I am very confused please help about next steps

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not OP, but can I ask another question?

My kid tried out for a couple of teams mentioned here, one team we tried out for plays EDP, one plays NCSL. Is one better than the other, or there just happen to be two (or more?) travel leagues in Maryland...?

In my opinion, the order is as follow:

NCSL
CCL
EDP
ECNL / DA

Many argue that CCL is not better than NCSL. I can’t say for sure one way or another but I know that CCL is more of a VA based league and travel games can be anywhere from VA Beach/Roanoke to Northern Baltimore.

You are ranking worse on top yeah?

[Anonymous]

ECNL/DA are the top ones. EDP is next. CCL,VPL, NCSL are the next tier. ODSL is the bottom level travel league in Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not OP, but can I ask another question?

My kid tried out for a couple of teams mentioned here, one team we tried out for plays EDP, one plays NCSL. Is one better than the other, or there just happen to be two (or more?) travel leagues in Maryland...?

EDP is the far superior league over NCSL

Would you say that's true across all divisions at these ages (middle school)? Like, is EDP Championship superior to NCSL Div 1? Curious what you think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not OP, but can I ask another question?

My kid tried out for a couple of teams mentioned here, one team we tried out for plays EDP, one plays NCSL. Is one better than the other, or there just happen to be two (or more?) travel leagues in Maryland...?

In my opinion, the order is as follow:

NCSL
CCL
EDP
ECNL / DA

Many argue that CCL is not better than NCSL. I can’t say for sure one way or another but I know that CCL is more of a VA based league and travel games can be anywhere from VA Beach/Roanoke to Northern Baltimore.

Yes.


You are ranking worse on top yeah?

[Anonymous]

NCSL and CCL are good developmental leagues but aren't very competitive. EDP is the best non-ECNL/DA league and I would argue that the top half of the EDP's top divisions are as strong or stronger than the top local ECNL/DA teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NCSL and CCL are good developmental leagues but aren't very competitive. EDP is the best non-ECNL/DA league and I would argue that the top half of the EDP's top divisions are as strong or stronger than the top local ECNL/DA teams.

Boys or girls? Age? It matters for any of the comparisons above. You can say that the top half of EDP is better than ECNL or DA, but it’s just words and bias. You have no idea. But it’s clear that there are one or two EDP lovers on this forum, that’s not in question.

[Anonymous]

So how does it work? Is a ECNL/DA a first string or A team in a club, EDP a second or B team and CCL/NSCl third tier or C team? Is that correct or are their levels within each division?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So how does it work? Is a ECNL/DA a first string or A team in a club, EDP a second or B team and CCL/NSCl third tier or C team? Is that correct or are their levels within each division?

Some clubs may do that, others may just do CCL for their next one or two teams (more common in VA), others EDP (more common in MD/northeast), some NPL/VPL (VA), then NCSL and finally ODSL. The difference between the leagues in terms of quality of play is really dependent on the specific gender, age group, and division. Even though for a given club and age group you may be able to say, for example:

DA > CCL1 > CCL2 > NCSL > ODSL

or

ECNL > EDP/NPL > NCSL > ODSL

You can’t generalize across the entire set of clubs, genders, or age groups. Different clubs have different league affiliations and different reasons for those affiliations. Larger clubs like CCL because they streamline scheduling their teams against other clubs teams, for example.

I’d suggest looking at the team in terms of training, level of play, and training environment as a main factor in selecting a suitable team for a DC, not the league the team plays in. It’s more important to find the right environment for your DC to grow as a player than to boast about x or y league that they play in. If the environment is right and the level of play on the team is good, your club will find the right opportunities to compete against teams in an appropriate venue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda is over-rated. It is more than a status symbol than anything. Rush, FC Bordeaux, and MSI (depending on age group) offer more than Bethesda does. Hell, Bethesda realized that its u14/rising u14 sucked so it brought over the Rush coach and his players to take over the top team. I understand that barely five girls from the original Bethesda ECNL team were offered spots. That says a great deal about how weak the development is at Bethesda. Compare Bethesda to Mclean, FCV, Pipeline and youwill see that Bethesda is now a 2nd tier club.

A lot of that can be blamed on the TD for the u9-u12 group over the past few years. Her results were very poor, big time yeller and kids left. The 08’s(u11rising u12) are in the same boat with poor result and only had two teams in the age group. You need a larger pool players at that age group or you will have to seek players from outside the club. I know BSC was activity recruiting in that age group. Anyone know how the tryouts went? Did they have a good showing with new players?

I think the clubs on the girls side was/is suffering a malaise. The upper management not really paying attention to what was happening in the lower age groups and just relying on the rep of two good class years who are now aging out. The boys side seems strong. I heard they have changed up a few coaches and staff on the girls side. Can anyone talk about the new director and new coaches?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So how does it work? Is a ECNL/DA a first string or A team in a club, EDP a second or B team and CCL/NSCl third tier or C team? Is that correct or are their levels within each division?

Some clubs may do that, others may just do CCL for their next one or two teams (more common in VA), others EDP (more common in MD/northeast), some NPL/VPL (VA), then NCSL and finally ODSL. The difference between the leagues in terms of quality of play is really dependent on the specific gender, age group, and division. Even though for a given club and age group you may be able to say, for example:

DA > CCL1 > CCL2 > NCSL > ODSL

or

ECNL > EDP/NPL > NCSL > ODSL

You can’t generalize across the entire set of clubs, genders, or age groups. Different clubs have different league affiliations and different reasons for those affiliations. Larger clubs like CCL because they streamline scheduling their teams against other clubs teams, for example.

I’d suggest looking at the team in terms of training, level of play, and training environment as a main factor in selecting a suitable team for a DC, not the league the team plays in. It’s more important to find the right environment for your DC to grow as a player than to boast about x or y league that they play in. If the environment is right and the level of play on the team is good, your club will find the right opportunities to compete against teams in an appropriate venue.

This.
An example is U12 boys. This is what some different clubs in our area do, lowest to highest:
NCSL -> EDP
CCL -> EDP
NCSL -> CCL -> EDP
Sam Select -> EDP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NCSL and CCL are good developmental leagues but aren't very competitive. EDP is the best non-ECNL/DA league and I would argue that the top half of the EDP's top divisions are as strong or stronger than the top local ECNL/DA teams.

Boys or girls? Age? It matters for any of the comparisons above. You can say that the top half of EDP is better than ECNL or DA, but it’s just words and bias. You have no idea. But it’s clear that there are one or two EDP lovers on this forum, that’s not in question.

What bias?! You sound like one of those parents that have bought into the "DA/ECNL is the end-all-be-all and all other leagues are not worthy." We are talking about girls soccer. and there are EDP teams and former EDP teams that are stronger than the local ECNL/DA teams. That is not bias. That is fact. Bethesda just brought over Rush's entire team to replace its existing ECNL team. Pipeline has nationally ranked teams at several age groups. There are EDP teams in NJ that can dominate any non-PDA ECNL team. Who is the one with the bias. Hi Pot, please meet kettle.

The point here is that EDP has some very competitive divisions and is much stronger than NCSL or CCL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NCSL and CCL are good developmental leagues but aren't very competitive. EDP is the best non-ECNL/DA league and I would argue that the top half of the EDP's top divisions are as strong or stronger than the top local ECNL/DA teams.

Boys or girls? Age? It matters for any of the comparisons above. You can say that the top half of EDP is better than ECNL or DA, but it’s just words and bias. You have no idea. But it’s clear that there are one or two EDP lovers on this forum, that’s not in question.

What bias?! You sound like one of those parents that have bought into the "DA/ECNL is the end-all-be-all and all other leagues are not worthy." We are talking about girls soccer. and there are EDP teams and former EDP teams that are stronger than the local ECNL/DA teams. That is not bias. That is fact. Bethesda just brought over Rush's entire team to replace its existing ECNL team. Pipeline has nationally ranked teams at several age groups. There are EDP teams in NJ that can dominate any non-PDA ECNL team. Who is the one with the bias. Hi Pot, please meet kettle.

The point here is that EDP has some very competitive divisions and is much stronger than NCSL or CCL.

Sure, it’s possible if you go out of region you can find a few teams who are better than local DA or ECNL teams. In region, the ECNL and DA teams are at the top of the food chain (aka the “”A” team) at each of the clubs in question. So, even if the club fielded an EDP girls team as their highest non-ECNL/DA team, they would be a lower team. Sorry that truth somehow hurts you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda is over-rated. It is more than a status symbol than anything. Rush, FC Bordeaux, and MSI (depending on age group) offer more than Bethesda does. Hell, Bethesda realized that its u14/rising u14 sucked so it brought over the Rush coach and his players to take over the top team. I understand that barely five girls from the original Bethesda ECNL team were offered spots. That says a great deal about how weak the development is at Bethesda. Compare Bethesda to Mclean, FCV, Pipeline and youwill see that Bethesda is now a 2nd tier club.

A lot of that can be blamed on the TD for the u9-u12 group over the past few years. Her results were very poor, big time yeller and kids left. The 08’s(u11rising u12) are in the same boat with poor result and only had two teams in the age group. You need a larger pool players at that age group or you will have to seek players from outside the club. I know BSC was activity recruiting in that age group. Anyone know how the tryouts went? Did they have a good showing with new players?

I think the clubs on the girls side was/is suffering a malaise. The upper management not really paying attention to what was happening in the lower age groups and just relying on the rep of two good class years who are now aging out. The boys side seems strong. I heard they have changed up a few coaches and staff on the girls side. Can anyone talk about the new director and new coaches?

Rush team had best MD team in a long time in entire region - MD/VA - beating top clubs across the region, winning Jeff Cup, so would not compare just to BSC. And yes, it ups the talent/rep of club - though there are some positives/negatives with move.. Yes, new talent at 08 tryouts - maybe bc of Rush coach; 08results EDP are fine in top EDP division and played well local tournaments against the VA teams. So maybe something to build on and you are talking 10/11 year olds. Overall, at BSC; Some try outs larger this year but varied by years whether growth or static In many age groups in MoCo, Bordeaux, Rush and MSI are much lower divisions in EDP but they sell well on this forum.

I think it may also be a commentary on soccer talent overall in MD below baltimore. Lacrosse also continues to pull players away when they have to choose between the sports. And the big Lax clubs, force the deicision early and parents get starry eyed over the ease of help on college acceptance in lax from this area where you don't have the intensity to get an advantage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NCSL and CCL are good developmental leagues but aren't very competitive. EDP is the best non-ECNL/DA league and I would argue that the top half of the EDP's top divisions are as strong or stronger than the top local ECNL/DA teams.

Boys or girls? Age? It matters for any of the comparisons above. You can say that the top half of EDP is better than ECNL or DA, but it’s just words and bias. You have no idea. But it’s clear that there are one or two EDP lovers on this forum, that’s not in question.

What bias?! You sound like one of those parents that have bought into the "DA/ECNL is the end-all-be-all and all other leagues are not worthy." We are talking about girls soccer. and there are EDP teams and former EDP teams that are stronger than the local ECNL/DA teams. That is not bias. That is fact. Bethesda just brought over Rush's entire team to replace its existing ECNL team. Pipeline has nationally ranked teams at several age groups. There are EDP teams in NJ that can dominate any non-PDA ECNL team. Who is the one with the bias. Hi Pot, please meet kettle.

The point here is that EDP has some very competitive divisions and is much stronger than NCSL or CCL.

Are there some very strong EDP teams? Certainly. Is that the way to go if your player is interested in playing in college? Hard to say. For the showcasing environment you have to be lucky to land on the right team that is in the right brackets in the available showcases to EDP teams. You also have to be lucky to land on a team that makes a strong National Championship push in order to get more exposure.

ECNL or DA have built in closed showcases that draw most colleges into a single location. For most kids in those leagues this is the ultimate reason they are playing in those leagues. For the similar exposure a kid really needs to be lucky to land on a top top EDP team in order to get a fraction of the exposure as an average ECNL or DA team would get.

And lets not forget that it is much easier in later years to dominate EDP and GotSoccer when so many talented kids do leave for DA or ECNL. The best of the rest in EDP are often clubs B or possibly even C teams if you are on a U15 PDA EDP team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda is over-rated. It is more than a status symbol than anything. Rush, FC Bordeaux, and MSI (depending on age group) offer more than Bethesda does. Hell, Bethesda realized that its u14/rising u14 sucked so it brought over the Rush coach and his players to take over the top team. I understand that barely five girls from the original Bethesda ECNL team were offered spots. That says a great deal about how weak the development is at Bethesda. Compare Bethesda to Mclean, FCV, Pipeline and youwill see that Bethesda is now a 2nd tier club.

A lot of that can be blamed on the TD for the u9-u12 group over the past few years. Her results were very poor, big time yeller and kids left. The 08’s(u11rising u12) are in the same boat with poor result and only had two teams in the age group. You need a larger pool players at that age group or you will have to seek players from outside the club. I know BSC was activity recruiting in that age group. Anyone know how the tryouts went? Did they have a good showing with new players?

I think the clubs on the girls side was/is suffering a malaise. The upper management not really paying attention to what was happening in the lower age groups and just relying on the rep of two good class years who are now aging out. The boys side seems strong. I heard they have changed up a few coaches and staff on the girls side. Can anyone talk about the new director and new coaches?

There's no new Girls YDP Director or Girls DC. A few coaches have left for personal reasons. There is a lot of new front office staff; apparently it takes a village to replace Brad Roos and the one admin they used to have. (But, perhaps not surprisingly, the only notable improvement in management is the look of the web site.)