Select AP to DA...?

[Unregistered]

Part of those BDA numbers is in part because there's far more BDA clubs and BDA doesn't face strong competition from any other league for top talent. In other words, while it's still not a great idea to limit their selections to only BDA at least they're selecting from a much bigger pool. That isn't the case with GDA vs ECNL - there's not only far fewer clubs but many top players chose to remain in ECNL. Also, some GDA clubs are very weak so does it make any sense to limit a top player to a club with poor training? Or around here with some poor competition?

USSF seems to think so. If you know the history, USSF decided not to start GDA along with BDA 10 years ago, which they claim is because the USWNT was winning World Cups & Olympics and the USMNT was not. That opened the door for US Club Soccer and ECNL/NPL, etc. to effectively take over the girl’s game. The only problem is that ECNL is geared for the college game, which might have competitive internationally 15-20 years ago, but is not now. So now USSF finds themselves competing with their ECNL “partners” for talent to fill GDA. At some point, USSF knows they need to shut out ECNL players from YNT if we are going to remain competitive internationally, even if in the short-term you are attracting the “best” players.

I’m sure this post will start the whole which is better “college vs NT/pro” debate yet again, but remember YOU are not USSF. USSF has the dual mandate of promoting soccer in general, which mostly means rec/town travel soccer which the club folks poo-poo, and building a competitive NT to represent the United States in international competition. The pay-to-play club soccer/ECNL does neither. It’s sole purpose, beyond lining the club owners’ pockets, is to provide a competitive platform and college showcase for STUDENTs who are PART-TIME soccer players. It does not advance the pro/NT environment at all imo. The style of play and technical/tactical abilities of good international teams is far better and it gets proven time and again whenever we face real competition.

[Unregistered]

USSF seems to think so. If you know the history, USSF decided not to start GDA along with BDA 10 years ago, which they claim is because the USWNT was winning World Cups & Olympics and the USMNT was not. That opened the door for US Club Soccer and ECNL/NPL, etc. to effectively take over the girl’s game. The only problem is that ECNL is geared for the college game, which might have competitive internationally 15-20 years ago, but is not now. So now USSF finds themselves competing with their ECNL “partners” for talent to fill GDA. At some point, USSF knows they need to shut out ECNL players from YNT if we are going to remain competitive internationally, even if in the short-term you are attracting the “best” players.

I’m sure this post will start the whole which is better “college vs NT/pro” debate yet again, but remember YOU are not USSF. USSF has the dual mandate of promoting soccer in general, which mostly means rec/town travel soccer which the club folks poo-poo, and building a competitive NT to represent the United States in international competition. The pay-to-play club soccer/ECNL does neither. It’s sole purpose, beyond lining the club owners’ pockets, is to provide a competitive platform and college showcase for STUDENTs who are PART-TIME soccer players. It does not advance the pro/NT environment at all imo. The style of play and technical/tactical abilities of good international teams is far better and it gets proven time and again whenever we face real competition.

I never said ECNL was great. It definitely has issues as you laid out, and there are very good reasons why USSF finally did GDA (as it should have ten years ago). But BDA and GDA are different in many ways as are the alternatives players have. Many of the BDA players come from MLS clubs which isn't even an option for girls. Both are short sighted to only do their NT shopping in DA. Even worse if they're doing it purely for market share reasons. Like I said that's less of an issue with so many BDA clubs and little competition. Doing it for GDA in its present state is not going to get them anywhere. If they can improve GDA so that all the top players want to be there and it provides the best training? That's fine but it isn't there right now. Imagine if a top player in Western NY is told she has to train with Empire?

[Unregistered]

How’d tryouts go? Will anybody admit to going?

[Unregistered]

This forum is dumb, but i had to post in this idiotic sss thread.

The difference between the boys academy and girls academy is that the boys academy is the MLS.

So not only is there a narrow professional path on the boys side it's also self funded. So there's a small chance you'll go pro and you play for free.

Nothing like that is happening on the girls side and the top clubs have mostly left.

That doesn't mean things can't change, but to say that given the way things are now that the national team is only going to take gdap players is assonine. If that's what you're being told then you have some research to do.

[Unregistered]

We keep hearing about all the talent that is going to jump ship for Scorpions, but I'll believe when I see it.

I do wonder about the coaching depth at SSS and if they will truly get the commitment need to have a competitive second team in NPL. They have the overall numbers, especially at the 07 age group, so it will be interesting how deep the talent is.

[Unregistered]

We keep hearing about all the talent that is going to jump ship for Scorpions, but I'll believe when I see it.

Plenty of room on the Lancaster teams too

[Unregistered]

Plenty of room on the Lancaster teams too

but...but...but.....where will all the B-teamers go???

[Unregistered]

Plenty of room on the Lancaster teams too

That is a LONG drive to do 3-4 times a week, but so is Mendon!

[Unregistered]

but...but...but.....where will all the B-teamers go???

Don't kid yourself, there's a total roster of 40 players that should be concerned.

[Unregistered]

Don't kid yourself, there's a total roster of 40 players that should be concerned.

Actually now that I think of it, there's so many Stars teams with the "Elite" label now I suppose there is room.

[Unregistered]

Random question but why are their so many teams with the name pre-ecnl in it? I don’t see any listed as pre-DA. Not claiming to be super knowledgeable, so maybe I’m wrong, but it’s what I’ve seen.

[Unregistered]

Random question but why are their so many teams with the name pre-ecnl in it? I don’t see any listed as pre-DA. Not claiming to be super knowledgeable, so maybe I’m wrong, but it’s what I’ve seen.

There's pre DA teams as well but there's no official pre DA league - they just play in other leagues. In both cases it's really just a name and another way to suck families into club even earlier. Most times that team will move into the age appropriate ECNL or DA status , but it's not necessarily set.

[Unregistered]

Random question but why are their so many teams with the name pre-ecnl in it? I don’t see any listed as pre-DA. Not claiming to be super knowledgeable, so maybe I’m wrong, but it’s what I’ve seen.

cha-ching

Rumor is their are rolling out the ante-ECNL for the U-littles. The rumor about the baby-ECNL for kids still in diapers appears to be unfounded.

[Unregistered]

We keep hearing about all the talent that is going to jump ship for Scorpions, but I'll believe when I see it.

I do wonder about the coaching depth at SSS and if they will truly get the commitment need to have a competitive second team in NPL. They have the overall numbers, especially at the 07 age group, so it will be interesting how deep the talent is.

They will have enough players for teams not sure how good they will be though.
I think they would have to higher a bunch of new qualified coaches no?
where are they going to play their games and practice?

[Unregistered]

cha-ching

Rumor is their are rolling out the ante-ECNL for the U-littles. The rumor about the baby-ECNL for kids still in diapers appears to be unfounded.

Hmmm. I guess the box of Pampers with the ECNL shield will have to go back. Actually, they may be for the coaches. Waaaaah waaaaah :)