Its worth noting that, in USYSoccer programs, one cannot just sign up for the upper tier leagues. Teams must qualify by winning lower tier or play-in tournaments (i.e., SoCal National Cup and CRL Play-in) or be invited based on the previous season's performance.
We, often discuss how winning is not important and that development is paramount. Yes its true and its true for the Youngers. However, as the players transition to olders at U14+, to be on the winning team is very important from exposure perspective.
To be accepted into high profile tournaments, one has to have a great winning track record for the most part. There are handful of top tier tournaments that just about EVERY college coach attend.
Surf Cup, Disney Showcase, and Dallas Cup
You get there by making NL, or National Finals, or be on one of the DA teams that participates that these three venues.
ECNL showcases perform the same function as DA playoffs/showcases. Both of these have taken the leg work away from the college coaches. By attending these, you have the top 1% and its all filtered for you by the local clubs. Coaches can focus on which players meet the needs, rather than finding where the players are.
So if you are a coach and you're looking at your travel budget for recruiting, just how and where are you going to spend your money. By the time you goto the DA/ECNL playoffs/showcases, couple major tournaments, there isn't a lot of money left over other than just covering the local events. Its not rocket science, if you look at it from their perspective.
That's why winning matters for college aspiring players in youth sports and which league gives you the best exposure opportunities....