How did thornz acad end up such a mess?

[Unregistered]

Just look at the majority of the clubs that will be in Thorns division next year. A bunch of clubs who've never had teams that would even be competitive in OYSA Div 1. And the clubs that are good (DeAnza, Crossfire) are putting their "B" teams in GDA while they keep their top players in ECNL. GDA will actually be a LOWER level of competition for the Thorns than OYSA is. But that's good because the Thorns won't be anywhere near as good as they are this year (which isn't really all that) when they have to expand to 4 teams.

There is no such thing as a 'B' team being accepted into the US Girls Dev Academy, anytime our local clubs hear about the upcoming GDA, the same clubs that are getting crushed with their 'A' teams in the Pacific Division of the Northwest Conference of the ECNL: this tired lame retort is thrown out ('B' Teams to GDA). But, if it this were really the case ('B' Teams from top clubs to GDA) it would be a far better fit for FC PDX and CU clubs currently, if true. Maybe the ECNL leadership can open the doors for these clubs to move the GDA?

Welcome to fantasy Island.

[Unregistered]

There is no such thing as a 'B' team being accepted into the US Girls Dev Academy, anytime our local clubs hear about the upcoming GDA, the same clubs that are getting crushed with their 'A' teams in the Pacific Division of the Northwest Conference of the ECNL: this tired lame retort is thrown out ('B' Teams to GDA). But, if it this were really the case ('B' Teams from top clubs to GDA) it would be a far better fit for FC PDX and CU clubs currently, if true. Maybe the ECNL leadership can open the doors for these clubs to move the GDA?

Welcome to fantasy Island.

This is typical results oriented thorns academy parents thinking. Winning is the only thing that matters. You will never understand that for a significant population of high school girls, their biggest priority is being seen by college coaches, being recruited by college coaches, and being prepared and ready to be impact players when they get to college. None of those things are accomplished by beating up weaker opponents in OYSA. Perhaps GDA will accomplish those goals? But it's a pretty big risk for girls currently in high school and in the thick of recruiting. If you gamble on GDA and you're wrong, you've wasted at least a year of opportunities.

GDA may end up doing everything it promises. Or it may be a flop. Time will tell. But it's sad to see the fundamental lack of understanding displayed by posters on this page who cite win and loss records as proof of a program's success in achieving their stated mission. If you truly believe that wins and losses are the only measure of success, you'd be better off putting your kid in the local rec league where she can be a superstar, and putting your club soccer budget dollars towards therapy for her. She will need it because you are parenting wrong.

[Unregistered]

Whoever said the thorns will be "locked away in the DA next year and we won't have to see or hear them", can we lock the parents in there too?

The GDA will be a very expensive B team. So it might not get everyone locked in but it's better than nothing.

[Unregistered]

If you truly believe that wins and losses are the only measure of success, you'd be better off putting your... soccer budget dollars towards therapy for her. She will need it because you are parenting wrong.

This is a great idea. If you are reading this chat room at work and fussing over your Daughters soccer you should probably consider therapy for her to undo the psychological issues you likely are creating.

Soccer will be over sooner than you think.

[Unregistered]

There is no such thing as a 'B' team being accepted into the US Girls Dev Academy, anytime our local clubs hear about the upcoming GDA, the same clubs that are getting crushed with their 'A' teams in the Pacific Division of the Northwest Conference of the ECNL: this tired lame retort is thrown out ('B' Teams to GDA). But, if it this were really the case ('B' Teams from top clubs to GDA) it would be a far better fit for FC PDX and CU clubs currently, if true. Maybe the ECNL leadership can open the doors for these clubs to move the GDA?

Welcome to fantasy Island.

^^^ Clown who doesn't know what's really going on.

Have fun in Thorns Academy playing with rec players against other rec teams. But I'm sure it's a fast track to the USWNT. Go for it buddy!

[Unregistered]

The GDA will be a very expensive B team. So it might not get everyone locked in but it's better than nothing.

It could be over $10,000 per year. Travel isn't cheap.

[Unregistered]

This is a great idea. If you are reading this chat room at work and fussing over your Daughters soccer you should probably consider therapy for her to undo the psychological issues you likely are creating.

Soccer will be over sooner than you think.

Blink and it will be over.

[Unregistered]

In reply to two different threads:

TA team not taking thorns game seriously: Same for us. Our coach told girls just go out and have fun and play hard and don't worry about score. Thorns parents - the biggest collection of arrogant and insufferable tools I have ever seen - erupted with every one of their many goals like little Mia had just won the world cup. The thorns players even looked embarrassed. So glad they will literally be out of our league next year. And I hope they never ever come back.

TA DOC's not liking thorns academy - this is not new news. Academy screwed over Bend mid season last year. I have some connections state wide and I can assure you every DOC is feeling disgust and dismay over the garbage thorns academy has pulled. Ours is telling girls to go the ECNL route if they don't get enough from their TA team. He isn't even making a pretense of supporting thorns academy.

Common thread to both is the many, many bridges being burned by academy players, parents, and administration. Which I guess is no big deal if you are certain you're never going back to your old club, and you don't have any other kids playing with the old clubs.

Thorns 01 team is doing quite well this year. However, the bottom line is none of the best players on Thorns Academy need TA. Those top players would've gone to the same colleges if they had stayed on their club teams. And they wouldn't have alienated & shat on their old teammates, friends & neighbors along the way. Top players also don't need Ecnl but at least Ecnl doesn't have their old teammates actually paying for them and then crushing them.

[Unregistered]

This is typical results oriented thorns academy parents thinking. Winning is the only thing that matters. You will never understand that for a significant population of high school girls, their biggest priority is being seen by college coaches, being recruited by college coaches, and being prepared and ready to be impact players when they get to college. None of those things are accomplished by beating up weaker opponents in OYSA. Perhaps GDA will accomplish those goals? But it's a pretty big risk for girls currently in high school and in the thick of recruiting. If you gamble on GDA and you're wrong, you've wasted at least a year of opportunities.

GDA may end up doing everything it promises. Or it may be a flop. Time will tell. But it's sad to see the fundamental lack of understanding displayed by posters on this page who cite win and loss records as proof of a program's success in achieving their stated mission. If you truly believe that wins and losses are the only measure of success, you'd be better off putting your kid in the local rec league where she can be a superstar, and putting your club soccer budget dollars towards therapy for her. She will need it because you are parenting wrong.

Bottom line for the Oregon clubs that have chosen to play at standard that isn't remotely close to the their local neighborhood membership talent, not only a failure on the field but an embarrassment to our state and region. All under the selfish myopia of trying to get exposure and pray a college will take you... What a great philosophy to build your brand with clueless players, coaches and families all paying thousands, sounds like the makings of a great cult. Therapy would not be enough if this case.

[Unregistered]

The GDA will be a very expensive B team. So it might not get everyone locked in but it's better than nothing.

True, so very true. You can't get higher than a B team in Oregon. And if you're saying there are A teams here, you my friend have never been outside of Hillsboro.

[Unregistered]

This is a great idea. If you are reading this chat room at work and fussing over your Daughters soccer you should probably consider therapy for her to undo the psychological issues you likely are creating.

Soccer will be over sooner than you think.

This is good advice.

[Unregistered]

It could be over $10,000 per year. Travel isn't cheap.

Do the math. It easily could be $10,000. That wouldn't even count parent travel.

[Unregistered]

Do the math. It easily could be $10,000. That wouldn't even count parent travel.

The owner of the Timbers will step up and pay for it all. He's a millionaire and that would be No big deal.

[Unregistered]

The owner of the Timbers will step up and pay for it all. He's a millionaire and that would be No big deal.

Chump change. Girls soccer is a great investment. But why on earth would he pay when girls parents will open their wallets without a second thought?

[Unregistered]

Do the math. It easily could be $10,000. That wouldn't even count parent travel.

Nobody wants parents to travel. Honestly, stay home and organize your closet or sock drawer.