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**Unregistered** · 08-27-2019, 09:55 AM

Originally posted by Delusional View Post

Oh boy. Went to a tourney this weekend for mid level u14 boys. NEP - yikes, it is truly rec soccer.

There should only be one "competitive team" DA.

Everything else is rec.

Depends. NEP has so many levels that at the bottom...yes...it's akin to rec. At the top, I wouldn't consider that. If you include NPL into that equation, I definitely wouldn't consider that.

And, I think you are saying only DA is not? If so, you miss mentioning ECNL which is it's equal, and likely better in some instances.

But, how do YOU define "rec soccer"?

**Unregistered** · 08-27-2019, 10:03 AM

Let's look at "NEP" Soccer divisions:

NPL A
NPL B
Premiership
Premiership 1
Championship
League 1
League 2

Each division has 3-4 regions, with 8-12 teams each.

Some kids can't even complete a proper throw in, no one dribbles with their head up, terrible off the ball movement.

Lots of possession turnover, even at NPL level.

If DA/ECNL are the top in the U.S., this group is just varying levels of town soccer.

**Unregistered** · 08-27-2019, 10:11 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Let's look at "NEP" Soccer divisions:

NPL A
NPL B
Premiership
Premiership 1
Championship
League 1
League 2

Each division has 3-4 regions, with 8-12 teams each.

Some kids can't even complete a proper throw in, no one dribbles with their head up, terrible off the ball movement.

Lots of possession turnover, even at NPL level.

If DA/ECNL are the top in the U.S., this group is just varying levels of town soccer.

First--my daughter plays ECNL, so I have no agenda when it comes to NEP. That said--there are definitely quality players in the NPL and Premiership divisions in NEP. There is a huge range between teams that are NPL and League 1 or League 2. Not sure why you feel the need to label everything below ECNL/DA "rec". And if your kid doesn't play in NEP (it's not clear from your post), then why do you feel the need to make the statement at all?

**Unregistered** · 08-27-2019, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by Delusional View Post

Oh boy. Went to a tourney this weekend for mid level u14 boys. NEP - yikes, it is truly rec soccer.

There should only be one "competitive team" DA.

Everything else is rec.

Next year, you will change your tune. There will be MLS academy and everything else will be rec (not including the revs ... they will also still be rec ... that change will really flush them out).

**Unregistered** · 08-27-2019, 10:42 AM

Who cares as long as the kids are having fun?

**Unregistered** · 08-27-2019, 10:45 AM

Is it the level of play or the level of coaching/experience that differentiates between rec and "competitive" club? Most of the NEP organizations are professional with paid staff, facilities, etc. That is what you pay for in my opinion.

**Unregistered** · 08-27-2019, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Is it the level of play or the level of coaching/experience that differentiates between rec and "competitive" club? Most of the NEP organizations are professional with paid staff, facilities, etc. That is what you pay for in my opinion.

Not the OP, but if all that paid staff and facilities leaves us with the same level as those without...why bother?

Just for argument's sake. I'm not agreeing with the premise of the original poster.

**Unregistered** · 08-27-2019, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Next year, you will change your tune. There will be MLS academy and everything else will be rec (not including the revs ... they will also still be rec ... that change will really flush them out).

Please do share your source of this information.

**Unregistered** · 08-27-2019, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Please do share your source of this information.

This year is the pilot year ... next year it will be extended to additional age groups.

**Unregistered** · 08-27-2019, 11:12 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Please do share your source of this information.

http://www.ussoccerda.com/20190821-N...ra-for-Boys-DA

**Unregistered** · 08-27-2019, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Let's look at "NEP" Soccer divisions:

If DA/ECNL are the top in the U.S., this group is just varying levels of town soccer.

Then a substantial portion, if not a majority, of college soccer programs is populated with varying levels of very expensive town soccer.

**Unregistered** · 08-27-2019, 11:17 AM

Originally posted by Delusional View Post

Oh boy. Went to a tourney this weekend for mid level u14 boys. NEP - yikes, it is truly rec soccer.

There should only be one "competitive team" DA.

Everything else is rec.

My D plays "rec" and and just got a scholarship to play in college. Don't knock rec so fast.

**Unregistered** · 08-27-2019, 11:20 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

My D plays "rec" and and just got a scholarship to play in college. Don't knock rec so fast.

Harder, but definitely not impossible.

Good players will always be found.

Congrats for your daughter. I know of one playing at the top team in the country who also toiled in the "rec" girls league....