Are "elite" leagues (besides DA and ECNL) necessary? Why?

[Anonymous]

The girls GDA was 10 years too late. They ignored the girls as usual while they focused on the boys ECNL stepped into the vaccuum and now look at the situation we have. Neither the federation or ECNL are blame free and none of it is about the actual players. The federation bears ultimate responsibility because they are the top governing body for youth soccer here and their neglect of the girls for many years led to this mess.

[Anonymous]

At the end of the day, ECNL and DA are more focused on the elite parents as opposed to developing elite players. ECNL/DA are prohibitive to anyone with more than two children and those not making $200k/annually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The girls GDA was 10 years too late. They ignored the girls as usual while they focused on the boys ECNL stepped into the vaccuum and now look at the situation we have. Neither the federation or ECNL are blame free and none of it is about the actual players. The federation bears ultimate responsibility because they are the top governing body for youth soccer here and their neglect of the girls for many years led to this mess.

Totally agree, but that doesn't change the fact that USSF, now that they finally acted, is the right entity to be running the top league. If the ECNL folks were hired by USSF to run the girls DA it would solve a lot of the current problems. Would never happen, I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The girls GDA was 10 years too late. They ignored the girls as usual while they focused on the boys ECNL stepped into the vaccuum and now look at the situation we have. Neither the federation or ECNL are blame free and none of it is about the actual players. The federation bears ultimate responsibility because they are the top governing body for youth soccer here and their neglect of the girls for many years led to this mess.

Totally agree, but that doesn't change the fact that USSF, now that they finally acted, is the right entity to be running the top league. If the ECNL folks were hired by USSF to run the girls DA it would solve a lot of the current problems. Would never happen, I know.

If they had done anything at all to address the P2P issue and the exclusionary travel burden (which is the low hanging fruit for reducing costs) I would agree. But they did nothing but increase the travel burden. Sorry. C minus - maybe a D minus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At the end of the day, ECNL and DA are more focused on the elite parents as opposed to developing elite players. ECNL/DA are prohibitive to anyone with more than two children and those not making $200k/annually.

This is not true of boys' DA. In most markets, there is a free MLS DA option. We're unlucky here that DC United is underfunded, but it and the Maryland DA's are subsidized bt their clubs--don't know about the VA ones.. It's cheaper to play boys' DA here than it is for a regular top travel team that goes to national showcases, and there are scholarships for those who can't afford the DA.

Not sure why USSF isn't doing more to help with funding for the girls' DA. The reduced costs are a significant part of what makes it a good option on the boys' side.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At the end of the day, ECNL and DA are more focused on the elite parents as opposed to developing elite players. ECNL/DA are prohibitive to anyone with more than two children and those not making $200k/annually.

This is not true of boys' DA. In most markets, there is a free MLS DA option. We're unlucky here that DC United is underfunded, but it and the Maryland DA's are subsidized bt their clubs--don't know about the VA ones.. It's cheaper to play boys' DA here than it is for a regular top travel team that goes to national showcases, and there are scholarships for those who can't afford the DA.

Not sure why USSF isn't doing more to help with funding for the girls' DA. The reduced costs are a significant part of what makes it a good option on the boys' side.

I would imagine that it is because many clubs don't have NWSL income. Those that are affiliated with an NWSL franchise are struggling to keep their heads above water.

[Anonymous]

It's the same reason we have $40,000 primary schools. Wealthy people want their offspring exposed only to friends and potential mates who are in the same socioeconomic class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's the same reason we have $40,000 primary schools. Wealthy people want their offspring exposed only to friends and potential mates who are in the same socioeconomic class.

Exactly why this battle of the leagues is overly dramatic nonsense. It is one country club versus another country club.