Ecnl 2013-14

[Unregistered]

Regarding the women's game here in PDX Metro and controlling youth soccer at it's highest level the Timbers organization would be smart to align with US Club & ECNL. If a "club", especially a non Timber aligned club, were to land the ECNL then it would be much more difficult to establish a competing program. The Thorn connection will have some relevance but in the end the national scope and the reputation of the ECNL would trump pretty much anything the Timbers could create.
There has been rumor that the MLS has been in talks with the ECNL for awhile now. On face value it looks like it could be a huge win-win for everyone involved.
Personally I'd like to see it happen. I'm tired of the battle between the clubs and the politics of the OPL/DOCs. Maybe if we remove the club structure from upper level player development we might actually see some real, true and honest focus on development. That would be refreshing.

ECNL/MLS have been talking since July.....DOC's are drawn up and it is ready to present. This will be a great thing for US Soccer in general let alone the PDX area. PDX will have 3-4 major clubs here soon once the deals are finished. OPL will condense down to what will be called the "Big 8" just like RCL in Washington has done.......but for the most part there will be 3 major clubs run by MLS. The talk between MLS/ECNL has not only been to help consolidate talent but to eliminate costs. ECNL can cost up to $7.5K per year.....MLS wants to get that down around $2K......with adidas/nike picking up travel costs for the teams.
and yes... I threw in NIKE there because there is talk that NIKE will buy back the MLS at whatever cost it takes.....NIKE is pissed at Adidas because they are eating up NIKES soccer market with the MLS and club affiliations. 2018 is when the Adidas contract is done with MLS.....NIKE will pay billions for this. I garauntee the MLS will make NIKE/Adidas fund the youth programs....whoever puts the best deal together wins the contract.

[Unregistered]

ECNL/MLS have been talking since July.....DOC's are drawn up and it is ready to present. This will be a great thing for US Soccer in general let alone the PDX area. PDX will have 3-4 major clubs here soon once the deals are finished. OPL will condense down to what will be called the "Big 8" just like RCL in Washington has done.......but for the most part there will be 3 major clubs run by MLS. The talk between MLS/ECNL has not only been to help consolidate talent but to eliminate costs. ECNL can cost up to $7.5K per year.....MLS wants to get that down around $2K......with adidas/nike picking up travel costs for the teams.
and yes... I threw in NIKE there because there is talk that NIKE will buy back the MLS at whatever cost it takes.....NIKE is pissed at Adidas because they are eating up NIKES soccer market with the MLS and club affiliations. 2018 is when the Adidas contract is done with MLS.....NIKE will pay billions for this. I garauntee the MLS will make NIKE/Adidas fund the youth programs....whoever puts the best deal together wins the contract.

Interesting if true.
The Nike comment is funny. Nike "wants" soccer now .... a few years ago they didn't want to be bothered with the youth clubs/teams. Just wanted to sign big name pro athletes/clubs and sell shoes. Adidas built their soccer business via grass roots and has a loyal soccer following. Should be interesting regardless ....

[Unregistered]

It's not true, but it sure is a novel idea!