DA vs ECNL vs everything else

[Anonymous]

Heard a very important person with US Soccer is moving their kid from ECNL to DA. Heard some may follow. Is this the beginning of the end? I think so

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ ... vs Everything else. This is about elite soccer.

You fools still don't get it. Yes, ECNL/DA are great options and are full of great players that are going DI. That was never the issue. The issue is that not every player want to play ECNL/DA. There are teams that are elite players who play on non ECNL/DA teams. These non ECNL/DA teams are elite teams that play against other elite teams, ibncluding ECNL.

Yes, Loudon and Arlington are transitioning to ECNL and DA, respectovely, but they were selected because they produced elite teams with DI talent.

The point, morons, is that a family that does not want ECNL/DA but wants elite play has options and the numbers above only prove my point. ECNL/DA might produce more D! players but FC Bordeaux USA is ranked nationally because it has beat other elite teams, including ECNL teams. Also, I believe the team had 9 DI signees.

I hate to be rude but I feel like folks are so caught up in their bubbles that they don't realize that there are folks out there who just can't access ECNL/DA yet have kids that are as good or better than the kids on those teams. I have been around the game enough to have seen some very strong teams that are not affiliated with elite clubs like those in ECNL/DA. I ran into FC Bordeux at the Bethesda Tournament last year. They won their bracket which including smashing BRYC top ranked ECNL club.

BTW, Pipeline and SAC have an affiliation with WS but not every elite player is joining WS.

Nobody has ever debated these points. Parents have been saying these things on forums when it was just ECNL too. Choose your best path. In all the scenarios it is the kid who has to do the legwork to get scouted. The, team or the league are mearly the platform.

The million dollar question is if all options available could a kid be developed the same over the years if he were in a DA team, an ECNL team, a non-DA/ECNL team or just a Rec team, assuming he/she put in the same amount of effort themselves?

Is there anyone who thinks a kid working hard in rec will come out the same as a kid working hard in ECNL/DA/a national team for their country? To think that, you'd have to believe that there is no benefit from playing with and against motivated, talented peers and that coaching doesn't make a difference either. No one actually believes that, right? The better your team and competition, the better you will be if you are in a supportive environment.

Some parents who have gone through the process may tell you that it's not the team practices and games that will make the difference, at least not until U16 or so.

If those parents want to tell me that you need to put a ton of work in on your own from the time you are small, and that no level of team, competition, or coaching will make you great if you fail to do the work at home, that's fine. But are these parents going to take it a step further and say that's all you need to do, and that the level of team practice, outside training, competition, and coaching make no difference until kids are 15 or 16? That doesn't make any sense outside of the (very rare for here) situations where a kid is playing at home every day with family members/friends who are pro-level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Heard a very important person with US Soccer is moving their kid from ECNL to DA. Heard some may follow. Is this the beginning of the end? I think so

That is DD. And no it’s not. Old news and an obvious move based on her job.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone believe that BRYC, Mclean, or Loudoun ECNL will be able to field competitive teams on the DA level for 04 and younger going forward while being surrounded by 3 DA clubs.

In my opinion, once the 03s cycle out, ECNL is over.

[Anonymous]

Over as in being competitive against DA in Northern Virginia

[Anonymous]

Anyone go to DA Arlington tryouts? Was the number turnout high for 04 and 05? Lots of different clubs represented?

[Anonymous]

I think some of the views here are short-sighted re: dilution of the talent. The reality is that are many strong players across many strong teams. An increase in elite teams only gives more strong players with some weaknesses who are not on an elite team the opportunity to play with stronger players and receive coaching from elite coaches. especially at the U-15 and under categories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone believe that BRYC, Mclean, or Loudoun ECNL will be able to field competitive teams on the DA level for 04 and younger going forward while being surrounded by 3 DA clubs.

In my opinion, once the 03s cycle out, ECNL is over.

My DD falls into this mix as a 07 player that will decide between these options in the next two years.

There are other tradeoffs I am thinking about. DA combines the U16/U17 teams so 1/2 of the DA team after U15 will be cut. That's really bad timing right when college recruiting picks up. ECNL is single age group all the way through (U19 combined with U18 is for older Seniors). It might be better to be on a more stable ECNL team.

Right now I feel that either DA or ECNL would be great options. The choice will ultimately be more about what club she likes, what club has the best training / facilities, distance to travel, where her teammates go. Will the best players be on DA? Probably. But ECNL is still a national platform. If your ECNL team is good within ECNL, they will play games (at least at ECNL events) that will be scouted. DA does not cover every area in the US, far from it, so coaches will go to ECNL events.

I definitely would not say ECNL is over. We are seriously looking at ECNL options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone believe that BRYC, Mclean, or Loudoun ECNL will be able to field competitive teams on the DA level for 04 and younger going forward while being surrounded by 3 DA clubs.

In my opinion, once the 03s cycle out, ECNL is over.

My DD falls into this mix as a 07 player that will decide between these options in the next two years.

There are other tradeoffs I am thinking about. DA combines the U16/U17 teams so 1/2 of the DA team after U15 will be cut. That's really bad timing right when college recruiting picks up. ECNL is single age group all the way through (U19 combined with U18 is for older Seniors). It might be better to be on a more stable ECNL team.

Right now I feel that either DA or ECNL would be great options. The choice will ultimately be more about what club she likes, what club has the best training / facilities, distance to travel, where her teammates go. Will the best players be on DA? Probably. But ECNL is still a national platform. If your ECNL team is good within ECNL, they will play games (at least at ECNL events) that will be scouted. DA does not cover every area in the US, far from it, so coaches will go to ECNL events.

I definitely would not say ECNL is over. We are seriously looking at ECNL options.

Unlikely half the DA rising U16s will be cut. There's a plan for that I'm hearing, possibly as early as this fall. But even if not, then why not try? Isn't not getting cut kind of the point of any elite program? If you're looking for safety, then you've already lost the plot in being involved in either league.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone go to DA Arlington tryouts? Was the number turnout high for 04 and 05? Lots of different clubs represented?

DD went but she’s on an Arlington team. There were about 25 girls. Almost all of their red team, some from other Arlington teams, and then about 5 or 6 from outside the club. Loudoun, McLean. And someone with a HP Elite shirt. The girls looked good.

The 04 team looked like there were less girls from outside of Arlington.

Another session today. We’ll see how that goes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone believe that BRYC, Mclean, or Loudoun ECNL will be able to field competitive teams on the DA level for 04 and younger going forward while being surrounded by 3 DA clubs.

In my opinion, once the 03s cycle out, ECNL is over.

My DD falls into this mix as a 07 player that will decide between these options in the next two years.

There are other tradeoffs I am thinking about. DA combines the U16/U17 teams so 1/2 of the DA team after U15 will be cut. That's really bad timing right when college recruiting picks up. ECNL is single age group all the way through (U19 combined with U18 is for older Seniors). It might be better to be on a more stable ECNL team.

Right now I feel that either DA or ECNL would be great options. The choice will ultimately be more about what club she likes, what club has the best training / facilities, distance to travel, where her teammates go. Will the best players be on DA? Probably. But ECNL is still a national platform. If your ECNL team is good within ECNL, they will play games (at least at ECNL events) that will be scouted. DA does not cover every area in the US, far from it, so coaches will go to ECNL events.

I definitely would not say ECNL is over. We are seriously looking at ECNL options.

Frontier Division is adding U16 for next season. The Atlantic is projected to follow the season after next.

[Anonymous]

Someone...ANYONE... please tell me how Loudoun can field a truly competitive team...even in a weakened ECNL league.

Seriously...someone...asking for a friend

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Frontier Division is adding U16 for next season. The Atlantic is projected to follow the season after next.

How do you know that? Is there a press release? I heard it was under consideration for the entire girls DA for 2018-2019 but decided not to implement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone believe that BRYC, Mclean, or Loudoun ECNL will be able to field competitive teams on the DA level for 04 and younger going forward while being surrounded by 3 DA clubs.

In my opinion, once the 03s cycle out, ECNL is over.

My DD falls into this mix as a 07 player that will decide between these options in the next two years.

There are other tradeoffs I am thinking about. DA combines the U16/U17 teams so 1/2 of the DA team after U15 will be cut. That's really bad timing right when college recruiting picks up. ECNL is single age group all the way through (U19 combined with U18 is for older Seniors). It might be better to be on a more stable ECNL team.

Right now I feel that either DA or ECNL would be great options. The choice will ultimately be more about what club she likes, what club has the best training / facilities, distance to travel, where her teammates go. Will the best players be on DA? Probably. But ECNL is still a national platform. If your ECNL team is good within ECNL, they will play games (at least at ECNL events) that will be scouted. DA does not cover every area in the US, far from it, so coaches will go to ECNL events.

I definitely would not say ECNL is over. We are seriously looking at ECNL options.

Unlikely half the DA rising U16s will be cut. There's a plan for that I'm hearing, possibly as early as this fall. But even if not, then why not try? Isn't not getting cut kind of the point of any elite program? If you're looking for safety, then you've already lost the plot in being involved in either league.

Agree with this, and I've seen what happens with the combined age groups for several years with the boys' DA. If you get cut, and you are still ambitious, you try out for another DA. There is a fair amount of movement among DC United, Bethesda, and Baltimore Armour. Often a kid cut from one will end up at another. If that doesn't work out (or if kids decide they want to focus on HS), they move to a good non-DA team, like one that plays in the USYSA National League--ECNL is not really a factor on the boys' side, and I am doubtful it ever will be. There is no reason to stick with ECNL or any other program because you fear you will eventually be cut from DA. If you are playing on a more competitive team prior to being cut (as is the case with boys who have been playing DA), the lower level teams will be happy to have you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Frontier Division is adding U16 for next season. The Atlantic is projected to follow the season after next.

How do you know that? Is there a press release? I heard it was under consideration for the entire girls DA for 2018-2019 but decided not to implement.

From January webinar:

https://ussoccer.app.box.com/s/mzlyw0ld7v1c0wkbojo8o7m5bfy54c69