Questions to all ECNL parents who have daughters riding the pine

[Unregistered]

Here are some lessons learned from our daughter playing ECNL in Oregon:

1. If your daughter is not ranked 1-14, then don't pay for the program or the travel. Try to get an answer from the coach after tryouts on where he/she will rank your daughter.
2. The purpose of ECNL is to get players college soccer opportunities. We strongly believe that ECNL gives players the exposure (thru away games and showcases) they need for college. So, if your daughters are riding the pine, they will not get the exposure because the college coaches will not see your daughter play.
3. Oregon ECNL rosters range anywhere from 20 to 25 players but the coaches consistently play the #1-#14 players. Don't pay for a program where your daughter isn't getting the experience of playing at a high level. They are just used as practice players for players 1-14, but they won't be prepared for college level soccer because they aren't playing in the games.
4. If your ECNL daughter is riding the pine, like our daughter is, you are just subsidizing the costs for the #1-#14 players. If you see the roster sizes for the other ECNL clubs, you'll see at the most, 17 or 18 players. They are selective. it's a money grab for Oregon ECNL clubs.
5. Politics are quite heavy here in Oregon. We observed that some very talented players are riding the pine while some less talented ones are getting more playing time due to connections their parents have with the coaches. Work at Nike? Great, you're in! parent is on the board? Check, you're in. Rich family or your parents were some standout athlete? Great, you're in.

So, my questions, to all those ECNL families who have daughters as benchwarmers, what are you going to do for upcoming tryouts? Will you still move forward with the ECNL program even if your daughter isn't getting the experience in the games? What non-ECNL clubs will you try out for that has programs that travel to showcases and tournaments?

[Unregistered]

All of the above are true unfortunately and we have heard the same things about parent politics. Our daughter is not 1-14 but has played in a few games. We are looking at GDA option closely although she may not want to leave her friends.

[Unregistered]

Here are some lessons learned from our daughter playing ECNL in Oregon:

1. If your daughter is not ranked 1-14, then don't pay for the program or the travel. Try to get an answer from the coach after tryouts on where he/she will rank your daughter.
2. The purpose of ECNL is to get players college soccer opportunities. We strongly believe that ECNL gives players the exposure (thru away games and showcases) they need for college. So, if your daughters are riding the pine, they will not get the exposure because the college coaches will not see your daughter play.
3. Oregon ECNL rosters range anywhere from 20 to 25 players but the coaches consistently play the #1-#14 players. Don't pay for a program where your daughter isn't getting the experience of playing at a high level. They are just used as practice players for players 1-14, but they won't be prepared for college level soccer because they aren't playing in the games.
4. If your ECNL daughter is riding the pine, like our daughter is, you are just subsidizing the costs for the #1-#14 players. If you see the roster sizes for the other ECNL clubs, you'll see at the most, 17 or 18 players. They are selective. it's a money grab for Oregon ECNL clubs.
5. Politics are quite heavy here in Oregon. We observed that some very talented players are riding the pine while some less talented ones are getting more playing time due to connections their parents have with the coaches. Work at Nike? Great, you're in! parent is on the board? Check, you're in. Rich family or your parents were some standout athlete? Great, you're in.

So, my questions, to all those ECNL families who have daughters as benchwarmers, what are you going to do for upcoming tryouts? Will you still move forward with the ECNL program even if your daughter isn't getting the experience in the games? What non-ECNL clubs will you try out for that has programs that travel to showcases and tournaments?

Same exact questions for Thorns Academy/GDA? GDA will be the same situation only worse due to the strict limiting substitution rules, the fewer games played and no extra soccer allowed. No lower club team to play with, no hs, no guesting, no odp/id2, no clinics, no indoor, etc. And, Thorns GDA is only going to do 2 or 3 trainings/wk instead of the 4 trainings which was GDAs stated way of making up for less game time.

[Unregistered]

All of the above are true unfortunately and we have heard the same things about parent politics. Our daughter is not 1-14 but has played in a few games. We are looking at GDA option closely although she may not want to leave her friends.

I understand what you mean by your daughter doesn't want to leave her friends, but let's be honest here. Is the money for travel worth it just for your daughter to be with her friends? If you have the funds to burn, then continue to pay for that friendship opportunity, but if no, then stay away.

[Unregistered]

Here are some lessons learned from our daughter playing ECNL in Oregon:

1. If your daughter is not ranked 1-14, then don't pay for the program or the travel. Try to get an answer from the coach after tryouts on where he/she will rank your daughter.
2. The purpose of ECNL is to get players college soccer opportunities. We strongly believe that ECNL gives players the exposure (thru away games and showcases) they need for college. So, if your daughters are riding the pine, they will not get the exposure because the college coaches will not see your daughter play.
3. Oregon ECNL rosters range anywhere from 20 to 25 players but the coaches consistently play the #1-#14 players. Don't pay for a program where your daughter isn't getting the experience of playing at a high level. They are just used as practice players for players 1-14, but they won't be prepared for college level soccer because they aren't playing in the games.
4. If your ECNL daughter is riding the pine, like our daughter is, you are just subsidizing the costs for the #1-#14 players. If you see the roster sizes for the other ECNL clubs, you'll see at the most, 17 or 18 players. They are selective. it's a money grab for Oregon ECNL clubs.
5. Politics are quite heavy here in Oregon. We observed that some very talented players are riding the pine while some less talented ones are getting more playing time due to connections their parents have with the coaches. Work at Nike? Great, you're in! parent is on the board? Check, you're in. Rich family or your parents were some standout athlete? Great, you're in.

So, my questions, to all those ECNL families who have daughters as benchwarmers, what are you going to do for upcoming tryouts? Will you still move forward with the ECNL program even if your daughter isn't getting the experience in the games? What non-ECNL clubs will you try out for that has programs that travel to showcases and tournaments?

I have one more add to my post. More advice. The rosters are pretty much set for GDA and ECNL. The coaches already know before tryouts who they will be playing the entire year. If you dare try out for ECNL or GDA, be very careful. Ask the coach what positions they need the most help with. If they answer that they are looking for talented players in general that can play all positions, then they are avoiding your question. Do some research and ask other parents with GDA and ECNL where they believe the weaknesses are on the team. If your daughter plays one of those positions, then go for it. If GDA and ECNL already have strong players in the positions your daughter plays, then give up. It's not worth trying out GIVEN THE COACHES WE HAVE IN OREGON. They are too biased and cannot open opportunities to new players.

[Unregistered]

All of the above are true unfortunately and we have heard the same things about parent politics. Our daughter is not 1-14 but has played in a few games. We are looking at GDA option closely although she may not want to leave her friends.

If GDA is supposed to be at least as good as Ecnl and your dd rides the pine on Ecnl, why on God's earth would you think she'll play more on GDA? Don't forget GDA's strict substitution rules, no other soccer allowed & fewer games to boot.

[Unregistered]

If GDA is supposed to be at least as good as Ecnl and your dd rides the pine on Ecnl, why on God's earth would you think she'll play more on GDA? Don't forget GDA's strict substitution rules, no other soccer allowed & fewer games to boot.

My dd has played in some games. She's capable of more but we are finding we have to go outside the club for development.

[Unregistered]

If GDA is supposed to be at least as good as Ecnl and your dd rides the pine on Ecnl, why on God's earth would you think she'll play more on GDA? Don't forget GDA's strict substitution rules, no other soccer allowed & fewer games to boot.

I agree. If your daughter is not playing on her ECNL team, GDA should not be an option. You should be looking at your club team that may travel to an occasional showcase.

[Unregistered]

If GDA is supposed to be at least as good as Ecnl and your dd rides the pine on Ecnl, why on God's earth would you think she'll play more on GDA? Don't forget GDA's strict substitution rules, no other soccer allowed & fewer games to boot.

USDA is a branch of the US Soccer that builds an infrastructure for youth players that is tasked with developing future youth and adult national teams as well as MLS & NWSL Professional. Hence the word Academy.

ECNL is a league sponsored by US Club Soccer open to all clubs who apply and get accepted.

USDA is firmly placed as the top shelf for Boys since 2007, as the most competitive league in the country. Now the girls begin on this path of the US Soccer DA model across the USA.

It's an apples to oranges kind of discussion and the USDA doesn't lose when it comes to soccer.

[Unregistered]

USDA is a branch of the US Soccer that builds an infrastructure for youth players that is tasked with developing future youth and adult national teams as well as MLS & NWSL Professional. Hence the word Academy.

ECNL is a league sponsored by US Club Soccer open to all clubs who apply and get accepted.

USDA is firmly placed as the top shelf for Boys since 2007, as the most competitive league in the country. Now the girls begin on this path of the US Soccer DA model across the USA.

It's an apples to oranges kind of discussion and the USDA doesn't lose when it comes to soccer.

All good points. All the more reason for ECNL pine riders to look elsewhere.

[Unregistered]

USDA is a branch of the US Soccer that builds an infrastructure for youth players that is tasked with developing future youth and adult national teams as well as MLS & NWSL Professional. Hence the word Academy.

ECNL is a league sponsored by US Club Soccer open to all clubs who apply and get accepted.

USDA is firmly placed as the top shelf for Boys since 2007, as the most competitive league in the country. Now the girls begin on this path of the US Soccer DA model across the USA.

It's an apples to oranges kind of discussion and the USDA doesn't lose when it comes to soccer.

Thanks for not answering the question, academy intern. The question is why switch if you can't earn playing time on ECNL. With the clubs playing in the ECNL league, there's the option of at least getting playing time on their non-ECNL league teams. With thorns academy it's GDA games or bust.

[Unregistered]

USDA is a branch of the US Soccer that builds an infrastructure for youth players that is tasked with developing future youth and adult national teams as well as MLS & NWSL Professional. Hence the word Academy.

ECNL is a league sponsored by US Club Soccer open to all clubs who apply and get accepted.

USDA is firmly placed as the top shelf for Boys since 2007, as the most competitive league in the country. Now the girls begin on this path of the US Soccer DA model across the USA.

It's an apples to oranges kind of discussion and the USDA doesn't lose when it comes to soccer.

Spare me the "development" rhetoric, the Academy rhetoric, as well as the ECNL vs GDA controversy. We've had enough of Oregon coaches saying that they develop players. My daughter has played in both at the top levels and they both suck here in Oregon. I don't disagree with you that GDA is the future (not now!) but it is the path to go.

[Unregistered]

All of the above are true unfortunately and we have heard the same things about parent politics. Our daughter is not 1-14 but has played in a few games. We are looking at GDA option closely although she may not want to leave her friends.

If your daughter is not 1-14 at the ECNL level then all of the left overs at the DA will really be 14-30 so take your pick. Play with good players and get better or play of leftovers and mediocre talent at the DA.

[Unregistered]

Thanks for not answering the question, academy intern. The question is why switch if you can't earn playing time on ECNL. With the clubs playing in the ECNL league, there's the option of at least getting playing time on their non-ECNL league teams. With thorns academy it's GDA games or bust.

If you can't earn playing time on your current club team:

1. Stay at that club and hope those in front of you, leave your club teams for a better option like the new DA.

2. Leave club and find a better club fit where you are able to compete for a starting position.

3. Stay and work on your craft, become better at playing the game and do what the coach asks.

It's up to the player.

[Unregistered]

Pine Riders

All good points. All the more reason for ECNL pine riders to look elsewhere.

You must be one of the pine riders! The real question should be is your daughter that good? Or do i really want her to be that good? Or should we invest in fingerprinting classes.