Looks who is leaving DA for ECNL

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https://www.socceramerica.com/public...ree-major.html

PDA, Michigan Hawks and Stars of Massachusetts

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https://www.socceramerica.com/public...ree-major.html

PDA, Michigan Hawks and Stars of Massachusetts

becasue there aren't enough threads on this topic....let's have another.

Those three aren't the only ones. Several other big names to follow. It is was only the basement team that would be fine, but it's some of the best clubs in the country.

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https://www.socceramerica.com/public...ree-major.html

PDA, Michigan Hawks and Stars of Massachusetts

What is the big Why? Too many rules, no high school, and clubs making less money? Do wish US Soccer DA had come up with a different model like scouting the elite from clubs onto state regional DA training teams. They could be a part of their home club and the DA, in and out of the DA program and teams as development has phases of in and out.

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What is the big Why? Too many rules, no high school, and clubs making less money? Do wish US Soccer DA had come up with a different model like scouting the elite from clubs onto state regional DA training teams. They could be a part of their home club and the DA, in and out of the DA program and teams as development has phases of in and out.

I'm really not sure why Boys and Girls DA isn't run this way. Why have an entire level of teams within clubs exclusively be called DA that can't play other club teams or other tournaments? It's illogical and a waste of money. Let clubs develop their own players and have more national level scouts checking the players out at practice and at games throughout the state. This would allow all players the chance to make a state or regional DA team that could practice together for a week each month or a week every other month.

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I'm really not sure why Boys and Girls DA isn't run this way. Why have an entire level of teams within clubs exclusively be called DA that can't play other club teams or other tournaments? It's illogical and a waste of money. Let clubs develop their own players and have more national level scouts checking the players out at practice and at games throughout the state. This would allow all players the chance to make a state or regional DA team that could practice together for a week each month or a week every other month.

while this is pretty bad for DA, PDA and Hawks are huge blows for them, I don't understand the DA teams can't compete in other tournaments. I know it is supposed to be a rule for DA clubs, yet I see DA teams play non-DA teams on the boys side at IMG Invitational, Dallas Cup, Surf Cup, this years Disney (Danone) Cup for the 12s. Can the girls just not start doing the same at Jefferson, CASL, WAGS? US Soccer hasn't seemed to care that the boys end up playing non-da teams at these showcases, would they really care if the girls do, especially if it means not losing clubs like PDA.

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https://www.socceramerica.com/public...-director.html

great article must read !

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while this is pretty bad for DA, PDA and Hawks are huge blows for them, I don't understand the DA teams can't compete in other tournaments. I know it is supposed to be a rule for DA clubs, yet I see DA teams play non-DA teams on the boys side at IMG Invitational, Dallas Cup, Surf Cup, this years Disney (Danone) Cup for the 12s. Can the girls just not start doing the same at Jefferson, CASL, WAGS? US Soccer hasn't seemed to care that the boys end up playing non-da teams at these showcases, would they really care if the girls do, especially if it means not losing clubs like PDA.

With four showcases a year and some overlap of dates OR very close to the same dates of those other regional tournaments, it would be hard though I see your point of at least allowing it.

As another poster said, bad press day for GDA but we shall see how it shakes out. The three clubs are flexing their muscle and left. GDA may or may not choose to respond with changes. These clubs along with a number of west clubs have been sending player to the NT for a long time. With the GDA clubs that came on this year across the country, it would not be surprising if USSF chose to be less receptive to scouting players at those clubs. I know, there are a dozen reason why that would be petty and bad, but USSF is committed to GDA at least in the short term.

It is also very possible that DA may relent in some of the issues bothering players like substitution rules and High School play however, I am guessing that these clubs leaving are more club driven than member driven. When you are the premiere club in your area, you can basically do what you want and the members have to eat crow.

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https://www.socceramerica.com/public...-director.html

great article must read !

Actually a pretty good read. We made the move to GDA and while none of those issues are pertinent to us, I can certainly understand his points. Oddly, seems like they are all fixable and USSF should reevaluate their position.

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https://www.socceramerica.com/public...-director.html

great article must read !

Thanks for the article. Makes a lot of sense.

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Refreshing to see clubs listen to their membership, players and parents, about what works for their market. Jason Dewhurst, on the board of ECNL, a US National team assistant coach and the DOC for Michigan's FC Stars, gave some great insight about it being a club based decision to leave the DA and why it wasn't working for their club in their market area. The three main reasons were the substitution rules and game time experience being low for many players, the single age teams combining into double aged teams as they got older, and the sacrifice of high school soccer. He also discussed how it would be unfair to give private school waivers to play high school but not others.

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With four showcases a year and some overlap of dates OR very close to the same dates of those other regional tournaments, it would be hard though I see your point of at least allowing it.

As another poster said, bad press day for GDA but we shall see how it shakes out. The three clubs are flexing their muscle and left. GDA may or may not choose to respond with changes. These clubs along with a number of west clubs have been sending player to the NT for a long time. With the GDA clubs that came on this year across the country, it would not be surprising if USSF chose to be less receptive to scouting players at those clubs. I know, there are a dozen reason why that would be petty and bad, but USSF is committed to GDA at least in the short term.

It is also very possible that DA may relent in some of the issues bothering players like substitution rules and High School play however, I am guessing that these clubs leaving are more club driven than member driven. When you are the premiere club in your area, you can basically do what you want and the members have to eat crow.

If USSF caved on the HS rule then they are no different from ECNL. They've already shown their stripes and families now see them for what they are and won't be fooled again. Also, if they move to taking NT players only from GDA clubs then it's proof this was all about them controlling the market, not doing what is best for soccer. 99% of families don't care about the NT track and now have more control over doing what is best for their players. For GDA - and really BDA too - it should become much smaller and focused on the top 5% or so. Figure out a way to make it work and have USSF put some real money into it so cost isn't a barrier to clubs or players. Use ECNL and other leagues for scouting along with beefing up ODP, ID2 etc.

[Unregistered]

Refreshing to see clubs listen to their membership, players and parents, about what works for their market. Jason Dewhurst, on the board of ECNL, a US National team assistant coach and the DOC for Michigan's FC Stars, gave some great insight about it being a club based decision to leave the DA and why it wasn't working for their club in their market area. The three main reasons were the substitution rules and game time experience being low for many players, the single age teams combining into double aged teams as they got older, and the sacrifice of high school soccer. He also discussed how it would be unfair to give private school waivers to play high school but not others.

Also not mentioned is the high costs, travel and time and lack of a pro path for women AND that girls don't care about a pro path regardless. Part of the reason BDA works is the MLS clubs, free tuition and dreams of playing pro, even though very few will ever realize that dream. Having professional teams in the system gives it credibility and definitely ups the level of competition. But, the majority of BDA clubs are pay to play with the same high costs and travel and variable club quality. USSF thought they could wave a wand and re-recreate BDA in an instant but it's two different marketplaces. In reality both should be much smaller and focused on the nation's top talent. Trying to be everything to everybody will get them nowhere

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Also not mentioned is the high costs, travel and time and lack of a pro path for women AND that girls don't care about a pro path regardless. Part of the reason BDA works is the MLS clubs, free tuition and dreams of playing pro, even though very few will ever realize that dream. Having professional teams in the system gives it credibility and definitely ups the level of competition. But, the majority of BDA clubs are pay to play with the same high costs and travel and variable club quality. USSF thought they could wave a wand and re-recreate BDA in an instant but it's two different marketplaces. In reality both should be much smaller and focused on the nation's top talent. Trying to be everything to everybody will get them nowhere

Given the start-up nature of GDA, how does that compare to the issues, if any, with the Boys ECNL?

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Given the start-up nature of GDA, how does that compare to the issues, if any, with the Boys ECNL?

GDA and boys ECNL are similar in that both trying to battle uphill against a well entrenched opponent.

[Unregistered]

If USSF caved on the HS rule then they are no different from ECNL. They've already shown their stripes and families now see them for what they are and won't be fooled again. Also, if they move to taking NT players only from GDA clubs then it's proof this was all about them controlling the market, not doing what is best for soccer. 99% of families don't care about the NT track and now have more control over doing what is best for their players. For GDA - and really BDA too - it should become much smaller and focused on the top 5% or so. Figure out a way to make it work and have USSF put some real money into it so cost isn't a barrier to clubs or players. Use ECNL and other leagues for scouting along with beefing up ODP, ID2 etc.

See that is the point. Both the federation and ECNL want the control and the only ones worried about being just like ECNL is ECNL. Pulling the trigger on boys ECNL was knee jerk reaction that has failed miserably. HS and sub rules are very flexible items that those clubs thought they could compromise on.

Part of the issue is also financial because many of those private school players the PDA DOC mentioned inthe article link above need to play sports to get their financial support meaning: they are good players who were being forced to make a choice. As the article pointed out, the PDA club chose to make it a policy NOT to apply for waivers even though that option was available; their DOC's words - not mine.

Regardless of what any of us think, the federation is going look at this and decide either to carry on or do something about it.