That is a backward view of what was said. I have a DD on a ECNL/DA team and one of the constant complaints is the travel. No one feels that traveling to Boston or LI or SC for a league game benefits anyone. The issue is the travel and not coaches, club fees, etc. Even national soccer figures recognize that travel is one of the main issues that hurt soccer in the US. No one is asking for a utopia. We just want common sense.

BTW, This isn't about small clubs vs. big clubs. This is about trying to get the best local teams playing against one another. It just seems idiotic to me that anyone would fight the idea and would prefer to drive through four states to play a game against a team that on the same level as a dozen other teams in the area.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, currently there are no elite local leagues but it could be created (temporary) under extraordinary circumstances (at lest for the next year). Things are going to be different for many clubs and families (not only in DMV but in many other states). USYS Cancelled 2020 national and regional championships in part because families will be struggling.

They didn’t cancel championships because families are struggling, they canceled because there is a pandemic and there is way to much uncertainty that things will be open enough to keep the schedule. The last I checked there are no local leagues playing either.

The longer this goes on the more likely small clubs go bankrupt as well as small local leagues.

There are not enough players to create a local elite league. There are not enough players for the 7 “elite” clubs now. Making things local is not going to miraculously reveal 70 more elite players per age group.

Does anyone know from under what rock these folks come?

!. USYS absolutely canceled the regional and national competitions because it felt the economic strain might be too much for families. There were other considerations but the economy was one of them. If you don't get that fact then you are one o the reason why "pay to play" is killing our global competitiveness.

2. The entire sports infrastructure in the country is changing. From Professional to college to youth sports, things are changing. Colleges are already trying to get the NCAA to reduce the number of sports required. Schools that don't have football or basketball to fund other sports will havea difficult time maintaining budgets.

3. There are more than enough players to maintain a local elite league. Adding a half dozen elite non-ECNL/DA teams on top of the ECNL/DA teams will complete the league. I would recommend that the bottom dwellers in both the DA and ECNL play in a lower-tiered league. When there are 25-30 commits from two teams going to top college programs (NCAA tournament qualifiers and/or Power 5 programs) coming from two teams in the DMV on top of 50+ others from U18/19 teams going DI, you have more than enough talent to form an elite league.

Seriously, you not to get treated because the ECNL/DA did a number on you if you don't recognize that there can me competitive soccer without ECNL/DA.

NOBODY IS PLAYING SOCCER!! Not one single league is playing right now because it simply isn't safe. The economic impact will not be felt until the summer and obviously the fall IF things open up again.

If you honestly believe small local leagues are better situated financially to weather this you are wrong. If you honestly believe there will be a pot of money to just start up another small local league you are wrong.

Small clubs will either go bankrupt or merge. Leagues will either fold or merge. The sport will become even MORE expensive because there may be fewer options available and those fewer options still available will be competing for a larger displaced player pool.

This is not going to end with your utopia of elite local soccer. The soccer landscape will likely become more fractured than ever and with fewer options than before. The sport will still cater to those who can afford to play. Heading into a recession and quite possibly a depression is not going to be the great soccer landscape equalizer that you hope it will become. Those who can afford to play will still play, and there will be far more kids who can't afford to play than can. Fields will still cost money, insurance, refs, coaches, league fees. All that expense and infrastructure will still be needed regardless of the proximity of the games.

Most youth coaches have careers outside of coaching soccer. Many of them will be looking for a job like the rest of us. Do you think they will have the time and the luxury to coach for free?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, currently there are no elite local leagues but it could be created (temporary) under extraordinary circumstances (at lest for the next year). Things are going to be different for many clubs and families (not only in DMV but in many other states). USYS Cancelled 2020 national and regional championships in part because families will be struggling.

They didn’t cancel championships because families are struggling, they canceled because there is a pandemic and there is way to much uncertainty that things will be open enough to keep the schedule. The last I checked there are no local leagues playing either.

The longer this goes on the more likely small clubs go bankrupt as well as small local leagues.

There are not enough players to create a local elite league. There are not enough players for the 7 “elite” clubs now. Making things local is not going to miraculously reveal 70 more elite players per age group.

Does anyone know from under what rock these folks come?

!. USYS absolutely canceled the regional and national competitions because it felt the economic strain might be too much for families. There were other considerations but the economy was one of them. If you don't get that fact then you are one o the reason why "pay to play" is killing our global competitiveness.

2. The entire sports infrastructure in the country is changing. From Professional to college to youth sports, things are changing. Colleges are already trying to get the NCAA to reduce the number of sports required. Schools that don't have football or basketball to fund other sports will havea difficult time maintaining budgets.

3. There are more than enough players to maintain a local elite league. Adding a half dozen elite non-ECNL/DA teams on top of the ECNL/DA teams will complete the league. I would recommend that the bottom dwellers in both the DA and ECNL play in a lower-tiered league. When there are 25-30 commits from two teams going to top college programs (NCAA tournament qualifiers and/or Power 5 programs) coming from two teams in the DMV on top of 50+ others from U18/19 teams going DI, you have more than enough talent to form an elite league.

Seriously, you not to get treated because the ECNL/DA did a number on you if you don't recognize that there can me competitive soccer without ECNL/DA.

Anonymous wrote:Yep, currently there are no elite local leagues but it could be created (temporary) under extraordinary circumstances (at lest for the next year). Things are going to be different for many clubs and families (not only in DMV but in many other states). USYS Cancelled 2020 national and regional championships in part because families will be struggling.

They didn’t cancel championships because families are struggling, they canceled because there is a pandemic and there is way to much uncertainty that things will be open enough to keep the schedule. The last I checked there are no local leagues playing either.

The longer this goes on the more likely small clubs go bankrupt as well as small local leagues.

There are not enough players to create a local elite league. There are not enough players for the 7 “elite” clubs now. Making things local is not going to miraculously reveal 70 more elite players per age group.

Yep, currently there are no elite local leagues but it could be created (temporary) under extraordinary circumstances (at lest for the next year). Things are going to be different for many clubs and families (not only in DMV but in many other states). USYS Cancelled 2020 national and regional championships in part because families will be struggling.

Anonymous wrote:My DD is at a local ECNL/DA club and I don't see value in traveling up and down the East coast. I would happily play Pipeline, Rush and other quality non-ECNL/DA teams. I reference Pipeline because we have played them and they are just as strong as any ECNL/DA team except for the McLean and FCV u18/u19 teams which are probably two of the best teams in the country.

The point is that if ECNL/DA went away, we would play Pipeline, SAC, FCV, Arlington, Richmond, Baltimore Union, etc., which are all quality teams in the neighborhood.

There are leagues your DD could play in and stay local AND play against quality teams. Please tell the class why you have chosen to STILL drive up and down the East Coast?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you folks so dense that you can't follow the discussion. McLean and FCV are platforms in of themselves. If ECNL and DA went away tomorrow, both clubs would still produce elite teams with elite players. Neither clubs needs to send team to Long Island or SC for league games when they can play games locally.

If FCV and McLean believed playing Pipeline offered the same benefits as ECNL or DA they would. FCV would rather travel to play Penn Fusion than play your club. McLean would rather travel to play North Carolina than your club.

They don’t see the value in playing against your club. Their B teams likely do and that says enough.

Your post completely showcases your arrogance and ignorance.

And your post demonstrates your desperation to have the “cool kids” move to your table.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you folks so dense that you can't follow the discussion. McLean and FCV are platforms in of themselves. If ECNL and DA went away tomorrow, both clubs would still produce elite teams with elite players. Neither clubs needs to send team to Long Island or SC for league games when they can play games locally.

If FCV and McLean believed playing Pipeline offered the same benefits as ECNL or DA they would. FCV would rather travel to play Penn Fusion than play your club. McLean would rather travel to play North Carolina than your club.

They don’t see the value in playing against your club. Their B teams likely do and that says enough.

Your post completely showcases your arrogance and ignorance.

My DD is at a local ECNL/DA club and I don't see value in traveling up and down the East coast. I would happily play Pipeline, Rush and other quality non-ECNL/DA teams. I reference Pipeline because we have played them and they are just as strong as any ECNL/DA team except for the McLean and FCV u18/u19 teams which are probably two of the best teams in the country.

The point is that if ECNL/DA went away, we would play Pipeline, SAC, FCV, Arlington, Richmond, Baltimore Union, etc., which are all quality teams in the neighborhood.

Anonymous wrote:Are you folks so dense that you can't follow the discussion. McLean and FCV are platforms in of themselves. If ECNL and DA went away tomorrow, both clubs would still produce elite teams with elite players. Neither clubs needs to send team to Long Island or SC for league games when they can play games locally.

If FCV and McLean believed playing Pipeline offered the same benefits as ECNL or DA they would. FCV would rather travel to play Penn Fusion than play your club. McLean would rather travel to play North Carolina than your club.

They don’t see the value in playing against your club. Their B teams likely do and that says enough.

Anonymous wrote:Are you folks so dense that you can't follow the discussion. McLean and FCV are platforms in of themselves. If ECNL and DA went away tomorrow, both clubs would still produce elite teams with elite players. Neither clubs needs to send team to Long Island or SC for league games when they can play games locally.

so your point is what? Sorry, I am dense.

Are you folks so dense that you can't follow the discussion. McLean and FCV are platforms in of themselves. If ECNL and DA went away tomorrow, both clubs would still produce elite teams with elite players. Neither clubs needs to send team to Long Island or SC for league games when they can play games locally.

Anonymous wrote:I think the point, idiot, is that only McLean and FCV have such a track record, which means that the clubs and not the league deliver kids to the highest level. Neither club need to travel across two states to provide opportunities for its elite players. If there was no ECNL or DA, these clubs could play the best in the area and still make important showcases and would likely still play for national titles where they would play in front of top college coaches.


For some reason, you are confused into believing that you can rive your DC to elite status. It does not work that way.

The "idiot" is right. FCV and McLean had nothing to do with those players being talented enough to get recruited, they were just platfoms for exposure. There are a few more in the area now, and those platforms are just as good today as FCV and McLean were back in the day.

The fear of parent choice in deciding where to play to get their player exposure is hilarious. Go back to 2014. You can avoid Coronavirus there too.

Anonymous wrote:I think the point, idiot, is that only McLean and FCV have such a track record, which means that the clubs and not the league deliver kids to the highest level. Neither club need to travel across two states to provide opportunities for its elite players. If there was no ECNL or DA, these clubs could play the best in the area and still make important showcases and would likely still play for national titles where they would play in front of top college coaches.


For some reason, you are confused into believing that you can rive your DC to elite status. It does not work that way.

So you can’t name ANY. That is the point.

I think the point, idiot, is that only McLean and FCV have such a track record, which means that the clubs and not the league deliver kids to the highest level. Neither club need to travel across two states to provide opportunities for its elite players. If there was no ECNL or DA, these clubs could play the best in the area and still make important showcases and would likely still play for national titles where they would play in front of top college coaches.


For some reason, you are confused into believing that you can rive your DC to elite status. It does not work that way.