DA vs ECNL vs everything else

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Thank you!! Did they say anything to parents or the girls about how they would notify players? Do they email everyone who tries out or just those who “made it”?

[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.

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

+1 PP is worried about nothing. Her DD is an 07! DA will split that age group and is already doing it in TX. We are still in the first year here of Girls DA everyone! Everyone with the youngsters relax. . You have it easy compared to the current '03s!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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

Ok I will make the case. First understand that Loudoun is huge. Some call it a machine for better or worse. So here are the factors:

1. Loudoun has the largest area youth girls soccer program by far. Each age group has 75-80 travel players.
2. At the top, their teams win the best tournaments. That's a fact. I did not say every tournament but you cannot argue that they win more than anyone else (sure you can argue it is a numbers game).
3. They have more coaches than anyone and with those numbers some are really great coaches (again maybe a numbers game but some coaches are nationally recognized / awards). They can promote the best (numbers).
4. They have the best facilities in the area. They own two dedicated brand new full size turf fields with lighting and a full size grass field all onsite. As a non-profit priority access to 4 times that number of grass soccer fields at park next door (with lighting). They even have a house with indoor meeting facilities on their property and are building indoor facilities onsite.
5. They are the best financed club in the area. Money matters for stability, attracting coaches, etc. They have access to millions of dollars.
6. The specialized training is quality. That is why you will see the DA keepers from FCV and other clubs at Loudoun for off season training with Loudoun coaches.

So let's argue that the best of the top Red team goes to DA. Not everyone goes because that would mean FCV and Spirit would be all Loudoun. So the argument is that the bottom Red and Black and so forth players develop. Girls change a lot ages 12-15 and some of them blossom with all of the points 1-6 above there is enough left over from the original pool of 75-80 to make a competitive ECNL team. A team that wins ECNL national events.

[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.

If you are also seriously considering GDA options, is your DD attending the Washington Spirit and Arlington ID sessions for U13 that are being held this week and later this month? Curious. Both of those clubs are allowing 2007s to register for the ID sessions.

[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.

If you are also seriously considering GDA options, is your DD attending the Washington Spirit and Arlington ID sessions for U13 that are being held this week and later this month? Curious. Both of those clubs are allowing 2007s to register for the ID sessions.

PP here. Yes to Spirit. Will be there next Wed 4/11 and then 4/22. No to Arlington. It's too far for us to drive 4 days per week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

If you are also seriously considering GDA options, is your DD attending the Washington Spirit and Arlington ID sessions for U13 that are being held this week and later this month? Curious. Both of those clubs are allowing 2007s to register for the ID sessions.

PP here. Yes to Spirit. Will be there next Wed 4/11 and then 4/22. No to Arlington. It's too far for us to drive 4 days per week.

If she gets an offer, does she want to do it? Or would she worry about play time or being with older pre-teen girls?

2007s are in 4th and 5th grades and that seems very young to have already developed that 100% commitment to soccer over other sports and extracurriculars. For the right girl though, it could make sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Thank you!! Did they say anything to parents or the girls about how they would notify players? Do they email everyone who tries out or just those who “made it”?

They told the girls they would get an invite to come back. Not sure if it’s by email.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

If you are also seriously considering GDA options, is your DD attending the Washington Spirit and Arlington ID sessions for U13 that are being held this week and later this month? Curious. Both of those clubs are allowing 2007s to register for the ID sessions.

PP here. Yes to Spirit. Will be there next Wed 4/11 and then 4/22. No to Arlington. It's too far for us to drive 4 days per week.

If she gets an offer, does she want to do it? Or would she worry about play time or being with older pre-teen girls?

2007s are in 4th and 5th grades and that seems very young to have already developed that 100% commitment to soccer over other sports and extracurriculars. For the right girl though, it could make sense.

You are right. It might be too soon. It does not hurt to get a sense for both us and the club to build toward tryouts next year. I am not sure what she would want to do. So much of what the girls want to do now is affected by the social aspect of things. She loves soccer and says there is no other sport for her. But playing soccer with her friends is just as important to her as being on a "good team." She wants both. Ask any our kids what they want to do and many will ask what their friends are doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Thank you!! Did they say anything to parents or the girls about how they would notify players? Do they email everyone who tries out or just those who “made it”?

They told the girls they would get an invite to come back. Not sure if it’s by email.

Any clue how many they plan to roster on these DA teams-esp for younger groups (05 and 06)? Over 20 players seems way too high-ECNL should be around 18, or so they report.

[Anonymous]

18 on game day roster
20 max (Full time)

and then Developmental players

[Anonymous]

Great falls and Reston partner with WS. Yet, Mclean has not.

Why?

Because their paid staff take a financial hit and lose control.

(REPEAT AFTER ME: Money and Control)

So what's the truth. Is it really about the kids?

Remember that when you talk all the loyalty BS....because one paying customer is easily replaced by another.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

Ok I will make the case. First understand that Loudoun is huge. Some call it a machine for better or worse. So here are the factors:

1. Loudoun has the largest area youth girls soccer program by far. Each age group has 75-80 travel players.
2. At the top, their teams win the best tournaments. That's a fact. I did not say every tournament but you cannot argue that they win more than anyone else (sure you can argue it is a numbers game).
3. They have more coaches than anyone and with those numbers some are really great coaches (again maybe a numbers game but some coaches are nationally recognized / awards). They can promote the best (numbers).
4. They have the best facilities in the area. They own two dedicated brand new full size turf fields with lighting and a full size grass field all onsite. As a non-profit priority access to 4 times that number of grass soccer fields at park next door (with lighting). They even have a house with indoor meeting facilities on their property and are building indoor facilities onsite.
5. They are the best financed club in the area. Money matters for stability, attracting coaches, etc. They have access to millions of dollars.
6. The specialized training is quality. That is why you will see the DA keepers from FCV and other clubs at Loudoun for off season training with Loudoun coaches.

So let's argue that the best of the top Red team goes to DA. Not everyone goes because that would mean FCV and Spirit would be all Loudoun. So the argument is that the bottom Red and Black and so forth players develop. Girls change a lot ages 12-15 and some of them blossom with all of the points 1-6 above there is enough left over from the original pool of 75-80 to make a competitive ECNL team. A team that wins ECNL national events.

Finally, soneone making sense. I have zero interest in Loudon but have played gainst their teams and seen them dominate. The club has more than enough talent to build a quality ECNL franchise.

[Anonymous]

I challenge anyone that can name one current Loudoun team that dominates.

The problem with some of you is that you have little kids and think little kid ball is the same a HS age ball. It's not. Loudoun has good youth teams...and then downhill. They could never retain their talent because of Mclean or FCV ECNL. Now they can't retain because of DA.

This board is for u14 and above. Having good teams at u9 and u12 is directly related to their pool size. Nothing more.

[Anonymous]

How were Arlington tryouts tonight?

[Anonymous]

2006 tryouts similar to 2005 so it sounds like-almost all Arlington girls, about 30 in total. 5-6 non Arlington Girls.

Wonder if they just plan to take a mix of current Red and White players and call it a day.