GA & MLS NEXT Form Strategic Alliance

[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?

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.

So no opinions are welcome unless they support yours? It’s an open forum, right? Posters are allowed to post common sense?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

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.

So no opinions are welcome unless they support yours? It’s an open forum, right? Posters are allowed to post common sense?

“To me, you sound like a scared ECNL parent. One with a kid on a lower end club”
This about sums up the problem with youth soccer. Parents who actually think it’s some kind of dig to play for a “lesser” club. Now we know their motivation for their kid playing soccer is to have something to brag about. The funny thing is nobody is impressed by your kid’s soccer team. We’re really not. It just makes you look silly

[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?

Firstly because they are self sanctioned now, less red tape compared to ECNL.

Second, NWSL will get more of what it wants. ECNL doesn’t need a pro pathway, and they’re not setup for it, easier to set the pathway up from GA than a platform that is largely a scholarship program.

Third, have you seen women’s college soccer? It’s awful. Watch the national championship, first touches bouncing 8 yards like a u-little match. That is what academy soccer produces for NCAA. If you were NWSL wouldn’t you want a platform that you can shape almost ground up vs current brick-touch Academy soccer?

I assumed the atrocious technical skills at the “top” local clubs was a reflection of the DMV ECNL-G programs and things were different in the bigger US soccer markets, but, after watching several women’s games in the NCAA tournament a few weeks ago, it seems to me we have a universal and systemic problem in the US. I don’t watch much NWSL, but it’s not like this in the pro women’s leagues in England and Spain. I’m not commenting on overall quality as it goes without saying that a pro in one of those leagues should be a better player than someone playing even in a top college program. I’m commenting on basic skills, like receiving the ball, that young adults should have developed years ago. But I don’t see how GA is any better positioned to fix things—there just aren’t enough good coaches in the US.

[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?

Firstly because they are self sanctioned now, less red tape compared to ECNL.

Second, NWSL will get more of what it wants. ECNL doesn’t need a pro pathway, and they’re not setup for it, easier to set the pathway up from GA than a platform that is largely a scholarship program.

Third, have you seen women’s college soccer? It’s awful. Watch the national championship, first touches bouncing 8 yards like a u-little match. That is what academy soccer produces for NCAA. If you were NWSL wouldn’t you want a platform that you can shape almost ground up vs current brick-touch Academy soccer?

I assumed the atrocious technical skills at the “top” local clubs was a reflection of the DMV ECNL-G programs and things were different in the bigger US soccer markets, but, after watching several women’s games in the NCAA tournament a few weeks ago, it seems to me we have a universal and systemic problem in the US. I don’t watch much NWSL, but it’s not like this in the pro women’s leagues in England and Spain. I’m not commenting on overall quality as it goes without saying that a pro in one of those leagues should be a better player than someone playing even in a top college program. I’m commenting on basic skills, like receiving the ball, that young adults should have developed years ago. But I don’t see how GA is any better positioned to fix things—there just aren’t enough good coaches in the US.

Outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona, NWSL teams are better than teams in the Spanish league. NWSL is also a better league than the English League based on quality of players and teams.

Nobody on UNC or Wake Forest could “receive the ball”? Please stop.

Tell me you know nothing about women’s sports without telling me you know nothing about women’s sports.

[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?

Firstly because they are self sanctioned now, less red tape compared to ECNL.

Second, NWSL will get more of what it wants. ECNL doesn’t need a pro pathway, and they’re not setup for it, easier to set the pathway up from GA than a platform that is largely a scholarship program.

Third, have you seen women’s college soccer? It’s awful. Watch the national championship, first touches bouncing 8 yards like a u-little match. That is what academy soccer produces for NCAA. If you were NWSL wouldn’t you want a platform that you can shape almost ground up vs current brick-touch Academy soccer?

I assumed the atrocious technical skills at the “top” local clubs was a reflection of the DMV ECNL-G programs and things were different in the bigger US soccer markets, but, after watching several women’s games in the NCAA tournament a few weeks ago, it seems to me we have a universal and systemic problem in the US. I don’t watch much NWSL, but it’s not like this in the pro women’s leagues in England and Spain. I’m not commenting on overall quality as it goes without saying that a pro in one of those leagues should be a better player than someone playing even in a top college program. I’m commenting on basic skills, like receiving the ball, that young adults should have developed years ago. But I don’t see how GA is any better positioned to fix things—there just aren’t enough good coaches in the US.

I’m curious to know which ” top” clubs have atrocious technical skills. All of the players or just a few? Do any of them have acceptable skills?

[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?

Firstly because they are self sanctioned now, less red tape compared to ECNL.

Second, NWSL will get more of what it wants. ECNL doesn’t need a pro pathway, and they’re not setup for it, easier to set the pathway up from GA than a platform that is largely a scholarship program.

Third, have you seen women’s college soccer? It’s awful. Watch the national championship, first touches bouncing 8 yards like a u-little match. That is what academy soccer produces for NCAA. If you were NWSL wouldn’t you want a platform that you can shape almost ground up vs current brick-touch Academy soccer?

I assumed the atrocious technical skills at the “top” local clubs was a reflection of the DMV ECNL-G programs and things were different in the bigger US soccer markets, but, after watching several women’s games in the NCAA tournament a few weeks ago, it seems to me we have a universal and systemic problem in the US. I don’t watch much NWSL, but it’s not like this in the pro women’s leagues in England and Spain. I’m not commenting on overall quality as it goes without saying that a pro in one of those leagues should be a better player than someone playing even in a top college program. I’m commenting on basic skills, like receiving the ball, that young adults should have developed years ago. But I don’t see how GA is any better positioned to fix things—there just aren’t enough good coaches in the US.

Outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona, NWSL teams are better than teams in the Spanish league. NWSL is also a better league than the English League based on quality of players and teams.

Nobody on UNC or Wake Forest could “receive the ball”? Please stop.

Tell me you know nothing about women’s sports without telling me you know nothing about women’s sports.

Oh the irony in your last sentence.

It is pretty clear that there are 8-10 teams in Europe that would win the NWSL year in and year out. The NWSL has parity, which is great, but no team in NWSL would win England, France, Spain league at this point.

Of the top 50 best womens footballers in the world. 10 play in the NWSL. 40 play in Europe…………

[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?

Firstly because they are self sanctioned now, less red tape compared to ECNL.

Second, NWSL will get more of what it wants. ECNL doesn’t need a pro pathway, and they’re not setup for it, easier to set the pathway up from GA than a platform that is largely a scholarship program.

Third, have you seen women’s college soccer? It’s awful. Watch the national championship, first touches bouncing 8 yards like a u-little match. That is what academy soccer produces for NCAA. If you were NWSL wouldn’t you want a platform that you can shape almost ground up vs current brick-touch Academy soccer?

I assumed the atrocious technical skills at the “top” local clubs was a reflection of the DMV ECNL-G programs and things were different in the bigger US soccer markets, but, after watching several women’s games in the NCAA tournament a few weeks ago, it seems to me we have a universal and systemic problem in the US. I don’t watch much NWSL, but it’s not like this in the pro women’s leagues in England and Spain. I’m not commenting on overall quality as it goes without saying that a pro in one of those leagues should be a better player than someone playing even in a top college program. I’m commenting on basic skills, like receiving the ball, that young adults should have developed years ago. But I don’t see how GA is any better positioned to fix things—there just aren’t enough good coaches in the US.

Outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona, NWSL teams are better than teams in the Spanish league. NWSL is also a better league than the English League based on quality of players and teams.

Nobody on UNC or Wake Forest could “receive the ball”? Please stop.

Tell me you know nothing about women’s sports without telling me you know nothing about women’s sports.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfqI4S2w4Fo

Watch. Phenomenal athletes, but they’re playing a different game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Firstly because they are self sanctioned now, less red tape compared to ECNL.

Second, NWSL will get more of what it wants. ECNL doesn’t need a pro pathway, and they’re not setup for it, easier to set the pathway up from GA than a platform that is largely a scholarship program.

Third, have you seen women’s college soccer? It’s awful. Watch the national championship, first touches bouncing 8 yards like a u-little match. That is what academy soccer produces for NCAA. If you were NWSL wouldn’t you want a platform that you can shape almost ground up vs current brick-touch Academy soccer?

I assumed the atrocious technical skills at the “top” local clubs was a reflection of the DMV ECNL-G programs and things were different in the bigger US soccer markets, but, after watching several women’s games in the NCAA tournament a few weeks ago, it seems to me we have a universal and systemic problem in the US. I don’t watch much NWSL, but it’s not like this in the pro women’s leagues in England and Spain. I’m not commenting on overall quality as it goes without saying that a pro in one of those leagues should be a better player than someone playing even in a top college program. I’m commenting on basic skills, like receiving the ball, that young adults should have developed years ago. But I don’t see how GA is any better positioned to fix things—there just aren’t enough good coaches in the US.

Outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona, NWSL teams are better than teams in the Spanish league. NWSL is also a better league than the English League based on quality of players and teams.

Nobody on UNC or Wake Forest could “receive the ball”? Please stop.

Tell me you know nothing about women’s sports without telling me you know nothing about women’s sports.

Oh the irony in your last sentence.

It is pretty clear that there are 8-10 teams in Europe that would win the NWSL year in and year out. The NWSL has parity, which is great, but no team in NWSL would win England, France, Spain league at this point.

Of the top 50 best womens footballers in the world. 10 play in the NWSL. 40 play in Europe…………

I think that's pretty wrong, but let's say you are right, what does that say about the current state of girls youth soccer in the U.S.? ECNL getting it done? Switching to SY going to change things? Title IX and the college system gave us a head start but is it good enough now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Firstly because they are self sanctioned now, less red tape compared to ECNL.

Second, NWSL will get more of what it wants. ECNL doesn’t need a pro pathway, and they’re not setup for it, easier to set the pathway up from GA than a platform that is largely a scholarship program.

Third, have you seen women’s college soccer? It’s awful. Watch the national championship, first touches bouncing 8 yards like a u-little match. That is what academy soccer produces for NCAA. If you were NWSL wouldn’t you want a platform that you can shape almost ground up vs current brick-touch Academy soccer?

I assumed the atrocious technical skills at the “top” local clubs was a reflection of the DMV ECNL-G programs and things were different in the bigger US soccer markets, but, after watching several women’s games in the NCAA tournament a few weeks ago, it seems to me we have a universal and systemic problem in the US. I don’t watch much NWSL, but it’s not like this in the pro women’s leagues in England and Spain. I’m not commenting on overall quality as it goes without saying that a pro in one of those leagues should be a better player than someone playing even in a top college program. I’m commenting on basic skills, like receiving the ball, that young adults should have developed years ago. But I don’t see how GA is any better positioned to fix things—there just aren’t enough good coaches in the US.

Outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona, NWSL teams are better than teams in the Spanish league. NWSL is also a better league than the English League based on quality of players and teams.

Nobody on UNC or Wake Forest could “receive the ball”? Please stop.

Tell me you know nothing about women’s sports without telling me you know nothing about women’s sports.

Oh the irony in your last sentence.

It is pretty clear that there are 8-10 teams in Europe that would win the NWSL year in and year out. The NWSL has parity, which is great, but no team in NWSL would win England, France, Spain league at this point.

Of the top 50 best womens footballers in the world. 10 play in the NWSL. 40 play in Europe…………

I think that's pretty wrong, but let's say you are right, what does that say about the current state of girls youth soccer in the U.S.? ECNL getting it done? Switching to SY going to change things? Title IX and the college system gave us a head start but is it good enough now?

This bad take on US women’s soccer comes up every year. Then the US goes and wins the gold medal in the olympics against these countries that are supposedly so far ahead of us. The US women don’t dominate the rest of the world but to say Europe is so far ahead is just not supported by facts. Don’t confuse a particular style of play with being superior. Not all European teams are play technical either.

[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?

Firstly because they are self sanctioned now, less red tape compared to ECNL.

Second, NWSL will get more of what it wants. ECNL doesn’t need a pro pathway, and they’re not setup for it, easier to set the pathway up from GA than a platform that is largely a scholarship program.

Third, have you seen women’s college soccer? It’s awful. Watch the national championship, first touches bouncing 8 yards like a u-little match. That is what academy soccer produces for NCAA. If you were NWSL wouldn’t you want a platform that you can shape almost ground up vs current brick-touch Academy soccer?

I assumed the atrocious technical skills at the “top” local clubs was a reflection of the DMV ECNL-G programs and things were different in the bigger US soccer markets, but, after watching several women’s games in the NCAA tournament a few weeks ago, it seems to me we have a universal and systemic problem in the US. I don’t watch much NWSL, but it’s not like this in the pro women’s leagues in England and Spain. I’m not commenting on overall quality as it goes without saying that a pro in one of those leagues should be a better player than someone playing even in a top college program. I’m commenting on basic skills, like receiving the ball, that young adults should have developed years ago. But I don’t see how GA is any better positioned to fix things—there just aren’t enough good coaches in the US.

I’m curious to know which ” top” clubs have atrocious technical skills. All of the players or just a few? Do any of them have acceptable skills?

All five ECNL clubs.

I’m feeling generous, so I’d ballpark 1/3 atrocious, 1/3 poor, 1/6 good, and 1/6 excellent.

And that’s for the five best teams in the region (U13 and older). Ironically, you might find a higher percentage of technically competent kids in ECNL-R because they focused on that part of their game when younger in an attempt to overcome smaller size / less gifted athleticism.

Incidentally, I blame the clubs, not the players. The kids who are good or excellent technically have parents who could afford private training when they were ulittles, because the clubs do not develop these skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Firstly because they are self sanctioned now, less red tape compared to ECNL.

Second, NWSL will get more of what it wants. ECNL doesn’t need a pro pathway, and they’re not setup for it, easier to set the pathway up from GA than a platform that is largely a scholarship program.

Third, have you seen women’s college soccer? It’s awful. Watch the national championship, first touches bouncing 8 yards like a u-little match. That is what academy soccer produces for NCAA. If you were NWSL wouldn’t you want a platform that you can shape almost ground up vs current brick-touch Academy soccer?

I assumed the atrocious technical skills at the “top” local clubs was a reflection of the DMV ECNL-G programs and things were different in the bigger US soccer markets, but, after watching several women’s games in the NCAA tournament a few weeks ago, it seems to me we have a universal and systemic problem in the US. I don’t watch much NWSL, but it’s not like this in the pro women’s leagues in England and Spain. I’m not commenting on overall quality as it goes without saying that a pro in one of those leagues should be a better player than someone playing even in a top college program. I’m commenting on basic skills, like receiving the ball, that young adults should have developed years ago. But I don’t see how GA is any better positioned to fix things—there just aren’t enough good coaches in the US.

Outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona, NWSL teams are better than teams in the Spanish league. NWSL is also a better league than the English League based on quality of players and teams.

Nobody on UNC or Wake Forest could “receive the ball”? Please stop.

Tell me you know nothing about women’s sports without telling me you know nothing about women’s sports.

Oh the irony in your last sentence.

It is pretty clear that there are 8-10 teams in Europe that would win the NWSL year in and year out. The NWSL has parity, which is great, but no team in NWSL would win England, France, Spain league at this point.

Of the top 50 best womens footballers in the world. 10 play in the NWSL. 40 play in Europe…………

I think that's pretty wrong, but let's say you are right, what does that say about the current state of girls youth soccer in the U.S.? ECNL getting it done? Switching to SY going to change things? Title IX and the college system gave us a head start but is it good enough now?

This bad take on US women’s soccer comes up every year. Then the US goes and wins the gold medal in the olympics against these countries that are supposedly so far ahead of us. The US women don’t dominate the rest of the world but to say Europe is so far ahead is just not supported by facts. Don’t confuse a particular style of play with being superior. Not all European teams are play technical either.

Where is Emma from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Firstly because they are self sanctioned now, less red tape compared to ECNL.

Second, NWSL will get more of what it wants. ECNL doesn’t need a pro pathway, and they’re not setup for it, easier to set the pathway up from GA than a platform that is largely a scholarship program.

Third, have you seen women’s college soccer? It’s awful. Watch the national championship, first touches bouncing 8 yards like a u-little match. That is what academy soccer produces for NCAA. If you were NWSL wouldn’t you want a platform that you can shape almost ground up vs current brick-touch Academy soccer?

I assumed the atrocious technical skills at the “top” local clubs was a reflection of the DMV ECNL-G programs and things were different in the bigger US soccer markets, but, after watching several women’s games in the NCAA tournament a few weeks ago, it seems to me we have a universal and systemic problem in the US. I don’t watch much NWSL, but it’s not like this in the pro women’s leagues in England and Spain. I’m not commenting on overall quality as it goes without saying that a pro in one of those leagues should be a better player than someone playing even in a top college program. I’m commenting on basic skills, like receiving the ball, that young adults should have developed years ago. But I don’t see how GA is any better positioned to fix things—there just aren’t enough good coaches in the US.

Outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona, NWSL teams are better than teams in the Spanish league. NWSL is also a better league than the English League based on quality of players and teams.

Nobody on UNC or Wake Forest could “receive the ball”? Please stop.

Tell me you know nothing about women’s sports without telling me you know nothing about women’s sports.

Oh the irony in your last sentence.

It is pretty clear that there are 8-10 teams in Europe that would win the NWSL year in and year out. The NWSL has parity, which is great, but no team in NWSL would win England, France, Spain league at this point.

Of the top 50 best womens footballers in the world. 10 play in the NWSL. 40 play in Europe…………

I think that's pretty wrong, but let's say you are right, what does that say about the current state of girls youth soccer in the U.S.? ECNL getting it done? Switching to SY going to change things? Title IX and the college system gave us a head start but is it good enough now?

I did not just make it up. You can quibble that it is Eurocentric list but I dont have much to argue against its accuracy.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/dec/03/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2024

The WSL is an Academy structure. They start playing the club style at u12/u13 and they focus on technical as well as team play.

There is nothing fundamentally wrong with US style of soccer but it is still trying to “out athlete” or “send Trinity” style, which will work against the 2nd tier of nations. But what is more likely, that the US dominated womens soccer on the world stage for years because A) for some reason the US understood womens soccer better than Europe or B) that nobody in Europe cared about womens soccer?

Now that there is investment in the womens side of things (coaching, facilities, salaries) in Europe my bet is that the US will still be competitive but it wont dominate ever again.

I love the athlete that Rodman is but I could have made a 15 minute lowlight reel of her first touch in the Gold Cup games.

I am being a little facetious but I would take 11 Rose Lavelles over 11 Trinity Rodmans all day every day.

But that is just my opinion having been a coach, referee and dad to high level girls soccer players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Firstly because they are self sanctioned now, less red tape compared to ECNL.

Second, NWSL will get more of what it wants. ECNL doesn’t need a pro pathway, and they’re not setup for it, easier to set the pathway up from GA than a platform that is largely a scholarship program.

Third, have you seen women’s college soccer? It’s awful. Watch the national championship, first touches bouncing 8 yards like a u-little match. That is what academy soccer produces for NCAA. If you were NWSL wouldn’t you want a platform that you can shape almost ground up vs current brick-touch Academy soccer?

I assumed the atrocious technical skills at the “top” local clubs was a reflection of the DMV ECNL-G programs and things were different in the bigger US soccer markets, but, after watching several women’s games in the NCAA tournament a few weeks ago, it seems to me we have a universal and systemic problem in the US. I don’t watch much NWSL, but it’s not like this in the pro women’s leagues in England and Spain. I’m not commenting on overall quality as it goes without saying that a pro in one of those leagues should be a better player than someone playing even in a top college program. I’m commenting on basic skills, like receiving the ball, that young adults should have developed years ago. But I don’t see how GA is any better positioned to fix things—there just aren’t enough good coaches in the US.

Outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona, NWSL teams are better than teams in the Spanish league. NWSL is also a better league than the English League based on quality of players and teams.

Nobody on UNC or Wake Forest could “receive the ball”? Please stop.

Tell me you know nothing about women’s sports without telling me you know nothing about women’s sports.

Oh the irony in your last sentence.

It is pretty clear that there are 8-10 teams in Europe that would win the NWSL year in and year out. The NWSL has parity, which is great, but no team in NWSL would win England, France, Spain league at this point.

Of the top 50 best womens footballers in the world. 10 play in the NWSL. 40 play in Europe…………

I think that's pretty wrong, but let's say you are right, what does that say about the current state of girls youth soccer in the U.S.? ECNL getting it done? Switching to SY going to change things? Title IX and the college system gave us a head start but is it good enough now?

I did not just make it up. You can quibble that it is Eurocentric list but I dont have much to argue against its accuracy.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/dec/03/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2024

The WSL is an Academy structure. They start playing the club style at u12/u13 and they focus on technical as well as team play.

There is nothing fundamentally wrong with US style of soccer but it is still trying to “out athlete” or “send Trinity” style, which will work against the 2nd tier of nations. But what is more likely, that the US dominated womens soccer on the world stage for years because A) for some reason the US understood womens soccer better than Europe or B) that nobody in Europe cared about womens soccer?

Now that there is investment in the womens side of things (coaching, facilities, salaries) in Europe my bet is that the US will still be competitive but it wont dominate ever again.

I love the athlete that Rodman is but I could have made a 15 minute lowlight reel of her first touch in the Gold Cup games.

I am being a little facetious but I would take 11 Rose Lavelles over 11 Trinity Rodmans all day every day.

But that is just my opinion having been a coach, referee and dad to high level girls soccer players.

I like Trinity, you have to keep in mind that she's a huge natural talent that's a product of a US youth development process.

She could have been much much more. But what's to complain about she made it to the USWNT and NWSL.

Why shoot for perfection when good enough pays the bills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Firstly because they are self sanctioned now, less red tape compared to ECNL.

Second, NWSL will get more of what it wants. ECNL doesn’t need a pro pathway, and they’re not setup for it, easier to set the pathway up from GA than a platform that is largely a scholarship program.

Third, have you seen women’s college soccer? It’s awful. Watch the national championship, first touches bouncing 8 yards like a u-little match. That is what academy soccer produces for NCAA. If you were NWSL wouldn’t you want a platform that you can shape almost ground up vs current brick-touch Academy soccer?

I assumed the atrocious technical skills at the “top” local clubs was a reflection of the DMV ECNL-G programs and things were different in the bigger US soccer markets, but, after watching several women’s games in the NCAA tournament a few weeks ago, it seems to me we have a universal and systemic problem in the US. I don’t watch much NWSL, but it’s not like this in the pro women’s leagues in England and Spain. I’m not commenting on overall quality as it goes without saying that a pro in one of those leagues should be a better player than someone playing even in a top college program. I’m commenting on basic skills, like receiving the ball, that young adults should have developed years ago. But I don’t see how GA is any better positioned to fix things—there just aren’t enough good coaches in the US.

Outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona, NWSL teams are better than teams in the Spanish league. NWSL is also a better league than the English League based on quality of players and teams.

Nobody on UNC or Wake Forest could “receive the ball”? Please stop.

Tell me you know nothing about women’s sports without telling me you know nothing about women’s sports.

Oh the irony in your last sentence.

It is pretty clear that there are 8-10 teams in Europe that would win the NWSL year in and year out. The NWSL has parity, which is great, but no team in NWSL would win England, France, Spain league at this point.

Of the top 50 best womens footballers in the world. 10 play in the NWSL. 40 play in Europe…………

I think that's pretty wrong, but let's say you are right, what does that say about the current state of girls youth soccer in the U.S.? ECNL getting it done? Switching to SY going to change things? Title IX and the college system gave us a head start but is it good enough now?

This bad take on US women’s soccer comes up every year. Then the US goes and wins the gold medal in the olympics against these countries that are supposedly so far ahead of us. The US women don’t dominate the rest of the world but to say Europe is so far ahead is just not supported by facts. Don’t confuse a particular style of play with being superior. Not all European teams are play technical either.

This was a discussion of NWSL being a superior league, not an indictment on USWNT. But is it just a coincidence that our resurgence after terrible prior Olympics and WC comes with a European coach moving towards players with a European style? Maybe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Firstly because they are self sanctioned now, less red tape compared to ECNL.

Second, NWSL will get more of what it wants. ECNL doesn’t need a pro pathway, and they’re not setup for it, easier to set the pathway up from GA than a platform that is largely a scholarship program.

Third, have you seen women’s college soccer? It’s awful. Watch the national championship, first touches bouncing 8 yards like a u-little match. That is what academy soccer produces for NCAA. If you were NWSL wouldn’t you want a platform that you can shape almost ground up vs current brick-touch Academy soccer?

I assumed the atrocious technical skills at the “top” local clubs was a reflection of the DMV ECNL-G programs and things were different in the bigger US soccer markets, but, after watching several women’s games in the NCAA tournament a few weeks ago, it seems to me we have a universal and systemic problem in the US. I don’t watch much NWSL, but it’s not like this in the pro women’s leagues in England and Spain. I’m not commenting on overall quality as it goes without saying that a pro in one of those leagues should be a better player than someone playing even in a top college program. I’m commenting on basic skills, like receiving the ball, that young adults should have developed years ago. But I don’t see how GA is any better positioned to fix things—there just aren’t enough good coaches in the US.

Outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona, NWSL teams are better than teams in the Spanish league. NWSL is also a better league than the English League based on quality of players and teams.

Nobody on UNC or Wake Forest could “receive the ball”? Please stop.

Tell me you know nothing about women’s sports without telling me you know nothing about women’s sports.

Oh the irony in your last sentence.

It is pretty clear that there are 8-10 teams in Europe that would win the NWSL year in and year out. The NWSL has parity, which is great, but no team in NWSL would win England, France, Spain league at this point.

Of the top 50 best womens footballers in the world. 10 play in the NWSL. 40 play in Europe…………

I think that's pretty wrong, but let's say you are right, what does that say about the current state of girls youth soccer in the U.S.? ECNL getting it done? Switching to SY going to change things? Title IX and the college system gave us a head start but is it good enough now?

I did not just make it up. You can quibble that it is Eurocentric list but I dont have much to argue against its accuracy.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/dec/03/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2024

The WSL is an Academy structure. They start playing the club style at u12/u13 and they focus on technical as well as team play.

There is nothing fundamentally wrong with US style of soccer but it is still trying to “out athlete” or “send Trinity” style, which will work against the 2nd tier of nations. But what is more likely, that the US dominated womens soccer on the world stage for years because A) for some reason the US understood womens soccer better than Europe or B) that nobody in Europe cared about womens soccer?

Now that there is investment in the womens side of things (coaching, facilities, salaries) in Europe my bet is that the US will still be competitive but it wont dominate ever again.

I love the athlete that Rodman is but I could have made a 15 minute lowlight reel of her first touch in the Gold Cup games.

I am being a little facetious but I would take 11 Rose Lavelles over 11 Trinity Rodmans all day every day.

But that is just my opinion having been a coach, referee and dad to high level girls soccer players.

I like Trinity, you have to keep in mind that she's a huge natural talent that's a product of a US youth development process.

She could have been much much more. But what's to complain about she made it to the USWNT and NWSL.

Why shoot for perfection when good enough pays the bills.

This tangent started with a comment about GA paired with NWSL on a MLSN model potentially being able to develop players who are better prepared to play the evolving women’s professional game, which clearly is different than college kickball. Is there any reason to think the coaches in GA are suited to this? And don’t you need to start developing these technical skills much younger than U13?