It's going to be a painfully long year 😔

[Unregistered]

Still crickets. When cornered with having to name a viable alternative to playing ecnl, none of you anti-ecnl posters can give me one. Sure it's easy to blast the cost and make fun of poor results but if your a freshman or soph in today's landscape, there isn't a viable alternative in the Portland metro area if your goal is to try and play at the next level.

Actually, there are non ECNL teams that are competitive and can go to showcases that are inexpensive or moderately expensive and get exposure. Tacoma, the FC showcase, even Las Vegas isn't too bad. It will be a lot less then ECNL and unless you're targeting the P5 conferences, you can get offers. We are talking mostly low D1 and D2 and down, but that's where the Portland players should be targeting. ECNL posters have scoffed at Portland State and Grand Canyon University, but that's where a number of ECNL players are committed. You don't think a non ECNL player can get to those schools? Sure they can. Ditto other Big Sky teams. If ECNL is only for P5 conferences, then there are going to be lots and lots of Portland ECNL players who end up very disappointed. About 95% of them in fact.

[Unregistered]

Also proved my point, last and 2nd to last in Pac12, weaker Pac12 programs. D1 is still a nice accomplishment. How'd she get seem by CU? Not playing in OYSA, I bet ODP or travel to some showcase, maybe some ID camps. Adds up $$$$$$.

You really don't know what you are talking about. It's difficult to ever speak with someone so clueless. Colorado was in the sweet 16 two years ago and last year finished 3rd in the Pac 12 and went to the tournament. Five years ago Oregon State was doing the same thing. The Pac 12 continually turns over and the bottom teams move toward the top and so forth. Other than Stanford that is, who is always near the top. You may not think that Linus is a very good coach based upon his past two seasons, but those are exceptions. He is usually at least middle of the pack and often his teams are in the hunt for the tournament.

[Unregistered]

seriously?

Still crickets. When cornered with having to name a viable alternative to playing ecnl, none of you anti-ecnl posters can give me one. Sure it's easy to blast the cost and make fun of poor results but if your a freshman or soph in today's landscape, there isn't a viable alternative in the Portland metro area if your goal is to try and play at the next level.

So what was going on before ECNL? Kids were not able to play at the next level? You are smug and arrogant. You are so caught up in the ECNL thing that you are unable to see the forest from the trees. Non ECNL kids are moving on to the next level. If you are picking where to play based on soccer and not education... you are a bigger fool. What is beyond the next level... women professional teams? Maybe 1/2 of a percent of girls get there? If a D3 school has the right path and curriculum for your interest, go there, if you get to play soccer.. bonus for you.

[Unregistered]

So what was going on before ECNL? Kids were not able to play at the next level? You are smug and arrogant. You are so caught up in the ECNL thing that you are unable to see the forest from the trees. Non ECNL kids are moving on to the next level. If you are picking where to play based on soccer and not education... you are a bigger fool. What is beyond the next level... women professional teams? Maybe 1/2 of a percent of girls get there? If a D3 school has the right path and curriculum for your interest, go there, if you get to play soccer.. bonus for you.

I completely agree with your last statement. I am an ECNL supporter and too many of our parents are hung up on D1 and you will most likely get more money at a D3 school and probably a better education.

However, on the flipside the facts are the facts as ECNL is growing more and more schools are recruiting primarily from ECNL showcases because it is such a big pool.

BTW my advice to my daughter was pick a school if you arent playing soccer that you will be happy attending (we arent all crazy, but in general soccer parents are NUTS)

[Unregistered]

So what was going on before ECNL? Kids were not able to play at the next level? You are smug and arrogant. You are so caught up in the ECNL thing that you are unable to see the forest from the trees. Non ECNL kids are moving on to the next level. If you are picking where to play based on soccer and not education... you are a bigger fool. What is beyond the next level... women professional teams? Maybe 1/2 of a percent of girls get there? If a D3 school has the right path and curriculum for your interest, go there, if you get to play soccer.. bonus for you.

Yes, teams stayed together or players moved to stronger teams (and these varied by club per age group, TA or non TA) pre ecnl , so there were options to go to the next level without ecnl. Now it seems that IF better players leave, they are moving to ecnl. You continue to bash ecnl and say there are alternatives but failed to name a specific team where a 15/16 yr can go to that will help get her to the next level. It's because unfortunately there isn't one. My DD came from a non ecnl club, so I'm not a die hard ecnl zealot, just a parent looking for better options and ecnl seemed to be the only one. If this makes me smug and arrogant, so be it.

And no, I don't want my DD going to PSU or Oregon State just because they offer a scholarship. I said in an earlier post that I want her to choose a school based on academics and if soccer helps get her in the door, great. She is a strong student, so she may get other scholarships besides soccer, if not, I have saved so I can also pay tuition.

[Unregistered]

Yes, teams stayed together or players moved to stronger teams (and these varied by club per age group, TA or non TA) pre ecnl , so there were options to go to the next level without ecnl. Now it seems that IF better players leave, they are moving to ecnl. You continue to bash ecnl and say there are alternatives but failed to name a specific team where a 15/16 yr can go to that will help get her to the next level. It's because unfortunately there isn't one. My DD came from a non ecnl club, so I'm not a die hard ecnl zealot, just a parent looking for better options and ecnl seemed to be the only one. If this makes me smug and arrogant, so be it.

And no, I don't want my DD going to PSU or Oregon State just because they offer a scholarship. I said in an earlier post that I want her to choose a school based on academics and if soccer helps get her in the door, great. She is a strong student, so she may get other scholarships besides soccer, if not, I have saved so I can also pay tuition.

and to add, D3 at a strong academic school is great too. I'm not hung up on D1. If my daughter, decides not to play in college and finds other interests, that's great too! However, she loves it now and wants to continue to advance, so this seemed like the best option.

[Unregistered]

You really don't know what you are talking about. It's difficult to ever speak with someone so clueless. Colorado was in the sweet 16 two years ago and last year finished 3rd in the Pac 12 and went to the tournament. Five years ago Oregon State was doing the same thing. The Pac 12 continually turns over and the bottom teams move toward the top and so forth. Other than Stanford that is, who is always near the top. You may not think that Linus is a very good coach based upon his past two seasons, but those are exceptions. He is usually at least middle of the pack and often his teams are in the hunt for the tournament.

Sorry, if I'm a blue chip recruit, I'm not signing with a last place team that made the tourney 5 years ago, unless it's really at a strong academic school that is a great match for me. Corvallis, no thanks.

[Unregistered]

Sorry, if I'm a blue chip recruit, I'm not signing with a last place team that made the tourney 5 years ago, unless it's really at a strong academic school that is a great match for me. Corvallis, no thanks.

Blue chip recruits from Oregon, that's funny

[Unregistered]

So what was going on before ECNL? Kids were not able to play at the next level? You are smug and arrogant. You are so caught up in the ECNL thing that you are unable to see the forest from the trees. Non ECNL kids are moving on to the next level. If you are picking where to play based on soccer and not education... you are a bigger fool. What is beyond the next level... women professional teams? Maybe 1/2 of a percent of girls get there? If a D3 school has the right path and curriculum for your interest, go there, if you get to play soccer.. bonus for you.

Okay, I am not the poster you are answering, but you are bringing up point that is the most important. What kids did before to get recruited and what is happening now cannot be compared. Before ECNL, the players showcase, FarWest regionals, surf cup, etc., is where you would see all the larger programs, and you will still see some. However, more and more colleges, even some of the smaller programs are now using more of their budget to go to ECNL events because there is a higher concentration of equally matched teams. Some of those schools will stop there and not go to those previous recruiting grounds because of budget.

I am not saying for one second that kids not playing ECNL are out of luck, there will be opportunities and there will be schools that will still go to those other events. ECNL simply makes the process easier for coaches because they can watch specific kids over the course of the year with the required showcase attendance by teams and they don't have to chase the kids down. Because of this, what happened even a few years ago with recruiting in Oregon is hard to compare with what is going to go forward. I have a realistic view that there are lots of opportunities out there, and kids who do not do ECNL will still have opportunities, but they are now competing with ECNL events drawing coaches, not just other kids. I also have the realistic view that even with ECNl the kids need to put the work in and contact schools early if they are looking for a top tier program. The whole, "if you are good enough they will find you" is BS with or without ECNL, there are very few kids in that category, coaches go to watch kids that are interested in their school, the good news is they also watch their teammates and the opposing team, so volume of coaches matter. That is the main thing ECNl offers is volume of coaches and multiple times throughout the year where it draws the same schools.

[Unregistered]

Sorry, if I'm a blue chip recruit, I'm not signing with a last place team that made the tourney 5 years ago, unless it's really at a strong academic school that is a great match for me. Corvallis, no thanks.

So if your dd is so good that she can choose to completely disregard an offer to OSU due to some perceived snootiness on your part, then go for it. However, I highly doubt she is that good and if she even GOT a sniff at a Pac 12 school she would be thrilled.

[Unregistered]

Okay, I am not the poster you are answering, but you are bringing up point that is the most important. What kids did before to get recruited and what is happening now cannot be compared. Before ECNL, the players showcase, FarWest regionals, surf cup, etc., is where you would see all the larger programs, and you will still see some. However, more and more colleges, even some of the smaller programs are now using more of their budget to go to ECNL events because there is a higher concentration of equally matched teams. Some of those schools will stop there and not go to those previous recruiting grounds because of budget.

I am not saying for one second that kids not playing ECNL are out of luck, there will be opportunities and there will be schools that will still go to those other events. ECNL simply makes the process easier for coaches because they can watch specific kids over the course of the year with the required showcase attendance by teams and they don't have to chase the kids down. Because of this, what happened even a few years ago with recruiting in Oregon is hard to compare with what is going to go forward. I have a realistic view that there are lots of opportunities out there, and kids who do not do ECNL will still have opportunities, but they are now competing with ECNL events drawing coaches, not just other kids. I also have the realistic view that even with ECNl the kids need to put the work in and contact schools early if they are looking for a top tier program. The whole, "if you are good enough they will find you" is BS with or without ECNL, there are very few kids in that category, coaches go to watch kids that are interested in their school, the good news is they also watch their teammates and the opposing team, so volume of coaches matter. That is the main thing ECNl offers is volume of coaches and multiple times throughout the year where it draws the same schools.

Yes, agreed that's what I've been arguing. What was last year or two years doesn't seem to be a factor. Girls currently playing for 17/18 on non ecnl clubs have had these other opportunities and have been seen by coaches but the same opportunities for today's 15/16s don't seem to exist. At least in the Portland market, in areas with bigger pools of players, I'm sure there is plenty of room for competitive non ecnl clubs.

[Unregistered]

So if your dd is so good that she can choose to completely disregard an offer to OSU due to some perceived snootiness on your part, then go for it. However, I highly doubt she is that good and if she even GOT a sniff at a Pac 12 school she would be thrilled.

I agree with you, that is just ignorance speaking. It takes a lot to get serious interest from a PAC12 school, event the Oregon ones. Most of those schools gets several hundred emails a week, every week! There are plenty of kids that would be honored to have the opportunity to play PAC12 AND study there as well, honors college is always an option for the more serious student. Just humorous that someone knocks it as if it were garbage and no one values the education OSU provides. The truth is many do.....

[Unregistered]

Yes, agreed that's what I've been arguing. What was last year or two years doesn't seem to be a factor. Girls currently playing for 17/18 on non ecnl clubs have had these other opportunities and have been seen by coaches but the same opportunities for today's 15/16s don't seem to exist. At least in the Portland market, in areas with bigger pools of players, I'm sure there is plenty of room for competitive non ecnl clubs.

I think parents need to work with their kids and maybe rethink their priorities. It seems this ECNL view is that it is just to seen by coaches. If that's the only criteria for playing soccer and where you play, then that seems pretty narrow and a recipe for potential unhappiness. First, I am not impressed by all of the ECNL coaches. I think there are ones that are not coaching ECNL that are better than some of them. There are a few that I think are good, but certainly not all. Also, some teams have better chemistry than others. If your dd doesn't like her teammates it seems stupid to keep her there merely for better exposure. I know that many, if not all, U15 girls playing ECNL think they want to play in college, but that will change for many. If they don't love competition and challenge and hard work and the rewards that you get from playing at the next level, then college soccer isn't for them. If they still want to play ECNL because of other reasons and you can afford it, then that's your choice. However for some, I think by U17 they might be saying I wish I would have just played on my local team with my friends and had more fun rather than chasing some dream that has now changed. I think having that discussion at U14, U15 and U16 with your dd is the best thing you can do as a soccer parent.

[Unregistered]

I think parents need to work with their kids and maybe rethink their priorities. It seems this ECNL view is that it is just to seen by coaches. If that's the only criteria for playing soccer and where you play, then that seems pretty narrow and a recipe for potential unhappiness. First, I am not impressed by all of the ECNL coaches. I think there are ones that are not coaching ECNL that are better than some of them. There are a few that I think are good, but certainly not all. Also, some teams have better chemistry than others. If your dd doesn't like her teammates it seems stupid to keep her there merely for better exposure. I know that many, if not all, U15 girls playing ECNL think they want to play in college, but that will change for many. If they don't love competition and challenge and hard work and the rewards that you get from playing at the next level, then college soccer isn't for them. If they still want to play ECNL because of other reasons and you can afford it, then that's your choice. However for some, I think by U17 they might be saying I wish I would have just played on my local team with my friends and had more fun rather than chasing some dream that has now changed. I think having that discussion at U14, U15 and U16 with your dd is the best thing you can do as a soccer parent.

I think re-evaluating every year for any club soccer team, whether ECNL or not is appropriate. It is a big commitment financially and a big commitment time wise for the player, assessing if it is the right fit before the next tryouts should always be happening.

[Unregistered]

So if your dd is so good that she can choose to completely disregard an offer to OSU due to some perceived snootiness on your part, then go for it. However, I highly doubt she is that good and if she even GOT a sniff at a Pac 12 school she would be thrilled.

I'm not saying she is that good, I'm saying that I would want her to not feel compelled to go to a school that she isn't crazy about, just because they offer her a ride. My hope is that she decides to expand her horizon and go to school outside of Oregon. She is an excellent student and I have saved for tuition, so we are fortunate not to have soccer dictate her choices. Maybe she decides not to even play in college, maybe she's not good enough?