ECNL vs DA girls spring showcase

[Unregistered]

There are enough players for both leagues. Both are watered down obviously but this is business. If they both have the customers, they stay in business. Just an unfortunate situation for most strong players wanting to play in this type of league because of the dilution.

Yes ECNL has issues, but much of the blame lies with USSF. They claim starting GDA is about improving US soccer but it isn't (power.control/money) - and it won't improve soccer either.

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=Unregistered;2232195]

GDA teams I’m familiar with only play the subs (and often only use 3 subs) like 15 minutes and some zero minutes even in showcase games. Since GDA is the only soccer they are allowed to do, how can that be good for development or fair? The ECNL teams I know, actually play everyone (maybe more than they should) in showcase games. In addition, top players that are already committed, often sit more than normal to give non-committed players a chance to be seen more. This trend could be a big factor in many non-committed players choosing ECNL, couldn’t it?[/QUTE]

Sub rules are an issue no doubt. The D is for Development doesn't always hold in DA. I agree most ECNL clubs are good about giving every showcase time.

It holds for the top 5 kids on each team which is all the ussf care about the rest simply are there to provide the venue for those kids. They are the same as the cones. Your child and or you decides she wants to graduate from cone to player? maybe possible for the top of the cone level for some kids willing to put in the seat, but for others...why tolerate the disrespect?

[Unregistered]

Yes ECNL has issues, but much of the blame lies with USSF. They claim starting GDA is about improving US soccer but it isn't (power.control/money) - and it won't improve soccer either.

Look at it as a business. The marketing message is a marketing message. You realize that gatorade is not really going to make you a better atlete?

All that can be done is pick a product for your child and get on with it.

[Unregistered]

Look at it as a business. The marketing message is a marketing message. You realize that gatorade is not really going to make you a better atlete?

All that can be done is pick a product for your child and get on with it.

this is true. the ECNL brigade do make me laugh though. get the blinders off. Its about power control and money for JD, MO'N , CL and all the other ECNL bigwigs as well. Why do they want out of the GDA? Because of HS sports? give me a break.

Power and Control -they were the show in the ECNL. the board, the decision makers. the rule makers. There are not in a USSF world.

Money- they can roster 23 players in the ECNL and find minutes for them by not rostering and switching lineups when you play 2g p per weekend. Not so easy to manage 23 players with 1g per weekend. and only 5 subs. But the key is 23 players. cut your roster to 18 and its no issue, but 23 checks is better than 18.


they will come up with all sorts of other issues, but it comes down to money and power. if a PDA cut its roster to 18 and those players went to strengthen other clubs, you would have a better all around scenario but clearly they are not going to do that.

Its a shame on both sides, but lets stop pretending the ECNL guys are poor victims, they are all the same - GDA ECNL Both want to control the way elite youth soccer works. Its comical that the ECNL hide behind HS sports.

[Unregistered]

this is true. the ECNL brigade do make me laugh though. get the blinders off. Its about power control and money for JD, MO'N , CL and all the other ECNL bigwigs as well. Why do they want out of the GDA? Because of HS sports? give me a break.

Power and Control -they were the show in the ECNL. the board, the decision makers. the rule makers. There are not in a USSF world.

Money- they can roster 23 players in the ECNL and find minutes for them by not rostering and switching lineups when you play 2g p per weekend. Not so easy to manage 23 players with 1g per weekend. and only 5 subs. But the key is 23 players. cut your roster to 18 and its no issue, but 23 checks is better than 18.


they will come up with all sorts of other issues, but it comes down to money and power. if a PDA cut its roster to 18 and those players went to strengthen other clubs, you would have a better all around scenario but clearly they are not going to do that.

Its a shame on both sides, but lets stop pretending the ECNL guys are poor victims, they are all the same - GDA ECNL Both want to control the way elite youth soccer works. Its comical that the ECNL hide behind HS sports.

No more comical then any of the BS. If you are lucky, you have a really good clear option. If not, hold your nose and choose something like most of us.

[Unregistered]

Let's hope the rules change - early recruiting is a scourge.

None of this is surprising - everyone said the player pool would be too diluted and there were clubs in the system that shouldn't be. The challenge facing USSF is many families won't risk "waiting it out" for GDA to slowly build. The recruiting window is tight and families have a strong 2nd option in ECNL. USSF also assumed the change to them would be fast and swift like it was with BDA. But BDA didn't have ECNL to compete with and had much more appeal with MLS club competition and free tuition at those clubs. With no real pro path and no real interest in a pro path, GDA is just another expensive pay to play league with less to differentiate itself

i understand your comment but that the mentality that exists here. The goal should be to take the path that makes you the best player you can be withing the constraints you have - money , school etc.

You make it sound like the GDA needs time. It doesnt nee d time a tll. if your kid i playing in it and is getting bettter than all good. Same goes for the ECNL. If HS sports are something you cant give up, then all good, play in the ECNL. I dont think it matters much either way.

Just pick the product that fits you best.

[Unregistered]

No more comical then any of the BS. If you are lucky, you have a really good clear option. If not, hold your nose and choose something like most of us.

But you have a clear option as well. Whether its good or bad is not related to the badge the club wears. That would be an issue no matter what.

[Unregistered]

But you have a clear option as well. Whether its good or bad is not related to the badge the club wears. That would be an issue no matter what.

Not everyone is within striking distance of a good coach they can afford. Who cares about the badge?

[Unregistered]

Looking at the U16/17 age group schedule and results of Stars. GDA went 1-1-1 as did U17 ECNL. U16 ECNL went 3-0. However, ECNL teams played “B teams” like Slammers, Hawks, West Futbol because those clubs have GDA teams as well.
Coaches list was better at GDA and JD of Stars was at both showcases.

[Unregistered]

Not everyone is within striking distance of a good coach they can afford. Who cares about the badge?

Agreed , but that not an ECNL DA issue right. the coaching pool is bad because there is no incentive to produce and develop great players here.

[Unregistered]

Looking at the U16/17 age group schedule and results of Stars. GDA went 1-1-1 as did U17 ECNL. U16 ECNL went 3-0. However, ECNL teams played “B teams” like Slammers, Hawks, West Futbol because those clubs have GDA teams as well.
Coaches list was better at GDA and JD of Stars was at both showcases.

This is the mentality. Listing game results. I watched NYCFC lose 6-1 to a team yesterday. The difference was goalkeeping and depth. was 1-1 at HT. Does that meant that the NYCFC team was bad? dont think it does. Scores are a tiny part of the analysis.

[Unregistered]

Looking at the U16/17 age group schedule and results of Stars. GDA went 1-1-1 as did U17 ECNL. U16 ECNL went 3-0. However, ECNL teams played “B teams” like Slammers, Hawks, West Futbol because those clubs have GDA teams as well.
Coaches list was better at GDA and JD of Stars was at both showcases.

Which age group are you looking at for ECNL? U16 or U17? This doesn't sound right on any level from what I saw when I looked at the matchups.

[Unregistered]

Nice to see BB playing better soccer, and congrats on 5 in a row, we look forward to 4/21, please remember to bring some ice...