Thorns Academy cost capped at $3,600.

[Unregistered]

The merger makes a ton of sense.

Yep, shutting down the Thorns Academy and merging those few players into the ECNL clubs does make a ton of sense.

[Unregistered]

Yep, shutting down the Thorns Academy and merging those few players into the ECNL clubs does make a ton of sense.

It sure would make the ECNL teams a lot more competitive. A LOT more.

[Unregistered]

The Thorns Academy will already draw a lot of talent due to the capped costs. The merger that makes sense is the two clubs in the elite league.

Bring together Thusc and FC Portland and you are in business.

[Unregistered]

The Thorns Academy will already draw a lot of talent due to the capped costs. The merger that makes sense is the two clubs in the elite league.

Bring together Thusc and FC Portland and you are in business.

Thorns should have capped costs, but they should be far lower. It doesn't cost that much to just play winter league. My dd can do that now for about a third the cost and same exposure the Thorns are getting.

[Unregistered]

The Thorns Academy will already draw a lot of talent due to the capped costs. The merger that makes sense is the two clubs in the elite league.

Bring together Thusc and FC Portland and you are in business.

Eventually that will have to happen. As the Academy grows FCP and thusc will like merge to compete.

[Unregistered]

Eventually that will have to happen. As the Academy grows FCP and thusc will like merge to compete.

Why will it grow. It has capped costs to attract the budget minded consumer, but in reality they simply are doing what any OYSA team is currently doing. But it costs more. There is no need for the Thorns academy.

[Unregistered]

Eventually that will have to happen. As the Academy grows FCP and thusc will like merge to compete.

Merging FC Portland and Thusc ECNL would allow them to compete at a much higher level.

[Unregistered]

Why will it grow. It has capped costs to attract the budget minded consumer, but in reality they simply are doing what any OYSA team is currently doing. But it costs more. There is no need for the Thorns academy.

Poor Tom. Desperately trying to keep ECNL relevant here in Portland.

[Unregistered]

Merging FC Portland and Thusc ECNL would allow them to compete at a much higher level.

Yep....

Then what the thorns going to do? Hopefully they have higher ambitions then just playing in OYSA winter league.

[Unregistered]

The premise of the Thorns Academy is to provide a top quality experience but to keep costs reasonable knowing some families have have talented kids but not the resources to do other options.

All three of the options in Oregon are great opportunities FCP, Thusc and the Academy are all fine programs.