Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 15:14     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
When Nationals left, they obviously new well before and the announcement was after Champions Cup ... if clubs are leaving, and they have age group teams at the showcase coming up, one would assume it would be announced after the event.

ECNL having "their" social media put it out before the event is classic ECNL. ensure multiple questions leading into a GA event.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 14:59     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Wow,

We really don’t have any idea who is moving to ECNL. That’s a first
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 14:49     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:th appears to be in a strong position regardless of the outcome.

Scenario 1: The club remains in the Girls Academy (GA) and continues operating as it currently does, with the boys remaining in ECNL.

Scenario 2: The club stays in GA on the girls’ side, while the boys transition to MLS Next. This scenario would likely create competitive tension with local ECNL Clubs.

Scenario 3: The girls move to ECNL with two teams per age group, while the boys remain in ECNL.

Each of these paths allows the club to maintain a high level of platform placement and competitive positioning.


I don’t see them getting two ECNL spots (Nationals had 2 GA and only got 1 ECNL, Lonestar had 2 GA and only got 1 RL). It seems th GA is rewarding more clubs with 2 spots, and ECNL seems to be going away from that (a couple 2 club programs have lost their second spot).

That maybe a deal breaker for Tophat. It’s a tough debate either way I am sure.


there is no "deal breaker" for Tophat. Tophat has been begging along with very, very vocal parents trying to get back into ecnl every year.

Top hat has not been begging to get into ECNL. There are some parents that started a Kickstarter campaign to get into ECNL. But the club itself doesnt care and will be successful in whatever league they play in.


as a parent who had a kid playing in the ecnl for tophat then da and my youngest daughter played da at tophat and now a GRANDAUGHTER playing at tophat yes tophat is BEGGING to get back into ecnl.


Dang - we got grandparents trolling these boards. Let it go.

And no - TH is not begging to get back into ECNL. FOMO parents in the area might wish they were, but know that TH is a much better club top to bottom than all the other Atlanta area clubs.


Only elite clubs can survive in a market full of ecnl badges.

City SC, NEFC, and LOU FUSZ are the only others.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 14:48     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:th appears to be in a strong position regardless of the outcome.

Scenario 1: The club remains in the Girls Academy (GA) and continues operating as it currently does, with the boys remaining in ECNL.

Scenario 2: The club stays in GA on the girls’ side, while the boys transition to MLS Next. This scenario would likely create competitive tension with local ECNL Clubs.

Scenario 3: The girls move to ECNL with two teams per age group, while the boys remain in ECNL.

Each of these paths allows the club to maintain a high level of platform placement and competitive positioning.


I don’t see them getting two ECNL spots (Nationals had 2 GA and only got 1 ECNL, Lonestar had 2 GA and only got 1 RL). It seems th GA is rewarding more clubs with 2 spots, and ECNL seems to be going away from that (a couple 2 club programs have lost their second spot).

That maybe a deal breaker for Tophat. It’s a tough debate either way I am sure.


there is no "deal breaker" for Tophat. Tophat has been begging along with very, very vocal parents trying to get back into ecnl every year.

Top hat has not been begging to get into ECNL. There are some parents that started a Kickstarter campaign to get into ECNL. But the club itself doesnt care and will be successful in whatever league they play in.


as a parent who had a kid playing in the ecnl for tophat then da and my youngest daughter played da at tophat and now a GRANDAUGHTER playing at tophat yes tophat is BEGGING to get back into ecnl.


Dang - we got grandparents trolling these boards. Let it go.

And no - TH is not begging to get back into ECNL. FOMO parents in the area might wish they were, but know that TH is a much better club top to bottom than all the other Atlanta area clubs.


And from Georgia of all places!
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 14:46     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:th appears to be in a strong position regardless of the outcome.

Scenario 1: The club remains in the Girls Academy (GA) and continues operating as it currently does, with the boys remaining in ECNL.

Scenario 2: The club stays in GA on the girls’ side, while the boys transition to MLS Next. This scenario would likely create competitive tension with local ECNL Clubs.

Scenario 3: The girls move to ECNL with two teams per age group, while the boys remain in ECNL.

Each of these paths allows the club to maintain a high level of platform placement and competitive positioning.


I don’t see them getting two ECNL spots (Nationals had 2 GA and only got 1 ECNL, Lonestar had 2 GA and only got 1 RL). It seems th GA is rewarding more clubs with 2 spots, and ECNL seems to be going away from that (a couple 2 club programs have lost their second spot).

That maybe a deal breaker for Tophat. It’s a tough debate either way I am sure.


there is no "deal breaker" for Tophat. Tophat has been begging along with very, very vocal parents trying to get back into ecnl every year.

Top hat has not been begging to get into ECNL. There are some parents that started a Kickstarter campaign to get into ECNL. But the club itself doesnt care and will be successful in whatever league they play in.


as a parent who had a kid playing in the ecnl for tophat then da and my youngest daughter played da at tophat and now a GRANDAUGHTER playing at tophat yes tophat is BEGGING to get back into ecnl.


Dang - we got grandparents trolling these boards. Let it go.

And no - TH is not begging to get back into ECNL. FOMO parents in the area might wish they were, but know that TH is a much better club top to bottom than all the other Atlanta area clubs.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 14:41     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:GA has a great event and all the haters seem to congregate here trying to run it and now its leader down. How nonsurprising!


Saying the truth isn’t running it down.
GA is a league for about 20 clubs to participate and get players to college and the rest just subsidize the business model. Most GA clubs do not even get 1 player to the D1 level.

If you look at the details the vast majority of college signing are from the champions cup teams.


I think that if we saw a breakdown of the data by club that did not break out league at all, we would see that the vast majority of commitments come from the top 100 or so clubs. Even further, it’s been shown in the imyouthsoccer AI graphics that most come from 10 or so metro areas. Adding the league just allows the rest of the clubs to ride the wave of success by saying they’re in the same league.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 14:35     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:GA has a great event and all the haters seem to congregate here trying to run it and now its leader down. How nonsurprising!


Saying the truth isn’t running it down.
GA is a league for about 20 clubs to participate and get players to college and the rest just subsidize the business model. Most GA clubs do not even get 1 player to the D1 level.

If you look at the details the vast majority of college signing are from the champions cup teams.


And how about the ECNL clubs that aren't at their elite national league level? How do they do?


Go look up the numbers. GA is a good league it’s not the best who cares? Don’t get so upset about it.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 14:35     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:th appears to be in a strong position regardless of the outcome.

Scenario 1: The club remains in the Girls Academy (GA) and continues operating as it currently does, with the boys remaining in ECNL.

Scenario 2: The club stays in GA on the girls’ side, while the boys transition to MLS Next. This scenario would likely create competitive tension with local ECNL Clubs.

Scenario 3: The girls move to ECNL with two teams per age group, while the boys remain in ECNL.

Each of these paths allows the club to maintain a high level of platform placement and competitive positioning.


I don’t see them getting two ECNL spots (Nationals had 2 GA and only got 1 ECNL, Lonestar had 2 GA and only got 1 RL). It seems th GA is rewarding more clubs with 2 spots, and ECNL seems to be going away from that (a couple 2 club programs have lost their second spot).

That maybe a deal breaker for Tophat. It’s a tough debate either way I am sure.


there is no "deal breaker" for Tophat. Tophat has been begging along with very, very vocal parents trying to get back into ecnl every year.


That was only the first year after DA folded because the kids were left with no league to play in. Since then, they been asked to join every year.


Why not just go to one of the other Atlanta ECNL clubs?


You just answered your own question.
If all a club has to offer is the fact that they have ECNL. . .must I go on
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 14:31     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:th appears to be in a strong position regardless of the outcome.

Scenario 1: The club remains in the Girls Academy (GA) and continues operating as it currently does, with the boys remaining in ECNL.

Scenario 2: The club stays in GA on the girls’ side, while the boys transition to MLS Next. This scenario would likely create competitive tension with local ECNL Clubs.

Scenario 3: The girls move to ECNL with two teams per age group, while the boys remain in ECNL.

Each of these paths allows the club to maintain a high level of platform placement and competitive positioning.


I don’t see them getting two ECNL spots (Nationals had 2 GA and only got 1 ECNL, Lonestar had 2 GA and only got 1 RL). It seems th GA is rewarding more clubs with 2 spots, and ECNL seems to be going away from that (a couple 2 club programs have lost their second spot).

That maybe a deal breaker for Tophat. It’s a tough debate either way I am sure.


there is no "deal breaker" for Tophat. Tophat has been begging along with very, very vocal parents trying to get back into ecnl every year.


That was only the first year after DA folded because the kids were left with no league to play in. Since then, they been asked to join every year.


Why not just go to one of the other Atlanta ECNL clubs?


Because development matters
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 14:30     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:th appears to be in a strong position regardless of the outcome.

Scenario 1: The club remains in the Girls Academy (GA) and continues operating as it currently does, with the boys remaining in ECNL.

Scenario 2: The club stays in GA on the girls’ side, while the boys transition to MLS Next. This scenario would likely create competitive tension with local ECNL Clubs.

Scenario 3: The girls move to ECNL with two teams per age group, while the boys remain in ECNL.

Each of these paths allows the club to maintain a high level of platform placement and competitive positioning.


I don’t see them getting two ECNL spots (Nationals had 2 GA and only got 1 ECNL, Lonestar had 2 GA and only got 1 RL). It seems th GA is rewarding more clubs with 2 spots, and ECNL seems to be going away from that (a couple 2 club programs have lost their second spot).

That maybe a deal breaker for Tophat. It’s a tough debate either way I am sure.


there is no "deal breaker" for Tophat. Tophat has been begging along with very, very vocal parents trying to get back into ecnl every year.


That was only the first year after DA folded because the kids were left with no league to play in. Since then, they been asked to join every year.


Why not just go to one of the other Atlanta ECNL clubs?
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 14:28     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:th appears to be in a strong position regardless of the outcome.

Scenario 1: The club remains in the Girls Academy (GA) and continues operating as it currently does, with the boys remaining in ECNL.

Scenario 2: The club stays in GA on the girls’ side, while the boys transition to MLS Next. This scenario would likely create competitive tension with local ECNL Clubs.

Scenario 3: The girls move to ECNL with two teams per age group, while the boys remain in ECNL.

Each of these paths allows the club to maintain a high level of platform placement and competitive positioning.


I don’t see them getting two ECNL spots (Nationals had 2 GA and only got 1 ECNL, Lonestar had 2 GA and only got 1 RL). It seems th GA is rewarding more clubs with 2 spots, and ECNL seems to be going away from that (a couple 2 club programs have lost their second spot).

That maybe a deal breaker for Tophat. It’s a tough debate either way I am sure.


there is no "deal breaker" for Tophat. Tophat has been begging along with very, very vocal parents trying to get back into ecnl every year.

Top hat has not been begging to get into ECNL. There are some parents that started a Kickstarter campaign to get into ECNL. But the club itself doesnt care and will be successful in whatever league they play in.


as a parent who had a kid playing in the ecnl for tophat then da and my youngest daughter played da at tophat and now a GRANDAUGHTER playing at tophat yes tophat is BEGGING to get back into ecnl.

You must be the one that started the kisckstarter. Nobody else cares.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 14:28     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:GA has a great event and all the haters seem to congregate here trying to run it and now its leader down. How nonsurprising!


Saying the truth isn’t running it down.
GA is a league for about 20 clubs to participate and get players to college and the rest just subsidize the business model. Most GA clubs do not even get 1 player to the D1 level.

If you look at the details the vast majority of college signing are from the champions cup teams.


And how about the ECNL clubs that aren't at their elite national league level? How do they do?
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 14:27     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:th appears to be in a strong position regardless of the outcome.

Scenario 1: The club remains in the Girls Academy (GA) and continues operating as it currently does, with the boys remaining in ECNL.

Scenario 2: The club stays in GA on the girls’ side, while the boys transition to MLS Next. This scenario would likely create competitive tension with local ECNL Clubs.

Scenario 3: The girls move to ECNL with two teams per age group, while the boys remain in ECNL.

Each of these paths allows the club to maintain a high level of platform placement and competitive positioning.


I don’t see them getting two ECNL spots (Nationals had 2 GA and only got 1 ECNL, Lonestar had 2 GA and only got 1 RL). It seems th GA is rewarding more clubs with 2 spots, and ECNL seems to be going away from that (a couple 2 club programs have lost their second spot).

That maybe a deal breaker for Tophat. It’s a tough debate either way I am sure.


there is no "deal breaker" for Tophat. Tophat has been begging along with very, very vocal parents trying to get back into ecnl every year.

Top hat has not been begging to get into ECNL. There are some parents that started a Kickstarter campaign to get into ECNL. But the club itself doesnt care and will be successful in whatever league they play in.


as a parent who had a kid playing in the ecnl for tophat then da and my youngest daughter played da at tophat and now a GRANDAUGHTER playing at tophat yes tophat is BEGGING to get back into ecnl.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 14:27     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:th appears to be in a strong position regardless of the outcome.

Scenario 1: The club remains in the Girls Academy (GA) and continues operating as it currently does, with the boys remaining in ECNL.

Scenario 2: The club stays in GA on the girls’ side, while the boys transition to MLS Next. This scenario would likely create competitive tension with local ECNL Clubs.

Scenario 3: The girls move to ECNL with two teams per age group, while the boys remain in ECNL.

Each of these paths allows the club to maintain a high level of platform placement and competitive positioning.


I don’t see them getting two ECNL spots (Nationals had 2 GA and only got 1 ECNL, Lonestar had 2 GA and only got 1 RL). It seems th GA is rewarding more clubs with 2 spots, and ECNL seems to be going away from that (a couple 2 club programs have lost their second spot).

That maybe a deal breaker for Tophat. It’s a tough debate either way I am sure.


there is no "deal breaker" for Tophat. Tophat has been begging along with very, very vocal parents trying to get back into ecnl every year.


That was only the first year after DA folded because the kids were left with no league to play in. Since then, they been asked to join every year.
Anonymous
Post 04/08/2026 14:25     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:GA has a great event and all the haters seem to congregate here trying to run it and now its leader down. How nonsurprising!


Saying the truth isn’t running it down.
GA is a league for about 20 clubs to participate and get players to college and the rest just subsidize the business model. Most GA clubs do not even get 1 player to the D1 level.

If you look at the details the vast majority of college signing are from the champions cup teams.