Which ECNL Club to FOLD

[Unregistered]

Everyone feels we have one too many ECNL teams in Oregon and with GDA launching this year with a very attractive package, the pool will become even more diluted. In reviewing the average points per game in each age group it's clear which club is actually continuing to develop players and team over time. Crossfire United is apparently lucky if they ever score. Does anyone have an opinion on which club should stand and which should fold? Should they merge and bring in new coaches?

Crossfire United

03 ppg .45
02 ppg .82
01 ppg .64
00 ppg .09

FC Portland

03 ppg .82
02 ppg 1.27
01 ppg 1.27
00 ppg 1.55

[Unregistered]

It's unusual for a club to put out four teams in that league with under a 1.0 PPG.

[Unregistered]

Folding is different than getting relegated. ECNL never kicks anyone out. So the only way they disappear is if no one plays for them.

[Unregistered]

Crossfire is where talented athletes go to hang up their cleats.

[Unregistered]

Folding is different than getting relegated. ECNL never kicks anyone out. So the only way they disappear is if no one plays for them.

Putting out below average teams for the past three years is a disservice to those players. Numbers don't lie. That's stagnation.

[Unregistered]

Market will decide. FC has been the strongest over the last 3 years and is attracting the majority of the new talent so it might just be a matter of time...

[Unregistered]

Market will decide. FC has been the strongest over the last 3 years and is attracting the majority of the new talent so it might just be a matter of time...

Is there a reason FCP is having more success? Better Coaching, better players, or both? Thusc girls teams used to dominate back in the day but the past three years has been a huge drop off over there once they go into Crossfires ECNL program. Anyone know why?

[Unregistered]

Better Coaching and broader player pool. FC Portland draws from a larger geographical area with fields at UofP and Liberty. More kids from the Eastside and Washington, NW, SW and metro Portland all the way through Forest Grove to FC Portland.

[Unregistered]

Is there a reason FCP is having more success? Better Coaching, better players, or both? Thusc girls teams used to dominate back in the day but the past three years has been a huge drop off over there once they go into Crossfires ECNL program. Anyone know why?

How are you defining success? Wins and losses? Or girls who successfully play in college? ECNL league is very clear that THEIR goal is to get girls ready to play in college. By that measure I would say both clubs are successful, although this year may be an outlier due to the Onyx team. But when two teams (FCP seniors and CU seniors) get 40 girls committed to play for college, I don't know how you can call that anything but a success.

And no I'm not an ECNL parent. I'm a TA parent who does my homework.

[Unregistered]

Defining success in player development. In the u17 group how many players from each club are currently signed and at what colleges? I know some Crossfire families in that age group that were disappointed in college coach/scout turnout for their team in the last showcase. Much larger turnouts for the games with higher ranked teams.

[Unregistered]

Is there a reason FCP is having more success? Better Coaching, better players, or both? Thusc girls teams used to dominate back in the day but the past three years has been a huge drop off over there once they go into Crossfires ECNL program. Anyone know why?

"Back in the day" for THUSC was actually poaching players from other clubs-especially when the former DOC was ODP Region IV coach. He'd convince players to leave their clubs, some as far away as Bend. This is how he built his program.

Before Crossfire, LOSC had a solid girls' program (and a good boys' program). Maybe Crossfire should sever its relationship with THUSC and focus on the LO model of yesteryears.

FC Portland has its ebbs and flows but manages to survive. Perhaps a combination of long-time coaches and experienced coaches recruited from other clubs has helped?
I see FC as being pretty consistent throughout the years.

On the Portland burbs west/south side, I see FC and Westside girls at the forefont and Crossfire without THUSC, as long-term successes. I'm always rooting for all girls to play and live this beautiful game, so am happy to see smaller clubs still doing well all over the state.

[Unregistered]

Defining success in player development. In the u17 group how many players from each club are currently signed and at what colleges? I know some Crossfire families in that age group that were disappointed in college coach/scout turnout for their team in the last showcase. Much larger turnouts for the games with higher ranked teams.

I think both FCP and CU are at 4 or 5 D1 Commits at U17. 2018 Grad year.

[Unregistered]

I think both FCP and CU are at 4 or 5 D1 Commits at U17. 2018 Grad year.

Two D1 verbals for WT for a while now. The kids from the different clubs will play together on these college teams.

[Unregistered]

There has been a shift in thinking at one of these clubs and quite a few players are considering DA.

[Unregistered]

2018 class at FCP and CU is about the same for D1 commits today, but when all is finished I think FCP will have a big advantage in total D1 commits. Probably check in again on this in 12 months. Plus who knows where these kids will be in 12 months. Thorns may take some.