Crossfire Premier leaving GDA, All in ECNL

[Unregistered]

Default Crossifre makes it official
Crossfire Premier Moving Top Girls Teams Back to ECNL for 2019/20 Season

As you know, we’ve spent the past two seasons with teams participating in both the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and the ECNL, but during this time we’ve increasingly recognized the need for Crossfire to choose a single pathway and commit to one or the other in the best interests of our club and players. After much internal deliberation, a thorough review of the national landscape, including conversations with clubs around the country, and after receiving input from our players and parents, we have decided that the ECNL offers the best possible solution for our club moving forward.*


The Development Academy was great for our teams and players in many ways, but we feel the ECNL offers several advantages: namely, a better competition structure with a more consistent and cohesive game schedule and a platform for player development that’s more in line with our club’s philosophies. Additionally, the ECNL does not prohibit our players from participating with their high-school teams and in other competitive events and programs. After two seasons of abiding by this restriction, we recognize how important it is for many of our players to be able to play for their schools and in other selected events and programs throughout the year. We want to provide that opportunity and allow our players the social benefits of playing with their classmates in front of their communities, the exposure of additional showcases, and the value of additional competitive experiences.*


At the same time, to address needs and desires of players of all aspiration, players who choose not to play high-school soccer will have several options during that season to continue training at a high level with Crossfire Premier, including training with the boys’ Development Academy teams.*


Moreover, regarding the structure of competition, the ECNL offers an ideal environment for the development of all of our players, without restrictive substitution rules that don’t allow reentry. This simple change gives our coaches greater opportunity to ensure adequate playing time for the entire roster and manage every player’s performance load more effectively. Beyond this, the club will no longer be restricted from participating in other outside competition and events, so we have more opportunity to plan a full competitive slate and provide our ECNL teams with appropriate competition all season long.*


The ECNL is also an enthusiastic of supporter of Crossfire Premier; they value our membership and have worked with our club since the inception of the league. Christian Lavers, ECNL President, explains, "Crossfire has been one of the very best clubs in the country for more than a decade, with a long history of developing players to be stars at every level of the game – in college, internationally, and in professional leagues across the world. In both men’s and women’s soccer,” he continued, "Crossfire has always worked to provide the best possible environment for their players, and has consistently made decisions to support long-term development of their players and teams.*We look forward to working with Crossfire leadership, supporting the Crossfire club, and providing a fantastic platform for their female players long into the future.”*


Lastly, this transition will in no way impact the financial commitment Crossfire has made and will continue to make towards developing our girls’ teams and players. As it stands, Crossfire is the only club in the country who fully-funds two Girls DA teams, funds all travel costs for two ECNL teams and provides scholarships to cover fees and travel for any players in need, while also providing funding for multiple international trips for girls’ teams each season. In selecting the ECNL as our sole developmental destination for our girls’ program, Crossfire is also committing to provide significant financial resources to the program, ensuring there remains no financial barrier to participation, and that the club maintains its status as a national leader in youth development and the number one source of high-level*soccer players in*the Pacific Northwest.*


Thank you for your continued support of Crossfire Premier, and for being a member of our club.*

[Unregistered]

"Additionally, the ECNL does not prohibit our players from participating with their high-school teams and in other competitive events and programs. After two seasons of abiding by this restriction, we recognize how important it is for many of our players to be able to play for their schools and in other selected events and programs throughout the year. We want to provide that opportunity and allow our players the social benefits of playing with their classmates in front of their communities, the exposure of additional showcases, and the value of additional competitive experiences.*"


Smart move.

[Unregistered]

Default Crossifre makes it official
Crossfire Premier Moving Top Girls Teams Back to ECNL for 2019/20 Season

As you know, we’ve spent the past two seasons with teams participating in both the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and the ECNL, but during this time we’ve increasingly recognized the need for Crossfire to choose a single pathway and commit to one or the other in the best interests of our club and players. After much internal deliberation, a thorough review of the national landscape, including conversations with clubs around the country, and after receiving input from our players and parents, we have decided that the ECNL offers the best possible solution for our club moving forward.*


The Development Academy was great for our teams and players in many ways, but we feel the ECNL offers several advantages: namely, a better competition structure with a more consistent and cohesive game schedule and a platform for player development that’s more in line with our club’s philosophies. Additionally, the ECNL does not prohibit our players from participating with their high-school teams and in other competitive events and programs. After two seasons of abiding by this restriction, we recognize how important it is for many of our players to be able to play for their schools and in other selected events and programs throughout the year. We want to provide that opportunity and allow our players the social benefits of playing with their classmates in front of their communities, the exposure of additional showcases, and the value of additional competitive experiences.*


At the same time, to address needs and desires of players of all aspiration, players who choose not to play high-school soccer will have several options during that season to continue training at a high level with Crossfire Premier, including training with the boys’ Development Academy teams.*


Moreover, regarding the structure of competition, the ECNL offers an ideal environment for the development of all of our players, without restrictive substitution rules that don’t allow reentry. This simple change gives our coaches greater opportunity to ensure adequate playing time for the entire roster and manage every player’s performance load more effectively. Beyond this, the club will no longer be restricted from participating in other outside competition and events, so we have more opportunity to plan a full competitive slate and provide our ECNL teams with appropriate competition all season long.*


The ECNL is also an enthusiastic of supporter of Crossfire Premier; they value our membership and have worked with our club since the inception of the league. Christian Lavers, ECNL President, explains, "Crossfire has been one of the very best clubs in the country for more than a decade, with a long history of developing players to be stars at every level of the game – in college, internationally, and in professional leagues across the world. In both men’s and women’s soccer,” he continued, "Crossfire has always worked to provide the best possible environment for their players, and has consistently made decisions to support long-term development of their players and teams.*We look forward to working with Crossfire leadership, supporting the Crossfire club, and providing a fantastic platform for their female players long into the future.”*


Lastly, this transition will in no way impact the financial commitment Crossfire has made and will continue to make towards developing our girls’ teams and players. As it stands, Crossfire is the only club in the country who fully-funds two Girls DA teams, funds all travel costs for two ECNL teams and provides scholarships to cover fees and travel for any players in need, while also providing funding for multiple international trips for girls’ teams each season. In selecting the ECNL as our sole developmental destination for our girls’ program, Crossfire is also committing to provide significant financial resources to the program, ensuring there remains no financial barrier to participation, and that the club maintains its status as a national leader in youth development and the number one source of high-level*soccer players in*the Pacific Northwest.*


Thank you for your continued support of Crossfire Premier, and for being a member of our club.*

Link? Nothing on their website yet. (The Washington forum contains the same post, also without any links).

And were this true--it would be nice if ALL ECNL clubs were as socially responsible as Crossfire Premier is, rather than functioning as Lexus leagues. Economic barriers to entry to the top levels of soccer need to be demolished, and ECNL as it has long been structured, with its high cost and its focus on college placement, has been part of the problem rather than part of the solution; especially given the haughty attitude some member clubs have had to the local and regional soccer scenes they draw from.

Ideally there would be one league/tier for top talents, that would be heavily subsidized (at least for lower income girls), that would focus on things other than college prep (though college soccer should not be ignored, especially on the girls' side), and that wouldn't be geared (both economically and culturally) to the "mean girls" demographic. And, one that would support the local clubs that feed them rather than trying to piss on them (and using the carrot of possible promotion to the top tier to allow their B teams to dominate state soccer leagues).

[Unregistered]

No good for the Oregon Clubs, this stinks!

Default Crossifre makes it official
Crossfire Premier Moving Top Girls Teams Back to ECNL for 2019/20 Season

As you know, we’ve spent the past two seasons with teams participating in both the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and the ECNL, but during this time we’ve increasingly recognized the need for Crossfire to choose a single pathway and commit to one or the other in the best interests of our club and players. After much internal deliberation, a thorough review of the national landscape, including conversations with clubs around the country, and after receiving input from our players and parents, we have decided that the ECNL offers the best possible solution for our club moving forward.*


The Development Academy was great for our teams and players in many ways, but we feel the ECNL offers several advantages: namely, a better competition structure with a more consistent and cohesive game schedule and a platform for player development that’s more in line with our club’s philosophies. Additionally, the ECNL does not prohibit our players from participating with their high-school teams and in other competitive events and programs. After two seasons of abiding by this restriction, we recognize how important it is for many of our players to be able to play for their schools and in other selected events and programs throughout the year. We want to provide that opportunity and allow our players the social benefits of playing with their classmates in front of their communities, the exposure of additional showcases, and the value of additional competitive experiences.*


At the same time, to address needs and desires of players of all aspiration, players who choose not to play high-school soccer will have several options during that season to continue training at a high level with Crossfire Premier, including training with the boys’ Development Academy teams.*


Moreover, regarding the structure of competition, the ECNL offers an ideal environment for the development of all of our players, without restrictive substitution rules that don’t allow reentry. This simple change gives our coaches greater opportunity to ensure adequate playing time for the entire roster and manage every player’s performance load more effectively. Beyond this, the club will no longer be restricted from participating in other outside competition and events, so we have more opportunity to plan a full competitive slate and provide our ECNL teams with appropriate competition all season long.*


The ECNL is also an enthusiastic of supporter of Crossfire Premier; they value our membership and have worked with our club since the inception of the league. Christian Lavers, ECNL President, explains, "Crossfire has been one of the very best clubs in the country for more than a decade, with a long history of developing players to be stars at every level of the game – in college, internationally, and in professional leagues across the world. In both men’s and women’s soccer,” he continued, "Crossfire has always worked to provide the best possible environment for their players, and has consistently made decisions to support long-term development of their players and teams.*We look forward to working with Crossfire leadership, supporting the Crossfire club, and providing a fantastic platform for their female players long into the future.”*


Lastly, this transition will in no way impact the financial commitment Crossfire has made and will continue to make towards developing our girls’ teams and players. As it stands, Crossfire is the only club in the country who fully-funds two Girls DA teams, funds all travel costs for two ECNL teams and provides scholarships to cover fees and travel for any players in need, while also providing funding for multiple international trips for girls’ teams each season. In selecting the ECNL as our sole developmental destination for our girls’ program, Crossfire is also committing to provide significant financial resources to the program, ensuring there remains no financial barrier to participation, and that the club maintains its status as a national leader in youth development and the number one source of high-level*soccer players in*the Pacific Northwest.*


Thank you for your continued support of Crossfire Premier, and for being a member of our club.*

When all the top clubs left the US Club league 2 years ago, this sudden rapture put the 'so called league' into a tailspin with no chance of replacing the quality the jettisoned to the DA level.

As a result our 2 neighborhood local clubs moved from the very worst to close to first in some cases.

If US Soccer actually shifts it's sails and allows the elite girls to play HS then our future is in serious jeopardy.

Let's get ready to talk about how in our so called 'league' we went from the very worst, to first, to middle of the pack, back to very worst in just 4 seasons.

Maybe we don't belong after all on a National stage, right now it's not a National stage so we can keep the suckers happy. Until...

Any thoughts Parents?

[Unregistered]

"Additionally, the ECNL does not prohibit our players from participating with their high-school teams and in other competitive events and programs. After two seasons of abiding by this restriction, we recognize how important it is for many of our players to be able to play for their schools and in other selected events and programs throughout the year. We want to provide that opportunity and allow our players the social benefits of playing with their classmates in front of their communities, the exposure of additional showcases, and the value of additional competitive experiences.*"


Smart move.

This is what the elite players have been demanding. Great news.

[Unregistered]

1. ECNL
2. OYSA travel team
3. NWSL thorns developing Academy

[Unregistered]

This is what the elite players have been demanding. Great news.

Just to add on to this, it means nothing in Oregon as we have no Elite.

70-80 Elite MLS/NWSL and non Oregon affiliated clubs across the country are in the DA today and next year as well

Without any elite players in our area we should be thankful this issue never faces our ilk.

It's good to be below the Norm!

[Unregistered]

1.
2.
3.

Listed above our Oregon Clubs Place holders in the top 3.

[Unregistered]

When all the top clubs left the US Club league 2 years ago, this sudden rapture put the 'so called league' into a tailspin with no chance of replacing the quality the jettisoned to the DA level.

As a result our 2 neighborhood local clubs moved from the very worst to close to first in some cases.

If US Soccer actually shifts it's sails and allows the elite girls to play HS then our future is in serious jeopardy.

Let's get ready to talk about how in our so called 'league' we went from the very worst, to first, to middle of the pack, back to very worst in just 4 seasons.

Maybe we don't belong after all on a National stage, right now it's not a National stage so we can keep the suckers happy. Until...

Any thoughts Parents?

I think the landscape of at least one of the local ECNL clubs has changed in the 2 years that you mentioned, and they have gotten stronger while the other club has gotten weaker. Ultimately, having the best clubs all-in at ECNL (like Crossfire Premier) is a good thing.

[Unregistered]

1. ECNL
2. OYSA travel team
3. NWSL thorns developing Academy

This is great to read. I appreciate well reasoned analysis.

[Unregistered]

I think the landscape of at least one of the local ECNL clubs has changed in the 2 years that you mentioned, and they have gotten stronger while the other club has gotten weaker. Ultimately, having the best clubs all-in at ECNL (like Crossfire Premier) is a good thing.

Unfortunately 70 of the best clubs are in the DA not the US club league.

Given the standard of the US club Present day it's really unfortunate any parent would have to pay thousands in travel to go play teams that resemble those within 20 miles of their front porch.

and it isn't of much help if a team or club from Washington joins and the results are 5 to 6 goal thrashings of the Oregon clubs not sure how that helps the kids either.

It's truly an unfortunate narrative.

[Unregistered]

Default Crossifre makes it official
Crossfire Premier Moving Top Girls Teams Back to ECNL for 2019/20 Season

As you know, we’ve spent the past two seasons with teams participating in both the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and the ECNL, but during this time we’ve increasingly recognized the need for Crossfire to choose a single pathway and commit to one or the other in the best interests of our club and players. After much internal deliberation, a thorough review of the national landscape, including conversations with clubs around the country, and after receiving input from our players and parents, we have decided that the ECNL offers the best possible solution for our club moving forward.*


The Development Academy was great for our teams and players in many ways, but we feel the ECNL offers several advantages: namely, a better competition structure with a more consistent and cohesive game schedule and a platform for player development that’s more in line with our club’s philosophies. Additionally, the ECNL does not prohibit our players from participating with their high-school teams and in other competitive events and programs. After two seasons of abiding by this restriction, we recognize how important it is for many of our players to be able to play for their schools and in other selected events and programs throughout the year. We want to provide that opportunity and allow our players the social benefits of playing with their classmates in front of their communities, the exposure of additional showcases, and the value of additional competitive experiences.*


At the same time, to address needs and desires of players of all aspiration, players who choose not to play high-school soccer will have several options during that season to continue training at a high level with Crossfire Premier, including training with the boys’ Development Academy teams.*


Moreover, regarding the structure of competition, the ECNL offers an ideal environment for the development of all of our players, without restrictive substitution rules that don’t allow reentry. This simple change gives our coaches greater opportunity to ensure adequate playing time for the entire roster and manage every player’s performance load more effectively. Beyond this, the club will no longer be restricted from participating in other outside competition and events, so we have more opportunity to plan a full competitive slate and provide our ECNL teams with appropriate competition all season long.*


The ECNL is also an enthusiastic of supporter of Crossfire Premier; they value our membership and have worked with our club since the inception of the league. Christian Lavers, ECNL President, explains, "Crossfire has been one of the very best clubs in the country for more than a decade, with a long history of developing players to be stars at every level of the game – in college, internationally, and in professional leagues across the world. In both men’s and women’s soccer,” he continued, "Crossfire has always worked to provide the best possible environment for their players, and has consistently made decisions to support long-term development of their players and teams.*We look forward to working with Crossfire leadership, supporting the Crossfire club, and providing a fantastic platform for their female players long into the future.”*


Lastly, this transition will in no way impact the financial commitment Crossfire has made and will continue to make towards developing our girls’ teams and players. As it stands, Crossfire is the only club in the country who fully-funds two Girls DA teams, funds all travel costs for two ECNL teams and provides scholarships to cover fees and travel for any players in need, while also providing funding for multiple international trips for girls’ teams each season. In selecting the ECNL as our sole developmental destination for our girls’ program, Crossfire is also committing to provide significant financial resources to the program, ensuring there remains no financial barrier to participation, and that the club maintains its status as a national leader in youth development and the number one source of high-level*soccer players in*the Pacific Northwest.*


Thank you for your continued support of Crossfire Premier, and for being a member of our club.*

XF Premier leaving GDA would be a huge loss to gda and make ecnl even stronger. It would be nice if both leagues could be strong and provide more opportunities to more girls.

[Unregistered]

XF Premier leaving GDA would be a huge loss to gda and make ecnl even stronger. It would be nice if both leagues could be strong and provide more opportunities to more girls.

Hopefully the GDA sticks around. The Playing Time Guarantee is probably a good fit for some kids. There are enough players to spread around all talent levels.

[Unregistered]

Wow

This is a pretty big endorsement from the premier club in the NW.

[Unregistered]

The most meaningful part of this post was:

As it stands, Crossfire is the only club in the country who fully-funds two Girls DA teams, funds all travel costs for two ECNL teams and provides scholarships to cover fees and travel for any players in need, while also providing funding for multiple international trips for girls’ teams each season. In selecting the ECNL as our sole developmental destination for our girls’ program, Crossfire is also committing to provide significant financial resources to the program, ensuring there remains no financial barrier to participation, and that the club maintains its status as a national leader in youth development and the number one source of high-level*soccer players in*the Pacific Northwest.*

Crossfire has made a significant investment in funding their girls' programs. FAR more than Thorns academy. And still they were having trouble getting girls to buy into the restrictions of GDA. That is very telling and to me, is the beginning of the end for GDA. If you literally can't give it away...that's a bad product.