Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 06:42     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The only people puffing their chest about the ECNL have average kids playing on average teams and have been sold a bag a lies that a badge on a jersey will get their kid a college scholarship. Good luck.

I see it all the time on our team. The parents that talk the most about GA are the ones who has kids that barely play, but think their kid is going to play in college because they are on an ECNL team. Like seriously your kid is not that good, but I guess it makes them feel better about themselves if they can "punch down" on GA. I never hear the parents of the best players on the team talking down about GA, just the parents of the kids who don't play that much, I guess whatever makes them feel better.


It's just such a terrible/ridiculous dynamic. Spend the last several years of your youth soccer career sitting on an ECNL bench in the hopes of sitting on a college bench.


I’m convinced a lot of the people who are the loudest in the ECNL vs GA debates have daughters sitting at the end of an ECNL bench and are quietly wondering if staying there is actually the right move.

A badge means a lot less when your kid isn’t developing, playing meaningful minutes, or enjoying the game anymore. At some point parents have to stop chasing logos and start asking what environment is actually best for their player.


You mean like the parents in my area who are considering moving to another area of the country because no ECNL team in our region wanted their daughter on the team?
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 06:39     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:these ga parents are really hurt their kid isn't playing in the ecnl. bless their heart


No. You see other ECNL parents here think you are a loser. You expected everyone to be with you. "General attendance har, har,.har." Instead, we are calling you out for the sad case you are in reality.

As was stated, and you ignored likely because it simply makes you feel better about yourself and your kid who probably doesn't dress for games, other ECNL and GA parents don't really care. It's the bottom feeder parents of bottom feeder players.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 23:47     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OK, but GA teams aren’t strong either, It’s too watered down around here. The only good ones are SYC, NVA, and maybe MYS. But if it’s all about playing weaker competition every week and winning by 5+, is that really good for your kid? Are you proud of that?

You really don’t get wha’s the purpose of ECNL and GA. You must have a U13-15 player. These leagues are college recruiting exposure platforms. U16-U19 is only about bringing college coaches to players. That is all that matters at these ages and it’s what these leagues are selling. Being on the bench of a good team is not helping, it’s better to be a star of a bad team where you can stand out and get good film. Development and competition are not a factor.


You don't want to stagnate, either. Sound coaching and good competition matter. One argument for bench players sticking around whatever team they might is they get pushed in practice by more elite level teammates.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 23:45     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OK, but GA teams aren’t strong either, It’s too watered down around here. The only good ones are SYC, NVA, and maybe MYS. But if it’s all about playing weaker competition every week and winning by 5+, is that really good for your kid? Are you proud of that?

You really don’t get wha’s the purpose of ECNL and GA. You must have a U13-15 player. These leagues are college recruiting exposure platforms. U16-U19 is only about bringing college coaches to players. That is all that matters at these ages and it’s what these leagues are selling. Being on the bench of a good team is not helping, it’s better to be a star of a bad team where you can stand out and get good film. Development and competition are not a factor.


Very true, but a lot of those "good" teams are sending their benches to great schools. What you say is more true for mid-table teams.


Not always. The top ECNL is our area is all over the map. Often the bench players/players on their 2nd ECNL team are going to smaller D1 at best, OR the more local players in the area vs. top tier around the country. THAT still happens of course, for their top players, but it really depends on the players themselves. Club/badge takes you only so far, even at the highest club levels.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 19:47     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OK, but GA teams aren’t strong either, It’s too watered down around here. The only good ones are SYC, NVA, and maybe MYS. But if it’s all about playing weaker competition every week and winning by 5+, is that really good for your kid? Are you proud of that?

You really don’t get wha’s the purpose of ECNL and GA. You must have a U13-15 player. These leagues are college recruiting exposure platforms. U16-U19 is only about bringing college coaches to players. That is all that matters at these ages and it’s what these leagues are selling. Being on the bench of a good team is not helping, it’s better to be a star of a bad team where you can stand out and get good film. Development and competition are not a factor.


Very true, but a lot of those "good" teams are sending their benches to great schools. What you say is more true for mid-table teams.


These kids are going to the same schools clubs without a league are going too. Dont fool yourself.


sure but they aren't going to play soccer with a roster spot.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 18:25     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OK, but GA teams aren’t strong either, It’s too watered down around here. The only good ones are SYC, NVA, and maybe MYS. But if it’s all about playing weaker competition every week and winning by 5+, is that really good for your kid? Are you proud of that?

You really don’t get wha’s the purpose of ECNL and GA. You must have a U13-15 player. These leagues are college recruiting exposure platforms. U16-U19 is only about bringing college coaches to players. That is all that matters at these ages and it’s what these leagues are selling. Being on the bench of a good team is not helping, it’s better to be a star of a bad team where you can stand out and get good film. Development and competition are not a factor.


Very true, but a lot of those "good" teams are sending their benches to great schools. What you say is more true for mid-table teams.


These kids are going to the same schools clubs without a league are going too. Dont fool yourself.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 17:59     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OK, but GA teams aren’t strong either, It’s too watered down around here. The only good ones are SYC, NVA, and maybe MYS. But if it’s all about playing weaker competition every week and winning by 5+, is that really good for your kid? Are you proud of that?

You really don’t get wha’s the purpose of ECNL and GA. You must have a U13-15 player. These leagues are college recruiting exposure platforms. U16-U19 is only about bringing college coaches to players. That is all that matters at these ages and it’s what these leagues are selling. Being on the bench of a good team is not helping, it’s better to be a star of a bad team where you can stand out and get good film. Development and competition are not a factor.


Very true, but a lot of those "good" teams are sending their benches to great schools. What you say is more true for mid-table teams.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 17:55     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
What we need is one league to rule them all.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 17:49     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:OK, but GA teams aren’t strong either, It’s too watered down around here. The only good ones are SYC, NVA, and maybe MYS. But if it’s all about playing weaker competition every week and winning by 5+, is that really good for your kid? Are you proud of that?

You really don’t get wha’s the purpose of ECNL and GA. You must have a U13-15 player. These leagues are college recruiting exposure platforms. U16-U19 is only about bringing college coaches to players. That is all that matters at these ages and it’s what these leagues are selling. Being on the bench of a good team is not helping, it’s better to be a star of a bad team where you can stand out and get good film. Development and competition are not a factor.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 17:35     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
OK, but GA teams aren’t strong either, It’s too watered down around here. The only good ones are SYC, NVA, and maybe MYS. But if it’s all about playing weaker competition every week and winning by 5+, is that really good for your kid? Are you proud of that?
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 17:20     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The only people puffing their chest about the ECNL have average kids playing on average teams and have been sold a bag a lies that a badge on a jersey will get their kid a college scholarship. Good luck.

I see it all the time on our team. The parents that talk the most about GA are the ones who has kids that barely play, but think their kid is going to play in college because they are on an ECNL team. Like seriously your kid is not that good, but I guess it makes them feel better about themselves if they can "punch down" on GA. I never hear the parents of the best players on the team talking down about GA, just the parents of the kids who don't play that much, I guess whatever makes them feel better.


It's just such a terrible/ridiculous dynamic. Spend the last several years of your youth soccer career sitting on an ECNL bench in the hopes of sitting on a college bench.


I’m convinced a lot of the people who are the loudest in the ECNL vs GA debates have daughters sitting at the end of an ECNL bench and are quietly wondering if staying there is actually the right move.

A badge means a lot less when your kid isn’t developing, playing meaningful minutes, or enjoying the game anymore. At some point parents have to stop chasing logos and start asking what environment is actually best for their player.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 16:19     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The only people puffing their chest about the ECNL have average kids playing on average teams and have been sold a bag a lies that a badge on a jersey will get their kid a college scholarship. Good luck.

I see it all the time on our team. The parents that talk the most about GA are the ones who has kids that barely play, but think their kid is going to play in college because they are on an ECNL team. Like seriously your kid is not that good, but I guess it makes them feel better about themselves if they can "punch down" on GA. I never hear the parents of the best players on the team talking down about GA, just the parents of the kids who don't play that much, I guess whatever makes them feel better.


It's just such a terrible/ridiculous dynamic. Spend the last several years of your youth soccer career sitting on an ECNL bench in the hopes of sitting on a college bench.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 15:53     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
these ga parents are really hurt their kid isn't playing in the ecnl. bless their heart
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 13:34     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The only people puffing their chest about the ECNL have average kids playing on average teams and have been sold a bag a lies that a badge on a jersey will get their kid a college scholarship. Good luck.

I see it all the time on our team. The parents that talk the most about GA are the ones who has kids that barely play, but think their kid is going to play in college because they are on an ECNL team. Like seriously your kid is not that good, but I guess it makes them feel better about themselves if they can "punch down" on GA. I never hear the parents of the best players on the team talking down about GA, just the parents of the kids who don't play that much, I guess whatever makes them feel better.


This x10.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 13:28     Subject: New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The only people puffing their chest about the ECNL have average kids playing on average teams and have been sold a bag a lies that a badge on a jersey will get their kid a college scholarship. Good luck.

I see it all the time on our team. The parents that talk the most about GA are the ones who has kids that barely play, but think their kid is going to play in college because they are on an ECNL team. Like seriously your kid is not that good, but I guess it makes them feel better about themselves if they can "punch down" on GA. I never hear the parents of the best players on the team talking down about GA, just the parents of the kids who don't play that much, I guess whatever makes them feel better.