ECNL, ECRL, ECNL NTX —- whats the difference

Big Ern wrote:

smugrr wrote:To me the fact that one club's #2 team beat (barely) another club's #1 team is no big shock and would vary from club to club and on each age level, or maybe if a critical player was sick, etc....We should not expect otherwise. As to whether an ECNL or ECRL team should play in a tournament; they both did play up and the tournament was an open tournament. Those kind of teams need someplace to play besides the league which is not starting up for few weeks.

Understood smudger --

It's just that, in my opinion, there's a very sizeable drop off from ECNL to ECRL at the 'traditional power' clubs.  And given that (I think I heard) none a single one of the Solar ECNL teams even conceded a single goal, while scoring 100+, it's safe to say that they had no business playing in this guy, and that because they did, they shoulda played up 2-3 years.

AngelinaGoalee wrote:Ivory Soccer Tower...
I don’t think anyone looks down on Texans.
Texans have their own facilities, pretty steep fees, history, exclusive Nike kits, and other resources as any big club should.
What that club lacks is beyond me and I wouldn’t be able to explain why they don’t experience the success like they used to. With all that the club possesses and their tenured coaching staff, why don’t more parents and players choose them? Not being judgmental but seriously curious why the players that seek the highest platform to play on make DTSC a last option?

playitforward04 wrote:"Solar have become crazy deep at the top levels for girls at U14+ (especially at U17), and Texans are a lil' soft in that area (especially at U17)." - Big Ern

Obviously loves himself some Solar...having to mention and praise a suspected "dream team" (U17 ECNL) in a post referencing an ECNL/ECRL showdown between two other teams.  Don't worry the season will start soon enough and they will get all the praise needed if they fulfill expectations.

I find it hard to believe you have very solid grasp of that Texans team from your ivory soccer tower.  Like most teams, they are probably mostly new players on their roster in the midst of a liability and health conscious return to play.  Not every club or team for that matter used this time to practice or recruit.  Give them a chance to build chemistry in the preseason before casting comments on their true potential.

"it really wasn't fair nor did it do much good for anyone"

I disagree with that opinion.  The tournament allows these teams to evaluate their players and full rosters, evaluate different combinations, work on game fitness, and to remember how good it feels to play this game they love.  They didn't pick who signed up for this Solar event, and I bet they were just excited to get back on the field.  (Haven't played games since early March unless there is some underground league I am unaware of)

Both teams obviously showed up regardless of their league status to play some soccer.  Congrats to Solar ECRL for a successful tournament.  And best of luck to both teams this coming season!  

Big Ern wrote:

AngelinaGoalee wrote:Ivory Soccer Tower...
I don’t think anyone looks down on Texans.
Texans have their own facilities, pretty steep fees, history, exclusive Nike kits, and other resources as any big club should.
What that club lacks is beyond me and I wouldn’t be able to explain why they don’t experience the success like they used to. With all that the club possesses and their tenured coaching staff, why don’t more parents and players choose them? Not being judgmental but seriously curious why the players that seek the highest platform to play on make DTSC a last option?

Right AG ... me included, and good questions.  If I had to point a finger at a potential answer, I'd say that the "culture" on the Texans elite girl's side at U13+ is an issue when it comes to attracting and holding on to top talent.

cenTex wrote:

Big Ern wrote:

AngelinaGoalee wrote:Ivory Soccer Tower...
I don’t think anyone looks down on Texans.
Texans have their own facilities, pretty steep fees, history, exclusive Nike kits, and other resources as any big club should.
What that club lacks is beyond me and I wouldn’t be able to explain why they don’t experience the success like they used to. With all that the club possesses and their tenured coaching staff, why don’t more parents and players choose them? Not being judgmental but seriously curious why the players that seek the highest platform to play on make DTSC a last option?

Right AG ... me included, and good questions.  If I had to point a finger at a potential answer, I'd say that the "culture" on the Texans elite girl's side at U13+ is an issue when it comes to attracting and holding on to top talent.

From a distance and talking to friends, it seems the problem isn't that nobody is willing to bring their kids to Texans.  The problem seems to be that many who have experienced the culture first hand no longer want to stay.

As an example, I understand that all 11 starters from last year's Texans U13 DA left for other clubs this summer. This was a good 07 team that two years ago was probably considered to be the best team in Dallas.  While they were still good prior to breaking up, they never really developed as expected and had been passed up by Solar, FCD, and DKSC.  

And then did they promote from the 2nd team to replace those who fled? No. They recruited an entirely new team to fill in (and that new team got beat by the 2nd team last weekend).  There doesn't seem to be a clear plan or continuity, at least compared to others.

playitforward04 wrote:It doesn't take backbone to state that a Dream Team should be "really good", or that "it could play bench players exclusively and still have the same result".  But saying "lil' soft" or "Texans girls ECNL aren't (really good)" when you admit you haven't seen them, then you are speaking from your Ivory Soccer Tower "buddy".  Regardless of your opinion, I do wish all the North Texas Girls the best of luck this year, including my daughters team.  There won't be any whining from my side regardless of the outcomes, but then there isn't an expectation of championship or bust.  Nothing wrong with that mindset, but don't be disappointed when FCD, my daughter's team, or others do their part to wake you up from that dream.        

pickle juice wrote:A different perspective:  We all know there was a shake up on DA and ECNL this season. Everyone from DA got shuffled and absorbed.  Solar ECNL is clearly the front runner in the NTX ECNL world, FC Dallas should be a a distant second. Tons of talent on that Solar 1st team. 4 players are national camp prospects and two have played on a national team.  In fact, "top talent" from other teams this year transferred to Solar, including some from FC Dallas, who took 3rd nationally the year prior.  Starters from last years Solar DA team didn't even make this years ECNL team, and that's in spite of cause both the DA and ECNL from last year being very strong in their respective leagues.  It stands to reason Solar's #2 would be a strong team, and from what I understand, Solar kept practicing through the July break and everyone else including Texans didn't ( I could be wrong on that). Let's talk about last years Texans.  They were like 0-10 last year, so definitely a weak team to say the least.  I know for a fact Texans replaced their back end of the bench and kept its best from last year, so Jury still out on Texans ECNL, but I would have expected Solars second team to dominate the Texans. It's interesting to me that Texans hung with them. Interesting indeed.

pickle juice wrote:A different perspective:  We all know there was a shake up on DA and ECNL this season. Everyone from DA got shuffled and absorbed.  Solar ECNL is clearly the front runner in the NTX ECNL world, FC Dallas should be a a distant second. Tons of talent on that Solar 1st team. 4 players are national camp prospects and two have played on a national team.  In fact, "top talent" from other teams this year transferred to Solar, including some from FC Dallas, who took 3rd nationally the year prior.  Starters from last years Solar DA team didn't even make this years ECNL team, and that's in spite of cause both the DA and ECNL from last year being very strong in their respective leagues.  It stands to reason Solar's #2 would be a strong team, and from what I understand, Solar kept practicing through the July break and everyone else including Texans didn't ( I could be wrong on that). Let's talk about last years Texans.  They were like 0-10 last year, so definitely a weak team to say the least.  I know for a fact Texans replaced their back end of the bench and kept its best from last year, so Jury still out on Texans ECNL, but I would have expected Solars second team to dominate the Texans. It's interesting to me that Texans hung with them. Interesting indeed.

cenTex wrote:

pickle juice wrote:A different perspective:  We all know there was a shake up on DA and ECNL this season. Everyone from DA got shuffled and absorbed.  Solar ECNL is clearly the front runner in the NTX ECNL world, FC Dallas should be a a distant second. Tons of talent on that Solar 1st team. 4 players are national camp prospects and two have played on a national team.  In fact, "top talent" from other teams this year transferred to Solar, including some from FC Dallas, who took 3rd nationally the year prior.  Starters from last years Solar DA team didn't even make this years ECNL team, and that's in spite of cause both the DA and ECNL from last year being very strong in their respective leagues.  It stands to reason Solar's #2 would be a strong team, and from what I understand, Solar kept practicing through the July break and everyone else including Texans didn't ( I could be wrong on that). Let's talk about last years Texans.  They were like 0-10 last year, so definitely a weak team to say the least.  I know for a fact Texans replaced their back end of the bench and kept its best from last year, so Jury still out on Texans ECNL, but I would have expected Solars second team to dominate the Texans. It's interesting to me that Texans hung with them. Interesting indeed.

In what age ECNL age groups would Solar not be considered to be the likely leader of the pack in Dallas this coming year? 05?

Big Ern wrote:Right AG!  To take it a bit further, I thought it a little silly for any girls EC'N'L teams to be in this tourney altogether --

Outside of this ^ particular example, it really wasn't fair nor did it do much good for anyone.  And most of us know both that Solar have become crazy deep at the top levels for girls at U14+ (especially at U17), and Texans are a lil' soft in that area (especially at U17).  

And not sure what this talk about "Girls have not played soccer since March" or "when girls know each others names and have more than 5 games under their belts" is ...

AngelinaGoalee wrote:Ivory Soccer Tower...
I don’t think anyone looks down on Texans.
Texans have their own facilities, pretty steep fees, history, exclusive Nike kits, and other resources as any big club should.
What that club lacks is beyond me and I wouldn’t be able to explain why they don’t experience the success like they used to. With all that the club possesses and their tenured coaching staff, why don’t more parents and players choose them? Not being judgmental but seriously curious why the players that seek the highest platform to play on make DTSC a last option?

Big Ern wrote:

playitforward04 wrote:"Solar have become crazy deep at the top levels for girls at U14+ (especially at U17), and Texans are a lil' soft in that area (especially at U17)." - Big Ern

Obviously loves himself some Solar...having to mention and praise a suspected "dream team" (U17 ECNL) in a post referencing an ECNL/ECRL showdown between two other teams.  Don't worry the season will start soon enough and they will get all the praise needed if they fulfill expectations.

I find it hard to believe you have very solid grasp of that Texans team from your ivory soccer tower.  Like most teams, they are probably mostly new players on their roster in the midst of a liability and health conscious return to play.  Not every club or team for that matter used this time to practice or recruit.  Give them a chance to build chemistry in the preseason before casting comments on their true potential.

"it really wasn't fair nor did it do much good for anyone"

I disagree with that opinion.  The tournament allows these teams to evaluate their players and full rosters, evaluate different combinations, work on game fitness, and to remember how good it feels to play this game they love.  They didn't pick who signed up for this Solar event, and I bet they were just excited to get back on the field.  (Haven't played games since early March unless there is some underground league I am unaware of)

Both teams obviously showed up regardless of their league status to play some soccer.  Congrats to Solar ECRL for a successful tournament.  And best of luck to both teams this coming season!  

"Obviously loves himself some Solar...having to mention and praise a suspected "dream team" (U17 ECNL) in a post referencing an ECNL/ECRL showdown between two other teams." ... Nahhh fw04, I just happen to be a realist.  Love the "having to" mention when it's clear to everyone (but you, it seems) that I simply used that side to reference the depth of talent at the particular club, in that particular age group.  And "dream team" ... c'mon now ... you obviously must 'love yourself some Solar'

"I find it hard to believe you have very solid grasp of that Texans team from your ivory soccer tower." ... I don't.  Haven't seen em yet this year.  But when ya factor performance over the past few years, the staff, and general knowledge of what they gained/lost in the off season, it's not all that difficult to put 2 'n 3 together Sir.

"The tournament allows these teams to evaluate their players and full rosters, evaluate different combinations, work on game fitness, and to remember how good it feels to play this game they love." ... Welll, I can buy some a that and respect your opinion fw, buuttt ... those Solar EC'N'L teams have been training for months together, scrimmaging multiple times per week against much tougher opponents than anyone they faced this weekend.  Trust me (I'm sure you won't given the content and general direction of your response here) when I say the coaches got a ton more outta those when it comes to evaluating rosters/formations/fitness, then they did this past weekend.  Again ... 111-4 across just four teams isn't much good for anyone is it?

pickle juice wrote:Chkcharlie "In what age ECNL age groups would Solar not be considered to be the likely leader of the pack in Dallas this coming year? 05?"

New to this, Not sure how to respond directly to your question.  My opinion on the 05's is all over the place.  Like everything else, combinations and lineups are being tested and vetted out. I think we will see some darkhorse teams surprising us at each age group.

MaximilianOneMX wrote:

pickle juice wrote:Chkcharlie "In what age ECNL age groups would Solar not be considered to be the likely leader of the pack in Dallas this coming year? 05?"

New to this, Not sure how to respond directly to your question.  My opinion on the 05's is all over the place.  Like everything else, combinations and lineups are being tested and vetted out. I think we will see some darkhorse teams surprising us at each age group.

I’ll take a crack a preseason 05 rankings for the locals:

1. FCD
2. Solar
3. DKSC
4. SB
5. DT
6. SR

anothercrazysoccerdad wrote:

AngelinaGoalee wrote:Ivory Soccer Tower...
I don’t think anyone looks down on Texans.
Texans have their own facilities, pretty steep fees, history, exclusive Nike kits, and other resources as any big club should.
What that club lacks is beyond me and I wouldn’t be able to explain why they don’t experience the success like they used to. With all that the club possesses and their tenured coaching staff, why don’t more parents and players choose them? Not being judgmental but seriously curious why the players that seek the highest platform to play on make DTSC a last option?

Mostly because they (Hassan) now only value and view the girls as a revenue stream to support the boys programs at Texans.  Thus, the girls teams are treated with little support.  They have good/great coaches that have cycled through DTSC The last few years because of it and the cycle has trended downward.  Hard to turn it around.

AngelinaGoalee wrote:

anothercrazysoccerdad wrote:

AngelinaGoalee wrote:Ivory Soccer Tower...
I don’t think anyone looks down on Texans.
Texans have their own facilities, pretty steep fees, history, exclusive Nike kits, and other resources as any big club should.
What that club lacks is beyond me and I wouldn’t be able to explain why they don’t experience the success like they used to. With all that the club possesses and their tenured coaching staff, why don’t more parents and players choose them? Not being judgmental but seriously curious why the players that seek the highest platform to play on make DTSC a last option?

Mostly because they (Hassan) now only value and view the girls as a revenue stream to support the boys programs at Texans.  Thus, the girls teams are treated with little support.  They have good/great coaches that have cycled through DTSC The last few years because of it and the cycle has trended downward.  Hard to turn it around.

Friend of mine just told me his daughter attended a Texans U17 ECNL...she was advised that they had 26 on the roster. Boys are in for a financial treat of this is the case. 26 is overkill.