Hint: Basically all youth travel sports teams are a scam.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And I’m sure that Potomac got into ECNL because of their deep roster of great teams, and not because they’re based in one of the wealthiest places in the country.

The boys teams are solid. It’s not like they added the girls teams. So yes they did get in based on teams.

Takoma Park is very similar overall but they field 1 team per year vs 5 teams.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what is the scam? I'm not exactly sure who created ECNL but I'm guessing someone saw a need to create a league to consolidate talent that they can pitch to to college coaches that coming to these ECNL events will be worth their while for recruiting...and it worked. My son, who is white, played for a predominately Latino EDP D1 team. Tons of talent on that team. ECNL level kids. Everyone understood that continuing on this team would not provide the platform to be seen by as many college coaches, so my son left and now plays on an ECNL team, so did others. Is ECNL more expensive? Very much so....especially when you add in the travel costs. His three years at ECNL, plus this year, he has had zero white coaches. His team consists of about 1/3 white kids. less than 25% came from the local mega clubs. All the others started out at small clubs like my son. So I don't understand what the issues are here. I do understand that some kids can't afford ECNL and therefore don't get the opportunity, but I don't see that as ECNL's fault.

You are answering your own question. Why should clubs that can’t develop players be the destination? Not to mention, on the boys side, colleges aren’t doing nearly as much recruiting from these leagues anymore. For, the 7 ECNL/MLS Next VA clubs, this past spring’s graduating class had something like 15 players go D1 - which includes a few to VMI/Military Academies - and somewhere around 30-40 playing D2/D3. Probably all of those kids could’ve gone D2/D3 out of EDP or another league.

Just because a kid goes D3 doesn't mean that they can't go D1. D1 is 60-80 hours a week including school. I bet many boys don't want it to be there life. They want to have fun. Also, club soccer can be just as good.

Not to mention D3 has some of the best academic institutions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what is the scam? I'm not exactly sure who created ECNL but I'm guessing someone saw a need to create a league to consolidate talent that they can pitch to to college coaches that coming to these ECNL events will be worth their while for recruiting...and it worked. My son, who is white, played for a predominately Latino EDP D1 team. Tons of talent on that team. ECNL level kids. Everyone understood that continuing on this team would not provide the platform to be seen by as many college coaches, so my son left and now plays on an ECNL team, so did others. Is ECNL more expensive? Very much so....especially when you add in the travel costs. His three years at ECNL, plus this year, he has had zero white coaches. His team consists of about 1/3 white kids. less than 25% came from the local mega clubs. All the others started out at small clubs like my son. So I don't understand what the issues are here. I do understand that some kids can't afford ECNL and therefore don't get the opportunity, but I don't see that as ECNL's fault.

You are answering your own question. Why should clubs that can’t develop players be the destination? Not to mention, on the boys side, colleges aren’t doing nearly as much recruiting from these leagues anymore. For, the 7 ECNL/MLS Next VA clubs, this past spring’s graduating class had something like 15 players go D1 - which includes a few to VMI/Military Academies - and somewhere around 30-40 playing D2/D3. Probably all of those kids could’ve gone D2/D3 out of EDP or another league.

Just because a kid goes D3 doesn't mean that they can't go D1. D1 is 60-80 hours a week including school. I bet many boys don't want it to be there life. They want to have fun. Also, club soccer can be just as good.

Anonymous wrote:So what is the scam? I'm not exactly sure who created ECNL but I'm guessing someone saw a need to create a league to consolidate talent that they can pitch to to college coaches that coming to these ECNL events will be worth their while for recruiting...and it worked. My son, who is white, played for a predominately Latino EDP D1 team. Tons of talent on that team. ECNL level kids. Everyone understood that continuing on this team would not provide the platform to be seen by as many college coaches, so my son left and now plays on an ECNL team, so did others. Is ECNL more expensive? Very much so....especially when you add in the travel costs. His three years at ECNL, plus this year, he has had zero white coaches. His team consists of about 1/3 white kids. less than 25% came from the local mega clubs. All the others started out at small clubs like my son. So I don't understand what the issues are here. I do understand that some kids can't afford ECNL and therefore don't get the opportunity, but I don't see that as ECNL's fault.

You are answering your own question. Why should clubs that can’t develop players be the destination? Not to mention, on the boys side, colleges aren’t doing nearly as much recruiting from these leagues anymore. For, the 7 ECNL/MLS Next VA clubs, this past spring’s graduating class had something like 15 players go D1 - which includes a few to VMI/Military Academies - and somewhere around 30-40 playing D2/D3. Probably all of those kids could’ve gone D2/D3 out of EDP or another league.

Anonymous wrote:Isn't US soccer basically broken on both girls/boys sides because let's face it, all the leagues with different platforms don't really help feed top talent to national/college programs. A lot of colleges recruit international students who play better. I think you just enjoy what we have and call it a day unless you think you can change the entire system? If not ECNL, what top league do you want to do - MLSNext has their own issues and so do all the rest. Don't play if you don't like it? I'm not suggesting ENCL is a great league but you know - what else is there?

ECNL on the girls side is great as a vehicle for college recruitment because it essentially has a monopoly on college coach's attention. Even better, it's heavily pay to play which means those who do pay have less competition from those with skills but not resources.

Isn't US soccer basically broken on both girls/boys sides because let's face it, all the leagues with different platforms don't really help feed top talent to national/college programs. A lot of colleges recruit international students who play better. I think you just enjoy what we have and call it a day unless you think you can change the entire system? If not ECNL, what top league do you want to do - MLSNext has their own issues and so do all the rest. Don't play if you don't like it? I'm not suggesting ENCL is a great league but you know - what else is there?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These sentiments will always exist in the US as long as there isn't a unified pyramid that isn't an open system. Most leagues are closed systems and pay to play that give the perception that clubs and teams got there by merit.

EDP and USYS are open, but the last thing big clubs want is an open league with the possibility of relegation when they are selling scarcity

Just need the rest of the leagues and federation to collaborate into a unified pyramid. Very unlikely to happen though.

On the boys side, that can never happen as long as there is a league associated with the professional league and academies. On the girls, it won't because it's not in the bigger club's interest to let smaller clubs or even bigger clubs on the outside compete.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These sentiments will always exist in the US as long as there isn't a unified pyramid that isn't an open system. Most leagues are closed systems and pay to play that give the perception that clubs and teams got there by merit.

EDP and USYS are open, but the last thing big clubs want is an open league with the possibility of relegation when they are selling scarcity

USYS does crown a State and National Champions. So if the teams are good enough, they should get exposure right there.

So what is the scam? I'm not exactly sure who created ECNL but I'm guessing someone saw a need to create a league to consolidate talent that they can pitch to to college coaches that coming to these ECNL events will be worth their while for recruiting...and it worked. My son, who is white, played for a predominately Latino EDP D1 team. Tons of talent on that team. ECNL level kids. Everyone understood that continuing on this team would not provide the platform to be seen by as many college coaches, so my son left and now plays on an ECNL team, so did others. Is ECNL more expensive? Very much so....especially when you add in the travel costs. His three years at ECNL, plus this year, he has had zero white coaches. His team consists of about 1/3 white kids. less than 25% came from the local mega clubs. All the others started out at small clubs like my son. So I don't understand what the issues are here. I do understand that some kids can't afford ECNL and therefore don't get the opportunity, but I don't see that as ECNL's fault.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These sentiments will always exist in the US as long as there isn't a unified pyramid that isn't an open system. Most leagues are closed systems and pay to play that give the perception that clubs and teams got there by merit.

EDP and USYS are open, but the last thing big clubs want is an open league with the possibility of relegation when they are selling scarcity

Just need the rest of the leagues and federation to collaborate into a unified pyramid. Very unlikely to happen though.

Anonymous wrote:And I’m sure that Potomac got into ECNL because of their deep roster of great teams, and not because they’re based in one of the wealthiest places in the country.

The boys teams are solid. It’s not like they added the girls teams. So yes they did get in based on teams.

And I’m sure that Potomac got into ECNL because of their deep roster of great teams, and not because they’re based in one of the wealthiest places in the country.

Anonymous wrote:These sentiments will always exist in the US as long as there isn't a unified pyramid that isn't an open system. Most leagues are closed systems and pay to play that give the perception that clubs and teams got there by merit.

EDP and USYS are open, but the last thing big clubs want is an open league with the possibility of relegation when they are selling scarcity

These sentiments will always exist in the US as long as there isn't a unified pyramid that isn't an open system. Most leagues are closed systems and pay to play that give the perception that clubs and teams got there by merit.