I should add that our DP player who came from a small club was treated no different than any other player on the roster. in fact the rest of the players weren't even aware player was a DP--its more a club designation than anything else since DP don't have to pay the full cost. By the second game of the season, the DP was a starter. DP is great option if you are not offered full time role...

Discovery is a great option--it gives players a cost effective chance to see if ECNL level is for them without the full financial or time committment. One of the best players on our team was DP and they are now a part of the roster.

Some kids don't want to commit to the team 100% and I've seen this as a good option offered to them.

I know a really good player who enjoys another sport too. She's a discovery player for an ECNL club and does great. I've heard she hasn't decided which sport she wants to do full time but being a discovery player, she has the ability to play both sports and she excels at both. Win win for both her and her soccer team.

Discovery player comes from a small club and is not ready for the travel team they tried out for but show potential. They practice with the team usually at no cost and then try out and make the team or a different team next year as a new paying player.

Please educate me. What is a discovery player? Just another way for men in tight pants to squeeze some more dollars from families?

If they wanted your kid on the team they would make it official…just stringing you along for $$$$ next year

More cons than pros. At the end of the day kids just want to be treated the same as part of a team. If he/she is good enough to be considered for a role one place, another place will offer him/her that role. No need to be screwed around without commitments.

My son is considering the pros and cons.