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**Unregistered** · 02-28-2021, 08:00 AM

It's pretty consistent with what players are encountering, although in normal times not all programs carry rosters that large. Fighting for PT will always be there and some players won't be used to that cutthroat environment. But now there's few spots, bigger rosters, a lot less money out there and will be for a few years. Expectations will need a big adjustment. Targeting effectively will matter more than ever. "reach" programs will probably be really out of reach now, but you also need to have a big pool of good targets. It's not the time to be picky, but if you are then realize you may wind up disappointed. No matter what don't give too much on academics. You're not going pro, you're there for a good education and driving towards a career.

**Unregistered** · 02-28-2021, 12:44 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

It's pretty consistent with what players are encountering, although in normal times not all programs carry rosters that large. Fighting for PT will always be there and some players won't be used to that cutthroat environment. But now there's few spots, bigger rosters, a lot less money out there and will be for a few years. Expectations will need a big adjustment. Targeting effectively will matter more than ever. "reach" programs will probably be really out of reach now, but you also need to have a big pool of good targets. It's not the time to be picky, but if you are then realize you may wind up disappointed. No matter what don't give too much on academics. You're not going pro, you're there for a good education and driving towards a career.

It�s crazy how this has affected the landscape with ripple effects felt through the 2024 class. This Covid crap will destroy a lot of opportunities for the kids that have put in so much time effort and money to chase their dreams. It�s estimated that there will be about 30-50% less spots available and apparently budgets are being slashed as well. If this continues it will surely put a dent into the business proposition of youth soccer and spending thousands upon thousands of dollars. Hopefully we get out of Covid and turn the corner so this does not extend to the 2025, 2026 classes as well.

**Unregistered** · 02-28-2021, 12:50 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

It's pretty consistent with what players are encountering, although in normal times not all programs carry rosters that large. Fighting for PT will always be there and some players won't be used to that cutthroat environment. But now there's few spots, bigger rosters, a lot less money out there and will be for a few years. Expectations will need a big adjustment. Targeting effectively will matter more than ever. "reach" programs will probably be really out of reach now, but you also need to have a big pool of good targets. It's not the time to be picky, but if you are then realize you may wind up disappointed. No matter what don't give too much on academics. You're not going pro, you're there for a good education and driving towards a career.

Very accurate post and agree with there conclusion. The end game for 99.5% is a career after soccer.

**Unregistered** · 02-28-2021, 01:39 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Read the below on the Mass forum...interesting yet concerning analysis. Seems pretty detailed and on point.

I coach Women's Soccer at a D1 University and here are some roster/program facts (which would pretty much hold true at any school)

1) Most college rosters these days average between 26-32.
2) As a parent/player, I would be hesitant to consider any program with over 33 or 34. That is simply too many players to manage, and you may end up on the 'farm team'
3) We have never received "pressure" to recruit just to land more tuition dollars for the school (!?)
4) To train effectively at college level, it's necessary to be able to play full field. Even with a roster of 30, it's barely feasible at times (you may have 4 GKs, and half a dozen injured at any given time). We don't necessarily like having to manage 30 players, but it is necessary to create the most effective and functional training environment
5) Do the math----with 30 players, more will NOT play than do play. We can only put 11 on field

Some facts resulting from the 2020 Covid mess/extra year of eligibility:

1) The extra year will have significant impact for the 21s/22s/23s/24s
2) You would be very surprised how many parents ARE willing to pay money for an extra year because of how badly they feel for what these kids have been through. We had already committed a full slate of 2021s before shutdown and have no money to continue scholarships for any seniors yet 3 or 4 are going to stay for the Fall semester and pay for it themselves just to have another season.
3) There are currently 404 players in the D1 WSocc transfer portal and that number will be much higher when the spring season concludes in a couple months
4) Experience is KING. it's a no brainer for us to pay to have a four year seasoned 22yr old stay as opposed to bringing in an unproven 18 year old. Many of them are in situations where Mom and Dad are willing to pay for Grad school since they had a scholarship for undergrad OR some are getting underload waivers where they graduate and are just taking a class or 2, which doesn't cost much.
5) The situation is creating a logistical nightmare for us recruiting-wise as we try to project our depth charts for '23 and '24 classes. For example, if the current freshmen and sophomore players that we have and would want to stay do stay, we have 32 on our 2023 roster without having committed any 2023s yet!

My personal opinion is that this mess will create anywhere from 25% to 60% less total available roster spots across all programs through 2024.

Excellent post and one has to wonder what if any effect this will have on the business model of these �national� leagues? If the money and opportunities for playing college soccer decrease significantly- will parents still be willing to shell out the big bucks, time and travel for the national leagues?

**Unregistered** · 02-28-2021, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Excellent post and one has to wonder what if any effect this will have on the business model of these �national� leagues? If the money and opportunities for playing college soccer decrease significantly- will parents still be willing to shell out the big bucks, time and travel for the national leagues?

The tide is turning already as the COVID shutdown has truly exposed the whole business model of youth soccer. I already hear families talking more about finding not only more realistic but also more cost effective options. With decreasing opportunities the investment of thousands of dollars, not to mention time and effort spent, is just not as attractive as it used to be.

**Unregistered** · 02-28-2021, 02:52 PM

The NCAA is very poorly run organization and how they have handled Covid is par for the course.

**Unregistered** · 02-28-2021, 04:12 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Excellent post and one has to wonder what if any effect this will have on the business model of these �national� leagues? If the money and opportunities for playing college soccer decrease significantly- will parents still be willing to shell out the big bucks, time and travel for the national leagues?

I think Covid may put GAL in the coffin and/or another B level league. Given all the cutbacks, reduced opportunities, less stable economy I think families that say "100% this is what my kid wants" then they will look for stability, reliability and whatever gives their kid the best chances for college soccer. ECNL has been around 10 years now and survived the GDA onslaught. They deliver on college placements.

However, if they have any of the following then reconsidering the whole pricey club soccer thing may be in order:

more a B level player
isn't sure if they even want college soccer or if they do, are aspiring to lower level soccer programs
wants to play more for fun
a really good student (hello! merit$)
you don't need athletic $ (which btw is never, ever, ever a sure thing)

It's at this level the market is oversaturated: EDP, NPL, ECLR and GAL + even more options for the "I'm playing for fun and HS" player. Not all will make it, especially not with the prices and travel some have.

**Unregistered** · 02-28-2021, 09:02 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

I think Covid may put GAL in the coffin and/or another B level league. Given all the cutbacks, reduced opportunities, less stable economy I think families that say "100% this is what my kid wants" then they will look for stability, reliability and whatever gives their kid the best chances for college soccer. ECNL has been around 10 years now and survived the GDA onslaught. They deliver on college placements.

However, if they have any of the following then reconsidering the whole pricey club soccer thing may be in order:

more a B level player
isn't sure if they even want college soccer or if they do, are aspiring to lower level soccer programs
wants to play more for fun
a really good student (hello! merit$)
you don't need athletic $ (which btw is never, ever, ever a sure thing)

It's at this level the market is oversaturated: EDP, NPL, ECLR and GAL + even more options for the "I'm playing for fun and HS" player. Not all will make it, especially not with the prices and travel some have.

Wow an actual great post on here, very much spot on about an over saturated market. GAL competition has been a huge drop off vs old DA and certainly no where near ECNL. Why are players and clubs leaving by the day from GAL to ECNL??? They sure know the writing is on the wall. And so do college coaches.

**Unregistered** · 02-28-2021, 09:09 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Wow an actual great post on here, very much spot on about an over saturated market. GAL competition has been a huge drop off vs old DA and certainly no where near ECNL. Why are players and clubs leaving by the day from GAL to ECNL??? They sure know the writing is on the wall. And so do college coaches.

Then why cant the ecnl teams beat the lowly STA 16 and 17's at the SUSA tournament. afterall if all the players at GA are leaving, then surely it wouldn't be that hard.

another crack smoker!

**Unregistered** · 03-01-2021, 06:03 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Then why cant the ecnl teams beat the lowly STA 16 and 17's at the SUSA tournament. afterall if all the players at GA are leaving, then surely it wouldn't be that hard.

another crack smoker!

You again? You're putting way too much stock in a piddly winter event with only a few matchups in the middle of a pandemic. Yes there's some overlapping teams and players between lower level ECNL and GAL, but that's it. Head to head "most" ECNL teams beat GAL. Have fun driving to those Empire games though.

**Unregistered** · 03-01-2021, 08:38 AM

Some were not lower level ecnl teams at all. Quite the opposite.

**Unregistered** · 03-01-2021, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

You again? You're putting way too much stock in a piddly winter event with only a few matchups in the middle of a pandemic. Yes there's some overlapping teams and players between lower level ECNL and GAL, but that's it. Head to head "most" ECNL teams beat GAL. Have fun driving to those Empire games though.

Honestly , I'm just trying to understand, you make this proclamation but I don't see any evidence in local match ups, I'm not saying that GA is better than ecnl, quite the contrary, ecnl is the top platform, but other alternatives seem to do fine competitively against ecnl teams. and therefore, just as viable for recruiting purposes for college coaches.

you say must ECNL teams beat GA teams, I haven't seen anything to back up your statement and if these teams are actually competitive- meaning a one or two goal differential, then the college coaches that are looking at like kind players when making decisions for their schools.

**Unregistered** · 03-01-2021, 10:12 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

You again? You're putting way too much stock in a piddly winter event with only a few matchups in the middle of a pandemic. Yes there's some overlapping teams and players between lower level ECNL and GAL, but that's it. Head to head "most" ECNL teams beat GAL. Have fun driving to those Empire games though.

There's Blue then there's everyone else. There, I fixed it for you.