Not enough tried out for Thorns to post U15/U17 selections???

[Unregistered]

So many lies to unpack.

The fact is neither GDA nor ECNL nor state YSA leagues can claim to have a monopoly on the best teams and players in the country. The quality is hopelessly diluted. All 3 organizations have top players and teams. All 3 organizations have bottom feeders that are "elite" in name only and (let's be frank) are there to fill a league numbers minimum or underwrite expenses for the important teams. GDA is no different or better than the others.

In addition, neither GDA nor ECNL nor state YSA leagues have a monopoly on motivated kids pushing themselves to a higher level. There are plenty of players in all 3 leagues who are very motivated and work very hard to reach their potential. There are also plenty of players in all 3 leagues who are only there because their parents are pushing them, or their friends are on the team, or they like the status of a GDA or ECNL patch or playing on the "elite" team in their town.

Last lie - I was at state cup finals with an older team and counted plenty of college coaches there for the older age groups. They most certainly do care. 00, 01, and 02 OYSA girls have offers at the same rate as GDA and ECNL programs. Slapping a patch on your kid's sleeve doesn't make her more attractive to higher level coaches. Her play on the field does. Don't believe me? Look at the D3 and D2 rosters in the PNW - you'll see they are loaded with players from ECNL and GDA programs. Look at the D1 commits in the PNW - you'll see plenty of OYSA and WYSA players listed. I'll repeat - slapping a patch on your kid's sleeve doesn't make her any more attractive to higher level coaches. Her play on the field does.

It's a shame that you are so blindly caught up in rabidly defending one program that you don't see the obvious in front of you.

You are trying way too hard, put your kid in ECNL if she wants to play for a top program.

[Unregistered]

So many lies to unpack.

The fact is neither GDA nor ECNL nor state YSA leagues can claim to have a monopoly on the best teams and players in the country. The quality is hopelessly diluted. All 3 organizations have top players and teams. All 3 organizations have bottom feeders that are "elite" in name only and (let's be frank) are there to fill a league numbers minimum or underwrite expenses for the important teams. GDA is no different or better than the others.

In addition, neither GDA nor ECNL nor state YSA leagues have a monopoly on motivated kids pushing themselves to a higher level. There are plenty of players in all 3 leagues who are very motivated and work very hard to reach their potential. There are also plenty of players in all 3 leagues who are only there because their parents are pushing them, or their friends are on the team, or they like the status of a GDA or ECNL patch or playing on the "elite" team in their town.

Last lie - I was at state cup finals with an older team and counted plenty of college coaches there for the older age groups. They most certainly do care. 00, 01, and 02 OYSA girls have offers at the same rate as GDA and ECNL programs. Slapping a patch on your kid's sleeve doesn't make her more attractive to higher level coaches. Her play on the field does. Don't believe me? Look at the D3 and D2 rosters in the PNW - you'll see they are loaded with players from ECNL and GDA programs. Look at the D1 commits in the PNW - you'll see plenty of OYSA and WYSA players listed. I'll repeat - slapping a patch on your kid's sleeve doesn't make her any more attractive to higher level coaches. Her play on the field does.

It's a shame that you are so blindly caught up in rabidly defending one program that you don't see the obvious in front of you.

The original post was a response to the ECNL refrain that you should pick ECNL because they are currently winning a lot. Should have said “on average” because that is more accurate. I agree that talent is spread about.

[Unregistered]

Loss after loss has to be hard. Especially with all the best teams leaving for ECNL.

Good preparation for later in life.

Top teams from Washington and SoCal are leaving for ECNL. NoCal was always ECNL.

[Unregistered]

Losing a lot tends to have a psychological effect over time. So much losing can really mess with the mind. Hopefully the kids don’t get too bothered by it.

Thorns teams getting a good dose of losing.

[Unregistered]

Timbers are a pro team and don’t want to monkey around with kiddie soccer. The level of drama has to be high. Owner and GM of Timbers probably sick of parents calling to complain.

Thorns now run by Eastside or west side.

[Unregistered]

Top teams from Washington and SoCal are leaving for ECNL. NoCal was always ECNL.

The gda league should just have the Portland teams play in OYSA. Are you listening GDA? This would be a great fit.

[Unregistered]

The gda league should just have the Portland teams play in OYSA. Are you listening GDA? This would be a great fit.

They did do that for a while. They went years with very little college action.

[Unregistered]

The gda league should just have the Portland teams play in OYSA. Are you listening GDA? This would be a great fit.

OYSA Clubs CU & FC portland should just have all their teams play in the OYSA & pick a couple tournaments/showcases for the teams that want some travel.


This travel league thing is the biggest waste of money & time ever contrived by a neighborhood OYSA club. Are the parent's on the board of directors even listening to the LOI announcements after all the travel is done? Seriously, doing all this useless travel, to then have to go spend thousands at non athletic scholarship DIII teams is simply lunacy. Where is the oversight/leadership at these clubs?

[Unregistered]

OYSA Clubs CU & FC portland should just have all their teams play in the OYSA & pick a couple tournaments/showcases for the teams that want some travel.


This travel league thing is the biggest waste of money & time ever contrived by a neighborhood OYSA club. Are the parent's on the board of directors even listening to the LOI announcements after all the travel is done? Seriously, doing all this useless travel, to then have to go spend thousands at non athletic scholarship DIII teams is simply lunacy. Where is the oversight/leadership at these clubs?

This might be the most accurate post I've ever read on this Forum. Thank you.

[Unregistered]

OYSA Clubs CU & FC portland should just have all their teams play in the OYSA & pick a couple tournaments/showcases for the teams that want some travel.


This travel league thing is the biggest waste of money & time ever contrived by a neighborhood OYSA club. Are the parent's on the board of directors even listening to the LOI announcements after all the travel is done? Seriously, doing all this useless travel, to then have to go spend thousands at non athletic scholarship DIII teams is simply lunacy. Where is the oversight/leadership at these clubs?

Some people like designer clothes.

Some people like luxury automobiles.

Some people like flashy jewelry.

Some people like fine wine.

Some people like big mansions.

Some people like Ivy League educations.

Some people like travel soccer.


The whole point of bling is that not everyone can afford it.

[Unregistered]

Thorns should just have all their teams play in the OYSA & pick a couple tournaments/showcases for the teams that want some travel.


This travel league thing is the biggest waste of money & time ever contrived. Are the parent's on the board of directors even listening to the LOI announcements after all the travel is done? Seriously, doing all this useless travel, to then have to go spend thousands at non athletic scholarship DIII teams is simply lunacy. Where is the oversight/leadership?

[Unregistered]

This might be the most accurate post I've ever read on this Forum. Thank you.

Well, you wrote it so pat yourself on the back really hard.

[Unregistered]

Some people like designer clothes.

Some people like luxury automobiles.

Some people like flashy jewelry.

Some people like fine wine.

Some people like big mansions.

Some people like Ivy League educations.

Some people like travel soccer.


The whole point of bling is that not everyone can afford it.

Blingo!

[Unregistered]

The gda league should just have the Portland teams play in OYSA. Are you listening GDA? This would be a great fit.

They would kill everyone.

[Unregistered]

Thorns should just have all their teams play in the OYSA & pick a couple tournaments/showcases for the teams that want some travel.


This travel league thing is the biggest waste of money & time ever contrived. Are the parent's on the board of directors even listening to the LOI announcements after all the travel is done? Seriously, doing all this useless travel, to then have to go spend thousands at non athletic scholarship DIII teams is simply lunacy. Where is the oversight/leadership?

This is a great idea. Someone should pass this along to Merritt and Gavin. Unless they are on here reading this right now? Let's do this boys.