Bridge City

[Guest]

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It is borderline criminal to promise these young athletes the chance to play on an elite team when it is very clearly not even approaching elite levels. That is a bait and switch. And it takes precious time away from young athletes that have a very small window of opportunity to develop and showcase their talent.

... Time for Bridge City to focus on the mission of helping young women thrive through team sports, but stop calling themselves an Elite club. They are not the same and the mission is clearly different. Sorry.

I guess "Elite" is like when a restaurant says they have the "best" this or that. It is a matter of opinion. Are the coaches Elite? I think that they have some "elite" coaches whatever that means. But I don't see where they say anywhere that they are an "elite" club.

Back on the GA subject, why can't they apply to GA or whatever? GA didn't have to say yes. I suppose that GA could punt them. But I can't find fault with BC for asking.

No one is holding a gun to a family's head to join them. The team records are all out there for everyone to see. I think most parents of "elite" athletes check that sort of basic info. I totally disagree about the bait and switch. I do not see anything that is close to a bait and switch regarding what you are saying that they say they are an "elite" club. I have never been told that at any point that they are better than this club or another. The only thing I can find on their website is that they say GA is an "elite platform" But they are not claiming anything other than access to this platform and "multiple soccer pathways" for their players. Everything anyone needs to see about performance is out there. I do not agree that poor performance the first year of GA equals bait and switch.

Maybe my brain has been addled by my years as an attorney (more than likely actually), but I respectfully disagree with you. I know I am not convincing you, and that is totally fine. I think I understand your concerns and I agree that it would be good to have some clarity about the hierarchy of girls soccer options both with regard to clubs and GA/ECNL etc. Again, just don't see that BC is doing anything unethical.

[Guest]

I guess "Elite" is like when a restaurant says they have the "best" this or that. It is a matter of opinion. Are the coaches Elite? I think that they have some "elite" coaches whatever that means. But I don't see where they say anywhere that they are an "elite" club.

Back on the GA subject, why can't they apply to GA or whatever? GA didn't have to say yes. I suppose that GA could punt them. But I can't find fault with BC for asking.

No one is holding a gun to a family's head to join them. The team records are all out there for everyone to see. I think most parents of "elite" athletes check that sort of basic info. I totally disagree about the bait and switch. I do not see anything that is close to a bait and switch regarding what you are saying that they say they are an "elite" club. I have never been told that at any point that they are better than this club or another. The only thing I can find on their website is that they say GA is an "elite platform" But they are not claiming anything other than access to this platform and "multiple soccer pathways" for their players. Everything anyone needs to see about performance is out there. I do not agree that poor performance the first year of GA equals bait and switch.

Maybe my brain has been addled by my years as an attorney (more than likely actually), but I respectfully disagree with you. I know I am not convincing you, and that is totally fine. I think I understand your concerns and I agree that it would be good to have some clarity about the hierarchy of girls soccer options both with regard to clubs and GA/ECNL etc. Again, just don't see that BC is doing anything unethical.

Sorry, but you don’t know what you are talking about. Take it from a parent that had a kid “recruited” to play for BC. Rochelle absolutely claimed to have an elite club, and GA was going to be the most elite, and that she is the head scout for USYS in the region, and on and on and on. They have many posts on their social media making the announcement about GA and how they are an elite club.

you can say what you want and have your opinion, but the facts don’t lie. Read the earlier posts. They don’t even have full rosters for GA teams. Rochelle has major connections in the youth soccer world and she has used them to her advantage, but she is leading kids on and robbing them of true elite opportunities. My opinion, make of it what you will. I’ve seen it firsthand. They have a great sales pitch, but ass the cliches all go——all cattle no hat, all sizzle no steak, etc..

GA won’t remove them due to her political power, so she will keep convincing people to pay her for a faux elite experience. And kids opportunities will be wasted

[Guest]

I guess "Elite" is like when a restaurant says they have the "best" this or that. It is a matter of opinion. Are the coaches Elite? I think that they have some "elite" coaches whatever that means. But I don't see where they say anywhere that they are an "elite" club.

Back on the GA subject, why can't they apply to GA or whatever? GA didn't have to say yes. I suppose that GA could punt them. But I can't find fault with BC for asking.

No one is holding a gun to a family's head to join them. The team records are all out there for everyone to see. I think most parents of "elite" athletes check that sort of basic info. I totally disagree about the bait and switch. I do not see anything that is close to a bait and switch regarding what you are saying that they say they are an "elite" club. I have never been told that at any point that they are better than this club or another. The only thing I can find on their website is that they say GA is an "elite platform" But they are not claiming anything other than access to this platform and "multiple soccer pathways" for their players. Everything anyone needs to see about performance is out there. I do not agree that poor performance the first year of GA equals bait and switch.

Maybe my brain has been addled by my years as an attorney (more than likely actually), but I respectfully disagree with you. I know I am not convincing you, and that is totally fine. I think I understand your concerns and I agree that it would be good to have some clarity about the hierarchy of girls soccer options both with regard to clubs and GA/ECNL etc. Again, just don't see that BC is doing anything unethical.

I agree with this post. If competing and highest level is bar for elite soccer experience, PDX is woefully under served anyways. To pick one club and gut them for not being competitive seems odd.

[Guest]

I agree with this post. If competing and highest level is bar for elite soccer experience, PDX is woefully under served anyways. To pick one club and gut them for not being competitive seems odd.

No issue with them not being terribly competitive but, not being able to field rosters is crazy at the level that they are pitching themselves to be at. How does a team even travel hours for a GAL game with 9 players? It’s unethical to expect parents to pay that sort of money for that experience. They basically had to forfeit to Surf and Sounders did a Rondo for 75 minutes. It’s embarrassing.

[Guest]

No issue with them not being terribly competitive but, not being able to field rosters is crazy at the level that they are pitching themselves to be at. How does a team even travel hours for a GAL game with 9 players? It’s unethical to expect parents to pay that sort of money for that experience. They basically had to forfeit to Surf and Sounders did a Rondo for 75 minutes. It’s embarrassing.

1. Elite does not include any team from Portland or SW WA. This is fact. When the 50 elite teams in the country play, Portland clubs don’t even compare and are doormats to the actual elite. This has been this way since the start and never been any different.

When elite played usys, Oregon clubs never made it out of bracket at regionals and everyone loved playing them.

when elite played nw champions league and they separated Oregon bracket to play Washington bracket, every Oregon team was - goal differential and the last place Washington team was undefeated.

when elite played ECNL, every SINGLE Portland club was in dead last or bottom of the table except for 1-2 and they even crumbled later

when the elite played GA, the Portland ECNL clubs magically started winning games and sneakily told everyone they were elite.

Now when the elite play GA, ECNL, USYS, every affiliation has 20+ teams that are better than ANYTHING from Oregon.

2. if anyone puts their hopes and dreams into Rochelle hearns, you are solely mistaken and should ask about employment history rather than resume cool words or phrases.

3. Bridge city isn’t good but they aren’t bad. The fact GA let them in shows they care more about what it looks like then realities of not being able to field full teams and screwing up the GA schedule for some people.

[Guest]

BC has some of the best coaching in town. If you want your kid to actually develop as a player this is the club for you.

[Guest]

BC has some of the best coaching in town. If you want your kid to actually develop as a player this is the club for you.

You have a point, within the Recreational clubs in area they do stand out. 100%

[Guest]

BC has some of the best coaching in town. If you want your kid to actually develop as a player this is the club for you.

Doesn’t seem like they are “developing” very well. Show us one group of older kids that are “developed” at that club.

same old story about Bridge City “they have great coaches”. Ehhh, nah.

They tout Shannon Boxx as a technical director, yet she maybe shows up 3-4 times per year. Rochelle has been around for sure, but what does she have to show for it? Where is all the incredible talent that she has developed? We will wait for the list if anyone has it. I remember her from THUSC 10 years ago. Good club, but wasn’t all her. The idea of BC is good, with a few major exceptions… driven players want to go to good teams, and they don’t have any.

[Guest]

Doesn’t seem like they are “developing” very well. Show us one group of older kids that are “developed” at that club.

same old story about Bridge City “they have great coaches”. Ehhh, nah.

They tout Shannon Boxx as a technical director, yet she maybe shows up 3-4 times per year. Rochelle has been around for sure, but what does she have to show for it? Where is all the incredible talent that she has developed? We will wait for the list if anyone has it. I remember her from THUSC 10 years ago. Good club, but wasn’t all her. The idea of BC is good, with a few major exceptions… driven players want to go to good teams, and they don’t have any.

there is a difference between developing and playing to win. Bridge City has only been around for a couple of years so time will tell.

[Guest]

there is a difference between developing and playing to win. Bridge City has only been around for a couple of years so time will tell.

What are they developing for? Playing to win? What else are you playing to do? Oh that’s right, a participation award. Cool.

It has to be a so much fun to play on teams that literally cannot score a goal and get wrecked every game. Awesome development, those girls will have so much love for the sport.

[Guest]

They just sent kids from Boise to the GAL Regional camp because they don’t even have an 06 team. Hell of a development plan…
You can’t develop players that don’t exist. I’m sure the 9 kids that traveled to Spokane to get smashed playing 9v11 all weekend are developing very well.

[Guest]

Why would GA let in a team that can’t even field teams at all age groups. I would think the standards would be higher?

[Guest]

Because Shannon and Rochelle have connections, plain and simple. It’s also the reason that they keep certain Seattle area clubs out. Because Reign have connections and they don’t want to adversely affect their recruiting pipeline. Bridge is also a really good look for the league at face value. Girls only club, led by people associated with the WNT. Once you dig deeper, it’s starts to look like a marketing gimmick.

[Guest]

Because Shannon and Rochelle have connections, plain and simple. It’s also the reason that they keep certain Seattle area clubs out. Because Reign have connections and they don’t want to adversely affect their recruiting pipeline. Bridge is also a really good look for the league at face value. Girls only club, led by people associated with the WNT. Once you dig deeper, it’s starts to look like a marketing gimmick.

Lol, it's the other way round. Reign were kept out of ECNL. The idea that Reign is too good to be in the same league as Crossfire Premier is ridiculous. Seattle blue chip clubs all hate OL Reign.

[Guest]

Reign has no desire to be in the ECNL. They are realistic enough to realize that going up against that level of competition is a lose-lose proposition for them. Much better to be top of the table in Girls Academy vs bottom in ECNL. It also gives them a decent marketing push since they are a girls only club. Amy is the Reign Executive Director and GA President so they have an exceptional amount of control that they would be silly to give away. I have to imagine that’s why a couple Seattle area clubs are being frozen out. Specifically Seattle Celtic. There doesn’t seem to be a legitimate reason they wouldn’t be in but Bridge City would be except that Celtic and Reign largely serve the same area.