GDA vs ECNL Costs

[Unregistered]

What we are seeing across the country are the A teams going to DA and B teams to ECNL. Crossfire Premiere and Seattle Reign have both top teams playing DA. When they transitioned the teams to DA they only had one or two players stay back on the ECNL Team for multi-sport options. Thorns need to also get a B team to draw developing players from. That will never happen though, they will just continue to draw from other clubs like they do on the boys side.

[Unregistered]

Across the country Clubs are putting B teams into GDA. Girls don’t want to give up the high school experience. Playing multiple sports prevents injuries.

California is prime example. Burlingame and PSV Union have collectively scored 13 goals and conceded 438.

Why force kids to give up high school? That seems like an awful idea.

[Unregistered]

Across the country Clubs are putting B teams into GDA. Girls don’t want to give up the high school experience. Playing multiple sports prevents injuries.

California is prime example. Burlingame and PSV Union have collectively scored 13 goals and conceded 438.

So for every goal they score they concede 48? That’s got to be painful to watch.

[Unregistered]

What we are seeing across the country are the A teams going to DA and B teams to ECNL. Crossfire Premiere and Seattle Reign have both top teams playing DA. When they transitioned the teams to DA they only had one or two players stay back on the ECNL Team for multi-sport options. Thorns need to also get a B team to draw developing players from. That will never happen though, they will just continue to draw from other clubs like they do on the boys side.

This shouldn't be hard, folks.

There are 69 clubs in GDA, the list is here: http://www.ussoccerda.com/2017-girls-club-map#northwest

Of those 69 clubs, how many also have ECNL teams?

Of those clubs with both, how many put their first team(s) in GDA? In ECNL? Depends on age group (i.e. older established A teams are staying with ECNL as they age out, but younger age groups are going into GDA)?

I expect a full report on my desk by tomorrow morning.

[Unregistered]

Why force kids to give up high school? That seems like an awful idea.

No one being forced. For the majority of these girls giving up HS was an easy decision. High school soccer is basically Rec Soccer and players on DA don’t want to play at that level if they have an opportunity at something more stimulating, even if that means giving up loud cheers and jeers from parents at every game and an announcer saying your name at the start of every game. Those just aren’t motivators for all players. Might be moreso on the boys side as more people turn out for those games. The proof of this will be seen in June when there are more mass defections from ECNL after players and families put it together that high school soccer sucked and paying $9k on lousy ECNL teams also sucked.

[Unregistered]

Why force kids to give up high school? That seems like an awful idea.

Because they want to do a 10 month season. Some kids want to do a 10 month club season rather than high school. It is just dangerous to do both high school and club at the same time. Everyone has a choice. No one is forcing anyone to do anything. ECNL is still a good option for those who want to play HS soccer.

[Unregistered]

Across the country Clubs are putting B teams into GDA. Girls don’t want to give up the high school experience. Playing multiple sports prevents injuries.

California is prime example. Burlingame and PSV Union have collectively scored 13 goals and conceded 438.

High school is a fun experience. Having hundreds of people attend and peers cheering you on. Nobody watches club games.

[Unregistered]

High school is a fun experience. Having hundreds of people attend and peers cheering you on. Nobody watches club games.

hundreds of people attend .... seriously?

HS is a fun experience, but you are in a fantasy world right now.

In general very few people watch HS girl's soccer game. Everyone once in a while you get a bigger crowd (beyond parents and boyfriends), but that is the exception. And nobody goes to club games. That is a true statement.

[Unregistered]

hundreds of people attend .... seriously?

HS is a fun experience, but you are in a fantasy world right now.

In general very few people watch HS girl's soccer game. Everyone once in a while you get a bigger crowd (beyond parents and boyfriends), but that is the exception. And nobody goes to club games. That is a true statement.

I agree most games aren't packing them in the stands, but playoffs start to get some good numbers. It's fun if your friends (or boyfriends or girlfriends) can come watch. No one goes to club games except the parent who had to drive and the occasional sibling that gets dragged along unwillingly.

[Unregistered]

No one being forced. For the majority of these girls giving up HS was an easy decision. High school soccer is basically Rec Soccer and players on DA don’t want to play at that level if they have an opportunity at something more stimulating, even if that means giving up loud cheers and jeers from parents at every game and an announcer saying your name at the start of every game. Those just aren’t motivators for all players. Might be moreso on the boys side as more people turn out for those games. The proof of this will be seen in June when there are more mass defections from ECNL after players and families put it together that high school soccer sucked and paying $9k on lousy ECNL teams also sucked.

Or, depending on their local options, they'll see that paying nearly the same for a shi**y GDA team and tons of travel sucks also.

[Unregistered]

How can Crossfire and FC Portland promise Team training for ten months when all of their players are doing HS soccer (3 months) and many basketball (3 months)??

[Unregistered]

How can Crossfire and FC Portland promise Team training for ten months when all of their players are doing HS soccer (3 months) and many basketball (3 months)??

They don't. That is the option for kids who want to play HS soccer.

It is hard to play HS basketball and ECNL.

Who said anything about ECNL teams training 10 months a year? If you want to club train 10 months a year then go to the Thorns DA.

[Unregistered]

Or, depending on their local options, they'll see that paying nearly the same for a shi**y GDA team and tons of travel sucks also.

Same quality, but the price points are different. Not sure why you keep saying the cosst are nearly the same because they are not. ECNL is at least 2x the cost and their season is 50% less.

The quality difference is debatable, but I think they are more similar than different which is not good.

[Unregistered]

So Tired Argument #1 (Thorns is cheaper!) flamed out. Launch Tired Argument #2 - "The best teams are doing GDA - act now or be left behind!"

Here's an idea to whatever low level employee or intern drew the short straw task of monitoring this board for thorns academy. Take this to the bigwigs and see what they think. Instead of spending all your time spreading progoganda on this board, how about you focus on building a quality product? Quality product means the good players will line up to play with you. Focus on showcasing them (hint: flying 3000 miles to play 10 minutes per game does not equal being showcased, even if it's a free trip). Create a better program and you won't have to waste time on here recycling your stale arguments and lies and half truths.

[Unregistered]

Same quality, but the price points are different. Not sure why you keep saying the cosst are nearly the same because they are not. ECNL is at least 2x the cost and their season is 50% less.

The quality difference is debatable, but I think they are more similar than different which is not good.

If the poster was speaking in generalities across the US they are correct. Locally things are different. Most clubs are charging only a little less than ECNL, travel is similarly expensive. Some of the clubs are not very good; they were put in as geographic fillers with little regard to quality. Overall you are correct - not much difference because all it has done is divide up the talent. Whether or not that changes over time remains to be seen.