ECNL threatened?

[Unregistered]

Does anyone really understand the business model of ECNL? The foundation of the league was founded by bringing in the TOP most successful clubs regionally. Not looking for smaller clubs/teams but rather large clubs with successful programs. The principle of less is better is what makes them the league of choice. The best players in NJ would test themselves against other players of similar qualities. PDA Dre players in from not only every corner of the State but PA & DE. That is what ECNL wants not handing out franchises to smaller market clubs like SJEB & PDA South. Those players who are not competitive enough for a PDA ECNL program would then go to these other clubs to flourish in an environment conducive to there level of play. I say this knowing that parents will get upset but that’s reality and what ECNL is about. Parents want to know how there daughters would do competing against this program then show up at tryouts and stand out. That’s your in with these clubs. No different then when you attend a college clinic & camp. Showing your abilities, athleticism, skills & technical abilities is what it’s all about. Parents keep hoping that ECNL will add these other clubs and that will not happen if that will dilute the marketplace or add lessor talented clubs who are not competitive enough regionally. Clubs like Penn Fusion & NEFC rightfully belong but that might not happen because of the influence of Board members PDA & FC Stars.

Your logic gets lost when you say top clubs and then say Matchfit, bucks and delco.

It’s not about best clubs. It’s about most cash. Coming from PDA which does have the most talent. The training is just not better then other clubs. They would be smart to look at these bad clubs and replace or demote them to lower level.

[Unregistered]

having an alternative to ECNL seems like a good idea on the face of it, but honestly i would just love a clear pyramid with promotion/relegation. that way you know where your kid and team stand at all times in terms of competition that they're facing. you would also better be able to compare teams (along with all the other things that go into a potential move) to see if it's worth it. having a half dozen "top leagues" is a bad idea.

This “new” league will be same ol business model only even further watered down than the old DA. If you think ECNL players would move to this you must be smoking something. This is yet another $ grab and this time the clubs will control everything so all decisions will be pure business.

[Unregistered]

Your logic gets lost when you say top clubs and then say Matchfit, bucks and delco.

It’s not about best clubs. It’s about most cash. Coming from PDA which does have the most talent. The training is just not better then other clubs. They would be smart to look at these bad clubs and replace or demote them to lower level.

I disagree about most cash. It’s about quality if you look at the founding clubs in ECNL. BTW, successful business models means success and cash and that’s a good thing. In fact because of the success of a club like ECNL they are able to afford scholarships to those quality players that could not affford the club fees. Your example of those 3 clubs are perfect examples of why ECNL should never let in smaller clubs. I agree there should be relegation for those clubs who do not meet the high competitive standards that ECNL wants around the Region. The less the better and therefore the most competitive will be gathered in one location instead of a few clubs. Having a roster of 20 or more on a team where you have maybe 3-5 players who are at that high level then having another 8-10 players who are moderate at best with the back end of a roster who “pay to play” does not make for a competitive atmosphere. The players get it, it’s the parents who don’t. Too many parents who live vicariously through there kids and think there kid is P5 D1 quality. Just saying “it is what it is”. Nothing wrong with these other clubs not in ECNL it’s the parents who see it as lessor.

[Unregistered]

If ussf GDA could not get it done with their millions and their NT camp prizes that they had to hand out, not sure a new venture will fare any better.

[Unregistered]

If ussf GDA could not get it done with their millions and their NT camp prizes that they had to hand out, not sure a new venture will fare any better.

Very true words spoken here...all that $$ not available anymore do the new clubs will have to pony up which means pass the cost onto you the consumer. Just to build their product! All of you should be getting a major discount for being guinea pigs....good luck.

[Unregistered]

If ussf GDA could not get it done with their millions and their NT camp prizes that they had to hand out, not sure a new venture will fare any better.

Did anyone read the press release? The difference is this new league will allow high school soccer and allow more liberal substitution rules. That’s a big deal and was a deal breaker with US Soccer/GDA.

[Unregistered]

Thanks!

[Unregistered]

Did anyone read the press release? The difference is this new league will allow high school soccer and allow more liberal substitution rules. That’s a big deal and was a deal breaker with US Soccer/GDA.

just manage your expectations.

[Unregistered]

True but loving the look of this new league.

[Unregistered]

Does anyone really understand the business model of ECNL? The foundation of the league was founded by bringing in the TOP most successful clubs regionally. Not looking for smaller clubs/teams but rather large clubs with successful programs. The principle of less is better is what makes them the league of choice. The best players in NJ would test themselves against other players of similar qualities. PDA Dre players in from not only every corner of the State but PA & DE. That is what ECNL wants not handing out franchises to smaller market clubs like SJEB & PDA South. Those players who are not competitive enough for a PDA ECNL program would then go to these other clubs to flourish in an environment conducive to there level of play. I say this knowing that parents will get upset but that’s reality and what ECNL is about. Parents want to know how there daughters would do competing against this program then show up at tryouts and stand out. That’s your in with these clubs. No different then when you attend a college clinic & camp. Showing your abilities, athleticism, skills & technical abilities is what it’s all about. Parents keep hoping that ECNL will add these other clubs and that will not happen if that will dilute the marketplace or add lessor talented clubs who are not competitive enough regionally. Clubs like Penn Fusion & NEFC rightfully belong but that might not happen because of the influence of Board members PDA & FC Stars.

Blah blah blah. As long as better clubs are excluded and inferior clubs stay; and Board Members put in two clubs when deserving clubs have none, this is about lining the Board's pockets. It's everything that is wrong with ECNL, and youth soccer in general.

[Unregistered]

Did anyone read the press release? The difference is this new league will allow high school soccer and allow more liberal substitution rules. That’s a big deal and was a deal breaker with US Soccer/GDA.

IF, and this is a big IF, it comes down as they are discussing, they are taking the biggest concerns by clubs and parents and eliminating much of them.

Less long, unnecessary travel, allowing HS, more liberal substituting rules.

[Unregistered]

Very true words spoken here...all that $$ not available anymore do the new clubs will have to pony up which means pass the cost onto you the consumer. Just to build their product! All of you should be getting a major discount for being guinea pigs....good luck.

Not much guinea pigging going on (side note, did ECNL offer discounts when they broke away and formed something for the "Elite" family? No, they charged more for the privilege).


But, otherwise, it takes what worked for GDA and kept it; and replaced what didn't. The complaints from the masses have been heard and responded to.

Now, we'll just start to see different complaints from those with an agenda

[Unregistered]

You hit the nail on the head. Doesn’t ECNL have the feel of an outdated league already with this fresh new league coming? FC Bucks, Delco???? Lol

Blah blah blah. As long as better clubs are excluded and inferior clubs stay; and Board Members put in two clubs when deserving clubs have none, this is about lining the Board's pockets. It's everything that is wrong with ECNL, and youth soccer in general.

[Unregistered]

Not for nothing, but my daughter has already had three players reach out ex-teammates who left due to HS (two on a Club's second team, another in the Regional League) about coming back with the news.

I don't ever see the top clubs in ECNL ever being threatened. The secondary, tertiary clubs, possibly (to reiterate: POSSIBLY).

[Unregistered]

This "New League" which is so well thought out, that it doesn't have a name or a list of clubs that will participate in it, wants to offer what ECNL has been offering for 10 years now. The travel will be the same. What is the difference? If I play at STA, I'm still traveling to Pennsylvania to play Penn Fusion. I still have to go to CT and Boston. Please tell me the difference, other than you will not have amazing events to go to. Will you get into the top flight at the biggest tournament for Girls in NJ? No.

Don't make this no name league to be anything other than a glorified division of EDP