Girls ECNL/GA

[Guest]

No, no they won’t.

these leagues are money grubbing and don’t care about that enough. Even the ga for all the talk they do don’t really have the ability to kick clubs out.

they all love money and social media more than reality.

It’s already happening. The Thorns are small potatoes compared to the mega clubs that are in ECNL.
The connection between Peregrine and youth sports is dead.

I hate to see this for the girls and boys that are in these clubs, but new clubs will arise and the players will still be there. Honestly, this is probably the biggest blessing for Oregon youth sports. The Timbers/Thorns destroyed ODP and in a lot of ways put Oregon soccer back 10 years compared to the rest of the western region.

A big shake up is coming.

ECNL is all about money, but that money is made on reputation. The Thorns leadership reputation is absolute garbage in the soccer world right now. Rightfully so. Anyone that think Merritt Paulson is a stand up guy is either brain dead or on the payroll. He is not. The facts don’t lie.

[Guest]

It’s already happening. The Thorns are small potatoes compared to the mega clubs that are in ECNL.
The connection between Peregrine and youth sports is dead.

I hate to see this for the girls and boys that are in these clubs, but new clubs will arise and the players will still be there. Honestly, this is probably the biggest blessing for Oregon youth sports. The Timbers/Thorns destroyed ODP and in a lot of ways put Oregon soccer back 10 years compared to the rest of the western region.

A big shake up is coming.

ECNL is all about money, but that money is made on reputation. The Thorns leadership reputation is absolute garbage in the soccer world right now. Rightfully so. Anyone that think Merritt Paulson is a stand up guy is either brain dead or on the payroll. He is not. The facts don’t lie.

Great understanding of the situation.

[Guest]

Great understanding of the situation.

Thorns academy has always been somewhat of a gimmick and never amounts to what is sold. Just look at the 03 and 04 age group. They were sold on everything you could imagine but come their junior and senior year they couldn’t scratch enough people to get to a tournament and more than 9 kids at training. Weren’t even close to competitive in Oregon.

[Guest]

Thorns academy has always been somewhat of a gimmick and never amounts to what is sold. Just look at the 03 and 04 age group. They were sold on everything you could imagine but come their junior and senior year they couldn’t scratch enough people to get to a tournament and more than 9 kids at training. Weren’t even close to competitive in Oregon.

And we go again…you mean look at the 0304s that were destroyed by players leaving to play high school? Now that Thorns are not in the defunct Development Academy, the Thorns had 3 teams make the ECNL National Playoffs last year. And the 2024 graduating class has an impressive list of commitments. You are starting to sound like the 01 parents that were writing about some state cup game 3 years after that class was no longer in High School. Keep talking about the past which due to changes (high school is allowed in the ECNL league) has little to no relevance for current player decisions. Thank you!

[Guest]

And we go again…you mean look at the 0304s that were destroyed by players leaving to play high school? Now that Thorns are not in the defunct Development Academy, the Thorns had 3 teams make the ECNL National Playoffs last year. And the 2024 graduating class has an impressive list of commitments. You are starting to sound like the 01 parents that were writing about some state cup game 3 years after that class was no longer in High School. Keep talking about the past which due to changes (high school is allowed in the ECNL league) has little to no relevance for current player decisions. Thank you!

I think the point they are making is that Thorns Academy is poorly managed and lack any real development of players. It is clear now why this is the case. It has been managed by utterly incompetent and morally repugnant men for years. They are a smoke and mirrors academy, just like the liars than ran it.

Hopefully they get a new start and bring in better humans to develop these young women. What a toxic mess all of these people are. So thankful for the Yates report and the fact this our country still has accountability for those in power. Our children’s future depends on it.

need to shut it down and start over

[Guest]

There’s an impressive amount of chatter on this thread for a bunch of people who have no information (other than rumor) or ability to read the future.

A lot of new information came out this past week with the Yates report, I’m sure more is to come. Speculating about what’s to come seems pretty useless at this point.

Bottom line is hold those who had a role accountable. Hold those who are hurting players accountable. Hold those who cover up abuses accountable. Across the board - regardless of badge, gender, etc.

[Guest]

There’s an impressive amount of chatter on this thread for a bunch of people who have no information (other than rumor) or ability to read the future.

A lot of new information came out this past week with the Yates report, I’m sure more is to come. Speculating about what’s to come seems pretty useless at this point.

Bottom line is hold those who had a role accountable. Hold those who are hurting players accountable. Hold those who cover up abuses accountable. Across the board - regardless of badge, gender, etc.

Uhhhh….have you heard the comments from OYSA? They are dropping Timbers/Thorns. And ECNL is being contacted regarding Thorns. MLS Next has said they will determine based on short-term outcomes with Timbers leadership. Bottom line is if Merritt Paulson doesn’t leave, these youth clubs will be in the ash heap quickly.

[Guest]

To the original poster, Salem has CFC which is a GA club (and EA) club and they’re DOC on the Womens side is Whitney Pitalo who is also the Director of Womens Athletics at Corban University.

In Portland, I know that UPDX has ECNLRL teams so they’ll likely have ECNL teams next year. Worth a look.

Bridge City is GA and only has a ladies program so they’re less well rounded with regard to staff and club experience.

Welcome to the Northwest

[Guest]

To the original poster, Salem has CFC which is a GA club (and EA) club and they’re DOC on the Womens side is Whitney Pitalo who is also the Director of Womens Athletics at Corban University.

In Portland, I know that UPDX has ECNLRL teams so they’ll likely have ECNL teams next year. Worth a look.

Bridge City is GA and only has a ladies program so they’re less well rounded with regard to staff and club experience.

Welcome to the Northwest

That’s alot of capital letters.