Anonymous wrote:The GDA will drop the HS rule. This has been told to staff not parents. The information has been trickled down.

It's also being said on the NY and Socal forums.

It's also being said that MLS is getting out of the DA bussiness.

Meh. It won't matter for most girls unless they adjust their schedule like ecnl does.
I can't see them taking that on.

The GDA will drop the HS rule. This has been told to staff not parents. The information has been trickled down.

It's also being said on the NY and Socal forums.

It's also being said that MLS is getting out of the DA bussiness.

Anonymous wrote:DA's impending drop of the prohibition on HS soccer will make all of this a moot point.

I've heard this referenced multiple times in this thread.

I'm around a DA club and club parents multiple times a week, and none of the coaches, administrators, or parents have ever mentioned this to me.

How strong are the rumors and how much faith have you put in them? And has this ever been mooted by any journalists in print? Or even a tweet?

In other words, this is the first time I'm hearing this.

Anonymous wrote:Taking my 09 to WSVA to play 03. Best for her DEVELOPMENT.

03 maybe a reach. Would you be interested in 06?

Taking my 09 to WSVA to play 03. Best for her DEVELOPMENT.

my recommendation is if your kid is in ECNL, stay put.

AH got a haircut.

Anonymous wrote:Multiple ECNL clubs dont hard break during the HS season. VDA is one of them. They still have practices for those not playing HS or want to attend extra practices and they still do showcases and tournaments.

Understood, but a league has to make a decision whether to hard break the league's game schedule or not. ECNL could not continue its normal game schedule in the spring just for the girls that did not want to play for their school team. DA will have to make a similar decision if it allows players to freely play for their school, without first having to seek a waiver.

Multiple ECNL clubs dont hard break during the HS season. VDA is one of them. They still have practices for those not playing HS or want to attend extra practices and they still do showcases and tournaments.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DA's impending drop of the prohibition on HS soccer will make all of this a moot point.

No it wont.

Clubs didnt leave because of HS.

They left for various reasons

#1 cost.
#2 control

DA players playing HS still have to miss the season. So why play DA?

So what's the difference now? Sub rules?

I was simply referring to the back-and-forth by the two posters who were discussing the virtues of training year round in DA vs. not doing so in ECNL because of HS soccer. I was not commenting on the virtues/vices of the two leagues or whether clubs were leaving DA for ECNL because of HS soccer.

W/r/t your other points, it will be interesting to see how the decision to allow DA players to play HS soccer impacts that league. For example, does DA continue to be year-round and just expand roster sizes to make sure there are enough players to field teams during the HS season? If so, then what impact will the increased roster size have on the DA recommendations for 50% playing time and 25% starts. And what would the impact of increased rosters have on the ability of clubs to develop the players in practices? What about field availability for the larger team rosters? These are just some of the issues that would have to be addressed.

On the other hand, if DA decides to break during the HS season similar to ECNL, then the conferences will need to be re-aligned similar to ECNL. Gone will be the days in which DA teams in MD could play DA teams in VA, given the different HS seasons in those states. That would then increase travel for the NoVa DA teams, which would suck.

As for the other differences, I think the main ones between DA and ECNL would remain the sub rules and the practice/game ratio.

I find it ironic that some of the posters here touting the benefits of the DA practice/game ratios, are also the same people who have their kids over-scheduled with multiple futsal teams, individual training sessions, and/or other sports, which of course defeats the logic and purpose behind DA's practice/game ratio. But to each her own.

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Anonymous wrote:1. Women's side is doing just fine? Look at recent performances from U17, U20, WNT and so on. The U20s lost big time to the Netherlands, niether the U17s nor the U20s were serious WC contenders. The WNT y beat Spain. Spain! That would have been unthinkable 10 years ago.

2. Anyone who tries to argue that a fall season + high school is as good for you developmentally as a full year of club soccer is confused. Anyone who thinks 3 days of games in a row is good for you is also confused. DA showcases require a day off. Is that harder to schedule? Sure, but playing Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or playing 2 games Saturday or Sunday leads to overuse injuries - big and small.

3. The ECNL has establishment on its side. It's been here. It's also much better at marketing, but none of those are good reasons to prevail.

I want to see the 2 consolidate, but in the end I don't care ho good PDA is or even Nationals. I just want to see my daughter become the best version of herself she can. I know she has grown so much more in the DA, than she ever could with ECNL + high school + even ODP. That's all I care about.

Leagues consolidating will not make your child the best version of herself.

You missed the point. Typical. Whether they do or don't, she improved far more in the DA than she did or could in the ECNL by dropping high school and playing club ball for longer.

Consolidation of talent is a separate issue.

Maybe so. It is hard to say that more training does not help in any sport.

But, at some point it is not just about that. The experience of HS soccer is important and memorable for girls and from a holistic perspective many think it is healthier for players not destined for NT. Which is most of them.

You may not agree for your DD. Vive la difference. It is great to have a choice. One is not better than the other.

Sure, I agree to care about high school soccer or not is a personal choice. Some kids long for high school soccer and whatever social experience it represents for them. Others find that bond with their club teammates. As long as it is the player's decision, neither is wrong or right. So all these crappy threads rehashing it should accept that and move on.

That said, no one though would say that less training helps in any sport. Too many training hours in a day or week? Sure, but half year vs whole year aren't the same. Some kids are in multiple sports too, and that's fine, but it's not the same as a soccer junkie who just wants soccer.

To be fair, ecnl does not stop dead during hs season. The training routine at our club is the same 9-10 months per year. Its only the game schedule that reduces.

Good for you. BRYC I know does that but that's club specific. A lot of ECNL clubs don't. And again, none of this is right or wrong. It's a player choice. My DD wouldn't play high school regardless. Its just bad soccer, which she hates playing. She already tried it before the DA came along.

I think if the DA does anything with high school, it will be extend waivers and vouchers, not copy the ECNL style of no league play during the high school season.

Maybe they’re leaving so they do not have to drive to Georgia to get a good game?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DA's impending drop of the prohibition on HS soccer will make all of this a moot point.

No it wont.

Clubs didnt leave because of HS.

They left for various reasons

#1 cost.
#2 control

DA players playing HS still have to miss the season. So why play DA?

So what's the difference now? Sub rules?

Clubs are leaving because they can field two ECNL teams and charge the same for both. Follow the money.

The clubs that are doing this in the NE division (Stars and PDA) are fielding 2 ECNL teams that are both stronger than half of the clubs in the division that have a single team. the northeast (and New England specifically) has far fewer ECNL/GDA options than the DC area. That's why these clubs can field 2 very strong teams at each age group.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DA's impending drop of the prohibition on HS soccer will make all of this a moot point.

No it wont.

Clubs didnt leave because of HS.

They left for various reasons

#1 cost.
#2 control

DA players playing HS still have to miss the season. So why play DA?

So what's the difference now? Sub rules?

Clubs are leaving because they can field two ECNL teams and charge the same for both. Follow the money.