DA should play v ECNL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A cynic would argue that politics are the reason why some of those clubs moved back to ECNL. And they would be correct.

Perhaps - but it happened. Including the very best of the bunch such as LAFC Slammers - their 18/19 DA National Champion.

Now ECNL can offer the best competition on the national stage, attract top D1 scouts, and offer college friendly programming such as sub rules and showcases with multiple games per day.

I get why DA parents are upset. They thought they would have the clear top tier but instead they may be in the second tier.

Second tier does not include 95% of the NT players, but nice try. I get it, there are lots of nostalgic ECNLers who don’t want to lose their grip on the reins of power. The problem is you’ve been around for 10 years and all of the fault you want to pin on the DA actual falls back to ECNL when focusing on the u20 and u17 GNTs. Born and bred in ECNL land.

A few clubs don’t make or break DA either, especially those who left last year. Curious, how can the slammers be 2019 “DA champion” when they left after the 17/18 season?

Answer: you are full of it.

Ah but it might be second tier if the overall talent is lower. That's the issue. DA will definitely include the NT talent. US Soccer will move them to DA. But what if the competition is poor? Then DA becomes the new ODP.

That very issue could be happening in the DMV where WS, FCV and ARL are turning out to be not as strong as McLean, Loudoun, Bethesda. Both locally and in the level of play in their division.

You are correct Slammers were 17/18 Champion. US Soccer downplayed that news on their site once they accounced they were leaving. It's all about the show.

This is your opinion, on the area clubs. There isn't a track record yet in the younger ages to make that detemination. The older ages are legacy ECNL, so there really can't be a comparison there. Most of those kids wouldn't have any benefit to switching. 2005 and younger will be the only place to start a comparison, which won't be ready for several years after several competitions between groups.

Again, you are still full of it.

More denial. There is a track record in the younger ages between these clubs. The ECNL clubs are stronger. Even the DA club parents know that. That's why they are recruiting so hard for these players to come over. The question is not who has the best talent, the question is whether the talent moves or not.

I’ve seen these teams and would say that Arlington and FCV 06 DA are better than any of the ECNL teams in that group. The best ECNL club at that age that I’ve seen is VDA, which could only manage to tie WS at CASL. Arlington’s 06s were state champs last year. No reason to think there is an advantage to ECNL at the youngest age group.

[Anonymous]

And other NT players do come from clubs in the GDA league. The league is almost meaningless. I know GDA players that wanted to play HS and did so - rejoining the league after the season. I know ecnl players that may have wanted to play HS but did not - coach was bad or it was too much time.

Go with the good coaching and with a good team of players and hopefully avoid toxic parents.

Having both these leagues is not helping anything. They need to dispense with one or the other. Does not really matter much which one. In fact - they should dispense with both and start over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A cynic would argue that politics are the reason why some of those clubs moved back to ECNL. And they would be correct.

Perhaps - but it happened. Including the very best of the bunch such as LAFC Slammers - their 18/19 DA National Champion.

Now ECNL can offer the best competition on the national stage, attract top D1 scouts, and offer college friendly programming such as sub rules and showcases with multiple games per day.

I get why DA parents are upset. They thought they would have the clear top tier but instead they may be in the second tier.

Second tier does not include 95% of the NT players, but nice try. I get it, there are lots of nostalgic ECNLers who don’t want to lose their grip on the reins of power. The problem is you’ve been around for 10 years and all of the fault you want to pin on the DA actual falls back to ECNL when focusing on the u20 and u17 GNTs. Born and bred in ECNL land.

A few clubs don’t make or break DA either, especially those who left last year. Curious, how can the slammers be 2019 “DA champion” when they left after the 17/18 season?

Answer: you are full of it.

I live in MA. Every girl on the YNT's (U15. U17) from our State plays for FC Stars, who left DA after one season. The club's top players did not want to give up HS soccer. For the year they had both ECNL and GDA teams, many of the best players opted for ECNL.

Correction--forgot about an outstanding player on U15 YNT who plays for South Shore Select--they don't have ECNL or GDA.

Lucky kid. There are GDA players that are missing three full days of high school this week for the a show case. 3 full days. Some ECNL player had to miss a full day last week. Better but still not great. is that really useful to these girls? No it is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A cynic would argue that politics are the reason why some of those clubs moved back to ECNL. And they would be correct.

Perhaps - but it happened. Including the very best of the bunch such as LAFC Slammers - their 18/19 DA National Champion.

Now ECNL can offer the best competition on the national stage, attract top D1 scouts, and offer college friendly programming such as sub rules and showcases with multiple games per day.

I get why DA parents are upset. They thought they would have the clear top tier but instead they may be in the second tier.

Second tier does not include 95% of the NT players, but nice try. I get it, there are lots of nostalgic ECNLers who don’t want to lose their grip on the reins of power. The problem is you’ve been around for 10 years and all of the fault you want to pin on the DA actual falls back to ECNL when focusing on the u20 and u17 GNTs. Born and bred in ECNL land.

A few clubs don’t make or break DA either, especially those who left last year. Curious, how can the slammers be 2019 “DA champion” when they left after the 17/18 season?

Answer: you are full of it.

Ah but it might be second tier if the overall talent is lower. That's the issue. DA will definitely include the NT talent. US Soccer will move them to DA. But what if the competition is poor? Then DA becomes the new ODP.

That very issue could be happening in the DMV where WS, FCV and ARL are turning out to be not as strong as McLean, Loudoun, Bethesda. Both locally and in the level of play in their division.

You are correct Slammers were 17/18 Champion. US Soccer downplayed that news on their site once they accounced they were leaving. It's all about the show.

This is your opinion, on the area clubs. There isn't a track record yet in the younger ages to make that detemination. The older ages are legacy ECNL, so there really can't be a comparison there. Most of those kids wouldn't have any benefit to switching. 2005 and younger will be the only place to start a comparison, which won't be ready for several years after several competitions between groups.

Again, you are still full of it.

More denial. There is a track record in the younger ages between these clubs. The ECNL clubs are stronger. Even the DA club parents know that. That's why they are recruiting so hard for these players to come over. The question is not who has the best talent, the question is whether the talent moves or not.

I’ve seen these teams and would say that Arlington and FCV 06 DA are better than any of the ECNL teams in that group. The best ECNL club at that age that I’ve seen is VDA, which could only manage to tie WS at CASL. Arlington’s 06s were state champs last year. No reason to think there is an advantage to ECNL at the youngest age group.

Well FCV 06 lost to an ECNL team in tournament play this year. Playing some weak DA teams like WS makes them look stronger than they are. You would think that if talent is flocking to DA there would be a clear difference but there is not. I went to a DA ID session earlier this year and was shocked at the lack of interest. Maybe next month will be better. It would be better for all if the options and tiers were more clear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And other NT players do come from clubs in the GDA league. The league is almost meaningless. I know GDA players that wanted to play HS and did so - rejoining the league after the season. I know ecnl players that may have wanted to play HS but did not - coach was bad or it was too much time.

Go with the good coaching and with a good team of players and hopefully avoid toxic parents.

Having both these leagues is not helping anything. They need to dispense with one or the other. Does not really matter much which one. In fact - they should dispense with both and start over.

You are correct about some GDA clubs freely offering HS waivers--I assume many of those clubs felt they had to do that to attract talent. I can tell you that in MA, Stars (when they were GDA) and NEFC only give waivers to kids who are at a private school and their admission/financial aid is contingent on them playing soccer at that school.

If a GDA team is granting a ton of waivers and those kids are not playing with the GDA team during the HS season, what is the point? GDA is meant to be a year-round commitment where players forego all other sports and soccer competition. Stars decided that if their players and parents were not happy with the model as it was intended, then it did not make sense to stay.

DA makes much more sense on the boys' side, where you have fully funded MLS academies and the very top kids will sign contracts and go pro--for most top-level boys in MLS academies, college is not the ultimate goal (although most will end up going to college, rather than pro). On the girls' side, the goal for most (even those in NT pool) is D1 college. VERY few would consider going to NWSL and skipping college... Unless you are Mallory Pugh and making plenty of $$ from endorsements, it doesn't make sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A cynic would argue that politics are the reason why some of those clubs moved back to ECNL. And they would be correct.

Perhaps - but it happened. Including the very best of the bunch such as LAFC Slammers - their 18/19 DA National Champion.

Now ECNL can offer the best competition on the national stage, attract top D1 scouts, and offer college friendly programming such as sub rules and showcases with multiple games per day.

I get why DA parents are upset. They thought they would have the clear top tier but instead they may be in the second tier.

Second tier does not include 95% of the NT players, but nice try. I get it, there are lots of nostalgic ECNLers who don’t want to lose their grip on the reins of power. The problem is you’ve been around for 10 years and all of the fault you want to pin on the DA actual falls back to ECNL when focusing on the u20 and u17 GNTs. Born and bred in ECNL land.

A few clubs don’t make or break DA either, especially those who left last year. Curious, how can the slammers be 2019 “DA champion” when they left after the 17/18 season?

Answer: you are full of it.

I live in MA. Every girl on the YNT's (U15. U17) from our State plays for FC Stars, who left DA after one season. The club's top players did not want to give up HS soccer. For the year they had both ECNL and GDA teams, many of the best players opted for ECNL.

Correction--forgot about an outstanding player on U15 YNT who plays for South Shore Select--they don't have ECNL or GDA.

Lucky kid. There are GDA players that are missing three full days of high school this week for the a show case. 3 full days. Some ECNL player had to miss a full day last week. Better but still not great. is that really useful to these girls? No it is not.

How do you determine what's "useful" for the kids in this scenario? I have a son who plays DA, and I like the fact that he only has to miss school twice a year, for the two showcases. Would I prefer he miss no school? Yes. Do I think it's useful that he was scouted by scores of college coaches at the DA showcases/playoffs last year? Yes, especially given that he is now committed to a great school with an athletic scholarship. He has several friends who play on YNT teams who were called in after showcases as well.

You can't play any high level sport and expect to miss no school. Also, getting ahead on and/or making up the work is good practice for what you'll need to do if you end up playing in college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A cynic would argue that politics are the reason why some of those clubs moved back to ECNL. And they would be correct.

Perhaps - but it happened. Including the very best of the bunch such as LAFC Slammers - their 18/19 DA National Champion.

Now ECNL can offer the best competition on the national stage, attract top D1 scouts, and offer college friendly programming such as sub rules and showcases with multiple games per day.

I get why DA parents are upset. They thought they would have the clear top tier but instead they may be in the second tier.

Second tier does not include 95% of the NT players, but nice try. I get it, there are lots of nostalgic ECNLers who don’t want to lose their grip on the reins of power. The problem is you’ve been around for 10 years and all of the fault you want to pin on the DA actual falls back to ECNL when focusing on the u20 and u17 GNTs. Born and bred in ECNL land.

A few clubs don’t make or break DA either, especially those who left last year. Curious, how can the slammers be 2019 “DA champion” when they left after the 17/18 season?

Answer: you are full of it.

Ah but it might be second tier if the overall talent is lower. That's the issue. DA will definitely include the NT talent. US Soccer will move them to DA. But what if the competition is poor? Then DA becomes the new ODP.

That very issue could be happening in the DMV where WS, FCV and ARL are turning out to be not as strong as McLean, Loudoun, Bethesda. Both locally and in the level of play in their division.

You are correct Slammers were 17/18 Champion. US Soccer downplayed that news on their site once they accounced they were leaving. It's all about the show.

This is your opinion, on the area clubs. There isn't a track record yet in the younger ages to make that detemination. The older ages are legacy ECNL, so there really can't be a comparison there. Most of those kids wouldn't have any benefit to switching. 2005 and younger will be the only place to start a comparison, which won't be ready for several years after several competitions between groups.

Again, you are still full of it.

More denial. There is a track record in the younger ages between these clubs. The ECNL clubs are stronger. Even the DA club parents know that. That's why they are recruiting so hard for these players to come over. The question is not who has the best talent, the question is whether the talent moves or not.

I’ve seen these teams and would say that Arlington and FCV 06 DA are better than any of the ECNL teams in that group. The best ECNL club at that age that I’ve seen is VDA, which could only manage to tie WS at CASL. Arlington’s 06s were state champs last year. No reason to think there is an advantage to ECNL at the youngest age group.

Well FCV 06 lost to an ECNL team in tournament play this year. Playing some weak DA teams like WS makes them look stronger than they are. You would think that if talent is flocking to DA there would be a clear difference but there is not. I went to a DA ID session earlier this year and was shocked at the lack of interest. Maybe next month will be better. It would be better for all if the options and tiers were more clear.

And, again, the best ECNL club of the bunch only managed to tie a “weak” DA team. Not that a sample of one is definitive, the same way FCV’s loss in PKs to Loudoun was not. Put them on the field against one another 10 times and I’d favor FCV to win 7 out of 10, despite playing a couple of weaker teams in DA. They play some very strong ones in Arlington, Penn Fusion, etc as well

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A cynic would argue that politics are the reason why some of those clubs moved back to ECNL. And they would be correct.

Perhaps - but it happened. Including the very best of the bunch such as LAFC Slammers - their 18/19 DA National Champion.

Now ECNL can offer the best competition on the national stage, attract top D1 scouts, and offer college friendly programming such as sub rules and showcases with multiple games per day.

I get why DA parents are upset. They thought they would have the clear top tier but instead they may be in the second tier.

Second tier does not include 95% of the NT players, but nice try. I get it, there are lots of nostalgic ECNLers who don’t want to lose their grip on the reins of power. The problem is you’ve been around for 10 years and all of the fault you want to pin on the DA actual falls back to ECNL when focusing on the u20 and u17 GNTs. Born and bred in ECNL land.

A few clubs don’t make or break DA either, especially those who left last year. Curious, how can the slammers be 2019 “DA champion” when they left after the 17/18 season?

Answer: you are full of it.

I live in MA. Every girl on the YNT's (U15. U17) from our State plays for FC Stars, who left DA after one season. The club's top players did not want to give up HS soccer. For the year they had both ECNL and GDA teams, many of the best players opted for ECNL.

Correction--forgot about an outstanding player on U15 YNT who plays for South Shore Select--they don't have ECNL or GDA.

Lucky kid. There are GDA players that are missing three full days of high school this week for the a show case. 3 full days. Some ECNL player had to miss a full day last week. Better but still not great. is that really useful to these girls? No it is not.

How do you determine what's "useful" for the kids in this scenario? I have a son who plays DA, and I like the fact that he only has to miss school twice a year, for the two showcases. Would I prefer he miss no school? Yes. Do I think it's useful that he was scouted by scores of college coaches at the DA showcases/playoffs last year? Yes, especially given that he is now committed to a great school with an athletic scholarship. He has several friends who play on YNT teams who were called in after showcases as well.

You can't play any high level sport and expect to miss no school. Also, getting ahead on and/or making up the work is good practice for what you'll need to do if you end up playing in college.

I'd also add that kids in the NT pool (including the girl I referenced from SSS), certainly miss school for NT camps. My point was simply that she isn't playing DA or ECNL and was still identified. All of the argument about which league is the true top tier is foolish at this point. There are top players in both leagues (and top players that don't play in either league).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A cynic would argue that politics are the reason why some of those clubs moved back to ECNL. And they would be correct.

Perhaps - but it happened. Including the very best of the bunch such as LAFC Slammers - their 18/19 DA National Champion.

Now ECNL can offer the best competition on the national stage, attract top D1 scouts, and offer college friendly programming such as sub rules and showcases with multiple games per day.

I get why DA parents are upset. They thought they would have the clear top tier but instead they may be in the second tier.

Second tier does not include 95% of the NT players, but nice try. I get it, there are lots of nostalgic ECNLers who don’t want to lose their grip on the reins of power. The problem is you’ve been around for 10 years and all of the fault you want to pin on the DA actual falls back to ECNL when focusing on the u20 and u17 GNTs. Born and bred in ECNL land.

A few clubs don’t make or break DA either, especially those who left last year. Curious, how can the slammers be 2019 “DA champion” when they left after the 17/18 season?

Answer: you are full of it.

Ah but it might be second tier if the overall talent is lower. That's the issue. DA will definitely include the NT talent. US Soccer will move them to DA. But what if the competition is poor? Then DA becomes the new ODP.

That very issue could be happening in the DMV where WS, FCV and ARL are turning out to be not as strong as McLean, Loudoun, Bethesda. Both locally and in the level of play in their division.

You are correct Slammers were 17/18 Champion. US Soccer downplayed that news on their site once they accounced they were leaving. It's all about the show.

This is your opinion, on the area clubs. There isn't a track record yet in the younger ages to make that detemination. The older ages are legacy ECNL, so there really can't be a comparison there. Most of those kids wouldn't have any benefit to switching. 2005 and younger will be the only place to start a comparison, which won't be ready for several years after several competitions between groups.

Again, you are still full of it.

More denial. There is a track record in the younger ages between these clubs. The ECNL clubs are stronger. Even the DA club parents know that. That's why they are recruiting so hard for these players to come over. The question is not who has the best talent, the question is whether the talent moves or not.

I’ve seen these teams and would say that Arlington and FCV 06 DA are better than any of the ECNL teams in that group. The best ECNL club at that age that I’ve seen is VDA, which could only manage to tie WS at CASL. Arlington’s 06s were state champs last year. No reason to think there is an advantage to ECNL at the youngest age group.

Well FCV 06 lost to an ECNL team in tournament play this year. Playing some weak DA teams like WS makes them look stronger than they are. You would think that if talent is flocking to DA there would be a clear difference but there is not. I went to a DA ID session earlier this year and was shocked at the lack of interest. Maybe next month will be better. It would be better for all if the options and tiers were more clear.

And, again, the best ECNL club of the bunch only managed to tie a “weak” DA team. Not that a sample of one is definitive, the same way FCV’s loss in PKs to Loudoun was not. Put them on the field against one another 10 times and I’d favor FCV to win 7 out of 10, despite playing a couple of weaker teams in DA. They play some very strong ones in Arlington, Penn Fusion, etc as well

Wow what a strong vote of confidence. 7 in 10. Where do I sign up? FCV is strong at the 18/19s and then just get weaker and weaker as they get younger. It's a bad trend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A cynic would argue that politics are the reason why some of those clubs moved back to ECNL. And they would be correct.

Perhaps - but it happened. Including the very best of the bunch such as LAFC Slammers - their 18/19 DA National Champion.

Now ECNL can offer the best competition on the national stage, attract top D1 scouts, and offer college friendly programming such as sub rules and showcases with multiple games per day.

I get why DA parents are upset. They thought they would have the clear top tier but instead they may be in the second tier.

Second tier does not include 95% of the NT players, but nice try. I get it, there are lots of nostalgic ECNLers who don’t want to lose their grip on the reins of power. The problem is you’ve been around for 10 years and all of the fault you want to pin on the DA actual falls back to ECNL when focusing on the u20 and u17 GNTs. Born and bred in ECNL land.

A few clubs don’t make or break DA either, especially those who left last year. Curious, how can the slammers be 2019 “DA champion” when they left after the 17/18 season?

Answer: you are full of it.

Ah but it might be second tier if the overall talent is lower. That's the issue. DA will definitely include the NT talent. US Soccer will move them to DA. But what if the competition is poor? Then DA becomes the new ODP.

That very issue could be happening in the DMV where WS, FCV and ARL are turning out to be not as strong as McLean, Loudoun, Bethesda. Both locally and in the level of play in their division.

You are correct Slammers were 17/18 Champion. US Soccer downplayed that news on their site once they accounced they were leaving. It's all about the show.

This is your opinion, on the area clubs. There isn't a track record yet in the younger ages to make that detemination. The older ages are legacy ECNL, so there really can't be a comparison there. Most of those kids wouldn't have any benefit to switching. 2005 and younger will be the only place to start a comparison, which won't be ready for several years after several competitions between groups.

Again, you are still full of it.

More denial. There is a track record in the younger ages between these clubs. The ECNL clubs are stronger. Even the DA club parents know that. That's why they are recruiting so hard for these players to come over. The question is not who has the best talent, the question is whether the talent moves or not.

I’ve seen these teams and would say that Arlington and FCV 06 DA are better than any of the ECNL teams in that group. The best ECNL club at that age that I’ve seen is VDA, which could only manage to tie WS at CASL. Arlington’s 06s were state champs last year. No reason to think there is an advantage to ECNL at the youngest age group.

Well FCV 06 lost to an ECNL team in tournament play this year. Playing some weak DA teams like WS makes them look stronger than they are. You would think that if talent is flocking to DA there would be a clear difference but there is not. I went to a DA ID session earlier this year and was shocked at the lack of interest. Maybe next month will be better. It would be better for all if the options and tiers were more clear.

And, again, the best ECNL club of the bunch only managed to tie a “weak” DA team. Not that a sample of one is definitive, the same way FCV’s loss in PKs to Loudoun was not. Put them on the field against one another 10 times and I’d favor FCV to win 7 out of 10, despite playing a couple of weaker teams in DA. They play some very strong ones in Arlington, Penn Fusion, etc as well

Why is it so difficult for people to understand that there are quality teams and players in both leagues? If D1 college is your kid's goal, both leagues will provide visibility. If your kid's goal is to make the NT, the numbers will tell you that you should move your kid to CA. lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A cynic would argue that politics are the reason why some of those clubs moved back to ECNL. And they would be correct.

Perhaps - but it happened. Including the very best of the bunch such as LAFC Slammers - their 18/19 DA National Champion.

Now ECNL can offer the best competition on the national stage, attract top D1 scouts, and offer college friendly programming such as sub rules and showcases with multiple games per day.

I get why DA parents are upset. They thought they would have the clear top tier but instead they may be in the second tier.

Second tier does not include 95% of the NT players, but nice try. I get it, there are lots of nostalgic ECNLers who don’t want to lose their grip on the reins of power. The problem is you’ve been around for 10 years and all of the fault you want to pin on the DA actual falls back to ECNL when focusing on the u20 and u17 GNTs. Born and bred in ECNL land.

A few clubs don’t make or break DA either, especially those who left last year. Curious, how can the slammers be 2019 “DA champion” when they left after the 17/18 season?

Answer: you are full of it.

I live in MA. Every girl on the YNT's (U15. U17) from our State plays for FC Stars, who left DA after one season. The club's top players did not want to give up HS soccer. For the year they had both ECNL and GDA teams, many of the best players opted for ECNL.

Correction--forgot about an outstanding player on U15 YNT who plays for South Shore Select--they don't have ECNL or GDA.

Lucky kid. There are GDA players that are missing three full days of high school this week for the a show case. 3 full days. Some ECNL player had to miss a full day last week. Better but still not great. is that really useful to these girls? No it is not.

How do you determine what's "useful" for the kids in this scenario? I have a son who plays DA, and I like the fact that he only has to miss school twice a year, for the two showcases. Would I prefer he miss no school? Yes. Do I think it's useful that he was scouted by scores of college coaches at the DA showcases/playoffs last year? Yes, especially given that he is now committed to a great school with an athletic scholarship. He has several friends who play on YNT teams who were called in after showcases as well.

You can't play any high level sport and expect to miss no school. Also, getting ahead on and/or making up the work is good practice for what you'll need to do if you end up playing in college.

I'd also add that kids in the NT pool (including the girl I referenced from SSS), certainly miss school for NT camps. My point was simply that she isn't playing DA or ECNL and was still identified. All of the argument about which league is the true top tier is foolish at this point. There are top players in both leagues (and top players that don't play in either league).

Silly to compare an NT players and the other thousands in these leagues. You need to watch more of these games - this is not "high level" and is certainly not worthy of missing school IMO. But suit yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A cynic would argue that politics are the reason why some of those clubs moved back to ECNL. And they would be correct.

Perhaps - but it happened. Including the very best of the bunch such as LAFC Slammers - their 18/19 DA National Champion.

Now ECNL can offer the best competition on the national stage, attract top D1 scouts, and offer college friendly programming such as sub rules and showcases with multiple games per day.

I get why DA parents are upset. They thought they would have the clear top tier but instead they may be in the second tier.

Second tier does not include 95% of the NT players, but nice try. I get it, there are lots of nostalgic ECNLers who don’t want to lose their grip on the reins of power. The problem is you’ve been around for 10 years and all of the fault you want to pin on the DA actual falls back to ECNL when focusing on the u20 and u17 GNTs. Born and bred in ECNL land.

A few clubs don’t make or break DA either, especially those who left last year. Curious, how can the slammers be 2019 “DA champion” when they left after the 17/18 season?

Answer: you are full of it.

Ah but it might be second tier if the overall talent is lower. That's the issue. DA will definitely include the NT talent. US Soccer will move them to DA. But what if the competition is poor? Then DA becomes the new ODP.

That very issue could be happening in the DMV where WS, FCV and ARL are turning out to be not as strong as McLean, Loudoun, Bethesda. Both locally and in the level of play in their division.

You are correct Slammers were 17/18 Champion. US Soccer downplayed that news on their site once they accounced they were leaving. It's all about the show.

This is your opinion, on the area clubs. There isn't a track record yet in the younger ages to make that detemination. The older ages are legacy ECNL, so there really can't be a comparison there. Most of those kids wouldn't have any benefit to switching. 2005 and younger will be the only place to start a comparison, which won't be ready for several years after several competitions between groups.

Again, you are still full of it.

More denial. There is a track record in the younger ages between these clubs. The ECNL clubs are stronger. Even the DA club parents know that. That's why they are recruiting so hard for these players to come over. The question is not who has the best talent, the question is whether the talent moves or not.

I’ve seen these teams and would say that Arlington and FCV 06 DA are better than any of the ECNL teams in that group. The best ECNL club at that age that I’ve seen is VDA, which could only manage to tie WS at CASL. Arlington’s 06s were state champs last year. No reason to think there is an advantage to ECNL at the youngest age group.

Well FCV 06 lost to an ECNL team in tournament play this year. Playing some weak DA teams like WS makes them look stronger than they are. You would think that if talent is flocking to DA there would be a clear difference but there is not. I went to a DA ID session earlier this year and was shocked at the lack of interest. Maybe next month will be better. It would be better for all if the options and tiers were more clear.

And, again, the best ECNL club of the bunch only managed to tie a “weak” DA team. Not that a sample of one is definitive, the same way FCV’s loss in PKs to Loudoun was not. Put them on the field against one another 10 times and I’d favor FCV to win 7 out of 10, despite playing a couple of weaker teams in DA. They play some very strong ones in Arlington, Penn Fusion, etc as well

Why is it so difficult for people to understand that there are quality teams and players in both leagues? If D1 college is your kid's goal, both leagues will provide visibility. If your kid's goal is to make the NT, the numbers will tell you that you should move your kid to CA. lol

+1. Best post on the whole thread!

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:A cynic would argue that politics are the reason why some of those clubs moved back to ECNL. And they would be correct.

Perhaps - but it happened. Including the very best of the bunch such as LAFC Slammers - their 18/19 DA National Champion.

Now ECNL can offer the best competition on the national stage, attract top D1 scouts, and offer college friendly programming such as sub rules and showcases with multiple games per day.

I get why DA parents are upset. They thought they would have the clear top tier but instead they may be in the second tier.

Second tier does not include 95% of the NT players, but nice try. I get it, there are lots of nostalgic ECNLers who don’t want to lose their grip on the reins of power. The problem is you’ve been around for 10 years and all of the fault you want to pin on the DA actual falls back to ECNL when focusing on the u20 and u17 GNTs. Born and bred in ECNL land.

A few clubs don’t make or break DA either, especially those who left last year. Curious, how can the slammers be 2019 “DA champion” when they left after the 17/18 season?

Answer: you are full of it.

I live in MA. Every girl on the YNT's (U15. U17) from our State plays for FC Stars, who left DA after one season. The club's top players did not want to give up HS soccer. For the year they had both ECNL and GDA teams, many of the best players opted for ECNL.

Correction--forgot about an outstanding player on U15 YNT who plays for South Shore Select--they don't have ECNL or GDA.

Lucky kid. There are GDA players that are missing three full days of high school this week for the a show case. 3 full days. Some ECNL player had to miss a full day last week. Better but still not great. is that really useful to these girls? No it is not.

How do you determine what's "useful" for the kids in this scenario? I have a son who plays DA, and I like the fact that he only has to miss school twice a year, for the two showcases. Would I prefer he miss no school? Yes. Do I think it's useful that he was scouted by scores of college coaches at the DA showcases/playoffs last year? Yes, especially given that he is now committed to a great school with an athletic scholarship. He has several friends who play on YNT teams who were called in after showcases as well.

You can't play any high level sport and expect to miss no school. Also, getting ahead on and/or making up the work is good practice for what you'll need to do if you end up playing in college.

I'd also add that kids in the NT pool (including the girl I referenced from SSS), certainly miss school for NT camps. My point was simply that she isn't playing DA or ECNL and was still identified. All of the argument about which league is the true top tier is foolish at this point. There are top players in both leagues (and top players that don't play in either league).

Silly to compare an NT players and the other thousands in these leagues. You need to watch more of these games - this is not "high level" and is certainly not worthy of missing school IMO. But suit yourself.

Ummm... not sure where I was advocating missing school in my response above. Just making the point that a non-ECNL/DA player who is in the NT pool does have to miss some school. Also--I don't see any games in the DC area because I am from MA. I do find it interesting that there are so many ECNL and DA teams in that region, though. On the girls side, there are only 4 ECNL clubs and 3 DA clubs in all of New England.

[Anonymous]

Or if you want to be on winning youth NT - move to Spain, Mexico or New Zealand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A cynic would argue that politics are the reason why some of those clubs moved back to ECNL. And they would be correct.

Perhaps - but it happened. Including the very best of the bunch such as LAFC Slammers - their 18/19 DA National Champion.

Now ECNL can offer the best competition on the national stage, attract top D1 scouts, and offer college friendly programming such as sub rules and showcases with multiple games per day.

I get why DA parents are upset. They thought they would have the clear top tier but instead they may be in the second tier.

Second tier does not include 95% of the NT players, but nice try. I get it, there are lots of nostalgic ECNLers who don’t want to lose their grip on the reins of power. The problem is you’ve been around for 10 years and all of the fault you want to pin on the DA actual falls back to ECNL when focusing on the u20 and u17 GNTs. Born and bred in ECNL land.

A few clubs don’t make or break DA either, especially those who left last year. Curious, how can the slammers be 2019 “DA champion” when they left after the 17/18 season?

Answer: you are full of it.

I live in MA. Every girl on the YNT's (U15. U17) from our State plays for FC Stars, who left DA after one season. The club's top players did not want to give up HS soccer. For the year they had both ECNL and GDA teams, many of the best players opted for ECNL.

Correction--forgot about an outstanding player on U15 YNT who plays for South Shore Select--they don't have ECNL or GDA.

Lucky kid. There are GDA players that are missing three full days of high school this week for the a show case. 3 full days. Some ECNL player had to miss a full day last week. Better but still not great. is that really useful to these girls? No it is not.

How do you determine what's "useful" for the kids in this scenario? I have a son who plays DA, and I like the fact that he only has to miss school twice a year, for the two showcases. Would I prefer he miss no school? Yes. Do I think it's useful that he was scouted by scores of college coaches at the DA showcases/playoffs last year? Yes, especially given that he is now committed to a great school with an athletic scholarship. He has several friends who play on YNT teams who were called in after showcases as well.

You can't play any high level sport and expect to miss no school. Also, getting ahead on and/or making up the work is good practice for what you'll need to do if you end up playing in college.

I'd also add that kids in the NT pool (including the girl I referenced from SSS), certainly miss school for NT camps. My point was simply that she isn't playing DA or ECNL and was still identified. All of the argument about which league is the true top tier is foolish at this point. There are top players in both leagues (and top players that don't play in either league).

Silly to compare an NT players and the other thousands in these leagues. You need to watch more of these games - this is not "high level" and is certainly not worthy of missing school IMO. But suit yourself.

Ummm... not sure where I was advocating missing school in my response above. Just making the point that a non-ECNL/DA player who is in the NT pool does have to miss some school. Also--I don't see any games in the DC area because I am from MA. I do find it interesting that there are so many ECNL and DA teams in that region, though. On the girls side, there are only 4 ECNL clubs and 3 DA clubs in all of New England.

But they field multiple teams per age group so what is the difference?