ECNL $10,000/yr vs Thorns Academy $500/yr

[Unregistered]

I wonder if the parents of the WST/TS U16's understand that there is no way for the Timbers to keep more than 8 of the team? There are going to be 20 quality U16 players from outside fighting for those roster spots and the Timbers HAVE to put a number of 15's on that team too.

Those player changes along with a new coach is going to change how the team plays the game and the chemistry and player familiarity that has been the hallmark of the teams will be GONE!

Top 8 plus 20 from outside means that the ECNL teams at this age group will be even worse than everyone projects.

[Unregistered]

Only 1 age

Top 8 plus 20 from outside means that the ECNL teams at this age group will be even worse than everyone projects.

I would say that they have the best team at this age but not say they have the best 8 players at this age.

There are an equal number of equally talented players scattered all over the region. The open question is where are they going to concentrate?

If money is the big factor the player will attempt to go to the Academy.

If money is not a hold back the player will get more value and opportunity from participating with the stronger ECNL team.

There are not enough top flight players in our region to stock 2.5 teams so that means that the 16's going to ECNL have to be careful which team they select.

[Unregistered]

There are not enough top flight players in our region to stock 2.5 teams so that means that the 16's going to ECNL have to be careful which team they select.

I agree. Best bet of the three is the Academy.

[Unregistered]

I agree. Best bet of the three is the Academy.

I think at this age group, there is no question that the Academy will be the best team. I continue to hear parents saying that they are more interested in playing on the top team and in FWRL than in ECNL. Many can't afford it. Many also think the ECNL teams will be very weak. And in spite of the people on here saying that the WST U16s will break up and go different directions, I'm hearing they all want to stay together and will go to the academy or stay at WST.

[Unregistered]

I think at this age group, there is no question that the Academy will be the best team. I continue to hear parents saying that they are more interested in playing on the top team and in FWRL than in ECNL. Many can't afford it. Many also think the ECNL teams will be very weak. And in spite of the people on here saying that the WST U16s will break up and go different directions, I'm hearing they all want to stay together and will go to the academy or stay at WST.

Parents always say that until the last minute...

[Unregistered]

The academy will not even be accepted into Surf Super.

My kids team was in the lowest group at Vegas but she got 3 D1 college visits out of it.

Sorry but who gives a rats what group you are in.

Just getting done with this rat race with my kid, you'll find that the things you think are most important for your kid were just most important to you and your kid was the one who did it regardless of where they were at.

[Unregistered]

Congrats to HER

My kids team was in the lowest group at Vegas but she got 3 D1 college visits out of it.

Sorry but who gives a rats what group you are in.

Just getting done with this rat race with my kid, you'll find that the things you think are most important for your kid were just most important to you and your kid was the one who did it regardless of where they were at.

Did the visits turn into offers?

[Unregistered]

My kids team was in the lowest group at Vegas but she got 3 D1 college visits out of it.

Sorry but who gives a rats what group you are in.

Just getting done with this rat race with my kid, you'll find that the things you think are most important for your kid were just most important to you and your kid was the one who did it regardless of where they were at.

I'm totally blown away by the very large number of posters on this forum all claiming that their daughters got D1 soccer scholarships. Maybe Oregon youth soccer isn't so mediocre after all.
Bodes well for ECNL.

[Unregistered]

I'm totally blown away by the very large number of posters on this forum all claiming that their daughters got D1 soccer scholarships. Maybe Oregon youth soccer isn't so mediocre after all.
Bodes well for ECNL.

Or maybe it is a select few posting in this forum OR it is a select few lying on this forum to support on club or another.

[Unregistered]

It has a range of course but the mean is higher than other leagues.

Much higher. EFC G98 Red, last year's USYSA national champion, didn't even make it out of group when they had to compete against ECNL teams at Surf last year.

WPFC and Crossfire ECNL teams playing up an age group had trouble finding competition at the older age groups at last year's Crossfire Challenge.

A week ago, WPFC'S U15-17 ECNL teams each played up an age group at the Rainier Challenge. The ECNL teams won every game they played and had a combined GD of 47-2.

Those who claim the ECNL is watered down, or not that much better, or whatever, simply don't know what they are talking about.

[Unregistered]

I'm totally blown away by the very large number of posters on this forum all claiming that their daughters got D1 soccer scholarships. Maybe Oregon youth soccer isn't so mediocre after all.
Bodes well for ECNL.

All seven of my kids are on full ride scholarships to D1 schools and they never played a minute of competitive club soccer. Just pickup street ball and my guidance. College scouts were lined up at the park for our pick up games.

I wouldn't believe much of what you read here.

[Unregistered]

Much higher. EFC G98 Red, last year's USYSA national champion, didn't even make it out of group when they had to compete against ECNL teams at Surf last year.

WPFC and Crossfire ECNL teams playing up an age group had trouble finding competition at the older age groups at last year's Crossfire Challenge.

A week ago, WPFC'S U15-17 ECNL teams each played up an age group at the Rainier Challenge. The ECNL teams won every game they played and had a combined GD of 47-2.

Those who claim the ECNL is watered down, or not that much better, or whatever, simply don't know what they are talking about.

I love it when people go through and take selected data to support their point of view but don't take the time, or ignore it, to find data that is to the contrary. Look through some of the ECNL results at Las Vegas. Some teams do very well. Other's get beat by some mid-level non-ECNL teams. Las Vegas, for example, has two teams. One is somewhat decent, the other sucks. And not just in ECNL, but when they play non-ECNL teams. Does Boise have the base to get their teams to competitiveness? They stunk last year, but I'm willing to give them a couple of years. However do they have 18 good girls at each age group to be competitive? Do they even have 11?

[Unregistered]

I'm totally blown away by the very large number of posters on this forum all claiming that their daughters got D1 soccer scholarships. Maybe Oregon youth soccer isn't so mediocre after all.
Bodes well for ECNL.

Well I'm totally blown away that my daughter has a D1 offer. Actually multiple ones. And from good programs. And I don't care if anyone thinks I'm lying or not. The reality is all that matters to us and I know what reality is. And when I compare where she was at U11 to the point today where she has these offers, well it's been quite a journey.

[Unregistered]

I love it when people go through and take selected data to support their point of view but don't take the time, or ignore it, to find data that is to the contrary. Look through some of the ECNL results at Las Vegas. Some teams do very well. Other's get beat by some mid-level non-ECNL teams. Las Vegas, for example, has two teams. One is somewhat decent, the other sucks. And not just in ECNL, but when they play non-ECNL teams. Does Boise have the base to get their teams to competitiveness? They stunk last year, but I'm willing to give them a couple of years. However do they have 18 good girls at each age group to be competitive? Do they even have 11?

I love it even more when people offer no data to support their point of view. Like you just did here.

[Unregistered]

I love it even more when people offer no data to support their point of view. Like you just did here.

LV Showcase U16 Santa Fe - three ECNL teams. Places 2,4,6. Pac NW Maroons - 1, Kings Hammer - 3, THUSC - 5.

Ohio Elite Showcase U16 - Ohio Elite ECNL, tied for 2nd place, Kentucky Fire, 1st place

West Coast Clasasic U17 - Strikers ECNL 4th place out of four in bracket. Out of 16 teams, 2 were ECNL, neither won the tournament.

I can continue to mine through and find examples where ECNL teams were shown up by non-ECNL teams. A lot of these bad ECNL teams, however, don't seem to play in too many non-ECNL events. Probably don't want to get beaten by those lowly, non-ECNL teams. And the results at LV should be even more troubling for THUSC at U17 since they finished 5th in a bracket with non-ECNL teams and mid to low tier ECNL teams.