Announcing New Club Invites

DeltaTauChi wrote:

ForReal wrote:
I don't disagree with you to a large extent.  My point and question is simply: where are the players going to go/play if the Big 3 drop ECNL?  A few might make it on D'Feeters or Sting ECNL teams.  But let's say those Big 3 ECNL teams want to stay largely intact.  Perhaps they become the TCL teams (still a fair amount of travel and expense, and can you imagine if the Big 3 are excluded from TCL?).  What happens to the TCL players?  They have to find spots on LH teams?  18 girls.

Let me clue you in on something.  Outside of the Texans U13 ECNL (DTS '05) team, the Texans, FCD, and Solar teams playing in ECNL this year were the clubs' TCL teams last year, and frankly, the majority of the Texans and FCD teams would be better served playing TCL instead of ECNL.  With the exception of the aforementioned DTS '05 team, Texans and FCD don't have a single team above 7th place in the conference standings.  Solar has at least been able to keep most of their teams around the center of table in all age groups.

You can argue about whether the travel associated with TCL is worth it, but at least there, you are only talking about regional travel by car, and you are covering the region where the majority of those kids are going to go to college (whether or not they play soccer).  Also, the TCL team generally attend the regional showcases I mentioned in my original post, which again, is where most of the regional small D1-D3 coaches are going to be scouting for players, and that's the caliber of player most of those TCL kids are.  That makes a helluva lot more sense then going to Orlando, or Phoenix for an ECNL showcase for most of those players - emphasis on most, there are always exceptions to the rule.

Gunners wrote:I have no skin in this game.  While my middle is on an ECNL roster, she's a college freshman so it remains to be seen if she plays ECNL this year.  I also don't care which entity "wins" or which will be stronger in the long run.

Having said that, I know for a FACT that more than half the GDA clubs Big Ern referenced hate what GDA has done and there are many other big name GDA clubs he didn't mention who feel the same. What does that mean in the long run, I don't know. What I do know is that options are being considered and those options have big name college coaches involved.

If asked to speculate, I would guess that in the long run there will be one local GDA club (FCD) who sticks around and possibly two (Solar).  The others will move back to ECNL and similar things happening around the nation.

In the long run, though, 99.99% of the girls won't play in the pros (beyond possibly Europe) and 99.999% will not see a national team. So when we all look back in 4-7 years when their careers are over, we can chuckle to ourselves at the amount of time we spent discussing this stuff.  Myself very much including in this.

Gunners wrote:I meant all parents reading this forum, not just GDA. If math slightly off, forgive me. Point is still valid. *shrug*

As for my comments about clubs, only need to know one with a seat at the table to know the scoop. Don’t shoot the messenger.

SickofStupidity wrote:

Gunners wrote:I meant all parents reading this forum, not just GDA. If math slightly off, forgive me. Point is still valid. *shrug*

As for my comments about clubs, only need to know one with a seat at the table to know the scoop. Don’t shoot the messenger.

BigEgo gettin' nervous that he might be missing out on some inside info.

Maybe his sources aren't in the know.  

Or maybe they are and just aren't sharing.

Big Ern wrote:

SickofStupidity wrote:

Gunners wrote:I meant all parents reading this forum, not just GDA. If math slightly off, forgive me. Point is still valid. *shrug*

As for my comments about clubs, only need to know one with a seat at the table to know the scoop. Don’t shoot the messenger.

BigEgo gettin' nervous that he might be missing out on some inside info.

Maybe his sources aren't in the know.  

Or maybe they are and just aren't sharing.

Awfully clever SoSy.  I see we're already stealing from foxydad, huh?  

Once again -- Right there in the name ... "SickofStupidity"

AngelinaGoalee wrote:I like how admin is letting the gloves come off and the vulgarity spew...

I see the word “rumor” bounce around a lot, the forum has shifted from the bar to the hair salon ????‍

Being that the usual suspects are posting I’m sure we all know or at least have seen each other, it’ll be funny to actually collide somehow.

Zizou has a mouth on him, I think I can narrow it down to who he is lol ????

Some of the trolls of course I can’t pinpoint.

But someone did say and I agree...in the future, when the smoke settles and our kids have moved on to internships and or recreational soccer, we will be on fishing boats, golf courses, or car garages laughing at how much time we wasted talking about this bull$hit instead of taking up a more relaxing hobby sooner. I haven’t even gotten to the cigar stage of my life yet!! What’s all the fuss about with those anyway? I prefer a smooth cognac and a Gladiator type movie with archers and decapitations over predicting the demise, or rise of one soccer league over another!!

And if you hear rumors of what HN is going to choose to do with his club just know that they’re rumors...I’m more than sure he hasn’t decided yet!! That guy is the walking definition of indecisive. Those rumors sound more like guesses so some know it all can yell “told ya so!!”

AngelinaGoalee wrote:I like how admin is letting the gloves come off and the vulgarity spew...

I see the word “rumor” bounce around a lot, the forum has shifted from the bar to the hair salon ????‍

Being that the usual suspects are posting I’m sure we all know or at least have seen each other, it’ll be funny to actually collide somehow.

Zizou has a mouth on him, I think I can narrow it down to who he is lol ????

Some of the trolls of course I can’t pinpoint.

But someone did say and I agree...in the future, when the smoke settles and our kids have moved on to internships and or recreational soccer, we will be on fishing boats, golf courses, or car garages laughing at how much time we wasted talking about this bull$hit instead of taking up a more relaxing hobby sooner. I haven’t even gotten to the cigar stage of my life yet!! What’s all the fuss about with those anyway? I prefer a smooth cognac and a Gladiator type movie with archers and decapitations over predicting the demise, or rise of one soccer league over another!!

And if you hear rumors of what HN is going to choose to do with his club just know that they’re rumors...I’m more than sure he hasn’t decided yet!! That guy is the walking definition of indecisive. Those rumors sound more like guesses so some know it all can yell “told ya so!!”

AngelinaGoalee wrote:I prefer a smooth cognac and a Gladiator type movie

RightWingDad wrote:

AngelinaGoalee wrote:I prefer a smooth cognac and a Gladiator type movie

I may prefer a Highland Park 18, but I am right there with you on the Gladiator movie. One of the all time best soundtracks. And yes, in those days I and the Mrs will wonder why we spent all that $ to stand on a cold soccer pitch instead of a warm sandy beach somewhere. In retrospect, yes there are/were some very good moments along the way but in the end, I do think most get way to wound up tight about the whole thing. And, once you know a little bit about the "business side" of youth soccer, a lot of the luster wears off.

timmyh wrote:

918soccer wrote:Sounds to me like a few DA parents on this forum might be overly optimistic about the league... at least in its current state. From an outside perspective, ECNL would appear to still have an advantage in several age groups, higher college signing numbers and more NWSL draft picks. A few are predicting this trend to reverse in the coming years but I believe there is a real possibility that ECNL could gain momentum with just a few changes.  

For example, ECNL is already stronger in STX with 3 quality clubs (Albion, Challenge, Classics Elite) compared to 1.5 for DA. There is talk of adding another DA club in STX but Albion reportedly turned it down and is staying ECNL. That leaves NTX. If the Texans drop DA, Liverpool is added and Solar stays ECNL (Solar's 2nd teams are often competitive with their top teams), that would give ECNL twice as many quality clubs in TX as DA. Admittedly, FCD, Solar and Lonestar will have great teams, but they won't be better than their ECNL counterparts in every age group and ECNL would simply have more quality teams to play in TX. Isn't that the definition of the "best" league? Out of respect for the Energy parents on this forum, I will not suggest which club is stronger in Oklahoma between TSC and Energy, but my point is, just a few changes can impact the overall quality of the league and I wouldn't be surprised if that trends in favor of ECNL next year.

You are way off regarding STX. Lonestar and Dash are now the two top teams. Dash had some problems recruiting players at U17-U19, but they dominate at all the younger age groups,  which will soon form the core. And Lonestar is Lonestar.
For ECNL, Sting Austin is a joke and Classics Elite, Albion, and Challenge are all decent but are a clear step behind the two STX DA teams.
Your contention that STX ECNL is stronger than DA is way off.

918soccer wrote:

timmyh wrote:

918soccer wrote:Sounds to me like a few DA parents on this forum might be overly optimistic about the league... at least in its current state. From an outside perspective, ECNL would appear to still have an advantage in several age groups, higher college signing numbers and more NWSL draft picks. A few are predicting this trend to reverse in the coming years but I believe there is a real possibility that ECNL could gain momentum with just a few changes.  

For example, ECNL is already stronger in STX with 3 quality clubs (Albion, Challenge, Classics Elite) compared to 1.5 for DA. There is talk of adding another DA club in STX but Albion reportedly turned it down and is staying ECNL. That leaves NTX. If the Texans drop DA, Liverpool is added and Solar stays ECNL (Solar's 2nd teams are often competitive with their top teams), that would give ECNL twice as many quality clubs in TX as DA. Admittedly, FCD, Solar and Lonestar will have great teams, but they won't be better than their ECNL counterparts in every age group and ECNL would simply have more quality teams to play in TX. Isn't that the definition of the "best" league? Out of respect for the Energy parents on this forum, I will not suggest which club is stronger in Oklahoma between TSC and Energy, but my point is, just a few changes can impact the overall quality of the league and I wouldn't be surprised if that trends in favor of ECNL next year.

You are way off regarding STX. Lonestar and Dash are now the two top teams. Dash had some problems recruiting players at U17-U19, but they dominate at all the younger age groups,  which will soon form the core. And Lonestar is Lonestar.
For ECNL, Sting Austin is a joke and Classics Elite, Albion, and Challenge are all decent but are a clear step behind the two STX DA teams.
Your contention that STX ECNL is stronger than DA is way off.

U15 Houston Dash is in 9th place, U16/17 in 10th, U18/19 in 6th. U15 Dash has only won 5 of 15 games and their U13 team has won 7 of 15. Comparing that to Albion and Challenge and they are no where close to being the second best teams in STX - Possibly 5th behind LS, Albion, Challenge and Classics Elite.

timmyh wrote:

918soccer wrote:

timmyh wrote:

918soccer wrote:Sounds to me like a few DA parents on this forum might be overly optimistic about the league... at least in its current state. From an outside perspective, ECNL would appear to still have an advantage in several age groups, higher college signing numbers and more NWSL draft picks. A few are predicting this trend to reverse in the coming years but I believe there is a real possibility that ECNL could gain momentum with just a few changes.  

For example, ECNL is already stronger in STX with 3 quality clubs (Albion, Challenge, Classics Elite) compared to 1.5 for DA. There is talk of adding another DA club in STX but Albion reportedly turned it down and is staying ECNL. That leaves NTX. If the Texans drop DA, Liverpool is added and Solar stays ECNL (Solar's 2nd teams are often competitive with their top teams), that would give ECNL twice as many quality clubs in TX as DA. Admittedly, FCD, Solar and Lonestar will have great teams, but they won't be better than their ECNL counterparts in every age group and ECNL would simply have more quality teams to play in TX. Isn't that the definition of the "best" league? Out of respect for the Energy parents on this forum, I will not suggest which club is stronger in Oklahoma between TSC and Energy, but my point is, just a few changes can impact the overall quality of the league and I wouldn't be surprised if that trends in favor of ECNL next year.

You are way off regarding STX. Lonestar and Dash are now the two top teams. Dash had some problems recruiting players at U17-U19, but they dominate at all the younger age groups,  which will soon form the core. And Lonestar is Lonestar.
For ECNL, Sting Austin is a joke and Classics Elite, Albion, and Challenge are all decent but are a clear step behind the two STX DA teams.
Your contention that STX ECNL is stronger than DA is way off.

U15 Houston Dash is in 9th place, U16/17 in 10th, U18/19 in 6th. U15 Dash has only won 5 of 15 games and their U13 team has won 7 of 15. Comparing that to Albion and Challenge and they are no where close to being the second best teams in STX - Possibly 5th behind LS, Albion, Challenge and Classics Elite.

The Dash U13s, U14s and U18-19s all have winning records. The U15s and the U16-17s are indeed struggling.

I realize this a big caveat, but outside of the two older DA age groups,  the Dash already - in year one - has the best team (or two teams) in Houston at every single younger competitive age group...08, 07, 06, 05, and 04.
While the U15, U16-17 and U18-19 age groups are the most important and Dash would probably trade being on top at the younger five for being better at the older two, Dash undoubtedly has a bright future and appear to be building a club from the base upward.
I wouldn't dismiss them so easily.

918soccer wrote:

timmyh wrote:

918soccer wrote:

timmyh wrote:

918soccer wrote:Sounds to me like a few DA parents on this forum might be overly optimistic about the league... at least in its current state. From an outside perspective, ECNL would appear to still have an advantage in several age groups, higher college signing numbers and more NWSL draft picks. A few are predicting this trend to reverse in the coming years but I believe there is a real possibility that ECNL could gain momentum with just a few changes.  

For example, ECNL is already stronger in STX with 3 quality clubs (Albion, Challenge, Classics Elite) compared to 1.5 for DA. There is talk of adding another DA club in STX but Albion reportedly turned it down and is staying ECNL. That leaves NTX. If the Texans drop DA, Liverpool is added and Solar stays ECNL (Solar's 2nd teams are often competitive with their top teams), that would give ECNL twice as many quality clubs in TX as DA. Admittedly, FCD, Solar and Lonestar will have great teams, but they won't be better than their ECNL counterparts in every age group and ECNL would simply have more quality teams to play in TX. Isn't that the definition of the "best" league? Out of respect for the Energy parents on this forum, I will not suggest which club is stronger in Oklahoma between TSC and Energy, but my point is, just a few changes can impact the overall quality of the league and I wouldn't be surprised if that trends in favor of ECNL next year.

You are way off regarding STX. Lonestar and Dash are now the two top teams. Dash had some problems recruiting players at U17-U19, but they dominate at all the younger age groups,  which will soon form the core. And Lonestar is Lonestar.
For ECNL, Sting Austin is a joke and Classics Elite, Albion, and Challenge are all decent but are a clear step behind the two STX DA teams.
Your contention that STX ECNL is stronger than DA is way off.

U15 Houston Dash is in 9th place, U16/17 in 10th, U18/19 in 6th. U15 Dash has only won 5 of 15 games and their U13 team has won 7 of 15. Comparing that to Albion and Challenge and they are no where close to being the second best teams in STX - Possibly 5th behind LS, Albion, Challenge and Classics Elite.

The Dash U13s, U14s and U18-19s all have winning records. The U15s and the U16-17s are indeed struggling.

I realize this a big caveat, but outside of the two older DA age groups,  the Dash already - in year one - has the best team (or two teams) in Houston at every single younger competitive age group...08, 07, 06, 05, and 04.
While the U15, U16-17 and U18-19 age groups are the most important and Dash would probably trade being on top at the younger five for being better at the older two, Dash undoubtedly has a bright future and appear to be building a club from the base upward.
I wouldn't dismiss them so easily.

Not sure how you are coming up with that. 05 Dash DA is currently ranked 3rd in STX, their 04 team is ranked 5th behind Albion, Classics Elite and Challenge and their 03 team is ranked 3rd behind Challenge. By comparison, 04 Albion ECNL is 11-0-1 this year, in first place and hasn't lost a game. 03 Albion ECNL is also in first place and hasn't lost a game. 03 Challenge is 10-2-0 and in 2nd place.

timmyh wrote:

918soccer wrote:

timmyh wrote:

918soccer wrote:

timmyh wrote:

918soccer wrote:Sounds to me like a few DA parents on this forum might be overly optimistic about the league... at least in its current state. From an outside perspective, ECNL would appear to still have an advantage in several age groups, higher college signing numbers and more NWSL draft picks. A few are predicting this trend to reverse in the coming years but I believe there is a real possibility that ECNL could gain momentum with just a few changes.  

For example, ECNL is already stronger in STX with 3 quality clubs (Albion, Challenge, Classics Elite) compared to 1.5 for DA. There is talk of adding another DA club in STX but Albion reportedly turned it down and is staying ECNL. That leaves NTX. If the Texans drop DA, Liverpool is added and Solar stays ECNL (Solar's 2nd teams are often competitive with their top teams), that would give ECNL twice as many quality clubs in TX as DA. Admittedly, FCD, Solar and Lonestar will have great teams, but they won't be better than their ECNL counterparts in every age group and ECNL would simply have more quality teams to play in TX. Isn't that the definition of the "best" league? Out of respect for the Energy parents on this forum, I will not suggest which club is stronger in Oklahoma between TSC and Energy, but my point is, just a few changes can impact the overall quality of the league and I wouldn't be surprised if that trends in favor of ECNL next year.

You are way off regarding STX. Lonestar and Dash are now the two top teams. Dash had some problems recruiting players at U17-U19, but they dominate at all the younger age groups,  which will soon form the core. And Lonestar is Lonestar.
For ECNL, Sting Austin is a joke and Classics Elite, Albion, and Challenge are all decent but are a clear step behind the two STX DA teams.
Your contention that STX ECNL is stronger than DA is way off.

U15 Houston Dash is in 9th place, U16/17 in 10th, U18/19 in 6th. U15 Dash has only won 5 of 15 games and their U13 team has won 7 of 15. Comparing that to Albion and Challenge and they are no where close to being the second best teams in STX - Possibly 5th behind LS, Albion, Challenge and Classics Elite.

The Dash U13s, U14s and U18-19s all have winning records. The U15s and the U16-17s are indeed struggling.

I realize this a big caveat, but outside of the two older DA age groups,  the Dash already - in year one - has the best team (or two teams) in Houston at every single younger competitive age group...08, 07, 06, 05, and 04.
While the U15, U16-17 and U18-19 age groups are the most important and Dash would probably trade being on top at the younger five for being better at the older two, Dash undoubtedly has a bright future and appear to be building a club from the base upward.
I wouldn't dismiss them so easily.

Not sure how you are coming up with that. 05 Dash DA is currently ranked 3rd in STX, their 04 team is ranked 5th behind Albion, Classics Elite and Challenge and their 03 team is ranked 3rd behind Challenge. By comparison, 04 Albion ECNL is 11-0-1 this year, in first place and hasn't lost a game. 03 Albion ECNL is also in first place and hasn't lost a game. 03 Challenge is 10-2-0 and in 2nd place.

Ranked how?  DA teams aren't in YSR.
The Dash pulled Albions top 3 05 players off what used to be a pretty good Albion team, and picked up 4 more from Challenge and Rise. They are by far the best 05 team in Houston, and it isn't particularly close.i agree with 03, as I said above. Dash isn't tops there. They are tops from 08 through 04, and it isn't particularly close. Well, 04s are close (Albion is pretty good), but Dash is better.