Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss Part II

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the boys' side works like the girls' side, then ECNL doesn't begin until U15, with U13 and U14 playing a modified pre-ECNL schedule that involves less travel. So no 8 year olds are going to NC to play an ECNL league game. The younger teams play in a league of their club's choice.

Also, it was my understanding that ECNL re-organized geographically to align regions based on when the high school season occurred. So for example, VA teams whose HS season is in the spring would play other ECNL clubs from states whose HS season is also in the spring. But I could be wrong. I know that's why our region no longer includes Ohio and Indiana like it did last year.

Wrong. ECNL begins at U14 and clubs have to opt-in for U13. The U13 age group is not required of clubs but has the same league schedule as U14.

The league schedule is the same for all age groups except the obvious showcase schedule is different depending on the age. U14 doing a modified junior showcase with much less travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the boys' side works like the girls' side, then ECNL doesn't begin until U15, with U13 and U14 playing a modified pre-ECNL schedule that involves less travel. So no 8 year olds are going to NC to play an ECNL league game. The younger teams play in a league of their club's choice.

Also, it was my understanding that ECNL re-organized geographically to align regions based on when the high school season occurred. So for example, VA teams whose HS season is in the spring would play other ECNL clubs from states whose HS season is also in the spring. But I could be wrong. I know that's why our region no longer includes Ohio and Indiana like it did last year.

Good point. I think MD high schools play soccer in the fall, which would explain why MD isn’t included in the mid-Atlantic division

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Why can't there just be one league? All these leagues are hurting soccer.

I agree. There should be one league with pro/rel. let the cream rise to the top.

Great, I'll great the league and every teams registration will be $1k per season with guaranteed 10% price increase. I won't be willing to adjust any schedules for any reason. If you don't like my attitude about it, go create your own league... oh that's exactly what happened...

Exactly the issue with NCSL. Not only that but the outdated way to report scores. Even ODSL uses an app that updates the score and standings right away.

I don't think anyone here cares if the current NCSL administrators administer this one league many of us want. Nor do we care if it's called NCSL. You can call it CCL for all we care, it just needs to be a local pro-rel league with the general league structure and general geographical reach of NCSL, open to any club that meets the basic field requirements and agrees to whatever player development values the league organizers think are important. Bring your fancy score reporting software if you want, and by all means have the administrators be customer friendly.

I believe one of the draws to CCL was that the travel coach could be at more of his team's games without having to travel hours across the DMV or use a secondary coach for his other teams.

Back when we played in NCSL, our coaches were always able to make the vast majority of all their teams' games. Should be doable in general, if the new, improved version of NCSL we are imagining here has user-friendly, competent administrators.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Wrong. ECNL begins at U14 and clubs have to opt-in for U13. The U13 age group is not required of clubs but has the same league schedule as U14.

The league schedule is the same for all age groups except the obvious showcase schedule is different depending on the age. U14 doing a modified junior showcase with much less travel.

Does anyone know what BRYC (and McLean) plan to do for Boys U-13? Will they opt-in to ECNL or not? I see that this year's BRYC U-13 Boys team plays NCSL. But I am assuming that may be due to the competitive level of the team rather then to limit travel.

[Anonymous]

There’s really no need to be dragging U13s around multiple states. That’s probably their reasoning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s really no need to be dragging U13s around multiple states. That’s probably their reasoning.

Probably not enough clubs with ECNL teams on the boys side. As stated above, the U13 is not a mandated age group for ECNL clubs but is something a club can opt into. But seeing as the boys side is not very large as is I'm pretty sure the U13 age group is likely all but ignored on the boys side.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:No mention of it. Is that a fact or a just arumor? It does not seem to be reflected in the number of clubs US soccer is projecting for next year.

There is no US Soccer mention of VDA dropping out of GDA either and yet it happened. It is not like leagues announce who they lost.

Wait -- VDA is adding boys teams and dropping girls? Are you serious?

Not exactly sure why this is surprising. DA is the clear cut top level for boys. For girls there is a debate between DA vs ECNL. I'm not really sure why you would switch from one to the other at this point, but I guess there could be an argument...somewhere.

It isn't a debate as much as it is a preference. ECNL added 2 clubs in NOVA this year. Adding clubs at the rate ECNL is not an act of being "elite".

DA has added Arlington. With 3 clubs in NOVA - that really isn't all that different from ECNL's 4, let's be honest. Every team is just watered down and talent spread. Its unfortunate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No mention of it. Is that a fact or a just arumor? It does not seem to be reflected in the number of clubs US soccer is projecting for next year.

There is no US Soccer mention of VDA dropping out of GDA either and yet it happened. It is not like leagues announce who they lost.

Wait -- VDA is adding boys teams and dropping girls? Are you serious?

Not exactly sure why this is surprising. DA is the clear cut top level for boys. For girls there is a debate between DA vs ECNL. I'm not really sure why you would switch from one to the other at this point, but I guess there could be an argument...somewhere.

It isn't a debate as much as it is a preference. ECNL added 2 clubs in NOVA this year. Adding clubs at the rate ECNL is not an act of being "elite".

DA has added Arlington. With 3 clubs in NOVA - that really isn't all that different from ECNL's 4, let's be honest. Every team is just watered down and talent spread. Its unfortunate.

Agreed - and FCV and Spirit are basically in each other's backyard. How can they both be elite?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No mention of it. Is that a fact or a just arumor? It does not seem to be reflected in the number of clubs US soccer is projecting for next year.

There is no US Soccer mention of VDA dropping out of GDA either and yet it happened. It is not like leagues announce who they lost.

Wait -- VDA is adding boys teams and dropping girls? Are you serious?

Not exactly sure why this is surprising. DA is the clear cut top level for boys. For girls there is a debate between DA vs ECNL. I'm not really sure why you would switch from one to the other at this point, but I guess there could be an argument...somewhere.

It isn't a debate as much as it is a preference. ECNL added 2 clubs in NOVA this year. Adding clubs at the rate ECNL is not an act of being "elite".

DA has added Arlington. With 3 clubs in NOVA - that really isn't all that different from ECNL's 4, let's be honest. Every team is just watered down and talent spread. Its unfortunate.

Agreed - and FCV and Spirit are basically in each other's backyard. How can they both be elite?

How are Spirit and FCV in each others backyard? Loudoun and FCV are 2 miles from each other. Spirit and FCV don't even share the same zip code

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No mention of it. Is that a fact or a just arumor? It does not seem to be reflected in the number of clubs US soccer is projecting for next year.

There is no US Soccer mention of VDA dropping out of GDA either and yet it happened. It is not like leagues announce who they lost.

Wait -- VDA is adding boys teams and dropping girls? Are you serious?

Not exactly sure why this is surprising. DA is the clear cut top level for boys. For girls there is a debate between DA vs ECNL. I'm not really sure why you would switch from one to the other at this point, but I guess there could be an argument...somewhere.

It isn't a debate as much as it is a preference. ECNL added 2 clubs in NOVA this year. Adding clubs at the rate ECNL is not an act of being "elite".

DA has added Arlington. With 3 clubs in NOVA - that really isn't all that different from ECNL's 4, let's be honest. Every team is just watered down and talent spread. Its unfortunate.

Agreed - and FCV and Spirit are basically in each other's backyard. How can they both be elite?

How are Spirit and FCV in each others backyard? Loudoun and FCV are 2 miles from each other. Spirit and FCV don't even share the same zip code

FCV trains at Evergreen in Leesburg. Spirit trains at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston. Those sites are 20 miles away from each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

FCV trains at Evergreen in Leesburg. Spirit trains at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston. Those sites are 20 miles away from each other.

Ever think what it is like from those in say Dulles, Herndon, or Sterling? Both clubs about the same distance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

FCV trains at Evergreen in Leesburg. Spirit trains at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston. Those sites are 20 miles away from each other.

Ever think what it is like from those in say Dulles, Herndon, or Sterling? Both clubs about the same distance.

That's right. And from what I hear, kids who don't make one, just try out for the other. Not saying they are equally convenient to all, but I think they do pull from overlapping areas.

[Anonymous]

Why don't we just do away with the Spring soccer season?????

For chrissakes, by January nobody is into the current team---but looking for options or worrying about the following year already.

Tryouts get pushed up earlier and earlier and cloud the entire spring season.

[Anonymous]

So just to be clear...there is no U12 ECNL teams, correct? So next year (Fall 2018), 07 McLean Green will play in CCL, correct?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

FCV trains at Evergreen in Leesburg. Spirit trains at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston. Those sites are 20 miles away from each other.

Ever think what it is like from those in say Dulles, Herndon, or Sterling? Both clubs about the same distance.

That's right. And from what I hear, kids who don't make one, just try out for the other. Not saying they are equally convenient to all, but I think they do pull from overlapping areas.

Arlington is another 20 miles east of Reston, so that’s a pretty good spread across NOVA for the Girls DA, with almost everyone within some overlapping area between two of the clubs.