VA MD DC Girls soccer - thoughts, opinions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:to the OP, we are a couple years from USGDA, but I can tell you already that we have no interest in ECNL, with its cost and travel, just to be able to play soccer in HS, or because a college scout may attend. if DD is an elite player in 2 years and wants to commit to that future, then it will be trying out for the team that all the best girls (at her club, and nearby clubs) are interested in. From premature conversations, that looks like it would be DA from other parents with 1st team girls, but we will have to wait and c. If DD is that great, then colleges will still take notice of the DA plat and she can sacrifice HS ball as some choice to pursue her highest level and ability. If not elite and just a good 1st team player in 2 years, then a non-ECNL travel team sounds better to us and then she could enjoy HS ball and no worry about college soccer. That is the divide. Doing ECNL as some costly middle ground with the players that don't make DA sounds like a real bad idea. glad we have two years.

This poster gets it.

Playing college soccer is a great experience and opportunity, not sure why give up on that just because not DA.

In the end, quality hour for hour, is ECNL significantly more expensive? considering most CCL/NPL get additional outside training is ECNL not a good value with what it includes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:to the OP, we are a couple years from USGDA, but I can tell you already that we have no interest in ECNL, with its cost and travel, just to be able to play soccer in HS, or because a college scout may attend. if DD is an elite player in 2 years and wants to commit to that future, then it will be trying out for the team that all the best girls (at her club, and nearby clubs) are interested in. From premature conversations, that looks like it would be DA from other parents with 1st team girls, but we will have to wait and c. If DD is that great, then colleges will still take notice of the DA plat and she can sacrifice HS ball as some choice to pursue her highest level and ability. If not elite and just a good 1st team player in 2 years, then a non-ECNL travel team sounds better to us and then she could enjoy HS ball and no worry about college soccer. That is the divide. Doing ECNL as some costly middle ground with the players that don't make DA sounds like a real bad idea. glad we have two years.

This poster gets it.

Playing college soccer is a great experience and opportunity, not sure why give up on that just because not DA.

Is it really? I've wondered about that. Looks like it might be a lot of fun at a big soccer school in the ACC or on the West Coast. But I really don't understand the push to play college at any cost. That's a lot of time taken away from school and other extracurriculars, and athletes are often not the best people to hang out with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:to the OP, we are a couple years from USGDA, but I can tell you already that we have no interest in ECNL, with its cost and travel, just to be able to play soccer in HS, or because a college scout may attend. if DD is an elite player in 2 years and wants to commit to that future, then it will be trying out for the team that all the best girls (at her club, and nearby clubs) are interested in. From premature conversations, that looks like it would be DA from other parents with 1st team girls, but we will have to wait and c. If DD is that great, then colleges will still take notice of the DA plat and she can sacrifice HS ball as some choice to pursue her highest level and ability. If not elite and just a good 1st team player in 2 years, then a non-ECNL travel team sounds better to us and then she could enjoy HS ball and no worry about college soccer. That is the divide. Doing ECNL as some costly middle ground with the players that don't make DA sounds like a real bad idea. glad we have two years.

This poster gets it.

Playing college soccer is a great experience and opportunity, not sure why give up on that just because not DA.

In the end, quality hour for hour, is ECNL significantly more expensive? considering most CCL/NPL get additional outside training is ECNL not a good value with what it includes?

Oh, I don't think that is what the poster meant. Just because your kid is not in DA does not mean that they won't play in college or they have to give up on college but by that point the cost benefit of ECNL over CCL and NPL may not be worth it. Lots of CCL and NPL players will get recruited and it will cost less than ECNL. It is still a very player driven process and coaches will still seek those kids out. The point is, will ECNL make that much of a difference when cost is factored in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:. Our DD is a 14, and I think the 14 pool is stronger than the older pools overall.

Just so I know how much weight to give to the rest of your post, could you explain why you think the U14 pool at your daughter's DA is stronger than the other age groups in that DA, other than the fact that your daughter is in that group? You don't have to even state which DA it is. But your statement is throwing me off because at 3 of the DAs, the U14 don't have the best record, and at the 4th DA, the U14s are tied for best record but have a much worse goal differential. Or are you saying that across all of the area DAs, more talent has moved into the U14 age group than has migrated to the older groups?

The latter. It's not showing in the records of the teams yet, maybe because the girls haven't been playing together very long or there are positional gaps this first year, but IMHO the raw individual talent at U14 is higher than the raw individual talent at the older ages. Older girls already in the recruiting process stayed where they were (unless US soccer made them move as appears to have happened with the USYNT players). Last year's U13s were probably considering making a move regardless if they weren't at an ECNL club and wanted to push for a higher level of play, where last year's U14-15-etc probably had more reason to stay put if they'd already made that kind of a move when they were 13s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:to the OP, we are a couple years from USGDA, but I can tell you already that we have no interest in ECNL, with its cost and travel, just to be able to play soccer in HS, or because a college scout may attend. if DD is an elite player in 2 years and wants to commit to that future, then it will be trying out for the team that all the best girls (at her club, and nearby clubs) are interested in. From premature conversations, that looks like it would be DA from other parents with 1st team girls, but we will have to wait and c. If DD is that great, then colleges will still take notice of the DA plat and she can sacrifice HS ball as some choice to pursue her highest level and ability. If not elite and just a good 1st team player in 2 years, then a non-ECNL travel team sounds better to us and then she could enjoy HS ball and no worry about college soccer. That is the divide. Doing ECNL as some costly middle ground with the players that don't make DA sounds like a real bad idea. glad we have two years.

This poster gets it.

Playing college soccer is a great experience and opportunity, not sure why give up on that just because not DA.

In the end, quality hour for hour, is ECNL significantly more expensive? considering most CCL/NPL get additional outside training is ECNL not a good value with what it includes?

Oh, I don't think that is what the poster meant. Just because your kid is not in DA does not mean that they won't play in college or they have to give up on college but by that point the cost benefit of ECNL over CCL and NPL may not be worth it. Lots of CCL and NPL players will get recruited and it will cost less than ECNL. It is still a very player driven process and coaches will still seek those kids out. The point is, will ECNL make that much of a difference when cost is factored in?

My child was in CCL last year and ECNL this year, so FWIW, I'll try to answer the question in terms of ECNL vs CCL/NPL, ie, not DA. The switch in leagues by itself doesn't make a difference in terms of training; it's not like there's a different training manual once you're in ECNL. Now, is there a difference in training between clubs?; yes, in that very good competitive clubs will, generally, have better coaching (obviously, there are exceptions to the general rule in every club). And there are very good competitive clubs in CCL and NPL, but given the standards to be in ECNL, if you were just to pick a club out of the ECNL hat vs, the CCL/NPL hat, the odds are better you'll get a high quality club with good coaching from the ECNL hat.

In terms of costs, I'm not sure there's going to be a huge difference. We'll save some money (both fees and travel) by not doing state cup, a regional league, and by doing a few less tournaments . We'll pay a little more for the further travel in our regular league (ie, ECNL i/o CCL). That's offset somewhat because on longer trips, clubs arrange for travel and hotels for the girls , meaning I don't have to drive or get a hotel room, saving me time and reducing hotel costs. In fact, much of the travel costs will be the same for any high-level (non-DA) team - you're going to Florida (Disney or Sanford), you're going to PA or NJ for Memorial Day (Delco or PDA), you're going to Jeff Cup. The big difference in ECNL travel is the trip to Phoenix or Texas which you wouldn't have otherwise, but your team only has to do the 3rd national event for just a couple of years. (There's also the possibility of post-season play but that's similar to making USYS regionals and nationals)

In terms of college exposure, it's a huge difference. The number of college coaches at an ECNL Showcase event is insane (and yes, we've been to one); it's no comparison to the CCL Showcase and from the lists I've seen, NPL events. Also, because the league matches are higher quality you're much more likely to get local college coaches to come to regular season games.

So, "will ECNL make that much of a difference when cost is factored in?" Don't know yet but I think it will.

[Anonymous]

^^^PP I don’t disagree in principle currently but that assumes ECNL maintains the same talent level both worth playing against and drawing the same number of college coaches to ECNL events. My point is based more on is the level of talent in ECNL 3 or 4 years from now worth the travel and cost? We have had pages long complaints about the in state travel for mediocre games in CCL. Will the talent be worth a bus trip to North Carolina when it isn’t worth it to go to Va Beach? It might be now, that I do not dispute but I doubt it will be in a few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Playing college soccer is a great experience and opportunity, not sure why give up on that just because not DA.

Is it really? I've wondered about that. Looks like it might be a lot of fun at a big soccer school in the ACC or on the West Coast. But I really don't understand the push to play college at any cost. That's a lot of time taken away from school and other extracurriculars, and athletes are often not the best people to hang out with.

I've heard part of this discussion before about "the cost". If it wasnt soccer, it might be spent on dance or tennis or whatever. Playing soccer growing up was a great time for lots of reasons.

As far as hanging out with athletes... I'm pretty sure I get what you are inplying, not sure why though. Student-athletes often well represent on campuses due to the burden of being a face of the program and school more so than others. And the networking, friendships and support base is way higher than a non-sport okayer

[Anonymous]

I'm interested in hearing more from current ECNL parents, and especially those whose daughters have stayed on an ECNL team through the beginning of DA. Have you seen any difference from last year? What is the sideline talk about the future of ECNL?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm interested in hearing more from current ECNL parents, and especially those whose daughters have stayed on an ECNL team through the beginning of DA. Have you seen any difference from last year? What is the sideline talk about the future of ECNL?

To add, while waiting for that demographic, it looks like the main back and forth is for u14-u16/u17. The juniors and seniors are less likely to be just starting the recruiting phase, if I understand correctly. Considering it's just BRYC and Mclean, i dont think i've heard many of their players jumping to spirit, vda or fvc. It looks like they are waiting out the year and going to reassess. I think Spirit is probably going to be the favored option since FCV and VDA may be more likely to pull from their own pools again. It would be interesting to see those teams put pool aside come tryouts, but I doubt they would for all or most spots. Probably pressure of too many complaints and potential defections to other clubs. Having seen some games and looking at how well some of these 3 DA teams are doing, the results dont sell the future yet of local DA.

I think the real the crux of the issue, since cost/travel is similar, is whether you believe the level of training and play is/will be sufficiently better in DA. I think it's a hard sell to u14s now and the ONLY selling point right now is "name and potential". If you had a mass defection from u14 ECNL , that's potentially 25-30 players needing to find a new team. Where would the displaced go for similar level of training and competition, back to CCL/NPL? maybe it's the appropriate place but with ECNL hanging around with a stronger rep, I'd wonder why that wouldnt be the better place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm interested in hearing more from current ECNL parents, and especially those whose daughters have stayed on an ECNL team through the beginning of DA. Have you seen any difference from last year? What is the sideline talk about the future of ECNL?

To add, while waiting for that demographic, it looks like the main back and forth is for u14-u16/u17. The juniors and seniors are less likely to be just starting the recruiting phase, if I understand correctly. Considering it's just BRYC and Mclean, i dont think i've heard many of their players jumping to spirit, vda or fvc. It looks like they are waiting out the year and going to reassess. I think Spirit is probably going to be the favored option since FCV and VDA may be more likely to pull from their own pools again. It would be interesting to see those teams put pool aside come tryouts, but I doubt they would for all or most spots. Probably pressure of too many complaints and potential defections to other clubs. Having seen some games and looking at how well some of these 3 DA teams are doing, the results dont sell the future yet of local DA.

I think the real the crux of the issue, since cost/travel is similar, is whether you believe the level of training and play is/will be sufficiently better in DA. I think it's a hard sell to u14s now and the ONLY selling point right now is "name and potential". If you had a mass defection from u14 ECNL , that's potentially 25-30 players needing to find a new team. Where would the displaced go for similar level of training and competition, back to CCL/NPL? maybe it's the appropriate place but with ECNL hanging around with a stronger rep, I'd wonder why that wouldnt be the better place.

The strength and future of DA does not rest on the current age groups. It is where the 05s, 06s and beyond go that matters. 04s and older likely stayed put if their situation was a good one. It isn’t as if FCV players flocked to McLean oe BRYC because they believed in ECNL so much. And the fact that a solid ECNL club like FCV is currently in the middle of the DA standings wise pack actually speaks to the competitive nature of DA already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The strength and future of DA does not rest on the current age groups. It is where the 05s, 06s and beyond go that matters. 04s and older likely stayed put if their situation was a good one. It isn’t as if FCV players flocked to McLean oe BRYC because they believed in ECNL so much. And the fact that a solid ECNL club like FCV is currently in the middle of the DA standings wise pack actually speaks to the competitive nature of DA already.

The 05 DA movement will be very interesting. 05 ECNL girls will have had 1 year with ECNL and played at a level of competition that the NPL/CCLs would really only see at larger tournaments. Has anyone seen or heard about the quality of any 05 BRYC or Mclean ECNL games?

If FCV DA pulls mostly from 1st team FCV NPL (and/or Loudon) and VDA prioritizes a talent pull from the PWSI, VSA, VYS then it leaves mostly VA Spirit. In those cases, similar to the above question, has anyone seen the quality of play from those 5 teams this year so far? Is the quality of the talent pool, coaches and training enough to pull ECNL players or the top from the CCL and NPL away, given that they are up for $$$, travel and restrictions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^PP I don’t disagree in principle currently but that assumes ECNL maintains the same talent level both worth playing against and drawing the same number of college coaches to ECNL events. My point is based more on is the level of talent in ECNL 3 or 4 years from now worth the travel and cost? We have had pages long complaints about the in state travel for mediocre games in CCL. Will the talent be worth a bus trip to North Carolina when it isn’t worth it to go to Va Beach? It might be now, that I do not dispute but I doubt it will be in a few years.

Yes, this is what was focused on. I know folks are deabting the current situation but I was reflecting on the 06s, 07s, maybe even 08s (although their parents are not really tuned in) . . . . just seems to be that people think that the top handful of players on these First Teams are gonna try for these DAs, just like the boys, over going to mclean/braddock for whatever players want to take on ecnl travel . . .

05s are too close in them to all this shakeup so I think 6s and 7s will be the shift if there is one. parents think there are way too many options right now and hoping in 2 years the winner will be clear.

Guess some are assuming the top players will tryout for DA, and if they are not good enough, then maybe stick with a local A travel team and take some pressure off. parents not sure what to think, but it doesn't seem like ecnl is being viewed as some great destination because of high school sports. if high school is such a big influence for a kid, then they don't need ecnl, right?

[Anonymous]

Based on your thoughts above, we should really be seeing the VDA sub clubs tryouts to be significant for the 06-07s, no? If girls and parents are paying attention, then these 3 should become a pre-DA powerhouses.

[Anonymous]

Re DAs or ECNL for stellar girls players -- there really is a location component to all of this. BRYC and Mclean are close to the beltway. Right now, Spirit VA DA is in Reston area. Spirit MD DA is in Boyds and Baltimore for practices? VDA is in Woodbridge and Gainesville? and FCV is in Ashburn. And then there's Arlington inside the beltway.

So there's some kind of drive time plus competitiveness plus player's college/beyond college soccer goals plus wanting to play high school plus family time committment that probably will get factored in, in addition to out of pocket costs. Those will all distort the talent sort.

[Anonymous]

Arlington only has a boys DA right?

VDA from what I've seen from okder girls has 2 trainings in Woodbridge at Howison, 1 in haymarket at long park maybe and 1 in Mclean.