Girls DA = $10,000/yr & NO high school sports???

[Unregistered]

It seems like the goal of the ECNL League is to get the girls in the door and have their parents give them a lot of money.

At least that's the current perception of our Local Clubs who joined the ECNL.

Everyone say it's way too expensive!

It doesn't attract the top local talent to just one club or team.

Currently it is about bragging rights for rich parents with mediocre talent kids at neighborhood clubs.

Sound familiar?

Yup .... two self proclaimed top level soccer leagues. One has been inexistence, what 5 years now, the other is trying to get a piece of the pie. $$$ all in the name of development.
Shame on us for falling for this.

[Unregistered]

As US Soccer says you are part of something larger than yourself and you need to stop being selfish. Girls parents helping to pay for boys travel should be a proud moment.

Why aren't they paying for girls like they do with boys?

[Unregistered]

The USWNT is a dream for all female players. Just like going to play for UNC is a college dream for girls as well. Only a handful will get to these levels. Oregon's had Tiffany Millbrett as it's lone shining star from humble, backwater origins in Hillsboro Oregon.

Streamlining and creating a platform for the top clubs and their female players is something US Soccer has complete reign and governance over now. Whether you or I like the methodology and practices, doesn't really matter, it's their baby and they have complete and utter confidence in how they handle their affairs. US Soccer fields the best female National teams on the globe, no matter how small the globe of women's soccer is. It's called authority and power and until you can take that away from them, they run the show.

Being a GDA club is now the hottest title and level of play in the country for club female soccer players aged 14 to 18, as evidenced by the truly elite clubs that have been selected through the arduous screening process set forth by US Soccer. With the NWSL clubs also joining these elite club ranks to foster their developmental goals for women's soccer.

Yes, their will be a huge ripple effect on a league like the ECNL which is faced with the reality their elite member club players are joining the GDA and won't be allowed to play in the ECNL. They will adjust and find a different kind of model for the remaining non GDA players. Who knows how they will restructure conferences and divisions but they will adjust. State leagues & regional leagues will still have plenty of players remaining to support quality league play at the local levels. Life will go on.

The bigger picture GDA goals revolve around player development, on the surface.

OK, Oregon got a GDA program with the Portland Thorns. Girls and parents know the high level of teams, commitment & clubs in the league and if playing against that kind of competition is a good fit for them and the Portland Thorns select them from tryouts, only the best for them!

If they value playing with their HS teams or local club team more than this opportunity, that's their choice no one can knock them for it either.

The GDA is simply an opportunity that is directed by US Soccer and the Portland Thorns for our elite level girls.

Totally agree. I'm also not sure why the Timbers/Thorns get hammered by some for becoming part of this program. The level of clubs that are becoming involved nationally is very impressive - some of the top ECNL clubs. Without the Timbers/Thorns affiliation, Oregon would have zero chance of getting a GDA and would be stuck with a soon-to-be second tier ECNL.

[Unregistered]

Why aren't they paying for girls like they do with boys?

The Timbers will step up and treat girls the same way they treat boys and cover all travel costs, I assume.

[Unregistered]

It seems like the goal is to get the girls in the door and have their parents give them a lot of money.

The GDA is a non-starter. Most elite girls soccer players want to play high school sports and do other sports.

It's way too expensive.

Won't attract top talent.

This will be only bragging rights for rich parents with mediocre talent kids.

The more you complain about girl paying and boys getting a free ride, they will probably raise your fees more and more until you quiet down.

[Unregistered]

The GDA will not have a cost structure like most clubs so the fees you pay will likely result in a nice profit for the Timbers. The Timbers pay for travel for boys. So I suppose in a roundabout way the parents of girls will get to help pay for boys travel. But it is very indirect.

Stop complaining. The girls will pay and boys will get a free ride. That is the way soccer has always been.

[Unregistered]

The Timbers will step up and treat girls the same way they treat boys and cover all travel costs, I assume.

I hope your assumption is correct. However, I'll believe it when I see it. All indicators point in the other direction sadly.

[Unregistered]

The USWNT is a dream for all female players. Just like going to play for UNC is a college dream for girls as well. Only a handful will get to these levels. Oregon's had Tiffany Millbrett as it's lone shining star from humble, backwater origins in Hillsboro Oregon.

Streamlining and creating a platform for the top clubs and their female players is something US Soccer has complete reign and governance over now. Whether you or I like the methodology and practices, doesn't really matter, it's their baby and they have complete and utter confidence in how they handle their affairs. US Soccer fields the best female National teams on the globe, no matter how small the globe of women's soccer is. It's called authority and power and until you can take that away from them, they run the show.

Being a GDA club is now the hottest title and level of play in the country for club female soccer players aged 14 to 18, as evidenced by the truly elite clubs that have been selected through the arduous screening process set forth by US Soccer. With the NWSL clubs also joining these elite club ranks to foster their developmental goals for women's soccer.

Yes, their will be a huge ripple effect on a league like the ECNL which is faced with the reality their elite member club players are joining the GDA and won't be allowed to play in the ECNL. They will adjust and find a different kind of model for the remaining non GDA players. Who knows how they will restructure conferences and divisions but they will adjust. State leagues & regional leagues will still have plenty of players remaining to support quality league play at the local levels. Life will go on.

The bigger picture GDA goals revolve around player development, on the surface.

OK, Oregon got a GDA program with the Portland Thorns. Girls and parents know the high level of teams, commitment & clubs in the league and if playing against that kind of competition is a good fit for them and the Portland Thorns select them from tryouts, only the best for them!

If they value playing with their HS teams or local club team more than this opportunity, that's their choice no one can knock them for it either.

The GDA is simply an opportunity that is directed by US Soccer and the Portland Thorns for our elite level girls.

Pretty much agree with everything you've said. However, and a pretty substantial HOWEVER, is how many of the Oregon elite (your word) players will agree with the GDA demands? Only time will tell.
If half of the qualified players balk at the demands do we have enough elite caliber players to field a truly elite team? If not, The Thorns will be forced to add bodies ($) to fill out the roster. Seems to me this is the same critique the current Oregon ECNL faces.
The Thorns GDA could potentially be a very mediocre endeavor.
By the time the GDA gets off the ground my DD will be a senior in HS. We've discussed the GDA requirements and her first response was a resounding no way. She wants to continue to play at a high level (club) but not at the expense of her Senior year of HS life. I can't fault her for that at all. I understand the factors may be different for younger players but I have a feeling her sentiments are shared by many players in her same position.

[Unregistered]

The USWNT is a dream for all female players. Just like going to play for UNC is a college dream for girls as well. Only a handful will get to these levels. Oregon's had Tiffany Millbrett as it's lone shining star from humble, backwater origins in Hillsboro Oregon.

Streamlining and creating a platform for the top clubs and their female players is something US Soccer has complete reign and governance over now. Whether you or I like the methodology and practices, doesn't really matter, it's their baby and they have complete and utter confidence in how they handle their affairs. US Soccer fields the best female National teams on the globe, no matter how small the globe of women's soccer is. It's called authority and power and until you can take that away from them, they run the show.

Being a GDA club is now the hottest title and level of play in the country for club female soccer players aged 14 to 18, as evidenced by the truly elite clubs that have been selected through the arduous screening process set forth by US Soccer. With the NWSL clubs also joining these elite club ranks to foster their developmental goals for women's soccer.

Yes, their will be a huge ripple effect on a league like the ECNL which is faced with the reality their elite member club players are joining the GDA and won't be allowed to play in the ECNL. They will adjust and find a different kind of model for the remaining non GDA players. Who knows how they will restructure conferences and divisions but they will adjust. State leagues & regional leagues will still have plenty of players remaining to support quality league play at the local levels. Life will go on.

The bigger picture GDA goals revolve around player development, on the surface.

OK, Oregon got a GDA program with the Portland Thorns. Girls and parents know the high level of teams, commitment & clubs in the league and if playing against that kind of competition is a good fit for them and the Portland Thorns select them from tryouts, only the best for them!

If they value playing with their HS teams or local club team more than this opportunity, that's their choice no one can knock them for it either.

The GDA is simply an opportunity that is directed by US Soccer and the Portland Thorns for our elite level girls.

The whole thing is a money & power grab and no one really cares about overall lower quality Oregon girls but it will be nice to have another elite option for Oregon girls. The more options the better in my opinion. More girls will find a path that works for them.

[Unregistered]

The whole thing is a money & power grab and no one really cares about overall lower quality Oregon girls but it will be nice to have another elite option for Oregon girls. The more options the better in my opinion. More girls will find a path that works for them.

Not sure where the money grab comes in with a GDA? All of the Top Clubs from the ECNL league are joining the GDA and they are still collecting the same amounts of money from their members for dues/fees, travel costs are built with not much fat in them so where is the money grab?

Power grab-is not what you call taking candy from a baby.

[Unregistered]

Not sure where the money grab comes in with a GDA? All of the Top Clubs from the ECNL league are joining the GDA and they are still collecting the same amounts of money from their members for dues/fees, travel costs are built with not much fat in them so where is the money grab?

Power grab-is not what you call taking candy from a baby.

Don't fool yourself. There's money to be made in youth sports.
On top of league fees there's the revenue that showcase tournaments bring in. Travel kick-backs (hotels) / sponsorships etc.
Power grab: US Soccer saw how successful the ECNL has become and wanted it's piece ... relevancy

[Unregistered]

Not sure where the money grab comes in with a GDA? All of the Top Clubs from the ECNL league are joining the GDA and they are still collecting the same amounts of money from their members for dues/fees, travel costs are built with not much fat in them so where is the money grab?

Power grab-is not what you call taking candy from a baby.

Except that following clubs just announced at least 2 years further commitment to ECNL: Crossfire Premier
•Dallas Sting
•Dallas Texans
•Eclipse Select Soccer Club
•FC Stars of Massachusetts
•Michigan Hawks
•PDA
•Real Colorado
•San Diego Surf
•Slammers FC
•So Cal Blues SC

“The Michigan Hawks are committed to participating in the ECNL moving forward. Over the last five years, the ECNL has provided all of our players and coaches a fantastic platform of competition, and an environment that has driven player development. We have improved and grown immensely as a club because of the league, and are excited to have the league as a part of our club programming for many years to come.”

-Michigan Hawks Director of Coaching, Doug Landefeld

“PDA is very proud to be part of the ECNL, and will continue to be part of the league in the future. The ECNL has had a positive impact at PDA, from staff development, player development, as well as coaching education. The influence of the ECNL can be felt at every level within our club, and we are excited to be a part of the future.”

-PDA Girls Director of Coaching, Mike O’Neill

“The ECNL has played a significant role in the growth and development of Real Colorado. We look forward to the continuing challenge to raise the standards of our club, compete with top clubs in the country and strive for excellence the ECNL environment provides and demands.”

-Real Colorado Chief Operating Officer, Jared Spires

http://www.eliteclubsnationalleague....games=#a920431

[Unregistered]

Grabbing quotes about how great ECNL is going to to from the ECNL website. Now that's a laugh. That's like Hillary's website saying that it is endorsing Hillary.

[Unregistered]

Not sure where the money grab comes in with a GDA? All of the Top Clubs from the ECNL league are joining the GDA and they are still collecting the same amounts of money from their members for dues/fees, travel costs are built with not much fat in them so where is the money grab?

Power grab-is not what you call taking candy from a baby.

Definition of hypocrisy:

ECNL costs about $8-9k per year with travel - "what a ripoff! Can't believe they are fleecing parents like this! Oh the humanity!!!"

GDA estimated costs of $8-12k per year with travel - "well, travel is expensive... What do you expect?"

And save your replies stating that GDA will be somehow better. It doesn't even exist yet. You have no idea if it will be significantly better, the same, or a train wreck. Just admit your hypocrisy and move on.

[Unregistered]

Except that following clubs just announced at least 2 years further commitment to ECNL: Crossfire Premier
•Dallas Sting
•Dallas Texans
•Eclipse Select Soccer Club
•FC Stars of Massachusetts
•Michigan Hawks
•PDA
•Real Colorado
•San Diego Surf
•Slammers FC
•So Cal Blues SC

“The Michigan Hawks are committed to participating in the ECNL moving forward. Over the last five years, the ECNL has provided all of our players and coaches a fantastic platform of competition, and an environment that has driven player development. We have improved and grown immensely as a club because of the league, and are excited to have the league as a part of our club programming for many years to come.”

-Michigan Hawks Director of Coaching, Doug Landefeld

“PDA is very proud to be part of the ECNL, and will continue to be part of the league in the future. The ECNL has had a positive impact at PDA, from staff development, player development, as well as coaching education. The influence of the ECNL can be felt at every level within our club, and we are excited to be a part of the future.”

-PDA Girls Director of Coaching, Mike O’Neill

“The ECNL has played a significant role in the growth and development of Real Colorado. We look forward to the continuing challenge to raise the standards of our club, compete with top clubs in the country and strive for excellence the ECNL environment provides and demands.”

-Real Colorado Chief Operating Officer, Jared Spires

http://www.eliteclubsnationalleague....games=#a920431

Makes sense they will all have teams in the ECNL in 2016-17 as they need the competition provided by the ECNL in 16-17 as they will be forming 3 GDA teams for 2017-18 (from their u18, u17, u16, u15 & u14 club teams).

Those players not chosen for the GDA squads at these clubs need to stay on the books at those clubs as paying, developing members it's great the ECNL is allowing these non-GDA girls the chance to continue to play and develop at their appropriate skill level.

It's all working out as US Soccer had hoped! The game for Kids!