Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the problem is not the clubs, its the leagues.

The clubs are chasing the leagues, and some parents are pushing the clubs, so I don't think you can blame this on the leagues. It is all a symbiotic relationship.

Agree. Every club is in a tough spot

Anonymous wrote:the problem is not the clubs, its the leagues.

The clubs are chasing the leagues, and some parents are pushing the clubs, so I don't think you can blame this on the leagues. It is all a symbiotic relationship.

Anonymous wrote:

Question is why do the big clubs all prefer exclusive leagues instead of leagues where the teams have to earn their place?

So they can recruit the better players by saying you need to come to our team because only we can offer access to the exclusive league.

Look at any of the really good team in our area, FCV 01/02, McLean 01/02, BRYC 03, etc. How many kids on those teams started at those clubs (in FCV's case, maybe consider the SYA team at U9 for 01s 02s)?

I still don't follow why you cannot say the same (we play against what we know are the best teams in the area because we actually play in leagues with pro/rel where you have to perform to be in first division) and just stay local for most games. There was plenty of competition for local boys DA to stay local for most games. And then go play supercups if you are best of best. Has any of that changed?

the problem is not the clubs, its the leagues.

Question is why do the big clubs all prefer exclusive leagues instead of leagues where the teams have to earn their place?

So they can recruit the better players by saying you need to come to our team because only we can offer access to the exclusive league.

Look at any of the really good team in our area, FCV 01/02, McLean 01/02, BRYC 03, etc. How many kids on those teams started at those clubs (in FCV's case, maybe consider the SYA team at U9 for 01s 02s)?

It's not. You're also leaving out clubs like Pipeline and SAC (even though Armour is 80% or so SAC players) that can field competitive teams at all age groups across genders and other teams (Cerritos, Achilles, Celtic) that have some good teams at select age levels.

Careful—sounds like you’re implying good clubs should be able to earn their place rather than have it handed out regardless of merit.

I agree with the premise, but not a club list. One league, promotion and relegation, split by gender. Let the best teams compete against the best teams.

Now you’ve gone over the cliff. This is basically proposing we go back to the days before DA when youth soccer was for the kids and everyone played in NCSL/WAGS and had to earn their way to division 1.

I agree PP. You need room to place each age group at an appropriate level. Personally, I think the existing EDP structure would allow for all of these clubs and more to field teams, including their top teams, in a competitive environment.

Now you’re just trying to recreate the old NCSL/WAGS in EDP.

The trouble is for college recruiting, you need a platform that has showcases that attract scouts.

If the rest of the country stayed in ECNL/MSL/GAL then yes that would be a problem, but if the whole country came to their senses together it solves itself. Remember the old days before DA trashed US soccer when teams could go to Dallas Cup and if they were good enough play against top academy teams from around the world?


Question is why do the big clubs all prefer exclusive leagues instead of leagues where the teams have to earn their place?

Anonymous wrote:
With this many local clubs who were in DA or ECNL last year, why is it better for them to travel to New York or North Carolina for a game rather than playing each other right here at home?

Bethesda
DC United
Arlington
VDA
McLean
FCV
BRYC
Metro United
Loudoun

Baltimore Armour
Richmond United

It's not better to travel for league games. The trouble is for college recruiting, you need a platform that has showcases that attract scouts. The local(ish) showcases are too small and don't hold a candle to the draw of an ECNL showcase. Maybe they could, but they do not currently. Even Jeff Cup is not as good.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
With this many local clubs who were in DA or ECNL last year, why is it better for them to travel to New York or North Carolina for a game rather than playing each other right here at home?

Bethesda
DC United
Arlington
VDA
McLean
FCV
BRYC
Metro United
Loudoun

Baltimore Armour
Richmond United

It's not. You're also leaving out clubs like Pipeline and SAC (even though Armour is 80% or so SAC players) that can field competitive teams at all age groups across genders and other teams (Cerritos, Achilles, Celtic) that have some good teams at select age levels.

I agree with the premise, but not a club list. First, it's a girls list. Major leading boy clubs are nowhere to be seen. Why do this for both genders and by club. It's dumb. One league, promotion and relegation, split by gender. Let the best teams compete against the best teams. Otherwise we are all stuck in ECNL/CCL hell swirling down the youth soccer toilet. There is absolutely no reason for this other than club self-interest and the desire of parents at member clubs wanting to view themselves as peers of top teams because they are in the same league, even though we know that players and teams within these club leagues are nowhere near even.

I agree PP. You need room to place each age group at an appropriate level. Personally, I think the existing EDP structure would allow for all of these clubs and more to field teams, including their top teams, in a competitive environment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
With this many local clubs who were in DA or ECNL last year, why is it better for them to travel to New York or North Carolina for a game rather than playing each other right here at home?

Bethesda
DC United
Arlington
VDA
McLean
FCV
BRYC
Metro United
Loudoun

Baltimore Armour
Richmond United

It's not. You're also leaving out clubs like Pipeline and SAC (even though Armour is 80% or so SAC players) that can field competitive teams at all age groups across genders and other teams (Cerritos, Achilles, Celtic) that have some good teams at select age levels.

Yep chances are Md and Va will open up at the sometime. If there is no school sports in the fall maybe we could see Va and Md high schools get on the same schedule for soccer. Wait this would get it easier for the parent and kids...no way will this happen!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
With this many local clubs who were in DA or ECNL last year, why is it better for them to travel to New York or North Carolina for a game rather than playing each other right here at home?

Bethesda
DC United
Arlington
VDA
McLean
FCV
BRYC
Metro United
Loudoun

Baltimore Armour
Richmond United

It's not. You're also leaving out clubs like Pipeline and SAC (even though Armour is 80% or so SAC players) that can field competitive teams at all age groups across genders and other teams (Cerritos, Achilles, Celtic) that have some good teams at select age levels.

I agree with the premise, but not a club list. First, it's a girls list. Major leading boy clubs are nowhere to be seen. Why do this for both genders and by club. It's dumb. One league, promotion and relegation, split by gender. Let the best teams compete against the best teams. Otherwise we are all stuck in ECNL/CCL hell swirling down the youth soccer toilet. There is absolutely no reason for this other than club self-interest and the desire of parents at member clubs wanting to view themselves as peers of top teams because they are in the same league, even though we know that players and teams within these club leagues are nowhere near even.

Anonymous wrote:
With this many local clubs who were in DA or ECNL last year, why is it better for them to travel to New York or North Carolina for a game rather than playing each other right here at home?

Bethesda
DC United
Arlington
VDA
McLean
FCV
BRYC
Metro United
Loudoun

Baltimore Armour
Richmond United

It's not. You're also leaving out clubs like Pipeline and SAC (even though Armour is 80% or so SAC players) that can field competitive teams at all age groups across genders and other teams (Cerritos, Achilles, Celtic) that have some good teams at select age levels.

The reason some parents claim it is better is a chance to be seen by more potential coaches / scouts. I think it is bunk but some put their faith in that mentality.

With this many local clubs who were in DA or ECNL last year, why is it better for them to travel to New York or North Carolina for a game rather than playing each other right here at home?

Bethesda
DC United
Arlington
VDA
McLean
FCV
BRYC
Metro United
Loudoun

Baltimore Armour
Richmond United