Thorns Academy Year 2

[Unregistered]

At most ages the encl in oregon has been a complete mess. The Thorns Academy will continue to grow and improve. Hopefully cu and fap can continue to improve their product too. Everyone wins. If you can afford a very expensive program eNcl is a lot of fun to travel but don't expect wins.

[Unregistered]

At most ages the encl in oregon has been a complete mess. The Thorns Academy will continue to grow and improve. Hopefully cu and fap can continue to improve their product too. Everyone wins. If you can afford a very expensive program eNcl is a lot of fun to travel but don't expect wins.

"Continue" to grow and improve? It hasn't even started to grow or improve. Basically had to beat the bushes for rec players and toddlers to fill out their rosters this year. Pretty telling when only a hand full of players returned from last year. Quality is down, cost is up. Typical Timbers.

[Unregistered]

No they didn't, but don't let the facts get in the way of your argument. If you knew anything about the ECNL process, you would know that the concept of the Thorns "applying" doesn't even make sense.

Known fact that they applied and were turned down flatter than a pancake. Don't believe it if you don't want to. That would be typical of the TA lemming GW loving true believer...

[Unregistered]

Known fact that they applied and were turned down flatter than a pancake. Don't believe it if you don't want to. That would be typical of the TA lemming GW loving true believer...

Troll alert

[Unregistered]

Known fact that they applied and were turned down flatter than a pancake. Don't believe it if you don't want to. That would be typical of the TA lemming GW loving true believer...

You can argue the term "applied", but the group behind Thorns Academy had hoped to get into the ECNL. They did not really understand what it was, though, and did not have a club to even present so when they approached ECNL they were not well received.
If they had a club and a plan then it would have actually been a cool travel partner team for FCP, but that ship's sailed now that CU is created.

[Unregistered]

You can argue the term "applied", but the group behind Thorns Academy had hoped to get into the ECNL. They did not really understand what it was, though, and did not have a club to even present so when they approached ECNL they were not well received.
If they had a club and a plan then it would have actually been a cool travel partner team for FCP, but that ship's sailed now that CU is created.

Troll alert.

[Unregistered]

Troll alert.

Troll alert.

[Unregistered]

You can argue the term "applied", but the group behind Thorns Academy had hoped to get into the ECNL. They did not really understand what it was, though, and did not have a club to even present so when they approached ECNL they were not well received.
If they had a club and a plan then it would have actually been a cool travel partner team for FCP, but that ship's sailed now that CU is created.

Precisely. Timbers know that ECNL is the only real elite league for girls. And they knew they needed to get in to keep FC/THUSC from getting in. Their plan backfired and now Timbers are stuck with the Thorns Rec & Toddlers Academy playing 2nd division OYSA.

[Unregistered]

Precisely. Timbers know that ECNL is the only real elite league for girls. And they knew they needed to get in to keep FC/THUSC from getting in. Their plan backfired and now Timbers are stuck with the Thorns Rec & Toddlers Academy playing 2nd division OYSA.

Troll alert

[Unregistered]

At most ages the encl in oregon has been a complete mess. The Thorns Academy will continue to grow and improve. Hopefully cu and fap can continue to improve their product too. Everyone wins. If you can afford a very expensive program eNcl is a lot of fun to travel but don't expect wins.

There will probably on only be one encl team in Oregon next year. That will help somewhat.

[Unregistered]

I agree with you 100%. I don't have any problem with a specific club. They were all trying to get in the race and make something happen. The Elite Club National League is on a money grab. They have exchanged an elite philosophy with one that is designed to provide them with the most revenue... ie more clubs, more teams more players and ultimately more $$$. Sadly they are destroying the integrity of their own league.

Having mediocre teams in the league has some far reaching impact. Those teams that are truly elite are now required to waste their own time and dollars traveling to play significantly Inferior teams. This is something that Oregon ECNL/OPL parents should hold dear to their own hearts since we did not care to travel to play significantly inferior teams or even any team that was not better than our own teams.

I think that ECNL is propping the window open for the next truly elite league to get leverage. Sad really

Spot on.

[Unregistered]

You can argue the term "applied", but the group behind Thorns Academy had hoped to get into the ECNL. They did not really understand what it was, though, and did not have a club to even present so when they approached ECNL they were not well received.
If they had a club and a plan then it would have actually been a cool travel partner team for FCP, but that ship's sailed now that CU is created.

So, even under your scenario, they make some calls/email to get more info (wow, what a strange idea) and don't pursue it, but that means they applied and got rejected. Gotcha.

[Unregistered]

Spot on.

ECNL already is heading in the direction of a 1st and 2nd tier. It's not too long before they go to a relegation type model in which there will be elite-elite clubs and then just elite clubs. So long as Oregon has two teams in ECNL, guess where the Oregon teams will end up. One Oregon club/program would work great - doesn't matter if it's CU, FC PDX or TA.

[Unregistered]

So, even under your scenario, they make some calls/email to get more info (wow, what a strange idea) and don't pursue it, but that means they applied and got rejected. Gotcha.

They actually submitted the application, although most of it was blank. If you've ever seen the application you would know which parts they couldn't fill out: development philosophy, quality of coaching staff, results of top teams U14-U18, commitment to field teams at all age groups U14-U18, etc. Basically anything that a true "elite" club would have been doing for years and they couldn't even make up good lies.

[Unregistered]

ECNL already is heading in the direction of a 1st and 2nd tier. It's not too long before they go to a relegation type model in which there will be elite-elite clubs and then just elite clubs. So long as Oregon has two teams in ECNL, guess where the Oregon teams will end up. One Oregon club/program would work great - doesn't matter if it's CU, FC PDX or TA.

Make up some more BS, why don't you. The only "tiers" in ECNL are in the playoffs. Kinda like there is ECNL for the good players, OYSA state cup for the wannabees, and OYSA presidents cup for the Timbers teams.