Girls Academy League

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Another person “hoping and praying”. ECNL clubs are not Dunkin Donut chains. Less means more competition not adding on lessor competitive clubs. If ECNL was interested they wouldn’t have given a spot to a third PDA team. Right now they have clubs in this area underperforming and you have parents think they are going to add more from this area? They added on the 3rd PDA and Penn Fusion that’s it! Every DA team made their pitch but ECNL is going to hold firm to their premier clubs/teams.

FC Virginia will get an offer for ECNL next year which will wipe out the ONLY elite level club in the Mid-Atlantic conference. And NO...CSA:Mon and SJEB Rush are nowhere near the level of FCV.

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FCV does not have a pipeline. They have being relying on Loudoun SC (biggest youth club in VA) for their core group of players. Loudoun has ECNL now and are retaining their pipeline for the first time in 12 years. In my opinion, FCV will be in decline in the years to come.

[Unregistered]

Another person “hoping and praying”. ECNL clubs are not Dunkin Donut chains. Less means more competition not adding on lessor competitive clubs. If ECNL was interested they wouldn’t have given a spot to a third PDA team. Right now they have clubs in this area underperforming and you have parents think they are going to add more from this area? They added on the 3rd PDA and Penn Fusion that’s it! Every DA team made their pitch but ECNL is going to hold firm to their premier clubs/teams.

Ukrainian is going to be added to ECNL soon and would not be surprised if they continue to cherry pick the DA top clubs, why wouldn’t they!

[Unregistered]

Ukrainian is going to be added to ECNL soon and would not be surprised if they continue to cherry pick the DA top clubs, why wouldn’t they!

LOL - Ukies are not getting ECNL. They are not even deserving of GAL. Glorified township team with a liquor license to attract the meat sticks from NE Philly. All of the talented kids from that area play in NJ or at PF.

[Unregistered]

Ukrainian is going to be added to ECNL soon and would not be surprised if they continue to cherry pick the DA top clubs, why wouldn’t they!

What teams would they cherry pick from DA? PA Classics are 1.5-2hrs away and much better options for those that would ditch STA. If SJEB Rush players bail it isn't going to be to a worse club in DA. Ukies will be lucky to hold DA let alone move to ECNL.

[Unregistered]

What teams would they cherry pick from DA? PA Classics are 1.5-2hrs away and much better options for those that would ditch STA. If SJEB Rush players bail it isn't going to be to a worse club in DA. Ukies will be lucky to hold DA let alone move to ECNL.

Why so much disdain for Ukies? I know they were typically Div 2/3 in EDP but GA is still lucky to have them.

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Why so much disdain for Ukies? I know they were typically Div 2/3 in EDP but GA is still lucky to have them.

Why is the GA lucky yo have them? It just further solidifies the league as a second rate league.

[Unregistered]

Why is the GA lucky yo have them? It just further solidifies the league as a second rate league.

Just like the GA has ****ty teams on it, so does the ECNL. Not every single team is amazing. While I don't have much faith in the GA, it just started and I'm interested to see where it goes. To be honest, I'd be more concerned about the ECNL instead. Alot of their top teams aren't looking so good this year. It's funny, everyone keeps bringing up how great the ECNL is, and talking about all the D1 scholarships they've had in the past, but that was then, and this is now. Not everyone is doing good. PDA for example isn't winning everything like they have in the past. But, because it's the ECNL, everyone keeps referring to the past success. Just like everyone is willing to give them the benefit of doubt, you need to keep an open mind about the GA. On a side note, why is no one bashing the new MLS league? There is absolutely no history with that league, but yet no one is talking shot about them. Is it because parents on the girls side just like spewing hatred when it comes to their daughters clubs and the boys sides parents are more mature and don't cry like babies?

[Unregistered]

The new MLS (and USL) leagues are now the only real pathways for boys in the US, they are backed by the top professional league in the country, and all of the top teams have fully funded academies. There's always something to complain about for people, but compared to the girls for profit model, there isn't much to say.

The entire league debate on the girls side is dumb unless you're a club or coach looking to market yourselves to parents with fat wallets.

[Unregistered]

Just like the GA has ****ty teams on it, so does the ECNL. Not every single team is amazing. While I don't have much faith in the GA, it just started and I'm interested to see where it goes. To be honest, I'd be more concerned about the ECNL instead. Alot of their top teams aren't looking so good this year. It's funny, everyone keeps bringing up how great the ECNL is, and talking about all the D1 scholarships they've had in the past, but that was then, and this is now. Not everyone is doing good. PDA for example isn't winning everything like they have in the past. But, because it's the ECNL, everyone keeps referring to the past success. Just like everyone is willing to give them the benefit of doubt, you need to keep an open mind about the GA. On a side note, why is no one bashing the new MLS league? There is absolutely no history with that league, but yet no one is talking shot about them. Is it because parents on the girls side just like spewing hatred when it comes to their daughters clubs and the boys sides parents are more mature and don't cry like babies?

ECNL NE and NA have a few clubs that under perform BUT those clubs had a history of excellence at one time and were when ECNL was formed. Only shows that relegation should be a thing for ECNL to consider. On the other hand GA brought in under performing clubs like the Ukies, Arlington, LISC..etc and even clubs that had never existed ie Sporting DE. So yes, people sh*t on GA because you can't build on garbage. And if the GA should bounce those clubs next year, what does that say about their decision making or motive for the league? Bring in clubs when we need numbers or money regardless of how good they are? GA screwed itself by not working with USYS to have their clubs at least start in D1 or be the club v club division. GA will crack and fade as the top teams are brought into ECNL and what remains gets beat by USYS teams and fails to get the recruitments and/or ODP/YNT invites. DAs greatest draw was that it was part of US Soccer and a direct line for YNT.

[Unregistered]

ECNL will cherry pick the remaining top GAL clubs this spring. What will remain will be the clubs that were actually or essentially NPL a few years ago. Full circle of life. There's a place for a national B league, but ECNL will be on top as the A league.

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ECNL will cherry pick the remaining top GAL clubs this spring. What will remain will be the clubs that were actually or essentially NPL a few years ago. Full circle of life. There's a place for a national B league, but ECNL will be on top as the A league.

Strongly disagree. ECNL is tops however they have a standard about bringing in teams to it's league. It's never been about money because it is a non-profit. Small office based in Richmond, Virginia. All financials are available for view. I think all of you would be surprised by how little money is available.

A lot of how ECNL is organized is due to High School Soccer. If HS's play in the fall, then those States/Clubs usually fall into the same division.

IMO, both GAL and ECNL will succeed. If both manage to stay around, top tournaments will become more important and get recruited heavier since ECNL and GA teams will have the opportunity to play each other. In the end, everyone want to be the best and play the best. Both sides will have excellent teams and poor teams.

Oh, and EDP, gtfo out of the conversation. Newly added Pipeline USYS National finalist just got it's clock against Maryland United a week or two ago. Just goes to show you how much different the level of play is when you get outside of ECNL/DA-GAL.

[Unregistered]

I concur with the previous poster about the future of ECNL/GAL. That being said parents need to face reality that in this area ECNL will not add on any further clubs. They added on a third PDA team and an original member Penn Fusion. They sent the message this area has maxed out and there will be no further clubs added. It’s about competition and competitiveness, there are currently ECNL Clubs that have underperformed for years do you think they want to add on more clubs at that level right now? GAL has learned from their mistakes and will build a league based on their own strengths without competing against ECNL. You will always have parents who will draw comparisons between the leagues and that will be there problem. Remember it’s about your daughter not the parent.

[Unregistered]

The vast majority of your kids' club experience will be in this area - what she gets from her club coaching, her teammates and league competition. You have to pick to the best coaching (first) and competition (second). While both leagues have their good and bad clubs and teams, GAL competition is lackluster and has only gone downhill since GDA started. That doesn't mean GAL is a bad fit for some players depending on their individual situations.

Don't be swayed by the prospect of playing other top national teams - first of all you won't play them unless YOUR team is a top team. But more importantly that is a fraction of the total experience.

[Unregistered]

Strongly disagree. ECNL is tops however they have a standard about bringing in teams to it's league. It's never been about money because it is a non-profit. Small office based in Richmond, Virginia. All financials are available for view. I think all of you would be surprised by how little money is available.

A lot of how ECNL is organized is due to High School Soccer. If HS's play in the fall, then those States/Clubs usually fall into the same division.

IMO, both GAL and ECNL will succeed. If both manage to stay around, top tournaments will become more important and get recruited heavier since ECNL and GA teams will have the opportunity to play each other. In the end, everyone want to be the best and play the best. Both sides will have excellent teams and poor teams.

Oh, and EDP, gtfo out of the conversation. Newly added Pipeline USYS National finalist just got it's clock against Maryland United a week or two ago. Just goes to show you how much different the level of play is when you get outside of ECNL/DA-GAL.

Yes and other “top” ECNL teams are losing to EDP teams or barely beating them....lolol at least check your facts before you post generalizations.