Why I feel DA is the superior league

For a middle class family getting no Full Ride, it's close to $9K+ to participate in the DA and benefit from the DA process. Since its a foolish dream to be on the YNT for the 99.5% of us, ECNL is the logical choice. ECNL will get you the same college scholarship/Admittance at a far less cost plus you don't have to train 4 days a week 10 months out of the year and you get to choose to play HS Soccer or take a little break.
ECNL is a logical choice for some. I told you what our experience with DA with regards to cost is, take that for what its worth, or don't.
 
What do you mean by this? The process is the process no matter what the league.
Bad word with process. Travel seems to be more in the DA and people want to enjoy the "experience." My writing sucks so be easy on me. I just asked my wife the difference between "sense" and "since" and when to use them probably.
 
ECNL is a logical choice for some. I told you what our experience with DA with regards to cost is, take that for what its worth, or don't.
Thank you so much for the info. My buddy is really trying to figure out his next move next year. Tough decisions. No one likes surprises especially when money is involved.
 
Thank you so much for the info. My buddy is really trying to figure out his next move next year. Tough decisions. No one likes surprises especially when money is involved.
Justus - your buddy should pick the teams he's interested in and talk to some of the parents on it to see what their cost are as well as the team an age group above them. That's going to give him a more accurate number than random numbers from the forum. Don't forget to calculate that ECNL starts a year earlier than DA. We know people in ECNL and the 5K seems like an extremely low number. Kudos for whichever club is being able to keep it that low and I hope they become the model for DA, ECNL, NPL, and every other league that is in existence and will be created in the future.
 
Justus - your buddy should pick the teams he's interested in and talk to some of the parents on it to see what their cost are as well as the team an age group above them. That's going to give him a more accurate number than random numbers from the forum. Don't forget to calculate that ECNL starts a year earlier than DA. We know people in ECNL and the 5K seems like an extremely low number. Kudos for whichever club is being able to keep it that low and I hope they become the model for DA, ECNL, NPL, and every other league that is in existence and will be created in the future.
Thanks Emma. I told him I was bored and I would ask my friends on the forum :)
 
You can tack on another 3-4 grand per season for privates/agility/conditioning (whatever) which most are doing and are nearly mandatory for keeping up in DA. Many are also routinely visiting chiropractors, masseuses, etc. It's like the kiddie pros really. I am not the judge of whether that's good or bad, and it will be interesting to see how it goes on the girls' side.
My whole family trains and does recovery in various facilities. Based on the cross section of the young athletes I see there, it’s not just “mandatory” for DA players, it’s a critical part of many athletes routines both young and old across many sports, leagues and active lifestyles.
 
My whole family trains and does recovery in various facilities. Based on the cross section of the young athletes I see there, it’s not just “mandatory” for DA players, it’s a critical part of many athletes routines both young and old across many sports, leagues and active lifestyles.
Recovery is indeed crucial but can be as simple as an ice bath which maybe costs $3.00. Or Normatec which you can use for $15-20 bucks at a Cryo center. That wasn't what I was referring to. I feel DA girls and maybe ECNL too I don't know, are training a lot outside of practice and spending a lot for it. What that will do to the bodies topping off 4 days of practice is what is yet to be determined. It may be better for all I know. But currently, on the financial side it is an @$100-$200 cost per week which needs to be factored in.
 
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Recovery is indeed crucial but can be as simple as an ice bath which maybe costs $3.00. Or Normatec which you can use for $15-20 bucks at a Cryo center. That wasn't what I was referring to. I feel DA girls and maybe ECNL too I don't know, are training a lot outside of practice and spending a lot for it. What that will do to the bodies topping off 4 days of practice is what is yet to be determined. It may be better for all I know. But currently, on the financial side it is an @$100-$200 cost per week which needs to be factored in.
From your outside perspective, what’s does theirs 4 days a week of training entail?

So many like to reference it....
 
Recovery is indeed crucial but can be as simple as an ice bath which maybe costs $3.00. Or Normatec which you can use for $15-20 bucks at a Cryo center. That wasn't what I was referring to. I feel DA girls and maybe ECNL too I don't know, are training a lot outside of practice and spending a lot for it. What that will do to the bodies topping off 4 days of practice is what is yet to be determined. It may be better for all I know. But currently, on the financial side it is an @$100-$200 cost per week which needs to be factored in.
And you also need to include, in your case, potential medical bills associated with the strong hating of the parents, when they see a new player coming to the team and act to remove her to eliminate competition. That strong hating can lead to stomach ulcers, depression, etc.
 
And you also need to include, in your case, potential medical bills associated with the strong hating of the parents, when they see a new player coming to the team and act to remove her to eliminate competition. That strong hating can lead to stomach ulcers, depression, etc.
I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
 
And you also need to include, in your case, potential medical bills associated with the strong hating of the parents, when they see a new player coming to the team and act to remove her to eliminate competition. That strong hating can lead to stomach ulcers, depression, etc.
I am curious by this post as it seems odd. Are you referencing something that is actually happening at your club?
 
I am curious by this post as it seems odd. Are you referencing something that is actually happening at your club?
If you think about it, it could happen at any club. A new player shows up because his family moved in from another state where he was on the State ODP team, or because he is an exchange student from a country where there is no other youth sport than soccer, or because he was invited as a loan player to fill in for just one tournament for an absent/injured player and the coach liked him and managed to recruit him away from his old club - somebody on the pre-existing starting roster just got bumped to the bench. How does the player (or, as in the discussion, his parents) deal wth that?
 
If you think about it, it could happen at any club. A new player shows up because his family moved in from another state where he was on the State ODP team, or because he is an exchange student from a country where there is no other youth sport than soccer, or because he was invited as a loan player to fill in for just one tournament for an absent/injured player and the coach liked him and managed to recruit him away from his old club - somebody on the pre-existing starting roster just got bumped to the bench. How does the player (or, as in the discussion, his parents) deal wth that?
Usually badly. All friendly and welcoming of the competition until the established player starts getting displaced.
 
If you think about it, it could happen at any club. A new player shows up because his family moved in from another state where he was on the State ODP team, or because he is an exchange student from a country where there is no other youth sport than soccer, or because he was invited as a loan player to fill in for just one tournament for an absent/injured player and the coach liked him and managed to recruit him away from his old club - somebody on the pre-existing starting roster just got bumped to the bench. How does the player (or, as in the discussion, his parents) deal wth that?
No Bueno for most involved. No winners usually on the kids side or parents side regarding team chemistry.
 
An old friend is lurking on here and texted me that they spent over $14,000 last year. They have money and have no problem with it. Flying first class to showcases and Nocal and AZ league games. I think that's on the high end and depending on where your DA club is located will probably determined how much one is willing to pay to travel all over the country watching soccer games. My guess is around $8,000 a year for avg. family not getting the full scholarship. Times that by 6 seasons and its got to be over $50,000 to participate in the DA.
You must have been talking to KC. Does the $14,000 include the trip to Europe to train? I don't think most parents pay that much for DA. Most parents don't fly first class to showcases...crazy.
 
You must have been talking to KC. Does the $14,000 include the trip to Europe to train? I don't think most parents pay that much for DA. Most parents don't fly first class to showcases...crazy.
Not sure who KC is but some can and do. Non first class is still expensive. I flew Spirit Airlines to save a few bucks. Horrible decision by the way. I would recommend fly American and pay the extra $500. If you got the money go for it :)
 
"Fred Fred, post: 282710, member: 6374"]ECNL, you had a great run but it is hard for you to argue that you are the "elite" league. I will go through some common comments and topics you will get from ECNL folks. I want to state that ECNL is a good league and can get your daughter some competition and probably a scholarship, but they can not compete with DA. DA is the elite league in SoCal.

Fred, are you real? I will go with a no, but I will respond. The DA Team that seems to have it going on is Earthquakes. So I think Earthquakes is far superior to everyone else. Here's why:

Earthquakes Expectations: To maintain a focus on the 10-month club environment. Full Time Academy Players and teams do not play in any outside competitions. This includes any other leagues, tournaments, State Cup, ODP or PDP (exceptions are US Training Centers and YNT ). DA players for all teams must choose to participate in the Academy Full Time and forgo playing for their High Schools teams. Full Time players train 4 days a week!
(I bet you $1 that Coach Deza does not allow even one player a special waiver or a little "turn the other way" to allow a special favor for someone with other interests besides DA Soccer)

Earthquakes Coaching: DOC is Andres Deza. A native of Barcelona, Spain, Deza has coached nearly a dozen players born between 1998 and 2003 (4 more with his 04' team) who have gone on to earn invites to U.S. Youth National Team or U.S. Women’s National Team camps. Nice to have him at the top driving the bus.

Q. Does anyone know if Earthquakes offer Full Scholarships to their YNT players or other players based on Merit or Need?


Other DA Clubs Expectations: Commit to the 10-month league as much as possible. Train 3 days a week or at least 2 if you’re playing another sport or activity. Play both high school soccer and DA with special waiver or no waiver because no one will know anyways. Run track, be on HS Surf team, basketball team, dancing or volleyball if you want to. Must watch video on your own when possible and pay for private coaching and personal private trainers for the other days you need to miss and turn in proof you did the training.

Coaching: All over the place

The moral of the story is find a great coach that is a part of a great club or organization (DA, ECNL, AYSO, SCDSL, Presidio, CSL, DPL, ECNL II, Rec League) that provides a healthy environment and a place where we make sure the girls are having fun. Season is starting this weekend just like the NFL. Good luck to everyone on whatever pitch your kid is playing on this weekend :)
 
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