GA & MLS NEXT Form Strategic Alliance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From NYTimes article 4 mos ago

MLS in women's soccer
As MLS continues to expand, its footprint in the women's game has also continued to grow. Three NWSL franchises - the Houston Dash, Portland Thorns and Orlando Pride - are owned by MLS ownership groups. A handful of the league's other teams are tenants in stadiums owned by MLS clubs.
MLS has never operated a women's league, though. Garber said MLS is presently focused on its partnership with Apple and getting its near-term plans in order. But he did leave the door open to the idea of an increased presence in the women's soccer space in the long-term.
"We have been thinking very hard about what role MLS should play in women's soccer," he said. "We have been very focused on being as good as we possibly can be, and we're still in a growth phase. So we're laser-focused on doing what we have to do in getting that right. That being said, I see no reason why MLS Next should not have a girls component to it. If we are building the infrastructure to have tens of thousands of kids playing at an elite level, why recreate that and have somebody else incur that expense? We ought to be able to figure out a girls component of that, and whether we do that on our own, or whether we do that with the NWSL, we ought to be able to figure that out."
Garber also left open the possibility of building out a women's counterpart to MLS Next Pro, Major League Soccer's developmental league.
"With MLS Next Pro, we're building a third division in our country," said Garber. "(Soon,) we'll have a hell of a lot more teams than we have today. And as we're going out and building professional soccer at that level, in many, many markets outside of the MLS world, there's no reason to think that at some point that there shouldn't be an MLS Next Pro women's division. Whether we do that on our own or whether we do that with the NWSL is still to be seen. But it makes sense, as we think about 'the MLS way' that is all about efficiency and productivity, and trying to lead, and lead with our resources, we ought to be able to figure out a way to further the growth of the women's game. We have no plans on doing that today, but we ought to be thinking about how to do that tomorrow."

This is a good article too…

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-partners-girls-academy-largest-all-girls-youth-soccer-organization-usa

That was 5 years ago when GA first came about.

You better believe the GA is trying to recreate DA 2.0. They have had a lot of time to plan.

Big MLS doesn't have any plans for jumping in to assist or take over the women's game or it's youth, "We have no plans on doing that today, but we ought to be thinking about how to do that tomorrow." But maybe someday...maybe someday.

[Anonymous]

This is strategic, not something that will happen overnight.

When DA folded, ECNL was there, established, and had positioned themselves to take over the girls game.

That is the position GA is in right now. No one knows where college will be in the next 3+ years. Last I heard they were wanting to be governed by US Soccer as well…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is strategic, not something that will happen overnight.

When DA folded, ECNL was there, established, and had positioned themselves to take over the girls game.

That is the position GA is in right now. No one knows where college will be in the next 3+ years. Last I heard they were wanting to be governed by US Soccer as well…

The GA is in the same position as the DA was?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is strategic, not something that will happen overnight.

When DA folded, ECNL was there, established, and had positioned themselves to take over the girls game.

That is the position GA is in right now. No one knows where college will be in the next 3+ years. Last I heard they were wanting to be governed by US Soccer as well…

1000% true.

Eventually NWSL is going to need to focus on the quality of the product they put on the field. Once this happens GA MLSN and US Soccer will be where they turn.

[Anonymous]

Back to the subject.

With the alliance happening,
Clubs will need to perform some sort of cost-benefit analysis to see how they move forward.

If Club A brings in more money through the boys side, then it might be beneficial for them to go all in on MLSN and GA.

If Club B brings in more money on the boys sides then it might be beneficial to go all in on ECNL.

You will some some changes im sure this coming year, and that is how this will start.

GAs goal should be to not lose anymore clubs in the coming year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is strategic, not something that will happen overnight.

When DA folded, ECNL was there, established, and had positioned themselves to take over the girls game.

That is the position GA is in right now. No one knows where college will be in the next 3+ years. Last I heard they were wanting to be governed by US Soccer as well…

1000% true.

Eventually NWSL is going to need to focus on the quality of the product they put on the field. Once this happens GA MLSN and US Soccer will be where they turn.

Lol. Why the GA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is strategic, not something that will happen overnight.

When DA folded, ECNL was there, established, and had positioned themselves to take over the girls game.

That is the position GA is in right now. No one knows where college will be in the next 3+ years. Last I heard they were wanting to be governed by US Soccer as well…

1000% true.

Eventually NWSL is going to need to focus on the quality of the product they put on the field. Once this happens GA MLSN and US Soccer will be where they turn.

Lol. Why the GA?

Because ECNL has no interest in creating a pro pathway. Their biggest competitors
MLSN and GA have formed an alliance.

Think about what could happen next.

MLSN was applying pressure to their girls side by dangling the MLSN carrot to these clubs. ECNL then tried to rush this School Year change in hopes of stopping MLSN from chipping away.

It will all make sense in a couple of months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is strategic, not something that will happen overnight.

When DA folded, ECNL was there, established, and had positioned themselves to take over the girls game.

That is the position GA is in right now. No one knows where college will be in the next 3+ years. Last I heard they were wanting to be governed by US Soccer as well…

1000% true.

Eventually NWSL is going to need to focus on the quality of the product they put on the field. Once this happens GA MLSN and US Soccer will be where they turn.

Lol. Why the GA?

Because ECNL has no interest in creating a pro pathway. Their biggest competitors
MLSN and GA have formed an alliance.

Think about what could happen next.

MLSN was applying pressure to their girls side by dangling the MLSN carrot to these clubs. ECNL then tried to rush this School Year change in hopes of stopping MLSN from chipping away.

It will all make sense in a couple of months.

Also 100% correct.

If you really want to throw gas on the fire NWSL needs to implement a homegrown rule. The instant this happens GA will become MLSN

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is strategic, not something that will happen overnight.

When DA folded, ECNL was there, established, and had positioned themselves to take over the girls game.

That is the position GA is in right now. No one knows where college will be in the next 3+ years. Last I heard they were wanting to be governed by US Soccer as well…

1000% true.

Eventually NWSL is going to need to focus on the quality of the product they put on the field. Once this happens GA MLSN and US Soccer will be where they turn.

Lol. Why the GA?

Because ECNL has no interest in creating a pro pathway. Their biggest competitors
MLSN and GA have formed an alliance.

Think about what could happen next.

MLSN was applying pressure to their girls side by dangling the MLSN carrot to these clubs. ECNL then tried to rush this School Year change in hopes of stopping MLSN from chipping away.

It will all make sense in a couple of months.

ECNL has produced most of the teenagers that have gone pro in NWSL. Why do you think ECNL does not want to produce pro players? An ECNL from Utah literally just signed a professional contract in Nwsl.

ECNL tried to rush the SY change in hopes of stopping MLSN chipping away?

Nothing you’re saying makes any sense. You do realize ECNL existed before girls DA? The clubs that went into girls DA were ECNL clubs. When the girls DA crumbled, ECNL took a lot of those clubs back and expanded.

You sound like a very bitter GA parent. Maybe a a GA coach or director?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is strategic, not something that will happen overnight.

When DA folded, ECNL was there, established, and had positioned themselves to take over the girls game.

That is the position GA is in right now. No one knows where college will be in the next 3+ years. Last I heard they were wanting to be governed by US Soccer as well…

1000% true.

Eventually NWSL is going to need to focus on the quality of the product they put on the field. Once this happens GA MLSN and US Soccer will be where they turn.

Lol. Why the GA?

Because ECNL has no interest in creating a pro pathway. Their biggest competitors
MLSN and GA have formed an alliance.

Think about what could happen next.

MLSN was applying pressure to their girls side by dangling the MLSN carrot to these clubs. ECNL then tried to rush this School Year change in hopes of stopping MLSN from chipping away.

It will all make sense in a couple of months.

Also 100% correct.

If you really want to throw gas on the fire NWSL needs to implement a homegrown rule. The instant this happens GA will become MLSN

A homegrown rule for GA clubs or for NWSL academies that will be fully funded and playing GA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is strategic, not something that will happen overnight.

When DA folded, ECNL was there, established, and had positioned themselves to take over the girls game.

That is the position GA is in right now. No one knows where college will be in the next 3+ years. Last I heard they were wanting to be governed by US Soccer as well…

1000% true.

Eventually NWSL is going to need to focus on the quality of the product they put on the field. Once this happens GA MLSN and US Soccer will be where they turn.

Lol. Why the GA?

Because ECNL has no interest in creating a pro pathway. Their biggest competitors
MLSN and GA have formed an alliance.

Think about what could happen next.

MLSN was applying pressure to their girls side by dangling the MLSN carrot to these clubs. ECNL then tried to rush this School Year change in hopes of stopping MLSN from chipping away.

It will all make sense in a couple of months.

ECNL has produced most of the teenagers that have gone pro in NWSL. Why do you think ECNL does not want to produce pro players? An ECNL from Utah literally just signed a professional contract in Nwsl.

ECNL tried to rush the SY change in hopes of stopping MLSN chipping away?

Nothing you’re saying makes any sense. You do realize ECNL existed before girls DA? The clubs that went into girls DA were ECNL clubs. When the girls DA crumbled, ECNL took a lot of those clubs back and expanded.

You sound like a very bitter GA parent. Maybe a a GA coach or director?

Correct. This is all pre alliance. ECNL will produce talent no matter what.

But what this alliance could possibly do is encourage players with desires to play pro, to shift over to GA.

You know like when your kid is too good for the local USYS club and then someone taps you on the shoulder and says, hey, if you want your kid to get some more exposure, you’ll have to move them over to the top Ecnl/GA team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is strategic, not something that will happen overnight.

When DA folded, ECNL was there, established, and had positioned themselves to take over the girls game.

That is the position GA is in right now. No one knows where college will be in the next 3+ years. Last I heard they were wanting to be governed by US Soccer as well…

1000% true.

Eventually NWSL is going to need to focus on the quality of the product they put on the field. Once this happens GA MLSN and US Soccer will be where they turn.

Lol. Why the GA?

Because ECNL has no interest in creating a pro pathway. Their biggest competitors
MLSN and GA have formed an alliance.

Think about what could happen next.

MLSN was applying pressure to their girls side by dangling the MLSN carrot to these clubs. ECNL then tried to rush this School Year change in hopes of stopping MLSN from chipping away.

It will all make sense in a couple of months.

ECNL has produced most of the teenagers that have gone pro in NWSL. Why do you think ECNL does not want to produce pro players? An ECNL from Utah literally just signed a professional contract in Nwsl.

ECNL tried to rush the SY change in hopes of stopping MLSN chipping away?

Nothing you’re saying makes any sense. You do realize ECNL existed before girls DA? The clubs that went into girls DA were ECNL clubs. When the girls DA crumbled, ECNL took a lot of those clubs back and expanded.

You sound like a very bitter GA parent. Maybe a a GA coach or director?

This is an open forum. There are plenty of open forums, websites, social media apps where this same exact discussion is taking place. And similar conversations are happening regarding what this means for the future of the sport.

To me, you sound like a scared ECNL parent. One with a kid on a lower end club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is strategic, not something that will happen overnight.

When DA folded, ECNL was there, established, and had positioned themselves to take over the girls game.

That is the position GA is in right now. No one knows where college will be in the next 3+ years. Last I heard they were wanting to be governed by US Soccer as well…

1000% true.

Eventually NWSL is going to need to focus on the quality of the product they put on the field. Once this happens GA MLSN and US Soccer will be where they turn.

Lol. Why the GA?

Because ECNL has no interest in creating a pro pathway. Their biggest competitors
MLSN and GA have formed an alliance.

Think about what could happen next.

MLSN was applying pressure to their girls side by dangling the MLSN carrot to these clubs. ECNL then tried to rush this School Year change in hopes of stopping MLSN from chipping away.

It will all make sense in a couple of months.

ECNL has produced most of the teenagers that have gone pro in NWSL. Why do you think ECNL does not want to produce pro players? An ECNL from Utah literally just signed a professional contract in Nwsl.

ECNL tried to rush the SY change in hopes of stopping MLSN chipping away?

Nothing you’re saying makes any sense. You do realize ECNL existed before girls DA? The clubs that went into girls DA were ECNL clubs. When the girls DA crumbled, ECNL took a lot of those clubs back and expanded.

You sound like a very bitter GA parent. Maybe a a GA coach or director?

ECNL sees no benefit when one of their players goes pro before college. In fact, it’s in their interests for the player to stay in ECNL and go to college because it makes their showcases more valuable for college recruiting. Remember ECNL is primarily a college recruiting platform.

GA today is also a college recruiting platform, smaller and less effective than ECNL, but it’s for college recruiting just the same. What has sparked all this speculation with this announcement is that maybe GA will become a league with a different model and incentives (pro vs college) which could be a big change or it could never get off the ground. Impossible to predict how these things evolve but we will know in a few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is strategic, not something that will happen overnight.

When DA folded, ECNL was there, established, and had positioned themselves to take over the girls game.

That is the position GA is in right now. No one knows where college will be in the next 3+ years. Last I heard they were wanting to be governed by US Soccer as well…

1000% true.

Eventually NWSL is going to need to focus on the quality of the product they put on the field. Once this happens GA MLSN and US Soccer will be where they turn.

Lol. Why the GA?

Because ECNL has no interest in creating a pro pathway. Their biggest competitors
MLSN and GA have formed an alliance.

Think about what could happen next.

MLSN was applying pressure to their girls side by dangling the MLSN carrot to these clubs. ECNL then tried to rush this School Year change in hopes of stopping MLSN from chipping away.

It will all make sense in a couple of months.

ECNL has produced most of the teenagers that have gone pro in NWSL. Why do you think ECNL does not want to produce pro players? An ECNL from Utah literally just signed a professional contract in Nwsl.

ECNL tried to rush the SY change in hopes of stopping MLSN chipping away?

Nothing you’re saying makes any sense. You do realize ECNL existed before girls DA? The clubs that went into girls DA were ECNL clubs. When the girls DA crumbled, ECNL took a lot of those clubs back and expanded.

You sound like a very bitter GA parent. Maybe a a GA coach or director?

ECNL sees no benefit when one of their players goes pro before college. In fact, it’s in their interests for the player to stay in ECNL and go to college because it makes their showcases more valuable for college recruiting. Remember ECNL is primarily a college recruiting platform.

GA today is also a college recruiting platform, smaller and less effective than ECNL, but it’s for college recruiting just the same. What has sparked all this speculation with this announcement is that maybe GA will become a league with a different model and incentives (pro vs college) which could be a big change or it could never get off the ground. Impossible to predict how these things evolve but we will know in a few years.

ECNL does press releases, social media, etc when players go pro.

The ECNL showcases are an opportunity for ECNL players to play in front of professional scouts.

ECNL, GA, E64, DPL, etc are all exposure platforms. Pro and college. One platform doesn’t specialize in college or pro.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is strategic, not something that will happen overnight.

When DA folded, ECNL was there, established, and had positioned themselves to take over the girls game.

That is the position GA is in right now. No one knows where college will be in the next 3+ years. Last I heard they were wanting to be governed by US Soccer as well…

1000% true.

Eventually NWSL is going to need to focus on the quality of the product they put on the field. Once this happens GA MLSN and US Soccer will be where they turn.

Lol. Why the GA?

Because ECNL has no interest in creating a pro pathway. Their biggest competitors
MLSN and GA have formed an alliance.

Think about what could happen next.

MLSN was applying pressure to their girls side by dangling the MLSN carrot to these clubs. ECNL then tried to rush this School Year change in hopes of stopping MLSN from chipping away.

It will all make sense in a couple of months.

ECNL has produced most of the teenagers that have gone pro in NWSL. Why do you think ECNL does not want to produce pro players? An ECNL from Utah literally just signed a professional contract in Nwsl.

ECNL tried to rush the SY change in hopes of stopping MLSN chipping away?

Nothing you’re saying makes any sense. You do realize ECNL existed before girls DA? The clubs that went into girls DA were ECNL clubs. When the girls DA crumbled, ECNL took a lot of those clubs back and expanded.

You sound like a very bitter GA parent. Maybe a a GA coach or director?

ECNL sees no benefit when one of their players goes pro before college. In fact, it’s in their interests for the player to stay in ECNL and go to college because it makes their showcases more valuable for college recruiting. Remember ECNL is primarily a college recruiting platform.

GA today is also a college recruiting platform, smaller and less effective than ECNL, but it’s for college recruiting just the same. What has sparked all this speculation with this announcement is that maybe GA will become a league with a different model and incentives (pro vs college) which could be a big change or it could never get off the ground. Impossible to predict how these things evolve but we will know in a few years.

General FYI MLSN places players in pro teams and college teams. It's not just for going pro.

The reason boys like MLSN if because you get both pro and college visability.