DA vs ECNL vs everything else

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's all about playing D1 college soccer. If that's not your kids dream then your wasting your time and money. It's all expensive and your better off putting the money in a college fund and having school paid off by time they are 18. #truedat

What can be accomplished even you get to play D1? what happens after that with a sports management degree?

Why play soccer in college? It's definitely not for the money. Scholarships are few and far between and don't offset all the costs incurred in getting there (years of club/travel soccer). But...soccer can open a door to a school that otherwise a kid couldn't get into. Players may value the opportunity to continue to play a sport they love at a high level. They can continue to push themselves physically in a structured team environment. They are part of a built-in social community with a shared interest. Provides social currency in college and beyond. My BIL is an investment banker (former D1 athlete), and he said he considers participation in a college sports team to be a big plus on a person's resume - shows they have the discipline and drive to manage multiple priorities, often have good people skills, strong work ethic, good time management skills, etc.

It's not the right choice for everyone and it's not really a financially-motivated decision (for most people, at least), but for kids who love to play the game, it's a way to extend the experience of playing at a high level for four more years.

And...not all college athletes study kinesiology or sports management. Some may go that route because they want to pursue a career around sport, but certainly not all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's all about playing D1 college soccer. If that's not your kids dream then your wasting your time and money. It's all expensive and your better off putting the money in a college fund and having school paid off by time they are 18. #truedat

What can be accomplished even you get to play D1? what happens after that with a sports management degree?

With all due respect senor....look at the GPAs of the girls getting recruited .....4.0 +. . ..this isn't football or basketball. Lots of true student athletes of high caliber. The type of kids you want at your company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's all about playing D1 college soccer. If that's not your kids dream then your wasting your time and money. It's all expensive and your better off putting the money in a college fund and having school paid off by time they are 18. #truedat

What can be accomplished even you get to play D1? what happens after that with a sports management degree?

Why play soccer in college? It's definitely not for the money. Scholarships are few and far between and don't offset all the costs incurred in getting there (years of club/travel soccer). But...soccer can open a door to a school that otherwise a kid couldn't get into. Players may value the opportunity to continue to play a sport they love at a high level. They can continue to push themselves physically in a structured team environment. They are part of a built-in social community with a shared interest. Provides social currency in college and beyond. My BIL is an investment banker (former D1 athlete), and he said he considers participation in a college sports team to be a big plus on a person's resume - shows they have the discipline and drive to manage multiple priorities, often have good people skills, strong work ethic, good time management skills, etc.

It's not the right choice for everyone and it's not really a financially-motivated decision (for most people, at least), but for kids who love to play the game, it's a way to extend the experience of playing at a high level for four more years.

And...not all college athletes study kinesiology or sports management. Some may go that route because they want to pursue a career around sport, but certainly not all.

Agree with you on 99% there. However, for the kids who dream to play pro soccer the situation will be much different. Especially for boys, if to become pro-players is their pursuit, academics would not be their top priority to focus on during their high school time. Of course we are talking about a very small percentage of the overall pool but I thought that's why US soccer started DA to begin with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's all about playing D1 college soccer. If that's not your kids dream then your wasting your time and money. It's all expensive and your better off putting the money in a college fund and having school paid off by time they are 18. #truedat

What can be accomplished even you get to play D1? what happens after that with a sports management degree?

Why play soccer in college? It's definitely not for the money. Scholarships are few and far between and don't offset all the costs incurred in getting there (years of club/travel soccer). But...soccer can open a door to a school that otherwise a kid couldn't get into. Players may value the opportunity to continue to play a sport they love at a high level. They can continue to push themselves physically in a structured team environment. They are part of a built-in social community with a shared interest. Provides social currency in college and beyond. My BIL is an investment banker (former D1 athlete), and he said he considers participation in a college sports team to be a big plus on a person's resume - shows they have the discipline and drive to manage multiple priorities, often have good people skills, strong work ethic, good time management skills, etc.

It's not the right choice for everyone and it's not really a financially-motivated decision (for most people, at least), but for kids who love to play the game, it's a way to extend the experience of playing at a high level for four more years.

And...not all college athletes study kinesiology or sports management. Some may go that route because they want to pursue a career around sport, but certainly not all.

It does seem like an unusually high number of D1 athletes go into investment banking or related fields. Several of the soccer players I went to college with ended up on Wall Street. I was really struck by this article from a while ago that covered players who spent a few years in MLS then moved on to other careers: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2018/03/03/they-were-top-mls-draft-picks-but-when-their-soccer-dreams-changed-they-walked-away/?utm_term=.c1f52281a1cf . The post-playing careers mentioned were investment banking and finance.

[Anonymous]

If your daughter is playing DA now and is in the 7th grade you can expect to pay atleast $60,000 by time she graduates. You do the math.

I don't mind paying it if my daughter is truly passionate about it and is playing at that level....but if not...she will find a more appropraite level that doesn't cost or demand as much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When ppl say ECNL is a very expensive platform do us all a favor and put down some facts or numbers. Almost every club advertising elite soccer is expensive. Kinda goes with the territory. The only real number posted here has been Spirit's $5k price tag and everything it includes.

Braddock Road's fee structure is here: http://www.brycsoccer.com/about-us/fees. ECNL club fees were $2050 for this year (2017-18).

These fees do not include tournament fees, travel costs, indoor league fees, rental of winter training space, and uniforms. The per player budget for these other team expenses varies by age group and league; uniforms are about $400 if you're starting from scratch.

And with regard to ECNL travel, two NC away games are bundled in one weekend, and two SC away games are also bundled. So there is one trip to Richmond, two trips to NC, and one trip to SC per year. Plus tournament, showcase, and finals travel which all vary club to club.

DA clubs do not bundle games so likely have greater travel costs. How much does FCV charge for DA?

DA DOES sometimes bundle games - when WS played the NY teams this past fall, they were bundled into one weekend to save on travel.

I've been told that DA rules don't allow for more than 1 game in a weekend. So how does that work? Does everyone travel for 2 games and then play just one of them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a different theory. There will soon be 7 NoVa clubs playing ECNL or DA. There are not enough elite players to support these clubs. I suspect that an age group may have enough to field 2 elite teams. By elite, I mean teams that could pre-DA be Jeff Cup top bracket (it’s not the same now without the DA clubs), or compete at ECNL nationals or (assuming there is one ) DA nationals. USYS nationals has been decimated by DA/ECNL and US Soccer’s nationals - so that no longer has the same pedigree it used to have.

The top players want to compete on these top teams. They will self select and move what they feel is the best team. The strongest club for one age probably won’t be the strongest for the next. As evidence - look at MClean’s 02s or BRYCs 03s. Both have players playing up - if they weren’t, McLeans 03s and BRYCs 04s would be significantly stronger.

Don’t assume that because club X now has (DA or ECNL) that players won’t leave. Players move. It has always happened, it will keep happening. Only difference now is there are more potential landing spots.

+1
Nothing new ...... when clubs have a weak age group players play up or leave. Will be hard for 1 place to rule all comers!

I bet DA will win out over time. You will have a bunch of ECNL and one DA(maybe two) in the area. DA has taken off nationally and will get all the attention and hype. The DMV will have watered down ECNL with a strong DA. As the pp said, the best girls will go to the strongest team and that will be the DA(add in the exposure, hype, named coaches, ECNL 2nd league status nationally, etc.). This happened with the boys side and there in no reason to think it will not be the same on the girls side.

I don't think the boys had an established league like the ECNL. I honestly think folks are treating DA like the new shiny object. ECNL and DA are two different products. Player who have an interest in more flexibility to play HS soccer and play other sports will pick ECNL. Even considering those two options, there will remain competitive teams outside of these two. Up and down each age group you will see a number of teams in the area that are considered better teams than the ECNL/DA teams. These teams will remain. Some of the top area teams in Region I are not ECNL/DA. Arlington and Loudon account for many of those teams but others affiliated with Pipeline, SAC and Celtic. There are also much smaller clubs and independents. DA/ECNL will change the landscape but let's not give those leagues too much credit. It is a nice option to have for sure but let's not get carried away.

DA is the new 'thing'. Anyone who played soccer in this area back in the 70/80s will have seen how every few years its something new and shiny that is going to revolutionize youth soccer. Leagues disband, merge, are created time and time again. What was once the biggest and best will get thrown to the wayside for the next great white hope. No, DA isn't the answer. It is today's newest hope.

Wait a few years. It will change again.

These things are never about the players. These things are always grown-ups having pissing matches and trying to mark their territory and lay claim to the most players. Not one of these initiatives has helped our player development. Not one.

We still won't qualify for the world cup. The girls are now following the ill-fated path of the boys.

So so true.

[Anonymous]

Not true. Soccer in America is a super competitive girls sport. We will continue to be one of the best in the world. Dont kid yourself.

ECNL is now a 2nd tier league in NOVA going. It has essential become CCL with a richmond and maryland team. They have stupidly over saturated the market.

People will see ECNL for what it (was).. an elite league....a platform for college recruiting...that has been replaced by the DA who is now doing the same thing but with a little more structure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When ppl say ECNL is a very expensive platform do us all a favor and put down some facts or numbers. Almost every club advertising elite soccer is expensive. Kinda goes with the territory. The only real number posted here has been Spirit's $5k price tag and everything it includes.

Braddock Road's fee structure is here: http://www.brycsoccer.com/about-us/fees. ECNL club fees were $2050 for this year (2017-18).

These fees do not include tournament fees, travel costs, indoor league fees, rental of winter training space, and uniforms. The per player budget for these other team expenses varies by age group and league; uniforms are about $400 if you're starting from scratch.

And with regard to ECNL travel, two NC away games are bundled in one weekend, and two SC away games are also bundled. So there is one trip to Richmond, two trips to NC, and one trip to SC per year. Plus tournament, showcase, and finals travel which all vary club to club.

DA clubs do not bundle games so likely have greater travel costs. How much does FCV charge for DA?

DA DOES sometimes bundle games - when WS played the NY teams this past fall, they were bundled into one weekend to save on travel.

I've been told that DA rules don't allow for more than 1 game in a weekend. So how does that work? Does everyone travel for 2 games and then play just one of them?

They can play more than 1 per weekend. The restriction is no more than 1 game / day and can’t play games more than 2 days in a row.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not true. Soccer in America is a super competitive girls sport. We will continue to be one of the best in the world. Dont kid yourself.

ECNL is now a 2nd tier league in NOVA going. It has essential become CCL with a richmond and maryland team. They have stupidly over saturated the market.

People will see ECNL for what it (was).. an elite league....a platform for college recruiting...that has been replaced by the DA who is now doing the same thing but with a little more structure.

You people are so damn cluesless. DA is a great option but ECNL and other elite teams will remain competitive. Remeber that many clubs, including Bethesda, chose ECNL over DA because kids like playing HS soccer.

I swear these DC folks are like the rodent in "Ice Age" -- Distracted by every acorn that passes in front of them.

The market is saturated but that just means more opportunity for girls who liked to play. My guess is that the weaker travel teams will go away. Some elite players might switch programs but for the most part, ECNL and the other premier teams will remain strong.

[Anonymous]

Been around a while. Kids played both ECNL and DA. I know actually what im talking about. Ill show you the receipts slick.

ECNL WAS the best league with the best kids in the country...hands down. The track reacord speaks for itself. The DA will take over as the best league with the best kids in the country...hand's down. College recruitment will tell the story....sit back and watch

If you believe otherwise then go and do you boo

[Anonymous]

DA is brand new and from what I hear from parents, there have been many bumps. It might very well end up stronger than ECNL but that is not the case yet. I came across a list of all the DA grads that committed to DI but the reality is those kids developed on ECNL and other elite teams. I can think of only a few girls who left elite teams for DA. Again, it is just a shiny object being waved in front of parents. Do you seriously think the top DI programs are all going to bail on ECNL and major showcases? Sorry but I am not buying.

Like I said, I think DA is another option for girls but I don't believe it is doom and gloom for non-DA clubs. Rememebr, many folks turned down DA because they want to play HS soccer.

I am not going to encourage my kid to get caught up in the feeding frenzy created by parents who see DA as the next best thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Been around a while. Kids played both ECNL and DA. I know actually what im talking about. Ill show you the receipts slick.

ECNL WAS the best league with the best kids in the country...hands down. The track reacord speaks for itself. The DA will take over as the best league with the best kids in the country...hand's down. College recruitment will tell the story....sit back and watch

If you believe otherwise then go and do you boo

+1
Go watch a Mclean or Bethesda ecnl practice . . . same club coaches on their high horses. ECNL sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DA is brand new and from what I hear from parents, there have been many bumps. It might very well end up stronger than ECNL but that is not the case yet. I came across a list of all the DA grads that committed to DI but the reality is those kids developed on ECNL and other elite teams. I can think of only a few girls who left elite teams for DA. Again, it is just a shiny object being waved in front of parents. Do you seriously think the top DI programs are all going to bail on ECNL and major showcases? Sorry but I am not buying.

Like I said, I think DA is another option for girls but I don't believe it is doom and gloom for non-DA clubs. Rememebr, many folks turned down DA because they want to play HS soccer.

I am not going to encourage my kid to get caught up in the feeding frenzy created by parents who see DA as the next best thing.

ECNL is for families that value crappy high School soccer. Yes, go right ahead. Pay the same as DA, and watch the DA girls get the looks. You have to have the guts to drop crap HS soccer, but if 2nd rate is what you want, fortunate for you there are six million ecnl clubs around now.

[Anonymous]

How do the better CCL girls teams compare to the ECNL girls teams, are they pretty similar in talent/ability?