ECNL RL vs GA

[Guest]

Just curious what everyone's thoughts were on which is more beneficial overall. Quality, exposure, etc....

[Guest]

Oh this will be good. Can't wait for all of the ENCL-tards to go nuts on this one.

[Guest]

Just curious what everyone's thoughts were on which is more beneficial overall. Quality, exposure, etc....

GAL is a solid B league option with good national exposure. Some clubs could compete in ENCL, but not all clubs are good
ECLR is largely mediocre with a few good clubs. The league promises good exposure but it doesn't seem to the be the case. EDP (top bracket) offers similar competition with less travel and cost. ECLR is pricey for what it is

^ but of course it all depends on how good your local options and where is the best fit for your player

[Guest]

Tough. Focus on your specific age group. You’d like to be on a team that is playing in their respective playoffs regardless of league.

[Guest]

Tough. Focus on your specific age group. You’d like to be on a team that is playing in their respective playoffs regardless of league.

and for your player to be a consistent starter. Don't be a benchwarmer on any team

[Guest]

GAL is a solid B league option with good national exposure. Some clubs could compete in ENCL, but not all clubs are good
ECLR is largely mediocre with a few good clubs. The league promises good exposure but it doesn't seem to the be the case. EDP (top bracket) offers similar competition with less travel and cost. ECLR is pricey for what it is

^ but of course it all depends on how good your local options and where is the best fit for your player

Pretty spot on, I would add that in this area ECRL teams are clubs B teams with very little movement between the ECNL and RL teams. If you are RL, more than likely your going to stay RL.

[Guest]

and for your player to be a consistent starter. Don't be a benchwarmer on any team

Agree.

[Guest]

Pretty spot on, I would add that in this area ECRL teams are clubs B teams with very little movement between the ECNL and RL teams. If you are RL, more than likely your going to stay RL.

Which is probably the right spot for most players. Like you said just don't hope you'll move up one day. Even if you're a top B team player doesn't mean you'll be happy on an A team - because chances are you won't play much.

Reality is there aren't many A teams or top players, but B-C teams have many options depending on where you are.

Overall I have to agree GAL has better exposure, but don't trade that for the crappy coaching some GAL clubs have

[Guest]

Just curious what everyone's thoughts were on which is more beneficial overall. Quality, exposure, etc....

If your kid is wanting to play D1 soccer for any of the top 20-30 colleges in the US then ECNL is a must for exposure. If your kid is not playing ECNL then it doesn’t matter what league they are in they will have to market themselves tremendously. Not saying a top D1 is out of the picture but your kid better be fast and look good on film. Look at the top D1 rosters and you will find 90% foreign and ECNL players.

[Guest]

Just curious what everyone's thoughts were on which is more beneficial overall. Quality, exposure, etc....

RL is quickly becoming a close second to ECNL. At our club, when RL plays ECNL, it's usually a 0-0 tie or one goal differential. It wasn't like that when they were in middle school but now, they are in HS, the teams are even. Some RL players are better than ECNL players but, ECNL never moves kids between the teams. They just bench the struggling ECNL kid and bring on an outside player (soccer is a business). Once you are on RL, you stay there.

[Guest]

RL is quickly becoming a close second to ECNL. At our club, when RL plays ECNL, it's usually a 0-0 tie or one goal differential. It wasn't like that when they were in middle school but now, they are in HS, the teams are even. Some RL players are better than ECNL players but, ECNL never moves kids between the teams. They just bench the struggling ECNL kid and bring on an outside player (soccer is a business). Once you are on RL, you stay there.

It happens by default at the older ages all over, RL isn't special in that regard. Better is relative since there isn't any great differences in talent etc. If a kid isn't an All American candidate it really doesn't matter where they are playing there are hundreds of others with the same level of talent/academics etc.

[Guest]

It happens by default at the older ages all over, RL isn't special in that regard. Better is relative since there isn't any great differences in talent etc. If a kid isn't an All American candidate it really doesn't matter where they are playing there are hundreds of others with the same level of talent/academics etc.

I agree that as you get older, the kids are all very similar.

In high school, ECNL v RL is just noise.

Go to the team where you will play. You can't get recruited from the bench.

[Guest]

GA over ECRL by a mile. In reality, there are a few GA clubs/teams that would compete decently in ECNL. Not a ton, but a few. If you can get on one of those, its a good choice.

[Guest]

If your kid is wanting to play D1 soccer for any of the top 20-30 colleges in the US then ECNL is a must for exposure. If your kid is not playing ECNL then it doesn’t matter what league they are in they will have to market themselves tremendously. Not saying a top D1 is out of the picture but your kid better be fast and look good on film. Look at the top D1 rosters and you will find 90% foreign and ECNL players.

Sure that’s true for the rest of the states. But not for NJ -colleges are not dumb. They definitely know if you are on a bottom of the list ECNL team. The bottom white, south most of MF don’t attend the good showcases or playoffs. So exposure is the same as ECRL. If you are PDA Blue or you got lucky with a good MF team (I think 2006 may be the only decent one) then it’s all good. You’d be a fool to think otherwise. Best of luck.

[Guest]

Sure that’s true for the rest of the states. But not for NJ -colleges are not dumb. They definitely know if you are on a bottom of the list ECNL team. The bottom white, south most of MF don’t attend the good showcases or playoffs. So exposure is the same as ECRL. If you are PDA Blue or you got lucky with a good MF team (I think 2006 may be the only decent one) then it’s all good. You’d be a fool to think otherwise. Best of luck.

You clearly don’t know much.