ECNL, you had a great run but it is hard for you to argue that you are the "elite" league. I will go through some common comments and topics you will get from ECNL folks. I want to state that ECNL is a good league and can get your daughter some competition and probably a scholarship, but they can not compete with DA. DA is the elite league in SoCal.
1. The competition
If you look at ECNL standings, look closely...at Goal Differential, usually after the 3rd or 4th team the GD goes to double digit negative. blues and slammers beat up on everyone else.
DA, usually is about the 9th or 10th team to get double digit negative
It is clear as day that DA is much more competitive. Also, don't give me the response that Crossfire and PDA are in ecnl because as a socal team you will see them maybe, if you are get a good draw, one game a year but will see the local teams much more.
2. "ECNL has more girls scholarships and continues to get more of the college coaches at their events"
DUH. ECNL has been around longer but every year DA gets more and more coaches to come to their events because they are just managed better (more on that later). It will take time until DA reaches the amount of scholarships that ecnl has done. Because they are a new! But for those who think new things can't out last who got there first....ask blockbuster, Toys R us and Radio shack how they feel about Netflix and Amazon.
3. "ECNL allows my kid to play HS soccer"
You should not want to play HS soccer if you are a club player, the competition just isn't as goos, teammates are usualyl not as good and so much risk for injury when you play against players that may only be playing because they want to play a sport. HS soccer is very sloppy and the field conditions usually aren't great. DA has their teams play DA teams that are properly coached and know how to play on proper fields.
4. Safety
DA has rules setup for one game a day, 18 hour rule, can't play 3 games in 3 days. The fact that so many parents aren't in love with a league that wants to protect your kid is mind boggling. They have trainers on site and always has water available. ECNL on the other hand will have your 14-18 year old daughter continue to play in tournaments where they will play 5 games in two days! If their team makes it to the final they will can play 3 games on one Sunday on a full 11v11 field. That increases the chance of injury and puts so much stress on the body, that is not safe.
This argument will change if more clubs switch or go "all in". However, I am hearing rumblings that blues may go "all in" for DA....if they do, I don't think there is any argument that DA is the elite league.
I wish you all the best of luck and hope your DD makes it as far as she can but if you are looking for the best competition and a league that truly wants to develop players and keep them safe, DA is the way to go.
1. The competition
If you look at ECNL standings, look closely...at Goal Differential, usually after the 3rd or 4th team the GD goes to double digit negative. blues and slammers beat up on everyone else.
DA, usually is about the 9th or 10th team to get double digit negative
It is clear as day that DA is much more competitive. Also, don't give me the response that Crossfire and PDA are in ecnl because as a socal team you will see them maybe, if you are get a good draw, one game a year but will see the local teams much more.
2. "ECNL has more girls scholarships and continues to get more of the college coaches at their events"
DUH. ECNL has been around longer but every year DA gets more and more coaches to come to their events because they are just managed better (more on that later). It will take time until DA reaches the amount of scholarships that ecnl has done. Because they are a new! But for those who think new things can't out last who got there first....ask blockbuster, Toys R us and Radio shack how they feel about Netflix and Amazon.
3. "ECNL allows my kid to play HS soccer"
You should not want to play HS soccer if you are a club player, the competition just isn't as goos, teammates are usualyl not as good and so much risk for injury when you play against players that may only be playing because they want to play a sport. HS soccer is very sloppy and the field conditions usually aren't great. DA has their teams play DA teams that are properly coached and know how to play on proper fields.
4. Safety
DA has rules setup for one game a day, 18 hour rule, can't play 3 games in 3 days. The fact that so many parents aren't in love with a league that wants to protect your kid is mind boggling. They have trainers on site and always has water available. ECNL on the other hand will have your 14-18 year old daughter continue to play in tournaments where they will play 5 games in two days! If their team makes it to the final they will can play 3 games on one Sunday on a full 11v11 field. That increases the chance of injury and puts so much stress on the body, that is not safe.
This argument will change if more clubs switch or go "all in". However, I am hearing rumblings that blues may go "all in" for DA....if they do, I don't think there is any argument that DA is the elite league.
I wish you all the best of luck and hope your DD makes it as far as she can but if you are looking for the best competition and a league that truly wants to develop players and keep them safe, DA is the way to go.
