Anonymous
09/06/2025 19:25
Subject: GA & NWSL Alignment?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Someone smarter than me, please (I know, not saying much). Any truth to the rumor that GA is going to align itself with NWSL in some capacity? Heard some talk, but nothing concrete/in writing. Thanks in advance, Soccer Mom
Pretty sure it will be ECNL not GA. Deal is not any time soon though. 2026 at best. Affiliation will be meaningless though. Big PR not a real thing.
NWSL will most likely copy MLS when it comes to Acadamies. This is why the MLS Next and GA alliance is such a big thing.
If NWSL doesnt do something soon reguarding Acadamies USL W is going to take over that space.
The best would be if college mirrored all NWSL rules and since you can pay players now functioned at a type of Academy.
Agree that women's college should match NWSL rules...especially as it relates to having unlimited subs.
Regarding USL W do mean the short season summer league or their much smaller footprint Super League? The summer league is interesting because there are a ton of teams and they do pull in younger players into a competitive short season environment. Here in our area, the USL W team has a small group of ENCL players that join the team for training during the spring. Several of the ECNL players have been rostered and have seen some playing team as well. It's a good experience for them, but not sure where it would go beyond that. The one club that I know offhand that uses it's USLW team as academy type team is NC Courage. They are strictly U23 and have done quite well.
The USL mens side locally has a more etablished model where they run a U20 academy team and have move players up to the senior team from that and even have signed players to pro contracts.
I just mean someone will create an Academy option if NWSL continues to ignore it. Miggt be USL might be WPSL. There's so many players that could be developed to a higher level. NWSL needs to separate itself from competitors because eventually someone will figure out that running a pro womens league isnt as hard as it looks (or doesnt look).
I firmly believe that MLS Next's true value is establishing and maintaining MLS as the top American soccer league starting at very young ages in players minds.
Because of the MLS academies. Not because of your son‘s youth club.
Anonymous
09/06/2025 17:49
Subject: GA & NWSL Alignment?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Someone smarter than me, please (I know, not saying much). Any truth to the rumor that GA is going to align itself with NWSL in some capacity? Heard some talk, but nothing concrete/in writing. Thanks in advance, Soccer Mom
Pretty sure it will be ECNL not GA. Deal is not any time soon though. 2026 at best. Affiliation will be meaningless though. Big PR not a real thing.
NWSL will most likely copy MLS when it comes to Acadamies. This is why the MLS Next and GA alliance is such a big thing.
If NWSL doesnt do something soon reguarding Acadamies USL W is going to take over that space.
The best would be if college mirrored all NWSL rules and since you can pay players now functioned at a type of Academy.
Agree that women's college should match NWSL rules...especially as it relates to having unlimited subs.
Regarding USL W do mean the short season summer league or their much smaller footprint Super League? The summer league is interesting because there are a ton of teams and they do pull in younger players into a competitive short season environment. Here in our area, the USL W team has a small group of ENCL players that join the team for training during the spring. Several of the ECNL players have been rostered and have seen some playing team as well. It's a good experience for them, but not sure where it would go beyond that. The one club that I know offhand that uses it's USLW team as academy type team is NC Courage. They are strictly U23 and have done quite well.
The USL mens side locally has a more etablished model where they run a U20 academy team and have move players up to the senior team from that and even have signed players to pro contracts.
I just mean someone will create an Academy option if NWSL continues to ignore it. Miggt be USL might be WPSL. There's so many players that could be developed to a higher level. NWSL needs to separate itself from competitors because eventually someone will figure out that running a pro womens league isnt as hard as it looks (or doesnt look).
I firmly believe that MLS Next's true value is establishing and maintaining MLS as the top American soccer league starting at very young ages in players minds.
Anonymous
09/06/2025 17:46
Subject: GA & NWSL Alignment?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Someone smarter than me, please (I know, not saying much). Any truth to the rumor that GA is going to align itself with NWSL in some capacity? Heard some talk, but nothing concrete/in writing. Thanks in advance, Soccer Mom
Pretty sure it will be ECNL not GA. Deal is not any time soon though. 2026 at best. Affiliation will be meaningless though. Big PR not a real thing.
NWSL will most likely copy MLS when it comes to Acadamies. This is why the MLS Next and GA alliance is such a big thing.
If NWSL doesnt do something soon reguarding Acadamies USL W is going to take over that space.
Nwsl doesn’t need academies yet. Clubs and college programs are doing that development right now. Academies are very very expensive with very little ROI.
Anonymous
09/06/2025 17:23
Subject: GA & NWSL Alignment?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Someone smarter than me, please (I know, not saying much). Any truth to the rumor that GA is going to align itself with NWSL in some capacity? Heard some talk, but nothing concrete/in writing. Thanks in advance, Soccer Mom
Pretty sure it will be ECNL not GA. Deal is not any time soon though. 2026 at best. Affiliation will be meaningless though. Big PR not a real thing.
NWSL will most likely copy MLS when it comes to Acadamies. This is why the MLS Next and GA alliance is such a big thing.
If NWSL doesnt do something soon reguarding Acadamies USL W is going to take over that space.
The best would be if college mirrored all NWSL rules and since you can pay players now functioned at a type of Academy.
Agree that women's college should match NWSL rules...especially as it relates to having unlimited subs.
Regarding USL W do mean the short season summer league or their much smaller footprint Super League? The summer league is interesting because there are a ton of teams and they do pull in younger players into a competitive short season environment. Here in our area, the USL W team has a small group of ENCL players that join the team for training during the spring. Several of the ECNL players have been rostered and have seen some playing team as well. It's a good experience for them, but not sure where it would go beyond that. The one club that I know offhand that uses it's USLW team as academy type team is NC Courage. They are strictly U23 and have done quite well.
The USL mens side locally has a more etablished model where they run a U20 academy team and have move players up to the senior team from that and even have signed players to pro contracts.
Anonymous
09/06/2025 17:15
Subject: GA & NWSL Alignment?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Someone smarter than me, please (I know, not saying much). Any truth to the rumor that GA is going to align itself with NWSL in some capacity? Heard some talk, but nothing concrete/in writing. Thanks in advance, Soccer Mom
Pretty sure it will be ECNL not GA. Deal is not any time soon though. 2026 at best. Affiliation will be meaningless though. Big PR not a real thing.
NWSL will most likely copy MLS when it comes to Acadamies. This is why the MLS Next and GA alliance is such a big thing.
If NWSL doesnt do something soon reguarding Acadamies USL W is going to take over that space.
There is zero money to do this. Not a chance. What has been under discussion is an affiliation where the private clubs come under the umbrella of a team -- multiple clubs but the clubs still run themselves and charge what they charge. They still play ECNL or GA but they also play and there is like a Spirit Academy team that is like an all-star team. NWSL has been talking to lots of people about this including both GA and ECNL. It would require almost no money from the NWSL.
Anonymous
09/06/2025 16:54
Subject: GA & NWSL Alignment?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Someone smarter than me, please (I know, not saying much). Any truth to the rumor that GA is going to align itself with NWSL in some capacity? Heard some talk, but nothing concrete/in writing. Thanks in advance, Soccer Mom
Pretty sure it will be ECNL not GA. Deal is not any time soon though. 2026 at best. Affiliation will be meaningless though. Big PR not a real thing.
NWSL will most likely copy MLS when it comes to Acadamies. This is why the MLS Next and GA alliance is such a big thing.
If NWSL doesnt do something soon reguarding Acadamies USL W is going to take over that space.
The best would be if college mirrored all NWSL rules and since you can pay players now functioned at a type of Academy.
Anonymous
09/06/2025 16:51
Subject: GA & NWSL Alignment?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Seattle Reign:
The Reign have a youth soccer program that is a founding member of the GA.
NJ/NY Gotham FC:
The club has two Girls Academy-affiliated programs: NYSC and PDA
PDA? Founding member of ECNL? They’re not GA.
Thats weird. I dont know how it got in there.
Anonymous
09/06/2025 16:50
Subject: GA & NWSL Alignment?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Someone smarter than me, please (I know, not saying much). Any truth to the rumor that GA is going to align itself with NWSL in some capacity? Heard some talk, but nothing concrete/in writing. Thanks in advance, Soccer Mom
Pretty sure it will be ECNL not GA. Deal is not any time soon though. 2026 at best. Affiliation will be meaningless though. Big PR not a real thing.
NWSL will most likely copy MLS when it comes to Acadamies. This is why the MLS Next and GA alliance is such a big thing.
If NWSL doesnt do something soon reguarding Acadamies USL W is going to take over that space.
Anonymous
09/06/2025 16:28
Subject: GA & NWSL Alignment?
Anonymous wrote:Seattle Reign:
The Reign have a youth soccer program that is a founding member of the GA.
NJ/NY Gotham FC:
The club has two Girls Academy-affiliated programs: NYSC and PDA
PDA? Founding member of ECNL? They’re not GA.
Anonymous
09/06/2025 15:42
Subject: GA & NWSL Alignment?
Anonymous wrote:Someone smarter than me, please (I know, not saying much). Any truth to the rumor that GA is going to align itself with NWSL in some capacity? Heard some talk, but nothing concrete/in writing. Thanks in advance, Soccer Mom
Pretty sure it will be ECNL not GA. Deal is not any time soon though. 2026 at best. Affiliation will be meaningless though. Big PR not a real thing.
Anonymous
09/06/2025 12:06
Subject: GA & NWSL Alignment?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:5 NWSL clubs have academies already.
-3 Are in ECNL
-1 Is in GA
-1 Is not in either
Things could change, but no solid announcements have been made.
Surprised the Spirit, with Kang’s backing, have not started a program yet.
I don't think the Spirit Could Field a new Academy/ Travel Club.... the market is saturated and since they would be a For-Profit -vs- Non-Profit, they would need to pay for Field Space. I feel like they would have to partner with an existing club to get something off the ground.
-I have also heard of a 'reserve' squad where some USL-W girls get looks and some Top Youth Talent receive double-secret invites in Instagram through connections. Hence, the girls who make the dramatic 'just finished a great session w the XXXX NWSL Club.' Which is also a far cry from a youth academy/ development model.
It could be done. But I look at all the issues DCU are having with their academy in this high priced area. I just don't see how the Spirit could operate one without a significant loss year after year.
It's easy to do. NWSL teams just need to partner with successful youth clubs letting them manage the team from an administrative perspective. They pick the players and coach.
Anonymous
09/06/2025 11:44
Subject: GA & NWSL Alignment?
Anonymous wrote:5 NWSL clubs have academies already.
-3 Are in ECNL
-1 Is in GA
-1 Is not in either
Things could change, but no solid announcements have been made.
Surprised the Spirit, with Kang’s backing, have not started a program yet.
I don't think the Spirit Could Field a new Academy/ Travel Club.... the market is saturated and since they would be a For-Profit -vs- Non-Profit, they would need to pay for Field Space. I feel like they would have to partner with an existing club to get something off the ground.
-I have also heard of a 'reserve' squad where some USL-W girls get looks and some Top Youth Talent receive double-secret invites in Instagram through connections. Hence, the girls who make the dramatic 'just finished a great session w the XXXX NWSL Club.' Which is also a far cry from a youth academy/ development model.
It could be done. But I look at all the issues DCU are having with their academy in this high priced area. I just don't see how the Spirit could operate one without a significant loss year after year.
Anonymous
09/06/2025 10:49
Subject: GA & NWSL Alignment?
Seattle Reign:
The Reign have a youth soccer program that is a founding member of the GA.
NJ/NY Gotham FC:
The club has two Girls Academy-affiliated programs: NYSC and PDA
The Reign have a youth soccer program that is a founding member of the GA.
NJ/NY Gotham FC:
The club has two Girls Academy-affiliated programs: NYSC and PDA
Anonymous
09/06/2025 08:50
Subject: GA & NWSL Alignment?
Anonymous wrote:It’s GA hoodies. And yes that is the rumor NWSL reserve teams. This will provide an opportunity for a handful of girls to be in this environment but will probably still be comprised of physically mature and hardened college girls. They are not partnering with any youth league lol!
This is right. A very select group of youth players will be involved.
Anonymous
09/06/2025 08:36
Subject: GA & NWSL Alignment?
Anonymous wrote:Fever dream.
😂😂😂😂😂😂