Why did Stars ECNL do so badly down in Florida

[Unregistered]

It's almost like the "years ago" system was pretty good.

Years ago -- with the usysa system -- you played in your local league, you did mostly local or in state tournaments and maybe one "travel" tournament up until about u13. Then you did the same thing and added in State Cup and the top 6-8 teams played in the Regional League. State Cup winners advanced to regionals and nationals (if they won). There were still big tournaments -- mostly in the winter and early Spring - and if your team was good you certainly could find some to play in.

Even back then though -- it was apparent that only about 5-10 teams, at most, in any age group for each region were capable of giving a good game at all times to any team. That has not changed over the years. The big difference is that the Regional leagues have become DAs and GAs and ECNLs and the travel has gotten way more extensive and way more expensive. And, frankly, there is far less need for any sort of extensive travel anymore for recruiting purposes as coaches can much more easily see players remotely now than they ever could in the late 90s and early 2000s.

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=Unregistered;2938020]It's almost like the "years ago" system was pretty good.

Years ago -- with the usysa system -- you played in your local league, you did mostly local or in state tournaments and maybe one "travel" tournament up until about u13. Then you did the same thing and added in State Cup and the top 6-8 teams played in the Regional League. State Cup winners advanced to regionals and nationals (if they won). There were still big tournaments -- mostly in the winter and early Spring - and if your team was good you certainly could find some to play in.

Even back then though -- it was apparent that only about 5-10 teams, at most, in any age group for each region were capable of giving a good game at all times to any team. That has not changed over the years. The big difference is that the Regional leagues have become DAs and GAs and ECNLs and the travel has gotten way more extensive and way more expensive. And, frankly, there is far less need for any sort of extensive travel anymore for recruiting purposes as coaches can much more easily see players remotely now than they ever could in the late 90s and early 2000s.[/

College coaches attending national showcases and signing players from regional/national leagues is why they thrive. If college coaches stop going to showcases and signing the bulk of their players from these leagues, they will cease to exist. That’s what drives the market.

[Unregistered]

The best landscape would be open competition to play in the strongest league and not because of club association. That would allow every team to earn its ability to compete and showcase itd talent. We have equally competitive teams in MA that are separated by leagues built on greed and self interest. US Soccer has failed youth club soccer.

You know we had that right? Greed and self-interest go both ways.
In the open promo-rele system players would scramble and abandon teams each year. Because of this coaches had to win at u12 and made very poor developmental decisions. Stop yelling at clouds. Parents like the perception of stability, preservation of elite club status, illusion that this is all better for player development and the continuity that builds “family” amongst core team members

[Unregistered]

USSF abandoned girl's/women's soccer over a decade ago by only creating boys DA and not girls. Maybe USSF did not see girl's soccer as a good investment. Dropping the ball on girl's soccer gave way for club owners to band together to create ECNL and offer a more competitive league. This league is exclusive to only 2 clubs but controlled in MA by 1. One club has the upper hand on every other MA based club. How is this good for player development, and how is this good for the soccer landscape? A USSoccer sponsored league should not be owned and run by self-interested club owners.

There should only be one league run independently of club owners where anyone can enter a team to compete. Every team should be able to compete to play against the top level of competition and ranked accordingly. Having league run independence would bring a fair standard, fairness, and accountability across the board to all clubs and players. Clubs that develop players the best would benefit by attracting players to their program, which is the way it should be.

You know we had that right? Greed and self-interest go both ways.
In the open promo-rele system players would scramble and abandon teams each year. Because of this coaches had to win at u12 and made very poor developmental decisions. Stop yelling at clouds. Parents like the perception of stability, preservation of elite club status, illusion that this is all better for player development and the continuity that builds “family” amongst core team members

[Unregistered]

USSF abandoned girl's/women's soccer over a decade ago by only creating boys DA and not girls. Maybe USSF did not see girl's soccer as a good investment. Dropping the ball on girl's soccer gave way for club owners to band together to create ECNL and offer a more competitive league. This league is exclusive to only 2 clubs but controlled in MA by 1. One club has the upper hand on every other MA based club. How is this good for player development, and how is this good for the soccer landscape? A USSoccer sponsored league should not be owned and run by self-interested club owners.

There should only be one league run independently of club owners where anyone can enter a team to compete. Every team should be able to compete to play against the top level of competition and ranked accordingly. Having league run independence would bring a fair standard, fairness, and accountability across the board to all clubs and players. Clubs that develop players the best would benefit by attracting players to their program, which is the way it should be.

US women have been dominate internationally for years. US Soccer didn’t abandon girls soccer, they left it alone because it was already thriving. Men’s soccer in this country has been lagging internationally, US soccer tried to change the development for boys to be more like Europe. Bottom line, ECNL filled a gap and succeeded. It continues to serve it’s purpose, with minimal changes, so it continues to flourish.

[Unregistered]

The poster you’re responding to has to be a frustrated owner of a 3rd tier club.
At least he acknowledges US Soccer messed up, but he prefers to paint the clubs as “greedy” for what you call filing a gap. I’m on your side, the clubs, and JD in particular made a big bet on girls soccer. Now that its paid off he thinks they should just let others in. Who’s being greedy?

[Unregistered]

USSF abandoned girl's/women's soccer over a decade ago by only creating boys DA and not girls. Maybe USSF did not see girl's soccer as a good investment. Dropping the ball on girl's soccer gave way for club owners to band together to create ECNL and offer a more competitive league. This league is exclusive to only 2 clubs but controlled in MA by 1. One club has the upper hand on every other MA based club. How is this good for player development, and how is this good for the soccer landscape? A USSoccer sponsored league should not be owned and run by self-interested club owners.

There should only be one league run independently of club owners where anyone can enter a team to compete. Every team should be able to compete to play against the top level of competition and ranked accordingly. Having league run independence would bring a fair standard, fairness, and accountability across the board to all clubs and players. Clubs that develop players the best would benefit by attracting players to their program, which is the way it should be.

Thanks for history lesson that we all knew. As to your 2nd paragraph i leave the same response: “You know we had that right? Greed and self-interest go both ways.
In the open promo-rele system players would scramble and abandon..... (go back and read)

Nothing you said about what YOU think “should” happen contradicted nor informed the conversation re why the market (parents) supported what DID happen,

[Unregistered]

The poster you’re responding to has to be a frustrated owner of a 3rd tier club.
At least he acknowledges US Soccer messed up, but he prefers to paint the clubs as “greedy” for what you call filing a gap. I’m on your side, the clubs, and JD in particular made a big bet on girls soccer. Now that its paid off he thinks they should just let others in. Who’s being greedy?

It obviously grew into something bigger than, perhaps, even he expected. Im sure other clubs/directors in different regions are in the same position as him. Will any of them ever relinquish control? Of course not. It’s definitely not fair...typical American fairytale.

[Unregistered]

It obviously grew into something bigger than, perhaps, even he expected. Im sure other clubs/directors in different regions are in the same position as him. Will any of them ever relinquish control? Of course not. It’s definitely not fair...typical American fairytale.

Can you explain what you mean by fair? And fair for whom?
Personally i think it is more than fair that the clubs who took the risk, made the investment, and listened to needs of the payers (parents seeking college pathway) get to reap the rewards of what they built. I don’t think it fair in the least to expect them to mow relinquish control and cede share to competitors. Why should they?

[Unregistered]

US women have been dominate internationally for years. US Soccer didn’t abandon girls soccer, they left it alone because it was already thriving. Men’s soccer in this country has been lagging internationally, US soccer tried to change the development for boys to be more like Europe. Bottom line, ECNL filled a gap and succeeded. It continues to serve it’s purpose, with minimal changes, so it continues to flourish.

Agree with your comments on the boys/men side, but if everything was so good on the women’s side then why did US Soccer form the girls DA? Cynically you can say it was money, but there must have been a fear that the women’s game could fall behind as well. Not calling out leagues, but someone on the coaching side at USWNT must have been looking at what they were seeing on the field and wanting something different.

[Unregistered]

Agree with your comments on the boys/men side, but if everything was so good on the women’s side then why did US Soccer form the girls DA? Cynically you can say it was money, but there must have been a fear that the women’s game could fall behind as well. Not calling out leagues, but someone on the coaching side at USWNT must have been looking at what they were seeing on the field and wanting something different.

GDA was formed during the USWNT fight for equal pay and equal working conditions. Didn’t look good for US Soccer that they had created boys DA a decade earlier and completely ignored the girls side.

[Unregistered]

GDA was formed during the USWNT fight for equal pay and equal working conditions. Didn’t look good for US Soccer that they had created boys DA a decade earlier and completely ignored the girls side.

Yup. DA had nothing to do with quality of player pipeline.
Money mattered too. It’s not cynical, its logical

[Unregistered]

Can you explain what you mean by fair? And fair for whom?
Personally i think it is more than fair that the clubs who took the risk, made the investment, and listened to needs of the payers (parents seeking college pathway) get to reap the rewards of what they built. I don’t think it fair in the least to expect them to mow relinquish control and cede share to competitors. Why should they?

Exactly...that’s my point. Why should they? They shouldn’t and they won’t. That’s what I meant by describing it as the “American Fairytale.” As are all things in life everything’s not fair and the early bird gets the worm. Is it fair that other leagues are shut out? Perhaps. But until money isn’t the driving force (as it is in all industries) it will stay the way it is.

[Unregistered]

It’s time that US Soccer step in the right way and create a league that is open to every club, every coach, and every player. Lay the platform and partner with all clubs soccer organizations. Their goal should be to advance US Soccer as a whole. No club should own a league, and that’s why we have this issue. USSF, do your job.

Thanks for history lesson that we all knew. As to your 2nd paragraph i leave the same response: “You know we had that right? Greed and self-interest go both ways.
In the open promo-rele system players would scramble and abandon..... (go back and read)

Nothing you said about what YOU think “should” happen contradicted nor informed the conversation re why the market (parents) supported what DID happen,

[Unregistered]

It’s time that US Soccer step in the right way and create a league that is open to every club, every coach, and every player. Lay the platform and partner with all clubs soccer organizations. Their goal should be to advance US Soccer as a whole. No club should own a league, and that’s why we have this issue. USSF, do your job.

We live in a capitalist society, that’s simply not an option. US Soccer tried to start leagues and they failed financially. To prohibit private parties from conducting business in youth sports isn’t legal.