3 thoughts. Sad to see all of the turmoil. I really have mixed feelings about it all. 007 really seems to have analyzed the situation pretty well. From my back ground in youth soccer in the late 1980s into the1990s I was sad then to see the model of parent run youth clubs be eclipsed by the rush to professionalize the clubs. This was mostly pushed by the formation of US Club Soccer which came across as power driven and in opposition to the long established USYSA structure. USYSA was sticking to a 30 year old model which was ripe for challenge, but I and many I knew felt that that there was parts of that culture which were very good for the players and families. (And I was very impressed with what AYSO was doing.) It appeared to me that US Club Soccer was the antithesis of what true development could be. The emphasis was on tournaments, winning, and paying coaches at professionalized clubs. The hype was on for consolidating the best players and pitching to ego driven parents. And then the ECNL was invented. for girls with a recruiting "platform" of showcase tournaments that would appeal to college coaches... all for the apparent purpose of advancing the goals of achieving wealthy prestigious clubs run by professionals. A national league no less! ...and the business plan worked... forcing the USYSA to respond to try to keep its players and families. It;s not that there were new top flight coaches coming in, the best coaches with USYSA teams were primary targets too. A very sour taste. Of course, change is always disruptive, but there are better or worse ways of doing it. I agree with those who have said that US Soccer's notion was to actually try to organize a development organization and put money into coach training and best practices, etc. But the clubs had the upper hand and of course resented the intrusion into their money machine. US Club soccer has proved to understand how to achieve "success". -That being by marketing an attractive package to parents' egos and wallets of national scope games, showcase tournaments for recruiting, all the while calling it "developmental". And all this continued to happen while the numbers of youth soccer players started to drop off about 4 or 5 years ago. And so it has been, and now there will undoubtedly be a wild scramble to see who takes the most spoils.... which may or not be related to the development of youth soccer players.
My thoughts on this after having a daughter in USYS NL and also ECNL and seeing the vast difference in college recruiting between the two is as follows. I think that recently college coaches (D1) focused on ECNL and DA. I witnessed that with the lack of coaches at NL events and the announced recruiting classes at college programs we were looking at for my daughter. Coaches could see enough quality with those two leagues (ECNL and DA) that there was not enough of a need or enough time to spread themselves out over three leagues. With the DA gone and ECNL not able to absorb every team or every quality player, the USYS NL will become a viable recruiting option as it was pre-DA. ECNL will still be top dog, but you will see college coach attendance pick up significantly at USYS events. Just my $.02.
My daughters team is a USYS National League Conference P1 team and we never had a shortage of coaches at showcase events. Whether it was the conference showcase weekends, or the Raleigh Showcase we did each year, we had a pretty good volume of coaches in attendance. Raleigh was by far the biggest recruiting opportunity and looking back at the last three years, we averaged 150 schools per year for the weekend (3 games). Some P5, and lots of Mid-Major, D2, D3 and NAIA. I would say half the coaches were D1. Our team is interesting because we have had 14 girls over the last 3 years leave the NL team opting for our clubs DA team (a handful left each year). Of those 14, 11 were verbally committed before joining DA, two 2021's verbally committed after joining DA and one 2021 is still undecided. That's 13 of 14 that are D1 signees or commits. For the 18 girls rostered on the 2019 NL Fall Season the current status breaks down as follows: 2020 2- D1 2- NAIA 2- D2 2 - No desire to play in college 2021 1- D1 (Verbal) 1- D3 (Verbal 8 - Undecided I realize that ECNL is probably better from a recruiting exposure standpoint, but if you look at the top 5 or 6 teams in our division, you will see a similar mix of commitments across the board. I wanted to share to show that there is definitely more than one path and it's not the end of the world to not play ECNL or DA.
Oh I don't think that ECNL will stay it's present size. It will expand as needed so as to capture all the money it can. It's all about money, prestige, and ego. And ECNL is nothing if not a thoroughly Pay for Play mentality. There is a clear rift in this country regarding youth soccer players from the hispanic, black, and rural communities when compared to the wealthy white suburbs where the gold mine is for families paying multiple thousands of dollars for their kids to play soccer. No money in the former so elite teams remain only token black, hispanic or rural. In the men's game, it is already showing at the highest level. The women will be next. The significant fall off of youth players coming into organized soccer has serious implications, and the model of rich prestigious clubs leads only to token reaching out to pick off the standouts. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/14/sports/world-cup/soccer-youth-decline.html I'm not sure if it is relevant, but it would appear that the new president of US soccer, Cindy Parlow, is moving quickly to support changes.
Oh I don't think that ECNL will stay it's present size. It will expand as needed so as to capture all the money it can. It's all about money, prestige, and ego. And ECNL is nothing if not a thoroughly a Pay for Play mentality. There is a clear rift in this country regarding youth soccer players from the hispanic, black, and rural communities when compared to the wealthy white suburbs where the gold mine is for families paying multiple thousands of dollars for their kids to play soccer. No money in the former so elite teams remain only token black, hispanic or rural. In the men's game, it is already showing at the highest level. The women will be next. The significant fall off of youth players coming into organized soccer has serious implications, and the model of rich prestigious clubs leads only to token reaching out to pick off the standouts. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/14/sports/world-cup/soccer-youth-decline.html I'm not sure if it is relevant, but it would appear that the new president of US soccer, Cindy Parlow, is moving quickly to support changes.
It helps if you actually go to the link. It’s not defunct, they announced the creation of a new league yesterday.
Not dead at all, and, unfortunately, it looks like the tradewinds generated by the bigger clubs that are now locked out of ECNL will blow the GDA boat-people ashore on GDA2.0 Island. Here we go again...
Interesting For 5 years up to 2017 averaging over 2 million in revenues per year. (How about the past two years?)
https://www.usyouthsoccer.org/new-us-youth-soccer-national-league-formats-and-showcases/ Smart move by US Youth Soccer and the National League. This provides clubs that don't get into ECNL or included in the new MLS structure a well run option for their GDA and DA teams. A lot of whom already have teams in the National League already.
007 or somebody.... What's the deal for being able to read any articles on Soccer Today? I clicked on the URL above to read the article and immediately got the Soccer Today page with the title of the article on the compass artwork, but that's it. I click on everything is sight and no joy. If I have to join or pay, there is nothing mentioned on the site about that. ...Frustration....
This article is written by a guest columnist The Impact of COVID-19 on Youth Soccer: Finding the simplicity and solution in all of the chaos. U.S. Soccer has dropped the ball on America’s most elite youth soccer program, designed to develop the best of our hand-picked young players. Leaving approximately 160 of America’s top youth soccer clubs who were awarded the privilege of a Development Academy (DA) to now have to move into different leagues. U.S. SOCCER CREATED THE FIRST AND MAYBE ONLY LEAGUE WHERE IT WAS HOUSING ALL THE TOP CLUBS UNDER ONE LEAGUE STRUCTURE WITH SELECTIONS BASED ON MERIT. These clubs who invested substantial money, and committed to the DA standards should be rewarded, recognized and not forgotten, ever. To reflect, a DA was awarded by U.S. Soccer on the basis of a youth soccer club’s structure, facilities, coaching staff, the overall capability to represent the ability to develop players and past successes. THE DA PUSHED THE COUNTRY TO BE BETTER AND HELD ALL TO A NEW STANDARD THAT WAS NOT AN ASK BUT A REQUIREMENT. U.S. Soccer, while they did not get everything right, did raise the standards and establish guidelines that were great for the game. One thing to note, all the clubs that were part of the DA still have the same existing structure, the exact facilities, the identical coaching staff, and are still more than capable of developing the best players in the country. While many were uncomfortable, all had to conform. When the U.S. Soccer Federation announced the DA Program was folding, it left the former DA clubs to decide which league to compete in next. This has left the clubs to individually determine their player development pathway, philosophy, their competitive values — and, what really matters. THE SUDDEN CLOSING OF THE DA IS FORCING THE YOUTH CLUBS TO NAVIGATE THE MURKY WATERS OF POLITICS ONCE AGAIN. With some clubs deciding to join leagues that are known, giving the security of the tested and familiar to their coaches, players and their families, others are exploring new opportunities in just-launched leagues created to fill the void left by the demise of the DA — and, there is no right or wrong. THERE IS NO LEAGUE THAT DETERMINES THE FUTURE OF A PLAYER. AND, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN. Titles and leagues don’t determine the future of a player. Players are made during the weeks of training. Players are made by the sheer fabric of their character. What is true is that players need opportunity — they need to be visible. What is also true is that players are able to find exposure when their teams participate in showcases around the country, or at college camps, and other programs that promote players. All leagues will create showcase opportunities for players. One benefit of the DA going away is greater flexibility to showcase players. The DA did not allow competition in events outside of their structure. WHAT IS CRITICAL AT THIS MOMENT IS THAT THE BEST INTEREST OF PLAYERS, TEAMS, AND COACHES ALIGN ALL WILL REBALANCE, RESHUFFLE AND REORGANIZE. We need to work through the pandemic and get back on the field. While the focus has been on a league that teams play in, we need to turn the focus to the core of where a player finds their way. Players are developed in the week, they perform on the weekend. Weekend competition is important, but playing a game is like taking a test. The games must provide challenging competition. Great coaching makes great players and great players will always find their way to the top. This has been proven for decades. Players that are of quality will always find their way. There is no formula and certainly not a league that players have to be in to make it to college, the national team or become a professional. WE NEED TO REALIZE IS THAT TITLES, LEAGUES, DO NOT EQUATE TO RECRUITMENT. Recruitment is about the marketing of the player and being ready in the moment, that moment inside a game, a college camp, or within training when the coach is on the sideline. The one thing we know is competition is needed and competition comes in all shapes and forms and whether it is USYS, US Club, ECNL or a new leagues, all youth soccer teams need to go out and compete. With the closure of the DA, we know that this country will have top talent spread across the country and not be one league. The landscape is now broken and the truth is we will have a lot of talent in a lot of pockets aligned under different leagues. ONE DAY IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE EVERY TEAM UNDER ONE UMBRELLA, IN ONE FLUID PYRAMID COMPETING AND LETTING THE CREAM RISE THE TOP. TRULY, THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW WHO IS THE BEST. The DA was a gift to the country and right now it is hard maybe for all of us to recognize or honor it, but what it did was select clubs on the basis of qualification, not on politics, regional loyalties and set a standard that all had to live by if they wanted to be a part of it. This forced the country to operate at a much higher standard. This country now has taken a step backward to a landscape divided. Teams playing in multiple leagues will not bring the best of the best together. Splintering talent all across the nation does not make it easier to scout nor help players develop. The true test lies inside the weekly training and the inner workings of a club and coach. A PARENT AND A PLAYER SHOULD UNDERSTAND AND BE EDUCATED ON THE PROCESS AND TRULY UNDERSTAND THE FUTURE, NOT JUST LOOK AT THE NOW. To answer the question, What does the demise of the DA mean to American youth soccer … it means temporary confusion, an opportunity for new leagues to form, new alignment and a chance to really reflect on what is important inside the game. In the homogenized DA world, the importance of the individual coach was diminished. All DA coaches had to have a minimum of a U.S. Soccer B License and the license level became more important than a coach’s experience, or their ability to connect and develop players. SOMEHOW WE LOST THE FOCUS ON THE COACH. THE IMPORTANCE OF GREAT COACHING. Now is the time to remember what is important; the quality of the youth soccer club, and the coaches who are coaching the players. Since it is the club’s coach who develops the player — the DA was just the structure they played in — we should remember what development is about. Great coaching supported by great youth soccer clubs. It is the professionalism and standards set by the individual club that hires and develops the coach that is important. The critical challenge going forward for a player and their family is to seek out those great clubs, and great coaches, where the standard rises above simply any single league. Join Our Mailing List For Regular
The DA may be gone, but youth clubs should be around. Or someone taking over. I know MLS will be taking over and they have their own youth clubs to manage. Hopefully they stick to helping the girls.
figure I share this on just how far willing to go; here's a 14 year old prospect named Bella who's family moved from Hawaii to LA cause it's more of an hotbed for soccer. Must be spending thousands of $$$ on pro trainers. Home schooling her guessing to save time cuz she wants to join the relatively low pay of womens pro soccer
Depends on who she plays for. If she is that good. In Europe the girls are recruited and playing for their clubs and national teams at the age of 15 or 16 years old. Even younger I believe. Sadly in NWSL they won't let girls play until they are 18. Unless they change the rules. Mia Hamm played for the national team at 15.
I don’t know how good she is in the pecking order, just showing how competitive soccer has become—-one of her personal trainers is Eddie Johnson, who played pro in Europe as well as made our NT in every age group, so you figure mucho dinero for his services. we’re turned woso into a sport for the wealthy. You can look at some of today’s top players; Christen Press resided in the inclusive neighborhood of Rolling Hills Estates. Jersey girls; Tobin Heath, Carly Lloyd & O’Hara grew up in an area who’s county is one of the ten richest in the US. Alex Morgan’s dad is/was an dentist. kinda reminded me of the story being told on my shabby state; arguably our best female soccer player ever—don’t think ever made it to the NT but at least made it to North Carolina U where she won a couple of NCAA titles—well her dad was an doctor who used to flew her out of state with his own private Cessna for personal practice with an NT member. How can u compete with that? lol
Not only she trained with a pro player Eddie Johnson, they obviously got that Dave Copeland trainer in the video who also trained Christen Press and Alex Morgan. Money helps, as long as you paid the right coaches to help your development. And if they do it right, they will become successful. Teams paying top dollar, sponsorship, etc. Even Lyon owner going after you like he did on Alex Morgan. I'm sure not all players did something similar going through the same path of paying their way to compete. Course its understandable that competition is so high in the states with hundreds of thousands of girls or even millions in this day and age to be at the top.
Mr. Soccer Beast does not “train” these top players. He pays them to be on his platform to sell his product so let’s be clear about that
Who is Mr Soccer Beast? Bella(our immediate subject) would be disqualified from NCAA ball if she was making money
Dave Copeland. I’m talking about professional players that he “trains”. Don’t worry, he would only charge you so no issue there
Someone named ACrom decided to create an account to come on here to take a piece out of BeastMode owner Copeland for whatever reason. That's love! Why begrudge folks that try to make a living in soccer? Lots of beastmode stuff is free and helpful to loads of players who are not paying for it. Even though it's mostly recycled stuff the Dutch and Germans developed in the 70s and 80s. (Weil Coerver could sue a lot of soccer folks for copyright infringement but likely he stole plenty of stuff as well) If you don't like it, don't pay, or follow or watch the videos. About the DA- A failure from the start with the ban on HS Soccer. People cheated and still played HS while others tried to honor the rule. A mess. I do not understand some soccer people's complete disdain (even hatred) of HS and even college soccer. I never even thought the ECNL was necessary and you'll see how they had already started to regionalize their league. So, regional league play with a National Championship and the best of the best meeting at a few select events throughout the year. Sounds a lot like the same old USYSA system. The club-based ecnl model just gives more power (and so money) to the clubs at the sacrifice of those really weaker age groups (or really strong teams) that don't get as many good competitive games as they could in a team-based competition. The ecnl marketing machine has brain-washed lots of folks to keep writing checks, and they will continue.