Anonymous
Post 05/12/2025 08:53     Subject: ECNL is for suckers
Anonymous wrote:“I don’t understand this post. If you think it’s a waste why are you doing it? Are you so weak minded you can’t say no to your kid? Or you are afraid your “friends” will think you aren’t rich enough to afford it? Why go along with it? I’m genuinely curious how is anyone forced into paying for something they don’t want.’

When you sign up for a team in February, you are committing to something that will last for the next 16-17 month. At the time of commitment, there is no calendar, no travel schedule, and no total bill. Therefore it is extremely easy to be surprised by the end of the season at how much money the actual cost of your commitment is. Hence, the existence of this blog.


Time to bring back bake sales and car washes, I guess.
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2025 08:23     Subject: ECNL is for suckers
“I don’t understand this post. If you think it’s a waste why are you doing it? Are you so weak minded you can’t say no to your kid? Or you are afraid your “friends” will think you aren’t rich enough to afford it? Why go along with it? I’m genuinely curious how is anyone forced into paying for something they don’t want.’

When you sign up for a team in February, you are committing to something that will last for the next 16-17 month. At the time of commitment, there is no calendar, no travel schedule, and no total bill. Therefore it is extremely easy to be surprised by the end of the season at how much money the actual cost of your commitment is. Hence, the existence of this blog.
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2025 08:15     Subject: ECNL is for suckers
“ This is also why there’s very little ethnic diversity in ecnl”

You are a moron
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2025 08:13     Subject: ECNL is for suckers
Yeah it costs money, but so does everything else. If you’re not spending it here, you’re spending it there. Just enjoy the time with your kids. It’ll be gone before you know it.
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2025 08:11     Subject: ECNL is for suckers
This is also why there’s very little ethnic diversity in ecnl
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2025 07:59     Subject: ECNL is for suckers
Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand this post. If you think it’s a waste why are you doing it? Are you so weak minded you can’t say no to your kid? Or you are afraid your “friends” will think you aren’t rich enough to afford it? Why go along with it? I’m genuinely curious how is anyone forced into paying for something they don’t want.


Not the OP, but I don't think the actual price tag is quite clear when signing up. That's what good marketing/plus a societal focus on being the "best" no matter what will get you.
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2025 07:53     Subject: ECNL is for suckers
I don’t understand this post. If you think it’s a waste why are you doing it? Are you so weak minded you can’t say no to your kid? Or you are afraid your “friends” will think you aren’t rich enough to afford it? Why go along with it? I’m genuinely curious how is anyone forced into paying for something they don’t want.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2025 23:31     Subject: ECNL is for suckers
Anonymous wrote:Be happy they aren’t on a top volleyball team. This year we’ve got 6 tournaments requiring flights and missed school. Our other DD is ECNL and there’s no comparison between the two. Volleyball is easily $7+ more than ECNL costs.


Even tho my kid hasn't started the insane league travels yet we feel incredibly lucky to not having kids that play baseball, hockey or volleyball 🤣
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2025 23:08     Subject: ECNL is for suckers
I can beat that. Our costs for polo and dressage are out of this world. Stable fees, trainer fees, vet costs, trailer maintenance, fuel costs, hotel fees, and driving extremely long distances to compete year round. $80K is on the low end.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2025 22:57     Subject: Re:ECNL is for suckers
Anonymous wrote:I have to concur with the sentiment. It's a giant money grab. But it's not just ECNL. It's the entire youth soccer landscape. There's this BS either-or that you have to travel far and wide to play top competition or stay local and play mid-level talent. There is more than enough talent in this area to keep everyone within a 90 minute travel area. The most it should ever be is Philly to Raleigh. No need to travel to New York or Charlotte.


It's this way across the entire youth sports landscape. If your kid wants to get the exposure necessary to play most college sports, you are going to have to pay this price. If your kid doesn't want to play college sports, and you are worried about travel and money, play at a lower level.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2025 22:12     Subject: ECNL is for suckers
Be happy they aren’t on a top volleyball team. This year we’ve got 6 tournaments requiring flights and missed school. Our other DD is ECNL and there’s no comparison between the two. Volleyball is easily $7+ more than ECNL costs.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2025 21:42     Subject: ECNL is for suckers
Anonymous wrote:OP is basically bragging his DC made it to playoffs but added the gripes about cost to (poorly) hide his bragging

lol

Not hating. Congrats your child is on a good team.


In Boys ECNL? Hope that can get him to an MLSN team, otherwise maybe all for naught!
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2025 21:31     Subject: ECNL is for suckers
OP is basically bragging his DC made it to playoffs but added the gripes about cost to (poorly) hide his bragging

lol

Not hating. Congrats your child is on a good team.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2025 21:22     Subject: ECNL is for suckers
OP is correct

It’s a scam

I did it with my first my ne t ones who were division 1 college players hell no

Waste of precious time and money most kids don’t go on to college level

Anonymous
Post 05/11/2025 21:20     Subject: ECNL is for suckers
You should never have gotten on the crazy train. My DD is playing EDP league, for 2.5k and is doing just fine. She’s improving her skills and enjoys playing. That’s the goal,
The most we travel is like an hour… all dmv area..