Premier teams

[Guest]

Can someone explain to me how it works when there are three or four teams at the Premier level? Does the #3 team play other #3 teams? How would the 3rd premier team rank next to a select team? Major differences? Any insight appreciated. Looking in the teen age group.

[Guest]

depends on the club and the team. Most premier 3rd teams are still better than select 1st team. Coaching is also of a more reliable level at premier. I know select loves to say you are better off on their first team then premier 3rd team, but my kid went from alternate on select 3rd team to div one RCL full time during her playing and the premier level experience was much better than select. Premier is a bigger commitment, training 3x a week and games year round with just a couple weeks off for Christmas. 3-5 tournaments per summer and often a travel tournament to OR or AZ.

Both RCL and WPL break the teams in to divisions so unless your 3rd team is equal in skill to the 2nd team they will not be in the same division and will not play each other. Sometimes may happen at a summer tournament, but most tournaments will at least put them in different brackets so they wont play each other unless they both make semis.

PSPL/WPL premier and select teams are generally lower in talent./quality than NPSL select and RCL premier. Though there will be a few teams that buck that trend.

**If you are currently playing select contact the RCL or WPL coach for the premier team you are interested in and arrange to go out for a couple of practices. This is the real tryout, and that is the best way to get a feel for the team, and give the coach more of a look than showing up cold at tryouts. I would absolutely watch a game if the team is still playing, some coaches are nice in front of parents and absolutely abusive to the kids when there's no one to hear what they are saying on the sideline. You will learn a lot about team culture by watching a game, are the kids being mean to each other, how the parents behave on the sidelines etc. I think NPSL select has another weekend of spring games and RCL premier teams are in presidents cup (find the schedule on the Washington Youth Soccer page). Not sure on the WPL schedule.

[Guest]

Thank you so much. This is very helpful.

[Guest]

I’m specifically looking at the difference between a pac nw versus seattle united or HSA select.

[Guest]

I’m specifically looking at the difference between a pac nw versus seattle united or HSA select.

We had to ask that question a couple of year ago. Where do go with a player, PACNW, SU or HSA Select?

The question is what does your player want to do? Do they want to play in High School?

HSA Select has a good program. They basically stopped sending player to Highline a few years back and kept the teams together. Good group of players and teams. Do well in the league. But the players have a harder time making the high school teams. The select players have to compete against Premier players. This makes it harder to make the team and if you do make the team get playing time. We love the team work that HSA teams show. The Highline Premier program used to be pretty strong, But it never had enough depth of players. Your team was always short a player to two at game time.


That brings you do PacNW and SU. Our players have made the way through 3 levels of teams. Each year growing stronger and getting better skills. The teams practice and scrimmage against each other. They sometimes get called up to guest play for a different team. It could be higher, lower or same lever depending on the age groups. The good thing is both PACNW and SU use high end coaches. These coaches have multiple teams. So your player gets great exposure to different coaches talents and skills.
There are usually 3 levels of play at PACNW and SU. ECNL, ECNL R and PSPL. Each has travel both local and away. Our players have gone and played all over the country at all three levels.
ECNL is the top level in the country right now. College coaches come and watch your games. Lots of practice time and travel time for the players. The players are actively looking to play in college. Many players are being picked up by top level D1, D2 and D3 schools.

ECNL R has less games and less travel. There is still lots of travel. but it is limited. Less long distance travel. You still have a couple of trips a year back east, down to California. The players are still be scouted by college coaches. Many of the players are be accepted to D1, D2 and D3 schools. Not all the players want to play in College.

The Third team is the PSPL level. They play more games than the ECNL R. Travel a little further in the PNW. Games is Portland, Spokane, Bellingham. There is travel games to Arizona, California and some fun summer events.

We know players both on SU and PACNW. Both are very strong programs. We found PACNW to be a little more team oriented. Liked the coaches. Many of the players we know have gone to SU and liked it there to. Found if your players goal is to play in high school and then continue in college. PACNW program is really set up to develop a strong player. The coaches help mentor players growth. I don't want to sound like a crazy parent here. My suggestion is to have your player go guest practice each of your proposed programs. See how your player interacts with the coaches and players. Our players guest played at all three of the programs and for all three of the 3 levels of Premier. Your player skills, commitment and personality will determine what is the best program.

Perfect time to guest play now. Tryouts are happening soon!

[Guest]

We had to ask that question a couple of year ago. Where do go with a player, PACNW, SU or HSA Select?

The question is what does your player want to do? Do they want to play in High School?

HSA Select has a good program. They basically stopped sending player to Highline a few years back and kept the teams together. Good group of players and teams. Do well in the league. But the players have a harder time making the high school teams. The select players have to compete against Premier players. This makes it harder to make the team and if you do make the team get playing time. We love the team work that HSA teams show. The Highline Premier program used to be pretty strong, But it never had enough depth of players. Your team was always short a player to two at game time.


That brings you do PacNW and SU. Our players have made the way through 3 levels of teams. Each year growing stronger and getting better skills. The teams practice and scrimmage against each other. They sometimes get called up to guest play for a different team. It could be higher, lower or same lever depending on the age groups. The good thing is both PACNW and SU use high end coaches. These coaches have multiple teams. So your player gets great exposure to different coaches talents and skills.
There are usually 3 levels of play at PACNW and SU. ECNL, ECNL R and PSPL. Each has travel both local and away. Our players have gone and played all over the country at all three levels.
ECNL is the top level in the country right now. College coaches come and watch your games. Lots of practice time and travel time for the players. The players are actively looking to play in college. Many players are being picked up by top level D1, D2 and D3 schools.

ECNL R has less games and less travel. There is still lots of travel. but it is limited. Less long distance travel. You still have a couple of trips a year back east, down to California. The players are still be scouted by college coaches. Many of the players are be accepted to D1, D2 and D3 schools. Not all the players want to play in College.

The Third team is the PSPL level. They play more games than the ECNL R. Travel a little further in the PNW. Games is Portland, Spokane, Bellingham. There is travel games to Arizona, California and some fun summer events.

We know players both on SU and PACNW. Both are very strong programs. We found PACNW to be a little more team oriented. Liked the coaches. Many of the players we know have gone to SU and liked it there to. Found if your players goal is to play in high school and then continue in college. PACNW program is really set up to develop a strong player. The coaches help mentor players growth. I don't want to sound like a crazy parent here. My suggestion is to have your player go guest practice each of your proposed programs. See how your player interacts with the coaches and players. Our players guest played at all three of the programs and for all three of the 3 levels of Premier. Your player skills, commitment and personality will determine what is the best program.

Perfect time to guest play now. Tryouts are happening soon!

Thank you so much, this is really helpful. Yes, we are attending sessions.

[Guest]

PSPL/WPL premier and select teams are generally lower in talent./quality than NPSL select and RCL premier. Though there will be a few teams that buck that trend.

The better teams from the Seattle Celtic club play some of the most attractive and intelligent football in Washington state.

[Guest]

The better teams from the Seattle Celtic club play some of the most attractive and intelligent football in Washington state.

So does Eagleclaw. But in the end, the top talent will leave the program.

[Guest]

RCL is still LEVELS ahead of pspl

[Guest]

So does Eagleclaw. But in the end, the top talent will leave the program.

This has to be so devastating for the club and coaches who have developed these talents only to see them leave during the critical years, critical as in when it is time to play to win, 11v11, high school age, etc.

Or maybe it isn't as big of a deal as I think?

[Guest]

This has to be so devastating for the club and coaches who have developed these talents only to see them leave during the critical years, critical as in when it is time to play to win, 11v11, high school age, etc.

Or maybe it isn't as big of a deal as I think?

They must be used to it by now. Top talent wants to play with top teams competing at the highest levels. Not just in WA, but also nationally at least. That’s why the best always end up at Crossfire.

[Guest]

This has to be so devastating for the club and coaches who have developed these talents only to see them leave during the critical years, critical as in when it is time to play to win, 11v11, high school age, etc.

Or maybe it isn't as big of a deal as I think?

None of youth soccer is a big deal.....It's a game. Do what makes your kid happy. A small percentage of kids do something with it after high school. Statistics are not on your side to care that much about it.

[Guest]

They must be used to it by now. Top talent wants to play with top teams competing at the highest levels. Not just in WA, but also nationally at least. That’s why the best always end up at Crossfire.

It's not a bad thing for players to move on to higher level (more competitive) environments. In other parts of the world its a badge of honor for a coach to have players move up. It's coaching ego that normally causes the problem. Alas, all of this would be solved if the receiving club had to pay some level of solidarity payment to the developing club. Some collegial recognition of a job well done.

[Guest]

We had to ask that question a couple of year ago. Where do go with a player, PACNW, SU or HSA Select?

The question is what does your player want to do? Do they want to play in High School?

HSA Select has a good program. They basically stopped sending player to Highline a few years back and kept the teams together. Good group of players and teams. Do well in the league. But the players have a harder time making the high school teams. The select players have to compete against Premier players. This makes it harder to make the team and if you do make the team get playing time. We love the team work that HSA teams show. The Highline Premier program used to be pretty strong, But it never had enough depth of players. Your team was always short a player to two at game time.


That brings you do PacNW and SU. Our players have made the way through 3 levels of teams. Each year growing stronger and getting better skills. The teams practice and scrimmage against each other. They sometimes get called up to guest play for a different team. It could be higher, lower or same lever depending on the age groups. The good thing is both PACNW and SU use high end coaches. These coaches have multiple teams. So your player gets great exposure to different coaches talents and skills.
There are usually 3 levels of play at PACNW and SU. ECNL, ECNL R and PSPL. Each has travel both local and away. Our players have gone and played all over the country at all three levels.
ECNL is the top level in the country right now. College coaches come and watch your games. Lots of practice time and travel time for the players. The players are actively looking to play in college. Many players are being picked up by top level D1, D2 and D3 schools.

ECNL R has less games and less travel. There is still lots of travel. but it is limited. Less long distance travel. You still have a couple of trips a year back east, down to California. The players are still be scouted by college coaches. Many of the players are be accepted to D1, D2 and D3 schools. Not all the players want to play in College.

The Third team is the PSPL level. They play more games than the ECNL R. Travel a little further in the PNW. Games is Portland, Spokane, Bellingham. There is travel games to Arizona, California and some fun summer events.

We know players both on SU and PACNW. Both are very strong programs. We found PACNW to be a little more team oriented. Liked the coaches. Many of the players we know have gone to SU and liked it there to. Found if your players goal is to play in high school and then continue in college. PACNW program is really set up to develop a strong player. The coaches help mentor players growth. I don't want to sound like a crazy parent here. My suggestion is to have your player go guest practice each of your proposed programs. See how your player interacts with the coaches and players. Our players guest played at all three of the programs and for all three of the 3 levels of Premier. Your player skills, commitment and personality will determine what is the best program.

Perfect time to guest play now. Tryouts are happening soon!

This is a great response. Super thoughtful.

[Guest]

None of youth soccer is a big deal.....It's a game. Do what makes your kid happy. A small percentage of kids do something with it after high school. Statistics are not on your side to care that much about it.

Perfect response. Especially on the boys side. Keep it fun and in perspective/balanced.