ECNL much more competative than GA top to bottom. Not going to chance for a few years if it does at all. Nobody can tell the future other than there have been big swings every few years.

GA Top teams much better than RL top teams in our area. If we were in California or Texas, might be a different story.

Not a big difference between GA and RL when it comes to bottom table teams. If on this level, it's a coin toss up really. Go with coach and playing time if this is your DD.

Anonymous wrote:Go where your DD likes the coach and will get the most playing time.

Fixed.

GA

Easy. One is the top team the other is not. If your DD wants to play and be challenged to the GA/ECNL NAL route. ECNL RL, won't do.

Anonymous wrote:Go where you will get the most playing time.

💯

So much changes over the years, so really you need to make the best decision for this year only.

Over the years, I watched players who were subs blossom when the players in front of them moved on. All that taught me was that playing time in actual games is so, so important.

Go where you will get the most playing time.

Would say go with TEAM not Badge that has the team that your kid enjoys spending a majority of nights and weekends with and who has the best coach.

What people are saying is give yourself a break...I know it feels like it, but this decision will not make or break it all. You've done the work and research, talk to your daughter, go with your gut. It'll be ok.

Anonymous wrote:One club has ECNL on both boys and girls side. Other club has GA and then ECNL on boys side. So I’m wondering if that will all change. I just want a crystal ball! Is that too much to ask?

If you were to poll the players on older age ECNL and GA teams right now, you will find that the majority have played for multiple clubs by that age. 75% of the roster is different than it was at U13. It is impossible to predict anything at that age. What I can predict is things will be a lot different for you and your player than they are now.

It is not about GA or ECNL. It is all marketing names. It really depends on the team and the coach ( not even the club). Both platforms will give you exposure to College coaches. But in the end, it depends on the player and their academics (most importantly).

At 12 years old what matters more is coaching, teammates, and a healthy environment that feeds her enjoyment of soccer and drive to work on her own. I promise her eventual opportunities at 16/17 will not be because of where she played at U13. You have no idea how much will change between now and then both for her, other players, coaches, clubs, leagues. Do what will be best for her in the next year then re-evaluate every year.

One club has ECNL on both boys and girls side. Other club has GA and then ECNL on boys side. So I’m wondering if that will all change. I just want a crystal ball! Is that too much to ask?

GA>>>RL. Also for rising U13 GA teams have been beating ECNL teams. Its only a matter of time before ECNL will be done in NOVA. Not because of GA but because of MLSN focus on boys side

Honestly. I’d love to say you can make a long term decision at U13 but it’s a fast moving train that changes every year.
All things being equal with coaching and commute I’d go for teammates, level of competition and travel distance.
It seems like GA might be a stronger platform in the future, but I’ve seen too much the last 14 years I’ve had my kids in soccer to place any money on that. Develop your kid and be ready to roll with the punches.

If your daughter was U13 next season- try outs completed. Offer from 2 clubs. One offers ECNL platform the other is GA. q4 daughter so gets a repeat of U13. Do you feel GA will be the “future” and we should go that route. Or stay ECNL- highest team we could make is RL. Coaching is equivalent between clubs. So is commute. Plus GA hasn’t announced SY yet. So wondering with all these new changes with GA if that’s the direction girls soccer will take. Goal is to play in HS