The 2 WNT 19s would make a difference, if they play. Didn’t think last years 17’s won. If so my mistake.
I agree with this for one reason and one reason only...it’s what US Soccer will want and they’ll (eventually) get it... sad because ECNL basically started the DA on the women’s side and now US Soccer is basically saying we’ll take it from here. No doubt Orange Card says a lot of things that are true in terms of so many DA clubs struggling. We have two in our own backyard on the boys side that have DA designation but not sure many of their pools deserve it. But at least it’s not a 6hr one way commute to win 10-0. That’s just asinine and you get to pay a lot of extra $ for that “privilege”. That said I’m sure ECNL has plenty of that going on in pockets too
It does appear that since the switch to the conference format that they are limiting the amount of division. There seemed to be like 10 per age group before. And that team went 1-1-1 the first weekend so maybe they added some players or the division is weaker
Interesting article about scouting...also furthers my point DA will ultimately win the day as tip of the pyramid in girls soccer. https://www.soccernation.com/scouti...d-advice-for-any-player-who-wants-to-improve/
Jaguars have been making USYS national championship tourney with various teams for years before GDA. In fact they seem to have outperformed Kansas City (ECNL) and Elite Girls Academy (ECNL) when they were all recently USYS. By your criteria I guess there are 4 "1st tier" clubs in ECNL; Hawks (1st teams) Eclipse (OB), SLSG Mo, and Minnesota Thunder and the other 7 would all have 2nd tier status. (arbitrarily putting Eclipse OB as 2nd tier as they are brand new and nobody realistically knows how competitive they are) Is Shattuck GDA? I thought Salvo replaced them due to performance? and yes Cleveland force would (in my opinion) outperform FC Wisconsin, Varder, and SLSG IL. I know nothing about Salvo but I will agree they likely are the bottom of ECNL and/or GDA.
Salvo just went 0-5 against an arguably depleted FC GDA this weekend and was out scored 2-25. That's going to be a long bus ride back to MN. Regroup, and prepare for even longer bus rides in the near future. But hey, at least you can tell everyone you are at the top of the pyramid and on the path that clearly leads to the national team.
Ouch I did not know that. I think GDA should pass on Minnesota and maybe have gone after SC Waukesha in Wi. It would give them a new area and what is possibly the strongest girls side club in Wisconsin right now. Of course SC Waukesha may not want GDA and we know the odds of Lavers giving a stronger competitor club an ECNL badge.
Salvo is the club charging $3500.00 to register and then an up-front $6500.00 for all DA costs. Worth it? It may be cheaper then ECNL but by what - $2k? Does it even matter when you are already at $10k for the season? And that does not even include costs for parents who want to attend.
They will win for sure but we'll still have talent split between two leagues and that will preclude the girls program from growing. Does it matter? Our USNWTs will be getting crushed in a few years by 5-6 other countries. Our advantage has not been training but instead it's been a culture that has valued the womens game a whole lot sooner then the rest of the world.
I think “crushed” is too harsh. I agree there will be more parity in a few years but I believe the US women will still be in those top 5 teams and “in the running” for World Cup and Olympic titles.
I don't see anything that compelling in this article to come to the conclusion that GDA will "eventually win". BDA is well established, and won't likely ever be challenged. But BDA and GDA shouldn't really be compared, besides boys and girls being different creatures, the realities/opportunities of pursuing a professional career in the sport are very different for the two. For the overwhelming majority of 13-19 year-old females, it is of no consequence to play in front of some random scout with a bad USSF wind-breaker and clipboard who already has very direct orders on who to watch. I also find it odd that you guys seemed convinced of GDA 'winning' when right here in our back yard it is a tie at best between GDA and ECNL, and most might admit GDA seems to have some structural disadvantages. Both top leagues have flaws/features that will keep them both around. ECNL was way too busy protecting the franchise value of its directors' clubs. That allowed an opening for GDA to introduce a product that is money-making solution to the alternative of funding their own residential soccer academy; a model which works in other parts of the world, but will never really work in a country as large and as prosperous as 'Merica. Ultimately, folks like us will continue to financially support both leagues... and therefore neither is going away anytime soon.
I think the girls that are dedicated the most to the sport will go to DA due to it's no high school rule. You will have a better pool of teams in ECNL but the top end of the DA will be better IMO. I think overall, ECNL is the better of the two and will remain so for the majority of players. So a win in one way and a loss in another. But my point was that you would have a watered down mess nonetheless.
See the quote that 95% of their scouting takes place at DA events. Granted he’s talking boys here but read between the lines. DA is US Soccers baby. ECNL is something that infringes upon that baby’s ultimate growth and development. DA started way behind ECNL. Think they’re doing pretty well against a league that was (still is?) the dominant elite player platform for many years. I’m not a cheerleader for DA. I think it, and ECNL, have helped the development of kids playing soccer but issues abound. From producing robotic type players to the enormous expense and MLS doing things like making up tiers that favors their academies to the expense of their competitors. But make no mistake. DA wins as the ultimate elite platform. Not if, just when. US Soccer will see to it and in that regard ECNL will have a very rough time competing as the pinnacle platform. But I agree it will stick around and be a solid option for some time to come.
The list of college recruiters who dislike the DA rules and prefer ECNL is massive. ECNL will have far more success placing players in college then the DA. Their rate is mid to upper 80%. DA on the girls side wont touch that until you and I are long done with youth soccer - if at all.
Re: High School angle. I see this as similar to good kids/obsessive parents not wanting to play at Sockers bc they can’t load up their kids with 24/7 training with xyz elite soccer center or guest play with whomever they want. Some (right or wrong) won’t play at Sockers bc of this...or leave the club outright. But that clearly doesn’t stop the masses / aspiring stars to keep coming over to sockers FC. (Again speaking about boys side here)
I remember when DD nabbed a bunch of Sockers boys - 2 years in a row, all of whom were cut by by DA. Those two teams in 6 months were killing everyone and would have likely done the same to the Sockers DA teams they were cut from. My point being - if all the best kids go there - which they do, How do you know the success is so enormous? Not an argument - more of a discussion. I mean if you shipped them all to Fire or FCU would they end up in the YSSL in a year?
Boy....the DA publishes a list of the universities/colleges in attendance at their big events. (ie big winter/spring and playoffs in San Diego) Seeing that list I can’t think of one school that wasn’t on there that shouldn’t have been. All the powerhouses are there and most all the academic powerhouses are there and the really great small soccer schools are there too.... So maybe in terms of raw numbers ECNL has more, but in terms of quality it’s nearly impossible to have more.
My argument is - and I believe I am very right, that on the girls side you will not get the masses. Masses will go to ECNL. Boys the exact opposite however. Socially 2 very different creatures.
On the girls side, ECNL has them way covered. They are looking at more players at ECNL events then DA. A few coaches in your neck of the woods... "USSF will force colleges to attend DA events" [over ECNL]. Thats from 2 coaches director or higher. Again - draconian tactics to win the day. No thanks, I'll leave with my soul in tact I think that's what SK and TB are thinking So while it may change, right now the ECNL is very comfortable on the girls side. Again you are looking at 85-88% placement in D1/D2 with some $$$. I don't even know if there is another youth sport program that comes close to that frankly.
Don’t know about that. All I know is year in and out (from what I’m told) 1 or 2 great Eclipse kids come over and make the DA each year. Heard there was several this year across age groups. Meaning eventually the best ones come over/go to Fire. I can tell you this there are AMAZING players on Sockers (boys) team 2’s and even 3’s in many (most?) age groups.
That sounds so phony. USSF is going to make UNC, Fl St, UofF, Akron Stanford, ND, MIT, Princeton, all the big 10, SLU, INdiana U, etc etc etc go? Please. Just read the list of colleges that attend these big DA events. It’s the who’s Who... and this is on girls side. Not just boys. I’m sure ECNL has same cast of characters. I know Anson says he enthusiastically attends both.
Well then I guess two top Sockers coaches are full of shit. Why would they say that then - and laugh/smile about it? Not sure what else to tell you.