Help educate me on ECNL

I know a good chunk of you have girls playing ECNL. Can someone give me the cliff note version of what's happening?

+ Are the Lake Highland (LH) D1 teams leaving LHGCL to go play ECNL?
+ What teams are leaving and which are staying?
+ How much traveling will a ECNL team have to do?
+ Are there some teams playing LH D1 and ECNL? Can this be done?
+ If a team leaves LH D1 to go play ECNL - how will LHGCL fill the D1 bracket? Are they going to move D2 teams up, thus having the D3 fill the D2 spots and then there being 4 or more open slots for D3?

+ Are there any girls leaving ECNL teams due to travel and costs? I know of one girl who was on a ECNL team and they were concerned about the costs.

brad.kennedy wrote:I know a good chunk of you have girls playing ECNL. Can someone give me the cliff note version of what's happening?

+ Are the Lake Highland (LH) D1 teams leaving LHGCL to go play ECNL?
+ What teams are leaving and which are staying?
+ How much traveling will a ECNL team have to do?
+ Are there some teams playing LH D1 and ECNL? Can this be done?
+ If a team leaves LH D1 to go play ECNL - how will LHGCL fill the D1 bracket? Are they going to move D2 teams up, thus having the D3 fill the D2 spots and then there being 4 or more open slots for D3?

+ Are there any girls leaving ECNL teams due to travel and costs? I know of one girl who was on a ECNL team and they were concerned about the costs.

Brad, here you go..........................knock yourself up

http://txsoccer.forumotion.net/f1-ecnl-nl-odp

Any team that plans on playing in ECNL is leaving LH. See the LH website for ruling: http://girlsclassicleague.com/rulesqualification.php#eligibility. These teams come from these clubs: FC Dallas, D'Feeters, Solar, Texans, and Sting (these are the only clubs in DFW area that are in ECNL-ECNL membership is invitation only). With these teams leaving, there are 5 spots in DI that are open. LH will not let the clubs that are leaving to go to ECNL to fill their byes with other teams within their club. This means the open DI spots go to the next 5 teams in DI and DII and so on. This is great for teams that normally would be relegated or would not get a bye. Any team in LH this year will have a bye. This leaves the open DIII spots in LH open to PYSA and Arlington teams to qualify for in the QT this year. The top PYSA & Arlington teams have a really good chance of making it into DIII. This is especially true since DII and DIII will expand to 10 teams each this year. I believe there will be seven spots available in DIII with no DIII teams having to requalify.

As to the cost of ECNL: membership to an ECNL team is basically the same but the difference comes in the amount of travel the team does. Travel expense could make ECNL cost prohibited for many players. The number of tournaments and regional play is determined by ECNL. See the ECNL website for more details: http://www.eliteclubsnationalleague.com/

Hope this helps.

Sting, Feet, Solar(blue for bye purposes??), Texans and FC all leave

Then in D1 relegate Solar Red (aka Solar Tarrant) & FC South (Rev)
Then you should have (this based on if all teams make):
Mustangs
Sting Royal
Solar Dallas
Tornados White
Solar Gold (aka Solar McKinney)
Solar Tarrant
FC South
Texans Red North

I can tell you the travel will be about the same as a D1 team. There should be 4 fly travel tourneys and most D1 will do at least 2 or 3. Negate the LHGCL league fees and replace with ECNL travel I bet the differences $$ will be minimal..but let's not talk about the elephant in the room..Sub rules in ECNL

bronxdad wrote:Sting, Feet, Solar(blue for bye purposes??), Texans and FC all leave

Then in D1 relegate Solar Red (aka Solar Tarrant) & FC South (Rev)
Then you should have (this based on if all teams make):
Mustangs
Sting Royal
Solar Dallas
Tornados White
Solar Gold (aka Solar McKinney)
Solar Tarrant
FC South
Texans Red North

I can tell you the travel will be about the same as a D1 team. There should be 4 fly travel tourneys and most D1 will do at least 2 or 3. Negate the LHGCL league fees and replace with ECNL travel I bet the differences $$ will be minimal..but let's not talk about the elephant in the room..Sub rules in ECNL

I'm sure it's been mentioned previously, but can someone remind me when will this rule be finalized?

Btw, it would be a nonsensical travesty for LHGCL to relegate the last two D1 teams and promote the 3rd-6th? place teams in D2.

Gunners wrote:

bronxdad wrote:Sting, Feet, Solar(blue for bye purposes??), Texans and FC all leave

Then in D1 relegate Solar Red (aka Solar Tarrant) & FC South (Rev)
Then you should have (this based on if all teams make):
Mustangs
Sting Royal
Solar Dallas
Tornados White
Solar Gold (aka Solar McKinney)
Solar Tarrant
FC South
Texans Red North

I can tell you the travel will be about the same as a D1 team. There should be 4 fly travel tourneys and most D1 will do at least 2 or 3. Negate the LHGCL league fees and replace with ECNL travel I bet the differences $$ will be minimal..but let's not talk about the elephant in the room..Sub rules in ECNL

I'm sure it's been mentioned previously, but can someone remind me when will this rule be finalized?

Wed, Jul 13 ECNL Annual General Meeting

http://www.eliteclubsnationalleague.com/calendar/2011/7.html

Gunners wrote:Btw, it would be a nonsensical travesty for LHGCL to relegate the last two D1 teams and promote the 3rd-6th? place teams in D2.

The D1 teams will not be relegated, they will stay in D1. What happens is, if a team was supposed to be relegated, the team being promoted will be seeded higher at the start of the season. Let's say Team Z was going to D2, but now gets to stay in D1. Team A won D2 and was going to be promoted. For seeding/scheduling/determining PL status, Team A is ahead of Team Z.

PL requires teams to retain 50% of their roster to be eligible to play. This year, I don't think all the D1 teams left in the 96 group will have 50% of their roster, so some of the PL teams will come from D2. Tornados, TRN, Sting Royal.... Just depends on the roster status.

Is this right?

Sting - ECNL
D'Feeters - ECNL
Solar - ECNL
Texans - ECNL
FC Dallas - ECNL

Solar Blue - 1st in D1 and PL
DFW Tornadoes - 2nd in D1 and PL
Solar Gold - 3rd in D1 and PL
Solar Red - 4th in D1 and PL
FC Dallas South (formerly Revolution) - 5th in D1
Sting Royal - 6th in D1
Texans Red North - 7th in D1
Mustangs - 8th in D1

Gunners wrote:Is this right?

Sting - ECNL
D'Feeters - ECNL
Solar - ECNL
Texans - ECNL
FC Dallas - ECNL

Solar Blue - 1st in D1 and PL
DFW Tornadoes - 2nd in D1 and PL
Solar Gold - 3rd in D1 and PL
Solar Red - 4th in D1 and PL
FC Dallas South (formerly Revolution) - 5th in D1
Sting Royal - 6th in D1
Texans Red North - 7th in D1
Mustangs - 8th in D1

The one club that screwed in this whole deal is feet. Most of the clubs could care less. All but feet will still be in D1, but D1 and premier league should be a very different level.

Solar Blue - 1st in D1 and Regional PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
DFW Tornadoes - 2nd in D1 and Regional PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
Solar Gold - 3rd in D1 and PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
Solar Red - 4th in D1 and PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
FC Dallas (formerly Revolution) 5th in D1 and PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
Sting Royal 6th in D1 and PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
Texans Red North 7th in D1
Mustangs 8th in D1

As of now for PL, if the teams do not have 50%, it will go to the next team in D1 that meets that requirement. I am assuming since none of the prior years' PL teams from NTX will be in PL, they may have to elect to send alternates. No idea how that will play out.

Regional PL is new and the NTX teams will play the RPL teams from diff teams in R3 (East, Central and West). Same concept for the Regional ECNL play. Only teams winning Regional PL will get a bye to Regionals. If a team wins PL, they will get promoted to play in Regional PL the following year.

Info from R3:

US Youth Soccer Region III Premier League and Regional Premier League
Beginning in the fall 2011 season we will have a Region III Regional League in the U15, U16, and U17 age groups. Each age group will consist of a ten team bracket. Regional Premier League will have four teams from East, four teams from the west, and two teams from the central. Teams will qualify into the Regional Premier League through prior year play. There will be promotion and relegation between the Regional Premier League and the three sub-regional Premier Leagues

Gunners wrote:Is this right?

Sting - ECNL
D'Feeters - ECNL
Solar - ECNL
Texans - ECNL
FC Dallas - ECNL

Solar DALLAS - 1st in D1 and PL
DFW Tornadoes - 2nd in D1 and PL
Solar MCKINNEY - 3rd in D1 and PL
Solar TARRANT - 4th in D1 and PL
FC Dallas South (formerly Revolution) - 5th in D1
Sting Royal - 6th in D1
Texans Red North - 7th in D1
Mustangs - 8th in D1

Anyone have any info on whether Solar McKinney, Tarrant and FC So will even meet roster numbers required for PL???

Uneducated reply here...

GUnners, does your lineup factor that 2 teams are relegated and 2 promoted? I'm not sure if it's 1 or 2 at u16.

I would expect that D1 relegated team's seeding would only drop below the D2 team(s) that would have been promoted to D1 in a normal year. So, if 2 teams are relegated/promoted, I'd imagine Solar Red would be above the 3rd place D2 team and the same would apply for FC Dallas South. Make sense?

Now....how many teams are able to retain 50% is another issue.

justbecause wrote:

Gunners wrote:Is this right?

Sting - ECNL
D'Feeters - ECNL
Solar - ECNL
Texans - ECNL
FC Dallas - ECNL

Solar Blue - 1st in D1 and PL
DFW Tornadoes - 2nd in D1 and PL
Solar Gold - 3rd in D1 and PL
Solar Red - 4th in D1 and PL
FC Dallas South (formerly Revolution) - 5th in D1
Sting Royal - 6th in D1
Texans Red North - 7th in D1
Mustangs - 8th in D1

The one club that screwed in this whole deal is feet. Most of the clubs could care less. All but feet will still be in D1, but D1 and premier league should be a very different level.

How was Feet screwed? They only have one team and that one team is exactly where it wants to be - ECNL.

LHD wrote:

justbecause wrote:

Gunners wrote:Is this right?

Sting - ECNL
D'Feeters - ECNL
Solar - ECNL
Texans - ECNL
FC Dallas - ECNL

Solar Blue - 1st in D1 and PL
DFW Tornadoes - 2nd in D1 and PL
Solar Gold - 3rd in D1 and PL
Solar Red - 4th in D1 and PL
FC Dallas South (formerly Revolution) - 5th in D1
Sting Royal - 6th in D1
Texans Red North - 7th in D1
Mustangs - 8th in D1

The one club that screwed in this whole deal is feet. Most of the clubs could care less. All but feet will still be in D1, but D1 and premier league should be a very different level.

How was Feet screwed? They only have one team and that one team is exactly where it wants to be - ECNL.

No OR limited D1 representation maybe? The 00 & 99s will be D2 next year. No teams to backfill for injuries (see 96s this year for example)

bronxdad wrote:

LHD wrote:

justbecause wrote:

Gunners wrote:Is this right?

Sting - ECNL
D'Feeters - ECNL
Solar - ECNL
Texans - ECNL
FC Dallas - ECNL

Solar Blue - 1st in D1 and PL
DFW Tornadoes - 2nd in D1 and PL
Solar Gold - 3rd in D1 and PL
Solar Red - 4th in D1 and PL
FC Dallas South (formerly Revolution) - 5th in D1
Sting Royal - 6th in D1
Texans Red North - 7th in D1
Mustangs - 8th in D1

The one club that screwed in this whole deal is feet. Most of the clubs could care less. All but feet will still be in D1, but D1 and premier league should be a very different level.

How was Feet screwed? They only have one team and that one team is exactly where it wants to be - ECNL.

No OR limited D1 representation maybe? The 00 & 99s will be D2 next year. No teams to backfill for injuries (see 96s this year for example)

True. But that is simply a byproduct of the club's model and not the result of LH or any new policy. Assuming Feet sticks to its longstanding tradition of one team per age group, there wouldn't be any 2nd or 3rd teams to backfill the ECNL team - regardless of inclusion in LH or any other league.

LHD wrote:

bronxdad wrote:

LHD wrote:

justbecause wrote:

Gunners wrote:Is this right?

Sting - ECNL
D'Feeters - ECNL
Solar - ECNL
Texans - ECNL
FC Dallas - ECNL

Solar Blue - 1st in D1 and PL
DFW Tornadoes - 2nd in D1 and PL
Solar Gold - 3rd in D1 and PL
Solar Red - 4th in D1 and PL
FC Dallas South (formerly Revolution) - 5th in D1
Sting Royal - 6th in D1
Texans Red North - 7th in D1
Mustangs - 8th in D1

The one club that screwed in this whole deal is feet. Most of the clubs could care less. All but feet will still be in D1, but D1 and premier league should be a very different level.

How was Feet screwed? They only have one team and that one team is exactly where it wants to be - ECNL.

No OR limited D1 representation maybe? The 00 & 99s will be D2 next year. No teams to backfill for injuries (see 96s this year for example)

True. But that is simply a byproduct of the club's model and not the result of LH or any new policy. Assuming Feet sticks to its longstanding tradition of one team per age group, there wouldn't be any 2nd or 3rd teams to backfill the ECNL team - regardless of inclusion in LH or any other league.

They are not sticking to their tradition, the academy group have teams (plural). They have attempted to lure coaches over with their team from some smaller clubs to keep those D1 byes in the older groups

bronxdad wrote:

LHD wrote:

bronxdad wrote:

LHD wrote:

justbecause wrote:

Gunners wrote:Is this right?

Sting - ECNL
D'Feeters - ECNL
Solar - ECNL
Texans - ECNL
FC Dallas - ECNL

Solar Blue - 1st in D1 and PL
DFW Tornadoes - 2nd in D1 and PL
Solar Gold - 3rd in D1 and PL
Solar Red - 4th in D1 and PL
FC Dallas South (formerly Revolution) - 5th in D1
Sting Royal - 6th in D1
Texans Red North - 7th in D1
Mustangs - 8th in D1

The one club that screwed in this whole deal is feet. Most of the clubs could care less. All but feet will still be in D1, but D1 and premier league should be a very different level.

How was Feet screwed? They only have one team and that one team is exactly where it wants to be - ECNL.

No OR limited D1 representation maybe? The 00 & 99s will be D2 next year. No teams to backfill for injuries (see 96s this year for example)

True. But that is simply a byproduct of the club's model and not the result of LH or any new policy. Assuming Feet sticks to its longstanding tradition of one team per age group, there wouldn't be any 2nd or 3rd teams to backfill the ECNL team - regardless of inclusion in LH or any other league.

They are not sticking to their tradition, the academy group have teams (plural). They have attempted to lure coaches over with their team from some smaller clubs to keep those D1 byes in the older groups

That rumor is circulated every year and it never happens. I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure there is only 1 team at '01, '02 and '03.

keepersmom wrote:Solar Blue - 1st in D1 and Regional PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
DFW Tornadoes - 2nd in D1 and Regional PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
Solar Gold - 3rd in D1 and PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
Solar Red - 4th in D1 and PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
FC Dallas (formerly Revolution) 5th in D1 and PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
Sting Royal 6th in D1 and PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
Texans Red North 7th in D1
Mustangs 8th in D1

As of now for PL, if the teams do not have 50%, it will go to the next team in D1 that meets that requirement. I am assuming since none of the prior years' PL teams from NTX will be in PL, they may have to elect to send alternates. No idea how that will play out.

Regional PL is new and the NTX teams will play the RPL teams from diff teams in R3 (East, Central and West). Same concept for the Regional ECNL play. Only teams winning Regional PL will get a bye to Regionals. If a team wins PL, they will get promoted to play in Regional PL the following year.

Info from R3:

US Youth Soccer Region III Premier League and Regional Premier League
Beginning in the fall 2011 season we will have a Region III Regional League in the U15, U16, and U17 age groups. Each age group will consist of a ten team bracket. Regional Premier League will have four teams from East, four teams from the west, and two teams from the central. Teams will qualify into the Regional Premier League through prior year play. There will be promotion and relegation between the Regional Premier League and the three sub-regional Premier Leagues

Six PL spots?

Gunners wrote:

keepersmom wrote:Solar Blue - 1st in D1 and Regional PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
DFW Tornadoes - 2nd in D1 and Regional PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
Solar Gold - 3rd in D1 and PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
Solar Red - 4th in D1 and PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
FC Dallas (formerly Revolution) 5th in D1 and PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
Sting Royal 6th in D1 and PL (if they have 50% of their roster)
Texans Red North 7th in D1
Mustangs 8th in D1

As of now for PL, if the teams do not have 50%, it will go to the next team in D1 that meets that requirement. I am assuming since none of the prior years' PL teams from NTX will be in PL, they may have to elect to send alternates. No idea how that will play out.

Regional PL is new and the NTX teams will play the RPL teams from diff teams in R3 (East, Central and West). Same concept for the Regional ECNL play. Only teams winning Regional PL will get a bye to Regionals. If a team wins PL, they will get promoted to play in Regional PL the following year.

Info from R3:

US Youth Soccer Region III Premier League and Regional Premier League
Beginning in the fall 2011 season we will have a Region III Regional League in the U15, U16, and U17 age groups. Each age group will consist of a ten team bracket. Regional Premier League will have four teams from East, four teams from the west, and two teams from the central. Teams will qualify into the Regional Premier League through prior year play. There will be promotion and relegation between the Regional Premier League and the three sub-regional Premier Leagues

Six PL spots?

Actually, it should be 4 Regional PL and 4 PL, so all of D1 would have some representation in PL, BUT with the roster issues and the same teams not returning to PL, I am not sure what they will do.

I love this blog!! How sick of a parent am I? I don't even have a DD in ENCL, but I like following what you all are doing! ( My DD plays PPL )

Sounds like this whole ENCL thing is exciting ( new teams to play and some pretty prestigious recognition ) however it also sounds like there are some things still being worked out.

I'm really interested in the 50% concern. Sounds like there is a lot of movement and uncertainty in the system right now. All I can say .... July signing is going to be VERY interesting!

Thank you all for helping educate me on this!!

Cheers!!

bronxdad wrote:

Gunners wrote:

bronxdad wrote:Sting, Feet, Solar(blue for bye purposes??), Texans and FC all leave

Then in D1 relegate Solar Red (aka Solar Tarrant) & FC South (Rev)
Then you should have (this based on if all teams make):
Mustangs
Sting Royal
Solar Dallas
Tornados White
Solar Gold (aka Solar McKinney)
Solar Tarrant
FC South
Texans Red North

I can tell you the travel will be about the same as a D1 team. There should be 4 fly travel tourneys and most D1 will do at least 2 or 3. Negate the LHGCL league fees and replace with ECNL travel I bet the differences $$ will be minimal..but let's not talk about the elephant in the room..Sub rules in ECNL

I'm sure it's been mentioned previously, but can someone remind me when will this rule be finalized?

Wed, Jul 13 ECNL Annual General Meeting

http://www.eliteclubsnationalleague.com/calendar/2011/7.html

I assume all questions will be answered tomorrow?

Best thing about ECNL is a less physically demanding schedule. We will probably end up playing about 30 games for the entire year. Injuries were multiplying last year with so many games. More free weekends and the fees didnt go up which is nice too!

In my humble opinion, ecnl is another league, plain and simple. There was a un-served need and they are trying to serve it. US Club (ecnl) seem to have awoken the girls classic league and that should be good for everyone. If your daughter aspires to play in college ecnl has sold the story that their league offers a faster and better pathway. It is not true but American consumers want to be able to buy their way into the perceived best product available. I believe in the next few years the dust will settle and some will migrate back to "local" leagues (lhgcl) and some will want to play in the travel league (ecnl). Competition is good and ecnl will help lhgcl get stronger and make it a better league. Regarding college over 90% of our daughters will go to school in Texas or Okla. or Ark. (that’s the truth) so if she aspires to play college soccer find a good coach, with a good club who knows Texas soccer and she and you will be fine. Always pick the school based on education and realize soccer is a wonderful game played for the fun, thrill and joy of sport. It will be over before you can blink.

I probably would have agreed with you about a year and half ago but now, after seeing what it does offer, the exposure level at each event goes unmatched. Every player that plays in the ECNL, increases their odds of some type of college scholarship by huge amounts. I am sure if you do some checking, you will find out that verbal commits have grown substantially at a younger age. The majority of our clubs 95 team had verbally committed in the spring of their sophomore year and we arent one of the huge clubs. OUr 96 team already has a committment. The expenses are no more than a D1, PL team that plays a couple of tournaments.

I know it doesnt come without some quirks but the main thing is not only did they sell their story to the club coaches but they sold it to the colleges. Our 96 team averaged 30-40 college coaches at the ECNL events this year.

Now that the Texans have joined the ECNL, it has solidified that whatever they are doing, they are doing right.

I wont miss the weeknight games during school and the wacky scheduling with make up games in LH's. I especially wont miss Moss Park!!!