Clubs doing Both ECNL and USSDA

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Second girls DA expansion worrying for ECNL

Keep dreaming.

Article Written by Will Parchman
Published: July 12, 2016

There was never much of a chance the ECNL would be able to throw a velvet rope of exclusivity around its biggest, most prestigious clubs. As the girls Development Academy elbowed itself into the discussion about who develops the best and brightest in the country, there would always be some bleed-over.

For the ECNL, the task was always about limiting the damage and continuing to prop up the tenets of development that got them here. The latter is unassailable, buttressed by a massive number of U.S. YNT players and a seven-year history that’s given them unique perspective. Whatever U.S. Soccer does with its academy, it will never be able to usurp those hard-won lessons.

But the former is suddenly on shaky ground. Damage limitation in the form of defecting clubs is suddenly more untenable than ever.

The U.S. Soccer-led girls Development Academy made waves in early July by announcing 25 clubs had agreed to join for the 2017 season. It was the first wave of additions, and while it was an important stepping stone it didn’t tell us everything. PDA led the charge, and 60 percent of the NWSL was represented, but there were still some huge clubs left out of the mix. Were they abstaining, or were they simply biding their time?

After the first jab, U.S. Soccer came across with a haymaker on July 9. It announced it added 28 more clubs for the 2017-18 season, bringing the total to 53. And it emphatically answered the question as to whether the ECNL had something to worry about in its new club competition.

After this second wave of additions, the answer, emphatically, is yes. The ECNL has something to worry about. Here’s what we learned after the girls DA’s second significant round of expansion.

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I believe you are talking about the 13 & 14 year old boys at the Timbers Academy. (New age last year and without a national league to play in like the 15/16 & 17/18 boys). It follows they play u15 & u16 teams in the OYSA as it's one of the only leagues available until a national league is formed for this level of play.

When the Thorns GDA teams are formed US Soccer has mandated that the u14/15, u16/17 & u18/19 GDA teams only play in the US Soccer league. So, you and I won't be seeing those type of teams in the OYSA or ECNL league, just the top level US Soccer GDA league.

CU and FC Portland are OYSA & US Club affiliated programs just like all clubs in Oregon, so if your of the opinion the FC & CU teams that play in the mountain division, of the Northwest conference of the ECNL would also fair well in the OYSA, that's good to know. It's very easy to see the history of how those clubs fared in the OYSA and no collection of teams from THUSC, FC PDX or LOSC have every won 90% of their matches in the OYSA league records from Fall and spring season. The rare teams from those clubs that were OYSA champions came close to a 90% winning mark, you mention. But no club in Oregon from u11 to u19 has ever come close to a 90% winning mark vs all comers in the OYSA.

Maybe that's what the Thorns can create for just 3 teams in the GDA

Maybe the Thorns could create it if they could draw talent to the team and get quality coaching. Coaching was questionable in the first year - maybe it will get better this year.
But with the GDA requirements there will be a large percentage of top talent in Oregon that will not even look at the Thorns. The cost is 50% more than ECNL and (apparently this matters to some players) no participation in high school sports is allowed.
If the Thorns come close to winning a third of their games I will be shocked. They just are not set up to be successful.
ECNL teams are continuing to grow in rosters and talent after the bumps of the first year and will continue to be where the top talent in Oregon plays until GDA does something like give full travel sponsorship to the three teams. Then you will see top talent show up for tryouts. For now, though, Thorns Academy is on the ropes.

[Unregistered]

Maybe the Thorns could create it if they could draw talent to the team and get quality coaching. Coaching was questionable in the first year - maybe it will get better this year.
But with the GDA requirements there will be a large percentage of top talent in Oregon that will not even look at the Thorns. The cost is 50% more than ECNL and (apparently this matters to some players) no participation in high school sports is allowed.
If the Thorns come close to winning a third of their games I will be shocked. They just are not set up to be successful.
ECNL teams are continuing to grow in rosters and talent after the bumps of the first year and will continue to be where the top talent in Oregon plays until GDA does something like give full travel sponsorship to the three teams. Then you will see top talent show up for tryouts. For now, though, Thorns Academy is on the ropes.

Your right about the GDA club having a rope, it's slung right over the head and resting on the shoulders of the local DOC's at CU and FC PDX. Be gentle and quick. Thanks..Actually it can be quick there is just one DOC available for the rope now..