DA vs ECNL vs everything else

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Awww listen to these "my kid is a Star" parents crying about having to play with "common" kids now. "How will anyone know she is a Star now?" Whaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!

Some of us actually care about the state of the sport in this country and being globally competitive. There is a lot wrong with the DA but a lot more wrong with the rest of youth soccer.

If the country can support two competing leagues like DA and ECNL and expose kids to quality coaching and competition then the state of the sport is actually better than you realize. Having these two leagues actually do more to keep quality players engaged and playing the sport longer than they would be otherwise. The leagues may not be as concentrated in talent as you would like for your Star but if our national game is going to grow it is going to do so by being as inclusive to quality opportunity as possible. Telling kids at 13, who are not perfect but still very strong players with room to grow that you are done, go play NCSL and HS, simply because they might be late bloomers is everything that is wrong with the sport here.

The two leagues also allow for a greater diversity of player type instead of a bunch of athletic clones that cast away some really strong players. I mean the one thing that Pipeline Guy is right about is there are a number of strong teams outside of the DA and ECNL circles. And even with DA and ECNL there are still kids who belong on either roster. So talent is there and having to compete for every scrap of quality player means coaches have to look harder, and actually scout potential versus size and speed. The clubs that will now be successful will actually have to work harder to see the intangible qualities in players.

What you want is simply lazy.

Expecting to compete on a global level by having youth players take off 3-6 months of the year to play HS soccer is what is intellectually lazy. The USWNT had a 3 decade head-start and the world has caught up quickly and will pass us unless we make some significant improvements. ECNL is flawed just like college soccer is flawed in terms of building national team caliber players. You just cannot match the development of the DA playing only 5-7 months of the year and clustering your games over a 3-4 month span. It just won't happen. And it isn't rocket science.

I am not championing ECNL. But, ECNL exists as another platform and allows a way for very talented players to remain in the game at a highly competitive level assuming playing in a college program is a goal. Those wishing for a High level college, NT or Pro life at soccer DA is certainly a better platform for that kind of focus. But starting in ECNL with "modest" goals doesn't mean that focus or drive in a kid doesn't change and they show more promise or HS soccer wasn't all they thought it was. But ECNL kept them in a strong environment if they choose to switch to DA.

DA kids on the other hand may find the grind to much but still have college aspirations and wish to compete at a high level. These kids may seek out ECNL. But opportunity exists because the net is wide and more importantly it keeps more quality girls playing soccer in quality environments.

So why are some ECNL teams goi g to a 10 month schedule and opting out of high school if their model? I’m really shocked at that new nugget revealed.

Really? What to do for them during the months when other teams in the league are still doing HS ball?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:04 is where the rubber meets the road

04s that held out last year for their ECNL teams are not doing so in year 2 of DA. Just look at Mclean

05 and 06 are clearly choosing DA. It's not even debatable.

So yeah, 04 and down.

The only team Spirit had with real talent across the board was the U17s. So whatever else it will be, it won't be the 04s. Until clubs like Spirit are fielding consistently talented teams, the rubber hasn't even seen the road, let alone had a conversation with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Awww listen to these "my kid is a Star" parents crying about having to play with "common" kids now. "How will anyone know she is a Star now?" Whaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!

Some of us actually care about the state of the sport in this country and being globally competitive. There is a lot wrong with the DA but a lot more wrong with the rest of youth soccer.

If the country can support two competing leagues like DA and ECNL and expose kids to quality coaching and competition then the state of the sport is actually better than you realize. Having these two leagues actually do more to keep quality players engaged and playing the sport longer than they would be otherwise. The leagues may not be as concentrated in talent as you would like for your Star but if our national game is going to grow it is going to do so by being as inclusive to quality opportunity as possible. Telling kids at 13, who are not perfect but still very strong players with room to grow that you are done, go play NCSL and HS, simply because they might be late bloomers is everything that is wrong with the sport here.

The two leagues also allow for a greater diversity of player type instead of a bunch of athletic clones that cast away some really strong players. I mean the one thing that Pipeline Guy is right about is there are a number of strong teams outside of the DA and ECNL circles. And even with DA and ECNL there are still kids who belong on either roster. So talent is there and having to compete for every scrap of quality player means coaches have to look harder, and actually scout potential versus size and speed. The clubs that will now be successful will actually have to work harder to see the intangible qualities in players.

What you want is simply lazy.

Expecting to compete on a global level by having youth players take off 3-6 months of the year to play HS soccer is what is intellectually lazy. The USWNT had a 3 decade head-start and the world has caught up quickly and will pass us unless we make some significant improvements. ECNL is flawed just like college soccer is flawed in terms of building national team caliber players. You just cannot match the development of the DA playing only 5-7 months of the year and clustering your games over a 3-4 month span. It just won't happen. And it isn't rocket science.

I am not championing ECNL. But, ECNL exists as another platform and allows a way for very talented players to remain in the game at a highly competitive level assuming playing in a college program is a goal. Those wishing for a High level college, NT or Pro life at soccer DA is certainly a better platform for that kind of focus. But starting in ECNL with "modest" goals doesn't mean that focus or drive in a kid doesn't change and they show more promise or HS soccer wasn't all they thought it was. But ECNL kept them in a strong environment if they choose to switch to DA.

DA kids on the other hand may find the grind to much but still have college aspirations and wish to compete at a high level. These kids may seek out ECNL. But opportunity exists because the net is wide and more importantly it keeps more quality girls playing soccer in quality environments.

So why are some ECNL teams goi g to a 10 month schedule and opting out of high school if their model? I’m really shocked at that new nugget revealed.

News flash, ECNL coaches always hated HS Soccer, they simply tolerated it. They have championed HS Soccer as a sales ploy to distinguish themselves from DA.

Exactly. but if they start copying the DA model, then basically they are saying the DA model is correct. They just want to be the ones in charge (and of course, making the money).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:04 is where the rubber meets the road

04s that held out last year for their ECNL teams are not doing so in year 2 of DA. Just look at Mclean

05 and 06 are clearly choosing DA. It's not even debatable.

So yeah, 04 and down.

Says a parent of an 04 or down. Everything is debatable. McLean’s 04s are not exactly the top team in the ECNL. They are losing even in a watered down ECNL, plus Spirit has location on its side. Spirit has picked up McLean from 01 down, including 02s, 03s, etc That has been pointed out several times.

Across the board outside of your bubble, 04s are not the lunch pin. I may give that though to the 05s or 06s. There is some real talent there. And Spirit VApicked up an 07 that probably would have gone to Bethesda ECNL in the past.

I'm not a McLean fan and I only know one of the players leaving McLean, but just because some players are leaving there for the DA does not mean that McLean is on the ropes. The one I know is a good player but did not start for her team (and also has a history of jumping from club to club). The real questions are (a) are the players who are leaving any good? and (b) are they being replaced by better players (from wherever)?.

I know players are leaving BRYC for DAs but I know people are coming from DA teams in the other direction too.

And to reiterate what others have reported, I know of no top players headed to VDA. At least two have been added to the BRYC rosters listed on the ECNL website.

[Anonymous]

The 07 you speak of is not Bethesda. She is Bethesda South..a boys team in VA. She s been at Spirit and is quit the good player for her age.

Mclean 04s held tight this year. They are already defecting for next year.

Mclean 04 ECNL team as all but over.

The 04 age group has spoken DA wins out. All age groups below will follow suit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The 07 you speak of is not Bethesda. She is Bethesda South..a boys team in VA. She s been at Spirit and is quit the good player for her age.

Mclean 04s held tight this year. They are already defecting for next year.

Mclean 04 ECNL team as all but over.

The 04 age group has spoken DA wins out. All age groups below will follow suit.

She is quite good. My point was that that sort of girl is real talent that historically would have gone to the ECNL, but since the 04s didn't pull any real talent like that to the DA, the 04s aren't in the race. They didn't pull enough talent, and has been pointed out, Richmond United hung on to its talented 04s rather than those girls even contemplating the DA. It will be what comes after. Let's see how the 05s and 06s look (and yes, a very talented 07).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The 07 you speak of is not Bethesda. She is Bethesda South..a boys team in VA. She s been at Spirit and is quit the good player for her age.

Mclean 04s held tight this year. They are already defecting for next year.

Mclean 04 ECNL team as all but over.

The 04 age group has spoken DA wins out. All age groups below will follow suit.

I'm not so sure why everything you say hangs on McLean collapsing, but the DA is certainly bigger than a club that historically got its butt handed to it in the old ECNL. That was not the big boy to be watching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:04 is where the rubber meets the road

04s that held out last year for their ECNL teams are not doing so in year 2 of DA. Just look at Mclean

05 and 06 are clearly choosing DA. It's not even debatable.

So yeah, 04 and down.

The only team Spirit had with real talent across the board was the U17s. So whatever else it will be, it won't be the 04s. Until clubs like Spirit are fielding consistently talented teams, the rubber hasn't even seen the road, let alone had a conversation with it.

I don't know how many times this must be said to you.

ECNL 04 teams and below are folding. They will be a shell of what they were 2 years ago. From what I'm hearing, the 04 Spirit team you mentioned is undergoing a major overhaul and adding kids from....you guessed it...ECNL clubs.

This is coming from people with actually boots on the ground.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The 07 you speak of is not Bethesda. She is Bethesda South..a boys team in VA. She s been at Spirit and is quit the good player for her age.

Mclean 04s held tight this year. They are already defecting for next year.

Mclean 04 ECNL team as all but over.

The 04 age group has spoken DA wins out. All age groups below will follow suit.

I'm not so sure why everything you say hangs on McLean collapsing, but the DA is certainly bigger than a club that historically got its butt handed to it in the old ECNL. That was not the big boy to be watching.

Because Spirit and Mclean are in the same talent pool. If kids choose DA, ...which is what is happeneing in the younger age groups..Mclean ECNL collapses. That simple.

Some people just don't want to believe their own eyes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:04 is where the rubber meets the road

04s that held out last year for their ECNL teams are not doing so in year 2 of DA. Just look at Mclean

05 and 06 are clearly choosing DA. It's not even debatable.

So yeah, 04 and down.

The only team Spirit had with real talent across the board was the U17s. So whatever else it will be, it won't be the 04s. Until clubs like Spirit are fielding consistently talented teams, the rubber hasn't even seen the road, let alone had a conversation with it.

I don't know how many times this must be said to you.

ECNL 04 teams and below are folding. They will be a shell of what they were 2 years ago. From what I'm hearing, the 04 Spirit team you mentioned is undergoing a major overhaul and adding kids from....you guessed it...ECNL clubs.

This is coming from people with actually boots on the ground. [/

Yup. Invites not fully out yet but current 04 spirit players are expecting a 50% roster overhaul for the DA team. Those who dont make the DA team will be offered a spot on the EPL team and will train with the DA team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The 07 you speak of is not Bethesda. She is Bethesda South..a boys team in VA. She s been at Spirit and is quit the good player for her age.

Mclean 04s held tight this year. They are already defecting for next year.

Mclean 04 ECNL team as all but over.

The 04 age group has spoken DA wins out. All age groups below will follow suit.

I'm not so sure why everything you say hangs on McLean collapsing, but the DA is certainly bigger than a club that historically got its butt handed to it in the old ECNL. That was not the big boy to be watching.

Because Spirit and Mclean are in the same talent pool. If kids choose DA, ...which is what is happeneing in the younger age groups..Mclean ECNL collapses. That simple.

Some people just don't want to believe their own eyes.

Oh, I believe that the DA is gaining traction. All I'm saying is the 04s are in that unlucky spot of being the first of the youngest age group. People had to watch first, and they are. But it will be the younger age groups that didn't have to be the pioneers that benefit the most. The 05 group got a couple of talented girls that I know of. If the whole team is like that, then the 05 group is the first of the real DA impact. If not, it will be 06s and down. But it has not been the 04s. They just didn't get any of those girls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:04 is where the rubber meets the road

04s that held out last year for their ECNL teams are not doing so in year 2 of DA. Just look at Mclean

05 and 06 are clearly choosing DA. It's not even debatable.

So yeah, 04 and down.

The only team Spirit had with real talent across the board was the U17s. So whatever else it will be, it won't be the 04s. Until clubs like Spirit are fielding consistently talented teams, the rubber hasn't even seen the road, let alone had a conversation with it.

I don't know how many times this must be said to you.

ECNL 04 teams and below are folding. They will be a shell of what they were 2 years ago. From what I'm hearing, the 04 Spirit team you mentioned is undergoing a major overhaul and adding kids from....you guessed it...ECNL clubs.

This is coming from people with actually boots on the ground.

Until it is true, I'm not going to believe it just because a bunch of anonymous people on this discussion board say so. Let's see what that 04 team looks like before you start prophesizing. Yes, it will be an overhaul, as rising U15s, as will the U15s as they rise into the U17s. That group will look very different as well based on all the girls coming over. Both teams will be a lot stronger than they were last year.

But it is the 05s and 06s that will be the most interesting.

[Anonymous]

03s and 02s were not looked at during the 03 Spirit practices, so that may be why some of the U little parents only think 04 and down is changing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:03s and 02s were not looked at during the 03 Spirit practices, so that may be why some of the U little parents only think 04 and down is changing.

There is so much I don't understand about such a relatively short sentence:

Why were 02s at an 03 practice? Did you mean tryouts?
Why would parents of uLittles be paying any attention to what happens at an older age group's practice?
Coaches don't look at the players practicing or trying out?
Are you suggesting Spirit won't not adding any new 02s or 03s?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "common kids" nomenclature is funny. What us the definition of a "common kid"?. An elite player that does not make NTC? A player among the top third of a DA roster?

An average player. You can't have all these elite teams if you don't have other teams at lower levels.