Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On girls side, no new teams being added from Virginia, and not anticipating anyone leaving. They wanted to add one NC and one VA to keep it balanced and have travel partners, but had no applicants from VA that met standards. Richmond United setup their whole Strikers/Kickers merger to position for second ECNL team, but the Blue Teams that are supposed to be the strongest, didn't finish consistently high enough in the standings and sometimes were not the best Richmond United team overall.

Richmond United never had any intention of making Blue teams a 2nd NL team. It was most likely something they told parents to stop losing kids to other clubs. Those teams are in 1st or 2nd place so the excuse that they didn't finish high enough in the standings is bs. most of their NL teams are at the bottom of their age groups, what's going on down there. The MA is middle tier at best and Richmond United NL doesn't produce.

The RU Blue teams have the multi-sport athletes. On the boys side the NL teams can't play school sports. The better athletes are succeeding against weaker talent in RL while the more technical NL teams struggle against better talent. Richmond is also getting diluted. There are three other clubs recruiting for the RL/NL type player.

Are you talking boys or girls here because it makes a big difference. I assume boys, because for girls, RU is the only real game in town unless you go north. I don't see Velocity (No Girls Teams), Grove (Small Girls program) or FC Richmond (GA Aspire) competing for players on the girls side. On the boys side, yeah, there is competition there from those clubs. I'm not sure how much yet for Velocity and Grove as they are newer, but it's there for sure.

Also, on the boys NL side, they also lose players to MLS Academies. There were about 6, IIRC, that left to go to various academies from Charlotte, to Philly, to Columbus and even the much maligned DCU. The Boys Blue RL teams are doing quite well and the Red/Orange are behind in standings which I think is expected.

I still believe, and this is from direct experience with the club, the long term goal with the having 3 RL teams - Blue, Orange and Red - is to get the Blue teams moved into NL. It makes little sense otherwise to have 3 RL clubs and 2 competing in VA South and 1 in VA North.

Anyway, back to the question, are there any new ECNL teams in the MA and the answer seems to be NO.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On girls side, no new teams being added from Virginia, and not anticipating anyone leaving. They wanted to add one NC and one VA to keep it balanced and have travel partners, but had no applicants from VA that met standards. Richmond United setup their whole Strikers/Kickers merger to position for second ECNL team, but the Blue Teams that are supposed to be the strongest, didn't finish consistently high enough in the standings and sometimes were not the best Richmond United team overall.

Richmond United never had any intention of making Blue teams a 2nd NL team. It was most likely something they told parents to stop losing kids to other clubs. Those teams are in 1st or 2nd place so the excuse that they didn't finish high enough in the standings is bs. most of their NL teams are at the bottom of their age groups, what's going on down there. The MA is middle tier at best and Richmond United NL doesn't produce.

The RU Blue teams have the multi-sport athletes. On the boys side the NL teams can't play school sports. The better athletes are succeeding against weaker talent in RL while the more technical NL teams struggle against better talent. Richmond is also getting diluted. There are three other clubs recruiting for the RL/NL type player.

Are you talking boys or girls here because it makes a big difference. I assume boys, because for girls, RU is the only real game in town unless you go north. I don't see Velocity (No Girls Teams), Grove (Small Girls program) or FC Richmond (GA Aspire) competing for players on the girls side. On the boys side, yeah, there is competition there from those clubs. I'm not sure how much yet for Velocity and Grove as they are newer, but it's there for sure.

Also, on the boys NL side, they also lose players to MLS Academies. There were about 6, IIRC, that left to go to various academies from Charlotte, to Philly, to Columbus and even the much maligned DCU. The Boys Blue RL teams are doing quite well and the Red/Orange are behind in standings which I think is expected.

I still believe, and this is from direct experience with the club, the long term goal with the having 3 RL teams - Blue, Orange and Red - is to get the Blue teams moved into NL. It makes little sense otherwise to have 3 RL clubs and 2 competing in VA South and 1 in VA North.

Anyway, back to the question, are there any new ECNL teams in the MA and the answer seems to be NO.

the question should be are we losing any ECNL teams in the MA and the answer seems to be possibly?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On girls side, no new teams being added from Virginia, and not anticipating anyone leaving. They wanted to add one NC and one VA to keep it balanced and have travel partners, but had no applicants from VA that met standards. Richmond United setup their whole Strikers/Kickers merger to position for second ECNL team, but the Blue Teams that are supposed to be the strongest, didn't finish consistently high enough in the standings and sometimes were not the best Richmond United team overall.

Richmond United never had any intention of making Blue teams a 2nd NL team. It was most likely something they told parents to stop losing kids to other clubs. Those teams are in 1st or 2nd place so the excuse that they didn't finish high enough in the standings is bs. most of their NL teams are at the bottom of their age groups, what's going on down there. The MA is middle tier at best and Richmond United NL doesn't produce.

The RU Blue teams have the multi-sport athletes. On the boys side the NL teams can't play school sports. The better athletes are succeeding against weaker talent in RL while the more technical NL teams struggle against better talent. Richmond is also getting diluted. There are three other clubs recruiting for the RL/NL type player.

Are you talking boys or girls here because it makes a big difference. I assume boys, because for girls, RU is the only real game in town unless you go north. I don't see Velocity (No Girls Teams), Grove (Small Girls program) or FC Richmond (GA Aspire) competing for players on the girls side. On the boys side, yeah, there is competition there from those clubs. I'm not sure how much yet for Velocity and Grove as they are newer, but it's there for sure.

Also, on the boys NL side, they also lose players to MLS Academies. There were about 6, IIRC, that left to go to various academies from Charlotte, to Philly, to Columbus and even the much maligned DCU. The Boys Blue RL teams are doing quite well and the Red/Orange are behind in standings which I think is expected.

I still believe, and this is from direct experience with the club, the long term goal with the having 3 RL teams - Blue, Orange and Red - is to get the Blue teams moved into NL. It makes little sense otherwise to have 3 RL clubs and 2 competing in VA South and 1 in VA North.

Anyway, back to the question, are there any new ECNL teams in the MA and the answer seems to be NO.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On girls side, no new teams being added from Virginia, and not anticipating anyone leaving. They wanted to add one NC and one VA to keep it balanced and have travel partners, but had no applicants from VA that met standards. Richmond United setup their whole Strikers/Kickers merger to position for second ECNL team, but the Blue Teams that are supposed to be the strongest, didn't finish consistently high enough in the standings and sometimes were not the best Richmond United team overall.

Richmond United never had any intention of making Blue teams a 2nd NL team. It was most likely something they told parents to stop losing kids to other clubs. Those teams are in 1st or 2nd place so the excuse that they didn't finish high enough in the standings is bs. most of their NL teams are at the bottom of their age groups, what's going on down there. The MA is middle tier at best and Richmond United NL doesn't produce.

The RU Blue teams have the multi-sport athletes. On the boys side the NL teams can't play school sports. The better athletes are succeeding against weaker talent in RL while the more technical NL teams struggle against better talent. Richmond is also getting diluted. There are three other clubs recruiting for the RL/NL type player.

Anonymous wrote:Who?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On girls side, no new teams being added from Virginia, and not anticipating anyone leaving. They wanted to add one NC and one VA to keep it balanced and have travel partners, but had no applicants from VA that met standards. Richmond United setup their whole Strikers/Kickers merger to position for second ECNL team, but the Blue Teams that are supposed to be the strongest, didn't finish consistently high enough in the standings and sometimes were not the best Richmond United team overall.

Richmond United never had any intention of making Blue teams a 2nd NL team. It was most likely something they told parents to stop losing kids to other clubs. Those teams are in 1st or 2nd place so the excuse that they didn't finish high enough in the standings is bs. most of their NL teams are at the bottom of their age groups, what's going on down there. The MA is middle tier at best and Richmond United NL doesn't produce.

On the girls side they applied for NL for Blue and were turned down.

Crazy. They are near the top for all age groups in RL.

Yes, but that is somewhat due to the mass exodus of nova teams to GA.

Only two clubs switched from ECNL to MLSNext/GA. Barely noticeable and hardly an exodus.

Another joining soon......

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On girls side, no new teams being added from Virginia, and not anticipating anyone leaving. They wanted to add one NC and one VA to keep it balanced and have travel partners, but had no applicants from VA that met standards. Richmond United setup their whole Strikers/Kickers merger to position for second ECNL team, but the Blue Teams that are supposed to be the strongest, didn't finish consistently high enough in the standings and sometimes were not the best Richmond United team overall.

Richmond United never had any intention of making Blue teams a 2nd NL team. It was most likely something they told parents to stop losing kids to other clubs. Those teams are in 1st or 2nd place so the excuse that they didn't finish high enough in the standings is bs. most of their NL teams are at the bottom of their age groups, what's going on down there. The MA is middle tier at best and Richmond United NL doesn't produce.

On the girls side they applied for NL for Blue and were turned down.

Crazy. They are near the top for all age groups in RL.

Yes, but that is somewhat due to the mass exodus of nova teams to GA.

Only two clubs switched from ECNL to MLSNext/GA. Barely noticeable and hardly an exodus.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On girls side, no new teams being added from Virginia, and not anticipating anyone leaving. They wanted to add one NC and one VA to keep it balanced and have travel partners, but had no applicants from VA that met standards. Richmond United setup their whole Strikers/Kickers merger to position for second ECNL team, but the Blue Teams that are supposed to be the strongest, didn't finish consistently high enough in the standings and sometimes were not the best Richmond United team overall.

Richmond United never had any intention of making Blue teams a 2nd NL team. It was most likely something they told parents to stop losing kids to other clubs. Those teams are in 1st or 2nd place so the excuse that they didn't finish high enough in the standings is bs. most of their NL teams are at the bottom of their age groups, what's going on down there. The MA is middle tier at best and Richmond United NL doesn't produce.

On the girls side they applied for NL for Blue and were turned down.

Crazy. They are near the top for all age groups in RL.

Yes, but that is somewhat due to the mass exodus of nova teams to GA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On girls side, no new teams being added from Virginia, and not anticipating anyone leaving. They wanted to add one NC and one VA to keep it balanced and have travel partners, but had no applicants from VA that met standards. Richmond United setup their whole Strikers/Kickers merger to position for second ECNL team, but the Blue Teams that are supposed to be the strongest, didn't finish consistently high enough in the standings and sometimes were not the best Richmond United team overall.

Richmond United never had any intention of making Blue teams a 2nd NL team. It was most likely something they told parents to stop losing kids to other clubs. Those teams are in 1st or 2nd place so the excuse that they didn't finish high enough in the standings is bs. most of their NL teams are at the bottom of their age groups, what's going on down there. The MA is middle tier at best and Richmond United NL doesn't produce.

On the girls side they applied for NL for Blue and were turned down.

Crazy. They are near the top for all age groups in RL.

Yes, but that is somewhat due to the mass exodus of nova teams to GA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On girls side, no new teams being added from Virginia, and not anticipating anyone leaving. They wanted to add one NC and one VA to keep it balanced and have travel partners, but had no applicants from VA that met standards. Richmond United setup their whole Strikers/Kickers merger to position for second ECNL team, but the Blue Teams that are supposed to be the strongest, didn't finish consistently high enough in the standings and sometimes were not the best Richmond United team overall.

Richmond United never had any intention of making Blue teams a 2nd NL team. It was most likely something they told parents to stop losing kids to other clubs. Those teams are in 1st or 2nd place so the excuse that they didn't finish high enough in the standings is bs. most of their NL teams are at the bottom of their age groups, what's going on down there. The MA is middle tier at best and Richmond United NL doesn't produce.

On the girls side they applied for NL for Blue and were turned down.

Crazy. They are near the top for all age groups in RL.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On girls side, no new teams being added from Virginia, and not anticipating anyone leaving. They wanted to add one NC and one VA to keep it balanced and have travel partners, but had no applicants from VA that met standards. Richmond United setup their whole Strikers/Kickers merger to position for second ECNL team, but the Blue Teams that are supposed to be the strongest, didn't finish consistently high enough in the standings and sometimes were not the best Richmond United team overall.

Richmond United never had any intention of making Blue teams a 2nd NL team. It was most likely something they told parents to stop losing kids to other clubs. Those teams are in 1st or 2nd place so the excuse that they didn't finish high enough in the standings is bs. most of their NL teams are at the bottom of their age groups, what's going on down there. The MA is middle tier at best and Richmond United NL doesn't produce.

On the girls side they applied for NL for Blue and were turned down.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On girls side, no new teams being added from Virginia, and not anticipating anyone leaving. They wanted to add one NC and one VA to keep it balanced and have travel partners, but had no applicants from VA that met standards. Richmond United setup their whole Strikers/Kickers merger to position for second ECNL team, but the Blue Teams that are supposed to be the strongest, didn't finish consistently high enough in the standings and sometimes were not the best Richmond United team overall.

Richmond United never had any intention of making Blue teams a 2nd NL team. It was most likely something they told parents to stop losing kids to other clubs. Those teams are in 1st or 2nd place so the excuse that they didn't finish high enough in the standings is bs. most of their NL teams are at the bottom of their age groups, what's going on down there. The MA is middle tier at best and Richmond United NL doesn't produce.