What path do I choose? ECNL or DA

[Unregistered]

Cost savings for Thorns and a professionally run club seem to be the biggest advantage for Thorns. ECNL is 6 to 7500 a year. So from Freshman thru senior year that could be 20g in savings. Most girls soccer scholarships are partials. 20g helps alot for all family's. I would question anyone at your ECNL club who doesn't see the rational in this. They may be on " quote--unquote" scholarship or financially assisted by club in big way i.e. manager or other. To them 2grand is a 100% increase.

If costs were equal this would be a horse race. Costs are not equal.

Thorns 2grand vs ECNL 6 to 7500

[Unregistered]

Thorns 2grand vs ECNL 6 to 7500

Thorns ZERO kids to college soccer vs ECNL 100% of graduating seniors to college soccer.

And if you really think Thornz will be just $2000, you must be really new here.

[Unregistered]

Nope not the case we will Bank the 24K savings (on the 3 that get selected) and let the other go back to her home club.

If they all get cut we are not investing 40K to 45K on all four of them to play at FC or CU. We know that much.

There will be no savings. Thornz will cost as much or more than ECNL when all is said and done. Just watch and learn.

[Unregistered]

Try out for GDA.

If you don't make it, there's always ECNL.

If you don't make GDA, you won't make ECNL. GDA is like an ECNL club "C" team here in Oregon.

[Unregistered]

The GDA is a US Soccer Development Academy model program for girls, that mirrors the incredibly successful Boys DA that began in 2007. Here in Oregon no club was able to get the nod to be in this program, boys or girls. Both GDA programs are subsidized making it very attractive to the best players with college and pro aspirations and direct linkage to the MLS, NWSL and US National teams youth and adult. You do have to give up HS Soccer which isn't a big deal for the truly exceptional 1 percent they attract and sign.

ECNL is just a league.

FC Portland and Crossfire United local clubs have elected to participate in the Pacific division of this league. It's simply two local clubs choosing a different platform for competition. Travel costs are not subsidized and parents with enough money to afford it if there daughter is not the cream of the crop for Oregon you should consider it. In the end it's the club's decision if they stay in this league or chose another.

All clubs are committed to the best platforms for their best, that's why they send them on to the Timbers DA and now the Thorns GDA.

"incredibly successful" - now that's rich!

And the only kids that go to Thornz Academy are those that can't make the cut in ECNL - just ask the Salem Superstar or the Gresham Gorilla.

[Unregistered]

"incredibly successful" - now that's rich!

And the only kids that go to Thornz Academy are those that can't make the cut in ECNL - just ask the Salem Superstar or the Gresham Gorilla.

Answer us this:

Why would the DOC of THUSC abandon her only partner club Crossfire Oregon? (THUSC & Crossfire Oregon= Crossfire United) for a coaching position in the Portland Thorns new GDA program.

That's like two food cart vendors who decided to pool resources and make a double wide cart offering a menu of fast food with fine dining prices (Crossfire United). Then one of the owners decides to leave the double wide venture and joins on as a chef at Roe's.

Huh?

[Unregistered]

Answer us this:

Why would the DOC of THUSC abandon her only partner club Crossfire Oregon? (THUSC & Crossfire Oregon= Crossfire United) for a coaching position in the Portland Thorns new GDA program.

That's like two food cart vendors who decided to pool resources and make a double wide cart offering a menu of fast food with fine dining prices (Crossfire United). Then one of the owners decides to leave the double wide venture and joins on as a chef at Roe's.

Huh?

The DoC at THUSC is a no-namer in the grand scheme of things. Has no track record of developing top level players - which makes her a perfect fit for the Thornz Academy turd.

[Unregistered]

Great article on TopDrawer today. Excerpt: Until the GDA has its feet underneath it and a full season in the rearview to work out kinks, it’s probably not a bad approach to stick with the ECNL in the interim and see which way the wind blows. The league is stable, has been in place since 2009 and is well run from the top down.

I also think it comes down to 1-2 questions to help with your choice:
1) do I want to play HS sports? If so play ECNL
2) do I want to play soccer in college? If you are a rising sophomore, junior, or senior then ECNL is probably a better option

If you want to pay $2000 to play rec-level soccer, choose the GDA. If you want to be challenged, developed, play top-tier competition, and be scouted by hundreds of college coaches, choose ECNL.

[Unregistered]

ECNL in Oregon will be fine continuing on with their $8,000 plus per year price tage. More than enough parents willing to buy their daughter a spot on one of those teams.

GDA will fine also, as their are more than enough parents who will appreciate the published $2,000 per year price tag.

[Unregistered]

The DoC at THUSC is a no-namer in the grand scheme of things. Has no track record of developing top level players - which makes her a perfect fit for the Thornz Academy turd.

Thanks for your opinion that explains quite a bit.

[Unregistered]

If you want to pay $2000 to play rec-level soccer, choose the GDA. If you want to be challenged, developed, play top-tier competition, and be scouted by hundreds of college coaches, choose ECNL.

You forgot to add "Choose ECNL, and pay $8,000 more per year".

[Unregistered]

You forgot to add "Choose ECNL, and pay $8,000 more per year".

Except that ECNL doesn't cost as much as the professed 8-10k. We will pay under 6k. So for 3500-4000 more per year for the travel, if you can afford it, you are in a program that doesn't suck up your time 10 months out of the year, you get to play high school, play better clubs and will have better college opportunities.

GDA is simply different than ECNL so to bash each other isn't necessary. GDA is another option. ECNL parents aren't "scared" and aren't feeling insecure about the GDA. I hope Thorns can rebuild but I kind of cringe at the GDA route. To me it just seems like a glorified OYSA league. Just me though.

[Unregistered]

Except that ECNL doesn't cost as much as the professed 8-10k. We will pay under 6k. So for 3500-4000 more per year for the travel, if you can afford it, you are in a program that doesn't suck up your time 10 months out of the year, you get to play high school, play better clubs and will have better college opportunities.

GDA is simply different than ECNL so to bash each other isn't necessary. GDA is another option. ECNL parents aren't "scared" and aren't feeling insecure about the GDA. I hope Thorns can rebuild but I kind of cringe at the GDA route. To me it just seems like a glorified OYSA league. Just me though.

Only reason Thorns decision was bad in past was because they didn't have a league. Now they fixed that. ? How many ECNL kids have to do personnel training once a week because what they are getting with current club isn't enough? So 3 days a week with club and 1 day personnel training is 4 days a week. So 4 days a week real training with a club that is run professionally may sound OK to those determined players. I think a player who doesn't want to train 4 days a week 10 months a year probably isn't a target player for Thorns.