"Rich white kid sport..."

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They don't have bottomless budgets so they must prioritize. DA is their top choice, according to them, they will make an effort to get to USYS and US Club events if they can afford it and have the staffing to attend. Just the way it works.

They generally come to these events with a list of players they want to see. While sometimes showcases are mocked as "cattle calls", it's not quite an accurate description, as there is lots of previous contact between players and coaches, so they usually know who it is they are interested in, and want to see them in a game situation without the mistakes edited out of the footage. Occasionally an under-recruited player will get "discovered" at these sorts of things, especially if she plays for a smaller club that doesn't provide much if any assistance with recruiting; but that's less common at ECNL or GDA events, as clubs in both leagues do make player promotion a priority (and a selling point).

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College coaches watch all the levels at big ECNL or GDA showcases. People say College coaches don't watch showcase bracket in ECNL as well and it isn't the case. College coaches are looking for talent not teams, they troll all the events. Kinda like you GDA or ECNL trolls.

Truth. Colleges recruit players not teams. Great players will be recruited, regardless of league. We have Pac12 commits from Ecnl, Gda & Oysa. Congratulations to all the girls making it to the big time!

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College coaches watch all the levels at big ECNL or GDA showcases. People say College coaches don't watch showcase bracket in ECNL as well and it isn't the case. College coaches are looking for talent not teams, they troll all the events. Kinda like you GDA or ECNL trolls.

But they're there to see specific players, not really to window shop. You'll see more players at games against top teams (playoffs) more because there's more talent and players of interest. However, if they want to see a player has peaked their interest and is in the lower brackets they will still go (time permitting). They know not every kids has access to a quality team or even league.

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Most MLBers coming out of high school also usually get some kind of college paid for in their contracts, so why not if it doesn't work out .

That's what soccer needs desperately. Our 18 year olds that have pro potential find it very hard to pass up a quality college education for a risky career path and meager rookie pay. Give them some assurances and more would give it a go. International players are essentially pro by 16, 18 at the latest. Here from our 18-22 kids playing in college are slamming into developmental brickwalls. Each year the international divide grows greater and greater. Our youth teams up until U16-U17 actually do fairly well in international competitions. It's from U17+ that we nosedive.

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That's what soccer needs desperately. Our 18 year olds that have pro potential find it very hard to pass up a quality college education for a risky career path and meager rookie pay. Give them some assurances and more would give it a go. International players are essentially pro by 16, 18 at the latest. Here from our 18-22 kids playing in college are slamming into developmental brickwalls. Each year the international divide grows greater and greater. Our youth teams up until U16-U17 actually do fairly well in international competitions. It's from U17+ that we nosedive.

Of course, it would be nice if the NCAA were to relax its definition of amateur, so that people could try the pros (including signing a pro contract, hiring an agent, and doing all the other business things that professionals do as a matter of course), and if it doesn't work out, come back to play NCAA ball. I can understand insisting that college players be amateurs while playing in college, but no more treating amateur status like virginity--lose it and it's gone.

But the NCAA likes exploiting gullible teenagers and their families, and likes (at least for basketball and American football) being the gateway to the pros.

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They don't have bottomless budgets so they must prioritize. DA is their top choice, according to them, they will make an effort to get to USYS and US Club events if they can afford it and have the staffing to attend. Just the way it works.

Again: stop being a GDA troll. We had over 70 schools on our sidelines at our ECNL event in Seattle for CU03's. We have had all the big power 5 schools watching and we have 2 D1 committed. That is better then, or on par with any team in nation at 03 age group. Showcases bring College recruiters and it doesnt matter what level you play.

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Again: stop being a GDA troll. We had over 70 schools on our sidelines at our ECNL event in Seattle for CU03's. We have had all the big power 5 schools watching and we have 2 D1 committed. That is better then, or on par with any team in nation at 03 age group. Showcases bring College recruiters and it doesnt matter what level you play.

Two already committed? Wow!! What schools? Please do tell. Would love to know what offers were made this early on.

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Of course, it would be nice if the NCAA were to relax its definition of amateur, so that people could try the pros (including signing a pro contract, hiring an agent, and doing all the other business things that professionals do as a matter of course), and if it doesn't work out, come back to play NCAA ball. I can understand insisting that college players be amateurs while playing in college, but no more treating amateur status like virginity--lose it and it's gone.

But the NCAA likes exploiting gullible teenagers and their families, and likes (at least for basketball and American football) being the gateway to the pros.

No we don't need 24 year olds in college sports. Just guarantee the amount of scholarship they were promised by a school or at least a decent portion so they can go back to school at some point. In Europe if you want to go pro and it doesn't work out it won't cost you $150,000+ to go back to university. And if you make it to a decent level you'll make decent money, unlike MLS here.

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Again: stop being a GDA troll. We had over 70 schools on our sidelines at our ECNL event in Seattle for CU03's. We have had all the big power 5 schools watching and we have 2 D1 committed. That is better then, or on par with any team in nation at 03 age group. Showcases bring College recruiters and it doesnt matter what level you play.

You must of played some teams with high profile recruits.

It happens despite our talent pool.

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Two already committed? Wow!! What schools? Please do tell. Would love to know what offers were made this early on.

This is not early for top recruits.

Check out CU site if you would like to know where kids are committing. All commits are listed there. I dont think the family's of the young ladies would like this information shared over a blog.

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Hope should look into Jesuit HS aka Jesuit University. Admissions for top athletes, espescially white wealthy Catholic athletes are a guarantee.

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I know of a few OYSA club players (not ECNL or GDA) who have been scoped at ODP, Regional Camps. They WILL be recruited and offered scholarships at some point if they continue along their paths even without the same number of looks as a GDA/ECNL player.
In some ways their name recognition is BETTER than their GDA/ECNL counterparts. They have turned down the scholarships so its not about the money. Some select ECNL and GDA players are effectively on full rides (based on financial need) so there is opportunity out there but the parents and kids have to want to engage! Other sports are said to have the same barriers too but they are overlooked. Why is nobody bemoaning the 'lack of diversity in rowing, hockey or cross country running?? There are very few barriers to success in those sports yet rowers and long distance runners have little diversity representation. Isn't it possible that cultures have deep historical and embedded cultural attractions to sports ? Representation occurs slowly over time and are not so much as caused by barriers that are race restricted but rather come as a result of cultural norms and acceptance.

[Unregistered]

I know of a few OYSA club players (not ECNL or GDA) who have been scoped at ODP, Regional Camps. They WILL be recruited and offered scholarships at some point if they continue along their paths even without the same number of looks as a GDA/ECNL player.
In some ways their name recognition is BETTER than their GDA/ECNL counterparts. They have turned down the scholarships so its not about the money. Some select ECNL and GDA players are effectively on full rides (based on financial need) so there is opportunity out there but the parents and kids have to want to engage! Other sports are said to have the same barriers too but they are overlooked. Why is nobody bemoaning the 'lack of diversity in rowing, hockey or cross country running?? There are very few barriers to success in those sports yet rowers and long distance runners have little diversity representation. Isn't it possible that cultures have deep historical and embedded cultural attractions to sports ? Representation occurs slowly over time and are not so much as caused by barriers that are race restricted but rather come as a result of cultural norms and acceptance.

A lot has to do with professional opportunities in the sport. Hockey is a different story, obviiously, but the professional opportunities in rowing are next-to-nonexistent. The opportunities in distance running are a bit more, but it's mainly in sponsorship. (And distance runners have to spend a LOT of time training). Most competitors in either are there for the fun, not for the money. As such, even ignoring culture, they will tend to be biased to those who have lots of free time on their hands, same as any other leisure activity.

Those who are working 60-70 hours per week, coming home bone-tired to watch the kids and make dinner, and then stagger off to bed, generally aren't participating in sports at a high level.

Hockey is the exception on your list--it has long been associated with northern climates (and mostly-white populations); and especially in parts of the world where frozen lakes aren't available, it's expensive.

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She is making excuses, Look at ANY competitive sport or LIFE and you see the “haves” subsidizing the lazy, sorry I mean the less fortunate. Victims will always be victims, our nations mentality and identity has been lost. My family sacrificed and came to this country of better opportunity in the 80’s and were willing to work any and every job available while many turned their noses up and instead decided to go on unemployment. I am second generation from Romania who has worked my azz off to create a business and life for my family. For someone like hope solo who has been handed every opportunity and acted like a complete disgrace to be the “champion” of this cause is a joke. Stop limiting yourselves, stop making excuses and work, it’s not about rich white kids it’s about hard working dedicated parents who want to give their children opportunity. I know my sons team who is predominately upper class has financial aid and a group of parents who are more than willing to give kids opportunities that she says do not exist

[Unregistered]

I know of a few OYSA club players (not ECNL or GDA) who have been scoped at ODP, Regional Camps. They WILL be recruited and offered scholarships at some point if they continue along their paths even without the same number of looks as a GDA/ECNL player.
In some ways their name recognition is BETTER than their GDA/ECNL counterparts. They have turned down the scholarships so its not about the money. Some select ECNL and GDA players are effectively on full rides (based on financial need) so there is opportunity out there but the parents and kids have to want to engage! Other sports are said to have the same barriers too but they are overlooked. Why is nobody bemoaning the 'lack of diversity in rowing, hockey or cross country running?? There are very few barriers to success in those sports yet rowers and long distance runners have little diversity representation. Isn't it possible that cultures have deep historical and embedded cultural attractions to sports ? Representation occurs slowly over time and are not so much as caused by barriers that are race restricted but rather come as a result of cultural norms and acceptance.

Talented kids will be found regardless of location and financial resources. It’s the parents who’s kids lose spots to these kids that make the big deal, anyone know where hope solo came from?