Happy, staying. Level of play far exceeds anything else I have seen. Surprised by the amount of coaches at Showcases watching us. It’s crazy. Also we have been getting a few D1 coaches at most league games. Very happy with dd’s playing time. Dd loves playing with girls as committed and focused as she is.
It is coming up to the end of the 1st year of the DA and am curious to get a grade from everyone.
Have you been happy with your experience this year?
Will your DD stay in the DA?
If you didn't play in DA are you moving/or hoping to move to a DA team?
Any disappointments or surprises?
I think the birth years that have been impacted the most has been 01's and '02's. So many changes......
2014-15 SCDSL or CSL (U13)
2015-16 ECNL combined age 01/02 (usually same team as U13 but new league)
2016-17 ECNL single age 01 team and 02 team (new teams for both)
2017-18 DA - Split ages again 01/02 (new teams for both and new league, some players were in ECNL now not in DA as 02)
2018-19 DA split ages 00/01 and 02/03 (new teams for both)
2019-20 DA split ages 01/02 (new teams for both)
That is a new team every year for most of the girls and different league structures.
Good Post Soccer43:
I could be wrong but your opinions will vary based on the following:
Parents of Players who played ECNL in the past. (I think they will lean to ECNL being better for reasons I indicate below, maybe not)
Parents of Players who were not in an ECNL club in the past. (They will be pro DA, cause there club didn't have ECNL)
Younger 04 Parents who did not participate in ECNL. (Just do not know, because they had no experience with ECNL)
So maybe people can post their experience with their response.
Having done both in our case.
I will move past the substitution rules (Dead horse), 4 days a week practice (Cause let's be honest, most ECNL clubs had this last year (2 nights of practice, one night of fitness or futsal, most did a 4th night of private training) and of course the High School factor (not going there as this has pros and cons, another dead horse)
The things ECNL still had on DA:
1. Marketing Machine - Pro Women, pro girls, music at the events, #amazingyoungwomen. DA more sterile. But recently I hav noticed a push from DA. Long way to go.
2. Events had more team centric warm up stations - The Zone, selfie stuff, event locations were just better. Music was playing, just a more warm inviting environment.
3. Games were better organized for College Coaches - Ages were clustered near each other so coaches could catch parts of each game. DA events were spread out. North Carolina was better.
4. Merchandise selection was better at ECNL events, but not a big issue as it is all overpriced.
5. Schedule = ECNL was better. Olders in the Southwest conference went first in the Spring, due to Prom. 30 minutes on the field for warm up in DA is nice.
No Difference:
1. Competition Level - Maybe a few more bottom dwelling teams, but honestly no difference.
2. Fields - Same
3. Gatorade vs Powerade = Same
4. Refs = Same
5. Trainer = Same (last year all of our games had trainers, not the case at U14 for ECNL)
6. Easy Ups = Same
Which league is better for recruiting? They are the same. Except having two hurts things. But Coaches will find your player in either league, key is to reach out and let them know she is interested in their school.
So once you get past the substitution rules, High School (If Important to you) there really is not much the DA cannot implement going forward. US Soccer is softening, I think they see they need to on the girls side.
Just my opinion.
Good Post Soccer43:
I could be wrong but
Agree with your post. DA gutted much of SW conference ECNL. There are still some very good players but the overall depth of quality has taken a big bit. The standings are upside down from years past. ECNL NC winner this year just won't have the same ring to it. I do believe it will rebound in the next season. My .02I think they should have left the olders alone in the ECNL and started the DA first with those not yet at ECNL age. The olders could have aged out in a system that was working for them. Teams could have stayed together through high school and the youngers would not have known any difference and would have loved whatever they moved into ECNL or DA
Sub in rule is stupid. I get the more practice opposed to more games but players don't develop game time speed on the bench for 73 minutes. If my daughter wants to leave to play HS or ECNL I would have no issue.
They belonged enough to take them on the team. They need to Do a better job of evaluating players before they sign with the club. If you screwed up then own and develop them until the year is over. If they cant cut in then tell what they need to do to get out there. This is after all DEVELOPMENT academy.A girl that sits on the bench for 73 minutes probably doesn't belong. I watched 2 girls sit on the bench the whole season last year on our ECNL team. At least in GDA they are guaranteed play time.
They belonged enough to take them on the team. They need to Do a better job of evaluating players before they sign with the club. If you screwed up then own and develop them until the year is over. If they cant cut in then tell what they need to do to get out there. This is after all DEVELOPMENT academy.