Choosing between GA Club and ECNL Club, what would you do in our situation?

[Guest]

Moving away from the area...DD has been offered a spot on a middle of the pack ECNL club that puts one or two kids in P5 schools per year and about the same in USYNT Camps. The GA Club is very stable and has a top reputation in the US along with it's coaches. GA Club produces about 4 to 8 players (9 in the class of '22, 5 of those going to ACC schools) in P5 Colleges with about the same going to US Pools. They also have one USWNT player and multiple players in younger age groups.

What do we do? We know ECNL is the better league but what we are unsure of is the future of the GA. DD likes the coaching staff at both but the facilities go to the GA Club. I think we are most worried about GA falling apart but the coaching staff already has established relationships with many P5 and Ivy League schools.

Thoughts and opinions are appreciated ahead of time.

[Guest]

Board Baiting. Sounds like you already know what's best.
ECNL is the better league, but like everything in this world, there is always going to be an exception, and in your case, the GA club sounds better.

[Guest]

Kind of. We know ECNL is the better league overall but the pros of the GA club can't be overlooked. It's scary because we think this her one shot. Transitioning teams going into her freshman year is a lot to handle. Making the wrong decision could really hurt her when it comes to college recruitment. Is GA even guaranteed a season next year? Let's not forget the demise of the DA!

[Guest]

Kind of. We know ECNL is the better league overall but the pros of the GA club can't be overlooked. It's scary because we think this her one shot. Transitioning teams going into her freshman year is a lot to handle. Making the wrong decision could really hurt her when it comes to college recruitment. Is GA even guaranteed a season next year? Let's not forget the demise of the DA!

One shot at what ? And why do other players stories matter. Also Miami are in the ACC IJS

[Guest]

GA for the most part. Where you are moving to may have a slight affect on that answer.

-Regards,

Parent who has been in both and both were positive for her (and currently ECNL)

[Guest]

Other than NEFC as has been noted many times the rest of the northeast GA clubs are God awful!! If the GA team is NEFC that’s a tough choice. If its any other GA club choose ECNL.

[Guest]

If the GA club's teams tend to make Champions League in most of the age groups, then go with that. Otherwise, go ECNL.

[Guest]

Sorry, moving south, away from our area…so it has nothing to do with any clubs here.

Let’s just say its one of these scenarios- Florida United vs. FC Prime, Tophat vs. UFA, FCV vs. Loudoun, CUP vs. Kings Hammer

All of the above are similar situations with GA clubs producing more than the ECNL counterpart.

Yes, we are also worried about the GA competition or lack there of. Seems once you get below the top 2 in the divisions, the teams really drop off in quality, not nearly as bad as the ECNL.

[Guest]

Other than NEFC as has been noted many times the rest of the northeast GA clubs are God awful!! If the GA team is NEFC that’s a tough choice. If its any other GA club choose ECNL.

Stop it already. I'd rank NEFC 3rd in GA teams and would be upper-mid table in ECNL

[Guest]

Sorry, moving south, away from our area…so it has nothing to do with any clubs here.

Let’s just say its one of these scenarios- Florida United vs. FC Prime, Tophat vs. UFA, FCV vs. Loudoun, CUP vs. Kings Hammer

All of the above are similar situations with GA clubs producing more than the ECNL counterpart.

Yes, we are also worried about the GA competition or lack there of. Seems once you get below the top 2 in the divisions, the teams really drop off in quality, not nearly as bad as the ECNL.

As with both leagues, the quality at the bottom drops. Just a few more in GA than ECNL, but ultimately won't matter as much as those make it out to be. If the GA club has a record of getting players committed, that means they have a good rapport w/ colleges and colleges will continue to recruit from there.

[Guest]

I also think you have to look at where your daughter ranks on the team. Will she be a starter or a sub? How much playing time will she get on each team. That to me would be the #1 decision point.

[Guest]

Sorry, moving south, away from our area…so it has nothing to do with any clubs here.

Let’s just say its one of these scenarios- Florida United vs. FC Prime, Tophat vs. UFA, FCV vs. Loudoun, CUP vs. Kings Hammer

All of the above are similar situations with GA clubs producing more than the ECNL counterpart.

Yes, we are also worried about the GA competition or lack there of. Seems once you get below the top 2 in the divisions, the teams really drop off in quality, not nearly as bad as the ECNL.

If you can go play at UFA, you should.

[Guest]

I also think you have to look at where your daughter ranks on the team. Will she be a starter or a sub? How much playing time will she get on each team. That to me would be the #1 decision point.

^ this guy gets it. That and the coach.

[Guest]

Sorry, moving south, away from our area…so it has nothing to do with any clubs here.

Let’s just say its one of these scenarios- Florida United vs. FC Prime, Tophat vs. UFA, FCV vs. Loudoun, CUP vs. Kings Hammer

All of the above are similar situations with GA clubs producing more than the ECNL counterpart.

Yes, we are also worried about the GA competition or lack there of. Seems once you get below the top 2 in the divisions, the teams really drop off in quality, not nearly as bad as the ECNL.

I’ll speak directly about FU vs. Prime for a freshman….

FU will have better coaching, training, and development. IMO, it’s a better spot for a freshman.

Prime might improve in those areas with the new coaching staff Alan has hired for next season. The staff looks to be more qualified on paper, so hopefully the training and style of play will improve. If it does (still a big maybe in my mind) then the ECNL platform offers obvious advantages.

Jerome at FU for next year is a known quantity for training / coaching. If your daughter wants to switch to Prime as a sophomore they will likely take her with open arms….everyone knows how it goes with rival clubs taking the other clubs players.

Last thoughts….GA in the SE has 3 good teams (IMG, Top Hat, and FU) and a bunch of bad ones. ECNL has strong teams from Atlanta, but most all the Florida teams are pretty bad. So the competition isn’t significantly better at one or the other. If your daughter develops into one of the top couple players in her age group at FU…might want to stay there, she’ll get committed to strong program. If she’s lower middle of the team and just looking for a home somewhere for college soccer that’s where Prime really shines and does an outstanding job.

[Guest]

Stars white is the same level as NEP with more travel.Blue is legit