Keep cheerleading for ECNL it doesn't matter.
Clubs want access to MLSN and they don't want to play in boys ECNL. In the end it's all about money. If MLSN makes more money for clubs than boys ECNL (it does) and GA makes the same amount of money as girls ECNL clubs will switch to MLSN/GA if given the opportunity. This was the first year of the MLSN/GA partnership expect the number of clubs switching over next season to double or even triple as they get more and more frustrated with boys ENCL. |
sorry GA hat, not the flex you think this is |
What part is flex? Seems like facts to me. Especially on the boys ECNL side. |
This is sorta happening on a mirco level in Michigan. The Michigan Wolves -- which split from the Michigan Hawks 5 years ago and is MLSN –- is now starting up a girls program. It doesn't appear to be GA yet (NAL/USYS appear to be its initial leagues --details are limited) BUT I imagine this will put one of the ECNL's most on-field successful clubs under immense pressure, since they all share the same facilities. |
Also, while the Hawks talent-laden squads and performance remain strong, the Wolves have a much stronger reputation in terms of organization these days -- which over the long term could prove decisive. |
Two problems with this argument. 1) there is a cap on demand for MLSN from players. Not everyone wants to play professionally or give up playing on their HS team. The number of clubs who want MLSN far exceeds the talent and the players with desire to play MLSN. 2) why do assume GA makes as much money for clubs as ECNL? |
its a two fold issue. Its allow about perceptions about being in best league. Colleges don't recruit HS. And best players are willing to give it up. ECNL boys as the top league to chase is done. They only thing ECNL can do now is open it up to more teams, which then makes it even more irrelevant. Its a sad state of affairs for US Mens soccer. This keeps happening every 3-5 yrs for youth. They need to create a premier and relegation type system. |
The USYS showed us that doesn't work at a team level (at least for college exposure so far). Top clubs want safety of an "elite" league with just enough struggling teams to beat up on and just enough decent teams for good games when the scouts come calling. |
You missed the point. Yes the best players are willing to give up HS soccer. But how many of those are their really? Its a lot less than the number of clubs that want MLSN times 18-20 players per team times 6 age groups. The point being MLSN can't expand too much in the DMV or any market. Its certainly not going to have eight local clubs like GA already has. |
This is where MLSN2 comes in. If clubs want players to participate in HS soccer they field a MLSN2 team. |
Boom.
Low Country United added to GA Aspire. AFAIK, they don't even have a travel girls program (YET). I'm from Charleston and haven't heard of one. |
Update: It's James Island, they are creating a new brand for U13 and above. Would be nice to have .... a website. |
this isn't a boom...more like a panty raid |
If you're from the Charleston area and are clueless to what James Island has or what their U13 and higher teams are called, you might consider having your kid play for Cainhoy. |
OK, so it appears there won't be any major "BOOMS" this season. ECNL is still king with a huge gap between ECNL and GA. GA and GAA has become a watered down league. Only time will tell if the long term plan will workout or fail for GA. As of now, it seems like not much has changed. We still have another month or so but doesn't seem like any significant move will be made. |