timmyh]

The political angle has a lot of layers to it I’m sure.
if you look at the list a lot of these remaining top clubs have a direct, strong existing ECNL competitor in their neighborhood.

Top Hat - Concord Fire
FC Dallas- Solar
FC Virginia-Louden
NEFC-FC Stars of MA
Cincinnati DA-Ohio Elite
South Shore Select-Scorpions SC
Nationals-Michigan Hawks

CA clubs as well in Beach, Legends, Earth Quakes.

You think Solar/Sting, Concord, and Louden aren't kicking their chops at the prospect of the dozens of YNT level players at Tophat, FC Dallas, and FC Virginia who are suddenly nervous about an uncertain future?

There are zero soccer reasons to exclude Tophat and FCD from a league that purports to be the best-of-the-best. There are, however, $pecific ve$ted inter$t$ who have lot$ of non-$occer rea$on$ to exclude them. Same thing that is happening to Beach and Legends.

 

[Surf Zombie]

It’s chaotic here in MA right now with Scorpions & FC Stars trying to grab displaced DA players from NEFC & South Shore Select. MA is a small state so I know families at all four clubs and the shuffle is definitely on.

 

[GeekKid]

You think Solar/Sting, Concord, and Louden aren't kicking their chops at the prospect of the dozens of YNT level players at Tophat, FC Dallas, and FC Virginia who are suddenly nervous about an uncertain future?

There are zero soccer reasons to exclude Tophat and FCD from a league that purports to be the best-of-the-best. There are, however, $pecific ve$ted inter$t$ who have lot$ of non-$occer rea$on$ to exclude them. Same thing that is happening to Beach and Legends.

Never really thought about it that way...interesting.

 

[Kicker4Life]

It’s chaotic here in MA right now with Scorpions & FC Stars trying to grab displaced DA players from NEFC & South Shore Select. MA is a small state so I know families at all four clubs and the shuffle is definitely on.

You should see the frenzy in SoCal.

 

[Sunil Illuminati]

There's literally no other country in the World so vested in creating leagues and clubs to help develop kids who aren't good enough to go pro! Can you imagine any clubs in the rest of the World that are worth their salt touting "We've got kids going to College" Lol. People come on here like they're deciding the future of the game for the rest of the World. Soccer in the US is small potatoes and the USSF and equally at the youth level have been publicly "found out" 10 years too late. Come on people we can do better. Put your kids with the best coaches and lets stop this nonsense

 

[Surf Zombie]

You should see the frenzy in SoCal.

I can only imagine. I know here the coaches are asking the prospective players to send game video because of the virus. Pretty risky offering up spots unless you know the displaced DA player is a true game changer.