Future of RI Club Soccer? Is there one?

[Unregistered]

So with the onset of the Girls DA this fall, and the coming EPNL on boys side, this means the soccer pyramid now has two higher level leagues that once again pushed the league levels of RI Clubs down yet another tier especially at U14 and above.

GIRLS
---------
GDA
ECNL
NPL
NEP/NEC/NSL (former MAPLE)

BOYS
---------
DA
EPNL
NPL
NEP/NEC/NSL (former MAPLE)

So now we have RI teams topping out at the NPL level, with the bulk playing in NEP/NEC/NSL. What does this mean for the future of these clubs. NEFC Southeast has always been a regional team, that funnels its top players into its Elite teams, and yet many of its teams are now competitive with the top teams at Bayside and Bruno. Are these teams still holding on to their top talent. What about GPS RI, Rush, etc? Are any of these newer RI clubs getting top talent above U12/U13? How are clubs like Tidal Wave, Lusitana, and Rams still afloat? There used to be a time when top RI talent would stay in-state through HS, but thinking those days are long gone. I assume that is one reason this RI page is dead ... all the best players are now in MA clubs playing on top regional teams.

[Unregistered]

So with the onset of the Girls DA this fall, and the coming EPNL on boys side, this means the soccer pyramid now has two higher level leagues that once again pushed the league levels of RI Clubs down yet another tier especially at U14 and above.

GIRLS
---------
GDA
ECNL
NPL
NEP/NEC/NSL (former MAPLE)

BOYS
---------
DA
EPNL
NPL
NEP/NEC/NSL (former MAPLE)

So now we have RI teams topping out at the NPL level, with the bulk playing in NEP/NEC/NSL. What does this mean for the future of these clubs. NEFC Southeast has always been a regional team, that funnels its top players into its Elite teams, and yet many of its teams are now competitive with the top teams at Bayside and Bruno. Are these teams still holding on to their top talent. What about GPS RI, Rush, etc? Are any of these newer RI clubs getting top talent above U12/U13? How are clubs like Tidal Wave, Lusitana, and Rams still afloat? There used to be a time when top RI talent would stay in-state through HS, but thinking those days are long gone. I assume that is one reason this RI page is dead ... all the best players are now in MA clubs playing on top regional teams.

EPNL and NPL are basically the same level on the boys side. ECNL clubs wanted some separations but that not going to happen. I see it differently. With the girls DA in full swing in the next 2-3 years, ECNL will become less important or could be eliminated altogether. Both DA and ECNL are set to compete for the top talents so ECNL will be the big loser. I can't see parents committing $8,000-$10,000 for a second rate league.

[Unregistered]

EPNL and NPL are basically the same level on the boys side. ECNL clubs wanted some separations but that not going to happen. I see it differently. With the girls DA in full swing in the next 2-3 years, ECNL will become less important or could be eliminated altogether. Both DA and ECNL are set to compete for the top talents so ECNL will be the big loser. I can't see parents committing $8,000-$10,000 for a second rate league.

Parents care about college. ECNL gets them there. Unless GDA lands a quick knockout blow to ECNL, which is unlikely, ECNL will stay very strong for five to ten years

GDA will not be any cheaper, travel less or give any more visibility than ECNL

Boys ENCL will steal many kids from non MLS DAP teams

[Unregistered]

This wasn't really a GDA vs ECNL topic (both will get kids to college for the next several years, but NT players are being told to move to DA teams), but the fact that RI does not have either and therefore making nearly impossible to keep any of the top soccer first talent, now more than ever. The deed is done... RI clubs will be home to only second tier and lower players.

[Unregistered]

This wasn't really a GDA vs ECNL topic (both will get kids to college for the next several years, but NT players are being told to move to DA teams), but the fact that RI does not have either and therefore making nearly impossible to keep any of the top soccer first talent, now more than ever. The deed is done... RI clubs will be home to only second tier and lower players.

The deterioration of RI youth soccer clubs has been well documented on this website for the past 4-5 years. It started when the top RI girls players began playing for Scorpions ECNL, "old" Breakers, and NEFC. Then the boys started leaving for NEFC and GPS. There are many reasons why Bayside didn't get the top RI kids, also well documented for years. This is old news.

[Unregistered]

The deterioration of RI youth soccer clubs has been well documented on this website for the past 4-5 years. It started when the top RI girls players began playing for Scorpions ECNL, "old" Breakers, and NEFC. Then the boys started leaving for NEFC and GPS. There are many reasons why Bayside didn't get the top RI kids, also well documented for years. This is old news.

Yes there has been a downward slide in the last few years, but the addition of these two new higher leagues really has put a nail in the coffin of any Rhode Island club holding on to any top talent. When your top team is playing the second or third team of another club, it is going to be hard to attract the best of the best.

[Unregistered]

This wasn't really a GDA vs ECNL topic (both will get kids to college for the next several years, but NT players are being told to move to DA teams), but the fact that RI does not have either and therefore making nearly impossible to keep any of the top soccer first talent, now more than ever. The deed is done... RI clubs will be home to only second tier and lower players.

So what is the problem with RI being home to ONLY second tier and lower players? Why does every freaking kid have to be a GDA player? True "top tier" players make up about 1% of the players in the region, with many good but not great players playing around them.

Nothing wrong with Bayside and Bruno's top teams competing with NEFC PS teams. Good competition. Let the GDA players and teams travel to Virginia, NJ, NY and even further to play every other weekend. Good for them.

Very condescending to the 99% of players out there when you label them ONLY second tier and lower players. Who is this hurting?

[Unregistered]

So what is the problem with RI being home to ONLY second tier and lower players? Why does every freaking kid have to be a GDA player? True "top tier" players make up about 1% of the players in the region, with many good but not great players playing around them.

Nothing wrong with Bayside and Bruno's top teams competing with NEFC PS teams. Good competition. Let the GDA players and teams travel to Virginia, NJ, NY and even further to play every other weekend. Good for them.

Very condescending to the 99% of players out there when you label them ONLY second tier and lower players. Who is this hurting?

First you say there isn't a problem with RI having only 2nd tier players on their clubs (Bayside and Bruno). Then, later you say that it's condescending to label RI club players 2nd tier. Which is it?

[Unregistered]

Of course it's ok that 98% of players are second tier or lower players, which is not offensive but reality. Nothing wrong second tier soccer, and there will still continue to be some very competitive matchups between teams from Bayside, Bruno, NEFC Southeast, GPS RI etc.

I think the original point is that RI now longer can hold onto any top tier players. For years, we had many stay in-state because a league like NPL was at or near the top of the youth soccer pyramid, but not anymore. As of U13, the best are moving up and to MA top teams/leagues. It's a bummer, but it's the reality of the situation.

[Unregistered]

Of course it's ok that 98% of players are second tier or lower players, which is not offensive but reality. Nothing wrong second tier soccer, and there will still continue to be some very competitive matchups between teams from Bayside, Bruno, NEFC Southeast, GPS RI etc.

I think the original point is that RI now longer can hold onto any top tier players. For years, we had many stay in-state because a league like NPL was at or near the top of the youth soccer pyramid, but not anymore. As of U13, the best are moving up and to MA top teams/leagues. It's a bummer, but it's the reality of the situation.

There is nothing wrong with our best players leaving little rhody to play for DA or ECNL teams. In NE there are only 6 clubs with those affiliations. As I stated, on the boys side ENPL and NPL or whatever name you call them is still the same. We should be proud that RI is capable of producing elite players. What bothers me is RI has enough qualities to earn/form a ECNL or DA (U13+) club but due to our pity self serving we don't deserve one. On the boys side go look at the Revs Academy, the best players are produced right here in RI. For years, RI has given MA ECNL clubs our top elite players. Providence is full of untapped potential but no one seen to figure it out. What a shame.

[Unregistered]

There is nothing wrong with our best players leaving little rhody to play for DA or ECNL teams. In NE there are only 6 clubs with those affiliations. As I stated, on the boys side ENPL and NPL or whatever name you call them is still the same. We should be proud that RI is capable of producing elite players. What bothers me is RI has enough qualities to earn/form a ECNL or DA (U13+) club but due to our pity self serving we don't deserve one. On the boys side go look at the Revs Academy, the best players are produced right here in RI. For years, RI has given MA ECNL clubs our top elite players. Providence is full of untapped potential but no one seen to figure it out. What a shame.

Regarding the lower class untapped potential, the only way that makes it up the youth soccer pyramid is if the Revs Academy had bus and shuttle service door to door like many of the professional academies in Europe. Those families can't afford to drive back and forth to Foxboro 3-4 times a week, never mind playing for a "pay-to-play" club. Look at the posts in MA regarding travel costs for ECNL, NPL, and DAP. You think even if those poor families with potential top players can afford the travel even with a scholarship on the club dues?

High level soccer in this country is an upper middle class (or higher) sport with a pathway to college for the majority. A few of the poorer families may get a shot by making an MLS Academy and being fortunate to live close to the facility, but that's it. Heck, I can't even get the poorer families in my town to pay the $150/year for travel soccer, $75 every couple of years for uniforms, and travel 30-40 miles every other weekend for an away game. Those costs are a far cry from club soccer...

[Unregistered]

Regarding the lower class untapped potential, the only way that makes it up the youth soccer pyramid is if the Revs Academy had bus and shuttle service door to door like many of the professional academies in Europe. Those families can't afford to drive back and forth to Foxboro 3-4 times a week, never mind playing for a "pay-to-play" club. Look at the posts in MA regarding travel costs for ECNL, NPL, and DAP. You think even if those poor families with potential top players can afford the travel even with a scholarship on the club dues?

High level soccer in this country is an upper middle class (or higher) sport with a pathway to college for the majority. A few of the poorer families may get a shot by making an MLS Academy and being fortunate to live close to the facility, but that's it. Heck, I can't even get the poorer families in my town to pay the $150/year for travel soccer, $75 every couple of years for uniforms, and travel 30-40 miles every other weekend for an away game. Those costs are a far cry from club soccer...

Do you know the benefits of those poor kids have on your club? They actually make your players pool better by playing with better players.

[Unregistered]

Do you know the benefits of those poor kids have on your club? They actually make your players pool better by playing with better players.

You do realize that being poor does not automatically mean you are a better player? Ok, just want to clarify that. That being said, yes, there are a lot extremely talented players that are unable (for various reasons, that are not always strictly financial), to play club soccer or high level club soccer if at that level. But this is not just a soccer issue... we could also be talking about AAU Basketball, baseball or Hockey. And not just sports ...its a reality for many other areas in life too. Education, jobs, cars, residency, etc. Club soccer is hardly a singular example of where those who have more money, also have easier access. It kinda comes with the territory.

[Unregistered]

You do realize that being poor does not automatically mean you are a better player? Ok, just want to clarify that. That being said, yes, there are a lot extremely talented players that are unable (for various reasons, that are not always strictly financial), to play club soccer or high level club soccer if at that level. But this is not just a soccer issue... we could also be talking about AAU Basketball, baseball or Hockey. And not just sports ...its a reality for many other areas in life too. Education, jobs, cars, residency, etc. Club soccer is hardly a singular example of where those who have more money, also have easier access. It kinda comes with the territory.

Every time I go to the market I see kids canning for donations for their AAU team. Why can't kids do the same for their premier soccer team to help cut down costs? Is a little work too much to ask?

[Unregistered]

Every time I go to the market I see kids canning for donations for their AAU team. Why can't kids do the same for their premier soccer team to help cut down costs? Is a little work too much to ask?

I've seen it done. I've seen canning, car washes, etc... all to help raise money for club soccer, the tournaments, etc.