So if you’re not a DA/ECNL player......

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't buy into the "ECNL/DA is the only way" mentality. Both ways are the best way to get recruited by DI schools and that is a proven fact but they are not the only way and you don't have to do it at u13.

Case in point, MRM Rush us not ECNL yet was the best team in the DMV outside of FCV DA. The top players from that team went over to Bethesda''s ECNL and displaced half the team of playes who had been playing ECNL for two years. Top clubs are always picking up new players at u15 and u16.

Lol @ fcv being the best and Maryland rush being the 2nd best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my experience it's really hard to break in to ECNL after U13 unless you're really, really good.
This year Mclean (for example) took 5 girls for ECNL U14. All were from other DA and ECNL clubs. I know some outstanding kids who tried out from other CCL clubs but they weren't chosen.
There were very few spots and they went to kids who were already tried and true from other ECNL level play. There's enough movement from DA to ECNL that they clubs don't have to look outside of this pool.

This is true. Specially on the girls side. The player from outside the DA/ECNL team will have to be a lot better vs the player she is replacing. The other thing is kids get slotted. If you are on the second team or at a small club, coaches think you are there for a reason. You do not see much movement after u12/u13 in terms of girls new to travel or playing on smaller clubs breaking into a big clubs top team. I know people here think this is not true but it is. If you do not believe it, take your kid to a few practices at the local DA/ECNL team. See where the coach thinks your kid would fit in their system- ie what team.

This stupidity starts young. Coaches knowing nothing about the player or even the coach they played for will slot kids to tryout fields based on the team they are coming from. They will put some out to the sh*t pile without even looking at them at U11/u12.

I never understood why any coach would trust another coach's opinion, particularly coaches and players they don't even know. It's that the sheer volume of players out there, it's easier for them to just form opinions based on outdated info. or another person's opinion. Makes the work easier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my experience it's really hard to break in to ECNL after U13 unless you're really, really good.
This year Mclean (for example) took 5 girls for ECNL U14. All were from other DA and ECNL clubs. I know some outstanding kids who tried out from other CCL clubs but they weren't chosen.
There were very few spots and they went to kids who were already tried and true from other ECNL level play. There's enough movement from DA to ECNL that they clubs don't have to look outside of this pool.

This is true. Specially on the girls side. The player from outside the DA/ECNL team will have to be a lot better vs the player she is replacing. The other thing is kids get slotted. If you are on the second team or at a small club, coaches think you are there for a reason. You do not see much movement after u12/u13 in terms of girls new to travel or playing on smaller clubs breaking into a big clubs top team. I know people here think this is not true but it is. If you do not believe it, take your kid to a few practices at the local DA/ECNL team. See where the coach thinks your kid would fit in their system- ie what team.

This stupidity starts young. Coaches knowing nothing about the player or even the coach they played for will slot kids to tryout fields based on the team they are coming from. They will put some out to the sh*t pile without even looking at them at U11/u12.

I never understood why any coach would trust another coach's opinion, particularly coaches and players they don't even know. It's that the sheer volume of players out there, it's easier for them to just form opinions based on outdated info. or another person's opinion. Makes the work easier.

If you’re a standout, coaches will come and find you and it won’t be during tryouts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't buy into the "ECNL/DA is the only way" mentality. Both ways are the best way to get recruited by DI schools and that is a proven fact but they are not the only way and you don't have to do it at u13.

Case in point, MRM Rush us not ECNL yet was the best team in the DMV outside of FCV DA. The top players from that team went over to Bethesda''s ECNL and displaced half the team of playes who had been playing ECNL for two years. Top clubs are always picking up new players at u15 and u16.

Lol @ fcv being the best and Maryland rush being the 2nd best.

Uh oh. I smell Pipeline dad.

If we are talking about 05 in this area, it’s FCV and then a step down anyone else.

[Anonymous]

If you’re not a DA/ECNL player......

you may as well not even bother playing competitive soccer. Might as well go back to rec or leave the sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't buy into the "ECNL/DA is the only way" mentality. Both ways are the best way to get recruited by DI schools and that is a proven fact but they are not the only way and you don't have to do it at u13.

Case in point, MRM Rush us not ECNL yet was the best team in the DMV outside of FCV DA. The top players from that team went over to Bethesda''s ECNL and displaced half the team of playes who had been playing ECNL for two years. Top clubs are always picking up new players at u15 and u16.

Lol @ fcv being the best and Maryland rush being the 2nd best.

Uh oh. I smell Pipeline dad.

If we are talking about 05 in this area, it’s FCV and then a step down anyone else.

Fcv dad says so. It’s true then.

[Anonymous]

The branding is now The St. James FC Virginia. Notice how it’s not The St. James FCV. Locations in Fairfax and Loudoun. Fairfax listed first for registration. Tryout dates listed for Fairfax location only. See the trend?

https://www.thestjames.co/socceracademy/

Next step is to drop the Virginia so it’s The St. James FC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my experience it's really hard to break in to ECNL after U13 unless you're really, really good.
This year Mclean (for example) took 5 girls for ECNL U14. All were from other DA and ECNL clubs. I know some outstanding kids who tried out from other CCL clubs but they weren't chosen.
There were very few spots and they went to kids who were already tried and true from other ECNL level play. There's enough movement from DA to ECNL that they clubs don't have to look outside of this pool.

If you are good enough, you will get noticed. Kids are added and dropped every year. Keep in mind that you aren't just competing against other US soccer players at the D1 level, you have to contend with foreign academy players that didn't make the cut to move on but are more that good enough to play at the D1 level. Look at some of the top college rosters and you will see players from around the world. Just because you played at a DA/ECNL club means nothing unless you show it on the pitch when scouts are looking.

Camps, showcases, etc. Make your own pathway, there isn't just one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my experience it's really hard to break in to ECNL after U13 unless you're really, really good.
This year Mclean (for example) took 5 girls for ECNL U14. All were from other DA and ECNL clubs. I know some outstanding kids who tried out from other CCL clubs but they weren't chosen.
There were very few spots and they went to kids who were already tried and true from other ECNL level play. There's enough movement from DA to ECNL that they clubs don't have to look outside of this pool.

If you are good enough, you will get noticed. Kids are added and dropped every year. Keep in mind that you aren't just competing against other US soccer players at the D1 level, you have to contend with foreign academy players that didn't make the cut to move on but are more that good enough to play at the D1 level. Look at some of the top college rosters and you will see players from around the world. Just because you played at a DA/ECNL club means nothing unless you show it on the pitch when scouts are looking.

Camps, showcases, etc. Make your own pathway, there isn't just one.

Good point on the international players. Even more reason to play for the highest level of competition that you can if D1 is your goal.

[Anonymous]

What does DA/ENCL mean? How do you get on this?

[Anonymous]

Which county has the best players generally - Loudoun or Fairfax?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my experience it's really hard to break in to ECNL after U13 unless you're really, really good.
This year Mclean (for example) took 5 girls for ECNL U14. All were from other DA and ECNL clubs. I know some outstanding kids who tried out from other CCL clubs but they weren't chosen.
There were very few spots and they went to kids who were already tried and true from other ECNL level play. There's enough movement from DA to ECNL that they clubs don't have to look outside of this pool.

If you are good enough, you will get noticed. Kids are added and dropped every year. Keep in mind that you aren't just competing against other US soccer players at the D1 level, you have to contend with foreign academy players that didn't make the cut to move on but are more that good enough to play at the D1 level. Look at some of the top college rosters and you will see players from around the world. Just because you played at a DA/ECNL club means nothing unless you show it on the pitch when scouts are looking.

Camps, showcases, etc. Make your own pathway, there isn't just one.

And how does one get noticed on a mid level NPL or NCSL team?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which county has the best players generally - Loudoun or Fairfax?

Pretty stupid question and no real way of knowing nor does it really matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does DA/ENCL mean? How do you get on this?

DA is the US Soccer Development Academy
ECNL is the Elite Clubs National League

[Anonymous]

quote=Anonymous]I was reading the thread about the 2005 player wanting to play in college.

Is it really true that a 2007/ 2008 player who is not playing DA or ECNL has little chance of eventually making it in one of these and playing in college? Really? These are 11 and 12 year old kids! There is still so much time for them to improve. Please explain

Playing in college at all? No, you don't have to be in the DA or ECNL. There are many quality D2 and D3 programs that can fit, depending on where your child is at. Playing D1 doesn't mandate DA or ECNL, but it will be hard for your child to develop the pace of play and tighter ball control those programs require because your kid isn't playing against teams that will challenge him or her enough to acquire them.