Thorns Academy cost capped at $3,600.

[Unregistered]

Cost is a very real concern for us. We aren't poor but we try to make smart financial choices. I think next year is the first year we can try out and we will be very interested to see how it works out.

Real concern or not, most of the comments on here are simply inaccurate. If you are attempting to alleviate your angst over money this is the last place you want to be. Unless of course you are that one person that likes to keep stirring the pot.

[Unregistered]

Real concern or not, most of the comments on here are simply inaccurate. If you are attempting to alleviate your angst over money this is the last place you want to be. Unless of course you are that one person that likes to keep stirring the pot.

There are actually about a dozen people who are stirring the pot. So long as you define stirring the pot as putting out facts and ignoring the hyperbole surrounding the ECNL statements. Full ride scholarships to ACC, Pac 12 and Big 12 schools for unproven sophomores has to be one of the biggest lies I have seen on here. Unless you are a WNT player, that isn't happening.

[Unregistered]

Cost is a very real concern for us. We aren't poor but we try to make smart financial choices. I think next year is the first year we can try out and we will be very interested to see how it works out.

There will be a full year track record by then so no more guesstimates all over the board.

[Unregistered]

There will be a full year track record by then so no more guesstimates all over the board.

And people will be able to see the competition that the Portland ECNL teams played against and judge the value. No wild claims about playing the top of the top.

[Unregistered]

And people will be able to see the competition that the Portland ECNL teams played against and judge the value. No wild claims about playing the top of the top.

But it's possible they will. The Academy has no such chance.

[Unregistered]

I realize you feel threatened by the Academy but the fact is that they will play against top competition just like teams in Oregon have done for years.

[Unregistered]

I realize you feel threatened by the Academy but the fact is that they will play against top competition just like teams in Oregon have done for years.

Name one of these "top competition". Nothing firm on their schedule so far.

[Unregistered]

If they really can cap the cost it will be compelling. At least for a lot of families.

[Unregistered]

Name one of these "top competition". Nothing firm on their schedule so far.

From what's listed on the FWRL they are playing vs. WA State Cup Champs, finalist and semi's teams ... dont think they are nobodies.

[Unregistered]

From what's listed on the FWRL they are playing vs. WA State Cup Champs, finalist and semi's teams ... dont think they are nobodies.

Not nobodies but not much compared to Crossfire Premier and WPFC ECNL teams.

[Unregistered]

If they really can cap the cost it will be compelling. At least for a lot of families.

I think that is the idea behind the Academy to keep costs within certain parameters.

[Unregistered]

From what's listed on the FWRL they are playing vs. WA State Cup Champs, finalist and semi's teams ... dont think they are nobodies.

...I sure wouldn't be trumpeting FWRL games as my crowning glory if I wanted to be considered an elite team...

[Unregistered]

Not nobodies but not much compared to Crossfire Premier and WPFC ECNL teams.

Agreed, those teams are a couple levels above what you'll find in FWRL winners and runners up

[Unregistered]

...I sure wouldn't be trumpeting FWRL games as my crowning glory if I wanted to be considered an elite team...

Sure, to really trumpet you need to play Connecticut ECNL, second to last place currently and a last place team last year. Or CASL, a last place team year after year and with a current GD of -8. Or Birmingham, who top to bottom across age groups are in last or second to last place out of 8 teams. Atlanta fire and their second to last place standing. Yes sir indeed. ECNL is about playing top competition. Development. Fraser and Tom must have left these facts out of their ECNL presentation. And this doesn't even include Boise and Utah, who are getting beaten with regularity. So 32 games on the docket, and about 8-10 are really worthwhile.

[Unregistered]

Sure, to really trumpet you need to play Connecticut ECNL, second to last place currently and a last place team last year. Or CASL, a last place team year after year and with a current GD of -8. Or Birmingham, who top to bottom across age groups are in last or second to last place out of 8 teams. Atlanta fire and their second to last place standing. Yes sir indeed. ECNL is about playing top competition. Development. Fraser and Tom must have left these facts out of their ECNL presentation. And this doesn't even include Boise and Utah, who are getting beaten with regularity. So 32 games on the docket, and about 8-10 are really worthwhile.

Last place in ANY ECNL division is still light years better than the best of OYSA or FWRL. Fact.