Gal

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Clubs like PDA and FC Stars are absolutely like Dunkin Donuts franchises. They keep making new locations and getting more teams into ECNL. Less clubs mean more travel. More clubs means less travel and lower competition. So make a happy medium of X amount of clubs in a div within 1-1.5hrs from each other. Crap filters out of league and new clubs get a chance while the best move on to play other divisions on a regional/national level. This garbage of driving 2-3hrs to face a crap team needs to stop for both leagues.

The bigger question for all us is : where do d1or high level D2 prospects play if they do not want to play in the ECNL.

Does anyone have a good answer?

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Ecrl?

[Unregistered]

Ecrl?

They just aren''t good enough in this state. They are the ecnl's castoffs.

[Unregistered]

Clubs like PDA and FC Stars are absolutely like Dunkin Donuts franchises. They keep making new locations and getting more teams into ECNL. Less clubs mean more travel. More clubs means less travel and lower competition. So make a happy medium of X amount of clubs in a div within 1-1.5hrs from each other. Crap filters out of league and new clubs get a chance while the best move on to play other divisions on a regional/national level. This garbage of driving 2-3hrs to face a crap team needs to stop for both leagues.

Will only stop when the size of Clubs is proportional to the actual talent out there. Youth soccer for girls is full of parents who think you can coach/train kids to be good at soccer as long as you throw enough money at it and play in the right leagues. Certain Clubs and Leagues entire marketing plan revolves around feeding this myth.

[Unregistered]

The bigger question for all us is : where do d1or high level D2 prospects play if they do not want to play in the ECNL.

Does anyone have a good answer?

the answer is play and train wherever you believe makes you better. understand that you may have to showcase elsewhere.

[Unregistered]

You're argument holds no value based on PDA letting PDA South and PDA White into the ECNL. Not to mention, Match Fit ECNL has completely underperformed.

Not OP but the concept of less is more competitive is generally correct but the application hasn't been because of the PDA shenanigans mentioned.

[Unregistered]

the answer is play and train wherever you believe makes you better. understand that you may have to showcase elsewhere.

College coaches know that not ECNL clubs have quality coaching and that not every player has access to a quality ECNL club. They will evaluate talent, but they have to see the talent. If you're not in ECNL you will likely need to push a lot harder to get in front of coaches, perhaps do more ID events. For all its faults ECNL can open a lot of doors and get you in front of coaches. After that all players have to sell themselves.

[Unregistered]

You're argument holds no value based on PDA letting PDA South and PDA White into the ECNL. Not to mention, Match Fit ECNL has completely underperformed.

This guy is a hater. You call lie and fabricate but you just sound jealous and dumb. Who does your kid play for? PDA North, PDA South and MFA create a good (not to say others don’t) environment for players that become successful at the college, international and pro levels. Look it up; I’m sure they can’t lie about that stuff. Just like I’m sure you can’t lie on ECNL application about “ player success” or “college minutes played of players”, or “ professional experience /college accolades”. All can be researched. To be frank, the clubs below are not as good as PDA/MFA when it comes to that.


SJEB
PSA
Philly Copa
RUSA
Real
CSA

[Unregistered]

This guy is a hater. You call lie and fabricate but you just sound jealous and dumb. Who does your kid play for? PDA North, PDA South and MFA create a good (not to say others don’t) environment for players that become successful at the college, international and pro levels. Look it up; I’m sure they can’t lie about that stuff. Just like I’m sure you can’t lie on ECNL application about “ player success” or “college minutes played of players”, or “ professional experience /college accolades”. All can be researched. To be frank, the clubs below are not as good as PDA/MFA when it comes to that.


SJEB
PSA
Philly Copa
RUSA
Real
CSA

Lol Real has zero track record on the girls side and CSA puts very few players in D1.....I think the last class it was 1. PSA has a better track record than both combined.

[Unregistered]

It's amazing to me the need for people to come on here and bash GAL when their only reasoning is to point out the strengths of the ECNL. Of course ECNL is stronger, they've had years to establish their brand. GAL was the only choice for clubs in the DA when it folded. These clubs wanted to be in a league similar to the DA and GAL provided them with an opportunity. ECNL wasn't an option for NJ teams cause PDA controls the narrative on who gets in and who doesn't and we all know this isn't based on merit but more on preventing players from leaving their club to join another ECNL team. Do you really think players 12 to 24 on the roster are happy with their playing time and wouldn't leave if another NJ team played ECNL? They would leave in a heartbeat for more playing time!! Not to point out the obvious but the ECNL is very top heavy in this area. If teams like SJEB, STA, CSA Monmouth were allowed in it would def increase the competitiveness and allow more quality players from NJ to play in the ECNL.

Pretty simple, they could have joined USYS and merge forces with other quality teams/clubs to form a clear #2 league behind ECNL. But no the $ and power got to them as they did not want to be viewed as a failure post DA. Big mistake as in essence now GA and USYS are really equals in quality, and battling for crumbs. Just look at the latest Jeff Cup brackets if you don’t believe me. SJEB 06 GA is in the 7th bracket??? Embarrassed for such an “elite” league....

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the answer is play and train wherever you believe makes you better. understand that you may have to showcase elsewhere.

The teams that finish in the top half of the ECRL standings generally get accepted to Jeff Cup and PDA Showcase, which are two of the main spring showcase events on the east coast.

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The teams that finish in the top half of the ECRL standings generally get accepted to Jeff Cup and PDA Showcase, which are two of the main spring showcase events on the east coast.

I thought about that, but these teams are not made up of D1 prospects, so the level and speed of play is much slower.

[Unregistered]

Pretty simple, they could have joined USYS and merge forces with other quality teams/clubs to form a clear #2 league behind ECNL. But no the $ and power got to them as they did not want to be viewed as a failure post DA. Big mistake as in essence now GA and USYS are really equals in quality, and battling for crumbs. Just look at the latest Jeff Cup brackets if you don’t believe me. SJEB 06 GA is in the 7th bracket??? Embarrassed for such an “elite” league....

exactly - combining forces would have meant for a solid #2 league nationally. It would have simplified things and in many areas the GA teams could have attracted the best kids simply due to being the only convenient option, as we know not every elite player has access to an ECNL club.

[Unregistered]

I thought about that, but these teams are not made up of D1 prospects, so the level and speed of play is much slower.

"D1" is such a broad term. I would guess that Williams College women's soccer plays at a higher level and speed of play than Manhattan College.

[Unregistered]

"D1" is such a broad term. I would guess that Williams College women's soccer plays at a higher level and speed of play than Manhattan College.

yes it is a broad level to be more specific:

a Umass amherst type player