More defections from DA to ECNL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Crossfire Premier announced that it was moving back to ECNL for next season. That is another BIG club to leave DA for ECNL. Serious question: why does it seem like DA is losing out to ECNL? I thought DA was going to be the ultimate winner in this one, but they've now lost a number of the big clubs that originally jumped ship from ECNL. Add to that the rumors that DA is about to remove the prohibition on high school soccer, and it certainly feels like DA is on the back foot in this battle.

The reasons for Crossfire are largely logistic. In the ECNL, they are grouped in a conference that allows them to compete with 5 other clubs in driving distance. In the DA, they have to fly to most of their games. It became untenable for a lot of families.

This is very different than the "planned" ultimatum given to PDA and others that they make a choice.

I have no inside info but the travel difference argument seems dubious to me just looking at the map.The travel looks in the NW looks pretty imposing and the footprint of ECNL's Northwest conference is actually larger than GDA's. Perhaps there is a plan for ECNL to realign the conferences in this area, since they already have 16 teams there. Since Crossfire already had an ECNL berth, the consolidation of resources might have weighed into their decision too.

They break the NW conference up into sub groups. Crossfire is in the Pacific group. So they have 6 teams in driving difference in their sub-conference and then games are lumped together in other ways to meet up with the other 2 sub-conferences. Even without that, you can see only 2 teams within driving distance in the DA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If these national events were just for a few trams have at it if you want to go. You want to put your kid in competitive soccer, you are forced to national events even if you are team number 20 or 30 or more. That is just the way it is. Even for the some of the younger ages. It can actually incentivize trams to try not to qualify.

That happens on east coast teams Not sure if the same would be true on west coast teams where the travel to a West coast event is not as costly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Crossfire Premier announced that it was moving back to ECNL for next season. That is another BIG club to leave DA for ECNL. Serious question: why does it seem like DA is losing out to ECNL? I thought DA was going to be the ultimate winner in this one, but they've now lost a number of the big clubs that originally jumped ship from ECNL. Add to that the rumors that DA is about to remove the prohibition on high school soccer, and it certainly feels like DA is on the back foot in this battle.

The reasons for Crossfire are largely logistic. In the ECNL, they are grouped in a conference that allows them to compete with 5 other clubs in driving distance. In the DA, they have to fly to most of their games. It became untenable for a lot of families.

This is very different than the "planned" ultimatum given to PDA and others that they make a choice.

I have no inside info but the travel difference argument seems dubious to me just looking at the map.The travel looks in the NW looks pretty imposing and the footprint of ECNL's Northwest conference is actually larger than GDA's. Perhaps there is a plan for ECNL to realign the conferences in this area, since they already have 16 teams there. Since Crossfire already had an ECNL berth, the consolidation of resources might have weighed into their decision too.

They break the NW conference up into sub groups. Crossfire is in the Pacific group. So they have 6 teams in driving difference in their sub-conference and then games are lumped together in other ways to meet up with the other 2 sub-conferences. Even without that, you can see only 2 teams within driving distance in the DA.

Even if PP was correct that logistics played a big part in Crossfire's move back to ECNL, then these types of moves put additional logistics pressure on the remaining DA teams. For example, Reign is the only remaining DA team in WA, and Portland is the only DA team in OR. Their next closest DA competition is in northern CA. However, ECNL has 4 other teams in WA and 2 teams in OR, all of which are logistically a lot easier to travel to than CA. Were I living in those areas, I would greatly prefer for either (a) those 2 DA clubs to switch to ECNL, or (b) my daughter to play for one of the current ECNL teams, in each case primarily because of the decreased amount of travel.

[Anonymous]

Since much is about logistics. These leagues crowing about superiority are funny bacuse it has more to do with location and travel and HS then most other considerations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since much is about logistics. These leagues crowing about superiority are funny bacuse it has more to do with location and travel and HS then most other considerations.

Well, those are kind of a big deal. Dont cha think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since much is about logistics. These leagues crowing about superiority are funny bacuse it has more to do with location and travel and HS then most other considerations.

Well, those are kind of a big deal. Dont cha think?

Well it looks like DA will drop the no high school rule. They still have a few things they can bring to the table that will put a lot of pressure on the ECNL. They have been playing nice nice...that could change.

[Anonymous]

Like what? It may not matter, especially if more teams are about to announce the switch back to ECNL as is being rumored.

[Anonymous]

What are the teams rumored to be joining ECNL?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since much is about logistics. These leagues crowing about superiority are funny bacuse it has more to do with location and travel and HS then most other considerations.

Well, those are kind of a big deal. Dont cha think?

Well it looks like DA will drop the no high school rule. They still have a few things they can bring to the table that will put a lot of pressure on the ECNL. They have been playing nice nice...that could change.

Dropping the HS rule is old news. The club directors already know it's coming and they are still choosing ECNL.

The HS rule was used as an excuse by most Club Directors. The real truth is that the DA is prohibitive, not cost effective, and restrictive. It provides NOTHING that ECNL can not offer for 99 percent of the players.

In fact, US Soccer did nothing but STEAL what the ECNL built.

Everybody wants to talk about talent consolidation. Fine, drop the underperforming DA clubs and stop adding NPL to fill gaps. Stop all the DA college showcases since US Soccer thinks college soccer is such a flawed system (I DARE THEM)

It will never happen. The DA is just becoming the ECNL. So, why should anyone go DA? NT?

[Anonymous]

DA parent: I hope they don't drop the hs rule. You think so many players are clamoring to play high school? Plenty give it up willingly, even ECNL players. That's not the lynch pin of this whole thing. And all US soccer has to do is stop looking at ECNL players for NTs. You'd be surprised at the exodus. They don't have to announce it. Just do it. People will catch on.

[Anonymous]

Cripple our YNT over politics? Maybe Washington Spirit should just make their teams the YNT’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cripple our YNT over politics? Maybe Washington Spirit should just make their teams the YNT’s.

There’s plenty of talent in the GDA. The YNTs will be fine. And the DA system is more geared toward NT development than ECNL, whose sole goal is to place kids in college.

[Anonymous]

I heard the same thing. They will quietly stop coming.

[Anonymous]

Yawn. This would take years, and GDA doesn’t have years. Plus, ball don’t lie. Many WNT players, and stars, were not selected for U17, etc YNTs. I don’t think elite players in ECNL will be worried.

[Anonymous]

Fine, stop selective YN team players from ECNL and elsewhere. DA is selling a pipe dream anyways. Nearly 100 percent of the kids will never sniff the YNT.

I say again...nearly 100 percent. Think about that. Let that sink in real deep.

So, what else ya got?